Phillies Leap By Marlins

     The Philadelphia Phillies jumped by the Miami Marlins 4-2 at loanDepot park on Monday night. The Phillies lead the Marlins by a 1/2 game for second place in the National League East Division. 

     Miami(57-50) rocketed out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After a base hit by Luis Arraez to right field, Jorge Soler followed with a two-run homer to left-center field on a 1-1 pitch for his 25th home run of the season. 

     Philadelphia(57-49) matched it with two runs in the top of the fourth. Johan Rojas doubled into left field to score Park Vista High School grad Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh. 

     The Phillies moved ahead 3-2 in the top of the seventh. Bryson Stott hit a sacrifice fly to left field and Kyle Schwarber crossed the plate. 

     It became 4-2 for the Phils in the eighth inning. Alex Bohm drove in Rojas with a single through the right side. 

Marlins Hold Tigers

     The Miami Marlins handled the Detroit Tigers 8-6 at loanDepot park on Sunday. It was the final time that Miguel Cabrera will ever play against his original team. He will retire following the end of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

     Detroit(47-59) put up four runs in the top of the third. Spencer Torkelson got base hit up the middle and Matt Vierling raced home. Javier Baez later singled into center field and Torkelson scored. Two batters later, Cabrera doubled to the left-field wall for Riley Greene and Baez to cross the plate. 

     Miami(57-49) tied it to 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth. Avisail Garcia scored on an infield base hit by Yuli Gurriel to the right side. Two batters later, Nick Fortes knocked in Gurriel with a double into left field. Garrett Hampson followed with a double into the left-field corner which brought in Jean Segura and Fortes. 

     The Marlins capped the contest 8-6 in the eighth inning. Segura blasted a solo home run to center field on a 2-2 pitch for just his third homer with his team. 

Sony Michel Retires

     Former American Heritage Patriots running back Sony Michel has retired from the National Football League. He signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams back in June. 

     Michel contributed to American Heritage winning their first FHSAA football state title in school history back in 2013. He played for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and reached the CFP National Championship game in 2017. 

     He ended up capturing two Super Bowl titles while in the NFL. He won Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots during his rookie year in 2018. Michel was on the Los Angeles Rams squad when they won Super Bowl LVI in 2021.

Tigers Eat Up Marlins

     The Detroit Tigers defeated the Miami Marlins 5-0 on Saturday afternoon at loanDepot park. Miami(56-49) have won just three of their last 13 contests since the MLB All-Star Game break.

     Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 and started a rally during the second inning with a ground-rule double to right field. Akil Baddoo later smacked a three-run homer to left-center field on a 1-1 pitch with Javier Baez and Cabrera aboard. It was the fifth home run for Baddoo this season. 

     It became 4-0 for Detroit(47-58) in the top of the sixth. Riley Greene sliced a solo home run to left field for his eighth homer of the year. 

Packers Cut Jonathan Garvin

     The Green Bay Packers have released linebacker Jonathan Garvin. He was drafted by the club in 2020 and played 38 games in three seasons with them. 

     Garvin played high school football with the Lake Worth Trojans. He later participated with the University of Miami Hurricanes from 2017 to 2019. 

Marlins Outlast Tigers

      The Miami Marlins outscored the Detroit Tigers 6-5 at loanDepot park on Friday night. Former Marlns player Miguel Cabrera, who went 0-for-3 in the game, is making his final appearances against his former team this weekend. 

     Miami(56-48) leaped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Bryan De La Cruz belted a two-run homer to left-center field on a 1-0 pitch with Jorge Soler aboard. It was the 14th home run for De La Cruz in the 2023 campaign. 

     Detroit(46-58) cut it to 4-1 in the top of the sixth. Cabrera reached base on a fielding error by Marlins third baseman Jean Segura for Javier Baez to score. 

Chris Lammons Joins Colts

      The Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive back Chris Lammons. He once played high school football with the Plantation Colonels. 

     Lammons reached the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins in 2019. He had a three-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Marlins Acquire David Robertson

     The Miami Marlins have acquired relief pitcher David Robertson from the New York Mets. The Marlins sent infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernanadez to the Mets in the deal. 

     Robertson has a 4-2 record, 2.05 earned run average and 14 saves in 17 save opportunities with the Mets this year. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2022 season and helped them win the National League pennant. 

Miguel Cabrera Returns To South Florida

     Former Florida Marlins player Miguel Cabrera will be making his final appearances as an active MLB player against his former team this weekend in Miami. The Miami Marlins will take on the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series at loanDepot park. 

     Cabrera began his Major League Baseball career with the Marlins on June 20, 2003. The club later won their second World Series in franchise history later that year. He was traded to the Tigers in December 2007.

     He helped Detroit win the American League pennant in 2012. Cabrera captured the American League triple crown in 2012. He was the American League Most Valuable Player in 2012 and 2013. Cabrera was able to hit over 500 home runs and more than 3,000 base hits during his career. 

Miami Dolphins Shift Roster

     The Miami Dolphins have made some decisions on their roster. Training camp for the team began this week. 

     Cornerback Ethan Bonner was activated from the non-football injury list. Tight end Tanner Conner, offensive lineman Terron Armstead and offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn were placed on the player unable to participate list. 

Jorge Lopez Sent To Marlins

     The Miami Marlins have traded pitcher Dylan Floro to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Jorge Lopez prior to the trade deadline. Lopez had a 4-2 record with a 5.09 earned run average in 37 relief appearances with the Twins in 2023. 

     Floro spent the last three seasons with the Marlins. He had a 3-5 mark in 43 relief appearances with a 4.54 earned run average for Miami this season. 

Marlins Split Rays

     The Miami Marlins knocked off the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1 at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Both teams split the two-game series. 

     Miami(55-48) moved out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Jon Berti singled up the middle which brought in Yuli Gurriel. Jacob Stallings followed with a double into the left-field corner and Berti crossed the plate. 

     Tampa Bay(62-43) got their only run during the bottom of the third. Jose Siri drove in Josh Lowe on a base hit through the right side. 

     The Marlins added three more runs in the top of the fifth and had a four-run margin. Luis Arraez capped the frame with a ground-rule double to right-center field which scored Berti. 

