SAN FRANCISCO ― Draymond Green is excited for the 2026-27 season for plenty of reasons.
Green signed a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors; he's back paired with his right-hand Steph Curry and he's the vet who will teach rookie Yaxel Lendeborg the ropes. They immediately developed a friendly banter, having gone to rival schools: Lendeborg to Michigan, and Green to Michigan State. College rivalry aside, Green likes what he sees from their rookie.
"Needless to say, he's going to be -- obviously we know what Steph does, myself, but he's going to be important," Green said about Lendeborg. "I think from what I've seen already, I think my role for him will be to make sure he's always aggressive. You know, he's one of those guys that has the skill set to do certain things, but the way you see the game could affect that negatively. Meaning I can just go get a bucket, but I'm watching this play out, so let me try to make this play. It's, like, no, the right play is actually for you to probably go get the bucket."
Green made a point to himself to stay on top of Lendeborg's development in the league. Mainly, staying aggressive.
"At all times you should be downhill trying to get to the rim. Like, there will be a time in his career where, you know, you may become, like, the playmaker, but I don't know if everybody is going to need him making plays for them his rookie year," Green said. "You need to have the play made for you, and not necessarily made for you because he can make the play himself, but let guys be making the play for you and you're going to score."
Draymond Green on new challenges
With the amount of injuries that the Warriors have suffered, it will be on everyone to step up, including more from Green. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed a change in their offense, going to a more modern style with five-out on the perimeter.
There will be more offensive expectations from Green, especially with injuries to guys like Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody to start the season.
“[Yaxel] is REALLY good, I was very impressed. I actually hate to say it because that means he was really good last year at Michigan.” 😅🤝
Draymond Green says he’s impressed by Yaxel Lendeborg’s game and believes he will be an important piece this season. pic.twitter.com/9tiohDmKcI
"It was like the longest, shortest summer ever — but it was well worth it."
That's how Jalen Brunson described the Knicks offseason, which started when they won the franchise's first title in 53 years, had a parade in Manhattan, and the party seemed to continue all summer long. That party will roll again on Oct. 20 when the Knicks raise that championship banner and Jalen Brunson and his teammates get their championship rings, in an opening-night ceremony you can watch on NBC (or stream on Peacock), before the Knicks face the 76ers.
However, the question all too quickly becomes, "What's next? How do they do it again?"
"I think for us now, the way we approached last year, is taking one day at a time, every single day," Brunson said at Knicks Media Day, one of several comments he made about sticking to the process. "So not talking about certain things. Obviously, we know what it takes, but just going into this with the same mindset for this journey. It's a new journey, it's a different journey, the approach has to be the same, if not better."
"I've made it known that I want to play here. I've been a fan since a kid. I would like to get one done. I'd like to get it done and step on the floor and feel as comfortable as possible."
Would he be more comfortable getting the deal done before the season starts, or is he comfortable with talks going on during the season?
"I think in this situation there's no comfortability to be had."
Hart said he would like to get an extension done "as soon as possible," but he knows this is a business and things drag out.
Here are some other things Brunson said at his media day press conference.
He said he hasn't watched his entire Saturday Night Live episode yet and doesn't have a favorite sketch right now. He said he has only watched the monologue.
On losing Michell Robinson to free agency (Boston), and Andre Drummond stepping into that role: "Definitely tough. It's my guy. I think no matter what, I'm happy for him. Obviously, it's another opportunity. Got paid as well, and so it's definitely difficult. But you love to see someone advance some generational wealth, and so it's cool to see from that aspect. And I'm just getting Andre, and I'm very excited. I think he could be a big key to this team."
What did Brunson learn from winning a title in college that can apply to this season? "Just about not being satisfied. I think it's the biggest takeaway moving forward. You still want to figure out how you can grow as a person, as a player. So I'll use that experience....
"You just have to find a way to turn the page, move on, and I think it starts with the people who surround you. How quickly can they move on to the next thing? So, just understanding your environment and making sure you do what's best for your mental approach."
