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Diamond Sports Group has submitted a reorganization plan that calls for it to shed broadcasting rights for all but one Major League Baseball team, putting 11 clubs at risk of losing their regional sports network contracts.

Diamond said in court that it will keep its contract with the Atlanta Braves and drop the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. Diamond is prepared to move forward as a business without the other teams in its portfolio: the Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.

The Rangers, Guardians Twins and Brewers had their deals expire after the 2024 season. Five other teams — the Angels, Reds, Cardinals, Royals and Marlins — are on joint-venture agreements, which would trigger legal action if Diamond drops its agreements.

A source with Diamond, the bankrupt operator of Bally Sports channels, said the company is still hopeful of agreeing to new terms with the 11 other teams and has previously submitted proposals to each of them.

MLB, however, has consistently called Diamond’s viability into question and has not shown a willingness to negotiate new rights deals since the company went into Chapter 11 reorganization nearly 19 months ago. A confirmation date has been set for Nov. 14 and 15 in bankruptcy court in Houston. The objection deadline is Nov. 5. MLB lawyer James Bromley said in court that the league was “blindsided” by the development, a point Diamond’s attorney refuted.

“We have no information about what is being done,” Bromley was quoted as saying by The Athletic. “We’ve had no opportunity to review and now we’re in front of the court and being asked to make our comments.”

Diamond secured new contracts consisting of lesser rights fees with the NBA and the NHL on Aug. 23, shortly after agreeing to a new carriage agreement with Comcast, which placed Diamond channels on its most expensive tier. Diamond currently holds the rights to 13 NBA teams and eight NHL teams, having recently dropped the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Diamond wrote: “Today marks an important step forward for Diamond with the filing of a baseline plan to enable us to emerge from bankruptcy as a viable, go-forward business before year-end. We have delivered proposals to and remain in discussions with our MLB team partners around go-forward plans. We firmly believe that through our linear and digital offerings we have created the best economic and fan-friendly engine for all of our team partners.”

MLB holds long-term plans to house liner and direct-to-consumer rights under a national umbrella, seeing it as a long-term pivot to a cable model that has become increasingly volatile. Assuming none of the 11 teams in danger of getting dropped by Diamond agree to new deals, MLB — which took over broadcasts for the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks after they were dropped last year — could technically hold the rights to nearly half the league.

With local media making up about 20% of team revenues in the aggregate, Diamond’s plans will create increasingly more financial uncertainty for teams — the type that might once again impact offseason spending.

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White Sox place Vargas on IL with oblique strain

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White Sox place Vargas on IL with oblique strain

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Chicago White Sox placed infielder Miguel Vargas on the 10-day injured list on Sunday because of a left oblique strain.

Vargas, 25, was scratched from Saturday night’s 1-0 victory at the Angels. Vargas, who was acquired from the Dodgers as part of a three-team trade in July 2024, is batting .229 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs in 106 games.

The White Sox also recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Charlotte before their series finale against the Angels. Left-hander Bryan Hudson and right-hander Elvis Peguero were claimed off waivers from Milwaukee and assigned to Charlotte.

Mead, 24, came over when the White Sox traded right-hander Adrian Houser to Tampa Bay on Thursday. Mead hit .226 with three homers and eight RBIs in 49 games with the Rays this year.

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After red flag, White’s 2 HRs let Braves lap Reds

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After red flag, White's 2 HRs let Braves lap Reds

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Eli White hit a three-run homer and a solo shot, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Sunday in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.

White’s first homer of the afternoon gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead in the second inning at the historic racetrack. The ball hit the safer barrier after clearing the outfield wall and the track itself.

He added his sixth homer of the season on a leadoff shot in the seventh.

Cincinnati went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base. Brent Suter (1-2) got the loss.

Atlanta came in having clinched the season series, winning four of the first six games. The teams split the first two in Cincinnati before coming to Bristol.

The game was scheduled for Saturday, but it was suspended in the first inning because of persistent rain.

Hurston Waldrep (1-0) was on the mound for Atlanta when play resumed. The right-hander was brought up from Triple-A Gwinnett and traveled about 250 miles to Bristol Motor Speedway early Sunday morning. He pitched 5⅔ innings of one-run ball for his first career win.

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Rockies closer Halvorsen (elbow strain) put on IL

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Rockies closer Halvorsen (elbow strain) put on IL

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have put closer Seth Halvorsen on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain after he had to leave Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh.

Interim manager Warren Schaeffer said at the time the injury didn’t look good — following the right-hander’s exit after throwing five pitches in the ninth inning. Halvorsen leads the Rockies with 11 saves.

Colorado also recalled right-hander Nick Anderson and catcher Braxton Fulford from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, and the Rockies optioned infielder Michael Toglia to Albuquerque.

The 25-year-old Halvorsen is 1-2 with a 4.99 ERA this year. He made his big league debut in August of 2024.

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