Kyle Cassandra At WYGM-FM

     Former West Palm Beach sports radio staffer Kyle Cassandra has returned to the radio airwaves. He began as the new program director and midday co-host at 96.9 The Game WYGM-FM in Orlando on Monday. 

     Cassandra, a Boynton Beach native, was an intern at ESPN Radio 760 WEFL-AM in the mid-2000s. He became a part of the media relations department for the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.      

     He was with Cox Radio Group in Orlando from 2007 until 2020. He started at WDBO-AM as an overnight traffic anchor. 

     Cassandra, a University of Central Florida grad, later held numerous positions when WDBO-AM had a news talk format and a sports talk format along with WDBO-FM with its news talk format. They included news reporter, sports anchor, afternoon producer, midday producer, afternoon show producer, afternoon sports anchor, executive producer and assistant program director. 

Inter Miami CF Routs Atlanta United FC

     Inter Miami CF dominated Atlanta United FC 4-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday night in the second round of the Leagues Cup. Lionel Messi participated for Inter Miami CF in his second game with the team. 

     Messi got goals for Inter Miami CF in the eighth minute and 22nd minute for a 2-0 lead. Robert Taylor made it 3-0 during the 44th minute. Atlanta United FC fell behind 4-0 in the 54th minute when Taylor scored on an assist from Messi. 

Rays Outshine Marlins

     The Tampa Bay Rays downed the Miami Marlins 4-1 at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. The Marlins have lost nine of 10 games since the All-Star Game break. 

     The Rays have defeated the Fish eight straight contests. The Marlins now have a 10-game road losing streak.    

     Tampa Bay(62-42) got three runs during the second inning to take the lead. Josh Lowe drove in Brandon Lowe on a base hit up the middle. Two batters later, Yandy Diaz doubled to left field for Manuel Margot and Josh Lowe to cross the plate. 

     Miami(54-48) picked up a run in the top of the third and trailed 3-1. Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow threw a wild pitch and Joey Wendle scored. 

     The Rays made it a three-run gap again in the bottom of the sixth. Brandon Lowe smacked a solo home run to right field on the first pitch for his 11th homer this season. 

Jose Castillo Acquired By Marlins

     The San Diego Padres have dealt left-handed relief pitcher Jose Casillo to the Miami Marlins for cash. He is expected to be placed in a set-up role in the bullpen. 

     Castillo had seen short MLB stints with the Padres from 2018 to 2023. He pitched just 1/3 of an inning and allowed four runs for a 108.00 earned run average in 2023 with San Diego. 

Eetu Luostarinen Signs Extension

     The Florida Panthers have signed forward Eetu Luostarinen to a three-year contract extension worth $9 million. He will be with the club through the 2026-27 season. 

     Luostarinen has been with Florida for the past three seasons. He set new career-highs with 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 2022-23. 

South Florida Sports Outlook

     South Florida sports has been on an upswing recently. It turned out to be better than expected for several teams so far in the 2023 calendar year. 

     The Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference title and reached the NBA Finals for the second time in the last four seasons. They fell to the Denver Nuggets in five games during the NBA Finals.

     The Florida Panthers got past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and won the Eastern Conference championship for the first since 1996. They lost in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. 

     Two South Florida men's basketball teams had tremendous success in the NCAA Tournament. Both the University of Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Atlantic University Owls reached the Final Four. 

Miami Dolphins 2023 Training Camp

     The Miami Dolphins will open up their 2023 training camp at their facility in Miami Gardens later this week. The Fins first open public practice will be on July 30. 

     The Dolphins will be involved in three preseason games. They host the Atlanta Falcons on August 11. Miami visits the Houston Texans on August 19 and the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 26. 

Marlins Slide By Rockies

     The Miami Marlins avoided a three-game weekend series sweep with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies in 10 innings on Sunday at loanDepot park. The Marlins stopped a season-high, eight-game losing streak, The Fish are off tomorrow and face the Tampa Bay Rays away on Tuesday. 

     Colorado(39-60) pulled out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Brenton Doyle lifted a solo home run to left field for his seventh homer in 2023. 

     Miami(54-47) leaped ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Luis Arraez doubled into the left-center field gap to score Nick Fortes. Three batters later, Yuli Gurriel hit a sacrifice fly to center and Arraez crossed the plate. 

     The Rockies evened it 2-2 in the ninth inning. Randal Grichuk pounded a solo homer to left-center field for his sixth homer this season.

     In the 10th inning, the Marlins got the victory. Arraez knocked in Joey Wendle with a base hit into right field. It was the first walk-off hit by Arraez in his Major League Baseball career. 

Rockies Cruise By Marlins

     The Miami Marlins blew a three-run margin and lost to the Colorado Rockies 4-3 on Saturday at loanDepot park. The Marlins expanded their losing streak to eight games. 

     Miami(53-47) pushed out to a 1-0 advantage in the second inning. Joey Wendle knocked in Jesus Sanchez on a single to left field. 

     It became 2-0 for the Marlins in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Arraez tripled into the right-field corner and Jon Berti crossed the plate. Jorge Soler added a sacrifice fly to center which brought in Arraez for a 3-0 lead. 

     Colorado(39-59) got back in the ball game with three runs in the seventh inning to tie it up 3-3. Nolan Jones bashed a three-run homer to right field on first pitch with Ryan McMahon and Elias Diaz aboard. It turned out to be the eighth home run for Jones this year. 

     The Rockies got their first lead of the contest 4-3 in the top of the ninth. Randal Grichuk singled through the right side for Ryan McMahon to score. 

Aleksi Heponiemi Exits Florida Panthers

     Florida Panthers center Aleksi Heponiemi has left the organization. He has signed a one-year deal with EHC Biel-Bienne in the National League of Switzerland. The Panthers will retain the exclusive NHL rights to Heponiemi until July 1, 2027. 

     Heponiemi was with Florida for three seasons from 2020-21 until 2022-23. He compiled two goals and four assists for six points in 25 games. 

Rockies Rock Marlins

     The Colorado Rockies stormed by the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Friday night at loanDepot park. The Marlins increased their season-high losing streak to seven games. The Fish have not won a game since before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game break. 

