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Pre-Season: Rust Leads Way As Penguins Defeat Sabres, 4-1

In a tightly contested pre-season where prospects are typically at the forefront, a longtime Pittsburgh Penguins'  veteran drove the bus for the team in game one.

Forward Bryan Rust notched a goal and two assists as the Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 4-1, in their first pre-season game of 2026. The win gives them six consecutive victories in the pre-season, which, according to Penguins' historian Bob Grove, is tied for the third-longest streak in franchise history.

Rust was joined on the scoresheet by Connor Dewar, Avery Hayes, and Elmer Soderblom, who secured the win at the end with an empty-net goal from just above the goal line. Jake Richard scored the lone goal for the Sabres, which came on a power play late in the second period.

All in all, it was a complete effort to start what is a short pre-season as well as a condensed one. The Penguins play the Detroit Red Wings at home Tuesday before going on the road to face the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres on Thursday and Friday.

"The coaches are making sure we know that, when you blink, camp's going to be over," Hayes said. "You don't want to regret anything, you kind of want to attack every day with the mindset that you don't know what's coming tomorrow. So, you just gotta attack every day with 100 percent."

Midway through the first period, Andrei Kuzmenko - playing on a line with Ben Kindel and Rust until Kindel didn't come out for the second period - fed a puck to Rust, who attacked the offensive zone with purpose. He stickhandled his way through several Sabres and left one on a platter for Dewar, who ripped it home from the slot to give the Penguins the 1-0 lead. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XPittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XThis feed from Rusty 🤌

The score remained 1-0 until midway through the second period, when Buffalo took a pair of penalties to give the Penguins a brief five-on-three. Just 18 seconds into the five-on-three, a pretty tic-tac-toe passing play from Kris Letang to Hendrix Lapierre to Rust, waiting in the low slot area, made it 2-0. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XPittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XConsider this your reminder... IN RUST WE TRUST‼️

After the late goal by Richard, the Penguins were in the offensive zone with time waning in the middle frame. With less than five seconds to go, Hayes forced a turnover by Sabres' defenseman Dennis Gilbert behind the net and looped to just above the goal line, where he sniped a top-shelf shot over the right shoulder of goaltender Alex Lyon to restore the two-goal lead, which the Penguins were able to protect the rest of the way.

"It's just an extra effort play with almost no time left in the period," Rust said. "Those things can be momentum-killers if you're the one it happens against, or it can be a momentum-builder. And, I think for us, that was huge.

"Obviously, it's a pre-season game, but you can see that he just outworked everybody on the ice, and then he sniped. The more he does that, the more he's going to impact this team in just the most positive way."

Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XPittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XA-very good time to bring back the Avery puns 🙂‍↕️

Here are a few notes and observations from game one of the pre-season:

- Rust was the best player in this game, and it wasn't particularly close. Throughout the entirety of camp so far, he's arguably been the most noticeable player, which says a lot about the 34-year-old veteran.

It's been said many times that he possesses a lot of Crosby-like qualities. His effort in training camp as if he's still a kid trying to make the team is one of them, and it sets a great example for the younger guys, like Hayes, trying to make this team. 

'Leadership' can be an overstated quality, but that's not the case with Rust. He is a true leader for this locker room in every sense of the word.

- As mentioned before, Kindel did not return for the second period after sustaining a lower-body injury. Head coach Dan Muse could not provide an update on Kindel after the game, as he is still being evaluated.

Obviously, this would be a huge loss for the Penguins if he misses any chunk of time. He looked shot out of a cannon in that first period, and it would be yet another blow to their center depth with Blake Lizotte already out week-to-week.

Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) on XPenguins PR (@PenguinsPR) on XBen Kindel (lower body) will not return to tonight's game.

- That said, this is exactly why having so much forward depth is a net positive for the Penguins. And the guy who took Kindel's place on that line, Tristan Broz, got a chance to show out for the final two periods between Kuzmenko and Rust.

And he was really, really, solid out there. He looks comfortable in all three zones, he's a smart player who almost always makes clean reads, and he's got a rocket of a shot, too. He looked right at home on that first power play unit.

"He was good," Rust said. "You can tell he's a really good hockey player. Thinks the game at a high level, makes really good plays out there. I think the more he gets comfortable, the better he's going to be."

If Lizotte is not ready to go for the season-opener, I think Broz has a nice path to fill that role. And, if Kindel is out, you can pretty much pencil him in for an NHL roster spot to begin the season along with Filip Hallander, who also had a nice showing Monday.

Former Penguins' Forward, Beloved In Locker Room, Announces RetirementFormer Penguins' Forward, Beloved In Locker Room, Announces RetirementShortly after the end of his <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' tenure, a former NHL forward has decided to call it a career. 

- To go back to Hayes for a second, I predicted that this guy would crack the opening night roster because his play in these games would force the organization's hand at keeping him up.

I'll stand by that. Hayes just has that extra gear, and he's a type of feisty and relentless yet skilled bottom-six player that the Penguins have lacked for a good spell.

- This was a good performance by both Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, who split the game. Murashov stopped all 12 shots he faced, while Blomqvist stopped 10 of 11 and didn't really have much of a chance on the goal, as he appeared to be screened a bit.

The battle between these two through four days has been a legitimate one. Both looked comfortable, poised, and ready to go. 

5 Predictions For 2026 Penguins' Training Camp5 Predictions For 2026 Penguins' Training CampThe Penguins have a lot of questions and intrigue heading into camp this year.

- Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke were relatively quiet as a pairing in this one. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

Both - especially Pickering - look substantially better defensively than they did at this time last year. Pickering made all the right decisions Monday, his gap control was excellent, and he was counted upon on the penalty kill and in defensive situations, handling it like a champ.

