TAMPA — If Aaron Judge’s elbow were still a concern, he would, in all likelihood, not be about to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic next month.
And whenever Yankees officials have been asked over the offseason about Judge’s physical status, they have insisted that all is well.
But there was further proof Tuesday, when Judge looked strong throwing to bases during a workout at the Yankees player development complex, offering encouragement that he may be back to normal following a scare with a right elbow flexor strain last season.
Judge’s arm strength came under great scrutiny late last year, when it was lacking for the first few weeks after he returned to playing right field following a stint on the injured list.
The captain, whose 89.6 mph average on throws last season ranked in the 85th percentile, only got off two throws harder than 80 mph last September as he protected his elbow.
TAMPA- Aaron Judge looks good—including his throwing which was limited late last year. pic.twitter.com/B8wQUh9RJk
But he was able to unleash some throws more in line with his usual strength during the playoffs, and said after the ALDS exit he would only need treatment, not surgery, during the offseason.
The time off appears to have done Judge’s elbow well as he now gears up to play right field and captain Team USA in the WBC.
Aaron Judge throws a ball to fan during a Yankees home game against the Orioles last season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“He has ramped up his throwing program a little bit more because he’s ready for the WBC,” manager Aaron Boone said last month. “He’s ahead of the game, more so than he normally is, from a throwing standpoint.”
Judge was one of many Yankees working out Tuesday ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting to camp Wednesday — with position players who will participate in the WBC also set to report early. Taking batting practice alongside Judge were Ryan McMahon, José Caballero and Amed Rosario.
Max Fried, David Bednar and Ryan Yarbrough later threw live batting practice — one inning each — against a group of hitters that included Ben Rice, Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. That Fried, coming off a career-high 195 ¹/₃ innings, is already facing hitters this early in the spring is another positive sign for the Yankees, who will still likely handle his buildup with some level of caution.
The Yankees currently have nine members of their 40-man roster set to participate in the WBC, but they could eventually add two more.
Relievers Tim Hill (USA) and Yerry De los Santos (Dominican Republic) were named Tuesday to the designated pitcher pools, which teams can tap to replace pitchers on their roster following the first round of play.
There was one special guest in the group taking batting practice with Judge, McMahon, Caballero and Rosario: Didi Gregorius.
The former Yankees shortstop, who has been at the player development complex wearing non-Yankees gear the past two days, is set to play for the Netherlands in the WBC and this was likely just a way to tune up for that tournament.
The 36-year-old has not appeared in the majors since 2022, playing in the Mexican League in each of the past three years.
Gregorius also made a cameo as a photographer at Yankees spring training last year.
The AFL’s state of origin game has come with a marketing blitz, a lobster charter off Rottnest Island, some champions saying all the right things and vague and fading memories of the concept’s glory years.
There’s a dearth of sporting offerings at this time of year. The T20 World Cup, the fourth in five years, is too bloated and too politically riven to really capture our attention. Watching some begoggled Finn pelting down a mountain at 120kmph has a certain ghoulish appeal, but it’s not exactly in the Australian sporting marrow.
Jul 2, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (19) comes off the field after he pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Today, the Colorado Rockies announced that they had signed Tomoyuki Sugano to a one year, $5.1 million contract. (Evan Lang has an overview here.)
Later in the day, Jon Heyman shared more details of the signing:
Tomoyuki Sugano Rockies
$5,347,000/1+A. 2026. $5.1M.l
Awards bonuses
Plus: Interpreter and Physical Trainer (total compensation $175,000)
Plus 6 round-trip Business or First Class airline tickets between Japan and US (not to exceed $12,000 per ticket).
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez (28) pitches in the eleventh inning between Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburg Pirates at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sept. 24, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On this week’s episode of Rays Your Voice, we discuss the signing of right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez, who seemingly will round out the Rays rotation, at least to start the year. Darby and I break down what he brings to the pitching staff, and how his signing alters the roles of other pitchers like Steven Matz, Ian Seymour, and Joe Boyle.
We also have new stadium renderings to discuss! Be sure to check out our episode on YouTube for an in-depth look into the future home of the Rays.
