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Clayton Kershaw announces retirement after 18 seasons with the Dodgers

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the dugout before pitching against the the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, in the dugout before a game in July, announced his retirement on Thursday effective the end of the season. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

On Friday night, Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to take the mound at Dodger Stadium for the 246th time in his illustrious career.

On Thursday afternoon, he made a long-awaited announcement that could make it his last trip atop the bump.

After 18 seasons, three Cy Young Awards, one MVP and two World Series titles, the 37-year-old Kershaw announced he will retire from Major League Baseball after this season.

After 222 wins, more than 2,800 innings, over 3,000 strikeouts, and a career 2.54 ERA, his countdown to Cooperstown will begin this winter.

Kershaw’s retirement had been a long time coming. Over each of the past four offseasons, he contemplated whether or not to walk away from the game. An 11-time All-Star and five-time ERA champion, he long ago ensured his spot as a future Hall of Fame pitcher. As the enduring face of the Dodgers franchise over the last two decades, his stature in club lore had been cemented.

Yet, he continued to want to play.

Despite an elbow injury at the end of the 2021 season, a shoulder surgery after the 2023 campaign, and foot and knee procedures this past offseason, Kershaw continued to come back and play for the Dodgers — never ready to give up another title chase.

This year, however, he authored the kind of renaissance season that once felt beyond him. He is 10-2 in 20 starts with a 3.53 ERA. He has been an integral member of a first-place Dodgers team. And though one more title hunt remains ahead, with the Dodgers trying to defend last year’s World Series, he decided his time in baseball was finally up.

This season served as a closing chapter on a storybook career.

Originally drafted seventh overall by the Dodgers out of Highland Park High School in Texas in 2006, Kershaw has spent his whole career in the organization, going from top prospect to young sensation to Cy Young winner to pitcher of his generation.

He made his MLB debut in 2008, and broke out as a star the following year. By 2011, he had earned his first All-Star selection, his first ERA title and his first Cy Young Award. The accolades would keep coming after that — with Kershaw leading the majors in ERA each season from 2011-2014, winning two more Cy Youngs in 2013 and 2014, and becoming only only the 22nd pitcher to ever win MVP honors with his 21-3, 1.77-ERA season in that historic 2014 campaign.

The back half of Kershaw’s career was plagued by injuries, starting with a bad back that sidelined him for part of 2016.

Still, he earned another ERA in 2017, while helping the Dodgers win their first pennant in 29 years. He had a resurgent performance in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, going 6-2 in the regular season with a 2.16 ERA before finally experiencing a World Series title.

Up to that point, the postseason was the only area were Kershaw struggled. In 32 playoff outings from 2008-2019, he was 9-11 with a 4.43 ERA — numbers that included painful collapses against the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros and Washington Nationals along the way.

But in 2020, Kershaw vanquished such demons, making five starts and going 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA in the Dodgers’ first victorious World Series run since 1998. The title, Kershaw has said since, meant more than even he could have ever imagined.

And once he won it once, he craved to do it again.

That’s why, even as his body has continued to break down in recent years, Kershaw kept coming back every spring. He believed, when healthy, he could still contribute to a World Series roster. And despite numerous free-agent flirtations with his hometown Texas Rangers, he always saw the Dodgers as the best way to get there.

Read more:A dominant Blake Snell provides 'a huge boost' as the Dodgers shut out the Phillies

It made last year’s World Series run a sentimental one for the iconic left-hander. Kershaw was a limited participant, making only seven starts in the regular season before missing the playoffs with his foot and knee problems. But he relished in the celebration, especially the title-winning parade that the 2020 team had been denied by the pandemic.

"I love you guys, thank you!” Kershaw shouted to the crowd at Chavez Ravine that day.

“Dodger for life!"

On Thursday, Kershaw made that distinction official.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Jonah Tong dominates, Brandon Nimmo smacks three-run homer in Mets' huge win over Padres

The Mets beat the Padres, 6-1, on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field...

Here are the takeaways...

- Pete Alonsoopened the scoring in the first inning, rocketing a solo homer 445 feet to left-center that landed just to the left of the center field black that surrounds the Home Run Apple. It was Alonso's fourth consecutive game with a homer, setting a career-high.

- After San Diego got a scratch unearned run against Jonah Tong in top of the third inning to tie things, 1-1, the Mets answered back in a big way in the bottom half. 

