Sports Highlights: Major League Baseball Surprises, Tennis Legend's Last Dance & More

Catch up on the latest in sports: Patriots' Cole Strange out with a knee injury, the Pirates' thrilling win against the Giants, Venus Williams gets a Barbie, and much more. From MLB stunners to NBA finals drama and a potential last hurrah for Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Report: Patriots starting G Cole Strange to miss start of season

New England Patriots starting guard Cole Strange is expected to miss perhaps up to the middle of the 2024 season due to a significant knee injury he sustained in 2023, NFL Network reported. Strange has started every game in which he's played for the Patriots since they selected him with the 29th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

MLB roundup: Pirates stun Giants with late outburst

Nick Gonzales hit a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning after Pittsburgh tied the score with four runs in the ninth, lifting the Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. Gonzales singled up the middle on the first pitch of the inning from Erik Miller (0-2), scoring automatic runner Michael A. Taylor from second base.

Venus Williams among sporting figures to get own Barbie doll

Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Australian soccer player Mary Fowler are among nine athletes to get a Barbie doll in their likeness as toy maker Mattel seeks to shine a light on women sports role models ahead of the Paris Olympics. Mattel unveiled the dolls on Wednesday, each with their bespoke accessories. Fowler's wears gloves and holds a football while Williams' doll, dressed in an all white tennis dress and visor as well as wearing earrings, comes with a miniature racket.

Wolves, Mavericks set to tangle in Western Conference final Game 1

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waited 20 years to return to this stage. The Dallas Mavericks were here two years ago, only to get bounced in five games by the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

Celtics survive Pacers in OT to take Game 1 of East finals

The Indiana Pacers came into Boston and pushed the Celtics to the brink on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Indiana was up by five with just under two minutes left in regulation, but Boston found a way to force overtime before going on to win 133-128 to open the best-of-seven series on a high note.

Report: Man wants to drop charges against Rashee Rice

At least one of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice's legal problems might soon be behind him. NFL Network reported Tuesday that the photographer Rice is accused of assaulting outside a Dallas nightclub earlier this month now wants the charges dropped.

Micah Parsons absent from Cowboys OTAs

Star linebacker Micah Parsons was not spotted as the Dallas Cowboys began organized team activities on Tuesday. Parsons, who wants a new contract, was not the only member of the Cowboys absent on Tuesday. Wide receiver Cee Dee Lamb, as expected, also was not in attendance as he seeks a new deal.

Tennis-Invincible no more but Nadal targets final fling at Roland Garros

Rafa Nadal hopes to play in the French Open where he would be in the unfamiliar role of underdog but niggling injuries threaten to sour what would likely be the Spaniard's last appearance at the Grand Slam he dominated for nearly two decades. The 37-year-old, who won 14 of his 22 major titles in Paris to establish himself as one of the greatest ever players on clay, skipped the 2023 edition with a hip injury that required surgery and is still in two minds whether to play this year.

Soccer-Copa America teams to be allowed concussion substitutions

Teams at next month's Copa America will have the option of an additional substitution in the event of a concussion or suspected head trauma, South American football's governing body CONMEBOL said on Tuesday. The change in rules will also apply to other tournaments organised by the body following the commencement of the Copa America, which runs from June 20 to July 14 and will be held in the United States.

Cubs remove struggling Kyle Hendricks from starting rotation

gThe Chicago Cubs have seen enough from their former ace Kyle Hendricks and have taken him out of the starting rotation, according to manager Craig Counsell. Hendricks has seven starts this season, an 0-4 record and an ERA of 10.57.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)