Suspensions are coming after a massive fight broke out Monday night between the Pistons and Hornets.
It had been a physical game, especially in the paint, and that came to a head midway through the third quarter. Detroit was inbounding the ball, when Detroit's Jalen Duren and Charlotte's Moussa Diabate had some words. When the ball was inbounded, it ended up with Duren, who turned to score and was fouled by Diabate. Then those two got face-to-face and had words again, which is when Duren pushed Diabate away in the face, Diabate got angry and went at Duren taking swings while Tobias Harris held him back, and boy, that escalated quickly, as lot of people joined in the fight.
Charlotte's Diabate and Miles Bridges were ejected, as were Detroit's Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Expect multiple suspensions and fines from the league office. Stewart is going to get the worst of it, he left the bench to jump into the fray — a cardinal sin in the league's eyes — plus he has a history of being in the middle of dust-ups.
This fight did not ease all the tensions around this game. In the fourth quarter, Charlotte coach Charles Lee was ejected and had to be held back by his assistants while yelling at officials over a no-call after Hornets forward Grant Williams.
In the end, Detroit snapped Charlotte's nine-game winning streak 110-104, behind 33 points from Cade Cunningham.
Stephen Curry was voted an All-Star starter by the fans, but will sit out the game due to a case of "runner's knee," Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced Monday.
Curry will miss his fourth straight game Monday due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome — commonly called "runner's knee" — but Kerr said he will be out longer than that, as reported by Dalton Johnson at NBC Sports Bay Area. He also will miss Wednesday night's game against the Spurs, but with the games he missed and the All-Star break, Curry will have almost three weeks to rest his knee and get it right.
"He's doing well," Kerr said. "That's the hope. It's really kind of a day-to-day thing, so it's hard to predict for sure whether he'll be playing that first game after the break, but that's definitely the hope. The idea is if he can get through everything this week that puts him on pace to be playing then."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select a replacement for Curry on the USA Stripes team for this year's All-Star Game in the USA vs. World format (more on that below). This is Curry's 12th time as an All-Star.
Curry, 37, is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. The Warriors will have to continue trying to generate offense without Curry or Jimmy Butler (out for the season with a torn ACL).
All-Star Game format
This year, the NBA All-Star Game returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock — and it falls right in the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. That was a perfect setup for the first-of-its-kind All-Star Game format, a USA vs. World showdown that fans and players have been asking for.
The 24 All-Star players have been divided into three teams, two USA teams — USA Stripes and USA Stars — and one World Team. Those three teams will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games, each team playing at least two games. At the end of the round-robin, the two top teams will play a championship game (the fourth 12-minute game of the day) for the title. (If there is a tie it comes down to point differential.)
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, an earlier time than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Every moment of All-Star Weekend — the Rising Stars challenge on Friday. (Feb. 13), All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest (Feb. 14), as well as the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 — will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, a time earlier than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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Peterson is listed as out for the No. 9 Jayhawks with flu-like symptoms, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. That makes the task harder for Kansas against No. 1 Arizona (23-0, 10-0).
The freshman guard has appeared in 13 games this season, averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting. This marks the 11th game of the season that the projected top pick in the 2026 NBA will miss this season. Peterson has also battled a hamstring strain and cramps earlier in the season.
Junior guard Jamari McDowell started in Peterson’s place, while senior guard Melvin Council Jr. and sophomore forward Flory Bidunga have stepped up in the games Peterson has missed this season.
Kansas and Arizona had a 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) tipoff. The Jayhawks' lone loss at home this season came against No. 5 UConn.
Four players were ejected following a fight during the third quarter of a game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on Monday, Feb. 9.
Suspensions could follow.
The brawl began bubbling when the Hornets’ Moussa Diabate delivered a hard foul on Pistons center Jalen Duren with more than seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The players exchanged words.
Duren shoved Diabate in the face, and Charlotte forward Miles Bridges shoved Duren. Diabate threw a punch at Duren and had to be held back by coaches and teammates, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Moments later, Bridges punched toward Duren. Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart, who was not in the game, rushed the floor and put Bridges in a headlock. Players from both teams swarmed in to separate them.
