ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JUNE 22: Michael Massey #19 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 22, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals play Spring Training in Arizona, but here in St. Pete, Florida, the lineup they’re running out might as well be a Spring Training lineup. No Bobby Witt Jr., no Maikel Garcia, no Kyle Isbel, no Vinnie Pasquantino, no Jonathan India, no Cole Ragans. That’s because all of those players are injured. Instead, we get the privilege of watching Tyler Tolbert, Nick Loftin, Kameron Misner, Michael Massey, Lane Thomas, and Luinder Avila.
To be fair, a lot of Kansas City’s role players are doing pretty well. Loftin, Thomas, and Massey in particular have exceeded expectations, and Avila has been more or less what you’d expect as the, like, eighth-best starter in the org.
But still, it’s a bummer to not see Witt. At least we get to see the newly-bedazzled Tropicana Field, which looks significantly better thanks to a new roof. Amazing what a little light can do to the place—some, say, rays of light.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Nick Lodolo #40 celebrates the win with Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds after throwing a complete game shutout against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the plus side, the Cincinnati Reds got an excellent start from righty Brady Singer on Monday during the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. After completely falling on his face to begin the 2026 season, the pending free agent has turned things around lately, pitching to just a 1.64 ERA in 22.0 IP across his most recent four starts, his 23/9 K/BB every bit as important as the overall results.
The bad news, of course, is that he’s pitching his way into prime ‘get traded’ form as the Reds continue to lose games they put themselves in position to win. Singer’s great start last night didn’t hold up as the Reds failed to score off Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff, and they eventually lost 2-1 in extra innings on a Tony Santillan wild pitch.
The Aristoreds!
Anyway, they’ll turn things over to another veteran who has struggled both with blisters this year and with overall success in Nick Lodolo. They need him now, more than ever, if they’re going to dig themselves out of last place in the NL Central and back into the playoff chase.
The news of the day, of course, is the return of Elly De La Cruz. He was activated this morning at Will Benson’s expense, and he’s in the lineup hitting 2nd for the Reds already. Notable in the roster shuffle was the team’s decision to keep Edwin Arroyo up despite a suddenly crowded middle infield, but it’s Arroyo in the lineup at 2B tonight over the struggling Matt McLain. Keep an eye on that going forward!
Brandon Sproat will start for Milwaukee, while it’ll be Lodolo throwing the game’s first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (55) talks to staff after being hit in the hand by a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Don’t expect Cole Ragans back anytime soon for the Royals.
The All-Star left-hander has been out since May 6 with an elbow impingement, and the update provided by manager Matt Quatraro today was not exactly encouraging. The skipper indicated that they expect Ragans will need elbow surgery. The Royals will seek a second opinion, but Quatraro told reporters, “We anticipate it being surgical.”
#Royals Matt Quatraro said LHP Cole Ragans is likely to undergo a surgical procedure for his elbow injury.
“We anticipate it being a surgical procedure. We don’t know, as of right now, what it means. He’s got to see another doctor as well, but we anticipate it being surgical.”
— Jaylon T. Thompson (@jaylonthompson) June 23, 2026
Ragans exited after just three innings of a start against the Guardians on May 6 with the elbow injury. He made one rehab appearance for Triple-A Omaha in late May but did not respond well afterward and was shut down. The Royals sent him for an MRI last week, but the results were inconclusive.
Ragans has undergone Tommy John surgery twice, a procedure used to repair a torn UCL, a ligament in the elbow. He first had the surgery in 2018 while with the Rangers and underwent it again in 2019. The latest elbow injury does not necessarily mean he has re-injured the UCL, but it is another setback for the 28-year-old. He missed three months last year with a left rotator cuff strain.
The Royals’ pitching staff is already dealing with injuries to Kris Bubic, Ryan Bergert, Carlos Estévez, and Nick Mears. The Injured List also includes hitters Vinnie Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia, Jonathan India, and Kyle Isbel, while Bobby Witt Jr. has missed the last few days with a knee injury.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 11: Manager Torey Lovullo (L) and general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks meet before Game Three of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on October 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re currently about six weeks away from the trade deadline, but it’s never too early to try and gauge the direction in which the team will be going. That said, much will depend on the results between now and then. In particular, I suspect what the team does through the nineteen games remaining before the All-Star break will factor heavily into things. Right now, the D-backs sit at exactly .500, and you could easily imagine scenarios where the team’s record breaks sharply, in either direction. Perhaps they remember how to hit with runners in scoring position. Or, perhaps the rotation continues to fall apart.
