PHOENIX — Baltimore Orioles reliever Albert Suarez has been transferred to the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue, the team announced.
The right-hander has made just one appearance this season, throwing 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 28. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Suarez isn’t expected to need surgery.
“It’s going to be months,” Hyde said. “Hopefully just a few months, but it’s really unfortunate news.”
The 35-year-old Suarez was a big part of the pitching staff last season, compiling a 3.70 ERA over 133 2/3 innings in 32 appearances, including 24 starts.
“It’s a big blow for us because he was throwing the ball really well in spring training and did so many things well for us last year,” Hyde said.
The Orioles acquired left-handed pitcher Grant Wolfram from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league outfielder Daz Cameron and cash. Wolfram was put on the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Suarez was moved to the 60-day IL.
SEATTLE — Houston right-hander Spencer Arrighetti broke his right thumb when he was hit by a line drive while playing catch in left field before the game at Seattle.
Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Arrighetti was being evaluated during his pregame availability. The team announced the injury about an hour before its series opener against the Mariners.
The 25-year-old Arrighetti is 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA in two starts this season. He allowed five runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings during a 6-1 loss at Minnesota.
Arrighetti, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft, went 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA in 28 starts and one relief appearance as a rookie last year.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani celebrates — mimicking a melodramatic commercial he did for a luxury Japanese skincare company — as he rounds the bases after his two-run home run during Monday's game. (Nick Wass / Associated Press)
Even President Trump, it turns out, professes to be a Shohei Ohtani fan.
So universal is Ohtani’s celebrity that during the Dodgers’ visit to the White House on Monday to celebrate their World Series championship, Trump dedicated a significant portion of the 20-minute ceremony to extolling the two-way star, making him the first Dodgers player whom the President singled out and approached to shake hands.
“He looks like a movie star,” Trump joked, before listing the many accomplishments from Ohtani’s unprecedented 50/50 season that made him a unanimous winner of the National League most valuable player.
Later, Ohtani spoke about the exchange.
“He said it was an honor to meet me, and I told him it was also an honor for me to meet him,” Ohtani said in Japanese, before joking that Trump was “taller than I thought.”
“It’s really an honor,” Ohtani added. “I’ve come from Japan like this to play here, and I appreciate this country every day. I think it was an honor to be able to meet the top person in this country.”
Asked if he hoped to return to the White House with the Dodgers as champions next year, Ohtani answered affirmatively.
“I’d like to go as many times as possible,” he said.
And the slugger has been playing like it, starting this season almost exactly where he left off last year.
In his first 12 games Ohtani was batting .311 with a 1.081 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (almost identical to his 2024 stats), four home runs, five RBIs and two stolen bases. Among Dodgers hitters, only catcher Will Smith (who was batting .400 with a 1.117 OPS) had better numbers.
Ohtani’s highlight reel already is adding up, from his sentimental home run during the season-opening trip to Japan to his walk-off blast against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium last week.
He’s even started a new hand-signal celebration for the team — mimicking a melodramatic commercial he did for a luxury Japanese skincare company (which teammates razzed him about while watching it on loop during their trip to Japan) by dragging two fingers in front of his eyes while rounding the bases after his walk-off home run.
“It’s good for them to tease me and get excited,” Ohtani said when asked about the celebration. “I think the atmosphere is good.”
Ohtani broke out the celebration repeatedly Monday night. After going just one for 11 in a weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he exploded for a three-for-four performance in a 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Ohtani had a first-inning infield single, a third-inning two-run home run and a fifth-inning triple that hit high off the center field wall. Twice he had a chance to complete his second career cycle with a double. But, after striking out in the eighth, he settled for a walk in the ninth, trying to extend a Dodgers rally that fizzled for their third loss in four games.
“The at-bats Shohei took were pretty exceptional,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Even that last at-bat to earn a walk … and not try to chase a cycle, speaks to being a team player and passing the baton. He had an excellent night.”
The only thing missing for Ohtani is his long-awaited return to pitching. In another parallel to last year, the 30-year-old right-hander continues to slowly work his way back from a 2023 Tommy John surgery, throwing regular bullpen and long-toss sessions.
“The bullpens are going well,” Ohtani said, more than 18 months removed from his second Tommy John procedure. “I think I’m in a really good place feel-wise.”
