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CLEVELAND — Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on Friday, and the three-time AL MVP is expected to return this season.

Trout had a partial medial meniscectomy procedure performed in California. The team said the outfielder will remain in Anaheim for the start of his rehab process.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the 11-time All-Star has dealt with a significant injury.

“When they went in, it was exactly what we said it was and nothing else,” Angels manager Ron Washington reported before his team opened a three-game series in Cleveland. “So we’re all good.”

Washington said he spoke to Trout following the surgery.

Trout, 32, isn’t exactly sure when he injured his knee. He was leading the majors with 10 homers and had 14 RBIs and six steals before he was sidelined.

“He was in a good place, a really good place before he got hurt,” Washington said. “He went through a little bit of struggle, but I would rather have it now because once he finds it, he can go for three months.

“But mentally he was in a good place and for that to happen, I can understand how it took him down.”

When it was announced he would miss more time, Trout expressed frustration at being out for an extended period again.

Washington said his message to Trout was all positive.

“I let him know how much we miss him,” he said. “I’m happy the surgery went well, and I’m looking forward to his rehab and getting after it and getting back as fast as he possibly can. In the meantime, I told him, ‘Enjoy your rehab.'”

Trout missed most of the 2021 season with a strained calf, and several weeks in 2022 with a back injury. Last season, a broken hand sidelined him from July on.

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Kitchens out as OC after Heels offense slumps

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Kitchens out as OC after Heels offense slumps

North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, with the school announcing the departure of both assistants after a 4-8 season in Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”

North Carolina’s offense was one of the worst in the country, ranking 119th in the FBS in scoring (19.3 PPG) and 129th in total offense (288.8 YPG).

The Tar Heels had special teams issues coming down the stretch too, notably with Duke running a fake field goal to set up a late winning touchdown and NC State successfully running a fake punt for a first down the following week.

Kitchens, who served as Cleveland Browns coach in 2019, had been with the Tar Heels since 2023 and was the interim coach for their Fenway Bowl loss at the end of the 2024 season. Belichick was hired as the new head coach earlier that month.

Priefer was a longtime NFL special teams coach who followed Belichick to Chapel Hill but lasted just one season on the job.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sources: Iowa St. QB Becht has shoulder surgery

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Sources: Iowa St. QB Becht has shoulder surgery

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht underwent labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder Thursday, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Becht played the majority of the season with a partial labrum tear and using a harness on the shoulder. He was diagnosed with the injury after the Cyclones’ loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 4. He also dealt with an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder late in the season, which he is recovering from.

Sources said Becht is expected to make a full recovery in the upcoming months as he weighs decisions about his future. The quarterback is expected to consider a return to Iowa State or entering the transfer portal.

Longtime Cyclones coach Matt Campbell left the school earlier this month to become Penn State‘s coach. The Cyclones hired Washington State‘s Jimmy Rogers as his replacement.

Becht, a junior this season, threw for 2,584 yards with 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He has totaled 9,274 yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in three-plus seasons at Iowa State.

Iowa State went 8-4 this season but opted not to play in a bowl game after Campbell’s departure.

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San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

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San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

San Jose State wide receiver Danny Scudero, the leading receiver in FBS this season, will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in January, he announced Friday.

The 5-foot-9, 174-pound redshirt sophomore caught 88 passes for 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season with the Spartans, becoming a semifinal for the Biletnikoff Award and earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.

Scudero is expected to be one of the more coveted wide receivers available when the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2 and has two more seasons of eligibility remaining.

Scudero spent two years at Sacramento State before transferring to San Jose State after the 2024 season. He broke out with 189 receiving yards to open the season against Central Michigan and surpassed 100 yards in five more games, including a career-high 215 and two touchdowns against Hawaii.

Scudero’s 88 receptions ranked fourth-most in FBS, and he leads all receivers this season with 16 catches of 30 or more yards.

The Spartans produced the No. 14 passing offense in FBS this season but went 3-9 in their second year under coach Ken Niumatalolo.

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