SEATTLE -- The Seattle Kraken will move their games to an over-the-air broadcaster and also have become the first NHL team to set up a streaming partnership with Amazon's Prime Video, the team announced Thursday.

The streaming deal with Prime Video is for all non-nationally televised games and will be available to Amazon Prime members in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has a minority stake in the ownership group of the Kraken.

Seattle will partner with Tegna for the over-the-air component, with most of the broadcasts airing on KONG-TV in Seattle. Some of the games will be on KING, the NBC affiliate in Seattle, with games also broadcast on Tegna-owned stations in Portland, Oregon (KGW), and Spokane, Washington (KREM).

The team said Tegna is working on other over-the-air options for broadcast partners in the three states.

Seattle had spent its first three seasons with games broadcast on Root Sports, which is primarily owned by the Seattle Mariners. But the regional sports network has run into financial and production issues in the past year which have left its future in question.

"ROOT has been a terrific partner for us; we have appreciated their support as we determined our broadcast plans moving forward," Kraken owner Sam Holloway said in a statement. "Today's announcement is a game changer for our fans. Our goal is to increase the ways they can watch our games -- whether they're cheering us on at home or on the go. To have both TEGNA and Prime Video as trusted partners is a dream come true."

The 2024 National Women's Soccer League season is five matchweeks old. Too early to start talking about contenders for Most Valuable Player, you say? Nonsense!

Welcome to the first edition of ESPN's NWSL MVP Tracker. After every five rounds of matches of the season, we will check in on who's in form and who should be in the conversation for the NWSL's MVP award, the ultimate individual honor for a full season of work.

The 2024 season is still young and as you'll see in our ranking below, several players who are new to the league or on new teams are off to flying starts. But you can expect to see plenty of changes to this list in our future MVP Tracker check-ins as our sample size of player performances grows.

There are several star players who aren't on this list, but you'd bet on them improving (and helping their teams improve) over the course of the season enough to ultimately land on this list. That's why we'll be tracking the MVP race throughout the season.

Stream on ESPN+: NWSL, LaLiga, FA Cup & more (U.S.)

Our methodology here is a mix of advanced data and the eye test. Through TruMedia and Stats Perform, we dive through the advanced stats and filter metrics in exponential ways -- that's the hard data look. The eyes come from yours truly, who follows the NWSL week in and week out and has covered the league since its inception in 2013. Combined, this approach helps us find the true standouts and weigh offensive achievements with strong defending.

The MVP debate can be a contentious one, so let's get arguing, shall we?

15. Naomi Girma, San Diego Wave FC center back

San Diego, last year's NWSL Shield winner, is struggling out of the gate. Where would the Wave be without Girma? That's an evergreen question underscored by their offensive struggles to date, and Girma's brief, recent absence due to injury.

She remains the best center-back in the NWSL and was a finalist for MVP as a rookie in 2022. The Wave, led by Girma battling Temwa Chawinga, managed to contain Kansas City relative to the Current's high-scoring output against other opponents.

14. Tess Boade, Bay FC winger

Expansion side Bay FC spent over $1 million in international transfers this offseason (an NWSL first), but Boade, an expansion draft pickup, is doing just about everything right, ranking high in everything from chance creation to expected assists. She's an engine for Bay, and Alex Loera's season-ending knee injury means a midfield shuffle that might make Boade even more of a focal point.

13. Uchenna Kanu, Racing Louisville forward

Last season was a major disappointment for Kanu after arriving in Louisville on a historic transfer, but failing to score. Thus far this year, Kanu is tied for the league lead in goals (four). The arrival of Reilyn Turner, who can stretch defenses, has freed up Kanu to make the impact Louisville was expecting last year.

12. Natalia Kuikka, Chicago Red Stars fullback

Chicago's early-season turnaround from dreadful last year to competitive this year includes changes to the defensive setup, and Kuikka is proving to be a steal after signing as a free agent. She leads the league in expected goals blocked (0.78 xGBlkr), contributing to the Red Stars conceding only four times through five games.

No defender has ever won NWSL MVP, but it doesn't mean we should ignore such strong defensive contributions.

11. Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit winger

Rodman is the two-way forward doing work on both sides of the ball, primarily on the right wing. She is more involved in defensive actions than most defenders in the league, and is again a major reason for the Spirit's success.

10. Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC forward

The 2022 MVP and 2023 Golden Boot winner is still creating and scoring despite the Thorns' worst start in franchise history. Her two goals in the 5-4 loss to Kansas City reminded everyone that she can always make something from nothing. The talent is there in Portland, led first and foremost by Smith.

Once players get more direction as a result of Portland's recent coaching change, the Thorns -- and Smith -- will thrive again.

9. Croix Bethune, Washington Spirit attacking midfielder

Bethune immediately stepped into the No. 10 role for the Spirit and scored three important goals. She also ranks in the top 10 in chance creation and pass completion percentage in the final third in the league.

The NWSL can be unforgiving to rookies, but right now Bethune is making the case for a chance with the U.S. women's national team.

8. Vanessa DiBernardo, Kansas City Current attacking midfielder

Spoiler alert: this will not be the only player from first-placed Kansas City on this list. The Current's attack is unstoppable right now and where there are goals scored, there are goals created. DiBernardo scored two of her own, including the historic first in CPKC Stadium history, but she has four assists and 14 chances created, which is third-most in the league. She is also a key player in the Current's high-pressure defending.

7. Mallory Swanson, Chicago Red Stars attacking midfielder

Two goals and one assist from a forward doesn't entirely jump off the page, but Swanson already looks like her old self from before her major knee injury in 2023. That version of Swanson was arguably the best player in the world early last year, a peak she reached through two dominant years in the NWSL.

She's right back at it again in a slightly more withdrawn role, and Chicago is better for it.

6. Claire Emslie, Angel City FC winger

Emslie's talent is nothing new to the astute observer, and thus far she is proving to be a focal point for Angel City. Her two goals in Angel City's 2-1 win over North Carolina were spectacular.

She has been dangerous on set pieces all season, but it's really what she does from open play that stands out. She leads the league in chances created per 90 minutes, and she is one of those players who makes fans hold their collective breath when she starts dribbling at pace.

5. Taylor Flint, Racing Louisville defensive midfielder

Here's where the "V" in MVP comes in: Taylor (Kornieck) Flint is a 6-foot enforcer who changes games. San Diego was able to play a direct style when Flint was healthy, and now Louisville is benefiting from her aerial presence on set pieces and in midfield.

Flint leads the league in tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, and also ranks high in just about every measurable defensive category. The move to Louisville has served her well -- and Racing remains unbeaten.

4. Angelina, Orlando Pride defensive midfielder

Anyone paying attention last year is not surprised that the Pride don't look like the same old Orlando anymore. The addition of Angelina this offseason made the Pride even more competitive. The 24-year-old Brazilian is thriving as Orlando's defensive midfielder, creating chances (top 10 in the league) while doing the dirty work in the No. 6 defensive midfielder role.

3. Ashley Sanchez, North Carolina Courage midfielder

The grass appears to be greener on the other side for Sanchez. After a shocking draft-day trade -- and following a disappointing 2023 with the USWNT where she couldn't get on the field at the World Cup -- Sanchez is off to a flying start with the Courage. She is the focal point for the Courage's attack and ranks in the top 10 in the league in seven attacking categories on a per-90-minute basis. Freedom is Sanchez's friend thus far in North Carolina.

2. Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current winger

The early MVP race is between two teammates. Chawinga running onto a ball in behind might be every defender's worst nightmare right now. Chawinga also has four goals and two assists, and she is a big reason why Kansas City is undefeated with 17 goals scored. Few players can change a game like she does.

1. Bia Zaneratto, Kansas City Current forward

"Bia" is unstoppable, simply put. Twice this season, the Brazilian forward has made a defender bounce off of her like a Superball striking pavement before she buried one of her four goals (plus two assists). No player has been involved in more attacking sequences per 90 minutes, per Opta, and Bia is tied for the league lead in duels, which is a byproduct of the Current's smothering high press. Bia is the real deal.