But when asked how close he is to throwing live batting practice — a major step Ohtani got close to last year before pausing his pitching program during the playoffs, then having his winter regimen delayed by surgery on his left shoulder — he wasn’t sure of an exact timeline.
“I’m still at the stage in which I have limits on the types of pitches I can throw and limits on speed,” he said. “I think that will be something I discuss with the doctor and the team staff. Personally, I think it’s something I’d like to do not too far out.”
Ohtani said such limitations come from Dodgers brass and head team physician Neal ElAttrache, the renowned sports surgeon who has performed both of Ohtani’s elbow operations. For example, Ohtani has not yet been cleared to throw his sweeper. He only just reincorporated a few splitters into his most recent bullpen last weekend. During that session his velocity continued to hover around the low 90s.
“[Dr. ElAttrache] said that since it’s my second operation, it’s better to be careful,” Ohtani said. “Personally, I think I’d like to go along with that.”
So in the meantime, Ohtani continues to focus on the same designated hitter role he mastered last season; so much so, it prompted presidential recognition.
“Is he good?” Trump jokingly asked Roberts during Monday’s ceremony.
“He’s only getting better,” Roberts responded with a laugh.
“He’s getting better?” Trump said. “That’s scary for a lot of people, huh?”
PITTSBURGH — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a bone bruise in his left knee.
Pedro Pages is expected to get the bulk of the action behind the plate with Herrera out. Catcher Yohel Pozo was brought up from Triple-A Memphis, and he was in the starting lineup for the Cardinals’ game at Pittsburgh.
The 24-year-old Herrera got hurt in the opener of a doubleheader at Boston. He is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.
Herrera was off to a hot start in his first season as a full-time starter, batting .381 with four homers and 11 RBIs in seven games.
He was unable to put weight on his left leg and had to be helped off the field after running the bases. He underwent testing, which was negative.
“It was really good news,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said before the series opener against the Pirates. “The way his knee buckled, I thought it might be an ACL tear.”
WASHINGTON — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell expects to be out for two weeks while he recovers from shoulder inflammation.
Snell, who agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with Los Angeles in November, said the shoulder issue has been lingering for three weeks. The two-time Cy Young Award winner had an MRI that came back clean, and he was placed on the 10-day IL.
“I thought I could pitch through it,” Snell said. “But when I got to Philly, played long toss, catch, tried to throw it. I just couldn’t. It’s inflammation. Hopefully, it’s a couple weeks and I am back and ready to go.”
The World Series champions opened a three-game series at Washington. Manager Dave Roberts said left-hander Justin Wrobleski is lined up for Snell’s spot in the rotation.
“Putting Blake on the IL certainly isn’t ideal,” Roberts said. “I still feel very good about our pitching depth. I am just hoping that it is very benign and not too long a wait from getting him back.”
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw had a bullpen session as he nurses a left toe injury. The three-time Cy Young Award winner hasn’t pitched in a big league game since Aug. 30.
With Freddie Freeman sidelined by an ankle injury, Kershaw spoke for the team when celebrating the franchise’s 2024 title at the White House.
“It’s always an honor,” Kershaw said. “I don’t ever want to say no to those type of opportunities. Me not having a lot to do with the October run was a little awkward but at the same time (having) somebody on the outside that didn’t play to be able to highlight some of the things that this group did was really cool.”
The 37-year-old Kershaw thinks he is going to face hitters in Arizona, staying on the schedule he has been using for two weeks.
“It’s kind of a weird needle to thread because physically my arm is ready to go,” Kershaw said. “I am ready. But my toe isn’t all the way there yet. So, whenever my toe finally is strong enough to be put there, I want to be ready.”
Apr 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Eric Canha/Eric Canha-Imagn Images
BOSTON — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
——
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran said in an upcoming documentary series that two years before his 2024 All-Star season, the pressures of the sport led him to intense bouts of depression and an attempted suicide.
“I remember when I was going through it and you start losing a couple of games and you’re not doing good, it feels like the world is kind of creeping in on you,” Duran, 28, said in the fourth episode of an eight-part Netflix series titled, “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox.”
The episode chronicles the journey of Duran, a seventh-round draft pick in 2018, to making his MLB debut in 2021 after becoming one of the majors’ top prospects as one of the top hitters in the minors. It also delves into his struggles not long after getting called up to the majors, as the former infielder had a difficult time adapting to playing in the outfield.
