All US states ranked from best to worst, according to Americans  —  There are endless rankings of the US states: whether they are the best places to live, the best places to do business, how much fun they are.  Such judgements are made by economists, companies, and journalists - but what do Americans themselves think?

Astros put five players on injured list due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols  —  The Houston Astros placed five players, including former All-Star infielders Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve, on the injured list Wednesday due to health and safety protocols, general manager James Click announced.

In the minors, a major change as the Atlantic League plans to move the mound back a foot  —  The Atlantic League, a hotbed for innovation in baseball, will announce plans Wednesday to move the pitcher's mound back 12 inches from home plate this season, according to two people with knowledge of the arrangement.

Daily News Boys Athlete of the Week: Kanan Kadjar, Chatsworth  —  Chatsworth's Kanan Kadjar is the Daily News boys athlete of the week after rushing for 218 yards and two TDs  —  Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.  Subscribe now.  —  Daily News Boys Athlete of the Week

Penguins players, coaches vaccinated during event at PPG Paints Arena  —  On Monday, the Penguins partnered with UPMC to vaccinate more than a thousand local residents against COVID-19.  —  The Penguins also offered the shot to players and coaches on a voluntary basis during the event at PPG Paints Arena.

Umpire Joe West is awarded $500,000 in defamation lawsuit against former player Paul Lo Duca  —  You can scream at him, curse at him, and call him names, but if you attempt to discredit veteran umpire Joe West's credibility, well, be ready to pay a lot bigger price than simply being thrown out of a game.

Los Angeles Angels' Dexter Fowler out for season with torn ACL  —  Los Angeles Angels starting right fielder Dexter Fowler has a torn left ACL that will require season-ending surgery, the team announced Sunday.  —  Fowler, 35, injured himself while sprinting into second base on an attempted forceout …

Struggling Washington Nationals get back Kyle Schwarber, Josh Bell, Josh Harrison  —  WASHINGTON — Kyle Schwarber, Josh Bell and Josh Harrison were reinstated from the injured list Monday by the Washington Nationals, making the team's roster nearly whole again after a coronavirus outbreak …

Villa Park's Sydney Somerndike voted Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week  —  Southern California Girls Athlete of the Week  —  Athlete: Sydney Somerndike School: Villa Park Sport: Softball  —  Noteworthy: The Arizona commit fired her first perfect game in an 8- victory against JSerra …

Paranoia, mismanagement and office politics: Inside the Eagles' downfall under Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman  —  Four weeks into the 2019 season, Doug Pederson sat down for his scheduled inquisition.  —  The Tuesday tribunals with team owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman …

New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman unhappy game started despite rain  —  NEW YORK — New Mets owner, same old dysfunction.  —  Pitcher Marcus Stroman criticized New York for starting Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins in a steady rain.  Stroman's outing lasted just nine pitches …

Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez on a mission to leave 2020's struggles behind  —  J.D. Martinez suffered through a miserable 2020 season.  He hit .213.  He ranked 129th out of 142 qualified hitters in weighted on-base average (wOBA).  He finished with more strikeouts than hits.