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- In the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers received trade inquiries for star quarterback Justin Herbert from the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings but quickly turned down both requests, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The potential blockbuster trade would have been a costly one for the Chargers, who would have had to take on a $63.5 million salary cap charge for the 2024 season if they traded Herbert.

The Chargers signed Herbert last July to a five-year, $262.5 million extension that included $133.7 million in full guarantees and $193.7 million in injury guarantees.

The Patriots and Vikings, meanwhile, both pivoted to the draft for their franchise quarterbacks. New England selected Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick, while the Vikings took J.J. McCarthy after trading with the New York Jets to move up one spot to No. 10.

Since coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz were hired in February, Herbert has often sounded like somewhat of an afterthought in the team's public comments. Harbaugh and Hortiz have talked about building out the rushing offense and planning to dominate teams through that front.

Running game coordinator and tight ends coach Andy Bischoff said the Chargers are an offensive line-centric team, one where offensive linemen are the superstars and everyone else will "fall in line."

But the comments have come only because the Chargers know that they have one of the league's best at the quarterback position in Herbert.

Hortiz has often briefly mentioned, when discussing the Chargers' roster, that they "know what they have" at quarterback and how Herbert's place in Los Angeles was one of the main reasons he took the job. The swift trade inquiry denials for Herbert support that.

Harbaugh, Hortiz and the rest of the organization are hoping that the rushing offense they build with their fifth pick, offensive lineman Joe Alt, will make Herbert an even better player.

"Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?" offensive coordinator Greg Roman asked.

The Atlanta Falcons pulled off the biggest shocker of the early part of the NFL draft Thursday night, taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. And that stunned feeling extended to incumbent quarterback Kirk Cousins, too.

The Falcons made the pick despite signing veteran quarterback Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract last month in free agency.

Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the Falcons only notified the QB that they'd pick Penix while the team was on the clock. McCartney said there is frustration and confusion coming from Cousins' camp because Atlanta did not use its first-round pick to make the team better in 2024.

Instead, the Falcons used their selection on Cousins' apparent successor before Cousins played a single down for the team. McCartney said Cousins understands the business of football and is ready to move on, but there was indeed surprise about the Falcons' decision.

Penix, himself, said he was surprised when he got the call telling him he was the pick.

"I'm not going to say I knew it was coming," Penix said. "But I knew once the phone call came through."

Penix, 23, emphasized that he is preparing to learn from Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler.

"He's been in the league," Penix said. "He's been in there for a while. He's played a lot of football. I feel like I'm going to come in and I'm going to learn. I'm going to learn from him."

Penix was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy last year and won the Maxwell Award after leading Washington to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the national championship game, where the Huskies lost to Michigan.

The left-handed Penix led all of FBS with 4,903 passing yards in 2023 and was second in FBS in 2022 (4,641). He's the first player with 4,500 passing yards or more in two straight seasons since Patrick Mahomes did it in 2015 and 2016 for Texas Tech.

The numbers were excellent and so was the tape on Penix, who had arguably the best pure arm of any quarterback in the entire draft. But his injury history made him a major question mark for NFL teams. The player raised in Florida came back from four separate season-ending injuries in his college career. Penix tore his right ACL in 2018, dislocated his shoulder in 2019, tore his right ACL again in 2020 and separated the AC joint in his shoulder in 2021.

Those injuries and his age were red flags going into the draft, where he ended up being the fourth quarterback taken overall -- after Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye -- and one of a record-tying six selected in the first round.

Cousins, who is coming off an Achilles tear, will be Atlanta's starter for the foreseeable future, another reason why the Penix pick was a surprise. But Cousins is also 35 years old, and the Falcons' brass spent quite a bit of time with Penix recently, including a visit that was attended by general manager Terry Fontenot and new coach Raheem Morris.

Penix said the Falcons liked how he threw the ball at the visit, adding that he thought it was a "great performance."

"It was a great session," he said. "It was a great time. It was quick, but we made it worthwhile."

The Falcons clearly believed they had their quarterback of the future and did not want to pass him up.

This would not be the first time in Fontenot's tenure that the Falcons made a polarizing first-round pick. Last year, they took Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 pick, which was deemed early for a running back. Atlanta also took tight end Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 pick in 2021, another selection that drew controversy.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year on Thursday night, finishing ahead of Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Curry, 36, finished with the most clutch points scored (189) in the league this season, while Golden State played in more clutch games (48) than any other team.