“They love you one day, and then the next day they have to grind on you a little bit,” Duran recalled.
He said there were times he felt players were treated like “zoo animals.”
“Sometimes some fans take it too serious. I feel they cross the line when they start talking about my mental health — making fun of me for that,” Duran said. “Calling me weak. It just kind of triggered me when you start talking about mental health because I feel like that is just part of it — that loneliness. Some people deal with it better than others.”
The intense atmosphere of the Boston sports media market also wore on him, he said.
“I remember when I first started struggling I was like, just send me back down (to the minor leagues),” he recalled. “It honestly felt like there was a dark cloud over me because it’s so easy to look past the positive things for me, and then to grab onto the negative things.”
That pressure to perform came to a head at one point for the young slugger.
“I couldn’t deal with telling myself how much I sucked everyday,” Duran said. “I was already hearing it from fans. And what they said to me, (it’s not like) I haven’t told myself 10 times worse in the mirror. That was a really tough time for me. I didn’t even want to be here anymore.”
The series’ director, Greg Whiteley, then asked, “When you say, ‘here,’ you mean here with the Red Sox or here on planet Earth?”
“Probably both,” Duran said before going into detail.
In a statement, Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy commended Duran for being open about taking care of his mental health.
“Jarren’s decision to share his story is an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball,” Kennedy said. “By opening up, he’s showing others who may be struggling that they’re not alone and that asking for help isn’t just okay, it’s essential. Every member of this organization continues to stand with him. He has our deepest admiration, he’s always had our full support, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.”
Manager Alex Cora said he was aware of the situation long before the Netflix filming.
“I mean, obviously, I was aware of it,” Cora said before Boston’s scheduled game against Toronto. “Since I learned about it, me as a person, I’ve been giving him support, love. I’m somebody that he can talk to. That door’s always open. The relationship has grown throughout the years. Obviously, a lot of private conversations about the subject. I truly believe that him opening up is going to help a lot of people.
“It takes a person with courage and being transparent and genuine to do that. ... I hope that’s how we see it — that he will impact others and he’s going to save lives with what he did in Netflix.”
The Red Sox have since won five of their last six games, including a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals that included a walk-off victory and an 18-run outburst. They will take a 6-5 record into Tuesday’s showdown with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.
While they have a long way to go — 151 games, to be exact — their recent surge has inspired optimism for the remainder of the season. MLB experts across the nation view the Red Sox as a top-10 team in the league, and if that trend continues, we could see them clinch their first playoff berth since 2021.
Here’s a look at where the Red Sox stand as of Tuesday, according to power rankings from several national outlets:
“Oftentimes, we’re using the term ‘difference-maker’ as a shorthand for team MVP. And if we apply that logic to the Red Sox, Wilyer Abreu would be the choice. But if we’re looking for a tangible difference, consider this: Devers went 0-for-19 in the first five games of the season, and the Red Sox were 1-4. Then he had two hits in Game No. 6, stayed blistering hot through a four-hit game on Sunday — the last game we saw before voting on the Power Rankings — and the Red Sox went 5-0 in those games. When Devers wasn’t hitting, the Red Sox weren’t winning. When he started hitting, the Red Sox couldn’t lose. Seems like the definition of a difference-maker.”
“The Red Sox exploded for 18 runs in the night cap of a doubleheader with the Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball. And after a 1-4 start to the year, they have now won five in a row. Last year’s top rookie Wilyer Abreu (37 PA, .483/.595/.897, 3 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI) and this year’s rookie phenom Kristian Campbell (42 PA, .364/.476/.667, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI) have been two of the hottest hitters in baseball to start the year.”
“Much was made out of how well Alex Bregman had historically hit at Fenway Park in his career before he signed with the Sox not long before Opening Day. With all eyes on him in his Fenway Park debut in a Red Sox uniform on Friday, he had two hits, raising his OPS at Fenway to 1.245, the best of any active player with 70 or more at-bats.”
WASHINGTON — Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House after winning the World Series last season.
Ohtani was praised for becoming baseball’s first 50 home run-50 stolen base player, Betts for his play, and Japanese pitcher Yoshi Yamamoto and NL Championship Series MVP Tommy Edman were singled out.
