Reds bring versatile catcher-infielder to MLB for first time since 20…

Reds bring versatile catcher-infielder to MLB for first time since 2022 Cubs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Reds have brought a fascinating new player to their MLB roster.

On Wednesday, they called up P.J. Higgins from Triple-A Louisville.

Higgins' name may sound vaguely familiar to NL Central baseball fans, but it's been a while.

Higgins played for the Chicago Cubs in both 2021 and 2022. He hasn't played at the major league level since then.

He's capable of catching and playing both corner infield spots, and he has returned to the majors because of the injury to backup catcher Jose Trevino.

Higgins is 32 now, and it wasn't a sure thing that he would ever make it back to the major leagues.

So even though the circumstances aren't great, it's a cool moment for Higgins.

The #Reds today announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/DaY5pLUe5d

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 8, 2026

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In his two seasons with the Cubs, Higgins had 254 plate appearances. He had 11 doubles, a triple, and six home runs while batting .210.

This season in Triple-A, Higgins began just 1-for-12 (.083) but has walked six times compared to just three strikeouts.

Last year at Louisville, Higgins was a .240 hitter with a .645 OPS.

He won't play much. Tyler Stephenson will retain his role as the top catcher for Cincy.

But for at least a little while, Higgins has made a return to the majors.

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Real Madrid lost 1-2 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite Kylian Mbappe’s best efforts, a brilliant showing by Manuel Neuer in the Bayern Munich goal meant that the Bavarians returned home with an advantage in the blockbuster tie.

On 15 April, Real Madrid will step onto the pitch at the Allianz Arena hoping to mount a comeback against the Bundesliga champions and progress to the semi-finals.

However, they will have to do so without key midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as he will miss the second leg through suspension.

The Frenchman received a yellow card against Bayern on Tuesday – which was his third in the Champions League this season, which earned him an automatic one-match ban. As such, he will be unavailable for the match in Germany, which comes as a big blow for Real Madrid.

Faced with this situation, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has several options to replace him in midfield for the upcoming fixture against Die Roten.

Eduardo Camavinga

The logical option. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

One would think the most logical option to replace Tchouameni in the centre of the park for Real Madrid would be his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga.

The Frenchman is no stranger to playing as the pivot midfielder and has operated in that role 12 times this season (35 appearances), while he has played as a No. 8 on 11 occasions.

However, there is a concern that the 23-year-old midfielder lacks the tactical discipline needed for the holding midfield role. Moreover, his performance in the last La Liga game against RCD Mallorca was very disappointing.

Federico Valverde

The in-form pick. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The next most obvious solution for Arbeloa will be to move Federico Valverde into the central midfield role from his current position on the right flank.

The Real Madrid second captain could partner Thiago Pitarch in the middle of the park, while Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler take up the wider positions in the second line of press.

However, the Uruguayan international has been one of Real Madrid’s most enterprising outlets in his current role, so there will be some trade-off with moving him back into a central position.

Dean Huijsen

The risky choice. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

A left-field choice perhaps, but Arbeloa could look for a novel approach and push Dean Huijsen into the holding midfield role from central defence.

While the 20-year-old Spaniard has never played in midfield in his career, he has the necessary qualities – strong ball progression, good distribution and the understanding to provide defensive support.

With Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger expected to partner up in central defence, this could be an avenue to not lose Huijsen from the lineup.

Alternatively, Militao could also be an option as a holding midfielder, with the Brazilian having played in the position on a few occasions in his career. It would keep Huijsen in his natural role at the heart of the Real Madrid defence.

Liverpool and Real Madrid Eye Midfield Shake-Up with Camavinga and Mac Allister Talks

Transfer intrigue builds between European giants

There is a particular rhythm to elite-level transfers, a quiet hum beneath the noise, where admiration turns into possibility. That rhythm appears to be gathering pace between Liverpool and Real Madrid, with Eduardo Camavinga and Alexis Mac Allister positioned at its centre.

“Listen, keep an eye on Camavinga and Liverpool, they love him. As a player, but also his character – they have already done a lot of background work on him.” as reported by Graeme Bailey for TeamTalk.

