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Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, a potential top-10 NFL draft pick, and fellow Illini defensive tackle Keith Randolph Jr. are both set to move on to the NFL in 2024.

Both Illinois juniors told reporters Tuesday of their intentions.

Newton, ranked No. 23 on Mel Kiper’s Big Board and No. 8 in a recent roundtable of ESPN draft experts, said he would not play in a bowl game if Illinois (5-6) lands one this winter. Randolph said he is undecided on a bowl game.

The Illini can become bowl-eligible by beating Northwestern on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“It’s really important for me, trying to get my teammates one more game to play in,” Newton told reporters. “I know a lot of people don’t have careers after this, a lot of people won’t go to the NFL, so just to have people playing one more game together as a unit, seeing my team play, that would be really big for me.”

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Newton, an AP second-team All-America selection in 2022 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection, has 47 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, as well as team highs in both quarterback hurries (8) and blocked kicks (3), and a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

The Florida native and team captain is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player.

Randolph, also a captain who leads FBS defensive tackles in tackles per game (5.6), is also a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He appears at No. 9 on Kiper’s list of top draft-eligible defensive ends for the 2024 draft. Randolph is tied for second on the team with four quarterback hurries.

“This is my final year here,” Randolph told 247 Sports on Tuesday. “It’s emotional. I’ve been here for a long time. I’m a senior. I didn’t transfer. I’ve been here since Coach [Lovie] Smith. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs and a lot of adversity. This place is my home, and it will forever hold a place in my heart.”

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Tigers place pitcher Jobe (elbow) on 15-day IL

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Tigers place pitcher Jobe (elbow) on 15-day IL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Jackson Jobe on the 15-day injured list Friday because of a right elbow injury.

Jobe, a rookie right-hander, mentioned discomfort after leaving his last start, against San Francisco on Wednesday. The injury was described as a Grade 1 right flexor strain, and the move was retroactive to Thursday.

“He reported that he had a little bit of soreness,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said before the MLB-leading Tigers opened a three-game series in Kansas City. “So we took him immediately to get evaluated. When the test came back and the doctors read it, they discovered this flexor strain.

“I try not to rush to any judgment until we see how his rest goes, and see how his rehab goes. We’ll listen to the doctors and the pitching coaches on that.”

The 22-year-old Jobe is 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts this season. He has 39 strikeouts and 27 walks in 49 innings.

Right-handed pitcher Dylan Smith was selected from Triple-A Toledo and will make his major league debut with the Tigers. To make room for Smith on the 40-man roster, right-hander Alex Cobb has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

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Braves lose rookie Smith-Shawver to torn UCL

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Braves lose rookie Smith-Shawver to torn UCL

ATLANTA — Braves rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, the team said Friday.

Smith-Shawver left Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader opener and said he felt a “pop.” The 22-year-old was initially placed on the 15-day injured list before being moved to the 60-day IL on Friday.

“(His evaluation) showed a tear on his imaging,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said before Atlanta opened a three-game series against Boston. “He’ll consult with the physicians or doctors and they’ll decide what the next step is.”

Snitker said he didn’t know if Smith-Shawver would need Tommy John surgery.

On Thursday, Smith-Shawver appeared to say “pop” toward Snitker after a third-inning pitch to Trea Turner. He gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Rafael Marchán, then took a 96.6 mph line drive off his right ankle on a a ball hit by Bryson Stott with one out.

Smith-Shawver threw a warmup pitch and stayed in the game, then left after wincing while allowing a flyout to Turner on the fourth pitch of the at-bat.

Smith-Shawver is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts and 44 1/3 innings, striking out 42 and walking 21.

“It’s tough for all (young pitchers) when it happens,” Snitker said. “Especially where he was, feeling good about himself and throwing good.”

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Phils’ Harper says elbow still sore, return uncertain

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Phils' Harper says elbow still sore, return uncertain

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper remains day-to-day as he continues to recover from a bruised right elbow, leaving his return to the lineup uncertain.

Harper was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning Tuesday. Although X-rays indicated no fracture, Harper described his elbow as “still super sore” and has yet to resume swinging a bat.

“I’m not sure when I’m going to play again,” Harper said Friday before the Phillies opened a weekend series against Milwaukee. “It hit me in a pretty bad spot. I think the swelling has gone down, which is good, but like I said, it’s a really tough spot where he got me. I just want to be smart about it, too.”

Harper’s elbow, which underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, remains a sensitive area. In light of the injury, Harper plans to wear a protective guard on his right elbow upon his return.

“It’s really hard to find braces that feel good, that don’t feel as bulky,” Harper said. “I haven’t really worn them my whole career. I have here and there, just to feel it. I did in spring training this year because of this reason. I didn’t like the way it felt.”

Despite the setback, the two-time National League MVP emphasized that he does not believe Strider’s pitch was intentional.

“Obviously there was no intent on it,” Harper said. “He’s a competitive guy, a really good pitcher.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson echoed Harper’s sentiments, stating that he doesn’t expect Harper to land on the injured list.

“We’ll have to see [when he can return],” Thomson said. “We have to get the swelling out and him be pain free, or close to it.”

Harper took ground balls and fielded throws at first base before Friday’s game, but he didn’t throw any balls or swing a bat.

Harper is hitting .267 with 8 homers and 33 RBIs in 54 games this season. Alec Bohm has shifted from third base to first base to replace Harper. Edmundo Sosa has taken over at third.

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