TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 16: New York Yankees Infielder Anthony Volpe (11) listens to instructions during the spring training workout on February 16, 2026 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NY Post | Greg Joyce: Anthony Volpe has reunited with the Yankees as they arrived in Tampa to play the Rays this weekend, the injured shortstop having taken an extended stay at the team’s complex while rehabbing from offseason surgery on his labrum. The time for a rehab assignment is nearing, and could come as early as Tuesday after meeting with the team physician for a final check-up, but once he’s fully ready to go what will his role with the team be? General manager Brian Cashman gave the strongest indication that he’ll be back as the starting shortstop that we’ve heard since the offseason, confirming “that’s always been the plan” when reporters asked. He did leave a caveat that “ultimately that’ll be the manager’s call” on starting Volpe, but there’s little doubt that the GM and manager will be in lockstep on this.
José Caballero had a chance to make this a more debatable choice with the starting gig wide open for the first month of the season, but his bat has been ice cold to start the year. A .135/.200/.162 triple-slash isn’t inspiring any confidence, and the team was already inclined to go back to Volpe once healthy after assessing the team in the offseason. Given how dreadful the bottom of the lineup has performed, an early season performer like Volpe could win a lot of favor back in his court by jumping back in with some timely hits.
NJ.com | Bob Klapisch ($): We’ve seen high highs and low lows with this 2026 team already, jumping out to a 7-1 start that was tops in the league with electric pitching just to watch as the bats have gone missing and been unable to support the staff amidst a 1-4 skid that’s mainly been punctuated by three consecutive losses. It’s early, yes, so the answer of what this Yankees team is likely falls somewhere between those two results, but some very real flaws have been exposed as stats begin to stabilize.
AP | Ronald Blum: The average salary of an MLB player rose for another year after Opening Day payrolls were made official, seeing a 3.4 percent jump from 2025 to a record $5.34 million. Overall, the growth of the game’s major-league side of the financials has been on a steady climb following the pandemic, recovering from a slow decline in the late 2010s, but the underlying concern is that the extreme spenders and thrifters have both gotten stronger: six teams paid out over $250 million this year instead of four last year, while eight teams spent under $100 million as opposed to five in 2025. The median salary also grew slightly, up to $1.4 million from $1.35 million, but it still hasn’t come close to the median record set back in 2015. With a lockout all but assumed to be arriving after this season concludes, these numbers paint a picture of the opening lines that the union and owners will set their trenches against, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with them now.
MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: Former Yankee Mike Ford is taking on a front office role with the Tampa Bay Rays, which would all but confirm that the first baseman is electing to retire from the game after spending last season abroad in Japan. Ford had a sensational stint with the Yankees in 2019 filling in for an injured Edwin Encarnacion, hitting for a .909 OPS in 50 games, but his subsequent 2020 season didn’t fare nearly as well and he played only a minor role in that year as well as in 2021, leading to a trade that sent him to Tampa. Now he’ll get the chance to work with the Rays’ minor leaguers in a still-undefined role.
Apr 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) hits a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
There’s an impenetrable, opaque blackness to this space. Devoid of the primary sense that humans rely on to orient themselves, you try to parse what information you can through your secondary inputs.
Unfortunately, other senses provides no more insight. It is so painfully, crushingly loud here that you can’t be sure of the source of the noise, can’t be sure of anything other than the fact that your eardrums are on the verge of rupturing. Or is it instead that this place is so silent that you’re being deafened by the unyielding cycle of your blood frantically THUD, THUD, THUDing its way through your blood vessels?
After an eternity of this, you finally hear it.
You were told what you should expect, but there isn’t any meaningful way to prepare yourself for how the velvety, telltale chuckle emerges from the void below you, starting at your age-appropriate New Balances, winding its way up your aging frame, slinking up into your ears before arriving at its destination.
His laugh and his voice finds easy purchase in your brain.
“Oh, well, isn’t this just sublime? You’re clever enough to know that you’re just my type, aren’t you?”
In this moment, you remember being a boy when your Paw taught you about viper’s fangs, how they’re hollow and hinged, a perfectly-designed poison delivery system. You swallow the knot in your throat.