If you love what we do on Rays Your Voice, consider becoming a Patreon member for as little as $1/month. Also, if you’ve been a podcast listener from the jump, subscribe to our YouTube channel as well! We go live on YouTube for almost every single episode. Make sure to turn on our channel notifications so you can join us when we go live.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10: Quenton Jackson #29 of the Indiana Pacers and Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks scramble for the ball during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on February 10, 2026 in New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pacers (14-40) brought a conference-worst record into Madison Square Garden tonight. They average 110 points per game, practically the worst in the league. Their hosts, the New York Knicks (34*-20), had won nine of their last ten and were climbing up the power rankings again. Games don’t get more lopsided than this. Still, somehow, the dregs of the league always want to stick it to the Knicks, playing like it’s the deciding game of a playoff series and some degenerate gambler has their dog at gunpoint. It took 39 lead changes, the most in an NBA game this season, and an overtime period to declare a victor: Pacers, 137-134.
Quoth RandleTripleDouble: “I hate the Pacers. That’s all.”
Congratulations to Josh Hart, who moved into third place for most triple-doubles in franchise history. He was New York’s most consistent player, finishing with a team-high +13, 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and two steals on 5-of-8 shooting.
In a fast-paced first quarter, the Pacers got three-pointer fever. Indy averages 36.5 attempts from deep and tried 17 in the first period alone, swishing seven of them. Andrew Nembhard (24 PTS, 10 AST) and Ben Sheppard (10 PTS, 7 RBS) combined for five of those dingers. Meanwhile, the Knicks whiffed on five of their seven triple-tries, and although Brunson recorded 11 points in the frame, he struggled to find the touch from range, missing thrice. Jalen finished the night with a stat-line of 40 points, eight assists, five boards, and 15-of-31 FG, 4-of-14 3PT.
Playing without OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, Coach Brown inserted Landry Shamet in the starting lineup. He finished tonight with 17 points on 6-of-14. Lacking Landry’s punch, the bench scored 18 points.
This was very much a defense optional game from the start. Before the midway point, the Knicks held a seven-point lead, but in a quarter with 12 lead changes, no advantage lasted long. The pesky Hoosiers were determined to give our heroes a fight, and neither team bothered to apply defensive pressure. Then, with two minutes left in the quarter, Jose Alvarado and his trademark hustle made his Madison Square Garden debut. On the Pacers’ final possession of the quarter, Jose stabbed the ball from Pascal Siakam, helping to preserve a 33-32 Knicks lead. Siakam finished with 30 points, six boards, three steals, and shot 11-of-26 FG, 3-of-10 3PT, and 5-of-10 FT.
For the second straight game, Alvarado handled the playmaking duties to start the second quarter, while Tyler Kolek watched from the bench.
The Knicks continued to patiently stand by while their guests rained threes. How hospitable! In a 13-point turnaround, the Pacers went up by seven by the middle of Q2. Siakam led the offense, scoring at all three levels, while Sheppard and Quenton Jackson produced at both ends.
When Brunson returned, he and Towns finally gained some separation late in the half. Towns exerted himself inside, scoring on a dunk and putbacks, drawing fouls, and sweeping the glass. Hart filled in the gaps, dishing nine of New York’s 17 first-half assists. Josh was the only Knick not in double-digit points by intermission, with the Knicks ahead 69-63.
Here’s a beauty of a pass from KAT. He’d finish with a 22-point, 14-board double-double.
Through the first half, the home team shot 59% from the floor and won the glass (22-14), paint (30–20), and fast-break points (16-7). The visitors, who normally shoot 35% from deep, had hit 11-of-25 from three (44%). Go figure.
In the third quarter, the Knicks played better defense, but the game repeated the flip-flop pattern of the first half. Fatigue was setting in. The refs weren’t calling a lot of fouls, so the pace was steady and exhausting through most of the period.
For Indiana, Jackson and Aaron Nesmith hit early threes, and Siakam scored at the line. New York stayed close through Brunson’s shot-making and Hart’s all-around play—he hit pull-up threes, grabbed more boards, and nicked a timely steal. Despite all that, T.J. McConnell sliced up the Knicks defense and cut the score to 94-93 heading into the final frame.
Refusing to quit, Indiana countered every one of New York’s punches in the fourth. McConnell and Jalen Huff scored inside, and the see-saw on the scoreboard persisted. Mikal Bridges answered with a fadeaway, but turnovers proved costly for the home team. Midway through the quarter, Nembhard led Indy on a 9-3 run to go ahead by three.
