🏀 In a better place | Sports Daily Newsletter

Jared McCain shed a tear when he learned the Sixers had traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder last month, but he’s all smiles these days.

The trade for draft picks was a surprising one, to be sure, but the second-year guard landed with the defending NBA champs. McCain caught up with his former teammates last night as the Thunder, the top team in the West, stopped by to thump the shorthanded Sixers, 123-103.

McCain finished with 13 points in 25 minutes, and even though he’s in a better place now, he seemed a little nostalgic.

“I’ll never have any regret of being here or any attitude towards this organization, because they drafted me,” McCain said before the game. “This is the best feeling, and [I was] so grateful to be here, and I’m still grateful to be back now.”

Some of the Sixers enjoyed soaking up the NCAA Tournament atmosphere Sunday on their home court, especially Andre Drummond and Tyrese Martin, two former UConn stars.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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In his most aggressive session on his journey back from thoracic outlet syndrome, Zack Wheeler faced eight minor-league batters in two innings on Monday in a semi-simulated game at the minor-league facility in Clearwater, Fla.

The Phillies will now open a 30-day rehab window Saturday, the first of at least four scheduled rehab appearances, when Wheeler starts triple-A Lehigh Valley’s second home game at 4:35 p.m. in Allentown. He is scheduled to pitch three innings. His next start after that would likely come with the IronPigs in Durham, N.C., probably Thursday.

This track would land Wheeler back with the major-league team about two months ahead of a normal return from his surgery.

Two charter members of the Phillies Daycare wrapped up strong springs going into crucial seasons for each.

There are a hundred things worth watching this year for the Phillies, who remain focused on getting back to the World Series. But let’s focus on these 20(ish) storylines as the season begins on Thursday.

Next: The Phillies open the season at home against the Rangers at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

The Flyers will host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7 (ESPN+) as they continue their quest for the postseason. Owen Tippett says he’ll do anything to help his team achieve that goal, even if it means filling in at an unfamiliar position: center. Tippett did just that in a win on Saturday

It wasn’t a very busy free agency period for the Eagles, who didn’t have a ton of cap flexibility. But Howie Roseman and Co. still managed to make some upgrades by bringing in several players on one-year deals, including cornerback Riq Woolen, receiver Hollywood Brown, and tight end Johnny Mundt. And, of course, they traded for backup quarterback Andy Dalton.

The Eagles re-signed some of their free agents, including Dallas Goedert, but some moved on to bigger paydays, including Nakobe Dean. With the Eagles’ eyes turning next to the draft, here’s Jeff Neiburg’s take on their offseason so far.

The good news for the Union: The team will have nearly two weeks to train without a match because of the March FIFA window. The bad news: That team is 0-5 in MLS play. Bradley Carnell’s team is struggling to score goals, but the squad’s problems run deeper than that. Owen Hewitt details what has gone wrong for the Union.

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake is facing two crucial games with Jamaica, which must advance to make the World Cup.

Donte DiVincenzo and Ed Pinckney are among three Villanova players who have been named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Who is the other one? First with the correct answer here will be featured in the newsletter.

A) Jalen Brunson

B) Mikal Bridges

C) Ryan Arcidiacono

D) Kris Jenkins

We asked: Do you think the Phillies will have the best starting pitching in the NL this season if they stay healthy? Among your responses:

I think they will be pretty darn good but the best? There would be no doubt about it if they had kept Ranger. I still think letting him go was a huge mistake. I don’t believe Taijuan is all of a sudden going to be an All-Star, he has proven who he is over the last two seasons. And Nola, Painter and Wheeler are huge question marks. I love the Phils so I’m definitely hoping for the best but I’m not ready to bet the house on them. — Bob A.

Only if they make Nola a 5 or even a 6! Phillies gave him one of the worst contracts ever in all of Major League Baseball. Every team needs a “mop up guy” to eat innings and he’s it. Imagine, they let Ranger walk! — Ronald R.

The best? No way. Starting pitching is top three and bullpen is bottom 5. Long way to go. Pitching wins Championships. Long balls do not ... — Michael M.

Yesterday I saw our lineup rated 8th, so yes, lets hope the pitching rotation can be the best or close. I think they have a shot at #1, but much depends on Wheeler’s recovery and if Painter can excel in MLB. — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Gina Mizell, Gabriela Carroll, Jeff Neiburg, Jackie Spiegel, Owen Hewitt, Jonathan Tannenwald, Greg Finberg, Mia Messina, and Ryan Mack.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading. Only two days until Phillies opening day. Bella will bring you the newsletter on Wednesday. — Jim