As for Brunicke, there was a small but telling third-period play with around 12 minutes left. He went to pinch down the right wall on a puck, but glanced over his shoulder to make sure he was covered before fully committing. It sounds like something so simple, but that's not something he was doing last year. In fact, his decision-making as far as joining the rush and jumping into the play was pretty much perfect on Monday.

Both look NHL-ready. Even if they start the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), it won't be long before they're full-time NHLers.

Penguins' Training Camp: 5 Standouts Through 3 DaysPenguins' Training Camp: 5 Standouts Through 3 DaysWith pre-season games next up on the slate, five players have earned themselves an opportunity in those games.

- Of note, Ryan Graves led all Penguins' skaters in ice time Monday with 22:33. This wasn't a bad performance by Graves, even if he didn't stand out. 

But second in ice time? That would be Chase Pietila, who played an excellent game. I feel like there aren't too many people who are talking about this guy, but he is so smart on the blue line, very risk-averse, and solid as a rock defensively. 

He's someone to watch in WBS this season. He's not flashy, but he does all the right things.

- Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will both be in Tuesday's lineup against Detroit, as will several other veterans. 

Another two exciting names? Liam and Markus Ruck.

Those two will be interesting to watch in this one, as they will be surrounded by NHL regulars. If I was a betting person, I'd wager that Calvert centers the Rucks, but we shall see.

Of note, a forward and a defenseman have to be scratched. Hopefully, one of the twins isn't the odd guy out.

Penguins Announce Roster For Pre-season Game Against Red WingsPenguins Announce Roster For Pre-season Game Against Red WingsThe Pittsburgh Penguins have announced their roster for Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.

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Cubs’ Bregman suffers reported facial fractures after being hit by foul ball in ‘terrible accident’

Alex Bregman will not require surgery. Photograph: Kareem Elgazzar/AP

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman suffered facial fractures when he was hit in the head by a foul ball on Sunday, according to ESPN.

Bregman was standing in the on-deck circle preparing for his at-bat when his teammate Michael Busch checked his swing and fouled off a pitch from the Cincinnati Reds’ Luis Mey. The ball struck Bregman in the face, and he immediately jogged toward the Cubs’ dugout with his hand covering the left side of his face. He was taken to hospital for X-rays and CT scans.

ESPN reports that the 32-year-old will not require surgery and hopes to return for the postseason.

“He got hit in the left cheekbone essentially, under the eye,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after the game. “He was bleeding from his nose a little. There’s some swelling. It’s a terrible, terrible accident. We hope he’s OK.”

Bregman posted a photo of ⁠himself on Instagram. His eye was swollen and there was blood on his cheek. “Thanks for all the messages yall. ​I’ll be back,” Bregman said.

Bregman is batting .262 with 26 home runs and 89 RBIs after signing a $175m, five-year free-agent deal in January.

“It just happens so fast,” Busch said. “[Mey] is throwing the ball hard and it comes off hard. Any time it enters the head area, it’s always a scary thing. We try to focus on the game, but it’s tough. Hopefully he’s OK, first and foremost.”

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Caufield Scores Twice As Senators Fall 3-2 To Canadiens In Preseason Overtime

The Senators opened their abbreviated preseason schedule with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Monday night’s Kraft Hockeyville game in Trois-Rivières, Que.

Cole Caufield scored twice for Montreal, tying the game midway through the third period before delivering the dagger in overtime.

The crowd inside Colisée Vidéotron was firmly behind the Canadiens, but the Senators briefly took the wind out of their sails in the early moments.

Senators sign autographs on the morning of Kraft Hockeyville and their game against Montreal on Monday.

Newcomer William Eklund wasted no time endearing himself to Sens Nation, scoring just 89 seconds into his first preseason appearance with the Sens. Eklund fed the puck to Dylan Cozens, who sprinted behind the net and then slipped a gorgeous feed back to Eklund, who finished the play to give the Senators an early 1-0 lead.

But Montreal completely controlled the rest of the period, responding three minutes later when defenseman Jayden Struble beat Samuel Ersson with a low short-side shot to tie the game.

The score remained deadlocked until late in the second period, when Cozens went from setup man to scorer. His first of the preseason restored the Sens' lead and capped a two-point night for the Workhorse.

The Senators carried that 2-1 advantage into the third period, until Caufield went to work. His tying goal was a harmless-looking shot along the ice, but it somehow eluded Sens goalie Samuel Ersson, who may have been anticipating a cross-crease pass instead.

Caufield's game-winning goal came on a hard, low wrist shot under the stick of Ridly Greig and past Ersson.

Both teams dressed fairly strong NHL lineups, but the game was filled with glitchy moments, which is standard for a preseason opener. That was particularly evident on special teams.

Montreal finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Ottawa went 0-for-4. 

The Habs controlled much of the play on the night, outshooting the Sens 36-20. Ersson went the distance in his first appearance and turned aside 33 shots, and Travis Green told reporters after the game that he was the Sens' best player on the night.

The Senators will be back in action Wednesday night with a pair of split-squad games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Most of the Sens' top players are expected to remain at home to face Toronto at Canadian Tire Centre, while the rest of the group will visit the Maple Leafs. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

The Sens will then get another go at the Habs when the teams close out their preseason schedules Saturday night. That will also be a split-squad arrangement, with games taking place simultaneously in Ottawa and Montreal at 7 p.m.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

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Red Wings Drop 1-0 Shootout Final To Blue Jackets In Preseason Opener

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Hockey is officially back for the Detroit Red Wings, who wrapped up Training Camp this week, and opened the abbreviated preseason schedule with a Monday evening matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With a lineup consisting largely of young players competing for roster spots, the Red Wings fell 1-0 to the Blue Jackets in a shootout at Nationwide Arena.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Nate Danielson, and John Leonard were all denied by Blue Jackets goaltender Pheonix Copley in the shootout following a scoreless overtime. 

