🏒 Back out West | Sports Daily Newsletter

Almost nine months ago, the Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. It was a deal that took nearly two years to come to fruition.

The shift back East has reignited the Bedford, N.Y., native’s game. Zegras is on pace to set career highs in goals and points this season — all while making the shift from center to wing.

Now, he’s back in Anaheim, and for the first time in his NHL career, the forward is on the other side of the bench as the Flyers prepare to face the Ducks tonight at 10.

Zegras has no ill feelings about the trade. If anything it gave him the boost he needed to restart his career.

“You can’t go back and change things,” he said. “You can just, I guess, learn from them, grow from them. I think I’m a different hockey player and person for having gone through that stuff that I went through.”

Lately, he’s been getting back to his natural center position and hasn’t looked out of place. Wing is where Zegras has been for most of the season — except for the last five games.

Could Zegras be the answer the Flyers need for down the middle?

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

❓What’s your outlook on the Flyers and their chance of making the playoffs? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Villanova’s men and women will hit the road Wednesday, while Penn departed Tuesday, for their respective first-round destinations in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s what you may have missed:

There are many local men’s basketball players competing in the NCAA Tournament, among them Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, who has been a breakout star this season. He got his start at Pennsauken High School.

Chuck King spent the 2025 season in the double-A Reading starting rotation, is not on the 40-man roster, nor was he extended an invite to major league spring training. When he pitches in Grapefruit League games as a call-up, his jersey doesn’t have a name on the back.

Even so, King, 28, is taking the opportunity to learn as much as he can from the experience. And that includes Monday’s brutal outing, when the Tigers tagged him for 10 runs while he secured just four outs.

“I could choose to hang my head,” King said. “I got 10 hung on me today. Never a good feeling. But it taught me something. I learned something from it. And, ultimately, that’s the goal of this entire thing.”

He’s not dwelling on it. If the last five years have taught him anything, it’s that detours are part of the journey.

Adolis García has been hard at work with Phillies hitting coaches trying to prepare for what he hopes will be a bounceback season. And the Phillies’ new right fielder displayed some promising results on Tuesday.

Team USA came up short against Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final Tuesday night, but not before Bryce Harper left his mark. Harper hit the game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning in Team USA’s 3-2 loss.

Next: The Phillies head to North Port, Fla., to face the Braves at 1:05 p.m. today (PHI Audio). Andrew Painter is scheduled to start.

The Eagles are add receiving depth with plans to sign Hollywood Brown to one-year contract that’s worth up to $6.5 million. The 29-year-old could be an option to fill their vacant third receiver spot.

He’s been dependable when healthy, but he missed all but the tail end of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury. He played in 16 games last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Keep up with all the latest moves and signings with the Eagles free agency tracker.

Johan Rojas is the eighth Phillie to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs use since 2009. He’s the third player with links to the team to be suspended for PEDs within a calendar year.

No other franchise has had as many suspensions since 2009. No other franchise has ever had as many as three players connected with it suspended within the same calendar year. It seems like the Phillies have a problem here, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.

How many times has Kyle Schwarber led the National League in home runs?

B.) Schwarber led the NL in home runs twice. Joe O. was first with the correct answer.

We asked: What do you think of the World Baseball Classic? Among your responses:

Not too much. Didn’t watch one game. Sort of like “pick up” games when we were kids. — Ronald R.

I love baseball so being able to watch some of the best baseball players in the world compete is fantastic. I do believe, however, that some of the over the top celebrations such as the players jumping over the dugout rail to celebrate a big hit in the middle of the game or the wild “bat flips” are getting out of control. Some players and fans may consider some of baseball’s old time decorum practices as too stuffed shirt but the game becoming an anything goes free-for-all affair is going too far. The MLB needs to find the appropriate mix of celebrations and professionalism. — Bob A.

While I enjoy watching meaningful baseball in early March, I feel bad for the fans traveling to spring training games, missing the stars who are away. Love the national pride from the countries represented by their home grown stars, but could do without impostors from Italy, Great Britain and Israel. — Bob C.

Meh. I DVR’d U.S. games then fast forwarded through them in 15 minutes. — Tom L.

What an amazing and interesting WBC. Other than the U.S. I was rooting for Aaron Nola and Italy. I lived in Naples Italy for 3 years back in the late ’50s and never ever saw any kids there playing baseball. Remarkable how we have spread our national game throughout the world and now have exceptional MLB players coming from all over. — Everett S.

It’s a rare opportunity when superstars can wear the colors of their home countries. I think it is a terrific venue for them to experience as well. The obvious pride and patriotism they display is so legitimate. Paul Skenes is the poster guy for his country, once military but now a member of the Pirates as citizen Paul, how can you not root for him as a leader and the remainder of his teammates! — Bill B.

I think that the World Baseball Classic is a fantastic event for the sport. It’s the baseball World Cup. As a Yankees fan, it is the only time I root for players on the Phillies, Pirates, or even the Red Sox. Go USA! — Alen B.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jackie Spiegel, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Marcus Hayes, Jonathan Tannenwald, Owen Tippett, Scott Lauber, Lochlahn March, and Dylan Johnson.

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 getting your morning started with me. Have a great Wednesday. Kerith will be in your inbox with tomorrow’s newsletter. — Bella