     Colorado(38-59) rolled over the Marlins with two runs in the top of the first, three runs in the top of the second and one tally in the third for a six-run margin. They picked up homers from C.J. Cron, Jurickson Profar and Elias Diaz. 

     Miami(53-46) got their only run of the contest during the seventh inning to break the shutout. Nick Fortes grounded out third for Bryan De La Cruz to score. 

Lionel Messi Inter Miami CF Debut

     International superstar Lionel Messi made his playing debut with Inter Miami CF as they edged Cruz Azul 2-1 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Friday night. It was the first game of the Leagues Cup. Messi is a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner awarded to the best player in the world. 

     He entered the game during the 54th minute and participated in the remaining 40 minutes of second half. Messi scored on a direct kick from 25 yards away in stoppage time to give Inter Miami CF a 2-1 lead. 

Andy Elisburg Elevated

     The Miami Heat has promoted Andy Elisburg from vice president of basketball operations and general manager to senior vice president of operations. He will retain his role as general manager with the club. 

     Elisburg has been employed with the Miami Heat since their inception in 1988. He worked under Mark Pray as the team's public relations assistant in the early and mid-1990s. 

Kirk Muller And Mike Van Ryn Hired

     Two former Florida Panthers have been hired as National Hockey League assistant coaches. Kirk Muller joins the Washington Capitals coaching staff while Mike Van Ryn becomes a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

     Muller was with the Panthers as a center from 1996-97 until 1998-99. He had 13 goals and 34 assists for 47 points in 162 games with Florida.  

     Van Ryn was with the Cats as a defenseman for four seasons during the mid-2000s. He chalked up 105 points in 257 contests with the club. 

West Palm Beach Minor League Baseball

     Florida State League baseball will begin to play at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on July 26. Both the Miami Marlins affiliate the Jupiter Hammerheads and the St. Louis Cardinals affiliate the Palm Beach Cardinals will have their home games at that venue for the rest of the 2023 season. 

     Both clubs have to leave their current home of Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Reconstruction throughout the entire facility is being done this year. The renovated stadium will be ready for spring training in 2024. 

Cardinals Fly By Marlins

     Nolan Gorman collected four runs batted in as the St. Louis Cardinals stopped the Miami Marlins 6-4 at Busch Stadium on Wednesday. The Redbirds swept the three-game series against the Fish. 

     The Marlins have their longest losing streak of the 2023 season at six games and lost nine consecutive road games. They will host the Colorado Rockies on Friday. The Cardinals have won five straight contests and eight of their last 10. The Cards take on their rivals the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tomorrow. 

     St. Louis(43-53) rocketed out to a 4-0 lead in the opening frame. Nolan Arenado singled through the right side for Paul Goldschmidt to score. Gorman followed as he powered a three-run homer to center field on a 1-1 pitch with Lars Nootbaar and Arenado aboard. It was the 19th home run for Gorman this campaign. 

     Miami(53-45) cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the third. Jesus Sanchez knocked in Jacob Stallings and Jorge Soler on a base hit into right field. 

     The Cardinals increased their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Nootbaar picked up an infield single to third. Brendan Donovan scored on a throwing error to first by Jon Berti. Two batters later, Gorman singled to right field and Nootbaar reached home. 

     The Marlins made it 6-3 in the eighth inning. Bryan De La Cruz lifted a solo home run to left field on a 2-2 count for his 12th homer this season. 

     In the ninth inning, Miami scored one run and trailed 6-4. Luis Arraez doubled into the right-field corner for Garrett Hampson to cross the plate. 

Lotte Giants Drop Dan Straily

     The Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization in South Korea has released former Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily. The club can only carry three foreign-born players on their roster. Straily has participated with Lotte for four of the past five seasons. 

     Straily was with the Miami Marlins in 2017 and 2018. He had a 15-15 record with a 4.20 earned run average in 56 starts with the team. 

Cardinals Hold Off Marlins

     The St. Louis Cardinals got by the Miami Marlins 5-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. The Cards continued to roll with their seventh victory in the last nine games. The Marlins have fallen in five consecutive contests.

     The Fish dropped from second place to third place in the National League East Division. They are now a 1/2 game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the standings. It is the first time since May 27 that the Marlins were not in a wild-card spot. 

     Miami(53-44) had a 1-0 lead during the fifth inning. Luis Arraez hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Jon Berti scored. 

     St. Louis(42-53) tied it in the sixth inning. Brendan Donovan belted a solo home run to right field on a 2-1 pitch for his 11th homer of the year. 

     The Marlins got the lead again 2-1 in the top of the seventh. Jorge Soler knocked in Berti with a base hit into center field. 

     The Cardinals made it 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Nolan Gorman doubled off the right-center field fence and Dylan Carlson crossed the plate. 

     The Redbirds finished the game in the 10th inning. Nolan Arenado smashed a three-run homer to left field on a 0-1 count with Paul De Jong and Lars Nootbaar aboard. It ended up being the 24th home run for Arenado this season. 

Denis Malgin Leaves For Europe

     Former Florida Panthers center Denis Malgin has left the National Hockey League. He has signed a five-year contract with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland. Malgin split his time last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche. 

     Malgin was with the Florida Panthers for four seasons from 2016-17 until 2019-20. He compiled 28 goals and 32 assists for 60 points in 184 games with the team. 

Cardinals Outduel Marlins

     The St. Louis Cardinals handled the Miami Marlins 6-4 at Busch Stadium on Monday night. The Marlins have lost four straight games. The Cardinals have won six of their last eight contests.  

     Miami(53-43) jumped ahead 1-0 in the second inning. Bryan De La Cruz lifted a solo homer to left-center field on a 3-1 pitch for his 11th home run of the season. 

     St. Louis(41-53) evened it 1-1 in the bottom of the third. Nolan Arenado singled up the middle for Dylan Carlson to score.  

     The Marlins reclaimed the lead 2-1 in the top of the fifth. Luis Arraez got a base hit into left field and Nick Fortes scored.

     The Cardinals leaped over Miami in the bottom of the fifth for a 3-2 advantage. Arenado drove in Carlson with a sacrifice fly to center field. Two batters later, Jordan Walker singled to left-center field and Paul Goldschmidt crossed the plate. 