The only puck that entered the net in the entire contest was courtesy of Columbus forward Conor Garland, who beat Michal Postava with a blocker-side shot. 

Goaltender Daniil Tarasov, whom the Red Wings signed to a one-year contract earlier in the summer, played the first 40 minutes of the night and turned aside all 15 shots he faced; he was replaced as planned for the third period by Postava. 

Meanwhile, Jet Greaves stopped all 16 Detroit shots for Columbus before giving way in the third to Copley. 

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Notably, Postava channeled his inner Dominik Hasek late in the third period when he raced well beyond the slot to corral the puck, colliding with Blue Jackets forward Josh Eernisse and sending him flying head over heels in a near carbon copy of a December 2007 play involving the Hall of Fame goaltender and Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik.

The Red Wings registered 11 shots in the first period but managed just five in the second and two in the third; they didn't record a shot during the five-minute overtime.

While Detroit went scoreless in three power-play opportunities, they killed off all five Columbus chances with the man-advantage. 

Among the Red Wings regulars who saw action were J.T. Compher, Michael Rasmussen, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Keegan Kolesar; Rasmussen led all Red Wings players with five shots. 

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and John Leonard had two shots each. Meanwhile, Dominik Shine and Kienan Draper each picked up five-minute fighting majors. 

Detroit will be right back in action Tuesday night when it visits the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena; their first home preseason game will be Thursday against the divisional rival Buffalo Sabres. 

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Rangers’ power-play gets new look with unit seen as ‘difference-maker’

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) during team training camp, Image 2 shows New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) during training camp, Image 3 shows Pavel Dorofeyev (16) participates in the New York Rangers training camp

When the Rangers worked on special teams for the first time in training camp Monday, plenty of pieces from the past remained. Adam Fox quarterbacked the top unit. Mika Zibanejad was perched on the flank on his one-timer side. They’re the constants that have transcended coaches. Two others from the top line last year — when the Blueshirts finished with the No. 5 clip in the league — returned too: J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafrenière. 

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But there was also an element of intrigue. A bit of unknown, when Pavel Dorofeyev and his left-handed shot replaced Vincent Trocheck and his right-handed one. Defenseman Sean Durzi, who was acquired in the Trocheck trade in July, quarterbacked the second unit alongside Gabe Perreault, Will Cuylle, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen. And head coach Mike Sullivan said he thinks the unit once again “can be a difference-maker for us.” 

“The power play was one of the bright spots of our team last year fairly consistently,” Sullivan said Monday after the non-game group — with mostly NHL players — practiced ahead of the preseason opener against the Devils. “It took us a little while to get it going [at] the beginning of the year versus after that. I thought the second half of the year in particular was excellent. 

“We lost a right-handed shot versus a lefty, and that’s gonna change some of the things that we do with it. But very capable guys. I think they have an opportunity to be very impactful for our team.” 

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) during the team’s training camp, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Still, it’ll serve as a significantly different unit from the ones that featured Artemi Panarin ripping shots into the net or Chris Kreider hovering at the net front or Trocheck roaming in the bumper. But the power play, after dipping to No. 28 in the league (17.6 percent) in the final year of Peter Laviolette, experienced a revival — even with all the shifting parts — in 2025-26 under Sullivan and assistant coach David Quinn. 

The Rangers unveiled their first unit Monday with Miller in the bumper and Lafrenière at the net front — a spot where he thrived late last season. That left Dorofeyev, who scored 20 goals with the man advantage last year with the Golden Knights, to operate on the other flank. The first pair of reps from the top unit Monday ended with goals from Zibanejad and Lafrenière too. 

“To be away from it for so long and then coming back and feeling like it’s kinda clicking, it was good,” Zibanejad told The Post. “Obviously will be up and down throughout the season and score when we don’t deserve it and not score when we probably deserve it a little bit more. We know the story. We know how this usually works.” 

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) during training camp Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The Rangers announced that they’ll wear a Garden of Dreams Foundation patch as their official one this season, replacing Mark Messier’s “Game 7” patch from 2025-26. 

“It was an honor to have Game 7 as our Jersey Patch Partner last season, given our relationship with Rangers legend Mark Messier, and look forward to featuring the Foundation this year,” a Rangers spokesperson said in a statement.

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Flyers Fall Flat And Lose Surging Forward in Blowout Preseason Loss to Capitals

To start off, things were looking good for the Philadelphia Flyers in their preseason opener against the Washington Capitals, but they quickly ran out of steam and fell flat on their faces. It was all downhill from there in a thoroughly unimpressive 5-2 loss.

Veteran newcomer Jack Studnicka got the Flyers off to about as good a start as they could have asked for, cashing in from close range on the power play just 2:35 into the contest to put Philadelphia up 1-0. Rookies Jett Luchanko and Cole Knuble, who have been impressive as of late, collected the assists.

Aliaksei Protas answered for Washington on a 5-on-3 power play after the Flyers got themselves in penalty trouble, and big-money youngster Ryan Leonard gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead on a laser through traffic to end the period.

David Jiricek had some trouble boxing out the much bigger and stronger Protas in front of Joseph Woll on the goal, but Flyers forward Riley Thompson also had a bad angle and allowed Leonard to walk around in the slot to pick his shot to begin with.

Early in the second period, Knuble pulled the Flyers even by cleaning up a long-range Oliver Bonk shot, but the Flyers just never truly built or maintained any momentum after that.

Bonk got caught on a bad pinch that sent Dylan Strome in alone on Woll for a score, and Jonny Brodzinski buried the Capitals' final two goals of the night past Carson Bjarnason, who relieved Woll for the final 20 minutes.

Overall, it was just a bad night for the Flyers, and one that certainly resembled a group that has been going hard and competing throughout training camp.

