Sports

Trey Mancini, who made an MLB comeback after cancer, retires after ‘journey of a lifetime’

Published

10 minutes ago

August 18, 2026

Trey Mancini came back from cancer in 2021, returned to the major leagues after two years away in 2026 and, throughout his inspiring MLB career, developed a reputation as a fan and clubhouse favorite.

Now Mancini, 34, is retiring from baseball after parts of eight MLB seasons. Mancini announced the news in an Instagram post Tuesday morning. He finishes his career with a .263 batting average and 129 home runs.

“This game has been the focal point of my life since my parents signed me up for T-ball 30 years ago,” Mancini wrote, “and I have immense gratitude for everything it has given me. Thank you to everyone along the way who made it the journey of a lifetime.”

In 2013, the Orioles first drafted Mancini out of Notre Dame with an eighth-round pick. He debuted with Baltimore in 2016 and went on to hit 83 home runs over three seasons from 2017-19.

In March 2020, Mancini was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer, discovered after a routine blood test in spring training.

Mancini missed all of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season but returned cancer-free and played for the Orioles in 2021, finishing the year with 21 home runs.

Mancini was traded to the Astros midseason in 2022 and went on to help Houston win the World Series. He came off the bench as a defensive replacement at first base and made a memorable diving stab on a Kyle Schwarber line drive in the eighth inning of Game 5.

Mancini signed with the Cubs in 2023 and played in 79 games. He did not play at all in 2024 but began a comeback in 2025, signing a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks. Mancini signed another minor-league deal with the Angels before the 2026 season. He considered retirement after a 1-for-16 spell in Triple A in early May.

Then Mancini adjusted his hand position, caught fire and earned his return to the major leagues on June 8, when he went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

“There was just something in there that just felt unfinished,” Mancini said at the time. “I can’t even explain it.”

Mancini was designated for assignment June 17 after going 4-for-13 in the 2026 season.

In his emotional Instagram post, Mancini thanked his wife, Sara, writing, “We have been through a lifetime’s worth of experiences together for the last seven years. You have stood by my side through both unimaginably difficult and incredibly euphoric times, and you are the strongest person I know.”

He also thanked his parents, sisters and family, in addition to teammates, coaches and also athletic trainers and doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

“Simply put,” Mancini wrote, “your proactivity and expertise saved my life, and I am forever indebted to you all.”

Mancini ended his note with a special thank you to baseball fans, specifically those in Baltimore who cheered him on through the best years of his career.

“There is nothing more special in sports than a connection between a team and their fans, and I was lucky enough to feel that everywhere I played,” he wrote.

Sports

How to watch White Sox vs. Cubs: TV channel and streaming options for August 18

Published

4 minutes ago

August 18, 2026

qasimgillani

The Chicago Cubs are looking for continued power from a hitter on a hot streak versus the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET, at Wrigley Field. Pete Crow-Armstrong is currently on a two-game homer streak. Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.53 ERA) gets the start for the Cubs, who are 73-53 this season and second in the NL Central. Bryan Hudson (3-4, 3.14 ERA) is expected to start for the White Sox, who are 65-59 and first in the AL Central.

How to watch Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs

White Sox vs. Cubs odds

Favorite Moneyline: Cubs -175
Underdog Moneyline: White Sox +145
Total: 9
Total Over Odds: -118
Total Under Odds: -102

Injury reports

Cubs

Dansby Swanson: 10 Day IL (Side), Matt Shaw: 10 Day IL (Hand), Hoby Milner: 15 Day IL (Appendicitis), Gavin Hollowell: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Phil Maton: 15 Day IL (Knee), Edward Cabrera: 15 Day IL (Blister), Daniel Palencia: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Riley Martin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Porter Hodge: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Justin Steele: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shelby Miller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Hunter Harvey: 60 Day IL (Tricep), Cade Horton: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Christopher Austin: 60 Day IL (Knee), Ben Brown: 60 Day IL (Neck)

White Sox

Joey Bart: 10 Day IL (Hand), Kyle Teel: 10 Day IL (Ankle), Chris Murphy: 15 Day IL (Flexor), Davis Martin: 15 Day IL (Finger), Tanner Murray: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Prelander Berroa: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ky Bush: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Mike Vasil: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Jordan Leasure: 60 Day IL (Flexor), Brooks Baldwin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Drew Thorpe: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

