Magnus Carlsen defeated Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in a tiebreak to become Chess World Cup champion on Thursday.

After the two had drawn the opening two games of the final, Carlsen won the first of two tiebreak games before drawing the second frame to clinch his first World Cup title.

The Norwegian grandmaster has now won every major individual classical chess tournament and, as Chess.com puts it, “completes chess” with his victory in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Even Carlsen acknowledged his own achievement on social media, posting the question, “Chess?” along with a GIF from a popular UK TV show, ‘The Inbetweeners,’ with a character saying, “Completed it.”

It’s been a grueling few weeks for the two players, who have had to overcome numerous opponents for their spot in the final.

Things were made even more complicated for Carlsen when he came down with a bout of food poisoning earlier in the week.

And with Carlsen’s health concerns a major talking point, there was very little to separate him from teenage Indian chess sensation Praggnanandhaa, commonly known to fans as Pragg.

Two draws opened up an enthralling final, with millions across the world tuning into watch arguably the sport’s two biggest names clash – at one point, there were 115,000 people watching the live stream of the first game of the final with over 150,000 tuning in for the tiebreak.

In said tiebreak – which took the format of a two-game rapid match – Carlsen showed why he is the reigning World Rapid Champion and world No. 1, outmaneuvering Pragg and putting the 18-year-old in time trouble to win the opening game of the tie break.

Needing just a draw to claim his first World Cup title, Carlsen was able to hold on for just that result and add to his set of chess trophies.

For Pragg, the World Cup was somewhat of a breakthrough onto the top table of the sport.

Pragg – who made history earlier in his career in becoming the youngest ever international chess master at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days – beat two of world’s top three on his way to the final and secured his place in the 2024 Candidates Tournament which determines the challenger to compete for the World Chess Championship.

The winner of the Candidates Tournament faces the reigning champion for the crown of world champion, which is currently held by Ding Liren of China. Ding’s victory ended the reign of five-time champion Carlsen, who had decided not to defend his title earlier this year.

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, after video showed him placing an unwanted kiss on a star player of Spain’s winning World Cup team.

“The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” FIFA said in a statement.

Article 13 relates to infringements of laws of the game, for example “violating the basic rules of decent conduct.”

RFEF President Rubiales is also coming under renewed pressure from two of Spain’s leading organizations involved in women’s soccer over his behavior in the aftermath of La Roja’s World Cup victory.

The union representing Spain’s women soccer players has called for the country’s football federation chief to be punished for kissing Jennifer Hermoso on the lips following the team’s World Cup victory, as it vowed to fight back against “machismo and sexism.”

“It is essential that our team, the current world champion, is always represented by figures who project values of equality and respect in all areas,” Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer Players (FUTPRO) said in a statement Wednesday.

“The union is working so that acts like the ones we have seen never go unpunished, are sanctioned and the pertinent measures are adopted to protect the football players from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”

Rubiales was filmed forcibly kissing the striker after her team’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday.

Hermoso, 33, who has previously said she “didn’t like” the kiss and “didn’t expect it,” also issued a statement Wednesday, saying the union and her agency TMJ would be “defending my interests and acting as spokespersons on this matter.”

FUTPRO vowed in its statement to fight “sexual harassment or abuse, machismo and sexism.”

“It is necessary to continue advancing in the fight for equality, a fight that our players have led with determination, taking us to the position in which we find ourselves today,” the union said.

Rising criticism

Amnesty International also lended its support to Hermoso and her written complaints, while urging RFEF to “take urgent measures, adequately investigat[e] the events, putting the focus on protecting the player,” said organization spokesperson Carlos de las Heras.

Amnesty added that if RFEF doesn’t do so, it will ask the Spanish High Council of Sport (CSD) to act.

Meanwhile, Spain’s women’s soccer league, Liga F, also issued a statement on Wednesday saying that it has filed an official complaint with the CSD and calling for Rubiales’ “unacceptable and repugnant” actions to be punished.

“One of the biggest achievements in the history of Spanish sport was tarnished by the embarrassing behavior of the top representative of Spanish football, who once again, and led by his continuous and habitual desire for the spotlight, demonstrated that he isn’t up to the position which he holds,” the statement read.