This is not a passing curiosity. Liverpool’s interest in Eduardo Camavinga has lingered for years, but now feels more purposeful. As the club looks to refine its midfield, the need for balance has become increasingly evident.

Madrid midfield plans create opportunity

At the Bernabeu, evolution is constant. Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni represent the present and future, yet there is a recognition that something different is required alongside them.

Madrid’s pursuit of Rodri underlines that thinking. Alongside that, the interest in Alexis Mac Allister feels deliberate rather than speculative.

“Likewise, the same can be said of Real and Mac Allister — he is one they have done work on, and they like everything they have heard and found out.”

There is a romanticism in the comparison to Luka Modric, not simply stylistically but culturally. Leadership, personality, presence, these are currencies as valuable as technical skill in Madrid’s dressing room.

Swap deal complexity remains

The notion of a straight exchange carries a certain symmetry, though modern football rarely allows such simplicity. Financial regulations, contract structures, and valuation gaps all stand in the way.

Still, the mechanics may matter less than the intent. Both clubs are exploring change, both admire what the other possesses. In that sense, two separate deals achieving the same outcome feels entirely plausible.

Mac Allister’s contractual situation adds weight to the conversation. With two years remaining, Liverpool face a familiar decision, renew or risk losing control of the narrative. Their priority to secure Dominik Szoboszlai only sharpens that dilemma.

Tactical implications for Liverpool

From a football perspective, the appeal of Camavinga is clear. His ability to shield, recover, and progress the ball offers a different texture to Liverpool’s midfield.

Alongside Ryan Gravenberch, he could provide the defensive assurance that has occasionally been lacking. Mac Allister, for all his intelligence, has at times been asked to operate in spaces that expose his limitations.

This is not a question of quality, but of fit. Systems evolve, and players are often shaped by the demands placed upon them.

What emerges here is a rare alignment of need and opportunity. Whether it culminates in one of the summer’s defining moves remains uncertain, but the groundwork has clearly been laid.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Liverpool perspective, this report lands somewhere between exciting and unsettling. Alexis Mac Allister has been one of the more intelligent operators in the squad, a player who understands tempo and responsibility. Letting that go would not be a simple upgrade, it would be a recalibration.

That said, Camavinga feels like a profile Liverpool have lacked. His defensive instincts and athletic coverage could unlock greater freedom for others. In particular, it may allow Szoboszlai and Gravenberch to operate higher, where their strengths are clearer.

There is also a broader strategic question. Liverpool have, at times, looked like a side collecting good midfielders rather than building a cohesive unit. If this move is about defining roles more clearly, it makes sense.

A fan might reasonably ask, does this improve the team immediately? The answer is not definitive. Mac Allister offers control and composure, Camavinga offers dynamism and protection. It depends on what Liverpool believe they need most.

If the aim is to compete with Europe’s elite again, then physicality and defensive security may take priority. In that context, this potential move begins to look less like a gamble and more like a calculated shift in direction.

It remains a bit too early to forecast exactly what will happen here, sources say, since Steve Kerr has preferred not to discuss his future during the season, which is his 12th side-by-side with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. One whisper you do hear emanating from the Bay Area, however, is that the Warriors would prefer to extend Kerr for longer than one season if they ultimately agree to terms on a new deal.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Warriors would prefer to extend Steve Kerr for longer than one season

Scottie Scheffler, the two-time Masters champion and tournament favorite, is balancing fatherhood with his golf career as he prepares for this week's major. His second child, Remy, was born less than two weeks ago, while his other son Bennett turns 2 next month. 'This place signifies so much for me in my golf journey, and that's something I'd love to be able to share with my kids,' Scheffler said.

Despite his status as a favorite, Scheffler's golf performance has been less dominant this year. He hasn't played since The Players Championship in mid-March, withdrawing from the Houston Open for his wife's delivery. His recent form showed outside the top 10 in three straight events before his hiatus. 'I'm getting plenty of sleep. My wife's a trouper,' Scheffler noted about his time away from the course.