Was there a point last season when he felt the team clicked together? "You never know when things are going to turn for you, when things are going to click for you, but as long as you keep putting the work in every single day — keep tapping the rock, tapping the rock, eventually it's going to break. So you just never know when, though. It wasn't necessarily a turning point. It's just you can continue to do the things you're supposed to do every single day, and at some point, it all falls in your favor."
On how much the continuity of the roster helps him and this team: "The first couple weeks or whatever of the season is going to show us who we are and where we are. So, no matter what we're doing, whether we're playing great, playing bad, how are we going to be able to learn? We'll find a way. We'll hold each other accountable, just like we did last year, and then we'll be better....
"I think we have the confidence knowing that we did do it. That's going to help us, but that can also hurt us. So it's all about how we go into training camp and how we go into these first few weeks to see where we are as a team, and then we'll be able to adjust or continue to grow."
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Houston Rockets in the first quarter at Chase Center on April 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s no doubting that the Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 NBA season with a whole lot of talent. Instead, the question with the Dubs has always been whether they can stay healthy, with Steph Curry and Draymond Green’s mounting list of ailments, Jimmy Butler III’s ACL, and Moses Moody’s patellar tendon.
The biggest injury question mark, however? That of Kristaps Porziņģis. After trading Jonathan Kuminga for him at February’s deadline, the Warriors somewhat surprisingly gave Porziņģis a two-year, $40 million extension to kick off the offseason.
When the Dubs inked the All-Star to that extension, the reasoning was simple: he fit in brilliantly both on offense and defense in his short stint last season, and can transform the team on both ends of the court. The concern was equally simple: for a variety of reasons, the 7’2 Porziņģis has been unable to stay on the court throughout his career. Just look at his games played totals for the last nine seasons:
48 0 57 43 51 65 57 42 32
And unfortunately, that trend is already continuing to start this season. When the Warriors arrived in Hawaii to start training camp on Monday, the 31-year old Porziņģis was not there with them. He is officially listed as out indefinitely due to a health issue, though the team has not provided more details than that.
According to GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., Porziņģis was fully cleared last week, but informed the team on Sunday of a health issue, and won’t join the team in Hawaii. The Dubs are in Hawaii for the first week of camp, which includes a preseason game on Sunday against the LA Clippers in Honolulu. They return to the Bay Area after that, as they host the Los Angeles Lakers next Tuesday in a preseason contest.
While the Warriors are being vague about what Porziņģis is dealing with, Dunleavy did try to temper concerns, tell reporters that the center is out for the week, but has not been ruled out for the start of the season in late October.
Dunleavy on Porzingis: "I'm not marking him down as being out to start the season or anything like that. He's just not available this week."https://t.co/ec5irIUgXC
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton attend a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With three starters from last year’s team now gone — LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura — the Los Angeles Lakers have dramatically overhauled their roster, led by a lively series of transactions during free agency.
Among those brought in to help Los Angeles compete near the top of the Western Conference was Quentin Grimes, who has a chance to earn a starting spot alongside Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. During Monday’s media day, Grimes told reporters that a Lakers team full of new faces is getting along well and gelling rather quickly.
Quentin Grimes says that the team has gotten along well quickly, and has gelled on the court at a rapid pace.
Grimes says that the Lakers will "shock" a lot of people in the NBA season ahead.
Quentin Grimes wants to win a starting spot as he joins the Lakers. He says they’re talented enough to “shock a lot of people this year, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/wHQcyPF9UH
With his point-of-attack defense, outside shooting, finishing and connective passing, Grimes profiles as an ideal fit next to Dončić. He briefly played with Dončić on the Dallas Mavericks and spent 2.5 seasons alongside Jalen Brunson in New York, so he’s experienced in the sort of role he’ll likely enjoy alongside Dončić and Austin Reaves moving forward.
The keys for Grimes will be to streamline his offensive decision-making and ratchet up the defense to his pre-Philadelphia ways. Sometimes, he’s a bit erratic and rushed attacking closeouts while he never really resembled the menacing on-ball defender folks were previously accustomed to during his tenure as a Sixer.