Josh has recorded his 17th triple-double as a Knick, he ranks third in franchise history.
Down by two with just under five minutes left, our heroes needed someone to provide some pep after such a slog of a game. Enter: Jose. After a juke at the corner, Alvarado snaked his way along the baseline for a sweet layup that brought the crowd to its feet. Jose finished the night with four points on 1-0f-5 shooting and dished three dimes.
Briefly, the momentum teetered in our direction, but was snatched back by Nembhard, Nesmith, and Siakam.
Captain Clutch drove for a layup and converted a free throw after drawing contact to pull the Knicks within one, 121–120, with 1:30 left. Both sides missed (Siakam, Brunson), and with 42 seconds left, a coach’s challenge overturned a Shamet foul. New York got possession from the jump ball, but Cap missed an off-balance 14-footer. At 13 seconds, Siakam made a jumper, pushing Indy’s lead to three.
Out of a timeout, Brunson missed again from beyond the arc. KAT and Potter crashed the boards; Indiana knocked it out of bounds. Bridges was fouled and hit the two freebies. The Hoosiers regained possession with a 1-point lead and six seconds left. New York fouled Siakam, who missed the first free throw. He made the second, the ball reached Shamet, who bricked from deep, which seemed to end the game. But wait! Towns thundered in for the rebound and was fouled by Nesmith with 0.2 seconds left!
KAT made them both send the game to overtime. For as maddening as his offensive fouls and complaining to refs can be, moments like that at the end of the game are sweet redemption.
KAT SENDS IT TO OT WITH A PAIR OF CLUTCH FREE THROWS 💰
During bonus basketball, New York looked very thirsty for Gatorade. Hart and Shamet combined for three misses, Towns fouled with a moving screen, and Brunson was blocked by Nesmith at the rim. On the other end, Jackson, Siakam, and Nembhard scored to go up by nine with 50 seconds on the clock. Brunson scored on a drive, and Shamet added a trey to make the deficit four with 12 seconds to go, but it was too little, too late.
Hart fouled Siakam, who missed both free throws. Diawara grabbed the rebound and called a timeout. Nine seconds left. Bridges inbounded to Hart, who got the ball to Captain Clutch—who shook off Nesmith to nail the three. Five seconds left. Out of a timeout, Brunson fouled Jackson. He made both. Three-point game, four seconds left. Shamet got the ball on the next possession, but was fouled before he could attempt a three. He missed both at the stripe. Ballgame.
Up Next
The Knicks zip down to Philly for a scrap with the Sixers tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
Feb 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives with the ball as Los Angeles Clippers forward Isaiah Jackson (23) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
After the Los Angeles Clippers traded away James Harden at the NBA trade deadline, the luster of a Rockets versus Clippers matchup in Toyota Center make gave dulled a bit. Especially since the Clippers biggest return in that trade, Darius Garland would not be playing either.
However, for a Rockets team that needs to gain some momentum heading into the All-Star break, a shorthanded Clippers squad was a sight for sore eyes. While the Rockets did build a lead as high as 15 points in the third quarter, the Clippers scrapped and fought as they have all season. In fact they lead at the half 52-51. However, as they have all season, they came up short even after a last ditch effort in the fourth quarter.
The Clippers had to rely heavily on Kawhi Leonard for their offense, but the Rockets were able to key in on him, holding him to 24 points on 7-of-19 shooting, and only allowed one other Clippers player (John Collins) to score in double figures (17 points). The Rockets defense allowed the team to survive a less efficient night for Kevin Durant who had 22 points on 8-of-22 shooting.
The Rockets had four other players in double figures with Alperen Sengun scoring 22 points on 64-percent shooting, Jabari Smith chipping in with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Amen Thompson with 16 points on 60-percent shooting, and Reed Sheppard adding 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench. The Rockets only allowed the Clippers to score 43 points in the second half of the game and held them to 40-percent shooting from the field and 26.7-percent from the three-point line.
It was by no means the Rockets most impressive win this season, but it was an important win as the Rockets move to 12-1 against sub .500 teams at home. As a team that has let a few games slip that they had no business losing, taking care of Game 1 of this double-dip aganst the Clips was important. These two teams get to run it back tomorrow night, same bat-time, same bat-channel! As always we will be right here on TDS coving the game from every angle with Game Preview, Rockets Discussion during the game, and the post-game recap! See ya tomorrow night!