"Miles got some blows in," one announcer said on the broadcast of the game.
Will Pistons and Hornets players be suspended for brawl?
Once the NBA assesses its discipline from this fight, expect several suspensions and fines to be levied, particularly for those like Isaiah Stewart, who came off the bench.
According to the NBA rulebook, during fights or altercations, players who aren’t subbed in must remain on the sidelines, “in the immediate vicinity of their bench.” The league also stipulates that violators will be subject to an automatic one-game suspension without pay, with an additional fine of $50,000.
Because Stewart also threw punches and made contact with Hornets players, his suspension may be for multiple games.
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 7, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have updated availability for numerous key players for tonight’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Dean Wade is OUT with an ankle injury, while Jaylon Tyson, who was also listed as questionable with an ankle injury, will be available to play.
Rookie Tyrese Proctor will be available to play after being questionable with an illness.
Max Strus and Evan Mobley remain out. Mobley hasn’t played since January 26 with a calf strain, while Strus has yet to play this season.
Cleveland’s wing depth has taken a hit without Wade. They traded De’Andre Hunter at the deadline for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, a move that has paid off in the short-term, but has left them without many backup options on the wing other than Wade.
Wade is also one of the team’s best and most underrated defenders. He consistently raises their floor defensively and isn’t as easy to replace as you might think.
The NBA's most versatile defenders this season, based on time spent guarding PG/SG/SF/PF/C:
1. Jarred Vanderbilt 2. Josh Minott 3. Dean Wade 4. GG Jackson 5. Jordan Walsh 6. Alex Caruso 7. Hugo Gonzalez 8. Naji Marshall 9. Spencer Jones 10. Gui Santos
The Cavs have managed to survive even with injuries to Wade, Mobley and Strus. They’ve done so behind an All-Star caliber season from Donovan Mitchell, huge performances from Jarrett Allen, and a new Hall of Famer in James Harden.
Harden made his Cavalier debut on Saturday and scored 23 points while helping his team get across the finish line. We’ll be watching to see how Harden continues to develop chemistry with his new teammates. Allen, in particular, should continue to thrive with another pick-and-roll ball-handler in the lineup.
This is Cleveland’s final game of their West Coast road trip. They previously played the Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns. After tonight, they’ll head home for their first game of February in Rocket Arena. They host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
The Cavs have the best winning percentage in the NBA since Dec. 29 and have a top-10 offense and defense during this stretch. Let’s see if they can keep on rolling and head home with one more win.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The injury-depleted Indiana Pacers have been dealt another blow, announcing Monday that second-year forward Johnny Furphy is expected to miss the rest of this season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Furphy was hurt during the third quarter of Sunday's 122-104 loss at Toronto. Team officials issued a three-paragraph statement Monday saying the Australian was taken to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and an MRI confirmed the extent of the injury. Indiana is in New York to face the Knicks on Tuesday.
Furphy is yet another addition to an expansive injury list headlined by two-time All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been ruled out for the rest of this season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of June's NBA Finals.
Starters Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and key backups Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell have all missed games with injuries this season. The result: Indiana has the league's second-worst record at 13-40. The absences, however, gave Furphy, a second-round draft pick in 2024 out of Kansas, a chance to show what he could do in 21 starts. He was averaging 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
The Pacers also could be dealing with yet another injured player — new center Ivica Zubac, who Indiana acquired last week in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. He's been dealing with an ankle injury since December and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said recently that Zubac won't play until he's “really ready.”
The Boston Celtics just made an announcement their fans have been eager to hear.
The franchise said star forward Jayson Tatum, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in May, was assigned to participate in portions of a G League practice Monday, Feb. 9. Following that session, the Celtics will recall Tatum, where he’ll continue his rehab with the team.
The Celtics said they would issue future updates when appropriate.
Tatum, 27, had suffered the injury during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, but has remained a steady presence around the team through its first 53 games of the season.
The announcement doesn’t necessarily mean Tatum will return to game action imminently, but it does carry significant implications.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jayson Tatum’s recovery from his Achilles tendon rupture:
Jayson Tatum injury update: What does it mean for a potential return?