If he refines those areas, he’ll be a wonderful complementary starter for the Lakers and play a major role in whether they can actually surprise for the better this season.
MARYLAND
HEIGHTS, Mo. -- This
wasn’t how the St. Louis Blues envisioned starting the season off,
but circumstances force one to alter the hand and the team feels like
it’s in a good spot.
With
general manager Alexander Steen announcing on Monday morning that
defensemen Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker will each start off the
season on injured reserve – Mailloux will be re-evaluated in eight
weeks after having a procedure Sunday on his right hand and Tucker
being out week-to-week with a right knee injury that will require a
second opinion – the Blues have options that they feel will
hopefully make for a seamless transition after recalling Adam
Jiricek, a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and claiming
Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators.
“Very
good. He’s had a great camp,” Steen said of Mailloux. “That’s
the game. These things pop up when things are going good, and it’s
not the right timing, but this is part of the game. Logan is in a
good head space.
“Everything
went well (with the surgery). Now his main goal is to rehab and to
get himself as prepared as he was for camp for when he’s able to
return and at that time grab an oar and start rowing with the boys
again.”
Mailloux
was penciled in to begin the season paired with Philip Broberg on the
top pair, as they were to end last season when that duo really
started to take off.
“I
think he looked great,” Broberg said. “He was moving his feet,
passing the puck well, shooting it. He was looking very good, so it’s
unfortunate. He’s got to work his way back and get back as quick as
he can.”
Nonetheless,
the Blues feel they will have a hole to fill.
“That’s
a pretty significant loss just because he was playing so
aggressively, trusting his instincts, taking away time and space,
impacting the game at both ends of the ice,” Blues
coach Jim Montgomery said of Mailloux, who finished last season with
13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 67 games.
Mailloux
jumped in to confront Smith after the Blackhawks forward clipped
Broberg near his knee that resulted initially into a tripping minor
before the two scrapped.
“Yeah,
I think we've shown a lot of that, not just throughout the preseason
but discussions going into the year,” Steen said. “The guys feel
like they're growing in those areas and that was obviously a big play
by Logan.”
Broberg
appreciated his teammate jumping to his defense.
“I
jumped out of the way, I saw (Smith)
coming,” Broberg
said.
“He just got a piece of me. It’s hockey. It happens. I appreciate
(Mailloux) sticking up for me. Unfortunately, the fight went as it
went and just go from there.”
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SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Warriors will only go as far as their franchise leader Stephen Curry will take them.
That is partially why it was important for him to ink a deal to return to the Warriors for the next year or two. Now that the dust has settled and the ink is dry, an area of focus for Curry will be his availability.
Curry missed 39 games for the Warriors last year with knee issues. Entering his 18th season, he's not getting any younger. He spent the offseason nursing his knee through many rounds of golf during the summer, now he's ready for basketball.
"Knee is feeling great, ready to go. No issues at all. There is a management element of it for sure where you just have to be mindful of everything that you're doing in practice, games, preparation," Curry said. "We haven't talked about the game schedule yet or anything like that where I'm kind of getting too far ahead of myself, but for training camp and the preseason schedule and getting myself into shape and ready to go, there's no limitations at all."
Curry is more confident going into the year, he said, after becoming stronger and understanding that he doesn't have 18-year-old knees anymore, let alone 28-year-old ligaments.
"So I'm excited to get out there and hoop. I feel like I've built a really good foundation over the summer to be in a much better position up until, what, November last year, it wasn't really any kind of signs or symptoms, but I feel a lot stronger and more understanding of what I'm dealing with," he said. "That gives me a lot of confidence going into the year."
“That’s how bad it is? To (not) make the playoffs?”
* Walks off *
“DAMN!”
Steph Curry’s reaction after he was asked about people not expecting the Warriors to make the playoffs 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/PBJ5jitSXE
In this episode of the Sens Nation Podcast, The Hockey News Ottawa site editor Steve Warne and co-hostGregg Kennedy discuss the big wave of cuts the Senators made Sunday. We also get into why the Sens appear to be keeping some extra bodies around because of injury concerns, particularly the ones involving Artem Zub, Jake Sanderson and Andre Burakovsky.
