Penguins get Dumba

DALLAS (AP) — The Stars traded Matt Dumba to Pittsburgh in a swap of defensemen Thursday, with Dallas getting Vladislav Kolyachonok while sending a 2028 second-round pick to the Penguins.

Dumba never had an impact after signing a $7.5 million, two-year contract in free agency last year. He was a healthy scratch for all 18 playoff games as the Stars lost in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year.

The 30-year-old Dumba had one goal and nine assists in 63 games during the regular season. It was the fewest goals for Dumba since scoring one in 13 games as a rookie with Minnesota in 2013-14.

Dumba has 258 points (84 goals, 174 assists) in 737 games over 12 seasons. Pittsburgh will be his fourth team in three seasons after he spent the first 10 years of his career with the Wild.

Kolyachonok played for the Penguins and Utah last season, recording seven points (two goals) in 35 games. The 24-year-old’s career began in 2021-22 when the Utah franchise was in Arizona. He has 14 points (four goals) in 74 career games.

Bobcats may be leaving MAC

ATHENS — Changes are coming to the Mid-American Conference.

After Northern Illinois is leaving to join the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026, Ohio University is reportedly in preliminary talks to join the Sun Belt Conference. Ohio has been a member of the MAC since its founding in 1946.

Toledo was being sought out by the Mountain West football, but the Rockets stayed in the MAC.

The Sun Belt also has been talking with Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky, who are members of Conference USA.

Ohio State recruit going south

UPPER ARLINGTON — Upper Arlington senior Alex Smith, an Ohio State University men’s basketball commit, announced on social media Tuesday he will play his final high school season at Prolific Prep in Florida.

Smith, a 6-foot-9 power forward, averaged averaged 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks as junior in leading the Golden Bears to a 14-10 record and a Division I district title.

He committed to Ohio State last August.

Guardians will play two today

CHICAGO (AP) — The opener of a four-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox on Thursday night was postponed because of rain.

It will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Friday.

Cleveland’s Logan Allen and Chicago All-Star Shane Smith are scheduled to start the opener, with the Guardians’ Gavin Williams and Jonathan Cannon getting the ball in the nightcap.

Cleveland is fourth in the AL Central at 43-48. The Guardians swept three games at Houston after losing 10 in a row.

Chicago is an American League-worst 31-62.

The White Sox were to debut “45” uniform patches in honor of late closer Bobby Jenks. They will wear them for the remainder of the season.

A World Series champion and two-time All-Star, Jenks died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, where he was being treated for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was 44.

Jenks was on the mound for the final out in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series at Houston, giving Chicago its first title since 1917. Members of the championship team are reuniting in Chicago to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the title run. The White Sox are scheduled to unveil a statue of former ace Mark Buehrle on Friday.

Manzardo returns to Guardians

CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo rejoined the team Thursday after missing three games to be with his family while his mother underwent a heart transplant.

Windy Manzardo had surgery in Spokane, Washington.

The Guardians reinstated Manzardo from the family medical emergency list prior to the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Outfielder Jhonkensy Noel was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Manzardo is expected to in the cleanup spot against Chicago in Friday’s doubleheader. He came in batting .217 with 13 homers and 33 RBIs.

Cleveland was fourth in the AL Central at 43-48. The Guardians swept three games at Houston after losing 10 in a row.

Maguire’s hole-in-one gives her share of lead

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Leona Maguire made a hole-in-one at the Evian Championship on the way to a 6-under 65 in the first round Thursday and a five-way share of the lead.

Having started on the back nine at the fourth major of the year, Maguire aced the par-3 second hole — her 11th — at Evian Resort Golf Club, holing her tee shot from 164 yards.

“It was just taking a little bit off an 8-iron for me. Looked good in the air. You’re never sure on that hole until the ball actually lands,” she said. “Sort of a perfect morning for it. Not much wind which is nice, especially on that tee box.”

The Irishwoman was joined on 65 by American duo of Andrea Lee and Jennifer Kupcho as well as Australians Grace Kim and Gabriela Ruffels.

Australian Minjee Lee was in sixth place after a 66.