Some reinforcements are on the way for the Wild.

After existing in the abstract pretty much ever since he was drafted, Russian prospect Danila Yurov has officially signed his entry-level contract with the Wild. The last time an arrival was so highly anticipated was when Russian prospect Kirill Kaprizov was working out his entry-level contract once upon a time.

Asked about finally getting Yurov to put pen to paper, general manager Bill Guerin replied, “This has been a yearlong process and we’re just glad to have it done.”

The ceiling for Yurov is limitless as he’s blessed with a unique skill set that should translate rather seamlessly to the next level. He’s also expected to grow into his 6-foot-1, 175-pond frame, meaning he could develop into a force down the road.

The plan is for Yurov to start his career with the Wild playing center rather than wing. Why?

“That’s his future,” Guerin said. “He’ll be a center. We might as well start him there. We can always move him.”

Though he hasn’t been guaranteed a spot on the roster, Yurov will presumably be given every opportunity to start next season with the Wild.

He projects as a player who should be able to immediately make an impact on the offensive end. He will have to prove he’s willing to contribute on the defensive end.

“You really have to want to play a 200-foot game,” Guerin said. “That’s going to be really important for him.”

Originally selected by the Wild with the No. 22 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Yurov most recently played for the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists across 46 games last season.

— Dane Mizutani

Minor league baseball

Saints battered by Cubs for fourth straight loss

The Saints dropped their third game in a row to the Iowa Cubs, losing a 12-7 slugfest in Des Moines.

Iowa countered St. Paul’s two-run first inning with four of its own to take the early lead.

The game was tied at 7 after four innings, but the Cubs scored five runs over their final four turns at the plate to claim the victory.

Edouard Julien, Mickey Gasper and Emmanuel Rodriguez all homered for the Saints, who dropped to 21-9 with the loss.

PWHL

Frost to face Ottawa in Walter Cup finals

The Ottawa Charge finished off its semifinal series vs. Montreal, winning 2-1 at home to take the series three games to one.

Ottawa will now face defending PWHL champion Minnesota in the league’s second Walter Cup final, with the Frost looking to claim their second consecutive league championship.

The finals begin Tuesday in Ottawa, with puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m.

NFL

Purdy agrees to 5-year extension with 49ers

Brock Purdy agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $265 million with the San Francisco 49ers, going from the NFL’s biggest bargain to one of the league’s highest paid players.

The sides reached agreement on the contract that includes $181 million in total guarantees.

Purdy has made less than $1 million a year for his first three seasons but now will be one of the highest paid QBs in the game.

Jets release 13-year veveran kicker Zuerlein

The New York Jets released kicker Greg Zuerlein, an expected move as the team continues to get younger on its revamped roster.

The 37-year-old Zuerlein spent the past three seasons with the Jets, but his spot appeared tenuous. New general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have made a concerted effort to add youth to the team.

Major league baseball

Cubs bring former Twins pitcher Maeda on board

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with Kenta Maeda, giving the struggling right-hander another chance to regain his form.

The 37-year-old Maeda had a 7.88 ERA in seven relief appearances for Detroit before he was designated for assignment on May 1.

He went 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA in 17 starts and 12 relief appearances in his first year with the Tigers after agreeing to a $24 million, two-year contract in November 2023.

Phillies’ Nola goes on IL with sprained ankle

Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola was placed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right ankle.

The 31-year-old veteran has struggled this season and is coming off an outing against St. Louis on Wednesday in which he allowed 12 hits, nine runs and three homers — all career highs — in a 14-7 loss.

Brewers reacquire reliever Zastryzny from Yankees

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny from the New York Yankees for cash and optioned right-handed pitcher Elvis Peguero to Triple-A Nashville.

Zastryzny, 33, returns to Milwaukee after going 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in nine games last season.

Arizona places Rodriguez on IL with sore shoulder

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez on the injured list because of shoulder inflammation.

The 32-year-old has struggled this season with a 1-3 record and a 7.05 ERA over nine starts. He’s given up 21 earned runs over his past 16 innings, spanning four mostly ineffective starts.

Gophers athletics

Women’s soccer adds Jupp from DePaul

The University of Minnesota soccer team added to its 2025 fall roster with the addition of forward Freya Jupp.

During her three seasons with DePaul, Jupp earned Third Team All-Big East recognition in 2024, tallying nine goals and six assists through three seasons.

Last year, she topped the Blue Demons in goals (6), points (15), shots on goal (12), shots on goal % (.706), and was tied for first in assists (3).

— From news services