With a tough schedule going into the break, I’d not be surprised to see the team fall below .500. But that doesn’t necessarily mean going into sell mode. Going into play today, just three games cover fifth down to eleventh place in the National League standings, and arguably, only the Mets, Giants and (inevitably) the Rockies are really out of the picture. There’s a case to be made that simply hanging around until the final month of the season, and making a September push, is all that Arizona needs to do. There’s a 16-game spell beginning August 27, where 13 games are against opponents currently with losing records.
But right now, what would you say the D-backs strategy towards the deadline should be? And if it’s still too early and with too mediocre a record to come to any conclusion, what benchmarks in terms of date and W/L position, would you need to see to make a decision? Poll is below, and as ever, explain your decision in more depth in the comments.
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 04: Texas pitcher Jason Flores (4) looks for the pitch call during the college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on March 4, 2025, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Right-hander Jason Flores became the ninth Texas Longhorns player to enter the NCAA transfer portal with the news of his departure from the Forty Acres breaking on Tuesday.
Portal Update
RHP Jason Flores has entered the transfer portal
The Soph righty made 9 appearances and 2 starts with a 6.75 ERA over 12 IP
The 6’1, 240-pounder has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Out of Garland Naaman Forest, Flores was a well-regarded prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft, but chose to honor his commitment to Texas and play for head coach Jim Schlossnagle. Perfect Game ranked Flores as the No. 76 player nationally and the No. 22 right-handed pitcher.
A power hitter who played multiple positions around the diamond in high school, Flores focused on pitching in college thanks to a fastball that reaches into the mid-90s and a high-spin curveball.
In Austin, Flores wasn’t able to capitalize on his upside, struggling to command the run on his fastball on the way to hitting 14 batters in 32.1 innings as a freshman. Flores was hard to hit, though, as opponents batted .205 against the big right-hander, who notched a 4-2 record and 2.78 ERA in 14 appearances, including five starts.
As a sophomore, Flores struggled to make his stuff match up with his results, failing to earn a role as the midweek starter despite two opportunities and failing to factor into the weekend bullpen, as well. In 12 innings over nine appearances, Flores had a 6.75 ERA thanks to a 7-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio and opponents hitting .333 against him with 16 hits allowed. Flores also hit four batters and threw two wild pitches.
Schlossnagle continued to speak glowingly about Flores and his upside, including superlative efforts in simulation games during practice, but in limited chances, Flores wasn’t able to translate that success into real games.
No longer considered an MLB Draft prospect, Flores will now look for an opportunity elsewhere.
BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 30: Pitching Coach Jordan Tiegs #83 of the Texas Rangers meets with Kyle Higashioka #11 and Jack Leiter #22 on the mound during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 30, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter underwent surgery today to remove a loose body in his ankle, per the beats. While the expectation is that he will be back before the end of the season, exactly when he will be able to return is not clear, with Evan Grant indicating Leiter wouldn’t be back before August at the earliest.
The injury to Leiter’s ankle was suffered on April 22, when he tripped on the on-deck circle in an effort to back up a throw. He’s been pitching through it, but it apparently has been impacting him, and reports over the weekend said that a recent scan indicated that the ankle had gotten worse.
Cal Quantrill is filling in for Leiter in the rotation for at least the start today. Jose Corniell, who has been a starter throughout his career in the minors, was called up to take Leiter’s place on the active roster, and could be a rotation option as well.
The Rangers will no doubt be hoping that Jordan Montgomery, who started a rehab assignment this past weekend and pitched one inning for Frisco, will make good enough progress in his return from Tommy John surgery that he would be an option after the All Star Break.
After putting up a 3.86 ERA and 4.15 FIP in 2025, Leiter’s numbers have gone backwards in 2026, as he’s posting a 5.29 ERA and 4.76 FIP on the year. One would think that trying to pitch through the ankle injury contributed significantly to that.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome back to our series on the innovations the Yankees pitching department is making with the sinker! They’ve dusted off the pitch from a period of league-wide dormancy and have a renewed focus on disseminating it across as much of their pitching room as are willing to use it. Last month, I kicked off the series by looking at the way Cam Schlittler has incorporated the sinker into his arsenal and how that decision helped launch him to the stratospheric heights he is now pitching at.
For our second entry in the series, I’d like to turn to one of Schlittler’s rotation mates in Ryan Weathers. Acquired in a trade from the Marlins over the winter, Weathers was seen as an able deputy in the rotation while Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón recovered from their respective elbow injuries. Perhaps that is selling him a bit short, becuase with three years of team control and an enticing arsenal, it was easy to feel that Weathers was just scratching the surface of his abilities in his first five big league seasons and that he was someone the Yankees pitching coaches could mould into a rotation cornerstone for the present and future.
