Rober Pier arrives at Atlas as reinforcement for Apertura 2025

The union’s proposals

Major League Baseball players presented a set of modifications to the labor regulations during a negotiation with the league. They seek to reduce optional assignments per season to minor leagues from five to three. The intention is to stop the constant rotation that teams apply in bullpens, where relievers pitch more and more innings.

The union requested that active rosters increase to 28 players during the first 15 days of each season, with a maximum of 14 pitchers — one more than the current limit of 13. In addition, they propose moving up the opening of the 60-day injured list to the tender deadline, rather than waiting for the start of spring training. This would allow teams to protect more players from the Rule 5 draft during the winter meetings, since those on that list do not count toward the 40 roster limit.

Another request: that MLB expedite eligibility for the Rule 5 draft and ensure it takes place this year, even if the administration imposes a lockout after the current labor agreement expires on December 1. They also want pitchers to be credited with major league service time if they are optioned to the minors during the All-Star break or after a game with certain performance thresholds.

Players also demand guaranteed access to teams’ non-proprietary video and performance data.

The fight for the salary cap

The owners have proposed a salary cap for the first time since the 1994-95 strike, which canceled the World Series after 90 years. Although a lockout is expected next winter, talks will intensify toward late February or early March 2027, as the risk of losing regular-season games and revenue looms. If matches are cancelled, the negotiation will become a battle over which party tolerates the greatest economic loss.

Former NBA player Malik Beasley pleaded not guilty this Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn. He faces charges for allegedly altering his performance in 2024 matches to benefit bettors and settle debts.

Beasley, 29, said little during the arraignment. His attorney, Jason Goldman, filed the plea on his behalf. “He is presumed innocent and that has yet to mean anything,” Goldman said outside court.

The details of the case

Authorities accuse the shooting guard of fixing — or attempting to do so — his performance in at least four games while he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. According to the indictment, Beasley pushed himself over the 3.5 rebound line in a game against the Clippers in March 2024. In the final seconds, he grabbed his fourth rebound, winning some bettors thousands of dollars.

“The only way to beat Las Vegas is to bet on sports,” former player Ed Davis wrote to Beasley in a message from January 2024, according to court documents.

Beasley asked Davis for loans after accumulating million-dollar losses. His financial situation includes litigation with landlords, barbers and dentists, as well as a million dollar adverse judgment.

Also accused was sports agent Paolo Zamorano, 39, who pleaded not guilty. Both were released on bail and must return to court on August 6.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Weintraub said Beasley has been under investigation for about a year. His last team in the NBA was the Detroit Pistons, averaging 16 points per game.

Goldman, the defense attorney, questioned the industry context: “There is a broader conversation here about individuals and institutions making billions and fueling addiction.”

The former star’s parents, Michael and Deena Beasley, guaranteed his freedom. During the hearing, the mother caused laughter by confessing that she calls her son “six times a week.”

Agonizing victory with one less man

The United States team secured its place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 at the San Francisco Bay Stadium. The high-intensity match left moments of tension and an expulsion that marked the development.

The first goal came just before halftime. Folarin Balogun took advantage of a deviation in the Bosnian defense and made it 1-0 in the 45th minute. However, the advantage was complicated in the second half: Balogun himself received a direct red card in the 64th minute after a strong tackle that injured defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Despite playing with ten, the local team resisted and sealed the victory in the 82nd minute. Malik Tillman executed a spectacular free kick with his right foot to make it 2-0.

With this result, the United States will face Belgium next Monday, July 6 at Seattle Stadium. Balogun’s expulsion could have consequences for that match, although the team showed the ability to overcome adversity.