“And a former catcher to boot, too. I’m spoiled today, aren’t I?” Another undulating laugh that feels like a scalpel against your brain stem. You say nothing.
He tuts. “Oh, come now, don’t be such a tease. I know you haven’t met me yet, but I know you. I know almost everything about you,” he croons. “And, since the second you replaced my dearest friend, I have been waiting, waiting, waiting for you to meet me here.”
“I know what you want. No one comes to my realm asking for anything else. He came here often enough, my friend, and for just the one thing. So, let’s get on to Hecuba,” he sighs. “You want my gift, and I’m willing to trade it. What else does a god want but tribute and worship?”
A fresh start can soothe many maladies. Leaving your hometown to escape the painful memories attached to your once-favorite places is a time-honored tradition of young adulthood. Or, if you’re feeling less dramatic but still need to cool the sting of heartbreak, may I interest you in a new haircut?
Or, what if you’re a troubled but lovable baseball team that finds itself predicted to win their division, and with the second-highest odds to make the World Series in the league, BUT, after 13 mind-numbing games you have found yourself scuffling along to the worst record in baseball? Could a fresh start fix that?
Yes.
The Seattle Mariners bullied the injury-ridden Houston Astros in a 9-6 win in front of a noisy crowd of nearly 45,000 last night. It was a welcome reprieve from a brutal 1-7 stretch characterized by a lifeless offense that averaged just 2 runs per game (and only 1.3 if you remove the 7-8 loss to the Angels).
Before the game, Dan Wilson said that he was looking to see his team return to their identity and do what they do best.
“What we do well as a team offensively when we’re going well is get on base, create traffic…create chaos, so to speak,” he said. “Drive guys in and drive balls out of the ballpark.”
The Mariners did a little of both tonight, taking advantage of the opportunities that Houston handed them and being aggressive on the basepaths, while also making their own luck.
The first inning was one for the books, an all-timer in Silliness. The Mariners scored three runs, each with their own little bit of pizzazz. A bases-loaded wild pitch, a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and a ground ball that would have been a double play but for Randy Arozarena’s graceful sauté away from a tag chased Tatsuya Imai after recording just one out. The Mariners worked four walks off of Imai, some foreshadowing, perhaps, for the ten they would earn by the end of the game.
Chaos Ball is so 2022, and this iteration of the Mariners ought not to need to stoop so low as to rely on such bullpucky to win baseball games. That said, you won’t find me complaining about how the 4-9 team wins ballgames.
Because Mariners fans may have nice things on occasion provided they are at least somewhat complicated, Emerson Hancock interrupted an otherwise sterling outing with a somewhat tarnished second inning. Hancock gracefully noted that he “never met a pitcher who’s complained when guys are scoring runs for you,” but one must wonder if the lengthy bottom of the first played a part in him losing the handle on the sweeper in the second inning.
Two singles, a walk, and a double later, the game was quickly born anew.
Shaky second inning aside, Hancock put together another impressive outing tonight, earning his second win with 5 IP and 5 Ks while giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He’s making his case for holding onto the fifth starter spot, impressing with his confidence and resilience.
“There were a couple of big messes for us on the sweeper [in the second inning], but I thought for us to refine it in the third, it was a big pitch for us in the third, fourth and fifth innings.”
The sweeper is probably Hancock’s best pitch, but the fastball was his most effective pitch tonight, racking up a 42% whiff rate while kissing 98 mph. The combination of the two can be deadly when the location is spot on, as it was on this hellacious punch-out of Jeremy Pena.
But, really, whether you know it yet or not, you’re here for the Randy home run. After about 4 more innings of 3-3 baseball and a frustrating at-bat, Randy decided to talk his talk and send this ball to the absolute moon, marine layer be damned.
There aren’t really words fit to describe this titanic blast, so why don’t you just go ahead and watch that one more time?
This game’s vibe is feel-good romp, so I’ll save the discussion of Randy’s outfield play for another article. Tonight, Randy delivered what he was traded for: the clutch, big-play, electric energy that can breathe the sparks of life into a team at risk of becoming flat, with a little bit of guitar playing to boot.
While he hasn’t been struggling as hard as the rest of the top of the lineup, Randy has had an uneven start to the season, notching just 3 extra-base hits coming into tonight’s game. He said that he’s been taking lots of extra time in the cage to improve his pitch selection, and that it was gratifying to see it pay off tonight.