We talk abut the loss of goaltender Leevi Meriläinen, who was claimed off waivers by the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, and the Sens' decision to acquire Jonas Johansson from the Tampa Bay Lightning to fill the vacancy.
That leaves the Senators with an interesting possibility in goal: could all four of the Sens' goaltenders on the Ottawa/Belleville depth chart this season be Swedish?
We also review the Senators' preseason, discuss the NHL's sudden enforcement of the jersey-tucking rule, and look at the San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins naming new captains.
And with opening night just days away, the big question is: How long until the Senators name their captain?
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 28: Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla answers questions during a press conference during Boston Celtics Media Day at Auerbach Center on September 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla understands what’s ahead for Boston.
In fact, he’s anticipating it more than anything else. Mazzulla made that clear when he took the podium Monday during the team’s media day at the Auerbach Center.
“The most thing I’m excited about is the unknown,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I always get excited about that because there’s risk to the unknown, but there’s also opportunity to the unknown.”
For the second consecutive postseason, the Celtics have failed to make it beyond the second round. It hasn’t been since the team was led by Isaiah Thomas (in 2015-16) that Boston has gone back-to-back years without securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Last time the Celtics took the floor, they fumbled a 3-1 series lead over the 76ers for the first time in franchise history — in front of their home crowd in a disappointing Game 7.
For Mazzulla, entering his fifth season at the helm, that does two things: it mounts pressure and keeps him fueled in the most Mazzulla way imaginable.
“I know the stories I tell myself to keep myself internally motivated,” Mazzulla shared, “which are healthy and unhealthy at the same time.”
Mazzulla has seen it all since replacing Ime Udoka four years ago, shortly before the team’s training camp in 2022. From coaching the team through a 3-1 series deficit to fight for a Game 7 to going 16-3 en route to raising Banner 18, Mazzulla has undergone more than he’d be willing to admit.
Last season, without Jayson Tatum for most of the regular season, and with a talent-depleted roster, Mazzulla coached the C’s to 56 wins. He was even named the NBA’s Coach of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient at 37 years old in over 50 years (since Phil Johnson in 1974–75).
By maximizing last offseason’s group, most notably Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, then-rookie Hugo González and Jordan Walsh, Mazzulla changed the discourse surrounding the Celtics. Rather than linking the team to a justified tanking-for-draft-capital case throughout the regular season, the Celtics were being talked about as legitimate championship contenders to make it out of the East.
When it all came to a crashing end in Game 7 of the first round, Mazzulla took time and reflected.
“The first couple of weeks of a end of a season, even when you win, is kind of a debrief of the type of person and coach you became,” Mazzulla explained, “based on everything you went through. And then you take the rest of that summer of like, ‘OK, with all that information, who do I wanna become? And what do I wanna get better at?”
That’s been a constant obsession for Mazzulla.
Even with a championship ring and a COTY trophy to his name, Mazzulla hasn’t abandoned his student-of-the-game approach. He’s willing to accept the discomfort of blowing a 3-1 lead to Philadelphia and extract something of value to apply moving forward. To him, there’s value in both the highs and lows of an NBA season.
Everything the Celtics, including Mazzulla, went through last season shaped them through experience and perspective.
“I’m different,” Mazzulla continued. “I’m a product of the experiences that you go through. So you wanna get better at those, and the great thing about the NBA season is it’s gonna put you in more situations that you’re gonna become a product of. And you work to use those to your advantage to grow as a coach, as a person and as a team.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 28: Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla answers questions during a press conference during Boston Celtics Media Day at Auerbach Center on September 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just as the Celtics faced what looked to be a colossal challenge in starting the season without Tatum nearly a year ago, the team took their circumstances in stride. Mazzulla treated the season as any other, regardless of what Boston had to work with, and made the absolute most despite suffering a historic tumble to close it out.
This time, it’ll be Round 2 as Mazzulla undergoes his next test.