Flyers notes and an injury

Denver Barkey was injured in Monday's game against Washington and did not return. (Photo: James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Denver Barkey was injured in Monday's game against Washington and did not return. (Photo: James Guillory, Imagn Images)

The Flyers had a chance to seize momentum after Capitals forward Andrew Cristall was given a five-minute major penalty for cross checking and a game misconduct for bopping Hunter McDonald in the mouth after a hard hit on Leonard, but the Flyers failed to score.

Forward Denver Barkey, who opened the game as the Flyers' top center, left the game early in the second period and did not return, and players like Alex Bump and Porter Martone were total nonfactors.

Offensively, Knuble, Luchanko, Jiricek, Bonk, and Studnicka were the only players who made things happen more than a handful of times. Luchanko and Studnicka were each particularly impressive with their assertiveness at both ends of the ice.

Both Bonk and Jiricek had their shaky moments defensively, but it is paramount we keep in mind that these are 21- and 22-year-old defensemen who need time and trust as they continue to develop.

Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet did not have an update on Barkey after the game, and the Flyers will be right back to it on Tuesday night when they face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden at 7 p.m.

Expect that game roster to consist primarily of players who did not play in Monday night's game against the Capitals.

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Hischier, Hughes, and Meier Score in 3-2 Preseason Win Over Rangers

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 21: Jack Hughes #86 and the New Jersey Devils celebrate his game-winning goal at 17:48 of the third period against Dylan Garand #33 of the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on September 21, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The first look at the Devils’ rivalry with the New York Rangers this season was not the most exciting one. It is preseason, after all, but the teams came into tonight with opposite approaches. For the Devils, tonight was a night for the majority of their NHL club to get their legs under them. For the Rangers, tonight was largely headlined by their youth and AHLers. At times, this game might have looked primed for the Rangers’ B-team to pull off the seemingly unavoidable “upset” (if there is such a thing in preseason), given the low scoring. But with some Devils still putting in what seemed like a regular effort, the skill imbalance won out in the end.

In the first period, the Devils shut down the Rangers entirely, but did not create a whole lot for themselves either. Jake Allen only had to stop three shots in his allotted 20 minutes, and the big story of that period was the injury to Adam Sykora of the Rangers. Utica Comets defenseman Mikael Diotte caught him reaching for the puck by the boards, leading to him leaving the game with a lower-body injury. Sykora did not return, and I was worried that this hit was going to lead to some retaliation from the likes of Matt Rempe or one of the other physical players on the Rangers’ bench. This never really came to pass, though.

In the second period, after Nico Daws came into the game, things started opening up a bit on both ends. Nico Hischier took the puck from Timo Meier and whacked it towards the net, giving the Devils the lead halfway through the game off a deflection at the side of the crease. It was not the best goal ever, but it was fitting to see this particular group finally get going with a Nico Hischier shot.

The lead did not last too long, though, with Nico Daws giving up a rough goal to Anton Blidh. Blidh had not even crossed the faceoff circle on his entry of the offensive zone, beating Daws cleanly on the glove side. At this point, it was the ninth shot that Daws had seen, though he had not had to stop any extremely dangerous chances.

Before the period was over, Timo Meier made a play to take advantage of a really poor lapse in focus and tracking by Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand. Luke Evangelista was working behind the net, and the puck came loose to Timo Meier. When Meier wrapped quickly around the net, Garand was caught somehow unaware that he might need to make a save, giving up an easy five-hole score to Meier. I would not expect it to come this easy often in the regular season.

Things were largely more of the same in the third. The Devils outchanced the Rangers consistently and seemed to have the puck for most of the time. But time and time again, the shots were just a little off, sometimes hitting the iron, but sometimes hitting Garand right in his equipment. And eventually, the Devils were finally caught giving up a bad shot to the Rangers, and Drew Fortescue tied it back up with a shot through a screen. Siegenthaler was out a little far to block the shot, and nobody had Carey Terrance in front of Daws.

Despite drawing a hooking call on Arseny Gritsyuk not long after the goal (which itself should have been holding the stick), the Rangers did not get much in the way of scoring chances after this. The Devils shut them down on their power play, nearly scoring one shorthanded as Jesper Boqvist put a breakaway chance off the post. The top line of Evangelista, Hischier, and Meier wore the Rangers down for an offensive shift that spanned 1:18 of game time a few minutes after the penalty expired, leading to Rangers icing the puck, which brought the Hughes line on. Taking advantage of the tired defenders, Jack Hughes took the puck from Bratt at the blueline and beat Glen Gawdin wide before pivoting at the goal line and sneaking the puck into the net off of Gawdin’s stick. It was a classic opportunistic Jack Hughes goal, and it largely put the game away for the Devils.

Would I have liked to see more goals? Sure. But the Devils controlled just under two thirds of the shots on goal and expected goals tonight, and they largely held the Rangers to low-danger shots. Daws only faced two high-danger shots on goal, and Allen faced zero. For that, Daws may have dinged his stock allowing two goals as the team compares him and David Rittich as potential number two goalies with Jack Allen, but it is just a preseason game and he will have another chance to prove himself (and hopefully against a higher volume of shots). As for the Devils offense, they were content to take any shot, working from the blueline often but scoring on three of their ten high-danger shots on goal. In a regular season game, I would expect them to push a little harder for the net given the sheer amount of possession time they had.

The Game Stats: The NHL.com Game Summary | The NHL.com Event Summary | The NHL.com Play by Play Log | The NHL.com Shot Summary | The Natural Stat Trick Game Stats

Stock Up?