“Obviously I’ve taken a lot of walks [this season], but to see it all come together after the work I’ve been putting in meant a lot.”
So, who cares if Wilcox let Alvarez do what Alvarez does best? A big fat three-run home run of their own doesn’t mean much if Houston’s bullpen is content handing runs to Seattle. 2021 Mariners Amalgam J.P. France did just that, giving up another bases-loaded wild-pitch to score Cole Young, and the real J.P. and Cal each got their own RBIs.
That’s nine runs, five of which can safely be considered hardly silly at all and four that are at least a little bit silly. Beggars can’t be choosers, so Seattle should take the runs where they can.
This was probably the game that’s been the most fun to watch this season – beating on the Astros will probably be uniquely joyful for another season, and Dave Valle’s halted explanation of how conversations work to Aaron Goldsmith gave me life after a long workweek.
But, more than just being fun, this game held suggestions that the Mariners’ bats are climbing their way out of the hole they’ve put themselves in to start the year. Each hitter reached base tonight; in fact, everyone but Julio reached base at least twice. The at-bats across the board looked much-improved, as though there was a game plan going into them beyond the “see ball swing bat at” approach we’ve seen thus far.
Combined with forcing Houston’s bullpen to put up 7.2 innings in the first of a four-game series, there’s good reason to hope that we might be in for a very entertaining and fulfilling weekend of baseball. If you have been waiting for the fun part to start, I think we might just be getting there.
Your boss claps you on the back as you make your way out of the locker room and into the grey bowels of the stadium. You smile as he congratulates you on a great game.
“Statistically, in terms of where our ship was headed, I knew it was probably a pretty likely outcome you would get this turned in a direction that we’re going to find productive. I feel that-”
“My name sounds so nice from your mouth, Danny,” he coos. It’s dark, unimaginably so. Your stomach feels like you’ve missed the last step on a long stairset that continues dropping out from under your feet. “I just love to see my song sung in front of the assembled press. Public tribute and worship feels so good, doesn’t it?”
“Anyways, this one’s is complementary, a gift for a friend well-met. I’m sure you have no plans to return – of course, Scott said the same thing the first time. And the second time, and, oh, every time after that. But you know where to find me. All you have to do is ask.”
Atlanta Hawks, who won their only NBA title in 1958, last reached the conference finals in 2021 [Reuters]
The Atlanta Hawks secured a spot in the NBA play-offs and the Southeast Division title with a 124-102 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Hawks, who only needed to win one of their remaining two games to guarantee a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference, blew away the already qualified Cavaliers in the third quarter, scoring 35 points to extend their 61-48 half-time lead to 96-65.
Guard CJ McCollum scored a game-high 29 points for the Hawks, who clinched their first divisional crown since 2021 and avoided having to come through the play-in tournament, for teams finishing seventh to tenth in each conference, for the first time in five seasons.
Veteran LeBron James became the fourth player in NBA history to record 12,000 career assists as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure home-court advantage in the first round of the play-offs with a 101-73 win against the Phoenix Suns.
James made 12 assists in addition to 28 points and six rebounds as the Lakers recorded their 15th win in 19 games to guarantee a top-four finish in the Western Conference.
Former Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton is the NBA's career assist leader, with 15,806, with Chris Paul (12,552) and Jason Kidd (12,091) also ahead of James (12,010).
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference with an emphatic 144-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 18-time NBA champions scored a record-equalling 29 three-pointers, forward Sam Hauser leading the way with eight, as they wrapped up the Atlantic Division title.
That result means the New York Knicks, who beat the Celtics in their previous match, will have to settle for being third seeds despite beating the Toronto Raptors 112-95.
The Raptors slipped down to sixth place following the defeat, with an identical record (45-36) to seventh-placed Orlando Magic with one match to play in the regular season. The Magic beat the Chicago Bulls 127-103 to extend their winning streak to five matches.
Victor Wembanyama, returning from a one-game injury absence, starred for Western Conference second seeds San Antonio Spurs in their 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The 22-year-old Most Valuable Player contender made 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
The Denver Nuggets remain in the hunt for third place in the Western Conference after beating reigning champions and top seeds Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107.