Boston moved on from Jaylen Brown this offseason and replaced him with Paul George, who’s only a year younger than Mazzulla. The demand for support guys like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Queta and González remains high, as is the standard to make a deep playoff run this go-around.
That hasn’t gone anywhere.
“I don’t know that it’s necessarily the phrase ‘without Jaylen,’” Mazzulla said. “It’s really every year that it gets answered. Every year you’re getting new players, old players, the same players you have coming back to expand their games, and they look differently. So it’s not as much of what does it look like without one person or the other as much as what’s our roster? How can we take advantage of the strength and the talent that we have? How can we take advantage of the offseason and the work that the guys have put in? And turn that into an offense and a defensive philosophy.”
Subtracting Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and over 70 percent of Tatum’s ninth season put Mazzulla’s clipboard to the ultimate test. He’s been there, faced it, and found ways to work around it.
This upcoming season will be no different in that regard.
There’s an emotional rupture still within the fanbase mourning Brown’s departure. There’s the thrust of Tatum back to the forefront as Boston’s alpha, coming off his career-threatening Achilles tear in 2025. There’s the need for guys to deliver, maneuver and buy into what Mazzulla and the coaching staff deem the formula.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks during San Antonio Spurs Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s finally that time! After a shorter offseason than any other this decade but still a long 3 1/2 month wait, it’s finally Media Day for the 2026-27 Spurs. There was definitely a different vibe than recent years with the team fresh off a trip to the Finals but with a chip on their shoulder from the loss and still plenty of room to learn and grow. Here are the biggest takeaways.
Staff additions and promotions
Before things got started, the Spurs did a press release with all staff hires and promotions, including Billy Donovan as new assistant coach as well as his son, Billy Donovan III (who was an Austin Spurs assistant back in 2017) in player development.
Spurs welcome Billy Donovan as new assistant coach and announce several new promotions and additions to the Basketball Ops crew. pic.twitter.com/uAJDRKyTTV
With this being the first time most of these Spurs enter a new season fresh off a playoff appearance, let a lone a Finals ones, a new factor to deal with this season are greater expectations and having a target on their back. Here is what head coach Mitch Johnson, who in just two years of coaching has been on both ends of the expectation spectrum, had to say about meeting the moment:
“I understand that’s what comes with the field we’re in and the positions that we hold in our jobs, but it really doesn’t mean anything. There’s things we want to improve upon and things we felt like we did a good job of that we want to continue to grow in. The expectations are kind of like big games, right? There’s added enthusiasm, excitement, criticism, opinions. And I guess I’d say I’ve been on both sides of it now in this league one way or another, and I’ll take the (high) expectations.”
Speaking of higher expectations, Victor Wembanyama not only enters the season as the potential favorite for MVP, but he also managed to establish himself as a villain during the playoffs with his play, antics and emotions. As far has he’s concerned, that’s a sign of respect.
Victor Wembanyama shared his perspective on being vilified at times during the playoff run: “It feels like going through something of great magnitude and feels like destiny of anybody — We're fighting for the top spot of the mountain. We're going to have to move people in our… pic.twitter.com/deumzMvtWC
Everyone remembers what happened in the Finals and are using it has motivation. Wemby acknowledged that the losses kept him up at times but he learned to accept that it is part of the growing curve.
Wemby on sitting with the emotions of the Finals loss: “It’s been hard to fall asleep sometimes. Hard emotions. But there is a point where you accept that you have to go through it. You have to feel all of it. We don’t want to hide from anything.” pic.twitter.com/Yhh1CJOtCn
De’Aaron Fox also addressed falling short of expectation in the Finals while playing on a bad ankle, while also having to get past that mental hurdle and move on.
"Injuries happen. I was able to play through it, so I played. I wish I played better, but I didn't. I have a gift of being able to move on. I move on, and I reflect. But it's a new season. It's a new day." pic.twitter.com/kAfmfi4X9I
At the same time, folks should watch out, because another factor in the loss was Wemby’s lack of stamina in the Finals, which he has addressed, to the point where he has surprised even himself.