     The Fish tied it up 3-3 in the top of the sixth. Jesus Sanchez smashed a solo home run to left-center field on a 2-0 count for his 10th homer of the year. 

     The Redbirds collected three runs and moved ahead 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Carlson knocked in Nolan Gorman on a single up the middle. Arenado later doubled into the right-center field gap for Goldschmidt and Carlson to reach home. 

     In the seventh inning, Miami closed it to 6-4. Garrett Cooper singled up the middle and Dane Myers touched home. 

Utah Jazz Get Omer Yurtseven

     The Utah Jazz has signed former Miami Heat center Omer Yurtseven. It is a two-year contract that will play $2.8 million during the first season. 

     Yurtseven spent the last two seasons with the Miami Heat. After playing in 56 games in 2021-22, he only played in just nine games last season. Yurtseven averaged 5.2 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game during his stint in Miami. 

Panthers Ink Casey Fitzgerald

     Florida Panthers defenseman Casey Fitzgerald has re-signed with the club. It is a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000. 

     Fitzgerald, who is a cousin of Matthew Tkachuk, was picked up on waivers by the Panthers from the Buffalo Sabres on January 11. He saw limited time with the Cats during the regular season as he participated in just four games and chalked up no points. 

Panthers Re-Sign John Ludvig

     The Florida Panthers have re-signed defenseman John Ludvig to a two-year, two-way contract. The amount of the deal is worth $1.55 million. 

     Ludvig played last season with the Panthers AHL affiliate in Charlotte. He compiled 17 points in 54 games with the Checkers in 2022-23. 

Anton Stralman Goes To Sweden

     Former Florida Panthers defenseman Anton Stralman is leaving the National Hockey League. He has signed a deal with HV71 in Sweden. Stralman participated in just eight contests with the Boston Bruins last season and had no points. 

     Stralman was with Florida for two seasons from 2019-20 to 2020-21. He had 28 points in 107 games with the Florida. 

Orioles Blitz Marlins

     The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Miami Marlins 5-4 at Oriole Park on Sunday. The Orioles swept a three-game series from the Marlins. The O's extended their winning streak to eight games and will host the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow. Miami visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. 

     Baltimore(57-35) blitzed the Fish in the first inning with three runs. After a Gunnar Henderson double into right, Adley Rutschman drove in Henderson on a ground-rule double to left-center field. Anthony Santander followed with a two-run homer to center field on a 0-1 pitch for his 17th home run of the year. 

     The O's loaded the bases during the third inning. James McCann reached first on a fielder's choice for Ramon Urias to score. They made it 5-0 when Henderson lined a sacrifice fly into right field and Colton Cowser crossed the plate. 

     Miami(53-42) piled on four runs in the top of the ninth and fell short. Jean Segura knocked in Garrett Cooper and Yuli Gurriel on a double to center field. Two batters later, Jon Berti singled into center and Segura reached home. Dane Myers then doubled into the left-field corner and Berti scored. 

St. Louis City SC Blanks Inter Miami CF

     Inter Miami CF was shut out by St. Louis City SC 3-0 at CityPark on Saturday night. It was the first time that Inter Miami CF faced the new Major League Soccer franchise. They made their first trip ever to play in St. Louis. Inter Miami CF(5-14-3) extended their MLS winless streak to nine games. 

     St. Louis City SC(13-8-2) got two goals during the first half. Samuel Adeniran made it 1-0 in the 28th minute and Tim Parker extended it to 2-0 in the 40th minute. 

     Eduard Lowen picked up a tally during the 80th minute of play for a commanding 3-0 lead, St. Lous City SC is currently first in the Western Conference standings while Inter Miami CF remains last in the Eastern Conference. 

Orioles Dodge Marlins

     The Baltimore Orioles edged the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Oriole Park on Saturday night. The Orioles look to sweep the three-game series versus the Marlins on Sunday. 

Brewers Release Eddy Alvarez

     The Milwaukee Brewers have let go Eddy Alvarez. He was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and participated in 14 contests. 

     Alvarez played in 2020 and 2021 with the Miami Marlins and helped the team reach the postseason for the first time since 2003. He had one home run and eight runs batted in during 36 games over two seasons. 

Chris Tierney Joins Devils

     Former Florida Panthers center Chris Tierney has inked a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. The one-year deal is worth $775,000. 

     Tierney played a part of the 2022-23 season with the Panthers. He had three points in 13 contests with Florida before being picked up on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens.

Orioles Go By Marlins

     The Miami Marlins began the second half of the 2023 regular season with a 5-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles from Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday night. Both teams were off for the last four days due to the All-Star Game break. 

     Balrtimore(55-35) bounced out to a 1-0 advantage in the second inning. Adam Frazier singled through the left side to score Cedric Mullins. 

     Miami(53-40) tied it up 1-1 in the top of the third. Bryan De La Cruz knocked in Joey Wendle on a base hit into left field. 

     The Orioles reclaimed the lead 3-1 in the bottom of the third. Mullins smacked a solo homer to right field on the first pitch of the frame for his ninth home run of the 2023 campaign. Two batters later, Frazier pounded a solo home run to right-center field on a 1-0 pitch. 

     The Marlins cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the eighth. Jorge Soler walloped a solo shot over the high wall in left field on a 1-1 count for his 24th home run of the season. 

     The O's made it 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Frazier smashed a two-run homer to right field on a 3-2 pitch with Austin Hays aboard. It was a career-high 12th home run for Frazier this year. 

West Palm Beach Ratings June 2023

     The ratings were released for West Palm Beach sports talk radio stations. The time span was from the last week of May to the third week of June. 

     Fox Sports 640 South Florida WMEN-AM dropped to a 0.4 after three months at a 0.5. They have relied on Andy Slater in the mid-afternoon slot along with the national feed of Fox Sports Radio for the remainder of the day. 

     Sports Radio 1230 The Gambler WBZT-AM was at a 0.2 for the 10th consecutive period. The Miami Marlins held the second National League wild-card spot with a 42-33 record. The Greek mid-afternoon show and VSIN programming in weekdays kept everything stable. 

