Murakami Impresses In Spring Training Debut Despite Traffic Woes
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami made an impact in his Cactus League debut, recording two hits and two RBIs despite a late arrival due to highway traffic.
Murakami, who signed a two-year, $34 million deal in December, arrived 20 minutes before first pitch after getting caught in a massive highway accident. The 26-year-old hit a single in the third inning with a high exit velocity. Murakami, a former Central League MVP, is looking to provide a lift for the rebuilding White Sox after a dismal three-year stretch.
Justin Rose, Chris Gotterup among those to miss cut at Genesis Invitational
The first two rounds are in the books at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, as the 2026 Genesis Invitational moves to the weekend.
This is the second of back-to-back signature events on the PGA Tour calendar, but unlike some other signature events, this one had a 36-hole cut. The Genesis is one of three elevated tournaments, along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial, that makes a cut after the first two days despite having a limited field.
The top 50 and ties plus any player within 10 shots of the lead qualified for the weekend at Riviera. Of the 72 players who started the week, 21 were sent packing, including a few major champions and a few players who have already won this season.
Who missed the cut at the Genesis Invitational?
Justin Rose, Chris Gotterup, J.J. Spaun, Sam Burns, Keegan Bradley, Jason Day and Russell Henley are among those who won't play the weekend at Riviera after struggling on Thursday and Friday. Despite flirting with the cutline for much of the day, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler narrowly made it through thanks to a 68 on Friday. Below is the full list of players who fell short of the even-par cutline at the 2026 Genesis Invitational:
- Nico Echavarria (+1)
- Max McGreevy (+1)
- Sam Burns (+1)
- Maverick McNealy (+1)
- Kevin Yu (+1)
- Russell Henley (+2)
- J.T. Poston (+2)
- Rico Hoey (+2)
- Daniel Berger (+2)
- Harry Hall (+2)
- Brian Campbell (+2)
- Justin Rose (+3)
- Keegan Bradley (+3)
- Chris Gotterup (+3)
- Tom Hoge (+3)
- Lucas Glover (+3)
- J.J. Spaun (+4)
- Bud Cauley (+4)
- Michael Kim (+4)
- Jason Day (+5)
- Garrick Higgo (+10)
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Genesis Invitational 2026: Who missed the cut?
Sean Strickland suffered brutal weight cut for UFC Houston main event
Sean Strickland appeared to be in really rough shape during his weight cut for Saturday’s main event clash with Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, but when it was all said and done the former UFC middleweight champion still made weight.
This is a big weekend for Strickland. The former 185-pound titleholder is just 1-2 in his last three trips to the cage and looking to turn in a memorable return to the win column in order to land a spot on UFC’s White House card. Strickland will have to defy the odds considering Hernandez is a sizeable betting favorite for UFC Houston’s main event, but the brash middleweight contender has pulled off some improbable performances in the past.
Unfortunately for Strickland, he didn’t have the greatest cut down to 185 pounds in advance to Saturday’s five-round headliner. Strickland walks around pretty heavy outside of camp so he’s never one for an easy weight cut. However, this week’s cut seemed worse than most. Even Strickland admitted the weight cut is worse than the actual fight before revealing he was experiencing “double vision” and “can only see out of one eye.”
“I can only see out of one eye. I have like double vision,” said Strickland. “I think that’s the worst part about cutting weight. Always having to walk with one eye closed.”
“This is really what we get paid to do is cutting weight,” he later added. “It’s worse than the fight.”
UFC Houston will go down tomorrow night (Sat., Feb. 21, 2026) LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Toyota Center in Houston, Tex., with Strickland vs. Hernandez serving as the main event. The winner could line themselves up for the next shot at UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
For more UFC Houston fight card news click HERE.
Mike LeFleur keeps 10 holdovers on Cardinals staff, including defensive coordinator Nick Rallis
PHOENIX, Ariz. (AP) — New Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur has filled out his coaching staff, with 10 holdovers from Jonathan Gannon’s tenure.
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will remain, and Nathaniel Hackett was previously announced as the offensive coordinator. Offensive line coach Justin Frye is also staying, along with assistant O-Line coach Chris Cook; former linebackers coach Cristian Garcia will be in charge of the safeties.
Also on the offensive side: Connor Senger will be the pass game specialist, Matt Schaub will coach quarterbacks, Matt Merritt will handle running backs, Tony Sorrentino will be in charge of receivers and Jake Moreland will coach the tight ends. Brett Ekkens will be in charge of quality control.
Pete Kwiatkowski will coach the defensive line, with Alex Osborne as an assistant. Rod Wilson will coach the inside linebackers, Matt Feeney will handle the outside linebackers, Zac Etheridge is in charge of the corners and Brent Jackson will handle quality control.
Michael Ghobrial will be the special teams coordinator, with assistant Sam Sewell. Kenny Bell is the director of football strategy and Jay Razzano is assistant to the head coach.
LaFleur, who came to the Cardinals after three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, was introduced this month to replace Gannon, who was fired on Jan. 5 after a 15-36 record over three seasons.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Texas A&M star OL sets PFF record, could be a 2026 NFL Draft steal
Among Texas A&M's 13 NFL Scouting Combine participants, senior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III is by far the most versatile athlete in the group, as the four-year starting left tackle brings size, strength, and most importantly, SEC experience to any future franchise in need of a potential long-term starter at either tackle, guard, or even center.
Standing 6'7" and nearly 320 pounds, Zuhn has continued to improve year after year, learning from his mistakes, while coach Mike Elko and offensive line coach Adam Cushing has only helped his NFL future over the past two offseasons, working the Coloraodo native at center, not just to test his versatility, but make sure he'll be ready to play at any spot once selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Per Pro Football Focus, Zuhn did not earn an offensive grade below 69.3 during all five seasons in College Station, while his beyond-elite 96.8 pass blocking grade, which led all offensive linemen in college football last season, is now officially the highest pass protection grade PFF has ever given a player in company history. Impressive? Of course, which further cements his future in football.
No knowing that most draft experts see Zuhn at center, whoever selects him will be getting a veteran lineman who can also serve as a left or right tackle in key pass pro downs, but if he successfully switches to center, showing potential at the position during the Senior Bowl, I expect him to stay there and contend for a starting center spot in 2026.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will run from February 26 to March 1.
Trey Zuhn III had the highest-pass block grade we’ve EVER given to an Offensive Lineman 😳👏@AggieFootballpic.twitter.com/qpK0Ntn8r8
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 20, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's Trey Zuhn III sets PFF record, eyes NFL Draft