Shohei Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski are injured, exit early in Dodgers' win over Pirates

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. (Justin Berl / Getty Images)

The Dodgers couldn’t have asked for better timing, as Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff spot came back around.

In a game the Dodgers would go on to win 8-6 over the Pirates, they were clinging to a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning against the Pirates on Thursday. With one out and runners on first and second, the Dodgers superstar, who had already reached base four times, was due up.

Instead, Santiago Espinal stepped up to the plate as a pinch-hitter.

Ohtani left the game with inflammation in his left knee, the Dodgers announced.

“Just wanted to be smart and not push it,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So I feel good about him being in there [Friday]. But obviously with the travel [to Chicago Thursday night], we’ll just kind of see how he comes in.”

Roberts described the injury as “discomfort” at the back of Ohtani’s knee, around where the hamstring attaches. Though Ohtani underwent surgery on the same knee in 2019, that was to address bipartite patella, on the other side of the knee.

It was not clear exactly how Ohtani hurt his knee Thursday. Ohtani was not available after the game to provide his account.

Roberts speculated that it likely happened when Ohtani took off to steal second in the fourth inning, before a foul ball sent him back.

“Didn’t hear about it last night,” Roberts said. “Didn’t hear about it today until about the sixth.”

Before leaving, Ohtani hit a solo home run — his second homer in as many games — a single and drew two walks.

It was an impressive performance, coming a day after he took on two-way duties. On the mound Wednesday, he allowed three earned runs in 6⅔ innings.

He’s been on an offensive tear. He entered Thursday with a .400 batting average and 1.207 OPS in his last 25 games — dating back to May 12, the day before manager Dave Roberts gave him two consecutive days off from hitting.

“[Friday], he’ll get there, do his routine, play catch, push off, land on it, see how it reacts,” Roberts said. “And then obviously take swings and see how it reacts too.”

Ohtani was one of two members of the Dodgers starting rotation who left the game injured.

Earlier in the game Thursday, Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exited with a bruised right hamstring. But Roberts and Wroblkeski both said they don’t expect it to impact his next start.

The fifth inning had already begun to spiral on him. After throwing four scoreless innings, he surrendered two solo home runs to Rafael Flores Jr. (the first of his major-league career) and Brandon Lowe.

Read more:How the Dodgers plan to shuffle catchers with Will Smith on the injured list

Then Bryan Reynolds hit a line-drive comebacker off the inside of Wrobleski’s right leg. The ball ricocheted to the edge of the infield grass, where first baseman Freddie Freeman picked it up.

Wrobleski was already racing toward first base. But after turning to catch the throw, he missed the base and stumbled backward into Reynolds, who tripped over Wrobleski’s extended left foot.

“Thankfully he kind of got out of the way enough that we barely touched each other,” Wrobleski said. “He’s okay. I’m okay. So all’s good there.”

Wrobleski limped away, finally able to react to the pain where the ball hit him. An athletic trainer followed him, circling back to the mound. But as he was setting up to throw a warm-up pitch, Roberts came out to make a pitching change.

Wrobleski was charged with four runs in 4 ⅔ innings. He gave up six hits and a pair of walks.

“Just one of those outings where I didn’t feel I threw it that great,” Wrobleski said. “It happens. That’s part of the game. That’s what keeps you coming back. I didn’t feel I had the command I usually have, especially early in counts and I think it cost me.”

The Dodgers bullpen bent but did not break, with the help of late-inning insurance runs from the offense. Right-hander Tanner Scott recorded the final four outs, striking out the side in the ninth.

With the win, the Dodgers secured a series victory at PNC Park for the first time since 2021.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal's high-scoring Stanley Cup Final by the numbers

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal scored again Thursday night in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, extending his goals streak that has put the 37-year-old center among some of the best players in NHL history.

“It’s a good time to get hot," Staal said. "I want to contribute any way I can. The puck’s been going in for me lately, and it’s good timing and (I try) to still contribute in all the other aspects that I can do.”

A look at Staal's series:

6,202

Days between goals in the final from 2009 with Pittsburgh until Staal scored in Game 1, breaking brother Eric's record of 6,198 from ‘06 to ’23.

6

Goals by Staal in the series, one shy of tying the modern-day record for the most by a player in the final.

3

Captains to score six or more goals in a final before Staal: Wayne Gretzky for Edmonton in 1985, Frank Foyston for Seattle in 1920 and Newsy Lalonde for Montreal in 1919.