Jesper Boqvist looked pretty great tonight, and he only missed scoring a goal on his breakaway because of that peksy iron. He moved throughout the game with great speed, and he generally looked like the Devil playing at the fastest individual pace tonight. That fourth line might not have moved the puck between each other as well, but I mostly chalk that up to Marc McLaughlin being a bit more limited in that area. Noesen, meanwhile, played pretty well but needs to be put in a position where he can make more plays around the net. In another preseason game, I think I would like to see this possible fourth line setup of Boqvist and Noesen centered by Evan Rodrigues or Cody Glass. Overall, I was also much not too convinced by the cohesiveness of the Mercer-Rodrigues-Gritsyuk line, and that also makes me want to see Gritsyuk back with Glass for a look before the preseason is over.

Mantha and Evangelista

With the big storyline coming into this game being how the new forwards looked on their lines, I would say that I honestly hope for better in their second games. Mantha in particular took zero shots attempts in 15:33 of ice time, while Evangelista at least got on the scoresheet and worked along the boards. However, I did like Mantha getting involved defensively, and I thought he drew a lot of attention away from Jack just by fighting for position by the net, while I thought Evangelista could have put pressure on the Rangers during his line’s great shift in the third had he not fanned on a scoring chance. So, both players brought something to the table while still having something to do better.

Onto The Third

On Thursday, the Devils will play their third preseason game of the year. I would expect a more balanced lineup between NHLers and AHLers as the Devils go to Madison Square Garden, and it might be a good opportunity to get Daws a bigger challenge against a presumably NHL-heavy Rangers lineup. But for now, the Devils are undefeated in the preseason after this rather uneven affair.

Your Thoughts

What did you think of tonight’s game? Did you watch? Who stood out to you? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.

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Yet Another Jays Depressing Loss

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts during an at bat in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Blue Jays 3 Orioles 4

Sometimes you make the right moves and yet they don’t work out.

Bottom of the eighth Mason Fluharty pitching. He gave up a leadoff walk. Then got a pop out and a fly out. With Pete Alonso up, John brought in Tyler Rogers. I liked the call. But….Alonso hit his third pitch a mile (well 400 feet) and that was the ball game. It was Alonso’s second home run of the day. And fifth in his last six games.

We scored three in the first and the batters went on strike after that.

In the first, Brett Bateman and Alejandro Kirk each walked to start the game. Nathan Lukes singled one home. George Springer singled in Kirk. And Sean Keys hit a sac fly for out third (and last) run.

We got two on with no outs in the third but Keys flied out and Kazuma Okamoto ground into a double play. Other than that, there were a bunch of three up three down innings.

Other than the bullpen blowing the game, it was much like the most of the season. We couldn’t score. Just 6 hits in all, all singles. Springer had two of the singles.

Added to the fun was an awkward catch by Bateman in the second inning, where his left knee hit the ground hard. He came out of the game, limping. They say nothing structural, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is done for the season.

Trey Yesavage started (or opened) and gave up Alonso’s first home run, but that was his only hit allowed, and he had three strikeouts.

Brendan Cellucci got the next four out, three of them strikeouts.

Chad Dallas got eight outs, giving up an Gunnar Henderson home run.

José Rodríguez got three outs.

And then Fluharty and Rogers. The Rogers’ pitch? Missed the spot, it was mean to be on (of just off) the inside edge and instead it was pretty much center cut. These things happen. Maybe score more than three runs and this wouldn’t matter. That’s pretty much baseball, there will be that pitch that isn’t where it was supposed to be and, if you are lucky, you will hit it well. I always laugh when baseball people say ‘he only made one mistake’. No, pitchers make mistakes all the time, and most of the time, it still isn’t a home run. But the time that they hit the mistake, it can go a long way.

Jays of the Day: Dallas (0.13 WPA), Springer (0.12) and Rodríguez (0.11)

Other Award: Rogers (-0.62, hardly fair really), Okamoto (-0.13), Keys (-0.11) and Smith (-0.10).

Anyway, it has been a ride. I’ve said that I’ve lived through a lot of Jays seasons when we didn’t have meaningful baseball in September. This year, we made it this far with meaningful baseball, which makes it better than most years.

Tomorrow we have Max Scherzer (3-8, 6.07) vs. Chris Bassitt (8-5, 4.64). A 6:30 Eastern start time (barring rain).

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Dodgers’ plan for Shohei Ohtani is unnecessarily risky

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani looking up after flying out during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Image 2 shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers running on the field in a blue shirt and white pants during a workout, Image 3 shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers watching from the dugout

The Dodgers have lost this gamble once before. But that won’t stop them from placing the same wager again.

Rather than take every precaution to ensure Shohei Ohtani doesn’t worsen the injuries to his right arm and left knee, the Dodgers will prioritize giving him at-bats to get him ready for the playoffs.

Ohtani is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and manager Dave Roberts said the plan is for him to play in every one of the five games that remain in the regular season.

“He’ll need those live at-bats,” Roberts said.

Shohei Ohtani is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Getty Images

This feels reckless — and unnecessarily risky, especially when considering what happened the last time the Dodgers were in this position, just earlier this month. 

Ohtani was experiencing discomfort in his arm and knee. The Dodgers downplayed the severity of his injuries, with general manager Brandon Gomes claiming the physical problems weren’t responsible for his hitting slump and shouldn’t require him to be placed on the IL. 

So much for that.

Roberts described Ohtani as being “pain-free” Sunday, but acknowledged he was still experiencing “discomfort you can play through.” Certain levels of discomfort can be tolerated — until they can’t be, of course. That’s been the story of Ohtani’s season.

When Ohtani started feeling pain in his knee, he insisted he could pitch through it. Until he couldn’t.

When he started to be affected in the batter’s box by the throbbing in his arm and knee, he claimed he could play it. Until he couldn’t.

Roberts said Ohtani’s condition has improved over the last two weeks. But Roberts also didn’t claim Ohtani was completely healthy. 

“Is he 100%?” Roberts said. “Probably not.”

In other words, what bothered Ohtani when he landed on the IL still bothers him, just not as much.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s condition has improved over the last two weeks.  Getty Images

This is a problem.