BOTTOM LINE: The Golden State Warriors visit Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers in Western Conference play Sunday.
The Clippers are 9-6 against division opponents. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up just 112.7 points while holding opponents to 46.9% shooting.
The Warriors are 7-8 against the rest of their division. Golden State is second in the league averaging 15.7 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 35.6% from deep. Moses Moody leads the team averaging 2.5 makes while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.
The Clippers are shooting 48.5% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 48.0% the Warriors allow to opponents. The Warriors average 114.7 points per game, 2.0 more than the 112.7 the Clippers allow.
The two teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 114-101 in their last matchup on March 3. Leonard led the Clippers with 23 points, and Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 22 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: John Collins is shooting 55.0% and averaging 13.5 points for the Clippers. Leonard is averaging 25.4 points over the last 10 games.
Stephen Curry is shooting 46.8% and averaging 27.0 points for the Warriors. Podziemski is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 6-4, averaging 115.3 points, 40.0 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points per game.
Warriors: 4-6, averaging 114.1 points, 40.5 rebounds, 29.0 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points.
INJURIES: Clippers: Isaiah Jackson: out (ankle), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip).
Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), LJ Cryer: out (ankle), Seth Curry: out (adductor), Moses Moody: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Memphis Grizzlies (25-55, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (51-30, fifth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston takes on the Memphis Grizzlies after Amen Thompson scored 41 points in the Houston Rockets' 136-132 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Rockets are 28-23 against Western Conference opponents. Houston leads the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 47.9 boards. Alperen Sengun paces the Rockets with 8.9 rebounds.
The Grizzlies are 6-9 against the rest of the division. Memphis gives up 120.5 points to opponents while being outscored by 5.7 points per game.
The Rockets average 11.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.6 fewer makes per game than the Grizzlies give up (14). The Grizzlies average 114.8 points per game, 4.7 more than the 110.1 the Rockets allow to opponents.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Rockets won the last meeting 119-109 on March 28, with Kevin Durant scoring 25 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Durant is shooting 52% and averaging 26 points for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Taj Gibson is scoring 3.3 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists for the Grizzlies. Adama Bal is averaging 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 39.3% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 8-2, averaging 121.2 points, 48.1 rebounds, 29 assists, 7.3 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.3 points per game.
Grizzlies: 1-8, averaging 111.3 points, 35.4 rebounds, 26 assists, 9.2 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 131.1 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Olivier-Maxence Prosper: out (ankle), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), GG Jackson: out (knee), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Taylor Hendricks: out (thumb), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Walter Clayton Jr.: out (hip), Cedric Coward: out (back), Cam Spencer: out (back), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Jazz (21-59, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (52-29, fourth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Utah travels to Los Angeles looking to break its nine-game road skid.
The Lakers are 32-19 in conference games. Los Angeles is eighth in the Western Conference with 14.8 fast break points per game led by LeBron James averaging 5.7.
The Jazz are 12-39 in Western Conference play. Utah is 5-8 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Lakers average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.5 fewer makes per game than the Jazz give up (15.3). The Jazz average 12.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.2 fewer makes per game than the Lakers allow.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Lakers won the last meeting 143-135 on Dec. 19, with Luka Doncic scoring 45 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: James is scoring 20.9 points per game with 6.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton is averaging 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 66.7% over the last 10 games.
John Konchar is scoring 4.3 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 14.7 points and 3.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 114.1 points, 40.4 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 9.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points per game.
Jazz: 0-9, averaging 120.6 points, 44.1 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 134.0 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Jaxson Hayes: out (foot), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: out (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Brice Sensabaugh: out (rest), Kyle Filipowski: out (back), Elijah Harkless: out (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Jason Adam #40 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning at Petco Park on April 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Right-handed bullpen stalwart Jason Adam, who has been recovering from quad tendon surgery since last September, returned to the San Diego Padres in a dramatic fashion during the Friday night game against the Colorado Rockies. Less than an hour before first pitch of the game where the Padres debuted their new City Connect uniforms and tried to maintain their momentum from the walk-off win on Thursday, Adam was reinstated from the IL and struggling Jeremiah Estrada was placed on the 15-day IL with elbow tendinitis.