Betts, the star outfielder at the time for the 2018 champion Boston Red Sox, did not make that team’s trip to the White House the next year. Betts was on the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 2020 and attended the celebration the following year.
The 32-year-old Betts is the lone Black player on the Dodgers who returned from last season’s World Series team.
“Nobody else in this clubhouse has to go through a decision like this except me,” Betts said of his decision. “That’s what makes it tough. But it is what it is. I’m not trying to make this political by any means at all. All it is is just me being with my team to celebrate something. It’s a privilege to get an invitation like this. I just want to be there with them.”
Manager Dave Roberts had called the invitation a huge honor that each World Series champion gets to experience. Roberts said deciding to go to the White House was not a formal conversation he and players had.
The trip came after a Department of Defense webpage describing Brooklyn Dodgers great and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson’s military service was restored after it had come down.
That development came after pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor winner and Japanese American service members were taken down — which the Pentagon said was a mistake — amid the department’s effort to remove content singling out the contributions by women and minority groups.
Neither Robinson nor any other previous Dodgers greats were mentioned at the ceremony.
Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter and pitcher Clayton Kershaw gave brief remarks at the White House.
The White House also said recently the NFL’s Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles accepted their invitation for April 28.
Its Tuesday, April 8 and the Orioles (5-6) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (5-6) in Game 2 of this series.
Charlie Morton is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Merrill Kelly for Arizona. Each was hit hard in their last outing.
Game 1 of the series went to the O's, 5-1. Ryan Mountcastle drove in a pair and Ryan O'Hearn went yard to pace the Baltimore attack. Zach Eflin went six innings and allowed just one run to earn his second win of the season.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Orioles at Diamondbacks
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Time: 9:40PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: MASN2, ARID
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Odds for the Orioles at the Diamondbacks
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
Moneyline: Orioles (-101), Diamondbacks (-118)
Spread: Diamondbacks 1.5
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Diamondbacks
Pitching matchup for April 8, 2025: Charlie Morton vs. Merrill Kelly
Orioles: Charlie Morton (0-2, 9.72 ERA) Last outing: 4/3 vs. Boston - 5IP, 5ER, 6H, 2BB, 10Ks
Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (1-1, 10.00 ERA) Last outing: 4/3 at Yankees - 3.2IP, 9ER, 9H, 3BB, 2Ks
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Orioles at Diamondbacks
The Orioles are 5-6 for the season on the Run Line
The Diamondbacks have lost 3 in a row and 4 of their last 5 games
The Diamondbacks have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Diamondbacks
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Orioles and the Diamondbacks:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.
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Its Tuesday, April 8 and the Cubs (8-5) host the Rangers (8-3) at Wrigley in Game 2 of their series.
Patrick Corbin is slated to take the mound for Texas against Jameson Taillon for Chicago
Justin Steele did not allow a run over seven innings yesterday as the Cubs throttled the Rangers, 7-0. Ian Happ drove in three to pace the Chicago attack. Kyle Tucker picked up two more hits (.327) and drove in his sixteenth run of the season for the Cubs.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Rangers at Cubs
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Wrigley Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: RSN, MARQ
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Odds for the Rangers at the Cubs
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
Moneyline: Rangers (+133), Cubs (-157)
Spread: Cubs -1.5
Total: 7.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Cubs
Pitching matchup for April 8, 2025: Patrick Corbin vs. Jameson Taillon
Cubs: Jameson Taillon (1-1, 6.97 ERA) Last outing: 4/2 at Athletics - 6IP, 2ER, 4H, 3BB, 7Ks
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rangers at Cubs
The Rangers had won 5 in a row prior to yesterday's loss
The Rangers are 5-6 ATS for the season
The Cubs have won 6 of their last 7
The Cubs are 8-5 ATS for the season
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Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Cubs
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Rangers and the Cubs:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Cubs -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.
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After starting the season 2-3, the Mets reeled off five wins in a row, often showing the resiliency that was a hallmark of the 2024 club.
But while what the Mets are doing early this season is very impressive, what's even more notable is that they're achieving it without so many elements that should be present sooner rather then later. Before getting to that, let's discuss what the Mets do have at the moment...
For starters, they have the best ERA in baseball -- a sterling 1.72 mark entering play on Tuesday.