Weathers started off on a roll with a 3.00 ERA and 3.31 FIP across his first eight starts. But then he hit a serious rough patch giving up at least five runs in four out of five starts before steadying the ship a touch in his latest outing. The primary culprit for Weathers’ recent woes has been the long ball, the 26-year-old southpaw giving up ten home runs in his last six starts. He has allowed 16 on the year, which is sixth-worst among qualified pitchers. I believe the reason for this is his particular style of pitching.
Just looking at the raw metrics, you would think that Weathers’ four-seamer would be his most effective weapon coming in with an average velocity of 96 mph and over 15 inches of induced vertical break. However, it is tied for the 14th-worst four-seamer among the 571 pitchers who throw the pitch, worth -7 runs according to Statcast’s Run Value metric, which tells you how many runs a pitch is better or worse than average based on outcomes. Nine of the 16 home runs he has surrendered have come against the four-seamer, and I think I’ve discovered the reason why.
Generally when you throw a high-velocity, high-spin four-seamer, you want to target the top of the zone, particularly up and in to righties as a lefty pitcher. This keeps the pitch above the hitter’s swing plane, making it difficult to barrel and even harder to pull in the air with power. The problem for Weathers is that he likes to pitch his fastballs low in the zone, where it is much easier to do damage against the four-seamer.
Below is a heat map of all the four-seamers Weathers has thrown this season:
That hot zone down and in to righties is the problem area, as revealed when looking at all the home runs Weathers has allowed so far:
That is such a dangerous spot to throw the pitch to righties. Because it holds its vertical plane and remains flat through the zone, it becomes the perfect pitch to lift in the air when thrown there. It falls right in their natural swing plane whereas a sinker’s downward movement helps the pitch avoid the barrel low in the zone.
And that would be my prescription for Weathers: exchange out all those down and in four-seamers for down and in sinkers. The good news is it appears he is already starting to do that. Weathers is throwing the sinker a career-high 19.6-percent of the time as compared to just 3.1-percent of the time last year with the Marlins. This has come almost exclusively at the expense of the four-seamer, which is now sitting at a career-low usage rate of 27.8-percent, way down from 45.3-percent last season.
What’s more, the characteristics of the pitch have improved since he joined the Yankees. Last year with the Marlins, Weathers’ sinker averaged 20.6 inches of drop and 16.5 inches of arm-side movement. This year, it is averaging 21.8 inches of drop and 17.9 inches of arm-side movement, making it a top-30 sinker in the league when it comes to horizontal movement vs. average. This combined with Weathers’ ability to command the pitch at the bottom of the zone has made it his most effective pitch per Statcast’s Run Value at +3 runs. In addition, it is way better than the four-seamer at limiting damage, with a .400 SLG against as opposed to a .675 SLG against the four-seamer.
Finally, I believe further improvements with the sinker can facilitate a potential move to the bullpen. It’s between Weathers and Will Warren for demotion from the rotation once Max Fried returns from his elbow injury. Weathers and Warren have performed at a roughly similar level when looking at their expected metrics, but I just shudder at the though of Warren entering a game in the later innings with runners on base given his struggles pitching from the stretch.
Furthermore, I think Weathers’ stuff plays up way more in a bullpen role. Weather has triple digits in his arsenal when he pitches at maximum effort, whereas Warren hasn’t hit 96 mph since mid-May. The Yankees need more swing and miss in their bullpen, and Weathers narrowly edges Warren in that department. We’ve seen the way guys like Clay Holmes and Tim Hill have leaned on the sinker to limit damage coming out of the bullpen in recent years and I think a similar opportunity exists for Weathers should he find himself squeezed out of the rotation.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies signs autographs prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Monday, June 22, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 11: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Seattle Mariners have activated star outfielder Randy Arozarena from the 10-day injured list, where he’d been sidelined for the minimum number of days since a tweak that occurred while running hard for a bang-bang play at first base on June 13th. Arozarena has been an iron man by modern MLB standards, taking just two days off in 2025 despite dealing with some degree of hamstring discomfort a season ago, and having played 151+ games every season since 2022. It was his first trip to the injured list since 2021 and just his second as a pro.
The swift return of their left fielder is a massive boon for Seattle, whose pre-existing weaknesses against left-handed pitchers were exacerbated dramatically over the weekend against a few strong southpaws on the Boston Red Sox. Arozarena entered Tuesday as the 30th-best position player in MLB by fWAR (2.3) and 27th by bWAR (2.6) despite his 10 days shelved, making him a top-10-12 outfielder MLB-wide and top-5 in the American League. His .291/.377/.448 line and 139 wRC+ has been accompanied by 19 steals in 23 attempts. While at times he might need MapQuest in left field, Seattle’s first place positioning is due massively to their 31 year old free agent to be.