Diamondbacks infielder Carlos Santana warms up for workouts at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Allan Henry-Imagn Images
The insurance company for MLB has denied players who are at least 37 years old, and Santana is 39.
But Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, in consulting with his front office deputies, gave the first baseman the green light to play for the Dominican Republic, a team that boasts Arizona stars Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo.
Insurance coverage has been a surprising talking point ahead of this year’s international tournament, with a few notable stars missing out.
Among them is Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who did not receive coverage after he underwent debridement surgery on his throwing elbow following the 2025 season and will not play with his native Puerto Rico come March.
Diamondbacks infielder Carlos Santana inside the batting nets during workouts at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“We had nothing to do with that,” Stearns said. “I actually don’t know why he wasn’t given the clearance, he wasn’t approved for insurance. Clubs have no part in that. That’s all done through the MLBPA and Major League Baseball.”
Astros stars Jose Altuve (Venezuela) and Carlos Correa (Puerto Rico) were also not given insurance coverage for the tourney, as first reported by The Athletic in January.
The Knicks fell short in their back-and-forth battle on Tuesday night, losing in OT to the Pacers, 137-134.
Indiana outscored New York, 13-10, in the overtime period and held on to earn their 14th victory of the season behind Pascal Siakam's 30 points and the team's 18 three-pointers.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 40 points, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges both scored 22 points, Landry Shamet had 17, and Josh Hart notched a 15-11-11 triple-double, but it just wasn't enough.
Here are the takeaways...
-- With OG Anunoby (right toe, toenail avulsion) out for a third straight game, Mike Brown inserted Shamet into the starting lineup. After Towns opened the scoring, Bridges scored seven straight points and Shamet drilled his first three-pointer to put the Knicks up early. Bridges kept it going with an acrobatic tip-in, helping Hart record his fifth assist midway through the first quarter.
Despite shooting 65 percent on offense, New York's defense looked lackadaisical and allowed the Pacers to reclaim the lead, 29-28. Brown called a timeout with 2:05 left in the first and subbed in Jose Alvarado for his home debut to help turn things around.
-- Brunson and Ben Sheppard traded three-pointers after the timeout and then the Knicks' captain gave his team a 33-32 lead at the end of the first quarter. Brunson led the way with 11 points and Bridges had nine plus a quarter-ending block. Indiana made seven threes to keep it close as Siakam led the team with 10 points and Andrew Nembhard had nine points.
-- New York's defense continued to struggle in the second quarter, allowing Siakam and Co. to stay hot. Alvarado's intensity was on full display by diving for loose balls, but he picked up a third foul and was subbed out for Brunson with 7:17 left in the second. Turnovers began to hurt the Pacers as Brunson got a steal and scored his 18th point of the first half to go up 62-59 with about two minutes remaining. Towns then scored six straight points, including a dunk in transition to give him 15 first-half points.
The Knicks led, 69-63, at halftime thanks to 59 percent shooting and a 22-14 lead in the rebound battle through two quarters. Indiana did its best to hang around, shooting 51 percent from the field with 11 three-pointers. Brunson (20) and Towns (15) combined for 35 points at the break, while Bridges and Shamet had 12 points apiece. Hart scored just four points, but already recorded eight rebounds and nine assists.
-- Brunson's big night continued in the third quarter as he sank his third three before Quenton Jackson did the same for Indy to tie the game at 76-76. The game's pace slowed down throughout the third, but the scoring didn't stop. Indiana won the period, 31-24, and took a 94-93 lead heading into the fourth quarter. T.J. McConnell's layup with the clock winding down to put the Pacers ahead was the 33rd lead change of the night.
-- Towns made his first three of the night after four misses, scoring his first points of the second half to give the Knicks a two-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Jay Huff gave the Pacers a 105-104 lead with about seven minutes left in the game, as it was the 35th lead change of the night, tied for the most in an NBA game this season.
Hart picked up his triple-double on an assist to Bridges, and then Alvarado got his hometown crowd on their feet with a hanging layup to tie the game at 110-110. The season-high 36th lead change of the game came on a Hart layup as the back-and-forth battle continued.
