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Meredith dropped from match-day 23 after defeat to England
Valetini named in XV with Australia out to avoid fourth straight loss
The Wallabies have restored Carter Gordon and Rob Valetini to their starting crew, convinced the pair will be the difference makers as they seek to right their creaking ship in dangerous Scottish waters.
Announcing the team to face Scotland on Sunday (Monday AEDT), coach Les Kiss made it clear he sees Gordon as the playmaker who can finally nail down the No 10 role that has become the Wallabies’ maddening hot-potato position, with seven different starting flyhalves used since the last World Cup.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 26: A detail photo of a bobblehead of Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
On this chilly Friday in November, join me in ignoring the looming lockout as we pretend that baseball is proceeding as scheduled next season. (Alex Anthopoulos certainly is with the offseason’s first big splash with the signing of reliever Evan Phillips). Here, life is beautiful because Opening Day is in 131 days.
The Braves have announced that single game tickets are now on sale for the 2027 season, which (for now) kicks off on the road at Dodger Stadium. But we care about what’s going on at the home ballpark. And if you’re anything like me, what’s being given away at the gate may be a factor in when you plan to visit Truist Park.
More giveaways, ticket packages, and theme nights are to be confirmed as plans for the season finalize, but here’s what you can look forward to based on the current slate and schedule. More info is available on the Braves promotion page.
If the fireworks during the anthem/seventh inning stretch, after every strikeout (thanks, Gas South) and home runs aren’t enough, you can stick around after every Friday night home game for a Georgia Lottery-sponsored spectacular. It’s worth seeing for whatever baffling unique theme or playlist they choose to accompany the show.
The Braves Block Party returns to the Battery before every Saturday contest. Partake in live music and other entertainment before finding your seats. There’s a significant chance he Home Depot tools and Blooper and his ever-increasing horde of mascot security for roaming around for photo opps as well.
Sunday matinees are preceded by a pair of alumni showing up to sign autographs, which are TBD for now. Kids can also run the bases after the game concludes.
Gate Giveaways
The promotional gate giveaways are for the first 15,000 fans that enter the stadium. (Items in ticket packages are an entirely separate thing, more below). Depending on the item, sometimes you can rock up at closer to 7 pm and still get one. Others require some logistical magic and being in a line before most have even clocked out of work.
There will absolutely be more of these announced as we get closer to baseball being played. But for now… please enjoy the merchandising team’s best attempt at the brief: safe, apparel-forward choices that are fun enough to hopefully distract from the conspicuous absence of current player-themed items.
Magnetic Schedule (April 2 vs. HOU)
Everyone in attendance at the home opener gets one of these to slap on your fridge. Thanks, Georgia Power.
Truist Park “10th Anniversary” T-Shirt (April 3 vs. HOU)
Not sure a ton of people will be gunning for this one, but a concert-style tee celebrating your very favorite Cobb County ballpark’s 10th birthday can be yours.
BravesVision Bobblehead (April 16 vs. MIA)
Wiley erasure, unfortunately, but Brandon Gaudin and C.J. Nitkowski are getting their seventh-inning cracker jack toss immortalized in bobblehead form. How do the broadcasters get a bobblehead that looks more like them than some players? A mystery.
Phil Niekro Replica Jersey (April 20 vs. WAS)
The Braves love to do things in alumni-honoring ways, and this is the first of several giveaways featuring a Braves legend. Instead of Dale Murphy like last year, Phil Niekro gets the nod here for a replica jersey.
Mystery Hot Dog Hat (May 28 vs. PIT)
Yes, baseball and hot dogs are inextricably linked. We saw the first steps of the Braves embracing the hot dog mania that’s overtaken some other ballparks last year with the introduction of the “Build-A-Dog” challenge as mid-inning entertainment. Multiple teams have glizzys that race. Sometimes they rain from the sky in Seattle. But maybe the Braves saw their division rival Nationals have immense success with a “Bad Day to be a Hot Dog” hat giveaway and wanted to copy their homework, so here’s our version. The “mystery” is if your design will feature a hot dog with ketchup or mustard.
Tom Glavine Hockey Jersey (June 1 vs. COL)
Drake Baldwin’s hockey jersey last year was one of the most coveted giveaway items. Folks lined up as early as 3 pm (and I would know, because I was among them). Merrimack Valley’s Most Valuable Player Tom Glavine gets an hockey jersey of his own in an Atlanta City Connect flavor.
Hawaiian Shirt (August 20 vs. NYM)
Vintage baseball cards of Braves HOFers and tropical flowers intermingle in this year’s version of the Braves Hawaiian shirt. This is probably going to be up there in terms of popularity.
90’s Windbreaker (September 24 vs. MIA)
If you’re in need of a paper-thin windbreaker, this might be the giveaway for you. If I had to guess this will only really be available in L and XL sizes.
Ticket Packages/Theme Nights
These specialty items are a separate ticket and you’re guaranteed the item, unlike in a gate giveaway. These are usually accompanied by other festivities at the ballpark to make it a full theme night.