With Edwin Diaz, A.J. Minter, Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett, Jose Butto, and Max Kranick, New York entered the year with six relievers who have late-inning potential, with two of them (Butto and Kranick) earmarked for multi-inning stints on the regular.
So far, it's worked out nearly perfectly.
And the bullpen has also gotten a significant boost from Huascar Brazoban, whose inclusion on the Opening Day roster was up in the air until Paul Blackburn landed on the IL. Brazoban has fired 7.1 scoreless innings over four appearances, allowing just three hits, walking one, and striking out six.
Meanwhile, Kranick has been nearly perfect, with one base runner allowed in 7.0 innings over four games.
Then there's the top of the lineup.
Apr 7, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on an RBI double against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
After going hitless during the Mets' season-opening three-game series in Houston, Lindor has been terrific, posting an .878 OPS during his current six-game hitting streak.
Soto has reached base in all 10 games, has a .904 OPS, and has smashed doubles in three of his last four games.
Alonso has been on another level. Using a discerning eye at the plate and flashing eye-popping exit velocities, Alonso is slashing .314/.429/.657 with three homers and three doubles.
Now, let's talk about what the Mets don't yet have...
They are still without starting catcher Francisco Alvarez, whose absence has been offset a bit because of strong defense from Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger, and a spurt of hot offense from Torrens. But when Alvarez returns, likely in a few weeks, he should add thump to a bottom of a lineup that has been mostly anemic.
New York also hasn't found its rhythm offensively beyond the top three in the lineup, with Brandon Nimmo struggling recently, Jesse Winker up and down, and the aforementioned bottom of the order not doing much.
Some of that has to do with the struggles of co-second basemen Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña.
After a hot spring, Baty is again struggling at the big league level, with just two hits in 21 at-bats. And his approach at the plate has been more concerning than the results. Acuña, who got the start on Monday against a right-hander, has just two hits in 17 at-bats.
While it's easy for some to scoff at the idea of Jeff McNeil (who should be back from his minor oblique injury within the next few weeks) being an impact bat again, he clearly still has the ability -- McNeil slashed .289/.376/.548 in 157 plate appearances over his last 43 regular season games in 2024.
Jul 23, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
As far as the rotation, it's without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Both of them could be back around late May or early June, so there's still a lot of heavy lifting for the starting staff to do.
The bullpen should get a jolt soon, though, with Dedniel Nuñez -- who has been building up in the minors -- eligible to be activated as early as April 11.
As the 2025 bullpen has been mowing hitters down, it's been easy to forget that Nuñez was one of the Mets' best relievers in 2024, when he posted a 2.21 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while striking out 48 batters in 35.0 innings -- a rate of 12.3 strikeouts per nine.
Beyond the players the Mets will get back and the expectation that their offense will start clicking with their return, some progression toward the mean for others, and hitting in weather that isn't frigid, is the belief that this team will also be bolstered in other ways.
Right-handed pitching prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean -- both of whom have top-of-the-rotation potential -- should make an impact in the majors at some point this season.
On the position player side in the minors, Ronny Mauricio and Jett Williams could make their presence felt, as could Drew Gilbert if he gets healthy and excels.
New York is also well-positioned to swing a trade for an impact starting pitcher around the deadline if there's a need. This is not the middle of last season, when they were rightfully hesitant to push some chips in.
The Mets have been a well-oiled machine without so much of what should make them go in the near future. When some of their performances get more even and reinforcements arrive, look out. Until then, the Mets will keep chugging along.
PHOENIX — When a player agrees to a 14-year, $500 million extension, as Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reportedly did Sunday night, the signing has a ripple effect.
The American League East, almost always led in spending by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, now has another club knocking at the vault door.
How does that make the more reserved Baltimore Orioles feel, especially after they followed last year’s 91-win season with the free-agent losses of ace right-hander Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander, the latter of whom signed with the Blue Jays? Considering Guerrero Jr. has hit more home runs against Baltimore (27) than any other MLB club, not very good.
“I don’t like seeing Vladdy 13 times a year,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said before his team opened a three-game series Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team that added Burnes this past offseason. “If he wanted to go to Cleveland or San Diego that certainly would have been perfectly fine with me.”
But Guerrero didn’t go; after a winter of nip-and-tuck negotiations, he decided to remain in Canada. Toronto has, for years, been aching for a superstar to stay in its midst. Fans thought the organization had pulled off the remarkable signing of Shohei Ohtani two offseasons ago only for the Los Angeles Dodgers to swipe the two-way star.
