UConn's Solo Ball, Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg both dealing with injuries heading into title game

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — UConn starting guard Solo Ball was set to miss practice Sunday because of a sprained foot but said he expects to play when the Huskies face Michigan in the NCAA championship game.

“Just doing everything I can to prepare for tomorrow,” said Ball, who hurt his left foot when he got tangled with teammate Tarris Reed Jr. in the first half of UConn's semifinal win over Illinois. “So, it's a bump in the road, but I'm still going to play.”

Ball was wearing a boot on his left foot less than 24 hours after playing 28 minutes and scoring 13 points in the 71-62 victory over the Illini. The Huskies advanced to their third national championship game in four years.

Ball said adrenaline helped him get through the rest of the game and “I'm doing everything I can to prepare" for the game against the Wolverines on Monday night.

Ball started all 38 games he's played, averaging 12.9 points. Coach Dan Hurley was noncommittal to whether his junior guard would play Monday night, saying he would know more about Ball's status after an MRI.

The Wolverines also have an injury issue. All-American forward Yaxel Lendeborg hurt his left ankle and wore a protective brace covering his left knee in the second half of Saturday's 91-73 rout of Arizona. He played five minutes in the first half before reinjuring his left ankle. Team officials later announced he had hurt his knee as well.

But Lendeborg returned in the second half and made two key 3-pointers to propel the Wolverines to their first title game since 2018.

“Absolutely not,” Lendeborg said when asked whether he would miss Monday's night game. “Unless I wake up and I get up and fall off my feet, I’m going to be in that game.”

The Wolverines have lost four consecutive championship games since beating Seton Hall in overtime in 1989 for the school's only national title.

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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) falls after play against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

UConn guard Solo Ball (1) celebrates his basket as Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg reacts after an injury on the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Arizona at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

UConn's Solo Ball (1) dunks as Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic, left, watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton will return to Chicago for more tests on his right arm after being forced to leave his second outing of 2026 in the second inning.

The Cubs placed Horton on the 15-day injured list with a strained forearm on Sunday , two days after he felt discomfort throwing a pitch. To take his roster spot, the team recalled left-hander Riley Martin from Triple-A Iowa.

Horton, who went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA as a rookie last season, will see team doctors on Monday, manager Craig Counsell said before the Cubs played the Guardians in a tradition doubleheader on Easter.

Counsell said it would likely be a few days before the team has all the medical opinions on Horton. The 24-year-old looked to the dugout for assistance after throwing a 93.8 mph fastball — slower than normal — to Cleveland's Bo Naylor on Friday. Horton was pulled from the game for right-hander Colin Rea.

“I had some tightness in my wrist and as the game went on, it went into my forearm,” Horton said following the game. “I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to be smart about it and make a smart decision.”

The Cubs also recalled right-hander Ethan Roberts as the 27th man for the doubleheader.

Martin will be making his first appearance for Chicago, which selected him in the sixth round in 2021 from Quincy University. The 28-year-old has worked his way up in the organization, going 6-2 with a 2.69 ERA for Iowa last season.

Counsell appreciates Martin's rise from Division II ball to the majors. He's 24-13 with a 3.76 ERA in 174 minor league appearances.

“Riley is someone over the course of his career who has continued to get better and that puts you on the map,” Counsell said.

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Chicag Cubs' Cade Horton pitches in the rain in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Chicag Cubs' Cade Horton pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)