Science Education Day (April 22 vs. WAS) meant for elementary school groups
Girls Night Out (April 29 vs. NYM) gets the ladies a mock neck sweatshirt
Star Wars (May 6 vs. SD) is a Braves/Star Wars jersey shirt
Military Appreciation (May 31 vs. COL) features a Braves military appreciation t-shirt
Braves Country 5K (June 5 vs. MIN) will have info available at a later date, but usually includes a t-shirt
Father’s Day (June 20 vs. NYY) offers a 200minute session of catch on the field following the afternoon game
Pride Night (June 23 vs. PHI) will have more info on the item/festivities coming soon
Summer Camp Day (July 21 vs. PHI) is for, you guessed it, summer camps
Deaf Awareness (August 1 vs. STL) gets you a City Connect-style jersey shirt with “Braves” spelled out in ASL across the chest
HBCU (August 25 vs. MIL) features a jersey shirt with HBCU across the chest and 48 on the back
Los Bravos (September 23 vs. WAS) is another jersey shirt with Latin American country flags patterned on the sleeves and jersey number
Anything in this initial batch speaking to you? What’s a must-have or a pass? What are you hoping to see announced in the future, and is that Alan Jackson bobblehead commercial still stuck in your head? Let us know.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes speaks with the media during MLB's general managers meetings in Las Vegas this week. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
The MLB free agent market is beginning to shake out, spurred into action during the general managers meetings in Las Vegas this week.
Reliever acquisitions have been the first wave, with Emilio Pagán landing with the Tigers for one year and $11.5 million, and Ryan Weiss with the Padres for $1.85 million during the meetings. Former Dodger Evan Phillips signed with the Braves on Thursday for three years, $35 million.
Left-hander Alex Vesia, who has been with the Dodgers for the last six seasons, is also expected to garner plenty of early interest on the free agent market.
On Friday, first baseman Jake Bauers added a tally to the position-player side, agreeing to a deal with the Red Sox. Fresh off a career year and World Series title, Bauers reportedly is set to sign a four-year, $58-million contract.
So teams aren’t waiting until after the impending lockout to reinforce their rosters. But that still leaves a wide range of possibilities before the current CBA expires on Dec. 1.
“We’re totally focused on business as usual, trying to make sure we’re as prepared as possible in case things happen in different ways,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “Whether that’s trade or free agency, continue to put ourselves in a position to be able to act if something comes up that we feel like is really important to helping our team, both short term and long-term.”
That was a common refrain from leaders of baseball operations departments around the league.
“Business as usual for us,” new Orioles GM Jared Banner said. “We’re looking to get better, and that’s our focus here. So we’ll just read and react as each day passes by.”
Business as usual, however, means a variety of things for different teams.
“We are always going to be on the front end of aggression with how we operate in the market,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “So whether the market wants to operate faster or slower than it typically does, we’re usually not listening. … Teams know that typically, if we don’t start the hot stove, we’re among the starters. So our behavior won’t change much, and my general resting place is, if our behavior is going to be unaffected, I don’t sweat too much what the other 29 teams will do, unless they’re holding us up.”
The Mariners took that aggressive approach before the last lockout too. They were one of the major contributors to an active first month of free agency, during which teams committed a whopping $1.9 billion before Dec. 2, 2021.
“It’s definitely a convenient thing to point to because there just aren’t a lot of situations that are even remotely similar to this,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said of the record flurry of activity five years ago. “I don’t think it’s going to follow the same course; I would expect it not to.”
Looming beyond this lockout is the threat of a salary cap. And though the MLB Players Assn. has made it clear that it will continue to fight the owners’ push for an overhaul of the current structure, teams also can’t completely ignore the possibility of a salary cap, or some other guardrails on spending in the next CBA.
The owners’ latest proposal reportedly included a salary cap of about $258.2 million, depending on next year’s revenue, to be implemented in 2028.
Though many around the industry expect that, in the case of a salary cap, MLB would build in a gradual rollout or specific exceptions to make the massive change a little less destabilizing, such a shift would pose a challenge to large-payroll teams such as the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have some money set to come off the books in 2028 — veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman’s contract expires after next season, and Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy and Hyeseong Kim have 2028 club options. But the Dodgers’ current commitments for 2028 (over $275 million in CBT payroll, according to Spotrac) already put them above MLB’s latest proposed salary cap.
“We’ll put ourselves in position to see what’s available, and then go from there because we really don’t know what any of that looks like,” Gomes said. “So we have to function with what we know right now.”
The Dodgers at least don’t have many glaring needs going into 2027. At the top of the list will be their bullpen and bench, markets that they could explore in the coming weeks.
They’ve also remained in touch with top free agent Tarik Skubal’s representatives, after a largely successful trade-deadline union this past season, and are set to meet with him. But it is still unclear just how aggressive the Dodgers will be, or whether Skubal will agree to a contract by Dec. 1.