Adam seemed ready to be with the team coming out of spring camp but the Padres choose to be extra cautious with the valuable eighth inning specialist from 2025. Adam finished last season with a 1.93 ERA in 65.1 innings pitched before injuring his left leg while on the mound. He has thrown five innings over four games with Triple-A El Paso, including back-to-back games and multiple innings, in order to ready himself for the rigors of an MLB season.
In his postgame presser after the Padres staged another dramatic walk off win on Friday night, Padres manager Craig Stammen stated the preference for a “soft landing” for Adam in his return to a major league mound. That wasn’t possible when reliever Adrian Morejon blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning and Adam was called on to get the last out to preserve a tie. Adam threw five pitches and got a groundout to end the top of the inning.
There has been much debate as to who would be demoted from the Padres bullpen in order to make room for Adam upon his return. In the end, it wasn’t a hard decision. Estrada has been laboring in most of his appearances this season. His velocity has been down across the board and his command has also not been up to his norm. Over seven innings pitched in seven games, Estrada has a 5.14 ERA. Stammen also reported on Friday night that Estrada threw in the afternoon and didn’t feel right, reporting discomfort while throwing. They believe it is tendinitis and hope rest and rehab will take care of it.
Matt Waldron
Padres right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron threw another scoreless outing with Triple-A El Paso on April 8. He is on a slow progression in his build up as a starter after missing almost all of spring camp recovering from hemorrhoid surgery. His latest start went five innings with two hits, no runs and three strikeouts. That was his third start with a total of 12 innings pitched without allowing a run. He has a true five-pitch mix while using his fastball, sinker and knuckleball predominately. In those 12 innings he has 12 strikeouts and one walk.
Even with the slow build, he should be ready to join the team at the end of his rehab window later this month. It seems unlikely that Waldron would clear waivers if the Padres tried to send him to the minors. He is out of options and must be put on the roster in order to keep him in the organization.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a walk-off three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Petco Park on April 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second tine in as many nights, and for the first time in the new City Connect 2.0 uniforms, the San Diego Padres walked off the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. One night after Xander Bogaerts hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning, Gavin Sheets hit his second home run of the night with a walk-off three-run home run to right-center field in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Padres a 5-2 win over the Rockies.
Sheets hit his first home run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, which gave San Diego a 1-0 lead. He was followed later in the inning by Luis Campusano who also hit a solo home run to push the Padres lead to 2-0. It was fitting that the second home run of the night by Sheets ended the scoring and the game, giving the Padres two wins in the first two games of the four-game series against the Rockies.
The left-handed slugger got the chance to play hero in the bottom of the inning after Mason Miller worked the top of the ninth. The closer did hit part, striking out all three Rockies hitters to keep the game tied 2-2. Jackson Merrill opened the bottom of the ninth with a single. Manny Machado followed with a walk and Bogaerts hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Merrill to move to third to put runners on the corner with one out for Sheets.
All Sheets had to do was follow the lead of Bogaerts with a flyball to the outfield and the Padres would walk off the field with a win. Sheets did in fact follow the lead of Bogaerts, but it was the example he set the night before that allowed Sheets to connect on a game-winning home run.
Walker Buehler made the start on the mound for San Diego, and he was solid in what turned out to be his best and longest outing of the season. Buehler pitched six innings and allowed no runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
Colorado scored both of its runs against the San Diego bullpen and the rocky start to the season continued for Adrian Morejon. The left-hander allowed two runs on four hits in just 2/3 of an inning. Jason Adam made his season debut in relief of Morejon. With runners at second and third, Adam induced a ground ball to third base from Ezequiel Tovar and Machado made the play to end the scoring threat and the inning for the Rockies.
The Padres will go for their third win against the Rockies and their fourth win in as many games when they return to action at Petco Park on Saturday at 5:40 p.m.
BOTTOM LINE: Orlando will try to keep its three-game road win streak intact when the Magic face Boston.
The Celtics are 35-16 in Eastern Conference games. Boston averages 114.9 points while outscoring opponents by 7.8 points per game.
The Magic have gone 26-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is 11-5 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Celtics are shooting 46.8% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points lower than the 47.6% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic score 8.7 more points per game (115.8) than the Celtics allow (107.1).