2

Players in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise history to score a goal in the final at age 37 or older before Staal: 39-year-old Ron Francis in 2002 and 38-year-old Mark Recchi in '06.

1

Player older than Staal to score in each of the first two games of the final: Larry Robinson with Montreal in 1989.

0

Players older than Staal to score in each of the first three games of the final. Brad Marchand last year with Florida was the only one to do so after turning 37.

1992

Was the last time a player scored five-plus goals in the first four games of a final before Staal: Mario Lemieux when Pittsburgh went back to back.

1982

Was the last time a player scored in each of the first four games of the final before Staal: Mike Bossy when the New York Islanders won the third of four championships in a row. Only two others did before that: Minnesota's Steve Payne in 1981 and Boston's Johnny Buczyk in 1970.

1973

Was the last time a player scored in five consecutive games in the final before Staal: Yvan Cournoyer in 1973 with Montreal.

1956

Was the last time a player scored in the first five games of the final before Staal: Jean Beliveau in 1956 with Montreal. Canadiens teammate Maurice Richard in 1951 and Cyclone Taylor of the Vancouver Millionaires in 1918 are the only other players to score in Games 1-5.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Yankees head back to Toronto looking to erase last year’s nightmare

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A Toronto Blue Jays player in a blue uniform with a red sleeve and white pants raises his arms in celebration to the cheering crowd, Image 2 shows Two New York Yankees players and an umpire walk across the field during ALDS Game 2 at Rogers Centre

TORONTO — Welcome back to the Yankees’ house of horrors.

For the first time since Game 2 of the ALDS last October, the Yankees will return to Rogers Centre on Friday night, hoping to exorcise the demons that followed them across nine games there last year and ultimately sunk their season.

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The Yankees have already seen the Blue Jays this year, splitting a four-game series with them last month in The Bronx, and lead them by nine games in the division (while remaining in a virtual tie with the Rays for first place).

And while there is nothing the Yankees can do this weekend that would completely erase the stench of what happened to them last year in Canada, they at least have a chance to not give the Blue Jays any life, like they did a season ago.

“Playing in Toronto obviously can be a different animal,” Carlos Rodón said after the Yankees finished off a sweep of the Guardians on Wednesday. “It’s a fun place to play, but they play well there. We’re excited to go in and give it our best go.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out of the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2025 ALDS. Jason Szenes / New York Post

When the Yankees arrived north of the border for the first time last season, on June 30, they led the AL East by 1 1/2 games. By the time they got through customs on their way back to New York, after getting swept in four games, they had lost the division lead and never got it back the rest of the season, with the series proving to be a turning point in the Blue Jays’ season instead.

In seven regular-season games at Rogers Centre last season — two series within just over three weeks during their worst stretch of the season — the Yankees went 1-6. They were outscored 52-33 and committed 11 errors in seven games (compared to 83 in their other 152 games of the regular season).

Then in the ALDS, with the Blue Jays having earned home-field advantage after winning the regular-season series 8-5, they boat-raced the Yankees in Games 1 and 2 at Rogers Centre by a combined score of 23-8, helping make sure there would not be a Game 5 back in Toronto.

“I’m just playing baseball and trying to win and get to the playoffs right now, so I wasn’t really thinking about that,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said Wednesday. “But yeah, after they took us out last year, everybody has a little thing on their mind, just like the Dodgers when we lost in the World Series [in 2024]. We were coming back and that was the main thing: we got to go to the World Series again and beat the Dodgers. Then we lost to the Blue Jays. Now we got to beat the Blue Jays if they’re beating us.”

Both teams are different than the last time they saw each other at Rogers Centre. 

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge and Ben Rice walk off the field after the Blue Jays beat the Yankees 13-7 in Game 2 of the ALDS. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

For one, the Yankees are playing without Aaron Judge, though they have shown during their four-game winning streak that they still have plenty of ways to survive without him. One of those is on the back of their strong rotation, with Ryan Weathers, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren scheduled to start the three games this weekend.

The Yankees’ pitching staff had a 6.95 ERA across the seven regular-season games at Rogers Centre last season, with the contact-heavy Blue Jays hitting .291 with a .872 OPS against them on their home turf. 

The Yankees’ defense was not much help, though, playing a key role in the two calamitous series there, including coinciding with Anthony Volpe’s brutal defensive slump (he had three of their 11 errors).