Does this mean Tatum will absolutely return at some point during the 2025-26 season? Not necessarily. Is it a positive sign? Yes, overwhelmingly so.
Achilles tendon ruptures are complicated injuries that require calculated and arduous rehabs. That Tatum has progressed to the point of limited participation in practice signals that he has advanced to a certain level of competence.
In September, Tatum told USA TODAY Sports that he hadn’t fully ruled out a return to the court for the 2025-26 season, so this aggressive timeline indicates that Tatum and the Celtics may be considering a pathway toward a return.
To be sure: the practices will be controlled and the franchise will push Tatum only as far as he’s able. And even then, they will exercise prudence and will closely monitor how he responds to the sessions.
But, if Tatum is to return this season, he’d eventually need to return to practice and a return this soon should build optimism.
Still, there will be plenty of work left to do for Tatum, and the most challenging part of his recovery will almost certainly be mental. After extended absences, players often feel the need to be tentative or cautious out of fear of reaggravating the injury. Tatum may face similar concerns, and he may even feel he’s lost some explosion or speed.
But even though Achilles ruptures used to be considered career-ending injuries, modern medicine has allowed plenty of players to return to full health and participation after suffering them.
Boston has surpassed expectations and is 34-19, which is currently third in the East. If Tatum is cleared and able to return, he would instantly add a massive boost of scoring, playmaking and rebounding for the Celtics.
It would also make the Celtics a real threat to win the Eastern Conference
Jayson Tatum stats
Last season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.
In the third quarter of the Indiana game in Toronto on Sunday, the Pacers' Johnny Furphy went up and threw down a huge dunk, but he landed awkwardly and crumpled to the ground, grabbing his right knee. Clearly it was something serious.
The reactions said it all. It was hard on all of the Pacers.
Great concern for Johnny Furphy, who suffered a right leg injury and was taken back to the locker room in a wheel chair. pic.twitter.com/Aga2nd0u7x
Furphy suffered a torn right ACL and had surgery to repair that on Monday in New York, the Pacers announced. He is out for the remainder of this season, and likely much of next season as well.
It's a rough setback for Furphy, 21, who was starting to find his place on this team during his season. He had moved into the starting lineup (for 21 of the last 22 games) and on the season was averaging 5.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He's not out there as a scorer so much as a quality defender and rebounder, plus someone who knows how to work off the ball.
Furphy, the No. 35 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is under contract with the Pacers for next season at $2.3 million, with the team holding a $2.5 million option for the 2027-28 season as well.
The New York Rangers signed defenseman Travis Dermott to a professional tryout with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Could we actually see Dermott in a Rangers uniform?
With the NHL Olympic break running up until Feb. 26, Dermott will get an opportunity to get into some game action in the AHL.
Dermott’s PTO will last 25 games and can be terminated at any point.
Given the fact that the Rangers are in the midst of “retooling” the roster, they’ll likely need depth reinforcements, with more trades likely to be made by the Blueshirts before the March 6th NHL Trade Deadline.
Carson Soucy was already dealt to the New York Islanders, and we’ve seen the Rangers attempt to fill the vacant spot with recent waiver pick-up Vincent Iorio.
Because of Dermott’s NHL experience, he may have a leg up over some of the other defensemen in Hartford to be called up if need be.
The 29-year-old defenseman has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, and most recently, the Minnesota Wild through the course of his eight seasons in the NHL.
In 348 career games, Dermott has recorded 16 goals, 46 assists, and 62 points while averaging 15:50 minutes per game.
In the latest sign that Jayson Tatum appears on a path to return to the Celtics before the end of the season, he has been assigned to the Celtics G-League team for a day of practice, Boston announced Monday.
Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the @MaineCeltics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon.
Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process.
An assignment to a G-League team to get in a practice is now a common part of an injury return, even LeBron James was assigned to the G-League for a day this season. NBA teams do not practice much — especially this deep into the season, when recovery remains the most important thing — so assigning a player to a G-League team means he can get in a full practice while the team has the day off.
There remains no timetable for Tatum's return, but when asked, the organization says he is "making progress" in his recovery from a torn Achilles.