"My [conditioning] baseline has increased. I'm in better shape than I could've expected, just from experience and growing. It doesn't mean I pushed myself less this summer." pic.twitter.com/bkyDsfOUxv
As the main offseason addition, Harris said all the things we’re used to hearing from player who join the Spurs, whom after 15 years in the league, he has admired from afar.
"Excited to be here. Since I came into the league, this organization has truly epitomized excellence. When the opportunity was presented, I was really excited. [To] strive for something I haven't achieved yet. I'm blessed to be a part of it." pic.twitter.com/EffaR946p0
Finally, he said he’s willing to except any role, with his only goal being to win. That will be a good thing, because there is a lot of talent on this team and more than five players capable of being starters anywhere else in the NBA.
Questions have and will continue to persist about the Spurs’ dynamic guard trio of Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Johnson addressed it head on, saying they plan on playing all three together more this season but couldn’t say how much.
Mitch Johnson's full answer on the three-guard rotation of Fox, Castle, and Harper. pic.twitter.com/OEvgTAErl9
All three guards also said all the right things when asked about it, saying they expect/hope to play more together, but there won’t be any tension over who’s starting or coming off the bench.
"I think we had some success when us three were on the court. It didn't happen a lot, but I definitely expect to see it more, and for us to continue to grow both offensively and defensively." https://t.co/baU5TV783kpic.twitter.com/U3ev3W8gQv
"Everyone has a competitive edge to them. The biggest thing for me is whatever I can do to help the team win, whatever position all the coaches think is best for me to be in — that's the position I have to go in. Whatever happens this year, I'm always going to stay positive." pic.twitter.com/PzRBDoGz7i
Castle appeared to be the butt of jokes today. First, Devin Vassell and Carter Bryant crashed his press conference, with Vassell asking if Castle or Carter had more bounce. Castle scoffed and said himself, but honestly, considering they’re the two reigning Dunk Context runners-up, it’s hard to say. Maybe we need a dunk off?
Devin Vassell and Carter Bryant crash Stephon Castle’s Media Day interview 🤣
Vassell: “Who got more bounce, you or Carter and why is it Carter?”
Castle: “You know the answer to that bro. You know Carter doesn’t have more bounce than me.”
Carter also harassed Castle about his “killer” little dog. (Don’t laugh! I had a miniature dachshund I had to hold or put in another room when strangers came to the house; she once grabbed a worker’s jeans and he freaked out!)
Spurs’ Carter Bryant asks Stephon Castle when he’s going to unleash his dog, Steph Says his dog is a killer and he’s gonna unleash him when he’s ready:@spurfectblog#PorVidapic.twitter.com/qxRuMP7pEi
These are just the main points, but there was plenty more, including from Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, so be sure to watch the whole thing when you have the chance.
Training camp starts tomorrow and preseason next week. Are you ready, Pounders?
Here we are, awaiting the start of another postseason run. The Yankees’ season could be over in the next two to three days, or it could take us on a journey through October with the chance to finally deliver that elusive 28th title. Their run will begin as it did last year in the Wild Card Series against Boston, this time leading off with Cam Schlittler instead of bringing him out in Game 3 with Max Fried and Gerrit Cole waiting in the wings for Games 2 and 3 (if necessary). They’ll have to make it at least past this opening series without Aaron Judge, who after straining his calf has been shut down from baseball activities for the past few weeks, but the Yankee offense carries a decent amount of firepower heading into this matchup compared to where they were at during the summer.
Due to the potential of elimination, it’s hard to look much further ahead than the immediate when it comes to the mailbag going forward. There’s the possibility that by the time we reconvene to answer this week’s questions the Yankees have been sentenced to an early offseason, but there’s also the possibility that their run continues and some key stars were the reason why. To that point, the questions with the most relevance are going to depend on what happens in the coming days: will the Yankee rotation live up to their regular season pedigree, did the Red Sox expose any weaknesses that could come to haunt them against the Rays, what was the biggest takeaway from this season the Yankees can use to plan for 2027? All are viable questions depending on the results, but there’s nothing to do but wait and see which path these Yankees take us on.
Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of October 1st will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Mets led 3-1 after three innings. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Two Mets are on the ballot for the 2026 ‘All-MLB’ team, Juan Soto and Nolan McLean. Voting opens today and runs through Friday, October 9. The team will be announced at the MLB Awards on November 11 in Las Vegas. For those unaware of how the All-MLB team gets selected, this is the description from the press release:
Fans and panelists will vote for their choices at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, three outfielders (without regard for left/center/right) and designated hitter, along with five starting pitchers and two relief pitchers on both the first and second teams. All choices will be based on the 2026 regular season, without regard for American League or National League affiliation.
McLean, a Rookie of the Year contender, put up 3.0 bWAR in his first full season alongside a 3.16 ERA, 128 ERA+, 194 strikeouts in 179 and two-thirds innings, while making 31 starts. Soto, who missed 51 games due to injury, also put up 3.0 bWAR while hitting .275/.393/.515 with 27 home runs and a 154 OPS+.
Other outfield selections include Pete Crow-Armstrong, Mike Trout, James Wood, and Byron Buxton. Other starting pitcher nominees include Sandy Alcantara, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, and Tarik Skubal.
The full list of nominees can be found here, and you can vote here.
With just one day left before the Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series, the rivals' third-ever meeting in the round and seventh-ever in the playoffs, New York's roster remains full of injury-induced holes.
Manager Aaron Boone gave an update on several players at a news conference Monday, speaking about Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and more.
Judge to take live batting practice
Although Judge has made it clear that his personal goal is to be back on the field for the playoffs, Boone was still hesitant to commit to any decisions Monday. He did, however, say that the Yankee captain has been taking part in various parts of practice over the last few days.
"He did some hitting underneath and threw yesterday, underneath," Boone said. "...I believe he'll be part of the live [batting practice] today, so he's making progress. We'll continue to see where he's at."
The Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day IL on Sept. 17 due to a calf strain, ending his regular season. The two-time reigning MVP received a PPP injection for the injury last Monday, forcing him to limit activity altogether for a few days, but has since returned to the weight and training rooms.
When asked whether or not Boone saw Judge returning to right field as opposed to playing solely as a pinch hitter or designated hitter, Boone gave a similarly inconclusive response.
"I don't know," he said. "We'll continue to evaluate, and I'll listen to trainers and medical and see where we're at."
Speaking with reporters after Boone's comments, Judge noted he hasn't tried running the bases yet. In fact, he only mentioned running on the zero gravity machine. Still, he's trying to work his way onto the Game 1 roster.
"I've been doing a lot of convincing, I feel like, so I'm going to keep doing that," he said. "We're all going to be smart, but I think they all know I want to be out there, especially in the first game."
Stanton's status still unclear
Boone's answer for Stanton was the same: No final decision has been made.
"I've talked to him a bit," Boone said. "I don't know if there's one definitive [thing] like, 'Oh! There he is, he's on.' It's more just letting the day unfold, seeing where we're at, and then making a final call one way or another."
Stanton has missed nearly the whole season due to three calf injuries sustained at various points throughout the spring and summer. Last Thursday, Boone seemed hopeful about the five-time All Star's potential return to the lineup, noting that Stanton had returned to the cage and was "trending in the right direction."
Weathers, Grisham making progress
Both Trent Grisham and Ryan Weathers missed roughly the last month of the regular season, and while Boone danced around a concrete answer regarding their postseason participation as well, he mentioned they'd both likely take part in training today.
"Grish very much in play," Boone said. "[Today's] a very important day. He'll be a part of the live as well."
He added that Weathers might warm his throwing arm up today.
Grisham was placed on the 10-day IL on Sept. 6 after tweaking his hamstring, which was declared a Grade 2 strain, less than three months after injuring the same hamstring in mid-June. His first stint on the IL lasted nearly three weeks. Weathers last pitched Aug. 22, missing the last month of the season due to a left forearm flexor strain.
