Let us read it for you. Listen now.
Your browser does not support the audio element.
FOOTBALL
Texans add Montgomery
The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth- and seventh-round picks, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to the Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The Lions later released 33-year-old offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who started 14 games last season and has started 136 games in Detroit and with the Denver Broncos since 2016. In Houston, Montgomery should have a chance to start. He was a backup with little chance to play ahead of Jahymr Gibbs, a Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons. Montgomery finished with career lows in rushing attempts (158) and yards rushing (716). He still scored eight touchdowns and his 4.5 yards per carry trailed only his career-best 4.6 yards per attempt in 2023 when he had 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns during his debut season in Detroit. The 28-year-old Montgomery has 6,115 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns along with 1,890 yards receiving and four scores over four seasons with the Chicago Bears and three with the Lions.
BASKETBALL
Young ejected from bench
Trae Young was thrown out of a Washington game and he isn't even set to play for the Wizards for a few more nights. Young was ejected Monday night from the Wizards' game against Houston, which the Rockets won 123-118, when he left the bench and walked onto the court to complain to a referee. Young was then kicked out during a confrontation between Houston's Tari Eason and Washington's Jamir Watkins, with Eason also getting ejected. "Don't expect me to get ejected too many more times D.C.," Young wrote on X, adding a crying emoji, "but I'm definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I'm back for my brothers!" That is expected to be Thursday. Young made an Instagram post of himself working out in Wizards gear earlier Monday and ended it with "3/5." The Wizards are set to host Utah that night. Asked before the game against Houston, Coach Brian Keefe said the point guard was trending toward being ready to play against the Jazz. He said Young would likely be restricted to about 17 to 20 minutes, mostly in the first half. Young played in 10 games for the Atlanta Hawks this season, averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists, before being sidelined by knee and quadriceps injuries. The Wizards acquired him for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in January.
Ament out vs. S.C.
Tennessee freshman Nate Ament won't play Tuesday at South Carolina because of a leg injury that knocked him out of the 23rd-ranked Volunteers' loss to Alabama on Saturday. Ament's right knee bent awkwardly after he became tangled in a scrum of players in the first half. Tennessee officials said Monday the timetable for Ament's return is uncertain. Ament, a 6-10 forward, is averaging 17.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He leads Tennessee in rebounding and is its second-leading scorer.
Porter resumes career
Former Toronto center Jontay Porter, who was banned for life from the NBA in 2024 after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose, is planning to play professional basketball again. Porter has signed with the Seattle Superhawks, a member of the independent United States Basketball League. The USBL was originally formed in 1985, ceased operations in 2008 and announced its return in November. Porter, who was denied a request to be allowed to resume his basketball career in Greece in 2024 while awaiting sentencing for his role in the betting scandal that got him banned from the league, will have the chance to play again when the Superhawks begin their season at home on Saturday. In a statement shared with the Associated Press, the USBL said it believes in second chances, and that the Superhawks are confident in Porter's sincerity. Porter pleaded guilty in July 2024 in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. He acknowledged that he agreed to withdraw early from games so that co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. Porter was on a two-way contract at the time of his violations, which meant he could bounce back and forth between the Raptors and their G League affiliate. His salary was $410,000, and a standard NBA contract would have been more than $2 million. In pleading guilty, Porter acknowledged wrongdoing, saying he did it "to get out from under large gambling debts." Prosecutors estimated his sentence at a range from just under three and a half years in prison to a little over four years. Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games in the 2023-24 season for Toronto. He also played in 11 games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season.
BASEBALL
Royals sign Marte
The Kansas City Royals signed two-time All-Star Starling Marte on Monday to a $1 million deal for the upcoming season, hoping that the right-handed-batting veteran can provide some help off the bench or against left-handed pitching. The Royals designated outfielder Dairon Blanco for assignment in a corresponding roster move. The 37-year-old Marte, who also can earn up to $2 million in roster and performance bonuses, has hit .285 with 163 home runs, 667 RBI and 361 stolen bases over 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh, Arizona, Miami, Oakland and the New York Mets. The two-time Gold Glove winner was an All-Star with Pittsburgh in 2016 and again with New York during the 2022 season. Marte also has appeared in 25 postseason games over six seasons, providing experience to a relatively young Kansas City roster, and he is one of just 19 players in big league history with at least 150 homers and 350 stolen bases. Marte hit just .220 over his first 41 games for the Mets last season, but he proved age wasn't catching up to him quite yet when he hit .295 over his last 57 appearances. He wound up hitting .270 while starting at designated hitter and in the corner outfield spots.
Webb to start for U.S.
San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start on the mound for Team USA in its first World Baseball Classic game Friday night against Brazil, Manager Mark DeRosa said Monday. DeRosa added that two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against Britain, followed by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes versus Mexico on Monday. New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday in the final pool-play game against Italy, even though he's dealing with an illness and wasn't with the U.S. team for Monday's practice.