“It’s not only about the kiss. It’s about the attitude that is so far removed from the values of our society. An attitude which is imprinted in the history of world sport, and most seriously, will always remain tied to our Women’s National Team … We can’t permit that this episode suffers no consequence.

“It’s the time to give a step forward. The other side of the coin would be a humiliation for all women and the biggest loss of Spanish sport and of our country.”

On Monday, Rubiales admitted he had “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso after she collected her winners’ medal.

“I surely made a mistake, I have to recognize that,” Rubiales said in a video statement. “Here, we didn’t understand it because we saw something natural, normal and in no way, I repeat, with bad faith. But outside of the bubble, it looks like it has turned into a storm and so, if there are people who have felt offended, I have to say I’m sorry.”

However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said the apology offered by Rubiales was “not enough.”

Rubiales has faced widespread criticism for the incident, with politicians and journalists labeling his behavior “unacceptable” and “simply disgusting.”

The football federation is expected to address the incident during an extraordinary general assembly on Friday, though it doesn’t appear on the order of the day for the meeting released by the federation.

CSD President Victor Francos has said he will take action against Rubiales if the federation fails to do so.

The controversy comes against a backdrop of ongoing unrest between Spain’s players, coach Jorge Vilda and the football federation.

In September 2022, 15 members of Spain’s senior women’s squad sent personally signed letters to the federation via email to announce they would no longer play for the national team, unless there were wholesale changes made throughout the coaching staff.

However, the football federation backed Vilda, who has himself become embroiled in a controversy surrounding the World Cup final after video emerged of him appearing to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the match.

Roadways at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport have reopened after overnight flooding partly blocked a terminal and thunderstorms halted incoming flights on Thursday.

Access to the McNamara Terminal has been restored, airport authorities said Thursday afternoon.

Both the northbound and southbound tunnels on Dingell Drive have reopened, according to an airport spokesperson. However, the Federal Aviation Administration said the airport is still experiencing ground delays as a result of the prior ground stop.

Three inches of rain fell on the airport over about five hours, according to the National Weather Service, causing some flooding. In particular, travelers could not access the McNamara Terminal at the airport due to flooding in the Dingell Drive tunnels, the airport said earlier.

“Some roadways at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport remain closed due to the storms overnight,” the airport said earlier. “The sheer amount of rain in a short period of time is the primary driver for flooding at DTW.”

About 18% of flights originating at the airport were canceled on Thursday, according to tracking site Flight Aware. While the cancellations are affecting multiple carriers, Delta Air Lines has been particularly hard hit with 96 flights canceled.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is a major hub for both Delta and Spirit and has more than 1,100 flights per day, according to its website.

The rain is connected to a broader risk of severe storms and flooding in the Great Lakes area.

A level 2 of 4 risk for flooding extends from Ohio into Pennsylvania, and the threat for severe storms includes over 40 million people over the Great Lakes, including Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, where more strong to severe storms are expected.

The hour is finally approaching. From 2024, it will no longer be free to travel to Europe.

The ETIAS visa waiver program will allow entry into EU countries from $7.70. As the name suggests, it isn’t a visa – it’s a system for visitors from countries who don’t require visas to enter Europe, to preregister their visits. Those who currently need visas to enter will still need them,

While many US citizens appear shocked by the move, they might be surprised that the ETIAS system is modeled on the ESTA visa waiver program, which was introduced in 2009 by the United States. And, of course, citizens of many countries need “real” visas to EU countries – which is not only a costly process, but a time-consuming one, too.

ETIAS will join the myriad accommodation and “tourist taxes” that are already charged around Europe. Here’s what to know about them.

When will ETIAS come into force?

Originally slated to start in May 2023, ETIAS has been pushed back several times – but now appears to be on track to launch in 2024.

Who needs ETIAS authorization?

Citizens of the 60 or so non-EU countries who don’t currently need a visa to the EU – such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore and the UAE. EU residents are exempt, whatever their nationality.

Those who currently need a visa to enter the EU, on the other hand, will still need a visa.

How will it work?

ETIAS will be run along similar lines to the United States’ ESTA program. Travelers must request permission to enter the EU before their travel through a simple online process.

It’ll cost 7 euros ($7.70) and will cover multiple entries for three years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. That’s cheaper than an ESTA, which costs $21 for two years.