Tatum suffered that injury last May, in Game 4 of the Celtics' second-round series against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Recovery time for an NBA player from a torn Achilles is generally around 10-12 months, which could have Tatum back in March. At 34-19, Boston sits as the No. 3 seed in the East, and it's easy to envision how the return of their best player could spark a deep Celtics' playoff run in an open conference. That said, Tatum admitted he is re-thinking a return, in part because he doesn't want to rush his physical process, and in part because this team has found an identity without him this season and he doesn't want to parachute in and mess it up.
Tatum may be thinking about it, but a G-League assignment is a sign he is nearing a return.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13, Jurickson Profar #7 and Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrate after winning the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good evening, folks. I hope your week has gotten off to a solid start and that this evening goes well for you, as well.
The motion for a temporary injunction has been denied by Judge Daniel Pruet, according to The Tuscaloosa News ― part of the USA TODAY Network ― on Monday, Feb. 9. That means the 7-foot center's time with the Crimson Tide and return to college basketball are over.
The decision overturns the temporary restraining order by Judge James Roberts Jr. that Bediako received on Jan. 21 against the NCAA that made him immediately eligible.
Bediako originally played for Alabama from 2021 to 2023 before appearing in 82 games across three seasons in the G League.
“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes,” Sankey wrote in the affidavit.
Bediako appeared in five games for the Crimson Tide, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 21.6 minutes. He had 12 points in Alabama's 96-92 win over Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The NCAA's argument against Bediako’s eligibility is that he signed multiple professional contracts since leaving Alabama after the 2022-23 season, which make him ineligible to return to the sport, according to the organization’s longstanding eligibility rules.
Bediako's return to college basketball is happening during a period when several former G League players have been added to college rosters for this season.
NCAA statement on Charles Bediako being ruled ineligible
NCAA President Charlie Baker released a statement on Bediako being ruled ineligible on Monday, Feb. 9.
“Common sense won a round today. The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students," he wrote in a statement released on social media.
NCAA President Charlie Baker statement: “Common sense won a round today. The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away…
"College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the ‘undo’ button at the expense of a teenager’s dream. While we’re glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn't fix the national mess of state laws. It’s time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability.”
Will Alabama have to forfeit games Charles Bediako played in?
No, Alabama will not have to forfeit the games Bediako played in because he was eligible due to a TRO. He appeared in five games with the Crimson Tide, with the team going 3-2.
Alabama beat Auburn 96-92 on Saturday, Feb. 7, and defeated Texas A&M 100-97 on Feb. 4. The Crimson Tide also had a 90-64 win over Missouri. They lost to Tennessee and Florida in that span.
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 01: New York Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga (43) pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins on Friday, August 1, 2025 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If you’ve only been following the Major League deals Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen has made over this offseason, you’re likely very disappointed in the lack of pitching additions via Free Agency, aside from Merrill Kelly and Taylor Clarke. However, GM Mike Hazen has actually made quite a few additions at the minor league level, and this article I’ll be going over the majority of them, while gauging their chances at cracking an MLB roster in 2026.
The Likely Five
There’s five pitchers that GM Hazen signed to minor league contracts that I think are the most likely to contribute at some point in 2026, with the major caveat of ‘if healthy’.
Makakilo just did a great writeup on Loáisiga, which I suggest you go read for a much more in depth look at him. Out of all the players in this group, Loáisiga likely has the best chance at providing positive value at the MLB level in 2026.
Law was an effective reliever from 2019 through the 2024 season, especially in 2023 when he posted a 3.60 ERA for the Reds, and even more so the following year, when he put up an even better 2.60 ERA for the Nationals. Unfortunately, Law is coming off a forearm injury that left him sidelined for all of 2025, but he hasn’t thrown an inning since the 2024 season, so how healthy and effective he can be is really in question.
Hatch was a somewhat effective reliever back in 2023, when he put up a 4.08 ERA for Toronto and Pittsburgh. Hatch would head to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Carp but it wasn’t exactly a succesful stint, considering he put up a 7.36 ERA, but his 5.65 FIP and 3.73 xFIP show that he wasn’t nearly as bad as the results indicate. He’d come back to the states last season and pitch for the Kansas City Royals, but spend the majority of his season for them playing in AAA Omaha.
