Blue Jays get great Shane Bieber injury news — and more

Toronto has to be happy about this development.

Man City Transfer Latest: Bernardo Silva Future Under Spotlight

Manchester City are working to clarify Bernardo Silva’s position before the summer window gathers pace. According to TeamTalk, the midfielder’s camp is fielding significant interest as his contract approaches its expiry at the end of the season.

City have already opened discussions over an extension, offering terms that would keep Silva at the Etihad for at least another year. Hugo Viana has been in “close contact” with the player’s representatives, intent on securing clarity before the campaign concludes. Should the 31 year old commit, he would complete a decade at the club, a landmark he is understood to be weighing seriously.

Photo IMAGO

European Interest Intensifies

Interest from Spain remains active. Barcelona are long term admirers but have not submitted a formal proposal. Atletico Madrid have entered discussions, adding competition from La Liga.

Juventus, however, are currently the most concrete suitors. The Italian side have made an approach, aware that the absence of an agreement in Manchester creates opportunity. There are also suggestions Monaco could explore a reunion, while the Saudi Pro League continues to monitor the situation, though it is unclear whether Silva would consider such a move.

TeamTalk previously reported that Pep Guardiola instructed City officials to conclude a new two year deal to end uncertainty. No agreement has yet been reached, leaving space for rival clubs to manoeuvre.

Wider Context at Etihad

Silva is not alone in attracting attention. Reports indicate Paris Saint Germain have made discreet enquiries about Erling Haaland’s possible availability, although any such move is viewed as unlikely in the short term. PSG’s interest is understood to be unrelated to Ousmane Dembele’s situation in France, where intermediaries have contacted Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Photo: IMAGO

For City, the priority remains internal resolution. Silva has been integral to Guardiola’s tactical flexibility, trusted in decisive fixtures and capable of shaping tight contests. Securing his future would remove a variable at a pivotal moment in squad planning.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Bernardo Silva’s situation cuts deeper than routine transfer talk. He represents the Guardiola era at its most refined, adaptable, intelligent and relentlessly competitive. The thought of him departing on a free transfer would feel like an avoidable loss.

Fans will note that City have moved early, holding talks and maintaining close contact. That signals intent. Yet supporters also recognise that Silva has earned the right to weigh his options after years of contribution across domestic and European success.

Interest from Juventus or Atletico Madrid carries credibility, but City remain in a strong position. A decade at the Etihad would cement Silva’s legacy and sustain continuity in a squad that is already recalibrating for the next cycle.

Supporters will trust the club’s judgement. If he stays, it reinforces stability. If he leaves, it must be on terms that respect both his service and City’s standards.

Rory McIlroy opened his Genesis Invitational campaign with a strong round of 66 at Riviera, setting himself up nicely for the week ahead.

He carded six birdies against just one bogey to leave him in a good position early on. Before play began, McIlroy had voiced his dislike of the recent changes to Riviera’s fourth hole.

But that didn’t stop him from picking up a birdie there during his opening round.

The Northern Irishman finished the day five-under-par, just one shot behind Aaron Rai, who set the early pace with a 65. With plenty of golf left to play, McIlroy will feel well placed heading into Friday’s second round.

There was also good news for fans back home: full live coverage of each round is available on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event throughout the week.

Rory McIlroy says his game is still improving after opening round 66 at Riviera

Over the last 15 years, McIlroy has established himself as one of the top golfers of his era, and his record speaks for itself.

His competitiveness and determination to win were evident again on Thursday at Riviera.

After finishing his round, McIlroy was asked by reporters about the challenges of playing Riviera in the windy and wet conditions.

McIlroy said: “Yeah, I’ve definitely got more comfortable playing in conditions like this over the past few years.”

“I’ve gotten more comfortable in controlling my ball flight, and controlling my ball flight taking a lot more club, hitting the ball low.

“Yeah, and I’ve started to just really enjoy this style of golf. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I didn’t enjoy these conditions, but it’s been a shift in a mindset and maybe just a continuation of trying to build upon the skill set that I have.

“Then when it does get to conditions like this, I’m a lot more prepared. I wouldn’t say I enjoy them, but I can certainly handle them better. As I said, I haven’t always enjoyed these conditions. I haven’t always — honestly, I haven’t always had the skill set to excel in them.

Looking at McIlroy’s numbers from the opening round of the Genesis Invitational

McIlroy finds himself in a good position after day one at Riviera.

But with plenty of golf still to be played, there’s a lot that could change. More than half the field is still yet to finish their opening rounds due to a three-hour rain delay on Thursday.

The 2025 Masters champion will be pleased with how things are looking early on, but what do the stats say about his game right now?

The numbers show that McIlroy was pretty steady across all areas of his game.

His driving wasn’t quite up to his usual high standards, but that’s rarely an issue for him over multiple rounds. Expect him to find his rhythm off the tee as play continues into Friday.

Adding a win at Riviera would be another milestone for him. It’s one of those venues that carries real weight in golf history, and he’s spoken before about how winning at places like this has become more important to him as his career goes on.

If he can maintain this level, and continue making incremental gains in certain parts of his game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him add more majors to his tally before long.

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Blue Jays get great Shane Bieber injury news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays traded for Shane Bieber for last season's stretch run and didn't know if they'd have him beyond then.

But then he rejoined forces with the Blue Jays in the offseason to try running it back and seeing if they can get over the hump of an extra innings Game 7 World Series loss.

It may not be easy, but Bieber could be a big part of the journey.

If he can get healthy, that is.

Bieber got a good bill of health from manager John Schneider on Thursday, via a story from MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

“Biebs isn’t that far behind. Biebs is throwing and feeling good. He’s out to 120 feet,” Schneider said. “Hopefully in the next week to two weeks, he’ll be getting off the mound and starting his progression. There are options coming, too.”

Bieber warned a week ago when he spoke to reporters that he'd be taking it "slow and smart."

The regular season is a little more than a month away.

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Bieber also has the matter of coming off a couple of shortened seasons to consider when making a plan for him going forward.

He only made two starts in 2024 before Tommy John surgery, and he didn't return until the summer in 2025 as he recovered from that injury.

The Blue Jays may not want to rush him back anyway, given that it might be tough for him to get to 200 innings for a full season after that recent injury history.

But any bit of Bieber is better than no Bieber for the Blue Jays, and he's moving in the right direction.

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