Sports

Flames’ Kylington in ‘good place,’ returns to ice

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

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Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2024, 02:39 PM ET

Away for the past two seasons addressing his mental health, Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington placed himself on the comeback trail and returned to the ice with the organization Thursday for the first time since the end of the 2021-22 season.

Kylington has been regularly skating with the injured personnel from the Flames’ NHL club. He was assigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers on a conditioning assignment Thursday and could be back with the Flames this month.

“I feel I’m in a good place with my mental health and ready to take another step forward,” Kylington said in a statement Thursday.

“Returning to Calgary has been the right decision. I’ve felt tremendous commitment from Flames ownership, management, and my teammates, and I am appreciative of the support and resources made available to me. I also thank my family, friends, and the fans for their encouragement. I’m looking forward to getting on the ice in a team environment and back to my everyday life. I have missed it very much.”

Players on the long-term injury list can be sent to the AHL for six days or three games, whichever is longer, without counting toward the NHL team’s salary cap. Kylington is eligible to request an extension of two more games.

Kylington reported to training camp with the Flames in September. The team announced the day before camp officially began that, after medical and fitness testing, Kylington wouldn’t start the season with the team, calling it a “private personal matter.”

Kylington, 26, missed the entire 2022-23 season for personal reasons.

Flames president of hockey operations Don Maloney said in May that the club anticipated his return to the ice in 2023-24. General manager Craig Conroy has worked closely with Kylington during his absence and said Thursday that he’s excited for the next steps in a co-designed return-to-play plan.

“First and foremost, as an organization, we care about Oliver as a person. We are so happy that he has made positive progression with his mental well-being, and we will continue to support Oliver through this process. Based on his feedback, and that of health professionals, we have developed a return-to-play plan for Oliver. This conditioning assignment to the Wranglers for full practice integration is the next step in that process. Oliver will continue with his treatment, and we will monitor as he moves forward.”

A second-round pick by the Flames in 2015, Kylington recorded 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists), a plus-30 rating and 156 blocks in 168 games in parts of five seasons before being placed on the long-term injury list.

Sports

MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

Published

44 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 04:27 PM ET

NEW YORK — Dan Iassogna will be the umpire crew chief and work the plate during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

His crew will include Marvin Hudson at first, Chris Segal at second, Jansen Visconti at third, Jeremie Rehak in left and Erich Bacchus in right, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

Iassogna, 56, will work his second All-Star Game. He was at third base for the 2011 game at Arizona.

He worked his first big league game in 1999, was hired to the major league staff in 2004 and appointed a crew chief ahead of the 2020 season. Iassogna umpired the World Series in 2012, ’17 and ’22 along with eight League Championship Series and seven Division Series.

Segal, Visconti, Rehak and Bacchus will work their first All-Star Games and Hudson his second after being in left field in 2004 at Houston.

Tony Randazzo will be the replay umpire in New York.

Sports

A’s Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

Published

44 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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A's Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 01:16 PM ET

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to the list of Home Run Derby participants.

Rooker announced Thursday that he’s participating in the event, which takes place Monday in Atlanta. He will become the first Athletics player in the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”

Rooker, 30, entered Thursday with a .270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace for a third straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 and had 39 homers in 2024.

His 58 homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third among all American League players.

The only A’s to win the Derby were Mark McGwire in 1992 and Yoenis Céspedes in 2013 and 2014.

Other announced participants include Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

Sports

Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

Published

44 mins ago

July 10, 2025

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

Associated Press

Jul 10, 2025, 01:54 PM ET

BALTIMORE — The New York Mets recalled 23-year-old utility man Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday’s split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.

The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June.

Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuna had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors.

“He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We got to a point where we felt like, ‘Hey, let’s get him some everyday playing time. ‘And now it’s time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games.”

In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment.

Acuna was on the bench for New York’s first game of the doubleheader.