The NBA defines "clutch" time as the final five minutes of games played within a five-point margin.

"You've got to be able to deal with failure," Curry said. "You have to be OK with the shot you miss, and have a short memory with it. I don't know if anything clicked other than you know how much time you've put into the game and with that comes deserved confidence of, 'OK, I'm ready for whatever moment you find yourself in, or whatever shot you need to take.'

"Everybody remembers the highlights and whatnot, but there's plenty of shots that you miss where you're like, 'Yeah, that was a good one I should have taken, and you move onto the next.' You have to have a little amnesia built in there, and that's the only way you can come back with that type of confidence."

Curry finished with 45 first-place votes and 298 total points, with DeRozan (34 first-place votes, 272 points) a close second and Gilgeous-Alexander (11 first-place votes, 160 points) a distant third.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was fourth and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was fifth, with 11 other players also receiving at least one vote.

Curry, being interviewed on TNT before Thursday night's playoff games, was asked about his disappointment in having to watch from home after losing to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament last week.

"I mean, the sad part was just missing three wins to get out of the play-in and have yourself in a playoff series," Curry said, "where even like the game against Sacramento in the play-in tournament, you're looking at, 'OK, we're down 0-1 and we can find a way to game-plan to get back in the series.' Obviously early in the year we had a lot of missteps and absences, but you realize we're not that far off even after staying at this peak for so long.

"There's some tweaks, we know," he said. "When you lose, you have to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'What can we do to get better? What holes can we fill?' And, thankfully, we have some time to figure that out.

"We're going to figure that out over the summer."

DeRozan, 34, is the only player to be a finalist for the award both this season and last, the first year it was handed out. He finished second to Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox in last year's voting. The Bulls played in the third-most clutch games in the league this season (44) and DeRozan led them to a 27-17 record, the league's sixth-best winning percentage in such games.

Chicago went 12-26 in its other 38 games, and DeRozan finished second in total points in the clutch (182).

Gilgeous-Alexander, 25, led Oklahoma City to the top seed in the Western Conference in part because of the Thunder's success in clutch play, where they finished with the fifth-best winning percentage (63.2%) and shot 58%.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- When the Orlando Magic missed their first eight field goal attempts in Game 3 in their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, they kept the mindset they've had all series long: Just keep shooting.

It's not what they wanted to see -- a continuation of their poor shooting performance in the first two games. But then, something changed.

About four minutes in, Franz Wagner hit a 24-foot 3-pointer. On the next trip down, Jalen Suggs hit a 27-foot 3. Then Paolo Banchero hit a 7-foot jump shot. Wagner hit an 11-foot one. Banchero knocked down a 26-foot 3. All of this happened within two minutes, and they kept that kind of shooting up for the rest of the night.

"Once one goes down the floodgates open," Banchero said.

Not only did they play their best, most complete game of the series, but Orlando put together one of their best offensive playoff games in franchise history, leading them to a 121-83 win -- their first playoff win at home in almost 13 years.

The Magic led by 16 at halftime, their largest halftime lead in a playoff game since 2011. By the fourth quarter, they were up 54 points, their largest lead entering the fourth in the postseason in franchise history. Their 36-point win is their third-largest playoff win and the Cavs' largest loss.

"Give credit to us being home and backed by the fans," Banchero said. "Starting your first two playoff games on the road in that environment was tough for everybody ... Being home just calms you down."

Banchero finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds, becoming the youngest player to record a 30-point, 10-rebound playoff game since LeBron James in 2006. After committing 15 turnovers in Games 1 and 2, he didn't turn the ball over once in Game 3.

He entered Thursday's game more aggressively, hunting his shot from the jump.

"I just knew I was going to have to stay in attack mode. The difference in being down 2-1 and 3-0 is ginormous," Banchero said. "We knew this game was kind of do or die. I didn't want to leave any stone unturned."

He attempted 12 shots in the first quarter, which is the most he's ever taken in any quarter of his career. He missed the first, but just kept shooting.