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Celtics won 138-129 in the last meeting on Nov. 23. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 35 points, and Jett Howard led the Magic with 30 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brown is averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 19.7 points and 4.3 assists over the past 10 games.
Paolo Banchero is scoring 22.2 points per game and averaging 8.4 rebounds for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 120.2 points, 45.3 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 5.8 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.
Magic: 7-3, averaging 118.7 points, 42.4 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (injury management).
Magic: Jett Howard: out (ankle), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
New Orleans Pelicans (26-55, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to break its eight-game road slide when the Pelicans take on Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are 30-21 in conference play. Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference with 50.1 points per game in the paint led by Julius Randle averaging 10.2.
The Pelicans are 17-33 in Western Conference play. New Orleans has an 8-42 record against teams over .500.
The Timberwolves are shooting 48.1% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 47.7% the Pelicans allow to opponents. The Pelicans average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 fewer made shot on average than the 12.2 per game the Timberwolves give up.
The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 119-115 in their last meeting on Feb. 7. Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 30 points, and Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 35 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaden McDaniels is scoring 14.8 points per game and averaging 4.2 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 12.5 points and 2.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Jeremiah Fears is scoring 14.0 points per game and averaging 3.6 rebounds for the Pelicans. Jordan Hawkins is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 112.2 points, 41.3 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 9.1 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.
Pelicans: 1-9, averaging 113.9 points, 41.4 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.2 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Julius Randle: out (hand), Naz Reid: out (injury management), Rudy Gobert: out (rest), Bones Hyland: out (hip), Joe Ingles: out (personal).
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III: out (ankle), Zion Williamson: out (knee), Yves Missi: out (hand), Karlo Matkovic: out (back), Herbert Jones: out (rest), Saddiq Bey: out (rest), Dejounte Murray: out (hand), Bryce McGowens: out (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks visit Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat on Sunday.
The Heat have gone 9-7 against division opponents. Miami ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 54.3 points per game in the paint led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. averaging 9.7.
The Hawks are 9-6 against opponents from the Southeast Division. Atlanta averages 118.5 points and has outscored opponents by 2.8 points per game.
The Heat score 120.6 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 115.7 the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 more makes per game than the Heat allow.
The two teams play for the fourth time this season. The Heat defeated the Hawks 128-97 in their last meeting on Feb. 21. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points, and Onyeka Okongwu led the Hawks with 22 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kel'el Ware is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 9.0 rebounds for the Heat. Adebayo is averaging 18.1 points and 10.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Dyson Daniels is shooting 51.7% and averaging 11.9 points for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 3.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 4-6, averaging 122.6 points, 42.6 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.1 points per game.
Hawks: 7-3, averaging 122.9 points, 44.3 rebounds, 28.9 assists, 9.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.0 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Davion Mitchell: out (shoulder), Nikola Jovic: out (ankle), Norman Powell: out (groin), Tyler Herro: out (foot), Dru Smith: out (foot).
Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Washington Wizards (17-64, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Washington visits Cleveland looking to end its five-game road skid.
The Cavaliers have gone 32-19 against Eastern Conference teams. Cleveland is second in the Eastern Conference scoring 119.4 points while shooting 48.1% from the field.
The Wizards are 11-40 against conference opponents. Washington allows 124.8 points to opponents and has been outscored by 11.9 points per game.
The Cavaliers' 14.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Wizards allow. The Wizards average 112.9 points per game, 2.5 fewer than the 115.4 the Cavaliers give up to opponents.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Cavaliers won 138-113 in the last matchup on Feb. 12.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evan Mobley is shooting 54.6% and averaging 18.2 points for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 17.9 points over the last 10 games.
Bub Carrington is averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 assists for the Wizards. Jaden Hardy is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 122.4 points, 43.0 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.4 points per game.
Wizards: 1-9, averaging 115.3 points, 40.8 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 9.1 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.8 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen: out (injury management), Thomas Bryant: out (calf), Sam Merrill: out (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell: out (ankle).