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have been beat up this season and are still trying to find their footing from a World Series hangover.

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Yankee killers Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger are among those on the injured list — though Kirk could be activated on Friday, and Ernie Clement remains healthy and capable of giving them nightmares — while their big offseason signing, Dylan Cease, just got off of it on Tuesday, meaning he is not lined up to pitch in this series.

“I don’t know where they’re at in the standings right now [third],” Rodón said, “but barring that, they’re still a great club.”

Atlanta Braves at Chicago White Sox game postponed because of rain

MLB: Atlanta Braves at Chicago White Sox

Jun 11, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A tarp covers the infield during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves’ game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night was postponed because of rain and thunderstorms.

It was rescheduled for Aug. 20, which had been a mutual off day for the teams.

The Braves dropped the first two games in the three-game series. The NL East leaders left 10 runners on base during Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to the White Sox.

Atlanta has lost three in a row just once this season, from April 4-6. The Braves and White Sox are the only teams in the majors that haven’t recorded a four-game losing streak this year.

Martín Pérez pitches for Atlanta on Friday night when it begins a three-game set at the New York Mets. Spencer Strider goes on Saturday at Citi Field, and Bryce Elder starts for the Braves on Sunday.

Chicago hosts Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Anthony Kay starts the opener of the weekend series for the White Sox, followed by Sean Burke and Erick Fedde.

The AL Central-leading White Sox are 10-5 in their last 15 games. They are 36-31 overall after they had a 23-44 record after 67 games in 2025.

Before the game was postponed, the White Sox traded veteran outfielder Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies. They also activated outfielder Everson Pereira from the 10-day injured list.

Seager homers as Rangers top Royals 4-2 to reach .500 for the first time since May 1

MLB: Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals

xJun 11, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits a single during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Jay Biggerstaff/Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Corey Seager homered and singled to lead the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

The Rangers took two of three from the Royals and have won nine of 12 games and four straight series to reach .500 — at 34-34 — for the first time since May 1.

Texas jumped ahead 2-0 on Brandon Nimmo’s RBI double in the first inning and Elias Díaz’s squeeze bunt single in the second.

Leading off the third, Seager hit his ninth home run into the right field bullpen off Royals starter Michael Wacha.

Kansas City loaded the bases to open the fourth against Kumar Rocker and scored a pair of runs on a double-play grounder and Kameron Misner’s RBI single, his first hit with the Royals.

Rocker left with two outs in the fifth after allowing two runs and five hits. Jacob Latz (2-1), the last of three Texas relievers, struck out three in two hitless innings.

Evan Carter’s RBI single in the sixth capped the scoring.

Joc Pederson remained out of the Rangers’ lineup after leaving Wednesday’s game with left hip discomfort.

Wacha (4-5) allowed four runs and nine hits in seven innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Kansas City has lost six straight games in which Wacha has started by a combined 10 runs. He has received three or fewer runs of support in each start.

Jac Caglianone had two of Kansas City’s six hits. He has reached base safely in 22 of 36 plate appearances in nine June games.

The Royals grounded into three double plays.

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the game’s start was delayed more than two hours.

Up next

Rangers: RHP Jack Leiter (3-5, 4.69 ERA) opposes Red Sox RHP Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.20) on Friday in Boston.

Royals: RHP Luinder Avila (1-2, 4.02) faces Houston Astros RHP Tatsuya Imai (3-3, 5.24) on Friday at home.

Braves-White Sox finale postponed by rain; makeup August 20

Jun 11, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A tarp covers the infield during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves at Rate Field.

The monsoons sweeping the Chicagoland area forced the cancellation of Thursday’s finale between Chicago and Atlanta. The storms were foreboding enough — with winds rippling the on-field tarp — to quickly dash hopes of a very late game start, which would have been the most convenient option given Atlanta is not scheduled to return to Comiskey Park until 2028.

However, the timing for the makeup game on August 20 is pretty miraculous. The White Sox return home to host a series with the New York Mets on August 21, making the trek from … the North Side … where they finish up the second Crosstown series on August 19. The Braves are in the area as well, having wrapped a series at Minnesota on August 19 and beginning their next in Milwaukee on the 21st.

The game, as such a one-game series, will be treated as a getaway game and thus will see first pitch thrown at 1:10 p.m.