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 21 - Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors share a laugh on the bench as the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls in their season opener at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. October 21, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
When you start dating, there’s something to be said for bad dates and breakups serving as lessons for the do’s and don’ts of the world of romance. But, if you keep making the same crummy jokes, not brushing your teeth, over and over again, you’re not learning much from those bad dates. At a certain point, losing becomes unproductive.
It’s kind of like that with basketball, too. And in the last couple of matches, the Toronto Raptors’ losing has been real, real unproductive. Because, it doesn’t tell anyone anything that they don’t already know.
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 21 – Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors share a laugh on the bench as the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls in their season opener at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. October 21, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
Both times when the Raptors have traded for Kawhi Leonard, there’s been an implicit gamble attached to that. Leonard won’t play a lot of regular season games, but take him to the playoffs okay, and he’ll turn into the ‘84 Terminator, or ‘85 Jordan, whichever set of skills might be needed more that night.
This season, Kawhi went out early. Okay. That just means that the other guys need to start pulling extra weight a little sooner. And you remember the playoff series against the Cavaliers, and say, “okay, Scottie and RJ, maybe they can anchor this offence, even without a scorer like Brandon Ingram or Kawhi Leonard.” And then… Scottie Barnes goes down.
Yikes.
An old teacher of mine told me that “practice doesn’t make perfect — perfect practice makes perfect,” and it concerns me that that Raptors are just practicing really, far, far away from perfect. Now, Scottie seems like he’s going to come back soon; when exactly that will be is unclear, but there has been little indication that the groin strain is something particularly serious.
But, losing the games that the Raptors are losing, without Scottie Barnes, doesn’t really help them understand how their team is going to perform in playoff settings, which, for this roster, should be the ultimate goal. Before the season started, Bobby Webster spoke to the media, and argued that the question that should remain pervasive throughout the season should be “can we win every night?”
Toronto Raptors regular season record without Kawhi Leonard.
2018-‘19: 17-5
2026-‘27: 3-6
The Raptors now have more losses without Kawhi in his 2nd stint than his 1st stint.
It’s still November, and we still don’t know when Kawhi is back from injury this season, and, God… pic.twitter.com/g25BAtaNjZ
Thus far, the answer to that question, without Kawhi Leonard, has be a resounding “no.” Omer Osman illustrates that clearly, in the tweet above. It’s not 2019 anymore. The Raptors are a different beast, younger, less veteran-heavy, and constructed in a less careful manner.
With Scottie missing the last couple of matchups against heavy-hitters like Boston and Philadelphia, the Raptors don’t know how well the team can operate in an optimal sans-Kawhi state, because Toronto was never expecting to, and is not built to, compete without both of its All-Stars.
Barnes was showcasing that he’s taken a leap offensively, and can piggy-back the Raptors — to a degree — but when facing off against diminished rosters of great teams, and the forward isn’t there to help the Raptors take advantage of weakened clubs, the Raptors are effectively leaving both wins or positive reps on the table, and without Barnes, aren’t necessarily getting either.
This isn’t to say that there’s *zero* value from playing without Barnes or Leonard. RJ Barrett just had a season high in points, and is continuing to prove his value. Jakob Poeltl has quietly been looking more like his uninjured self again. And the team’s younger players are getting more time on the court to find their legs and develop themselves further. But, this season was never meant to be about development. It was meant to be about the Raptors bashing teams’ heads in with lockdown defence and gliding to the playoffs.
But, ultimately, the team has to play the cards they’re dealt. The season thus far hasn’t been the triumphant return of Raptors basketball to the big stage anyone expected, but there’s a lot of basketball left in the year.
@BAAILEYYCREATES on Twitter raised an important point; that last year, Leonard’s health management kept him off the court almost entirely until the new year, and when he was back, he was whooping teams left right and centre. It’s not 2019 anymore, and Kawhi is 35 years old now, but that means, simply, that ramping up looks different for Leonard now, not that he’s unable to deliver on-court product. The Raptors need to be able to compete with and without Leonard for this roster to work, but without Scottie Barnes to lead the charge, Toronto will remain in dire straits.
After two-plus seasons, Dejounte Murray's time in New Orleans may be coming to a close.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday that the veteran point guard has requested a trade, with the Pelicans confirming the news shortly thereafter. This comes on the heels of two blowout defeats for the Pelicans: a 51-point thrashing by the Warriors on Monday, followed by a 34-point loss to the Nets on Wednesday.
In their statement, the Pelicans said that they will "evaluate potential trade opportunities that are in the best interest of our organization."
Murray has appeared in nine games this season, averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. He's started alongside second-year guard Jeremiah Fears, whom many view as the Pelicans' point guard of the future.
Murray missed three games in late October/early November for personal reasons, and the Pelicans won all three, with Fears flourishing and Herb Jones providing quality defensive play as the replacement in the starting lineup. In a since-deleted social media post, Murray responded to a post noting the Pelicans' record in the games he missed, saying, "From what's going on INSIDE, this sounds like someone hit you to say this! THE 'SABOTAGE' IS REAL!"