Mailloux will miss at least eight weeks after undergoing hand surgery, while Tucker is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Not only have the Blues lost their seventh defenseman in Tucker, but they've also lost a player expected to play critical minutes in Mailloux.
This has made Barron a more important piece of the Blues roster than originally expected.
In addition to claiming Barron, the Blues recalled top prospect and 2024 first-round pick Adam Jiricek from the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds.
While the organization has high hopes for Jiricek and was pleased with his pre-season performances, Barron joins the organization with 208 NHL games, a 6-foot-2 frame, and decent results.
In each of the past two seasons with the Predators, Barron posted Corsi For and expected goals percentages above 50 percent at 5-on-5. The Predators had been outscored with Barron on the ice, but much of that can be attributed to poor goaltending. The Predators posted save percentages of .864 and .904 with Barron on the ice in each of the last two seasons, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
There are reasons to believe an improved enviroment can help Barron's game, and GM Alexander Steen is in agreement with that notion.
"Our scouts have liked his game when we watched him play," said the rookie GM. "This is a fresh start for him... We brought Adam (Jiricek) up, and we felt organizationally we had depth on our left side. This helps create more depth on our right side."
For Barron, he understands what this could mean for his career and is ready to show it.
"I'm here to show these guys what I can do, and hopefully bring an aspect of my game that can help this team win games."
For now, the 24-year-old will have to wait for his moment, as today's practice lines suggest Jiricek will get the first go in the lineup, skating alongside Cam Fowler on a power-play unit.
With a long 84-game season, injuries are inevitable, and one of the youngsters, Jiricek or Lindstein, could stumble out of the gate, opening a spot for Barron in the lineup.
In the meantime, Barron has to keep a next-man-up, stay-ready mindset.
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So sitting in the Citi Field press conference room just two weeks later, the Mets’ president of baseball operations was asked if he had any regrets over the way things went down.
Alonso, of course, left the Mets this offseason for a big money five-year deal with the Orioles after not receiving an offer from the only organization he’d ever known.
In turn, Stearns attempted to replace his production by bringing in veteran Jorge Polanco, who ended up appearing in just 37 games after battling wrist and ankle injuries.
So after seeing Mets fans give their fan favorite ovation after ovation in his heroic Citi Field return, Stearns said it’s a fair question looking back on things.
“The truth is in this job I don’t get mulligans,” he emphasized. “I also recognize Pete had a tremendous year, and the totality of our production at first base wasn’t good enough, so my job now is to ensure that we’ve got better success across our roster, but for the entirety of the season better production at first base, as well.”
Alonso showed no ill-effects transitioning during his first year in the American League, as he became the first player in baseball history to lead both leagues in RBI in separate seasons (113).
He also launched a league-high 43 homers and posted career-best marks in OBP (.363) and OPS (.884), among several other offensive statistics, while missing just one game (Sunday’s rainout in the Bronx).
The Mets, on the other hand, struggled to receive much of anything from the position before Jared Young stepped up with his breakout second-half of the season.
Even with Young's production, it wasn't nearly good enough.
“I give Pete an enormous amount of credit, he went out and had a great year,” Stearns said. “Our entire season our first base production wasn’t neatly good enough, now it’s my job to put a group together that plays better.”
A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward is officially hanging up the skates.
Former Penguins forward Matt Nieto announced through his Instagram account that he has retired from professional hockey.
Nieto noted that injury trouble is the reason why he has decided to retire from hockey.
Nieto spent each of his last two NHL seasons with the Penguins in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He was limited to only 54 games over that span for the Metropolitan Division club, where he recorded two goals, seven points, 53 hits, and a minus-3 rating.
Nieto also played in 15 AHL games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2024-25 season, posting three goals, four assists, seven points, and a plus-2 rating.
In 705 career NHL games over 12 seasons split between the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, and Penguins, Nieto recorded 87 goals, 119 assists, and 206 points. He also posted eight goals and 21 points in 62 career NHL playoff games.
Overall, Nieto had a solid career as a depth forward in the NHL.