Arozarena is also back in time to build on those numbers, as he is sixth in American League All-Star voting just behind of his teammate in center, Julio Rodríguez. Ahead of him are deserving-but-injured superstars Aaron Judge and Mike Trout, as well as consistent standouts Byron Buxton and Cody Bellinger.
As a corresponding move, the Mariners optioned OF/1B Connor Joe to Triple-A Tacoma. Joe was pulled up frantically following Arozarena’s injury, but not able to make it swiftly enough to reach the ballpark initially. That led to the Moonlight Graham moment of Curtis Washington Jr., the 26 year old 19th-round pick who was plucked from High-A Everett for a night on the bench in T-Mobile Park. Seattle’s 40-man roster remains full at 40.
The Chicago Cubs today added right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray to the 26-man roster. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Murray is 29 and was acquired Saturday, June 20, from the Houston Astros for minor league infielder Cameron Sisneros. He will wear uniform No. 70 — the first Cub to wear that number since manager Joe Maddon left after the 2019 season.
Murray was a 23rd-round pick of the Rays in 2019 out of Utah Tech and was acquired by the Astros in 2022 in a three-way deal with the Rays and Orioles that also involved former Cub Trey Mancini. In 17 games (16 relief appearances, one start) for Houston over the last two years Murray has posted a 4.68 ERA and 1.560 WHIP, with 10 walks and 18 strikeouts over 25 innings. Here is his pitch selection chart for this year:
Hollowell was recalled on June 16 and made three appearances with the Cubs, posting a 4.91 ERA (2 ER/3.2 IP) with two strikeouts and five walks.
Today’s game preview will post shortly at 4 p.m. CT.
MILWAUKEE — Luis Rengifo has been released by the Milwaukee Brewers after opening the season as their primary third baseman.
The Brewers announced the release Tuesday, a week after designating him for assignment. The Brewers designated Rengifo for assignment when they called up shortstop Cooper Pratt from Triple-A Nashville.
Rengifo started 45 games at third base for the Brewers while sharing time at that spot with David Hamilton, who has made 28 starts at third. Rengifo was hitting .205 with a .280 on-base percentage, .254 slugging percentage, no homers, 19 RBIs and three steals in 57 games.
The Brewers signed Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million contract in February after he spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Also on Tuesday, the Brewers announced that outfielder Brandon Lockridge is undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on Thursday after developing increased discomfort with the right knee laceration/bone bruise that landed him on the injured list. Lockridge, who last played May 8, is expected to return in late July.
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Members of the Texas Rangers celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tenley Wright/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Season Record: 37-40
Week Record: 2-4
Series Record: 12–12, 1 split
GAME 72: 2-4 Loss vs Minnesota Twins GAME 73: 2-12 Loss vs Minnesota Twins GAME 74: 3-9 Loss vs Minnesota Twins
GAME 75: 9-7 Win vs San Diego Padres GAME 76: 4-5 Loss vs San Diego Padres GAME 77: 4-3 Win vs San Diego Padres
The Rangers had nothing on Minnesota last week. Couldn’t do anything against them, and the random off day in the middle of the series didn’t do anything to turn it around either.
They faired much better against San Diego over the weekend, winning yet another series.
Alas, their series record remains at .500.
While Ezequiel Duran has been in a bit of a funk, Wyatt Langford seems to have hit a stride, now having hit five homeruns since coming off the injured list.
Texas had an incredible win on Friday with Jacob deGrom but it sure didn’t seem like they would. Before the Rangers even game to bat for the first time in the game, they were down five runs. However, they did something stunning, and scores six runs in the bottom of the first.
It feels rare when Rangers answer back so quickly and so hard.
Hopefully something that can continue doing to win series.
BetMGM’s branding presence with MLB will continue for the foreseeable future.
Key Takeaways
BetMGM and MGM Resorts International renewed their partnership with MLB, extending a relationship that began in 2018.
The online operator will continue to be featured on multiple league platforms.
BetMGM operates in nearly a dozen jurisdictions that have an MLB team.
The online sportsbook and casino announced a multi-year extension Tuesday with the pro baseball league that began when MGM became the first operator to be MLB’s official sports betting partner in 2018, enhancing the operator’s visibility on multiple platforms.