Acquired from the Hawks during the 2024 offseason, Murray has appeared in 54 games for the Pelicans over two-plus seasons. His 2024-25 campaign was cut short by an Achilles tendon rupture, which also sidelined him for most of the 2025-26 season. He had already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies with an ankle injury by the time reports of a trade request surfaced.
Redick stated during his Friday, Nov. 13 media availability that Reaves suffered a bruised heel and is considered day-to-day. The coach added that Reaves and the team's medical staff opted against having imaging done on the injury.
Reaves had landed awkwardly on his left heel after missing a transition dunk attempt in the middle of the third quarter of the Lakers' 123-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 11.
After feeling some discomfort, he limped back to the locker room. The initial X-rays taken at the arena were negative, and Redick ruled out any potential Achilles tendon damage.
Reaves was one of several injury scares suffered during the game against the Bucks.
Luka Dončić avoided a severe injury after turning his right ankle in the same game. Collin Sexton also needed stitches above his right eye after bumping heads with Ryan Rollins of the Bucks.
Reaves has played in 12 of 13 game for the Lakers this season, starting in all 12 of those contests. He is averaging 24.7 points, 3.3 rebound, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 51.3% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc.
When do Lakers play next?
Reaves and the Lakers will have more time to rest before traveling to Phoenix to take on the Suns at 4 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local) on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, getting poked in the face by Heat guard Pelle Larsson during a game this month, is considered day-to-day after injuring his left heel during a game in Milwaukee. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
On the day the Lakers hosted their annual Thanksgiving Feast event to kick off their “Season of Giving” at the team’s practice facility, they were able to give some thanks for dodging serious injuries.
Austin Reaves didn’t have to get further imaging on his injured left heel, coach JJ Redick said after practice Friday, and the star guard will be listed as day-to-day for Sunday’s game at Phoenix.
Redick also said that All-Star guard Luka Doncic was “fine” after injuring his ankle in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, that a concussion was ruled out for guard Collin Sexton after he received stitches to his forehead following a collision with Milwaukee’s Ryan Rollins, and that guard Quentin Grimes worked out in the stay-ready-game against coaches after missing two games because of a finger injury.
Reaves left Wednesday’s win in the third quarter and didn’t return. His X-rays after the game were negative and by Thursday morning, when the team had returned to L.A. after winning the first three of the four-game trip, Reaves felt well enough that he and team personnel opted against getting more imaging.
Redick said Reaves has a bruise on his heel and described it as “minor.”
Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring (38.6 points) and is ninth in assists (7.6), is doing OK after he injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter Wednesday.
“The expectation would be he’s available,” Redick said.
Sexton had to get stitches above his right eye after the collision with 6:51 left in the fourth quarter Wednesday.
Redick said Sexton also will be day-to-day.
Lakers guard Collin Sexton, preparing to defend Hawks guard Kingston Flemings, is listed as day-to-day after getting stitches above his right eye following a collision during a win over the Bucks. (Mike Stewart / Associated Press)
Grimes, who missed two games because of a sprained finger on his right hand, participated in the live portion of the stay-ready game Wednesday and expects to play Sunday. Grimes wore a wrap on his right pinky finger while speaking with reporters.
“I had a really good day just playing with a little tape over it,” Grimes said. “Just seeing how it felt the first time, but it felt really good. We got a lot of wins out there in them games, at least. But it felt really good out there.”
The Lakers will have three days off before they play again Sunday to Phoenix.
Even though the Lakers have the best record in the NBA (11-2), are the top scoring team (122.2 points) in the league and rank first in offensive rating (121.6), Redick wanted to let his group know there is room for improvement.
During the film session Friday he told his team they “were 17th in defense” rating at 113.6. And the Lakers are 27th in rebounding.
Redick said he and his staff talked about “20 things” that they can clean up.
“We filtered through our offensive stuff based on our identities of who we want to be offensively: organized, unselfish and advantage-based,” Redick said. “Then we went through the stats on that.
“Then we went to our defense and our three identities: organized, physical as hell and relentless. And we went through the stats on those things. So, it’s a very clean thing. We’ve done that for the last 2½ seasons. It’s just everything that we present to the team lines up with who we’re trying to be.”
Redick got his message through to his players.
“Being first in the West, with the stuff that they showed us, you would think we were almost last, you know?” forward Ziaire Williams said. “But it’s gotta keep us honest. But you know, it’s good to know that there’s still room for growth as good as we’re doing. So yeah, it was great, it was great. So yeah, hopefully we’ll clean that up going into the next game against Phoenix.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center on November 11, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs opened the year 0-2. Victor Wembanyama’s first three games were a little underwhelming for his mammoth standards. Since that 0-2 start, they’ve won 10 in a row. Over his past nine games, Wembanyama has been unbelievably dominant, averaging 33.7 points (67.9% true shooting), 11.9 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals.
Wembanyama isn’t the only star spearheading a tidy stretch for his team. Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers have won seven in a row to sit atop the West. LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert and the 9-3 Minnesota Timberwolves are thriving despite Anthony Edwards’ prolonged absence; they own the NBA’s top net rating at plus-14.1. Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics lead the East at 10-2, headlined by their rout of the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night.