Wizards: Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: out (knee), Justin Champagnie: out (knee), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Tre Johnson: out (foot), Alex Sarr: out (toe), Kyshawn George: out for season (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out for season (quad).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Detroit Pistons (59-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (19-62, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
Indianapolis; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Detroit will aim for its 60th win of the season when the Pistons visit the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers have gone 15-36 against Eastern Conference teams. Indiana is 9-42 against opponents over .500.
The Pistons are 11-4 against the rest of the division. Detroit averages 117.6 points and has outscored opponents by 8.1 points per game.
The Pacers' 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.7 more made shots on average than the 12.6 per game the Pistons give up. The Pistons average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Pacers allow.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pistons won 121-78 in the last matchup on Jan. 18.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jarace Walker is scoring 11.6 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Pacers. Obi Toppin is averaging 14.0 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 55.3% over the past 10 games.
Jalen Duren is scoring 19.5 points per game and averaging 10.5 rebounds for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 4-6, averaging 118.8 points, 43.7 rebounds, 33.5 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.
Pistons: 7-3, averaging 119.5 points, 44.3 rebounds, 31.9 assists, 10.2 steals and 6.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: T.J. McConnell: out (hamstring), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: out (back), Ben Sheppard: out (hip), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Pascal Siakam: out (back), Aaron Nesmith: out (neck), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).
Pistons: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Brooklyn Nets (20-61, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (45-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference)
Toronto; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn will aim to stop its seven-game road losing streak when the Nets take on Toronto.
The Raptors are 32-19 in conference play. Toronto ranks ninth in the NBA allowing just 111.9 points per game while holding opponents to 46.7% shooting.
The Nets are 14-36 in conference games. Brooklyn is 6-39 against opponents with a winning record.
The Raptors score 114.4 points per game, 1.3 fewer points than the 115.7 the Nets allow. The Nets' 44.3% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.4 percentage points lower than the Raptors have allowed to their opponents (46.7%).
The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Nets defeated the Raptors 96-81 in their last matchup on Dec. 21. Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 24 points, and Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 19 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Ben Saraf is averaging 7.4 points and 3.3 assists for the Nets. Tyson Etienne is averaging 9.2 points and 1.6 rebounds while shooting 41.7% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 5-5, averaging 115.6 points, 41.3 rebounds, 31.5 assists, 9.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.4 points per game.
Nets: 3-7, averaging 103.2 points, 34.8 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 9.7 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.9 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Chucky Hepburn: out (knee), RJ Barrett: out (back), Trayce Jackson-Davis: out (illness), Immanuel Quickley: out (injury management), Collin Murray-Boyles: out (neck).
Nets: Ziaire Williams: out (foot), Noah Clowney: out (ankle), Josh Minott: out (achilles), Nic Claxton: out (finger), Danny Wolf: out for season (ankle), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out for season (hamstring), Terance Mann: out (achilles), Drake Powell: out (injury management).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Chicago Bulls (31-50, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (25-56, 13th in the Western Conference)
Dallas; Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas will try to end its three-game skid when the Mavericks take on Chicago.
The Mavericks have gone 15-25 in home games. Dallas is 12-20 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 13.9 turnovers per game.
The Bulls are 13-27 on the road. Chicago has a 13-32 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Mavericks score 113.7 points per game, 7.5 fewer points than the 121.2 the Bulls allow. The Bulls average 14.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Mavericks allow.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Bulls won the last matchup 125-107 on Jan. 11, with Matas Buzelis scoring 15 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cooper Flagg is averaging 21.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Mavericks. Max Christie is averaging 10.3 points over the past 10 games.
Tre Jones is averaging 14.2 points and 5.4 assists for the Bulls. Collin Sexton is averaging 19.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 48.2% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 115.0 points, 41.9 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.2 points per game.
Bulls: 2-8, averaging 117.1 points, 45.6 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.6 points.
INJURIES: Mavericks: P.J. Washington: out (elbow), Marvin Bagley III: day to day (shoulder), Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Klay Thompson: out (illness), Daniel Gafford: out (rest), Caleb Martin: out (foot), Brandon Williams: out (illness), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Naji Marshall: out (hip).
Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Matas Buzelis: day to day (ankle), Isaac Okoro: out (quad), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Josh Giddey: out (hamstring), Guerschon Yabusele: out (shoulder), Nick Richards: out (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
