NBA

Cobb didn’t allow a hit in the contest while walking two and striking out two. He threw 34 pitches in the ballgame, 18 of them for strikes. The 37-year-old hurler has a long buildup ahead of him after missing all of spring training and the first two-plus months of the regular season. He has looked sharp so far though, with 4 1/3 scoreless frames allowing just one hit and two walks. He’s at least a couple of weeks away from being an option to help out the Tigers.

Bears rookies will return for one last organized team activities (OTAs) stretch next week, before the team’s month-plus break begins. Ideally, Burden returns and is able to re-establish himself as a must-start weapon in head coach Ben Johnson’s eyes. With Johnson’s reported intent to feature TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet in 12 personnel groupings, Burden has given the once-dog-housed DJ Moore and second-year WR Rome Odunze a chance to box out the rookie. While Burden is likely at least lock up No. 3/slot receiver duties, gaining access to two-receiver sets is critical for immediate, impactful fantasy football successes. Burden has also not yet signed his rookie contract, and one wonders what else he could be prioritizing while sidelined. Stay tuned for Burden’s hopeful participation on Monday. Final rookie OTAs run from June 9-11.

The Mets are still considering it a day-to-day type of thing for Lindor and manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Friday that he wouldn’t be surprised if the superstar shortstop was back in the lineup on Saturday or Sunday. Fantasy managers in leagues that utilize bi-weekly moves have a tough decision on their hands on whether to risk the zero by starting him or potentially miss a pair of games from Lindor at Coors Field over the weekend.

Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.

The Blue Jays feel like Scherzer is making tangible strides in his recovery and that he could progress through the rehab stage quickly if things go well with his outing on Sunday. You’d think that he would make at least one extended minor league rehab start before joining the Blue Jays’ rotation, so even in the best-case scenario he’s still probably two weeks away.

He has yet to be cleared to begin running, but it’s an encouraging sign that he’s already doing baseball activity again. The Blue Jays are hopeful that he won’t require much longer than a minimum stint on the injured list, but it will all depend on how quickly he can get through his running progression.