file/Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
Decker hit free agency in March and wants to play for a contender.
NICK CAFARDO I ON BASEBALL
David Price needs to keep doing what he’s doing
He entered Wednesday night’s game against the Twins 6-0 with a 2.64 ERA in his last seven starts.
The proceedings begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, and here is how the first round could go.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Red Sox’ Eduardo Nunez putting in work at second base
Nunez was on the field 4½ hours before the Red Sox played the Twins on Wednesday.
The restricted free agent Smart has no idea what teams, if any, are planning to make an offer.
NHL salary cap rises $5 million
The league announced the increase Wednesday before the NHL Awards show at Las Vegas.
Phil Mickelson apologizes four days after embarrassing rules violation at US Open
Mickelson hit a moving ball in Saturday’s third round in a breach that drew the ire of the golf world.
bruce bennett/Getty Images
KEVIN PAUL DUPONT
Lately, Don Sweeney & Co. have been on target in the tricky game of gauging amateur talent.
He also shared his thoughts on the Celtics possibly drafting Grayson Allen.
The Bruins face Washington Oct. 3, when the Capitals hold their banner-raising ceremony. The home opener is Oct. 8.
lynne sladky/AP
The Miami guard, who has an unusual collection of skills, has dreamed of playing for the Celtics.
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
Donte DiVincenzo describes meeting with Celtics’ Danny Ainge
It was viewed as a sign that the Celtics had great interest in the Final Four’s most outstanding player.
GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL
Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. will go in the first 10 picks.
NICK CAFARDO | ON BASEBALL
Jason Varitek, little by little, is teaching Red Sox catchers how to improve
The mixture of defense and offense Varitek possessed isn’t seen in too many backstops these days.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Dustin Pedroia not close to returning to Red Sox
Pedroia had knee cartilage restoration surgery on Oct. 25 and returned to the majors on May 26.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
MIAA BASEBALL SEMIFINALS
Bishops (17-9) will face Oxford in D4 title game; Rockets (17-8) face St. Peter-Marian in D1 state championship Saturday at Holy Cross.
Bruins’ Bruce Cassidy, Patrice Bergeron in Vegas for NHL Awards
Bergeron has a chance to win a record fifth Selke Trophy as the game’s top defensive forward.
Nick Cafardo | On Baseball
Sale allowed two runs and struck out 11 in seven innings, but he did not get the decision in the Sox’ 6-2 loss.
john tlumacki/globe staff
The Auerbach Center, said team owner Wyc Grousbeck, “is the foundation of our future excellence.”
mitchell leff/Getty
ADAM HIMMELSBACH
The NCAA champions are expected to have four underclassmen selected Thursday night.
Christopher L. Gasper
The Celtics will be a contender no matter which direction Danny Ainge goes this offseason
For the first time in years, they don’t need a major roster move, not even with Kawhi Leonard out there.
AFP/Getty Images
Uruguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0
Uruguay’s victory also eliminated Saudi Arabia and Egypt from the tournament.
Portugal 1, Morocco 0
He now has 85 career goals in international play, most for a European and second worldwide.
Spain 1, Iran 0
Ball bounces Spain’s way in win over Iran
Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game on a deflection, his third goal of the tournament.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Ben Volin | On football
All the talk of retirement could be just Brady flexing his muscles and extracting some concessions from the Patriots.
Who will protect Tom Brady’s blind side? And other questions facing the Patriots
The Patriots are on summer recess until late next month, but there will be no shortage of story lines when camp begins.
Deandre Ayton goes No. 1 in the Globe’s 2018 NBA beat writers mock draft
Beat writers from across the league participated in a live mock draft. See how it unfolded.
SPORTS LOG
Charlotte Hornets to trade Dwight Howard
The center will go to Brooklyn for Timofey Mozgov and draft picks.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
A look at the basics, fast facts about the draft, the top prospects, and more.
Check in on the most recent scores and schedules:
Russia scored three goals in a 15-minute span early in the second half to beat Egypt.
The knuckleballer, who faced domestic assault charges after an incident with his wife, said counseling has helped his family.
The Vineyarders, who moved up from Division 3, completed undefeated run for fourth straight state title.
The Auerbach Center, said team owner Wyc Grousbeck, “is the foundation of our future excellence.”
Bergeron has a chance to win a record fifth Selke Trophy as the game’s top defensive forward.
The quarterback talked family, retirement, his relationship with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and more.
Koepka’s parents and brother were present for his second straight title after watching last year’s tournament from home.
The Boston College guard will likely become the first Eagle taken in the first round since guard Reggie Jackson in 2011.
Sullivan is a columnist who joined the Globe in December of 2017.
Shaughnessy is a columnist who has been writing for the Globe since 1981.
Gasper began as a full-time columnist in 2012, and is host of the Globe’s Season Ticket podcast. He previously covered the Patriots beat for the Globe.
The runners who participated despite the conditions sent a loud and clear message.
Boston’s police and fire commissioners, former Patriot Ryan Wendell, and a septuagenarian with a 31-race streak were among the 27,048 runners.
More from Dupont
Read his recent “On Second Thought” columns and more features from the longtime Globe writer.