Applications should be processed in “minutes” with the vast majority completed in 96 hours, the EU predicts. “Some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days,” they warn, however. It suggests not booking flights or accommodation until you have confirmation.

For more details, check out the official ETIAS website here – going through third parties may incur extra charges.

What other tourist taxes are there in Europe?

Most cities in continental Europe now charge a “tourist tax” for overnight visitors – usually a few euros added to your bill at the end of your stay, though sometimes it must be paid in cash. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, hosts will often collect this from you on arrival.

The taxes usually go towards buffering public services which are affected by visitors, such as trash collection and street cleaning. Amsterdam, for example, recently allocated an extra 7 million euros to its public transport network. They’re also usually only charged for a set period, usually of up to a week. That way, you’re rewarded if you stay longer.

The notable exception is the UK – however, this is changing. Manchester became the first UK city to introduce a £1 ($1.30) tax on overnight stays in March 2023. Edinburgh looks set to follow, and Wales is looking to introduce a “visitor levy” for overnight stays.

What if I don’t stay the night?

Then you’ll probably be paying an overnight tax wherever you do stay, since most European countries charge these taxes, though they tend to be cheaper in less popular municipalities. Don’t forget that tourism adds a heavy burden to destinations, often in countries and areas that are significantly poorer than those of the tourists themselves.

What about cruise passengers?

Good question. Cruises are notoriously bad for the environment, as well as for cities who are engulfed by passengers on port days – passengers who spend precious little money in the destination as they’re already catered for onboard.

Some cities have reacted by implementing arrival taxes on cruise passengers. If your ship docks at Barcelona for 12 hours or more you’ll pay 4.75 euros (3 euros regional fee and 1.75 euros city surcharge). Amsterdam visitors arriving on a cruise pay 8 euros. It’s only valid for boats that dock for the day – if your cruise starts or ends in Amsterdam, or if you’re staying overnight in the city, you’re exempt.

It’s not just cruise ships that charge landing taxes for arriving by sea, however. Italy has the “contributo di sbarco” or disembarkation contribution that non-resident passengers must pay when arriving on islands, whether by public ferry or private boat. The price is set by local authorities.

Are some cities more expensive than others?

Yes – essentially, the more popular the place, the more you’ll pay. Stay in Barcelona, for example, and as well as the regular Catalonia tourist tax, you’ll be in line for a “city surcharge” imposed on stays in the region’s capital.

Amsterdam charges 7% of the hotel rate plus 3 euros per person per night.

In Vienna, it’s 3.2% of the total room rate, excluding breakfast and sales tax, and then lopping off 11% of the remainder. It works out as about 2.5%.

In Portugal, three municipalities on the tourist-filled Algarve coastline charge tourist tax: Faro, Vila Real de Santo António and Olhão, which introduced a fee (1 euro in the winter, 2 euros otherwise) in 2023.

Crucially, the posher your accommodation, the more you pay. In Rome, for example, staying in a three star hotel incurs a 4 euro nightly tax, but a four star hotel is 6 euros and five stars is 7 euros.

In Venice, the tax goes from 1 euro per person per night in a one star hotel, to 5 euros in a five star. The tax is only payable for the first five nights, in a bid to get people to stay longer.

And in Paris, it ranges from just 0.20 euros for a one star property to 5 euros per person per night in a swanky “palais” hotel.

In France overall, the charges vary by both municipality and class of accommodation – ranging from 0.20 euros to 4.20 outside Paris.

While in Greece, it’s done solely by the type of accommodation, with charges ranging from 0.50 euros to 4 euros per room per night.

How about that Venice entry fee?

The much mooted “contributo di accesso” or entrance fee to Venice – which has been repeatedly postponed since first being proposed for 2019 – is now slated for 2024. Charges have been announced as starting at 3 euros on a quiet day to 10 euros at peak times.

However, this charge is only for day-trippers, who are thought to form 90% of the visitor numbers, add little to the local economy but cause plenty of problems in the city. If you’re staying overnight, you’ll already have paid the overnight “city tax” and will be exempt.

Does only Europe do this?