"We felt [him having a good night] from the beginning of the game," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "As soon as he stepped into his first shot and it didn't go in, there was no hesitation to his next one. That's the sign of a young man who is continuing to get better and continuing to grow into who he is becoming. He does not let a make or a miss rattle what he is doing."

Banchero wasn't the only one. Jalen Suggs finished with 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Franz Wagner added 16 points and 8 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. returned to the starting lineup after Jonathan Isaac started the first two games of the series, providing the kind of play the Magic wanted on Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen.

After Allen grabbed 38 rebounds in the first two games of the series, Wendell helped limit him to just eight in Game 3. As a team, Orlando outrebounded Cleveland 51-32.

"We knew that was the killer in the first two games," Banchero said. "We thought we had been playing pretty good defense but we had been giving up way too many rebounds. We really wanted to put an emphasis on neutralizing their bigs, keeping them off the boards and I think Wendell Carter was a huge part of that."

Besides bringing Carter back into the starting group, the Magic didn't pinpoint any major adjustment in their game that allowed them to get going on offense.

Following each of their losses in Cleveland, the Magic stayed adamant that they liked the way they were playing and liked the shots they were getting -- they just didn't have anything to show for it.

They truly believed they just needed to return home, and everything would change.

"There was a level of confidence they all possess knowing what was at stake and knowing what they needed to do, how they needed to fight," Mosley said. " When shots weren't falling, it could have been the same story. But there is a confidence in this group."

PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated "we're going to win this series" after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13-of-19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

Last season's NBA MVP, Embiid finally turned the crowd -- which had a distinct New York flavor in South Philly --- into one rocking for the home team. The All-Star center played more like a sharpshooting guard in the third, when he might have saved the season.

The Sixers pecked away at a three-point halftime deficit when Embiid got hot. He hit one 3 and then two more -- the last two with assists from Tyrese Maxey -- to give the Sixers an 82-72 lead. His fourth 3 pushed the lead to 98-85.

Not bad for a career 34% 3-point shooter.

Maxey added two 3s in the quarter and the 76ers went a whopping 9-of-12 from beyond the arc for 43 points.

After getting punished in New York, the Sixers pushed back.

Embiid's bulky left knee brace helped steady the 7-footer, who dealt with injuries all season. He mostly kept his cool and was in the mix on both ends of the court all game. Embiid had 17 points, three fouls and even grabbed Mitchell Robinson and dragged him to the court during a first half in which the 76ers, once again, didn't look like a team that could beat the Knicks.

The Knicks won the first two games in New York, highlighted by Donte DiVincenzo's go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in Game 2. Against the backdrop of two Villanova national championship banners they helped the program win, the trio of former Wildcats were largely stifled in Game 3.

Jalen Brunson did lead the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart -- whose spectacular 3-point shooting in New York was an unexpected bonus for the Knicks -- scored 20 points but DiVincenzo had five.

They must have felt at home inside a Sixers arena that sounded more like Madison Square Garden as chants of "Let's Go Knicks!' echoed throughout the arena for a chunk of the game. John Starks wildly cheered them on from courtside.

The Sixers countered with Allen Iverson.

But nostalgia didn't matter much between two teams that played each other in a postseason series for the first time since 1989.

This one could be shaping up as one to remember.

Embiid was serenaded with "MVP! MVP!" chants as he stretched the lead from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

"Joel Embiid has been banned from the Empire State Building," was posted on the skyscraper's social media account.

Maxey finished with 25 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 15 points and showed no lingering effects following his reported involvement in a car crash after Game 2.

Game 3 was played without any significant disputes with the officiating after the NBA said the referees missed several late calls in Game 2.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed right-hander Bowden Francis on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right forearm extensor tendinitis.

Francis, who turned 28 on Monday, pitched two scoreless innings in Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Kansas City. He is 2-2 with an 8.59 ERA, 7 walks and 17 strikeouts in 14 innings over five games (two starts).

He has pitched parts of the past three seasons for Toronto and is 3-2 with a 3.66 ERA, 1 save, 15 walks and 53 strikeouts in 51 innings over 26 games (two starts).