What happened earlier this month showed that if Ohtani plays too many games with these particular injuries, he will reach a point where he won’t even be able to take the field.

Why not give Ohtani every other game off? Will playing five more regular-season games instead of three make that much of a difference? Because the question isn’t whether Ohtani can make it through the next five games. The question is how much closer these games will push him to the point of no return.

The objective should be to make sure Ohtani is available in some capacity throughout the entire postseason, not only at the start of it. If he has to be gradually work his way into form over the playoffs, so be it.

Ohtani would almost certainly reject such cautious thinking. He doesn’t like half-measures. Ohtani takes big swings without much regard to the consequences.

Before he went on the IL, Ohtani offered a realistic assessment of his health, saying he didn’t expect to be at 100% between now and the end of the season. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

So, if he’s going to use the final week of the regular season to prepare for the playoffs, he’ll probably do so with visions of being an impact player. He doesn’t want a Kirk Gibson moment; he wants to be Mr. October.

Before he went on the IL, Ohtani offered a realistic assessment of his health, saying he didn’t expect to be at 100% between now and the end of the season. But he said he believed he could overcome his physical problems by making adjustments to his swing.

“With some creativity, I think I can make up for what’s not right,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “Another way to say it is that it’s an opportunity to create new ways to compete.”

At the time, that meant learning how to hit with one arm and one leg.

The Dodgers let him, and Ohtani ended up on the IL.

Once again, it sounds as if Ohtani is determined to squeeze in as many at-bats as possible, and once again, it sounds as if the Dodgers will let him try.

This approach has significant upside — and downside, too.

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Pete Alonso powers Baltimore to come-from-behind 4-3 victory

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a home run during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After failing to score in their previous two games, the Orioles hardly looked like a team capable of overcoming an early three-run deficit. That’s why they play the games.

Shane Baz allowed three runs in the top of the first, but Baltimore held Toronto off the scoreboard for the final eight frames. Pete Alonso launched his 39th and 40th home runs of the season, and the O’s completed the comeback with a 4-3 win at Camden Yards.

Toronto kickstarted their early rally by taking advantage of a silly mistake. Baz ran the count full to leadoff hitter Brett Bateman before holding the ball for too long. The home plate umpire called Baz for a pitch timer violation, and Bateman trotted to first base. Alejandro Kirk followed by working the count full and eventually walking the old fashioned way.

Nathan Lukes delivered Toronto’s first hit of the day with a single to left field, and the Jays scored their first run three batters into the game. George Springer followed with another run-scoring single, and Sean Keys plated the third run of the game with a sacrifice fly. Baz allowed another single to Kazuma Okamoto, but the former Ray rebounded by retiring Josh Smith and Andrés Giménez.

The Orioles could have let this one spiral, but Baz settled in after the crooked number in the first. He delivered a clean second and used an inning-ending double play to erase a walk and single in the third. He retired the side in order in the fourth, faced the minimum in the fifth, and went three-up, three down in the sixth.

Baz returned to the mound and recorded a pair of outs in the seventh before giving way to Yennier Cano. He exited the game with 6.2 innings, 5 hits, three walks, and three earned runs allowed. Baz kept the Birds in the game with the quality start, but the team continued to struggle in the run support department.

Pete Alonso certainly did his part. The power-hitting first baseman stole some momentum back with his 39th home run in the bottom of the first. Alonso smoked a ball 101 MPH that cleared the scoreboard in right field. The blast marked Alonso’s MLB-best 17th opposite-field home run and continued to build his RBI lead in the American League.

The Orioles did not record their second hit until Gunnar Henderson lined a ball 105 MPH to deep center field. The ball smacked off the wall, and Henderson raced all the way to third with only one out. Unfortunately, Coby Mayo struck out and Christian Encarnacion-Strand flew out to leave Henderson at third.

Baltimore waited to record its third hit until Henderson returned to the plate with two outs in the sixth. The shortstop delivered another screaming line drive, but this one cleared the fence. The solo shot marked Henderson’s 24th homer and trimmed Toronto’s lead to one.

Encarnacion-Strand led off the seventh with a single to left, but Carlos Narváez failed to bunt him over. Samuel Basallo started the game behind the plate, but Narváez entered after Basallo took multiple foul balls off his body. Narváez popped his bunt up to the pitcher, and Rece Hinds grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Baltimore completed the comeback in the eighth with a free pass and another big fly from their team MVP. Christian Franklin pinch hit for Colton Cowser and worked a leadoff walk. Jeremiah Jackson and Dylan Beavers failed to move the potential tying run into scoring position, but Alonso proved he was in scoring position all along.

The Jays summoned submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers in hopes of avoiding the long ball, but Rogers left a ball belt high to Alonso. The slugger hooked the ball and sent it toward Mr. Splash to give Baltimore a 4-3 lead.

Yennier Cano had already returned to post a zero in the eighth, and Baltimore went with Rico Garcia in a save situation. Garcia struck out Keys and Okamoto before retiring Smith to end the game.

The win pushed Baltimore to 76-81 and dropped Toronto to 77-80. Chicago holds the final wild card spot at 80-76.

Baz rebounded, and Gunnar smoked a couple balls, but go ahead and write Pete Alonso’s name in the comments for the Most Birdland Player of the Game.

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Cubs BCB After Dark: Who’s the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year?

Smokies catcher Owen Ayers (6) celebrates hitting a solo home run during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee., on May 7, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

It’s a new week here at BCB After Dark: the coolest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and join us. We’re so happy to see you. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We still have a couple of tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage.

BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.

Last week I asked you if you thought Pete Crow-Armstrong will win the home run crown. With six games to go, he’s now tied with Kyle Schwarber with 45. When I wrote this last week, PCA “only” had 44.