Crow-Armstrong is hitting for a .281 BA, .379 OBP and .550 SLG with a 27.1% strikeout rate and an 11.8% walk rate. His OPS is .929, which ranks 3rd in MLB, and he has scored 89 runs. In 561 plate appearances, he has hit 30 home runs (7th in MLB) and driven in 78 runs (12th in MLB). Crow-Armstrong has been crafty on the base paths, recording 31 steals on 38 attempts.
In 562 plate appearances, Alex Bregman has slashed .255/.347/.407 this season. He has hit 16 long balls and driven in 61 runs with a strikeout rate of 15.7% and a walk rate of 11.2%. He has come around to score 69 times.
Miguel Vargas is hitting for a .239 BA, .345 OBP and .489 SLG with an 18% strikeout rate and a 12.8% walk rate. His OPS is .834 and he has scored 84 runs. In 538 plate appearances, he has hit 28 home runs (11th in MLB) and driven in 72 runs. Vargas has recorded 12 steals on 14 attempts.
In 502 plate appearances, Chase Meidroth has hit 12 long balls, tallied 49 RBIs and scored 71 runs. He is batting .275/.351/.411 and has posted a 22.9% strikeout rate and a 9.8% walk rate.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

Sports

Brighton complete loan signing of Canada forward Promise David

Published

17 minutes ago

August 18, 2026

qasimgillani

Promise David, wearing a black Canada training top and clutching his headphones with both hands, stares ahead.

The deal includes an obligation to buy for £22million (€26million; US$29.7million) certain criteria are met. Emilee Chinn / Getty Images

Aug. 18, 2026 4:13 pm EDT Updated

Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Canada forward Promise David on a season-long loan from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The deal includes an obligation to buy for £22million (€26million; US$29.7million) certain criteria are met.

David, 25, represented Canada at this summer’s World Cup on home soil, scoring in the group stage defeat to Switzerland.

He joined the Belgian Pro League side in 2024 and scored 24 goals in his first season, as they won their first league title in 90 years.

In total, David made 82 appearances for RUSG, scoring 41 goals and providing nine assists.

After playing youth football in Canada and the U.S. David moved to Europe with Maltese side Valletta in 2022 and also represented Sirens on the Mediterranean island.

After moving to Nomme Kalju in Estonia, he scored 30 league goals in 44 first-team apperances.

He has scored four times in 14 appearances for Canada, and joins a Brighton squad which lost last season’s first-choice striker Danny Welbeck to Chelsea this summer.

Brighton’s Sporting Director Mike Cave told the club website: “Promise is someone we have been watching for some time, he is an out-and-out striker who possesses outstanding physical attributes and a track record of scoring goals.

“His experience at international level and in European competition will hopefully prove valuable this season.

“At 25, he’s entering his prime playing years and we’re excited to see him continue to develop in our environment.”

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Aug 18, 2026

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Sports

New York Giants to sign RB Najee Harris, release WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Published

25 minutes ago

August 18, 2026

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The New York Giants agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent running back Najee Harris on Tuesday, league sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed to The Athletic. In a corresponding move, the Giants released veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster

The 28-year-old Harris, who suffered a torn Achilles in Week 3 last season as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, worked out for the Giants on Monday and drew praise from coach John Harbaugh.

“He looked good in the workout,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not back to 100 percent; he’s not in football shape yet. So, if we are able to do something, it’ll be a process (for him). (That’s) a guy who has a lot of experience. He’s a decorated vet.”

Malik Nabers on participating in full-speed team drills

Charlotte Carroll

The 6-foot-1, 242-pound Harris was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 who posted four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons before leaving for the Chargers in 2025. Harris has averaged 3.9 yards per carry and scored 28 rushing touchdowns in his career. He has also proved to be an adept pass catcher, tallying 183 receptions, 1,174 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021.

On Monday, the Giants put a waived/injured designation on running back Dante “Turbo” Miller, who suffered a groin injury in the team’s preseason opener. That left their running back room a bit thin, with Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary sitting atop the depth chart, and 2023 fifth-round pick Eric Gray also in reserve.

Skattebo and Tracy are still the most likely to serve as the team’s top two backs, though Tracy got himself into some trouble Saturday after failing to pick up a blitzer, who leveled quarterback Jaxson Dart for a sack. Harris now enters the equation as a running back who could push for touches once he is fully healthy.

As for Smith-Schuster, he was always a long shot to make the roster. The Giants signed the veteran in June, along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Braxton Berrios, when their receiver group was depleted by injuries. With Darius Slayton now back on the field and Malik Nabers trending in the right direction, Smith-Schuster became the odd man out.