Unlike Ohtani’s deal, Guerrero Jr.’s reportedly comes without deferrals.
The size of these top-end deals in MLB appear beyond what a team like the Orioles are willing to shell out at this point, although their player payroll for luxury tax purposes has jumped to $181.4 million, No. 15 in MLB, from last year’s $126.7 million, per Spotrac. The Blue Jays, with a player payroll for luxury tax purposes of $267.8 million, have slid between the Yankees ($309.5 million) and the Red Sox ($247.9 million).
“It’s the AL East for a reason, and there are superstars in the middle of just about every batting order,” Hyde said.
Except maybe the Rays, who don’t have a permanent home right now in the Tampa Bay area and are trying to compete with all these big spenders at $100.6 million.
Before signing, Guerrero was in his last year before free agency and earning $28.5 million this season. Now, his base salary will be $35.5 million for the next 14 seasons. That’s nowhere near the $51 million the New York Mets are paying Juan Soto for through 2039, or the $40 million Aaron Judge is earning from the Yanks through 2031.
But comparatively, the Orioles, who won 102 games and the division with an $89.4 million payroll two years ago, have Tyler O’Neill at $16.5 million a year as their highest-paid player.
“I think when teams spend on players, it’s good for baseball,” O’Neill said in a clubhouse interview Monday night about Guerrero’s contract. “It forces the rest of the league to be competitive in that regard as well.
“You want to see owners going out to make their teams better. At the end of the day, it’s the Major Leagues, and you want to compete against the best. That’s my take on that. I think it’s good for the game and good for the players as a whole.”
Its Tuesday, April 8 and the Phillies (7-2) are in Atlanta to open a series against the Braves (1-8).
This one is an elite pitching matchup as Zack Wheeler is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Chris Sale for Atlanta.
The Phillies enjoyed a day off yesterday following a weekend that saw them take two of three from the Dodgers. The Braves have not played since Saturday's 4-0 loss at home to Miami. They were rained out Sunday and yesterday was a scheduled off day.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Phillies at Braves
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Time: 7:15PM EST
Site: Truist Park
City: Atlanta, GA
Network/Streaming: TBS
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Phillies at the Braves
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
Moneyline: Phillies (-101), Braves (-119)
Spread: Braves 1.5
Total: 7.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Braves
Pitching matchup for April 8, 2025: Zack Wheeler vs. Chris Sale
Phillies: Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.39 ERA) Last outing: 4/2 vs. Colorado - 7IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 10K
Braves: Chris Sale (0-1, 5.40 ERA) Last outing: 4/1 at Dodgers - 5IP, 3ER, 4H, 0BB, 5Ks
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Braves
The Phillies have won 5 of their last 6 games
The Phillies are 7-2 ATS for the season
The Braves have but one win on the season and are 3-6 ATS
Bryson Stott leads the Philly regulars with a .286 batting average
Michael Harris II leads the Braves regulars with a .242 batting average
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Braves
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Phillies and the Braves:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Philadelphia Phillies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
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Its Tuesday, April 8 and the Blue Jays (6-5) look to make it two straight wins as they continue their series in Boston against the Red Sox (6-5).
Easton Lucas is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Garrett Crochet for Boston.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Red Sox
Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Time: 6:45PM EST
Site: Fenway Park
City: Boston, MA
Network/Streaming: SportsNet, NESN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Blue Jays at the Red Sox
The latest odds as of Tuesday:
Moneyline: Blue Jays (+158), Red Sox (-190)
Spread: Red Sox -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Red Sox
Pitching matchup for April 8, 2025: Easton Lucas vs. Garrett Crochet
Blue Jays: Easton Lucas (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Last outing: 4/2 vs. Washington - 5IP, 0ER, 1H, 2BB, 3Ks
Red Sox: Garrett Crochet (1-0, 1.39 ERA) Last outing: 4/2 @ Baltimore - 8IP, 0ER, 4H, 1BB, 8Ks
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Red Sox
The loss last night snapped Boston's 5-game win streak
Boston is now 7-4 on the Run Line this season
The Game Total UNDER has cashed in 8 straight Jays' games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Boston Red Sox on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Red Sox -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
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