The NBA season is in full swing. Trade requests, injuries, scuffles, winning streaks, losing streaks, distance forming across conference standings, it’s all arrived! Here are a handful of the best stories from the past week as well as key news you may have missed.
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Vegas Golden Knights will turn to Adin Hill between the pipes Friday night as they look to protect home ice against a Nashville Predators team that has opened the 2026-27 season with an impressive 10-4-5 record.
Hill was the first goaltender off the ice during Friday’s morning skate, a strong indication that he will get the start at T-Mobile Arena. The 30-year-old netminder has given Vegas plenty of reason for confidence early in the campaign, posting a 7-2-0 record through his first nine appearances, along with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
His early-season form marks a welcome turnaround from a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Hill finished last season with a 10-9-6 record, a 3.04 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage. However, sources told The Hockey News that injuries played a significant role in his struggles, offering important context behind his disappointing numbers.
Now looking much sharper to open the new season, Hill will have an opportunity to continue building momentum against a Nashville club that has been one of the stronger teams in the early standings.
Here is how both teams are expected to line up Friday night.
Nashville Predators (10-4-5) – Projected Lineup
Forwards
Steven Stamkos – Ryan O’Reilly – Mavrik Bourque
Filip Forsberg – Shane Wright – Nils Hoglander
Reid Schaefer – Alexander Kerfoot – Vitali Pinchuk
Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Adam Edstrom
Defensemen
Roman Josi – Adam Wilsby
Brady Skjei – Nick Perbix
Daemon Hunt – Jayden Struble
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen
Scratched: Nicolas Hague, Ilya Lyubushkin
Injured: Jonathan Marchessault (lower body), William Trudeau (upper body)
Vegas Golden Knights (13-5-2) – Projected Lineup
Forwards
Trevor Connelly – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone
Brett Howden – William Karlsson – Mitch Marner
Ivan Barbashev – Tomas Hertl – Victor Olofsson
Braeden Bowman – Nic Dowd – Marc Gatcomb
Defensemen
Shea Theodore – Brayden McNabb
Jeremy Lauzon – Rasmus Andersson
Parker Wotherspoon – Dylan Coghlan
Goaltenders
Adin Hill
Carter Hart
Scratched: Raphael Lavoie
Injured: Noah Hanifin (undisclosed)
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights will look to make the most of home ice against a Predators squad that has made a strong start to the season.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips (59) delivers a pitch during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on August 26, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There’s a wind of excitement and intrigue swirling around Braves Country at the moment after the Atlanta Braves became the first team to make a big splashy signing this offseason with the addition of Evan Phillips to their bullpen. It’s a move that appears to be in line with what the Braves have usually done with their relief pitching signings since Alex Anthopoulos got the reins of baseball operations since he hasn’t been afraid to hand out relatively big money to relievers — no matter what the market may look like.
Still, it’s certainly an interesting time for Phillips himself, as he will not only be returning to the organization that drafted him all the way back in the 2015 MLB Draft but he’ll also be playing in a city that he currently calls home as well. He mentioned in his media availability on Friday afternoon that he does live in Atlanta during the offseason and he admitted that once it became clear that it was a possibility that he could join the Braves, both he and his wife were “really excited about that possibility.”
“The Braves were right there at the top of our list alongside a couple of others,” stated Phillips when he was asked by Mark Bowman of MLB.com about where he was hoping to land during this offseason. “It went the way that it did and we couldn’t be more excited.”
He also talked about how this is his first “real crack at” free agency after how things went last offseason due to his injury. In that vein, I asked Evan Phillips about how important it would be to be able to focus on just getting better and improving during the offseason rather than having to focus on rehabbing.“
“This’ll be my first offseason not having to focus on a rehab in two years,” explained Phillips. “I had the [shoulder injury] at the end of ‘24 that kept me out of the World Series…then the Tommy John rehab was a bit more intensive.”
“[It’s good to] just to be able to get home and get back with my routine for the offseason and immerse myself with the guys here in Atlanta and see what they might have for me.”
Again, it’s pretty important to note that it’s certainly a bit convenient that he’ll be able to continue focusing on what’s important while not really having to switch up his base of operations. It’s one of those things where it doesn’t seem all that important but from a human perspective, it’ll probably be huge for Phillips when it comes to being able to benefit from that convenience.
With that being said, the reality of the upcoming labor war is also sure to play a factor in just how much offseason work Evan Phillips will be able to get in with the coaching staff and overall organization here in Atlanta nd he mentioned that as he continued to answer my question to him.
“I know we’re pushing up against the deadline on December 1 so that might accelerate some of those conversations that we won’t be able to have through the rest of the winter,” admitted Phillips. “[Still,] I’m just looking forward to it. I’m so ready to get with this group and get to work and see what they might have for me.”
Indeed, it’s going to be intriguing to see just how much Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and bullpen coach J.P. Martinez will be able to get out of Phillips now that they’ll be able to work with him going forward. Again, they’ll be up against the gun a bit but I’d also imagine that Phillips will be able to figure out a way to keep improving while on his own during the dark portion of the offseason — however long it may take.