In AAA, Hatch was acceptable, putting up a 4.22 ERA, 4.12 FIP, and 4.09 xFIP, but he’d allow a run to score in his only inning of work at the MLB level. The Royals would go on to designate hatch for assignment, and he’d then get claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins. Hatch would actually get into eleven games and 33 innings pitched for the Twins, but he’d put up a 5.82 ERA (4.81 xERA) and an even worse 6.02 FIP and 5.29 xFIP.
Shawn Dubin’s most valuable season came in 2024, when he put up a 4.17 ERA (3.98 xERA, 3.72 FIP, 4.29 xFIP) in 45.1 innings pitched in 31 games for the Houston Astros. In 2025, he wasn’t nearly as effective for the Astros; after 25.2 innings with a 5.61 ERA, which was bad enough that he’d get Designated For Assignment. The Baltimore Orioles would claim him off waivers, and he’d appear in seven games and pitch eight innings down the stretch. Dubin would have six scoreless appearances before he gave up three runs in his final outing of the season. I actually think this may be one of the more underrated signings by Hazen this offseason, especially if the Dubin of 2024 and down the stretch with Baltimore shows up in 2026
Campbell was excellent for the Seattle Mariners in his pro debut, pitching 28.2 innings in 27 games with a 2.83 ERA. His advanced metrics weren’t nearly great, as evidenced by the 3.86 xERA, 3.32 FIP, and 4.15 xFIP. The Red Sox were particularly impressed by Campbell, who’d acquire him in the offseason for Luis Urias. The 2024 season saw Campbell beset by injuries; first a shoulder impingement in April, right elbow inflammation in September along with minor 7 day IL stints in-between the two.
He’d appear in just 6.2 innings at the MLB level with a 16.20 ERA. In 2025 Campbell spent the majority of the season in AAA, where he’d put up a 3.90 ERA in 57.2 innings. At the MLB level, he’d appear in only 7.2 innings while putting up a 7.04 ERA, 5.01 xERA, 4.83 FIP, and 4.14 xFIP. The biggest positive for his 2025 season was his velocity being not only higher than the 93.8 vFA he put up in his injury plagued 2024 season, but at 96.1 it was a full 1.1 MPH faster than where was averaging in his healthy 2023 season.
The Other Guys
Then there’s guys who have yet to make their MLB debuts, some of whom have made it as high as AAA amd some of whom have only just made it to the AA level in 2025. Of the latter group of players, unless one of them dominates the hitter friendly confines of the Texas League and Pacific Coast League in a sustained run of pitching, it’s unlikely any of them make it to the MLB level, or contributes any positive value. Gerardo Carrillo RHP, Indigo Diaz RHP, Junior Fernández RHP, are all guys that fall into this category.
Then there’s the Rule 5 guys, who although they aren’t minor league free agents, the process is basically the same as far as the AAA portion goes. The Diamondbacks didn’t select anyone in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 draft this past December, but they did take select three players in the AAA phase, two of which are pitchers, so I’ll discuss them here.
First up is RHP Sean Harney, who has had a hectic 2025 season. Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 8th round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Kentucky. Harney was traded to the Mets for future considerations (international bonus pool money) in December of 2024. The Mets then traded him (again) to the Cardinals at the end of March for international bonus pool money. Finally he’d end up with the Diamondbacks a year later in the Rule 5 draft, who then assigned him to AAA Reno. Harney has only reached the AA previously, last year pitching for the Cardinals AA affiliate, he put up a 4.24 ERA in 34 IP. Considering how challenging it can be to find success pitching in the PCL for the first time, I would be shocked if Harney has enough success to earn a promotion to make his MLB debut.