Who knows, perhaps by the time Atlanta returns in two months, the White Sox will be looking down the standings at them, instead of vice-versa.

Braves at White Sox postponed to August 20 due to rain

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 10: A general view of the interior of Rate Field with the tarp covering the infield while it's raining prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welp! The Atlanta Braves will just have to lick their wounds and move on instead of trying to take a chance at potentially salvaging this series in Chicago against the White Sox. Both teams were fortunate enough to play through a window on Wednesday night but they won’t be so lucky here on Thursday night, as the decision has been made to just call it and move the game to August 20.

Considering what the current injury situation for the Braves is looking like and how the bullpen is currently being handled, it might end up being a good thing that this ended up being a weather-induced off-day. With that being said, this is going to make for a very, very interesting road trip later on.

That road trip through the midwest will certainly be a tricky one, as the Braves will have to play three games in Minnesota, drop down in Chicago to finish this series and then get the wheels up immediately afterwards for a quick flight to Milwaukee for two games before traveling out to Williamsport, PA for the Little League Classic that’ll finish off that Brewers series. Fortunately they’ll have the Monday off after that insane week of travel but they’ll have the Dodgers waiting for them once they’re back in action at Truist Park. Phew!

Atlanta will have to cross that bridge when they get to it. For now, the Braves will now get on a plane to New York to take on the Mets for three games. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Apple TV. Let’s see what happens then!

Why Jalen Brunson’s wife Ali believes she helps Knicks star make shots

The Knicks are one game away from winning their first NBA championship in 53 years after their instant classic comeback win against the Spurs on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

While all of the World’s Most Famous Arena was rocking after OG Abunoby’s heroic tip-in during the final seconds, nobody was probably more relieved than star guard Jalen Brunson’s wife, Ali Marks Brunson.

Ali seems to believe she has a hand in her husband making his shots, which she conveyed during a conversation with Josh Hart’s wife, Shannon, as part of an Instagram video posted on Thursday.

The two Knicks teammates and Villanova alums notably have a podcast together, “Roommates Show.”

At one point in their discussion about their NBA Finals experience, Shannon said: “I feel like every time [Hart] misses, I’m looking at him. So I’m looking at him until the ball is released from his hands, and then I see if it goes in.”

Jalen Brunson taking a free throw for the Knicks. NBAE via Getty Images

Ali replied: “I try to match my breath up to [Brunson’s] breath… And then, when he shoots, I go—” before mimicking a shooting motion with her hand.

She then added, “Every time I do it, it goes in. And sometimes, I’m like, ‘Alright, I’m not gonna do it this time.’ And he misses!”

New York was down by a staggering 29 points at one point during the second half of Game 4, but managed to claw their way back to the point where they had a lead late in the fourth quarter.

Jalen and Ali Brunson. Getty Images

The game looked like it would come down to a missed 3-pointer from Brunson before Anunoby produced a miraculous tip-in off Brunson’s miss that led to a 107-106 win and a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Whether or not Ali did the shooting motion on that play didn’t matter as Anunoby came to the rescue.

The Knicks will have a chance to close out the series on Saturday night in San Antonio.

Larry David tells The Post he can’t believe he saw Knicks’ Game 4 miracle — he’s ‘supposed to miss games’ like that

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows OG Anunoby's tip-in gave the Knicks a miracle win in NBA Finals Game 4, Image 2 shows Larry David sat courtside for the Knicks' improbable win, Image 3 shows Larry David during NBA Finals Game 3
Knicks Larry David

Larry David put into words what Jerry Seinfeld’s viral facial expression was saying after OG Anunoby cemented himself in New York sports history and the Knicks pulled off a comeback win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night. 

The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star and “Seinfeld” co-creator sounded like every other Knicks fan as he talked to The Post’s Mike Vaccaro on Thursday, still trying to process what he saw in the second half as the Knicks mounted a historic comeback against the Spurs to go up 3-1 in the series. 

“It was hard for me to believe that I — and I would italicize the ‘I’ if I knew how — that I could witness that,” David said. “I’m supposed to miss games and moments like that. That’s what I was thinking.” 

OG Anunoby’s tip-in gave the Knicks a miracle win in NBA Finals Game 4. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

David went viral for his reaction to Josh Hart’s missed layup late in the final quarter, which would have given the Knicks the lead. On Thursday, John McEnroe appeared on ESPN and revealed that David had suggested leaving when the Knicks trailed big. 