Miami Marlins 2024 Schedule Released

     Major League Baseball released the 2024 regular season schedule on Thursday. It will be the second season in which a team will face the other 29 MLB clubs in one year. 

     The Miami Marlins will begin their 2024 campaign at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 28. It will be the Marlins 32nd season in the majors. 

     Miami will play every American League team in a three-game set for the second consecutive season, with the exception of the Tampa Bay Rays which will be home-and-home, four-game set. The Marlins will host the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. The Fish will visit the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Oakland A''s, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins.

     The Marlins will play 13 games each against their National League East Division rivals the Atlanta Braves. New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals. Miami will take on the other 10 National League franchises either six or seven times. They include the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. 

Vinny Prospal Back In America

     Former Florida Panthers center Vinny Prospal will be returning to the United States. He has been named an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans. Prospal spent the last three seasons as the head coach for HC Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Extraliga. 

     Prospal was acquired by the Panthers during the 2000-01 season from the Ottawa Senators. He compiled four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 34 games with Florida. 

Miami Ratings June 2023

     The ratings were issued for Miami/Fort Lauderdale sports talk radio stations. The time span went from the final week of May until the third week of June. 

     AM 560 Sports WQAM-AM fell from a 1.1 to a 0.9 in the period. The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals and fell to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. The Florida Panthers were eliminated in five games by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals. 

     Fox Sports 940 WINZ-AM remained at a 0.1 for the fourth consecutive month. The Miami Marlins contended for a National League postseason spot. They had a 42-33 record and were in the second wild- card position. 

     The stream for WQAM dropped to a 0.1 after three striaght months at a 0.2. The Miami Heat and the Florida Panthers reached the championship round of their leagues. 

2023 MLB All-Star Game

     The 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday. It was the 93th edition of the Midsummer Classic. 

     The National League defeated the American League 3-2 for their first victory since 2012. The American League had their nine-game winning streak snapped by the National League. 

     Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez started for the National League. He entered the MLB All-Star Game with the highest batting average, which was .383, since 2000.

     Arraez ended up going 2-for-2 with a single to center field in the second inning. He later drove in J.D. Martinez during the top of the fourth on a base hit through the right side for the National League's first run. 

     He became the fourth player in Marlins franchise history to have a multi-hit game in an MLB All-Star Game. The others are Gary Sheffield in 1993, Mike Lowell in 2002 and Hanley Ramirez in 2008. 

     Marlins outfielder Jorge Soler entered into the contest in the sixth inning as a designated hitter. He reached base in his only at-bat on a throwing error.

John Collins Traded To Jazz

     The Atlanta Hawks traded forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz over the weekend. He was dealt for Rudy Gay along with a 2026 second-round draft pick. 

     Collins did participate in high school basketball in Palm Beach County. He played for the Cardinal Newman Crusaders until 2015. Collins later attended Wake Forest University. 

Vinnie Hinostroza Off To Penguins

     Former Florida Panthers center Vinnie Hinostroza signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins late last week. It was a one-year contract worth $775,000. He had 11 points in 26 contests last season with the Buffalo Sabres. 

     Hinostroza spent part of the 2020-21 season with the Florida Panthers. Hinostroza compiled no points in nine games with the Cats before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Miami Marlins Select Noble Meyer

     The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft was held at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday night. It was the first time that the MLB Draft was held in July during primetime television hours. 

     The Miami Marlins selected Noble Meyer in the first round with the 10th overall pick. He is a right-handed pitcher from Jesuit High School in Portland. He was named the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year.

Marlins Close Philies

      The Miami Marlins topped the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 at loanDepot park on Sunday. The Marlins defeated the Phillies in two of the three games in the weekend series. 

     Both clubs will be off over the next four days due to the MLB All-Star Game break. The Fish are 3 1/2 games ahead of the Phils for second in the National League East Division. 

     Miami(53-39) scored first in the opening frame for a 2-0 lead. The Marlins three more runs in the bottom of the third for a five-run margin. Philadelphia(48-41) got two runs in the top of the fifth, however they could not catch up. 

In-Season NBA Tournament For Miami Heat

     The Miami Heat will be involved in an in-season NBA tournament. It is the first time ever that the National Basketball Association will hold the event. 

     All 30 NBA clubs will be scattered in six different five-team group. The Miami Heat was placed in Group 2 with the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards. Contest will happen on November 3, November 10, November 14, November 17, November 21, November 24 and November 28. 

     The top team in each group and two clubs that finish second, with the best regular season record as a tie-breaker procedure, will advance to the quarterfinals. That round will happen on the home court of the highest-seeded team on December 4 and December 5. The semifinals will occur at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 7 and the championship game will be played on December 9 at the same venue. 

Marlins Break Phillies

     The Miami Marlins knocked off the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 at loanDepot park on Saturday. The defeat ended the Phillies 13-game road winning streak. The Marlins regained a 2 1/2 game lead over the Phillies for second place in the National League East. 

     Philadelphia(48-40) got out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Park Vista High School grad Trea Turner golfed a solo home run to left field on a 2-2 pitch for his 10th homer this year. 

     Miami(52-39) responded quickly in the bottom of the first to make it 3-1. Jorge Soler smacked a solo homer to left field on a 1-1 count for his 23rd homer of the season. Dane Myers later knocked in Garrett Cooper and Yuli Gurriel with a base hit through the right side. 

     The Phillies picked up two runs in the top of the second to tie it 3-3. Cristian Pache drove in Alec Bohm on a double off the top of the right-field wall. Kyle Schwarber then grounded out to the pitcher and Edmundo Sosa crossed the plate. 

     The Marlins reclaimed the lead 4-3 in the fourth inning. Soler hit a sacrifice fly to center field which scored Myers. In the seventh inning, Luis Arraez singled into right-center field to score Cooper for a 5-3 lead. 

Inter Miami CF Ties D.C. United

     Inter Miami CF tied D.C. United 2-2 at Audi Field on Saturday night. The winless streak for Inter Miami CF is now at eight games following a home tie against the Columbus Crew on July 4 and the game tonight. 

     There was no scoring during the first half. Inter Miami CF(5-13-3) took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute on a goal by Benjamin Cremaschi. 

