MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins was called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, and the 21-year-old outfielder was in Minnesota's lineup against the Chicago White Sox, batting ninth and playing center field.
Minnesota drafted Jenkins fifth overall in 2023 as a high schooler from North Carolina. He was promoted to Triple-A late in the 2025 season and had spent all of this season with St. Paul.
Jenkins received a standing ovation from Twins fans at Target Field before his first at-bat in the second inning. He hit a deep fly to the warning track his first time up, which drew another round of cheers from the home crowd.
Two innings later, Jenkins singled to right for his first big league hit — which earned him another hearty ovation.
“It gave me straight chills. Having fans and people that come and support me and support this team like that is incredible," Jenkins said after Friday’s 7-4 loss to the White Sox. “I'm playing baseball, hitting a ball with a stick, and you've got people coming out like that that support you. It's truly amazing.”
In 69 games at Triple-A this year, Jenkins batted .308 with a .940 OPS and 17 stolen bases. He hit 12 homers, including five in his past six games with the Saints. He was 15th in Major League Baseball’s prospect rankings.
To make room on the 26-man roster for Jenkins, the Twins optioned outfielder Alan Roden to St. Paul. That means ailing outfielder Byron Buxton avoids the injured list for now, with manager Derek Shelton saying Buxton is day-to-day with right hip discomfort.
Right-hander Woo-Suk Go was designated for release or assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Jenkins.
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FILE - This is a 2026 photo of Walker Jenkins of the Minnesota Twins baseball team reflecting the Minnesota Twins active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert,File)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers running back Miles Davis said his father was a huge jazz fan.
So it was a no-brainer for his pops when it came time to choosing his son's name. He named him after his favorite jazz musician.
“He was like, ‘you know what, our last name is Davis, and well, Miles Davis has a nice ring to it,” Davis said.
Davis hopes to make a name for himself in the NFL. The undrafted rookie from Utah State ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals and the Carolina Panthers held on to defeat the Houston Texans 16-13 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.
Panthers fourth-string quarterback Kyle Trask, who was signed during training camp following a hamstring injury to Haynes King in the Hall of Fame game, finished 19 of 28 for 147 yards with one interception and led four scoring drives for Carolina (3-1).
Davis ran for 34 yards on 11 carries and Anthony Tyus had 10 carries for 41 yards for the Panthers.
Brett Rypien completed 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards, including a late 6-yard touchdown pass to Zay Jones for the Texans (0-3). He also threw one interception.
Houston's last-ditch effort to take its first lead of the game — or at least tie it — ended when Jeremiah Moon sacked Rypien and forced a fumble and Cam Gill recovered with 54 seconds left.
The Panthers limited the Texans to 173 yards while getting four sacks and two interceptions.
“Guys are really working on their finish,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They are getting the offensive tackles’ hands off them and finishing at the quarterback. That forces teams to get the ball out before they want to.”
Both offensive coordinators were extremely conservative on offense playing on a field that has been waterlogged by heavy rains in the hours leading up to the game.
Neither teams played its starters.
Houston's Davis Mills and Carolina's Kenny Pickett started at quarterback, but neither could muster any points before being removed after about a quarter.
Mills finished 3 of 7 for 18 yards with one interception, while Pickett was 5 of 8 for 48 yards.
The Panthers recently signed Darren Waller to give them a veteran pass catching tight end. But Waller is no lock to make the roster.
Waller has only practiced for a few days and did not play in Friday night's game.
Canales said Waller hasn't had enough team reps to play in the preseason, and remained non-committal on his future.
“Those are the conversations we are going to have this weekend,” Canales said when asked if Waller will make the team. “I think it's both parties. It's certainly (general manager) Dan Morgan and I looking at how we are going to use him and how he fits into the whole picture. And then of course it's Darren and his representation making sure this is the right situation. Right now they feel like it is, but those conversation have to happen.”
Coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver on cutdown day after losing Jayden Higgins for the season and with Tank Dell still working his way back from a devastating knee injury.
“We needed to add to the receiver room and we are still trying to find who will be those guys for us," Ryans said. “It won't be an easy decision because we have more guys deserving than we have spots for.”
Aside from Nico Collins, Justin Watson and Xavier Hutchinson, the Texans have Jones, Sterling Shepard, Jaylin Noel, Jared Wayne and a host of rookies vying for spots.
Ryans said what complicates the decision is some receivers — such as Jones — only recently arrived and are still becoming familiar with the playbook and they haven't had much time to evaluate them.
Panthers outside linebacker Trevis Gipson Sr. was a difference-maker early on, sacking Mills on the game's first possession and then pressuring him into throwing an interception to safety Lathan Ransom.
Gipson has played in 66 games during his first six seasons in the league, mostly on special teams.
The Panthers will open the season without starting offensive tackles Ickey Ekwonu (knee) and Taylor Moton (blood clots), leaving opportunities for some young players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. One of those is rookie Albert Reese IV, but he struggled against the Texans allowing four pressures and one sack.
Pickett has long been known for wearing gloves on both hands under center, but this year he's only wearing one on his left, non-throwing hand.
Pickett said there's a simple explication.
“The centers here in Carolina are a little more sweaty than I've had in the past,” Pickett said with a laugh.
Panthers running back Trevor Etienne was scheduled to have an MRI on his ankle after leaving the game early, Canales said.
Texans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd was helped off the field after his neck snapped back while trying to tackle Panthers tight end James Mitchell in the fourth quarter.
Texans: Host Buffalo in Sept 13 in season opener.
Panthers: Host Chicago on Sept. 13 in season opener.
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore runs around Houston Texans' George Odom during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Trask runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers running back Anthony Tyus III runs past Houston Texans' George Odum during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans quarterback Brett Rypien passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Houston Texans running back Deuce Vaughn is tackled by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