Still, Phillips is excited to get going and he’s also feeling pretty confident about continuing to bring the stuff that he had in Los Angeles with him to the mound in Atlanta. “New velocity highs for me in my career at 32, I never would’ve thought,” stated Phillips when he was asked by Bowman about his results after Tommy John surgery. “It’s not something I was chasing. I’m fortunate it’s gone that way because it opens up what I’m able to do even more. I’m just really excited to maintain some of those things that I’ve learned and see if we can bridge that across the next few years.”
Phillips will (hopefully) have three years to continue proving that for the Braves going forward and hopefully they’ll be three productive years here in Atlanta’s organization. He’s coming back home in more ways than one and hopefully this second go around ends up being the one that everybody remembers, rather than another footnote. We’ll see what happens, though.
Pat Murphy wasn’t off by much. Just a couple hundred miles and five stops on the Acela train line.
The Milwaukee Brewers manager’s touching hot mic moment with star first baseman Jake Bauers after the World Series intimated that Bauers was going to be a "rich (expletive)" and implored him to remember how they got down in Milwaukee when Bauers is "on that (expletive) Yankees team and playing for yourselves."
Bauers' departure from the champion Brewers was somewhat expected. The club rehabilitated his career from the verge of retirement after cycling through six organizations, four at the major league level, before Bauers figured things out in Milwaukee.
Yet the Brewers remain viable by keeping it moving and not placing bigger-dollar bets on 31-year-olds who might end up platoon players. The split was amicable, and so, too, is Murphy’s relationship with the Yankees.
Pat Murphy and Yankees: No hard feelings
As many observers could ascertain, "the Yankees" were a figurative term in Murphy’s address to Bauers, the stand-in for "any team with considerably more resources than the Brewers." In this era, the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers are far more spendy than the Yankees, who have not won a World Series since 2009.
"He took the time to realize that he said something that he regretted, that he's caught on a live mic," Cashman told reporters Tuesday at the general managers' meetings in Las Vegas. "He wanted to take the time, track us down over here at the lowly Yankees to make sure he would apologize for that, so that meant a lot to me."
Jake Bauers' journey: How Milwaukee saved his career
Bauers didn’t totally break the bank. But it's a nice raise for a guy who admitted to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he was on the verge of retiring a couple years ago but needed health coverage for his expectant wife.
Bauers made $2.7 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, a hard-fought journey to free agency. It took him nine years to reach six years of service time, a slog that included no major league appearances in 2020 or 2022.
Yet he found a comfort level in being uncomfortable in Milwaukee, under Murphy.
"I'm super grateful they traded for me. Super grateful to be here these last three years," Bauers told USA TODAY Sports as the season wound down. "At the same time, I think playing here can be a little bit uncomfortable, compared to some places.
"There's a lot of things that the staff, starting with Murph, and also the players in the clubhouse – we don’t let slide. That's a big key to our success. At the same time, it can be uncomfortable at times if you're not willing to face the man in the mirror."
Red Sox: What role will Jake Bauers play in Boston?
In Boston, Bauers may wear a lot of hats – and gloves.
The Red Sox already have an All-Star first baseman in Willson Contreras – brother of William, Bauers' World Series MVP teammate in Milwaukee. Yet there are plenty of at-bats to have at DH and Bauers also played 16 games in left field for the Brewers last season. He will bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup and is a nice hedge against any enduring health woes involving young left-handed slugger Roman Anthony.
The Red Sox are known to be shopping left fielder Jarren Duran, who is elite defensively but in an enduring offensive slump. Fenway Park’s tight quarters in left would be a passable place for Bauers to roam.
He'll aim to add thump – he broke out with 26 homers a year ago – to a Red Sox lineup that finished 18th in the majors in OPS. More important, he will have the gravitas that comes with being a World Series champion – and NLCS MVP.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Dejounte Murray #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a break in play in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on November 09, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the first eleven games of the season, it has not all been sunshine and rainbows for this Suns team. They have seen injuries, rebounding issues, and lapses on both ends of the floor. This has brought them to a 5-6 record, which lets them beat the bad teams but struggle against the good ones. As Espo from PHNX said the other night, they are basically in basketball purgatory right now, and some things need to change. Regardless of whether it’s a lineup switch, plugging in Jordan Goodwin or Collin Gillespie for Jalen Green, or potentially a trade on the horizon.
Devin Booker showed up and show d out but the win left something to be desired. pic.twitter.com/YUvk3gYjXM
In last night’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets, we saw Jalen Green benched and not finish the game. This move allowed the Suns to regain their lead and still win a game they should have controlled the whole way. Since Green hasn’t been playing well in the lineup and has been forced into this playmaking role, many are making him the scapegoat for the team’s early-season struggles.
While they are right to put most of the blame on him, it is not entirely his fault, as sometimes the bigs have trouble rebounding or some of the forwards are not locked in defensively.
No Green, no Bridges in the clutch. That’s saying something, isn’t it?