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled left-hander Brendon Little, 27, from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 8 walks and 16 strikeouts over 9 innings in nine relief appearances.

CHICAGO -- Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking two-run homer for his first major league hit, and the Chicago Cubs swept the Houston Astros with a 3-1 victory on Thursday.

Houston has lost a season-high five straight and eight of nine overall. At 7-19, it is off to its worst 26-game start since it was 6-20 in 1969.

First-year manager Joe Espada was ejected by plate umpire Jansen Visconti in the top of the ninth.

"I just did not agree with his strike zone all day," Espada said after his first ejection as a big league manager.

Crow-Armstrong was recalled from Triple-A Iowa when Cody Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with two fractured ribs. The 22-year-old outfielder, who is considered one of the team's top prospects, made his big league debut last year and went 0 for 14 while appearing in 13 games.

He picked a perfect time for his first major league hit.

Houston had a 1-0 lead before Dansby Swanson scampered home on a fielder's choice grounder for Miguel Amaya in the sixth.

Espada then replaced Rafael Montero (0-1) with Bryan Abreu, who threw a wild pitch with Crow-Armstrong trying to sacrifice Amaya to second. Crow-Armstrong then drove his next pitch deep to right, delighting the crowd of 29,876 at Wrigley Field.

"It felt good to get it out of the way and it came at a great moment," said Crow-Armstrong, who was mobbed by teammates when he returned to the dugout. "That was by far the best part -- getting to embrace the people who've been in my corner."

Nico Hoerner had three hits and Mike Tauchman had a hit and three walks as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. Hayden Wesneski (2-0) pitched 2 perfect innings for the win in relief of Javier Assad.

Hector Neris worked the ninth for his third save in four chances. He walked Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker before retiring three straight batters.

Houston finished with four hits and went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. It scored a total of six runs in the three-game series.

Astros right-hander Justin Verlander pitched 4 scoreless innings in his second start since he missed the beginning of the season because of shoulder inflammation. The three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked four.

"It's a little gut check here," Verlander said of the team's poor start. "We've just got to fight."

Alex Bregman singled twice against Assad to reach 1,000 career hits.

Assad permitted one run in 5 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

"He is showing us hitters don't like his stuff," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "They're having trouble with it."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: The club plans to activate Framber Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and start him Sunday in the second of a two-game series against Colorado in Mexico City.

UP NEXT

Astros: Ronel Blanco (2-0, 1.33 ERA) faces fellow RHP Cal Quantrill (0-2, 4.33 ERA) in Mexico City on Saturday.

Cubs: LHP Shota Imanaga (3-0, 0.84 ERA) starts Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Boston. RHP Kutter Crawford (1-0, 0.66 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox.

Rafael Nadal began his Madrid Open farewell with a crushing straight-set win over American teenager Darwin Blanch.

The five-time Madrid champion, who has indicated he plans to retire after the 2024 season, took just 63 minutes to complete a 6-1 6-0 victory against his 16-year-old opponent.

Nadal, 37, said this week he will only play at the French Open next month if he feels "capable enough to compete".

He will play Australian Alex de Minaur, who beat him in the second round of the Barcelona Open last week, in the next round in Madrid.

Spain's 22-time major winner was making his return in Barcelona following a three-month injury absence, having feared he may not be able to play again on the professional tour.

The French Open, where Nadal is a record 14-time champion, starts on 26 May.

"Playing here has always been a huge pleasure and the support is difficult to describe in words," Nadal told Sky Sports in Madrid on Thursday.

"I just enjoyed the fact I was able to go out there one more time, and victory gives me the chance to go out there again in two days.

"It's emotional. I am a passionate person but I'm also a stable personality, so I'm enjoying it but also focusing on what I need to be and seeing how far I can go in terms of pushing my physical performance."

In the women's draw, world number one Iga Swiatek beat China's Wang Xiyu 6-1 6-4 to reach the third round.

American third seed Coco Gauff recorded a resounding 6-0 6-0 victory over Dutch player Arantxa Rus, while Greek fifth seed Maria Sakkari beat Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-3 6-2.

But four-time major winner Naomi Osaka is out following a 6-2 4-6 7-5 loss to Russian 15th seed Liudmila Samsonova.