The actor and writer was still in shock Thursday, telling The Post that “Jack Buck’s words were exactly what I was saying,” referring to the famous call on CBS radio of Dodgers outfielder Kirk Gibson’s iconic walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. 

Larry David sat courtside for the Knicks’ improbable win. Getty Images
Larry David during NBA Finals Game 3. NBAE via Getty Images

Anunoby and the Knicks had close to a walk-off moment on Wednesday night when he inbounded the ball to Jalen Brunson with mere seconds on the clock and then made his way down the lane to reach the ball after a missed 3-point attempt, tipping the ball in for the game-winning bucket. 

The victory puts the Knicks on the verge of their first NBA title since 1973. 

“I’ve never felt the energy in a crowd at Madison Square [Garden],” McEnroy said on “NBA Today” Thursday. “We used to play a big tennis event there [the season-ending Masters], and nothing’s ever come close to that.

“No one left after an hour.” 

Mets bullpen gives fans something to smile about during rough season

New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams pitching against the St. Louis Cardinals.
New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) pitches in the ninth inning when the New York Mets played the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY.

The Mets bullpen, like it has often been this season, was their brightest spot and savior Thursday afternoon. 

After Christian Scott allowed four runs to the Cardinals in 4 ²/₃ innings, including three home runs, New York’s relievers allowed just one hit the rest of the way, helping secure a 5-4 win to avoid a sweep. 

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A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams combined to throw 3 ¹/₃ scoreless innings in relief of Scott. Scott gave a glowing review postgame.

“It seems like any position they’re put in, they’re able to overcome and adapt to it,” he said. “I know [Weaver] is on another level right now. … Yeah, these guys have just been unbelievable out there for us.”

Weaver has been particularly effective of late. He hasn’t given up a run since April 30 after a somewhat up-and-down start to his first season in Queens. 

“We’re hungry to win. … It’s not always perfect, but we rely on each other, we pick each other up when need be and called on and give each other hugs inside the clubhouse and things you don’t see that just say thank you very much, man, for picking me up,” Weaver said.

Devin Williams picked up his ninth save in the Mets’ 5-4 win over the Cardinals on June 11, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“Just continue to focus on the positives and then just learn from the negatives.”

The bullpen kept the Mets in a close game and allowed Juan Soto to break the 4-4 tie in the seventh inning with his 14th home run of the season. 

Luke Weaver (30) pitches in the eighth inning of the Mets’ loss to the Mariners on June 3, 2026 in
Seattle. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

“If I’m playing ‘MLB: The Show’ and creating a player, I don’t waste my time trying to create one. I just pick Juan Soto,” Weaver quipped.

Soto gave the love right back to the relievers.

“They’re nasty. We have one of the best bullpens, if not the best one,” he said. 

Soto’s not wrong. The Mets are still within the top 10 in bullpen ERA, which remains a highlight despite the team’s struggles elsewhere. 

“It’s a little frustrating that we can’t always come through for them,” Soto said, “but they’re always right there backing us up.”

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Something for Mets fans to smile about.

The secret Mets return date Francisco Lindor has in mind

New York Mets player Francisco Lindor reacts in the dugout.
New York Mets Francisco Lindor reacts in the dugout in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Queens, NY.

While injured Mets star Francisco Lindor has kept his cards close to the vest about his return, he does seem to have a return date in mind. 

Lindor has a secret target date to return to the field of June 20, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.

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The Mets shortstop has been sidelined by a calf strain since late April and recently told The Post’s Dan Martin that his timeline to return was “a goal of getting back as soon as I can.” 

Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza told reporters earlier this week that Lindor was expected to go through full baseball activities in the coming days, and then the Mets will go from there on potential next steps. 

Lindor’s injury occurred on April 22, the same day that star outfielder Juan Soto came back from his own strained calf issue. 

The five-time All-Star told reporters Tuesday that he did not have any discomfort and he seemed to be encouraged by his progress. 

New York Mets Francisco Lindor reacts in the dugout in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I can do everything. I feel like I’m getting better. I continue to check all the boxes they have for me,” he said. 

Lindor then added: “Obviously, I want to be playing, but from what they say, everything is going the way it was planned.”

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) 3-run home run during the third inning when the New York Mets played the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The 32-year-old has played just 24 games this season, posting a modest .226/.314/.355 slash line with 21 hits and five RBIs before his injury. 