This is where Green has become a devalued asset across the league, as they now know he cannot fit with this starting lineup, and the Suns will likely switch things up as we get closer to the deadline. With Green still 24, some lottery teams will likely be willing to take a chance on him and let him shine with their club. For the Suns, today’s news may have made that landing spot clearer.
Dejounte Murray of the New Orleans Pelicans has requested a trade. I’ve highlighted him multiple times as a good target for the Suns for many reasons, but now that his value is depleted and he’s on the market, this is the perfect trade for both teams. Both teams have an asset with depreciated value that could help the other franchise, and everyone seems to be catching on.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray wants a trade from the franchise, and his agent Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and team officials have started working on a resolution for the one-time All-Star, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OoozAwcqvN
They’ve also been linked to Murray via Chris Haynes in this tweet. Haynes was the first to address locker-room concerns via the Suns, saying many felt the team needed a true point guard. Well, Murray could come in and fill that role as a better fit for the starters, but also mesh into the defensive identity that Jordan Ott wants to bring to this Phoenix team,
The Phoenix Suns have registered interest in New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray who has let it be known that he seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell me.
Murray, who has a $30.8 million player option next season, would accept it heading into next offseason but at 30, doesn’t seem to want a long-term, expensive deal. On the other hand, Green is young and looking to extend long term. With Booker’s contract coming up, plus the Brooks extension and a potential Bridges extension, and Beal’s dead money, it doesn’t seem feasible to pay all four players, especially when they look this bad on the court together.
Green is also the same player option as Murray, just at $36 million, and is making that same amount this season, so not only would you save $4 million this season and $6 million next year, but you would save yourself from a pain-inducing contract negotiation. It is clear Green can’t be a starter given his recent play, and Murray, who has been a head case in NOLA, may be the same, but it’s an unknown.
I feel Murray, who has been frustrated with the Pelicans this season, will buy into the Suns’ culture once he gets here. As we know, the Pelicans are bad and lack a clear direction for building. They view Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III as high pieces but not the building blocks of their rebuild. It seems like there are three timelines: Jones and Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Murray as the vets who can help with a playoff push, and then you’ve got Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen as the young building blocks. Getting a young player like Green may not be the best fit, but it would give him a chance to return to his scoring form and try to become their number-one offensive option.
Dejounte Murray called Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley a bitch after he hit a three 🍿
For the Suns, this move frees up some money and gives you a player who can hopefully buy into the culture and help alleviate some of the pain for your best player. Murray isn’t coming in as a game-changing secondary option, but if he can buy into the team role and do the little things, he could find some great success in this starting lineup. Murray was an all-caliber defender in San Antonio, and yeah, he’s had many injuries, but I still think some of that player is still in him if he gets to Phoenix.
Ultimately, time will tell whether the Suns make this move or switch their starting lineups first. One good thing to know, though, is that Murray wants out, and the Suns look like one of the only teams that would need a true point guard. With both Green and Murray at their lowest values and on similar contracts, it seems a one-for-one deal could be the easiest thing for both parties. That said, the Pelicans front office doesn’t have the best track record with trades, so maybe the Suns can get something else thrown in for taking on their disgruntled player, since Green hasn’t made his frustrations as obvious as Murray’s. Could the Suns try to get a pick back in exchange for a younger asset? That’s something I’d like to see them try to pull off, alongside bringing in Murray to give them more flexibility in the long term.
Dejounte Murray has "strong interest" in joining the Phoenix Suns, per @sam_amick
His camp has been hopeful for a swap involving Jalen Green, but team sources on both sides recently said no talks had taken place. pic.twitter.com/z5BlT2vPK2
What are your thoughts? Is Dejounte Murray someone you would like the Suns to go after? Is there another piece you think would be a better fit? Ultimately, given what assets the Suns have to trade, this may be the best option they can pursue without hurting their depth too much, and I’d like it to materialize.
AUSTIN, TX - MAY 02: Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle looks on during the SEC college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Mississippi State Bulldogs on May 02, 2026, at UFCU Disch - Falk Field in Austin, Texas.(Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Thursday, the Texas Longhorns signed 18 high school baseball prospects as part of the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class in the rankings by Perfect Game and Baseball America.
“We’re really excited about this group of student-athletes and what they bring to our program,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “They are talented players who have the work ethic, character and competitiveness we look for at Texas. We believe each of them has the ability to make an impact on our program, both on and off the field. We’re looking forward to getting them to Austin and helping them grow as players and people.”
In recent years, the shorter MLB Draft has resulted in more top prospects heading to college, like right-handers Sam Cozart and Brett Crossland in the 2025 class, but the top prospects remain likely to sign — Schlossnagle’s recruiting philosophy, also employed by other top programs, is to hope a several of those players head to the Forty Acres instead of professional baseball.
Pitchers
George Ferguson | RHP | 6’4, 218 | Abilene: A physical, frontline starter candidate, Ferguson is ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the class by Perfect Game. His fastball has reached 96 mph with an expected jump in 2027 that Ferguson pairs with advanced feel for his secondary offerings. Power arms ranked that highly are virtual locks to sign after the draft.