The other pitcher the Dbacks took in the rule 5 draft is RHP Antonio Menendez, also out of the Tampa Bay Rays farm system, though without the St Louis Cardinals as the middle man. Menendez was extremely solid in AA in 2024, putting up a 3.14 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 3.66 xFIP in 63 innings. In 2025 he was even better, putting up a 1.99 ERA in 22.2 IP, though his 3.45 FIP and 4.25 xFIP show that improvement may have been influenced by luck and excellent fielders behind him. Either way, he’d get a promotion to AAA and his stretch of dominance would come to an end as he’d have 8.31 ERA, 5.02 FIP, and 4.48 xFIP in 21.2 IP at that level. I could actually see Menendez finding success in 2026 in his second go around in AAA, and I think he stands a better chance to make it to the big leagues in 2026.
San Diego Padres Miguel Andujar (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No one would argue the San Diego Padres’ biggest offseason need was upgrading the depth of the starting rotation. But it would not hurt to add another bat to the mix. Well, the Friar Faithful should be excited about the recent free agent signing of Miguel Andujar.
No question, the Padres have added a proven bat in Andujar. Scouts describe him as one of the top contact hitters in baseball without a natural position. His presence should provide stability at the designated hitter position or off the bench. It was something that was missing from the roster last season.
All of Andujar’s faults are fixable
Andujar is not the smoothest fielder, but he will not embarrass you if called upon to play in the field. He does have a strong, accurate arm, but poor footwork and a lack of range have made him a defensive liability. Possibly, a change of scenery and working with a new coaching staff could unlock his potential as a defender. Spring Training provides a setting where Andujar can transform into a serviceable utility player.
The Friars are not expecting him to play the field every day, but part of his role is to give Manny Machado, Ramon Laureano, and Fernando Tatis Jr. an occasional day off. Keeping them fresh will come in handy during the grind of a major league season.
Another aspect that needs improvement is his below average baserunning skills. Andujar is labeled a station-to-station runner because he fails to get a good lead off the bag. This might be the season where he becomes more aggressive in taking an extra base to put himself in scoring position.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Andujar is in San Diego for one reason — to hit
The right-handed hitter batted .318/.352/.470 with 10 HR and 44 RBI in 94 games with the Athletics and Cincinnati Reds last season. It was his best offensive production since his rookie season in 2018. Andujar hit .297/.328/.527 with 27 HR and 97 RBI in 149 games with the New York Yankees.
The Friars expect his bat to shine in the bottom third of the batting order. Andujar’s power numbers will not jump out at you, but he can drive a ball into the gaps with runners in scoring position. There is room for improvement, as Andujar’s bat control is too good to not be able to provide more production at the plate. The Padres’ offense has been missing another proven bat for too long.
It is time for Andujar to outperform his career batting numbers. The Friar Faithful are hoping for his 2026 results to be promising. If so, the Padres should have a very successful season.
I keep this page updated every time a deal goes down, and with the 2026 NBA trade deadline behind us, it’s time for another update.
Capologist. Have you heard this term? Given the complexities of the NBA salary cap, full of terminologies like options, luxury tax, first and second apron, mid-level exception, and Bird rights, you may feel like you need a PhD to understand it. You don’t. You just need this page, you capologist, you!
Fear not. We are collaborating with SalarySwish to leverage their data to answer any and all questions you could have about the Suns’ roster construction.
So bookmark this page, because this is where you’ll find answers to all of your questions, updated in real-time, with context and updates as they occur.
Now, onto the info…
Phoenix Suns Roster, Salaries, Draft Picks, Cap Space and More
Here is a table with all of the Suns’ salary information, courtesy of our friends at SalarySwish:
With all that data to unpack, let’s break down a few key takeaways, what they mean, and the questions they raise.
FAQ
How much salary cap space do the Suns have?
First, a refresher of the thresholds for the 2025-26 season:
— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) July 16, 2025
The team currently has one roster spot open, but with three two-way contracted players, the team will most likely fill that final spot with one of them. My guess? Jamaree Bouyea.
How much will the Suns pay in luxury taxes this year?
In short? As noted above, nothing. This team was the most expensive team in NBA history a season ago. Now? From a cap hit perspective, they are the 11th cheapest in the league.
What draft picks do the Suns have?
It can get confusing, but this is where the Suns have landed after all their wheeling and dealing. The short version? Phoenix holds seven draft picks, though many come wrapped in conditions that make them more decorative than practical.
