Whenever the third baseman does get put into the lineup, he did say he doesn't plan on playing in next week's All-Star Game despite being named for the first time since 2019.

Japan's trade deal with the U.S. must include tariff concessions for its vital automobile industry, top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the announcement of slightly higher US tariffs “truly regrettable” while he vowed to continue to protect his nation’s interests in the extended trade negotiations.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that Japan would continue negotiations with the United States to seek a bilateral trade deal that benefits both countries. Japan has received a proposal from the United States to continue trade discussions until the newly set August 1 deadline,

Even as the Houston Rockets were playing their way to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last season, it wasn't difficult to see them as a young team that was maybe a year or two away from serious championship contention.