Grant Sperandio | RHP | 6’2, 210 | Houston Memorial: A top-50 national recruit and MLB High School All-American who is graduating early to join Texas in January 2027. He stuff is instant-impact and SEC-ready, headlined by a blazing fastball that tops out in the high 90s. Getting Sperandio to campus early without having to worry about the draft is a major coup for Schlossnagle.
Lukas Waite | RHP/OF | 6’2, 205 | San Diego (Calif.) Patrick Henry: Another All-American and explosive two-way athlete. On the mound, he works with afastball in the low to mid 90s and sharp breaking pitches. Waite’s speed — he runs a 6.22-second 60-yard dash — could complicate the decision about where he plays, but he’s listed as a pitcher here because of that explosive fastball.
Easton Sarmiento | LHP | 6’4, 180 | Chino Hills (Calif.) Ayala: A top-100 prospect nationally, Sarmiento is one of the highest-upside left-handers in the country because he pairs a projectable, athletic frame with a low-90s fastball and a plus slider.
Ryder Renfro |RHP | 6’3, 215 | Kingwood: A physical right-hander with a low-effort, repeatable high three-quarters delivery and a starter profile. His four-pitch mix features a fastball up to 93–94 mph with high spin (over 2600 rpm), a mid-70s sweeping slider, a curveball, and a changeup that fades. Those are attributes that will make him a prospect to watch when the draft arrives.
Cooper Vais | RHP/OF | 6’1, 200 | Arvada (Colo.) West: The top-ranked prospect in Colorado, Vais is a high-ceiling two-way athlete, touching 92 mph on the mound with a sharp curveball and repeatable mechanics, while showing high-level exit velocities and 6.63 speed as a position player.
Luke Armijo | LHP | 6’1, 200 | Whittier (Calif.) La Mirada: A polished California southpaw sitting just outside the national top 100. He features a quick arm with a fastball already reaching 92 mph, giving him a projection as a potential early contributor.
Hayden Anderson | LHP | 6’5, 220 | West Des Moines (Iowa) Waukee: An imposing, physical left-hander with a classic starter’s build. He operates with a fastball up to 90 mph and a developing changeup, offering significant velocity projection as he matures in Austin.
Beckett Berg | RHP | 6’5, 195 | Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame: A tall and long-limbed right-with a high-upside frame, Berg may need time to boost his fastball velocity in the Texas strength and conditioning program.
Infielders and catchers
Lubin Rincon SS/3B | 6’3, 180 | PearlandThe Bennett School: Ranked No. 12 nationally by Perfect Game and No. 1 in Texas by Prep Baseball Report, Rincon is a premier left-handed hitting shortstop and major MLB Draft follow. Rincon boasts a prototypical frame with smooth actions capable of playing anywhere on the infield. Signing with Texas will be a footnote on his professional baseball journey.
Selvin Garrett | MIF | 5’11, 170 | Buda Johnson: A top-100 national prospect known for his high-level athleticism and consistent in-game production. He is a plus runner with clean defensive actions who projects to stick at shortstop while handling the bat with growing impact. Garrett is a player the Longhorns would really like to get to campus.
Hank Rippy| INF | 6’2, 185 | Austin Anderson: A local standout and draft follow ranked inside the top 10 in Texas, Rippy features excellent hands defensively, a quick arm, and a simple, repeatable left-handed swing that produces huge exit velocities with pull-side power. Texas is likely to need a hometown discount to get Rippy to the Forty.
Hudson Holt | 3B/SS/OF | 6’2, 200 | Rockwall: A versatile multi-positional athlete capable of playing third base or the outfield with an advanced all-field hitting approach at the plate.
Matthew Fernandez | C | 5’11, 175 | Miami Lakes (Fla.) Columbus: The lone catcher in the class, Fernandez is a durable backstop who projects as longterm depth behind the dish.
Outfielders
Grant Westphal | 6’2, 205 | Leawood (Kan.) Blue Valley: Ranked No. 65 nationally and No. 1 in Kansas, Westphal is a physical left-handed hitter with massive offensive impact — 107-mph exit velocities, 6.58 speed, and a fluid swing that drives the ball into all gaps. Those are tools that MLB scouts could fall in love with.
Luke Gladchuk | 6’0, 185 | Aledo: An All-American ranked No. 66 nationally, Gladchuk brings some juice as a center fielder with 6.48-second speed, a 99-mph outfield arm, and fast hands from the left side that that generate hard line-drive contact. A power surge this spring could vault him up draft boards.
JJ Utash | 6’4, 215 | Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field: A top-100 prospect possessing some of the loudest raw power in the entire class — prototypical SEC physicality produces posted exit velocities over 106 mph from the right side. Utash also boasts a strong arm.
Ira Rootman | 6’3, 195 | Los Angeles (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake: A speedy outfielder from the California powerhouse has a smooth swing with effortless power and plus ability in the field. Ranked just outside the top 100, Rootman could be an instant-impact player for the Longhorns.