No. Many US states charge “accommodation taxes,” for starters – plus many US hotels add on a “resort fee” too, which doesn’t even go to the community. The taxes are also standard in the Caribbean, where they’re commonly added to hotel fees. There’s an entrance tax on tourists arriving in New Zealand, and a departure tax for vacationers departing from Japan.

The French army general appointed to oversee the reconstruction of Paris’s Notre Dame cathedral has died during a mountain walk.

“The nation has lost one of its great soldiers,” President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday.

He described General Jean-Louis Georgelin, 74, as one of France’s “great servants” and “the architect of Notre Dame’s rebirth.”

In 2019, Macron appointed Georgelin to oversee the reconstruction of Notre Dame following a fire that devastated the cathedral.

The cathedral is being restored to its previous design, including the wooden spire that collapsed during the blaze. French authorities hope to complete the work by 2024, when Paris hosts the Olympics.

Georgelin was Chief of Staff of the armies between 2006 and 2010 and then Grand Chancellor of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor between 2010 and 2016.

Ukrainian forces have carried out their most complex and ambitious operations to date against Russian military facilities in the occupied region of Crimea, officials in Kyiv have said.

Special forces landed on the western shore of Crimea, near the settlements of Olenivka and Mayak, in a joint operation with the country’s Navy, according to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence.

“While performing the task, Ukrainian defenders clashed with the occupier’s units. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among its personnel and destroyed enemy equipment,” the intelligence agency said.

While they were there, the Ukrainian unit also raised the national flag, it added.

Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula which has been illegally occupied by Moscow’s forces since 2014, have not responded to the claims.

The operation would constitute one of the most daring moves by Kyiv since launching its cagey counter-offensive against Russian troops, which has so far made only limited progress.

Kyiv has recently ramped up drone strikes on Crimea in a push to disrupt Russian logistics and resupply efforts, a shift in focus that has been met with skepticism in parts of the West.

The area contains extensive air defenses and missile sites, including advanced systems. The Ukrainians said Wednesday they had destroyed an S-400 missile defense battery in the area.

Mayak is said to be home to a Russian radio engineering regiment and sophisticated radar systems.

Unofficial Russian social media accounts have spoken of firing near a campsite at Cape Tarkhankut – the westernmost point in Crimea – before dawn on Thursday. One channel said the first shooting broke out shortly before 4 a.m.

“When people woke up and came out of the houses and tents to the beach, they saw two rubber boats not far from the shore. There were 10 unidentified men in them. One of them fired at the camping site,” according to the Telegram channel SHOT.

A prominent Russian military blog, Wargonzo, reported that “According to some sources, a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group landed in the area of Cape Tarkhankut, shelled the camping on the seashore and fled in the direction of Odesa.”

A Telegram channel associated with a military unit of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic also reported the clashes.

The 105th Regiment of the DPR militia said four light-engine boats with Ukrainian saboteurs were destroyed near Cape Tarkhankut. “Russian security forces liquidated the sabotage and reconnaissance in the sea at about four in the morning. According to preliminary data, about 15-20 people were liquidated,” it claimed.

Ukrainian Defense Intelligence released several videos purporting to show Ukrainian inflatables close to the Crimean coast in the darkness.

Video has also emerged of Ukrainian inflatable boats firing an anti-aircraft missile at a Russian jet. The Russian Defense Ministry released cockpit video showing a jet fighter using cannon fire against the boats.

Ukraine has meanwhile claimed some gains on the southern front in Zaporizhzhia region, and are still on the offensive around Bakhmut, as Kyiv’s counter-offensive gradually progresses in the east of the country.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces said Thursday that units had succeeded “in the direction of Novodanylivka and Novoprokopivka, consolidating their positions, inflicting artillery fire on the identified enemy targets, and conducting counter-battery operations.”

“The enemy is suffering significant losses in personnel, weapons and equipment, is moving units and troops and actively using reserves,” the General Staff said.

Ukrainian defenders were also holding back Russian attempts to advance further north around Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, as well as efforts to break through west of Svatove in neighboring Luhansk. In this area, the Ukrainians say that the Russians have poured more forces into the battlefield.

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, the Elon Musk-run rocket and spacecraft company with extensive government contracts, for allegedly discriminating against refugees in its hiring practices.

The suit claims that “from at least September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them, because of their citizenship status, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),” according to an August 24 DOJ news release.