The Mets’ inability to have Lindor and Soto on the field at the same time has greatly costed the team so far this season, with both having dealt with injuries at different times.

The Mets currently sit in last place in the NL East and are 15 games back of the Braves for the top spot in the division. 

The Amazin’s did pick up a 5-4 win over the Cardinals on Thursday and begin a weekend series with the Braves at Citi Field on Friday.

Mike Brown’s bold Jose Alvarado gamble saves Knicks in Game 4 comeback

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mike Brown, head coach of the New York Knicks, addresses the media during a post-game press conference, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) reacts in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO — Before Game 4, Mike Brown was asked about the offensive tweak he made in the first round of the playoffs and if he would consider something similar in the NBA Finals. 

“You always keep trying to find ways to make adjustments,” the first-year Knicks coach said. “Sometimes they’re subtle. Sometimes they’re big. That’s what our job is as a staff, is to keep trying to help our players as much as possible.”

This was a radical change, much like the decision to play through Karl-Anthony Towns on offense against the Hawks

Mike Brown addresses the media after the Knicks’ historic 107-106 win over the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

In 17 playoff games, Jalen Brunson and Jose Alvarado didn’t share the court once. They did play together some during the regular season, and they had success. Across 114 minutes spanning 14 games, the Knicks outscored the opposition by 15.8 points per 100 possessions. 

In Game 4 of the Finals, with the Knicks down big and in danger of blowing a 2-0 lead in the series, Brown paired the two small guards again. 

It worked better than anyone could have anticipated, a major factor in their Finals-record comeback from 29 points down. In the 12 minutes they shared the court, the Knicks outscored the Spurs by a whopping 21 points. 

“I think he did a great job of coming in and changing the game,” Brunson said. 

Alvarado, the gritty 6-foot guard from Brooklyn, scored eight big points in the win, all coming in the second half, and added three assists and two rebounds.

Jose Alvarado celebrates during the Knicks’ historic Game 4 comeback win over the Spurs. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

He alleviated ballhandling responsibilities for Brunson against the Spurs pressure and gave the Knicks another player capable of breaking down San Antonio’s defense. 

“Jose has been good in the pick-and-roll. Jose has been good touching the paint, and if Jalen wanted to get off the ball for a few possessions, Jose could handle it, and he could touch the paint and make the game easier for others,” Brown said. “If Jalen was on the ball and the ball got sprayed and it found Jose, Jose can then touch the paint with his speed. So that’s all I was trying to do, is see if we can touch the paint a little bit more with the two guards out there while the floor was spaced the right way.”

Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride and Landry Shamet were all struggling, so Brown took a shot.

One thing Alvarado has established since his arrival from the Pelicans in early April is he has no fear of the moment.

That was evident in Game 1 when he came up big when Brunson left the game with a right knee injury, and it was clear in the dramatic fourth-quarter rally, Alvarado scoring five big points in a row for the Knicks to cut the deficit to four with 3:07 remaining. 

“Him just being himself,” Brunson said, “propelled us to a win.”

REPORT: Darnell Nurse Includes The Kings On His List Of Preferred Trade Destinations

After months, and maybe even years of speculation, the inevitable has finally come. The Edmonton Oilers will be trading Darnell Nurse after the 31-year-old asked the team for a trade, proving that he agrees a change is best for both parties.

Like all players with a no-trade clause do, Nurse gave the Oilers a short list of three to five teams that he would prefer to be dealt to.

According to NHL insider, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins are two teams that have been revealed to included on Nurse's top trade destinations.

When hockey fans hear the name Darnell Nurse, the immediate thought is his controversial $9.25 million cap hit. This number is the more than likely the sole reason for his imminent departure from Edmonton.

Let's not get it twisted, Nurse is a very solid top four caliber defenseman in the National Hockey League, but his questionable contract has given fans and media across the league a conflicting impression of the 6'4" blue-liner.

The 31-year-old veteran has been on the receiving end of some harsh but also sometimes warranted criticism. When you're being payed top dollar to play for a household franchise, the expectation is that you live up to that contract, and unfortunately for Nurse, he was never going to do that.

The former seventh overall pick has always been a reliable shutdown defender that will provide anywhere from 25-40 points in a full season, nothing more, nothing less. He should have never been given such a large contract in the first place.