     D.C. United(8-9-6) tied it 1-1 during the 65th minute as Taxiarchis Fountas scored. It became 2-1 for Inter Miami CF just three minutes later when Noah Allen found the back of the net. It was evened by D.C. United 2-2 as Nigel Robertha got the tally in the 77th minute. 

Phillies Streak By Marlins

     The Philadelphia Phillies came back in the ninth inning to defeat the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Friday night at loanDepot park. The Phillies have won 13 consecutive road games and are approaching a franchise record. The Marlins lost a rare one-run contest this season. 

     Miami(51-39) picked up two runs in the second inning. Garrett Cooper sliced a solo home run to right field on a 0-2 pitch during the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead. It was the 12th homer for Cooper in the 2023 campaign. 

     Philadelphia(48-39) cut it to 3-1 in the sixth inning. Former Marlins player J.T. Realmuto belted a solo homer barely over the left-field fence on a 1-1 count for his 10th home run this year. 

     The Phillies compiled three runs in the top of the ninth for a 4-3 advantage. Alec Bohm drove in Realmuto on a double into the left-field corner. Two batters later, Cristian Pache lifted a two-run homer to center field on a 0-1 pitch for just his second home run with his new club and gave them a 4-3 lead. 

Brandon Kravitz Adds Co-Host

     Former Miami sports talk radio host Brandon Kravitz has added a co-host to his afternoon host on 96.9 The Game WYGM-FM in Orlando. Tyler Caron began as the new afternoon co-host and producer on Wednesday. 

     Kravitz had a short stint at 940 WINZ-AM. He co-hosted the Sunshine State Showdown with Zac Blobner from April 2020 until late that year. The COVID-19 pandemic along with an unstable sports schedule shortened that program. 

Cardinals Avoid Sweep To Marlins

     The St. Louis Cardinals prevented a four-game series sweep with a 3-0 win over the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park. on Thursday night. The Marlins will continue their seven-game homestand versus the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow. 

     St. Louis(36-51) waited until the top of the sixth to break the 0-0 tie. Nolan Arenado blasted a solo homer to right-center field on a 2-1 pitch for his 17th home run of the season. 

     The Cardinals made it 2-0 in the seventh inning. Alec Burleson singled up the middle for Nolan Gorman to score. 

     Miami(51-38) surrendered another run in the top of the eighth and trailed 3-0. Gorman knocked in Lars Nootbaar on a double by the left-field line. 

Jordi Alba To Join Inter Miami CF

     Former FC Barcelona player Jordi Alba will soon be joining Inter Miami CF. He is expected to sign a contract through the 2025 Major League Soccer season. 

     Alba will have a couple of former teammates on his new team. He was on the same club with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets while at FC Barcelona. 

Patric Hornqvist Retires

     Florida Panthers right wing Patric Hornqvist announced his retirement on Wednesday. He ended his 15-season career in the National Hockey League. Hornqvist won two Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

     Hornqvist played his final three NHL seasons with the Florida Panthers. The team made the postseason every season he was with the Cats. Hornqvist finished with 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points in 131 games with Florida. 

Marlins Outscore Cardinals

     The Miami Marlins outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals 10-9 on Wednesday night at loanDepot park. Both teams will complete their four-game series on Thursday. 

     Miami(51-37) piled on four runs during the first inning and had one run in the second for a 5-0 lead. St. Louis(35-51) answered back with five runs in the top of the third to tie it 5-5. 

     The Cardinals were down to their last strike and last out in the top of the ninth. They got two runs on a two-run homer by rookie Jordan Walker to left field on a 3-2 pitch for their first lead in the contest 9-8. 

     The Marlins scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth on a throwing error by Cards relief pitcher Jordan Hicks for a 10-9 victory. Joey Wendle began the play hitting a soft ground ball toward the mound. 

Panthers Ink Rasmus Asplund

     The Florida Panthers have signed forward Rasmus Asplund to a deal. It is a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

     Asplund has played his five-year NHL career with the Buffalo Sabres and the Nashville Predators. He split his time with both teams last season and chalked up eight points in 46 contests. 

Ducks Add Robert Hagg

     The Anaheim Ducks have signed former Florida Panthers defenseman Robert Hagg. It is a one-year deal which is worth $775,000. He spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings. 

     Hagg was acquired by the Panthers late at the trade deadline in the 2021-22 regular season. He only had one assist in 16 games with Florida. 

Rudolfs Balcers Shifts To Switzerland

     Former Florida Panthers center Rudolfs Balcers is on his way to Europe. He has signed a one-year deal with SZC Lions. 

     Balcers split his time during the 2022-23 season with the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He had two goals and two assists in 14 games with the Cats. The Bolts acquired Balcers off waivers and he only participated in three games with them. 

Cardinals Bashed By Marlins

     The Miami Marlins smashed the St. Louis Cardinals 15-2 at loanDepot park on Tuesday afternoon. It was the second contest of a four-game series. The Marlins have won 17 of their last 22 home games. 

     Miami(50-37) compiled seven runs in the first four innings. The Marlins added four runs in the seventh inning and four more runs in the eighth inning for a 15-run margin. St. Louis(35-50) broke the shutout in the ninth inning with two runs. 

Marlins Overcome Cardinals

     The Miami Marlins came back on the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 at loanDepot park on Monday night. The Marlins began a seven-game homestand prior to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game break. 

Marc Staal Heads To Flyers

     Former Florida Panthers defenseman Marc Staal has landed with the Philadelphia Flyers. He has signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million. 

     Staal was with the Panthers in 2022-23 and participated on the same team with his brother center Eric Staal. He played every regular season game with the Panthers last season and chalked up three goals and 12 assists. Staal was in the lineup for every postseason contest during their long playoff run when Florida won the Eastern Conference title. 

Orlando Robinson Re-Signs With Heat

     Orlando Robinson will be staying with the Miami Heat. He has inked a one-year deal with the team for the minimum amount. 

     Robinson, who plays center, broke into the NBA with the Heat last season. He ended up averaging 3.7 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game in 31 contests during 2022-23. 

Jorge Soler National League All-Star

     Major League Baseball announced the squads for the All-Star Game to be held in Seattle on July 11. Miami Marlins outfielder Jorge Soler was named a reserve outfielder for the National League. He will join Marlins teammate second baseman Luis Arraez on the National League roster. 