It goes on to allege SpaceX falsely claimed in its job listings that only green card holders and United States citizens could work at the company because of federal export control laws.

There are specific laws — such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations — that apply to companies manufacturing spacecraft and rockets and limit foreign nationals from accessing key information about the vehicles for national security reasons.

But the new lawsuit states that regulations such as ITAR do not prevent SpaceX from hiring refugees, whose “permission to live and work in the United States does not expire, and they stand on equal footing with U.S. citizens,” according to the DOJ.

“Our investigation found that SpaceX failed to fairly consider or hire asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status and imposed what amounted to a ban on their hire regardless of their qualification, in violation of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in a statement.

Clarke added that the DOJ’s investigation found recruiters at the company “actively discouraged asylees and refugees from seeking work opportunities at the company.”

The suit also alleges that SpaceX “failed to fairly consider” applications submitted to the company by refugees.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to an email request for comment, nor does the company typically respond to reporters.

The Justice Department first notified SpaceX about its investigation on June 8, 2020, according to the complaint. It alleges in the lawsuit that SpaceX “failed to provide documents” related to the inquiry, and a judge denied the company’s attempt to revoke a subpoena on December 1, 2020. SpaceX eventually complied with the request for documents in August 2021, according to legal documents.

During a 2016 speech at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, Musk was asked by a member of the audience why SpaceX only hired people from the United States.

“I think people are very confused about this,” Musk responded. “Unfortunately, this is not up to us. … If you’re working on rocket technology that’s considered an advanced weapons technology. So even a normal work visa isn’t sufficient unless you get special permission from the secretary of defense.

“This is not out of some desire of SpaceX to just hire people with green cards — it’s because we’re not allowed to do anything else,” Musk added. “I think this is not a wise policy for the US because there are so many talented people all around the world that we would love to have work at our company. But unless (they) can somehow get a green card, we’re legally prevented from hiring anyone.”

Musk added that the export laws do not apply at Tesla, his electric car company, and said — at the time — about 25% to 30% of its engineering staff was from outside the country.

Musk did not specifically address refugees.

The DOJ’s guidance states that refugees should be treated as US citizens. And, once hired, refugees “can access export-controlled information and materials without additional government approval, just like U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents,” according to the Justice Department.

Jonathan Grode, an immigration attorney with export controls expertise who serves as managing partner at the firm Green and Spiegel, said that companies like SpaceX are not in fact barred from hiring foreign nationals at all. But companies do have to seek certain visas for foreign nationals or obtain government approval when it comes to ITAR restrictions, and SpaceX is within its rights to decide not to pursue that path.

But, he reiterated, refugees should not at all be affected by ITAR restrictions.

Grode, whose firm has represented companies accused of similar practices, said SpaceX does, however, have a business incentive to avoid an accidental ITAR violation and be conservative with its hiring practices. If the company did mistakenly violate export controls, it could put its extensive government contracts — with NASA and the Defense Department — at risk.

“They can lose the contracts,” Grode said. “The penalties for violating export control license are very substantial.”

The same is not true for commercial contracts, Grode added. SpaceX could still be fined for violating ITAR, but it wouldn’t necessarily dissolve private-sector agreements, he noted.

Karsten Warholm once again dominated the hurdles track – not only regaining his hard earned title of world champion, but becoming the first athlete to ever win three 400m hurdles crowns.

The frontrunner in this event since his world championship title in 2017, the Norwegian suffered an injury-plagued, disappointing 2022.

But on Wednesday at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, the 27-year-old demonstrated why he is a force to be reckoned with, gaining momentum throughout the race to sprint ahead of American Rai Benjamin, Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands and Jamaican Roshawn Clarke to finish first in 46.89 seconds.

“It was the perfect run for me. I was able to keep my form in the first 250m and I know that the guys were running their asses off and would be very tired. It was just left for me to turn on the turbos over the last 100m and the race was mine,” he said of the final.

“[The other competitors] went out super hard, but I knew they were going to get it tough in the end. I knew I would have the most left on the home stretch.”

Warholm added that this year’s gold is “extra special” because it signifies his “good little comeback story” following last year’s disappointing run with injuries and form.

“I love racing. I put everything in my life into this and having an injury is tough, but it also motivated me to come back and get the gold back again,” he said.