-- Brunson took a bump from Aaron Nesmith and banked in a floater plus the foul to cut the Indiana lead to one point with 1:31 left in the game. The Knicks had a chance to take the lead after winning a coach's challenge and the jump-ball tip, but Brunson missed a forced three-point attempt. Siakam then drained a jumper to put the Pacers up three points with 13.2 seconds left and later up two with 5.2 seconds left, but missed a crucial FT to leave the door open for NY.
Shamet missed a three-point attempt for the win, but Towns was fouled crashing the glass for the putback, placing him on the foul line with 0.2 seconds remaining. The All-Star made both to tie the game and force overtime.
-- Towns fouled out for the fifth time this season with the Knicks down four points in OT. Nesmith then blocked Brunson and Jackson drained a three-pointer to go up seven points, Indiana's biggest lead of the night, which they'd barely hold on to for the win.
Game MVP: Pascal Siakam
Siakam scored 30 points on 11-for-26 shooting with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the win.
The Knicks head down I-95 to Philadelphia for a matchup with the 76ers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. It's their last game before the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Los Angeles.
Last season, the Pacers handed the Knicks their worst loss at Madison Square Garden. It was for a different reason this time around, but the worst Knicks loss this season at MSG came against the Pacers yet again.
So much has changed since the last time these two teams met in this arena.
Without Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers — who have essentially taken a gap year since opening night — now own the worst record in the East.
Pascal Siakam goes up for a layup as Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson look on during the Knicks’ loss to the Pacers on Feb. 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Getty Images
After two straight years eliminating the Knicks in the playoffs, they will be no threat this postseason. The Knicks, meanwhile, entered having won nine of their last 10 games.
But some things haven’t changed.
The Pacers, despite a nightmare season, still own the Knicks, who fell 137-134 in overtime Tuesday night in the penultimate game before the All-Star break.
“Regardless of what their record is, they’re great,” Jalen Brunson said. “Great coach, they do everything well, they play hard, they play to the last second. Those qualities that they have, they’re gonna play every single night, regardless of what the record is.”
The Pacers, though, gave the Knicks a second chance.
Up three with 6.2 seconds left, they intentionally fouled Mikal Bridges. He made both free throws, then fouled Pascal Siakam on the other end with 5.2 seconds left. Siakam made just one of two, meaning the Knicks were down just two.
Jalen Brunson, who struggled down the stretch, shoots a jumper during the Knicks’ loss to the Pacers at the Garden. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Landry Shamet missed his 3-pointer on the end, but Karl-Anthony Towns was fouled by Aaron Nesmith while going for the rebound.
And Towns calmly made both free throws to send the game to overtime.
The Pacers scored the first nine points of overtime, however. On cue, after fans had begun to leave, the Knicks went on a 10-2 run. A Jalen Brunson 3-pointer cut the deficit to one point with 5.1 seconds left. But it wasn’t enough. The Knicks fouled Quenton Jackson, who hit both free throws, the Pacers intentionally fouled Shamet, who missed both free throws, on the other end, and an embarrassing Knicks loss was complete.
Karl-Anthony Towns slams home a dunk during the Knicks’ loss to the Pacers at the Garden. Robert Sabo for New York Post
If there is one thing these two teams do well, it’s create chaos. There were 39 lead changes — the most in any NBA game this year.
Every time you blinked, another Pacers shooter had a wide-open 3-pointer. The dominant Knicks defense that had powered their resurgence completely disappeared, allowing the Pacers to shoot 51.5 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.
A trio of Knicks villains — Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Siakam — did the most damage late in the game. Siakam finished with 30 points, Nembhard had 24 and Nesmith added 11. Jackson also recorded 19 points for the Pacers.
Mikal Bridgers goes up for a layup during the Knicks’ loss to the Pacers at the Garden. Robert Sabo for New York Post
“We didn’t reach that standard of defense that we’ve shown in recent games,” Towns said. “And it came back to bite us today.”
It didn’t help that Brunson, the NBA’s reigning Clutch Player of the Year, was uncharacteristically off in crunch time.
He had two chances to give the Knicks the lead, both with his team down 120-121. He missed a 3-pointer with 1:02 left and missed a midrange jumper with 33.7 seconds left. Then with 10.8 seconds left, he missed another 3-pointer that would have tied the game.