     Soler is in his second season with the Marlins. He has compiled 22 home runs and 47 runs batted in for Miami in 80 games during 2023. 

Braves Sweep Marlins

     The Atlanta Braves pulled off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 6-3 victory on Sunday at Truist Park. The Marlins, who completed a six-game road trip on the east coast, finished with a 3-3 record. 

     Atlanta(56-27) increased their National League East lead over Miami(48-37) by nine games. The Marlins return home against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. 

Panthers Get Evan Rodrigues

     The Florida Panthers have picked up right wing Evan Rodrigues. It is a four-year contract that is worth $12 million. He has been in the National Hockey League for eight seasons. 

     Rodrigues started off with the Buffalo Sabres from 2015-16 until late in the 2019-20 season. He was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins and stayed there for three seasons. Rodrigues played 69 games with the Colorado Avalanche last season and compiled 16 goals along with 23 assists for 39 points. 

Panthers Sign Alexander True

     The Florida Panthers have signed forward Alexander True to a one-year, two-way contract. No dollar amount has been mentioned. 

     True has seen his share of action in the National Hockey League. He spent two seasons with the San Jose Sharks in 2020-21 and 2021-22. True was with the Seattle Kraken last season and had no points in eight games. He had not scored a goal in 27 NHL contests. 

Florida Panthers Trade Anthony Duclair

     The Florida Panthers have traded left wing Anthony Duclair to the San Jose Sharks for forward Steven Lorentz and a 2025 fifth-round pick. It ended a long day of transactions made by the Panthers on Saturday. 

     Duclair was with the Florida Panthers for the last three seasons. He helped the Panthers win the Presidents' Trophy in 2021-22 and capture the Eastern Conference title in 2022-23. Duclair finished with 43 goals and 56 assists for 99 points in 137 games with Florida. 

     Lorentz spent his first two NHL seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was with San Jose last season and had 19 points in 80 games. 

Inter Miami CF Ties Austin FC

     Inter Miami CF tied Austin FC 1-1 at DRV Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night. Inter Miami CF is winless in their last six Major League Soccer games. It was the first time this year that they were involved in a tie MLS contest. 

     Both teams found the net in the second half. Josef Martinez scored for Inter Miami CF(5-13-1) in the 47th minute for a 1-0 lead. Austin FC(7-8-5) evened it up quickly 1-1 during the 51st minute on a goal by Nick Lima. 

Jae Crowder Remaining With Bucks

     Jae Crowder has decided to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. It is expected to be a one-year contract between him and the club. 

     Crowder had a short 20-game stint with the Miami Heat in the 2019-20 season. He helped the team take the Eastern Conference championship before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. 

Braves Jump On Marlins Again

     The Atlanta Braves pounded the Miami Marlins 7-0 on Saturday at Truist Park. The Marlins have lost two straight games and complete a six-game road swing tomorrow. The Braves now lead the National League East Division by eight games over the Fish. 

     Atlanta(55-27) put up a ton of runs in the bottom of the first for the second straight contest. They compiled six runs in the opening frame. Miami(48-36) surrendered five runs in the first inning in the game last night. 

Noel Acciari Heads For Pittburgh

     Former Florida Panthers center Noel Acciari has signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal is worth $6 million to join the Pens. 

     Acciari was with Florida for three seasons from 2019-20 until 2021-22. He helped reach the postseason three straight years. Acciari had 46 points in 127 games with the Panthers. 

Thomas Bryant Moves To Miami Heat

     Former Denver Nuggets center Thomas Bryant has agreed to join the Florida Panthers. It will end up being a two-year contract. 

     Bryant began the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers and was sent to the Denver Nuggets at the NBA trade deadline. The Nuggets eventually won the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in five games. Bryant finished with 9.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game in 59 contests during the regular season. 

Coyotes Get Back Nick Bjugstad

     Former Florida Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad will be returning to the Arizona Coyotes. He has inked a two-year contract worth $4.2 million. 

     Bjugstad began his NHL career with the Florida Panthers and stayed for seven seasons. He chalked up 87 goals and 104 assists for 191 points in 394 regular season games. 

Dmitry Kulikov Returns To Panthers

     Dmitry Kulikov has returned to the Florida Panthers. He will begin his second stint with the club after he signed a one-year deal at $1 million.

     Kulikov was with the Panthers for seven seasons from 2009-10 until 2015-16. He compiled 138 points in 460 games while in Florida. 

Panthers Re-Up Lucas Carlsson

     Lucas Carlsson will remain with the Florida Panthers. The defenseman has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team worth $775,000. 

     Carlsson has been involved with Florida for the past two seasons. He has put up nine points in 42 games during that time. 

Alex Lyon Joins Red Wings

     Alex Lyon is no longer with the Florida Panthers and has joined the Detroit Red Wings. He has signed a two-year contract worth $1.8 million. 

     Lyon stepped in as Panthers goalie late in the 2022-23 regular season for Sergei Bobrovsky and helped them reach the postseason. He had a 9-4-2 record with a .912 save percentage and 2.89 save percentage in 15 contests. 

Niko Mikkola Goes To Panthers

     Defenseman Niko Mikkola has signed a contract with the Florida Panthers. It is a three-year deal worth $7.5 million. 

     Mikkola split his time last season between the St. Lous Blues and the New York Rangers. He played in 81 games and compiled one goal and five assists for six points. 

Gregori Denisenko Re-Signs With Panthers

     Gregori Denisenko has re-signed a contract with the Florida Panthers. It is a two-year deal that is worth $1.55 million. 

     Denisenko has spent a part of the last three seasons with the Panthers parent club. He has compiled seven assists in 26 regular season games with the Cats. 

Givani Smith Lands In San Jose

     Former Florida Panthers forward Givani Smith has signed a deal with the San Jose Sharks. It is a two-year contract worth $1.6 million. 

     Smith was acquired by the Panthers during the 2022-23 campaign in a three-team trade on December 19 from the Detroit Red Wings. He ended up having one goal and three assists in 34 regular season games with Florida. 