It was close, but 52 percent of you think that Crow-Armstrong will either win the title outright or tie with Schwarber and share the crown.

Here’s the part with the music and movies. You can skip that if you want. It’s not like I’ll know.

We’re just two days away from the 100th anniversary of saxophonist John Coltrane’s birthday. Of course, Coltrane was a part of the first great Miles Davis Quintet (or Sextet) and played on the seminal jazz album, Kind of Blue in 1959.

Here’s Davis and Coltrane playing “So What” from that album live in New York in 1959. Trane’s solo starts around the 2-minute mark and you’ll notice that other than pianist Wynton Kelly and drummer Jimmy Cobb who provide the beat, the rest of the band just leaves the stage and just lets Coltrane do his thing.

It’s not like I haven’t been watching movies this past weekend. I’ve finally watched director Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye (1973) with Elliot Gould as detective Philip Marlowe, moved from the ‘40s to the ‘70s, but still portrayed as an anachronism. I’ve also been trying to keep up with Turner Classic Movies rundown of every film director Stanley Kubrick ever made.

So what I’m trying to say that I’ve spent too much time watching films and not enough time writing about films. I didn’t have to time to give these films that I’ve seen the attention they deserve.

So I just thought I’d throw it over to you to talk about your favorite films from either Kubrick or Altman. Do you like Spartacus or Dr. Strangelove better? M*A*S*H or The Player? Are you still in awe of 2001: A Space Odyssey? Do you love Nashville? Or compare the two: Eyes Wide Shut or A Prairie Home Companion, to mark their respective final films.

Welcome back to everyone who skips the music and movies.

First, an announcement from the Double-A Southern League.

Just in case you can’t see that, three Smokies were named to the Southern League All-Star team. Catcher Owen Ayers hit .304/.417/.591 with 16 home runs in 65 games in Knoxville before moving up to Triple-A Iowa.

Dawson Netz made 17 starts and seven relief appearances for the Smokies, totaling 85.2 innings. He struck out 103 and walked 35 en route to a record of 7-4 and an ERA of 2.94.

Brooks Caple joined the Smokies in May after five starts in Low-A South Bend. He made 16 starts and one relief appearance. He went 4-4 with a 3.24 ERA in Double-A. Caple pitched 86 innings and struck out 82 while walking just 25.

With the minor league season now over, I’m going to ask you for your pick for the Cubs Minor League Player of the Year. I’m just including position players in this vote and I’ll try to let you vote on the Minor League Pitcher of the Year either tomorrow or Wednesday.

As I see it, there are three candidates for Cubs Minor League Player of the Year. The official award that the Cubs will announce shortly is named after Buck O’Neil, so if you want, this is your vote for the Buck O’Neill Award.

The first is one I’ve already mentioned, 25-year-old catcher Owen Ayers. Ayers started the year in High-A South Bend (having spent the first two years of his professional career entirely in Low-A Myrtle Beach) and blew threw that level in just 11 games. He hit six home runs in those 11 games.

Ayers spent the middle part of the season in Double-A, and I’ve listed his numbers for Knoxville above. That got him promoted to Triple-A Iowa for his final 49 games, where he slowed down a little with the major league balls that didn’t fly quite as far. But he still did well in Iowa, posting a line of .247/.365/.356 with three home runs. Ayers also made big strides with his defense behind the plate, going from someone we hoped could stick behind the plate to someone we know can catch, even if we don’t know ultimately how good he’ll be defensively. We do know he has a strong arm as he threw out 41 out of 146 batters trying to steal over the three levels.

Between the three levels, Ayers’ final line was .289/403/.526 with 25 home runs and 13 steals.

The next candidate went through three levels this season, going from Myrtle Beach to Knoxville. Outfielder/first baseman Josiah Hartshorn was a sixth-round pick out of high school last year and didn’t make his professional debut until this year. At only 19, he was a dominating hitter through the two levels of A ball. Hartshorn only played 11 games in Myrtle Beach before his promotion and only three regular-season games in Double-A.

So Hartshorn spent most of the year in High-A, where he was named to the Midwest League All-Star Team. For South Bend, Hartshorn hit .297/.405/.560 with 18 home runs and 12 steals in 83 games.

Hartshorn’s overall line between the three levels was .284/.407/.518 with 26 doubles, five triples and 23 home runs. He stole 17 bases. He set a South Bend Cubs record with 85 RBI and he had 112 RBI total.

The third candidate only played in two levels, 22-year-old outfielder Kane Kepley. Kepley was an absolute menace in South Bend, hitting .254/.435/.424 with seven home runs and 50 steals over 93 games. He did pretty much the same thing in Double-A. He only hit .212 with the batting average, but he had a .382 OBP and three home runs and 20 steals over just 32 games.

Overall, Kepley hit .243/.422/.401 with with ten home runs and 70 steals. He was only caught stealing six times. Kepley struck out way more than he walked with 120 walks to 89 strikeouts over 595 plate appearances. (You can add his 22 hit-by-pitches to his walk total if you’d like.) He’s also a very good defensive center fielder.

So who is your pick for the Buck O’Neill Cubs Minor League Player of the Year?

Thank you for stopping by. Please get home safely. We want to see you again. Recycle any cans and bottles. Don’t forget any personal items. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.

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Andrew Cristall ejected as tempers flare in Capitals-Flyers preseason game

Washington Capitals rookie Andrew Cristall was kicked out of a Monday, Sept. 21 preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers after forcefully retaliating for a hit on his teammate.

Philadelphia defenseman Hunter McDonald had delivered a hard but clean hit into the boards on Washington forward Ryan Leonard. Cristall skated up and delivered a cross-check to the face of McDonald, sending him to the ice. Cristall tried cross-checking McDonald again before being intercepted by Flyers players as tempers flared.