“Major League Baseball offers one of the most engaging, data–rich experiences in sports, and this renewal underscores our shared commitment to innovation, integrity, and responsibility,” BetMGM chief revenue officer Matt Prevost said in a statement. “Together, we're enhancing how fans experience the game, from defining moments on the field to legendary experiences at marquee events like MLB All-Star Week."
Under the extension, BetMGM will continue to receive exposure across MLB's media platforms, including MLB Network, Apple TV broadcasts, and the league's website in the U.S. and Canada. The responsible gaming partnership feature, GameSense, will also remain.
BetMGM will also keep developing online casino games featuring pro baseball, and MGM Resorts, which owns 50% of BetMGM with Entain, will continue to be MLB’s exclusive resort and casino partner.
Visibility increasing
BetMGM also expects its marketing presence with MLB events, including MLB Awards Week in Las Vegas, to grow.
“MGM Resorts and BetMGM have been great partners to baseball for nearly a decade,” said Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB chief marketing officer and senior vice president of global corporate partnerships. “We're excited to continue our relationship and together help create more unique experiences for our fans.”
Not only is BetMGM a league sponsor, but the online operator also has partnerships with nine MLB teams, including big-market teams in the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees.
BetMGM operates online sports betting in 22 U.S. states, including nearly a dozen jurisdictions where at least one MLB team resides. BetMGM also has partnerships with the NBA, WNBA, NHL, and NASCAR.
MLB's broader gambling strategy
MLB also has an integrated partnership with FanDuel, the No. 1 market-share online sportsbook and iGaming operator in the U.S. It wasn't the first league to partner with sportsbooks after PASPA was overturned in 2018, but it was among the earliest major leagues to embrace gambling sponsorship revenue.
MLB signed an unprecedented memorandum with the federal regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, in March and partnered with prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket to build new contract trading standards. MLB wants input on what markets are offered, something other leagues are seeking as well, and a seat at the regulatory framework table to help protect the integrity of the sport.
The final West Coast trip of the season for the Braves started in brutal fashion Monday night in San Diego.
The hot-and-cold offense which has been a lot more cold of late was at its coldest in the opener, stranding eight runners in a 1-0 loss to the Padres.
The Braves will put JR Ritchie (1-2,4.54 ERA) on the mound Tuesday night hoping to level the series.
The rookie’s first two appearances back have been a real mixed bag. His relief appearance after Spencer Strider’s early exit at the Mets (2 H, 0 R over 5 IP) was very good. His first start back last Wednesday against the Giants (5 R, 5 H, 3 HR in 5 IP) was not.
Walks continue to be an issue for Ritchie, who has issued 21 free passes in 35 2/3 innings this season. He’s issued three or more walks in four of his seven appearances.
Maybe a Padres lineup which ranks last in the majors in batting average (.219), slugging percentage (.363) and scoring (3.86 runs per game) will be what Ritchie needs to rediscover his form, having not thrown more than five innings since he did so in each of his first two career starts.
While the Padres haven’t officially announced a starter, it sounds like it will be right-hander Griffin Canning (1-5, 6.64) getting the nod. He had a delayed start to his season as he finished up recovery from a torn left Achilles.
It didn’t start well for him, with an 0-4 record and 7.16 ERA in six May starts. But two of his three June starts have been at least solid and he’s coming off his first win of the season, allowing one run on four hits over 4 1/3 innings last Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
As with Ritchie, walks have been an issue. He’s walked 25 batters against 41 strikeouts in 42 innings. He’s also allowed eight home runs — as many as he had given up in 16 starts and 76 1/3 innings this season.
Canning, who was with the Mets last season, made his first two career appearances against the Braves the last two seasons. He lasted a combined seven innings across the two starts, giving up seven runs for a 9.00 ERA with nine hits allowed, six strikeouts and one walk.
Could this be what awakens the dormant Braves’ offense, most notably from Drake Baldwin’s extended slump since his return from the injured list?
Sep 12, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball carry bag during batting practice before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Return of Shane. It sounds like an old time western, starring Glenn Ford with Walter Brennan in it to give comic relief.
I try not to expect too much out of a guy coming off rehab, but it is hard not to hope for a great game. And Shane has come back from injuries before.
As I mentioned, in the open thread, I’m spending today on my bike. The MS ride is this weekend and I haven’t been riding near enough. But the ligament tears in my foot, plus the crappy weather we’ve been having, and a certain amount of laziness, I’ve only had half a dozen rides this spring.
The forecast for the weekend isn’t great, I think we’ll be riding in the rain.
Anyway, I’m doing this together long before they put up lineups.
It would be nice to get above .500, but the Astros have a pretty good starter going too, Peter Lambert is 6-4, with a 3.23 ERA and has a 1.93 ERA in his last three games.