“It feels a bit sweeter this year. You have to fight and I have a fighting spirit in these moments. It gets the best out of me. I’m still hungry for more and more. You need to have that to chase the gold medals.”

McMaster took the silver in 47.38, while Benjamin was awarded bronze for his 47.56.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa told ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark on Wednesday that “respect is everything” after he made unflattering comments about the 25-year-old’s offseason workout routine.

Clark, a 13-year NFL veteran, joked earlier this week on an episode of “NFL Live” that Tagovailoa looked like he had skipped the gym and that “he might spend a lot of time in the tattoo parlor. He was not at the dinner table eating what the nutritionist had advised.”

Tagovailoa was asked on Wednesday about how hard he worked in the offseason while speaking to reporters, to which he responded, “I think we all worked hard throughout the offseason. I’m not one to talk about myself the entire time, but I mean, it takes a lot,” Tagovailoa said.

“You think I wanted to build all this muscle? Like, to some extent I wanted to be a little lighter. There’s a mixture of things that people don’t understand, that people don’t know about, that are talked about that go behind the scenes.

“So, you know, I’d appreciate it if you kept my name out your mouth. That’s what I’d say.”

Tagovailoa, who is entering his fourth year in the league after getting drafted by Miami in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, added he did not appreciate what Clark had to say about him.

“I mean, he probably knows more about me than I know about myself. I don’t know, Ryan’s been out of the league for some time,” Tagovailoa said. “I don’t know, it’s a little weird when people are talking about other people when they’re not that person. Just a little weird. I come from a Samoan family; respect is everything.

“But it does get to a point where, hey, you know, little easy on that, buddy. I think we’re pretty tough-minded people, and if we need to get scrappy, we can get scrappy too. Just saying.”

Clark said it was a joke but took full responsibility for his actions in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.

“I 100% take accountability for it!! I said it!! I meant it!! It was a joke!! If asked why I said it by Tua I would tell him. I have 0 issues looking a man in the eye and telling my truth. I accept any consequence,” Clark wrote.

Tagovailoa made headlines last season after suffering multiple concussions causing him to miss five games.

The Dolphins exercised Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract in March. He is contracted with the team through the 2024 season.

Tagovailoa will make a fully guaranteed $23.17 million for the 2024 season, according to the NFL.

Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch again in the 2023 MLB season after suffering a tear to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian confirmed.

The 2021 American League MVP started the first game of the Angels’ doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds before having to leave the mound early in the second inning after striking out two batters in the game.

“We did imaging between games, he does have a tear, and he won’t pitch the rest of the year,” Minasian told reporters postgame. “We’re going to get a second opinion, go from there, but it’s basically day-to-day. Obviously, he hit. But that’s where we’re at.”

The Angels GM confirmed that he did not know the grade of the tear.

Ohtani has had a blockbuster year so far for the Angels and is heavily expected to pick up another AL MVP award at the end of the campaign. “Sho-time” now also leads Major League Baseball (MLB) in home runs for the year after notching No. 44 of the season.

In the bottom of the first, Ohtani crushed a two-run homer to right field off an Andrew Abbott pitch to give the Angels an early lead.

Angels fans will be hoping that the Japanese star can continue to hit throughout the season, as he did in the second game, but Minasian is unsure if Ohtani will keep this up after suffering the injury.

​​“I don’t know what to expect,” Minasian said when asked if Ohtani will hit for the rest of the year. “We’re gonna go day-to-day and just see how it goes. See how he feels I think as we get more information, as far as recovery time and all those types of things. We’ll have more information down the road.”

The 29-year-old has had an unmatched workload during his time in the MLB, but Minasian said that Ohtani has made it work.

“I would never put any limitations on players in general, especially him,” Minasian added. “He’s shown it’s obviously possible to do and excel at it.

“I expect him to bounce back and do what he needs to do to get back to where he was.”

Ohtani has previous experience in bouncing back from a UCL injury.

In September 2018, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery to repair damage to his UCL. The two-way star returned to MLB in May the following year as a hitter. Ohtani then returned to the mound in July 2020.

The Angels ended up losing the first game against the Reds 9-4. Cincinnati also took the second game with a 7-3 win to drop the Angels to 61-67 on the season.