Cristall went to the penalty box and was tossed after receiving a cross-checking major and a game misconduct, ending his night. McDonald and Leonard stayed in the game.

“His heart’s in the right place," Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said, per The Hockey News. "He’s trying to stick up for one of his brothers. He’s trying to do the right thing. … You just try want to try to do that as clean as you can in those moments.”

Cristall was drafted in 2023 by the Capitals and played last season in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Monday's game was held.

Leonard, entering his second full season in the NHL, recently signed an eight-year extension with a $10.5 million average.

NHL preseason injury updates

Flyers forward Denver Barkey left Monday's game with a lower-body injury. ... Pittsburgh's Ben Kindel (lower body) left the preseason game against Buffalo. ... Columbus defenseman Dante Fabbro suffered an upper-body injury against Detroit. ... Rangers prospect Adam Sykora limped off the ice after being checked against the Devils.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Andrew Cristall ejected as tempers flare in Capitals-Flyers preseason game

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Purple Row After Dark: Checking in on your Nolan Arenado feelings

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 20: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gestures while running the bases after hitting a grand slam against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Chase Field on September 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 8-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This season marks the sixth since the Rockies traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. For the first time since he left Colorado, the Rockies aren’t paying part of his salary this season.

The eight-time All-Star third baseman is having a resurgence with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026, hitting .247/.322/.455 with 27 homers and 82 RBI. Thanks to his grand slam that helped the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees, Arizona has a slim playoff chance as it is four games out of the NL Wild Card race with six games left. The slam was Arenado’s third of the season and the ninth of his career, with the most famous in my mind being the walk-off Father’s Day grand slam for the cycle in 2017.

Now, Arenado and the Diamondbacks are coming to town as the Rockies host their final home series of 2026. At 35, and with one year remaining on his contract, Arenado’s career is winding down. While the Diamondbacks’ odds of making the playoffs aren’t high, they at least exist.

With all the history, the breakup and the time since, how do you feel about Nolan Arenado now?

Are you cheering him on in his career and this series?

Is it still too soon?

Would you rather the Arenado & Co. earn a Wild Card spot over the Phillies, Padres or Cubs?

Let us know in the comments!

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Penguins Announce Roster For Pre-season Game Against Red Wings

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced their roster for Tuesday's preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. 

This will be the second of four preseason games after the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 in their preseason opener on Monday.

Like Monday's game, Tuesday's contest will feature a mix of veterans and younger players. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be in the lineup, as will Liam Ruck and Markus Ruck.

Here's the full lineup: 

Forwards

Rutger McGroarty

Nick Robertson

Tommy Novak

Bill Zonnon 

Liam Ruck

Ville Koivunen

Egor Chinakhov

Rickard Rakell

Mikhail Ilyin

Evgeni Malkin

Markus Ruck

Atley Calvert 

Sidney Crosby

Defensemen

Kaedan Korczak

Ilya Solovyov

Tomas Galvas

Sam Girard

Finn Harding

Phil Kemp

Declan Carlile

Goaltenders

Taylor Gauthier

Arturs Silovs

This could be our first glimpse of Robertson playing on the top line with Crosby and Rakell. Robertson has been with them throughout camp and has looked very comfortable. 

The same applies to Girard and Korczak on the same defensive pair, since they've played together during camp. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s imminent return will push Yankees to make difficult lineup decisions

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the dugout.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) is in the dugout in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s return from a right thumb sprain is near, meaning the Yankees face some interesting decisions. 

The second baseman could be activated from the injured list as soon as Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Rays, and while the corresponding roster move appears simple (Max Schuemann), the potential lineup moves bear watching. 

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After Chisholm got hurt diving into second base Sept. 8, the Yankees called up Anthony Volpe to get some run at the position he had mostly transitioned to at Triple-A, and he made the most of it.

In the 10 games since Volpe was recalled, he has started at second base nine times (José Caballero started the other) and mostly looked sharp, batting .286 with a .753 OPS and four steals. 

Whether Volpe has done enough to warrant at-bats once Chisholm returns remains to be seen. Shortly before he was called back up, the natural shortstop had also started to mix in some third base, starting three games there, though Aaron Boone would only offer, “We’ll see,” when asked whether that could be an option for Volpe with Chisholm back. 

“First things first, getting Jazz back and then we’ll figure it out as the week unfolds how I want to play it,” Boone said. 

The Yankees have not gotten much offensive production from their third basemen this year, especially of late. Since returning from his own thumb sprain Sept. 1, Ryan McMahon has hit just 6-for-40 (.150) with a .402 OPS, with Caballero starting at third over him Sunday against a righty. Amed Rosario has often started at third against lefties, and while he has not hit in line with his career numbers, the Yankees continue to believe he will. 

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) is in the dugout in the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Boone could also platoon Volpe and Chisholm at second base, as the lefty-hitting Chisholm is batting only .221 with a .654 OPS against lefties. But the pending free agent had just been starting to get hot in a disappointing season, hitting .391 with a 1.028 OPS over his last 15 games before getting hurt. 

If and where Volpe fits on the playoff roster is just one of the many decisions they will have to consider over this final week of the regular season. 

“You know it’s going to take a lot of players and a lot of people when you get to spring training and the season unfolds,” Boone said. “We’ll have hopefully some tough decisions to make when we’re setting postseason rosters and things like that. But that’s a better problem to have.” 

Clarke Schmidt was expected to see the team doctor early this week after experiencing biceps cramping while warming up Sunday, which kept him from entering the game. The right-hander had just made his return from Tommy John surgery and is trying to carve out a role in the playoff bullpen. 

Ryan Weathers (left forearm flexor strain) could also have a role in a playoff bullpen, but first the lefty will need to face hitters this week as he tries to show the Yankees he could jump right into postseason action without pitching in a game since he got hurt Aug. 22.