Panthers Sign Mike Reilly

     The Florida Panthers have added to their defensive core and signed Mike Reilly to a deal. It is a one-year contract worth $1 million. 

     Reilly spent the last three seasons in the Boston Bruins organization. He played just 10 games with the B's during the regular season and did not play in the first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. Reilly had 26 points in 95 games with the Bruins parent club. 

James Reimer In Detroit

     Former Florida Panthers goalie James Reimer is on the move. He has inked a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth $1.5 million. 

     Reimer was with the San Jose Sharks for the past two seasons. He played with the Florida Panthers for three seasons from 2016-17 to 2018-19. He had a 53-42-16 record along with a 2.85 goals-against-average and .912 save percentage in 123 contests for Florida. 

Radko Gudas Leaves For Anaheim

     Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas has left the team and joined the Anaheim Ducks. It is a three-year contract worth $12 million. 

     Gudas spent the last three seasons with the Panthers and helped them reach the postseason each year. He played a total of 203 games and had 44 points. 

Guardians Get Sandy Leon Again

     Former Miami Marlins catcher Sandy Leon has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. It will be his third stint with Cleveland. 

     Leon was with the Marlins during the 2021 season. He had four home runs with 14 runs batted in and .183 batting average in 83 games. Leon was with the Texas Rangers for 21 contests earlier in the 2023 season. 

Panthers Ink Kevin Stenlund

     The Florida Panthers have signed forward Kevin Stenlund. It is a one-year contract with the team worth $1 million. 

     Stenlund spent parts of four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2018-19 until 2021-22 and participated in 71 games. Current Panthers general manager Bill Zito is familiar with him while working in the Blue Jackets hockey operations. Stenlund had nine points in 54 contests last season with the Winnipeg Jets. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson Signing With Panthers

     Longtime defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers. The deal between him and the team is worth $2.25 million. 

     Ekman-Larsson was with the Vancouver Canucks for the past two seasons. He spent his first 11 seasons in the NHL with the Coyotes in both Phoenix and Arizona. Ekman-Larsson has 135 goals and 304 assists for 439 points in 902 regular season games. 

Anthony Stolarz Going To Panthers

     Anthony Stolarz will be signing a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers worth $1.1 million. The Cats have expanded their core of goaltenders on their team with him joining Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight. 

     Stolarz has spent the last four seasons as the backup goalie for the Anaheim Ducks. He had a 21-18-3 record with a 2.88 goals-against-average and a 913 save percentage in 56 games while there. 

Max Strus Traded By Heat

     Miami Heat guard Max Strus has been dealt by the team. He was involved in a three-way trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs. Strus will play next season with the Cavs. 

     It was sign-and-trade situation with the Heat. Strus signed a four-year contract worth $63 million with the clubs and then was dealt away. Miami will receive the Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick in 2026 along with a trade exception. 

Miami Heat Trade Victor Oladipo

     The Miami Heat have agreed to trade forward Victor Oladipo to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with their two second-round picks in 2029 and 2030. The Heat will get cash and a trade exception in return. 

     Oladipo was acquired by Miami during the 2021-22 campaign. He helped the club win the 2023 Eastern Conference title and reach the NBA Finals. 

Kevin Love Re-Ups With Miami Heat

     Forward Kevin Love will be staying with the Miami Heat. He is expected to sign a new two0year deal with the team worth $7.6 million. Love signed as a free agent with the Heat during the 2022-23 season. 

     Love averaged 7.7 points per game in 21 regular season contests with his new team. He participated in 20 postseason games during the NBA Playoffs and helped the Heat capture the Eastern Conference title to reach the NBA Finals. 

Josh Richardson Back With Miami Heat

     Josh Richardson will be rejoining the Miami Heat for a second stint with that club. He will be signing a two-year contract with the team. 

     Richardson was taken by the Miami Heat in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played with the Heat for four seasons and averaged 12.1 points per game. Richardson was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-team trade for Jimmy Butler on July 9, 2019. 

Gabe Vincent Off To Lakers

     Gabe Vincent will be exiting the Miami Heat. He will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers and sign a three-year contract with them for $33 million. 

     Vincent played his entire four-season NBA career with the Heat contributed to them winning two Eastern Conference titles in 2020 and 2023. He averaged 7.7 points per game in 195 regular season games with Miami. 

Florida Panthers Not Offered Contracts

     The Florida Panthers decided not to make qualifying offers to several players who were restricted free agents. It had to be decided by 5 P.M. on Friday prior to the start of free agency. 

     Panthers players who will head for free agency includes center Colin White, center Givani Smith, forward Serron Noel and defenseman Max Gildon. White was in 68 games and chalked up 15 points with Florida this season. Smith was able to record four points in 34 contests during the campaign. 

Chuck Fletcher On Sportsnet Television

     Former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher was seen on Canadian television. He was a studio panelist for the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft on Sportsnet. 

     Fletcher was the assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers from their inception in 1993 and stayed there for 10 seasons. He later became the general manager of the Minnesota Wild from 2009 to 2018 and general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2018 until 2023.

Markus Nutivaara Retiring

     Former Florida Panthers defenseman Markus Nutivaara is retiring from proffessional hockey. He spent the 2022-23 campaign with the San Jose Sharks American Hockey League affiliate. He did not participate a regular-season contest with the Sharks.

     Nutivaara was part the Panthers for two seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22. He had 11 points in 31 games with that tam. 

Noel Juulsen Remains With Canucks

     Former Florida Panthers defenseman Noel Juulsen will be staying with the Vancouver Canucks organization. He has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the team worth $1.5 million. 

     Juulsen once spent time with the Panthers during the 2020-21 regular season. He had no points in four games with Florida. 

Former Panthers Become Free Agents

     Several former Florida Panthers from their past were not given qualifying offers by their clubs. They will now become free agents. 

     One of them is center Denis Malgin of the Colorado Avalanche. The other is center Rudolfs Balcers of the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Brett Connolly Staying In Europe

     Former Florida Panthers center Brett Connolly will be remaining in Europe. He signed a one-year deal with SC Rapperswil- Jona Lakers. Connolly spent last season with HC Lugano and compiled 38 points in 45 games. 

     Connolly was with the Panthers for two seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He had 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 90 contests.