Pro sports

This is a 2023 photo of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

M’s analysis: Season mirrored ups, downs of star Julio Rodriguez

The 22-year-old center fielder had a massive second-half surge but was inconsistent overall.

This is a 2023 photo of Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners active roster as of Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) sits on the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Geno Smith: Starting status ‘up to coach’

The quarterback left Sunday’s loss to the Rams with an injury before returning for the final drive.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) sits on the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) stands on the sideline after leaving the game due to injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Seahawks believe Geno Smith will play vs. 49ers

Seattle’s starter missed multiple drives after taking hit from the Rams’ Aaron Donald in Sunday’s loss.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) stands on the sideline after leaving the game due to injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs the ball against Washington Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seahawks eager to show loss to the rebuilding Rams was fluke

Seattle hopes to flip the script as it takes the road to face its NFC West rival Sunday.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs the ball against Washington Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Abraham Lucas is pictured during an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 22-14. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Murphy grad Abraham Lucas set to return to Seahawks practice

The second-year right tackle has been out since suffering a knee injury in the season opener.

Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Abraham Lucas is pictured during an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 22-14. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) jumps over Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Analysis: Seahawks find way to 6-3 despite flaws, inconsistency

It hasn’t been pretty at times, but Seattle sits in a tie for first place in the NFC West with San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) jumps over Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Seahawks try to rebound from humbling loss

Seattle hosts a key NFC tilt with the Washington Commanders.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, right, runs with the ball before scoring a goal in front of FC Dallas midfielder Asier Illarramendi, left, and defender Nkosi Tafari during the second half in Game 2 of a first round MLS playoff soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Sounders navigating new MLS playoff rules

Seattle hosts a win-or-go-home Game 3 with Dallas on Friday.

Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, right, runs with the ball before scoring a goal in front of FC Dallas midfielder Asier Illarramendi, left, and defender Nkosi Tafari during the second half in Game 2 of a first round MLS playoff soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jacob Eason (16) warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Lake Stevens grad Jacob Eason back in NFL with New York Giants

The former area star was signed to New York’s practice squad. He hadn’t been on a team since May.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jacob Eason (16) warms up prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up before playing against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Williams ready for ‘fun change’ with Seahawks

Seattle acquired the defensive lineman from the New York Giants on Monday.

New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up before playing against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Pabail Sidhu, Cascade High School graduate, is the statistican for the Golden State Warriors. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Cascade grad Sidhu promoted by NBA’s Golden State Warriors

The team’s analytics guru is now vice president of basketball analytics and innovation.

Pabail Sidhu, Cascade High School graduate, is the statistican for the Golden State Warriors. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) makes a touchdown catch against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V, left, as Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) loooks on during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seahawks rookie WRs step up in Metcalf’s absence

With DK Metcalf out, Jake Bobo and Jaxon Smith-Njigba played major roles in Seattle’s win over Arizona.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) makes a touchdown catch against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V, left, as Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) loooks on during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) runs out on to the field before an NFL pre-season football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)

Banged up Seahawks O-line won’t get Abraham Lucas back this week

The Archbishop Murphy High School alum is one of many injured Seattle offensive linemen.

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) runs out on to the field before an NFL pre-season football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Seattle Kraken right wing Kailer Yamamoto, center, is flanked by left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) and left wing Tye Kartye, right, as they celebrate Yamamoto's goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Spokane native Kailer Yamamoto, family rejoice in ‘fresh start’ with Kraken

The right winger, who signed with Seattle in the offseason, scored the team’s only goal in its home opener.

Seattle Kraken right wing Kailer Yamamoto, center, is flanked by left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) and left wing Tye Kartye, right, as they celebrate Yamamoto's goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Carroll: Smith ‘lucky’ to avoid injury after tackle from Giants’ Simmons

Plus, injury updates on Jamal Adams and others.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz reacts after hitting a walk off two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Mariners fall to Rays on Diaz’s 2-run homer in 9th

Seattle squanders an early lead and loses 7-5 to Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz reacts after hitting a walk off two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Seattle, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Jake Bobo continues to stake his claim for a Seahawks roster spot

With injuries mounting at wide receiver, the unheralded rookie keeps impressing.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) runs against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Seattle, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Damage and debris from a house explosion are seen in Mooresville, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Robert M. Farley, father of Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley, died overnight in the explosion that destroyed the NFL player's North Carolina home and left another person injured, authorities said. (AP Photo/Steve Reed)

Father of NFL’s Caleb Farley killed in N.C. home explosion

The blast the leveled the Tennessee Titans star’s home was ruled accidental by authorities.

Damage and debris from a house explosion are seen in Mooresville, N.C., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Robert M. Farley, father of Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley, died overnight in the explosion that destroyed the NFL player's North Carolina home and left another person injured, authorities said. (AP Photo/Steve Reed)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, right, celebrates with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, left, after their win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Mariners, Julio stay hot with shutout win over Astros

Starter Bryce Miller tosses 6.1 shutout innings and Seattle moves into the third AL wild-card spot.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, right, celebrates with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, left, after their win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Matt Landers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Seahawks training camp has regular-season feel

Seattle’s week of practice mirrored its regular season structure. Plus, injury updates ahead of Saturday’s game vs. Dallas.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Matt Landers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)