JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's president on Tuesday invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government prosecutors to his official residence in hopes of brokering a settlement to end an ongoing corruption case against the Israeli leader.
President Isaac Herzog's office issued the invitation days after announcing that he would not decide on Netanyahu's request for a pardon and instead urge the sides to reach a settlement.
The invitation, signed by Herzog's legal adviser, said the president believes that efforts to reach a settlement “must be exhausted first” before he can consider the pardon request. It said it aimed for discussions to take place “with an open heart and sincere, good intention” and asked for a response by Sunday.
Netanyahu last November asked Herzog to cancel his trial, saying that dropping the charges would help unify the country. U.S. President Donald Trump has made multiple appeals to Herzog to end the trial.
Netanyahu is charged with breach of trust, fraud and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy associates. He denies all charges.
The trial has dragged on for six years in a case that has bitterly divided the Israeli public. Netanyahu and his supporters claim he is the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt by the media, police and prosecutors.
There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu's office or the attorney general's office.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, centre, and his wife Sara, left, and Israel's President Isaac Herzog attend a ceremony commemorating Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Tuesday April 21, 2026. (Ilia Yefimovich/Pool Photo via AP)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Newly acquired right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will initially pitch out of the bullpen for the Milwaukee Brewers as the team with second-best record in the majors continues to work through injuries to key members of its staff.
The Brewers reinstated McCullers from the 15-day injured list on Friday and placed him on the active roster while optioning struggling reliever Jared Koenig to Triple-A Nashville. Milwaukee acquired McCullers, along with left-hander Colton Gordon, from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder.
McCullers explained to reporters before Friday night’s game against the Miami Marlins why he decided to waive a no-trade clause and accept the deal to Milwaukee.
“I’ve always respected the way they play. They’re a hard-nosed group,” McCullers said. “It’s a good opportunity for me to come to a great winning club that has World Series aspirations. I’m excited to be a part of that.”
McCullers Jr. is 53-40 with a 3.85 ERA over 154 games. He was an All-Star in 2017, had Tommy John surgery in November 2018 and missed the 2019 season. Surgery in June 2023 kept him out through the 2024 season. He had been on the IL since mid-May with right shoulder inflammation.
McCullers, 32, the son of former big league reliever Lance McCullers, helped Houston win the World Series in 2017 and 2022. He had spent his entire career with the Astros.
He said he spoke with current Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson and former closer Josh Hader, among others, before agreeing to the trade to Milwaukee.
“One of the first calls I made was to Josh,” McCullers said. “Nothing but amazing things to say about the organization, the city, the fans.”
The Brewers’ 3.48 ERA ranked second in the majors entering Friday, behind only the New York Yankees, but injuries to their starting rotation have left them scrambling.
The staff is led by All-Star Jacob Misiorowski, who was skipped in his scheduled start before the break, didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game and won’t appear in the series against the Marlins. Manager Pat Murphy said it’s likely that Misiorowski, who began throwing again on Thursday, will pitch in the series against the New York Mets that begins Monday.
Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff is on the 60-day IL after an MRI revealed a new injury to the anterior capsule in his shoulder, which was surgically repaired after the 2023 season.
“The outlook isn’t good,” Murphy said on Friday. “It’s extremely painful to think about considering what Woody has meant to this organization.”
Murphy declined to go into further detail about Woodruff’s condition and said he’d let the veteran right-hander, who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Brewers, address the situation himself later in the series, likely on Sunday. Woodruff recently became a father for third time and his bobblehead day is Saturday.
Another first-half standout, left-hander Kyle Harrison, was placed on the 15-day IL on July 11 with tightness in his throwing forearm. Harrison had an MRI over the break and is awaiting the results but has already begun a throwing program.
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Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras, left, consoles his pitcher Brandon Woodruff, right, before being taken out due to an injury in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of an baseball game Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
FILE - Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File)