With that being said, Nurse is still a good hockey player and his services on the ice would be a great help for a large number of teams across the league.

Two Bad Contracts. One Good TradeTwo Bad Contracts. One Good TradeThe Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers have a shared history that runs deeper than four straight first-round exits and a trade that shook the hockey world. The two teams have recently swapped players, including Warren Foegele, Viktor Arvidsson, and Corey Perry. They also share a general manager in Ken Holland. Holland ran Edmonton for years, getting the Oilers ever so close to the promised land, but also signed the contracts that still haunt that roster.

Where Do The Kings Come In?

In 2022, the Edmonton Oilers and Darnell Nurse reached an agreement on a massive eight-year contract extension, worth $9.25 million annually.

The General Manager that handed over the contract? None other than current Kings GM Ken Holland. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see that there is a very clear connection here.

It's clear that Holland is a big fan of Nurse's game, and could even be willing to reunite with him in Los Angeles, as it seems Nurse would be interested in making the move to California.

If the Kings decided to pursue him, Nurse would fit in quite well in the top four of the team's d-core alongside Mikey Anderson, Drew Doughty, and Brandt Clarke. While also providing as an upgrade over guys like Brian Dumoulin, Cody Ceci, and Joel Edmundson. 

The Kings See Potential in Newly Signed Martin ChromiakThe Kings See Potential in Newly Signed Martin ChromiakLOS ANGELES – The Kings have signed forward Martin Chromiak to a one-year deal. It is a two-way contract with an AAV of $850,000.

There are still so many questions to be answered. Will the Kings pursue Nurse? What does a deal even look like? Will the Oilers retain any salary? 

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NBA reveals it missed foul against Knicks’ Josh Hart in critical part of historic comeback

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) in the fourth quarter, Image 2 shows Two basketball players contesting a ball with one player's foot clearly out of bounds

Wait… the refs helped the Knicks?

The NBA two-minute report for Game 4 of the NBA Finals revealed that Josh Hart fouled the Spurs’ Stephon Castle on the baseline with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter, meaning it should have stayed Spurs basketball.

The play, which happened after San Antonio had already blown a 29-point lead and was trailing 105-104, saw Castle drive the baseline against Hart and eventually be called out of bounds.

Stephon Castle may or may not have stepped out here with his left foot in the Knicks’ historic 107-106 win over the Spurs in Game 4 of the NB Finals at the Garden. The NBA now says the Knicks should have been called for a foul. ESPN

Not only did further replay show he may never have stepped out, but it also showed Hart being physical with the rookie guard all the way to the basket.

“Hart impedes Castle on his drive as Castle is incorrectly called for committing and out-of-bounds violation,” the report read.

On the court, the refs called it Knicks basketball, and the young Spurs coach Mitch Johnson never questioned the ruling.

The Spurs, who were in the bonus at the time, still had a challenge after a successful one just 65 seconds into the game allowed them another.

Johnson brought the challenge back to San Antonio with him in an eventual 107-106 loss.

The report, per The Post’s Stefan Bondy, also mentioned two other potential four calls.

Stephon Castle drives on Josh Hart in the fourth quarter during of the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Spurs. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

According to the NBA, Victor Wembanyama should have been called for a defensive 3-second violation with 1:26 left in the game.

The two-minute report also determined that on the De’Aaron Fox layup attempt that gave the Knicks the ball back with under 10 seconds, that OG Anunoby “makes a legal attempt to block Fox’s shot and dislodges the ball from his control before making incidental arm contact.”

Mets' Kodai Senga dominates in latest rehab start at Double-A Binghamton

Mets pitcher Kodai Senga made his fourth rehab start since being placed on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation on Thursday.

Despite a setback earlier in the week -- Senga was originally scheduled to make this start at Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, but was scratched due to ulnar nerve irritation -- he was stellar, and there were no signs of any physical discomfort on the mound.

Through six innings of work against the Somerset Patriots, Senga allowed one run on one hit, a solo home run. He struck out five batters, multiple of them coming on whiffs generated by his trademark ghost forkball.

Excluding a hit batter and a lone walk, Senga was in complete command all evening.

While the timetable for Senga's potential return to the Mets active roster remains uncertain, tonight's success on the mound is cause for optimism for the organization.

Once he's fully healthy and back in the majors, Senga will hope to lower his 9.00 ERA and potentially regain his place as a regular fixture in the team's starting rotation.