“I thought Jalen down the stretch had some pretty good looks and got to the spots he normally gets to but he just came up short,” coach Mike Brown said. “We got the ball where we needed to get the ball. We got the looks that we wanted to look for during that time. Sometimes they just don’t go in and tonight was one of those nights.”
Towns picked up his third offensive foul — and fifth total foul — for hooking Jay Huff with 9:06 left in regulation and was immediately taken out for Ariel Hukporti. He was on the bench until 3:07 left. Then with 2:14 left in overtime, he fouled out after being called for an illegal screen, his fourth offensive foul of the game.
Tuesday was the first meeting between these two teams at MSG since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals last year. They squared off earlier in the season, when the Knicks escaped with a one-point win in Indiana.
Two matchups, two scorelines that are not close to indicative of their spots in the standings.
No matter how bad they are, the Pacers continue to have the Knicks’ number.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Jiménez #77 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the eighth inning of game two of a doubleheader against the New York Mets at Truist Park on September 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hoo boy, the hits just keep on coming, don’t they?
The Braves have been busy all day and they just got one more late-night move done before the clock strikes midnight here on the first day of spring training. Joe Jiménez has already been sidelined for quite some time now and he’ll be sidelined for a bit longer to start the 2026 season.
The Braves have announced that Jiménez will be heading to the 60-Day IL with a “left atricular cartilage injury.”
The #Braves today acquired INF Brett Wisely from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations and placed RHP Joe Jiménez on the 60-day injured list with a left articular cartilage injury.
Jiménez has not pitched for the Braves since September 30, 2024 which is when he pitched a scoreless inning against the Mets. He ended up having surgery on his knee that ended up costing hin the entire 2025 season and unfortunately it appears that he’ll be missing for a chunk of the 2026 season as well.
Fortunately for the Braves, they have fortified their bullpen a bit so that they should be able to withstand this loss for the time being. With that being said, it might be time to wonder if Jiménez will be the same once he does eventually return from this injury. It’s definitely been a long, winding and seemingly frustrating road back to the mound and he’s still got a ways to go before he can get back
In other news, Brett Wisely is back with the Braves as they announced his return in the same tweet as the one announcing that Jiménez would be starting the season on the IL. Wisely ended the 2025 season with the Braves organization and just last month Atlanta had traded him to the Rays for Ken Waldichuk.
One month later, Waldichuk is now with the Nationals and Wisely is back with the Braves. Atlanta’s likely trying to stock up on infield depth for spring training, which would probably explain why they’ve decided to bring him back into the fold. Wisely finished his first stint with the Braves having played just two games with Triple-A Gwinnett and it wouldn’t be shocking if that’s where he starts 2026 as well.
So there you have it: A trade essentially gets undone and a pitcher who has been out for a significant amount of time already is now set to miss even more time. Today’s been a doozy, y’all.
The Atlanta Braves have been hyper-active on this first day of Spring Training, with the teaming making a late-night announcement that infielder Brett Wisely, who appeared with the team late in the 2025 season, has been re-acquired by the team in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. The Braves traded Wisely in a deal to the Rays earlier this off-season when he was designated for assignment by Atlanta. Tampa Bay had recently designated him for assignment.
The unfortunate news here is that corresponding roster move is reliever Joe Jimenez being placed on the 60-day IL with left articular cartilage issue. Jimenez missed all of the 2025 season and his status for 2026 had been in question for much of the off-season.
The #Braves today acquired INF Brett Wisely from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations and placed RHP Joe Jiménez on the 60-day injured list with a left articular cartilage injury.
Wisely adds depth to the Braves infield and utility spots with starting shortstop Ha-Seong Kim expected to be out for a significant portion of the first half of the season. The team added infielder Kyle Farmer within the last week after signing infielder Jorge Mateo last month. The team also brought back Luke Williams on the minor league deal. Mauricio Dubon, who was expected to play a super-utility role, is slated to be the team’s starting shortstop.
As for the loss of Jimenez, the Braves have added significant bullpen depth this off-season, with Robert Suarez being a marquee free agent signing to go along with depth options like Ian Hamilton, Joel Payamps and possible comeback option James Karinchak. The team brought back closer Raisel Iglesias and reliever Tyler Kinley.
Jimenez is in the last year of a three-year contract he signed prior to the 2024 season.
PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 22: Jaylen Clark #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers dive for the ball during the first half at Moda Center on October 22, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trailblazers Date: February 11th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
After a completely embarrassing, effort-free faceplant on Super Bowl Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves did the one thing that makes them endlessly fascinating and deeply exhausting: they flipped the switch. The effort switch. On the second night of a back-to-back, they suddenly looked like a team that remembered it has playoff aspirations, flying around on defense, sharing the ball, playing with purpose, and generally acting like they’d rather not be roasted for another 48 hours.
Monday night felt like the antithesis of Sunday afternoon. Energy instead of apathy. Cohesion instead of chaos. A team that looked engaged rather than mildly offended that it had to be there. And now, as the Portland Trail Blazers roll into Target Center, the only real question is the one that has haunted this season from October onward:
Which version of the Wolves shows up?
The optimist says Sunday was rock bottom. That the Clippers embarrassment, on the heels of two other fairly indefensible losses to Memphis and New Orleans, finally sank in. That Monday night wasn’t a fluke, but a correction. A team rediscovering its identity just in time to close the pre–All-Star stretch strong.
The pessimist, who, let’s be honest, has watched a lot of Timberwolves basketball, sees a midweek game with All-Star Weekend looming, beaches and warm climates calling, and thinks, Uh oh. Because this team has shown us before that “one good response game” does not necessarily lead to sustained focus. Sometimes it just buys them enough goodwill to fall back into old habits, just like they did against Brooklyn and Atlanta around the holidays.
So which Wolves team are we getting Wednesday night?
Because on paper, this should be straightforward. Minnesota has more talent. More size. More experience. More at stake. If they come out locked in and impose their will, this is a win. If they sleepwalk, Portland is young, scrappy, fearless, and perfectly happy to steal a game from a team that doesn’t take them seriously.
That’s the tension. That’s the season.
With that, here are the keys to the game.
#1: Bring energy immediately. No more waiting for the panic button. We all know the routine by now. If the Wolves spend the first three quarters “feeling things out,” playing with their food, and assuming they can flip the switch later, we’re heading straight toward another unnecessary sweat, or worse. When they came out against Atlanta, they played like a team that wanted to be done with nonsense. That’s the blueprint. This is the final game before the break. There’s plenty of rest coming. Empty the tank. Don’t spot a young team confidence by being casual.
#2: Keep the ball moving and the offense fluid. Monday night worked because the Wolves played basketball like it’s supposed to be played. The ball popped. Multiple guys touched it. Shooters were involved early. The offense didn’t devolve into late-clock desperation or “your turn, my turn” isolation. Getting players like Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu engaged matters, not just for scoring, but for rhythm. If this turns into Ant-and-Randle hero ball for long stretches, Portland will hang around longer than it should.
#3: Dominate the paint, even if Naz Reid can’t go. There’s still uncertainty around a Naz Reid suspension after his altercation with Mouhamed Gueye, and if he’s unavailable, the Wolves will need Joan Beringer to soak up real minutes alongside Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. The assignment doesn’t change: use the size advantage. Clean the glass. Create easy offense through putbacks, lobs, and interior touches. This is how you stabilize games.
Like so many Wolves games this season, this one isn’t about scheme or matchups or some secret adjustment. It’s about professionalism. Win this game, and you head into the All-Star break with momentum, confidence, and a sense that Monday wasn’t just a one-off. Lose it, or barely survive while sleepwalking, and the questions come roaring back.
The Timberwolves have shown they can be locked in. They’ve shown they can dominate. Now they just need to prove, one more time before the break, that Monday wasn’t the exception, it was the reminder.
Finish strong. Enter All-Star Weekend on a positive note. And maybe, just maybe, give us reason to believe the switch can stay on.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 09: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Target Center on February 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 138-116. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Timberwolves fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center on February 09, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Since trading for Jaren Jackson Jr., the Utah Jazz have been an exciting team to watch. Since February 7th, when Jackson joined the team, the Jazz have had a top ten defense. Offensively, it’s not been as good, but that has not included having Keyonte George (who injured his ankle in Jackson’s debut) and Walker Kessler. The question is, how well can the Jazz play next season with their complete team?
In this edition of Utah Jazz Reacts, I wanted to see what Jazz fans thought. Do you think the Jazz will be a playoff team next season? Will they be able to find cohesion with Keyonte George and Walker Kessler? Or will it be a dissapointing season?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