Following back-to-back singles by Cedric Mullins and Francisco Lindor, Juan Sotodrove Mullins in with a ground out to second to give New York a 2-1 lead -- it was Soto's 100th RBI of the season. With Brandon Nimmo up, the Padres removed starter Randy Vasquez in favor of left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, but Nimmo greeted him by blasting a three-run homer to right-center to make it 5-1, Mets.

It was Nimmo's 24th home run of the year, tying his career-high, which he set in 2023.

- Tong's start began inauspiciously, as he allowed a one-out single to Luis Arraez before Manny Machado rocketed a ball over Nimmo's head in left field. But the Mets gunned down Machado at second base and Tong struck out Jackson Merrill to strand Arraez at third base.

Tong settled in after the first. He allowed the aforementioned unearned run in the third inning, but was otherwise largely dominant. He twirled perfect innings in the fourth and fifth, striking out four consecutive batters at one point. 

After starting the game sitting mainly 93-94 mph with his fastball, Tong dialed it up a bit in the middle innings while topping out at 96 mph. And the heater had plenty of life up in the zone, leading to a bunch of swings and misses. 

Overall, Tong allowed one run (unearned) on four hits while walking none and striking out eight. He threw 82 pitches, with 59 going for strikes. 

In the process, he became the first Mets pitcher aged 22 or younger to strike out eight or more batters since Noah Syndergaard in 2015.

- Tyler Rogers tossed a perfect sixth inning in relief of Tong, with Brooks Raley twirling a spotless seventh. Gregory Soto worked around two hits (that both caromed off him) in a scoreless eighth.

- Edwin Diaz retired the side in order in the ninth.

Game MVP: Jonah Tong

It was a monster outing for Tong after he struggled his last time out.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets open a three-game series against the Nationals on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Brandon Sproat gets the start for New York, opposed by Andrew Alvarez for Washington.

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Kodai Senga not a lock to make Mets' potential playoff roster, says Carlos Mendoza

Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is set to make another start in Triple-A on Thursday as he reworks his mechanics in an effort to get back to the big leagues.

While it remains unclear when Senga will return to the majors, or in what role, manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that the right-hander may not be part of the team's postseason pitching staff, if they make it.

"I wouldn't say definitely," Mendoza said. "I think we'll have the conversations and we'll take the best 13 guys that we feel are going to give us the best chance to win baseball games in October. In the meantime, we got ten more and we'll continue to treat it that way.

"But Senga, I think the biggest thing is for him to go out there today and have a good performance, and then we have decisions there."

In his first start with Syracuse on Sept. 12, Senga allowed one run on three hits over 6.0 innings (74 pitches) with eight strikeouts and no walks. His stuff looked good, including getting 11 whiffs on 11 swings with his forkball over 17 pitches.

"I like the fact that there was no walks last time when he pitched in Triple-A," Mendoza said. "Getting ahead, using all of his pitches. He got swing and misses with the split. I think it starts with him throwing strike one and then staying on the attack."

President of baseball operations David Stearnssaid Tuesday that Senga needs to show he can "consistently get major league hitters out," emphasizing that "results always matter."

Senga had struggled mightily before consenting to a minor league stint, owning a 6.56 ERA over 35.2 innings across eight starts from July 21 to Aug. 31. During that stretch, he allowed 39 hits, including eight homers, and 22 walks.

New York has 10 games left to play in the regular season, including Thursday's matchup against the Padres, and remain in possession of the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. Senga could potentially help the Mets out of the bullpen if they make the playoffs, but he'll need to keep proving he belongs while in the minors. 

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Mets vs. Padres: How to watch on SNY on Sept. 18, 2025

The Mets look to win their three-game series against the Padres at Citi Field on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto hit his career-high-tying 41st home run on Wednesday and is now tied with Todd Hundley (1996) and Carlos Beltrán (2006) for the third-most by a Met in a single season, trailing only Pete Alonso (53 HRs in 2019, 46 HRs in 2023)
  • The Mets enter play with a 1.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League
  • Jonah Tong looks to bounce back after a rough outing against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 12, allowing six runs over 0.2 IP
  • Brett Baty (3-for-4 with a double Wednesday) has a .347/.407/.541 slashline with five home runs, four doubles, 11 RBI and 17 runs over his last 31 games dating back to August 12
PADRES
METS
Fernando Tatis Jr., RFFrancisco Lindor, SS
Luis Arraez, 2BJuan Soto, RF
Manny Machado, 3BPete Alonso, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CFBrandon Nimmo, LF
Ramon Laureano, LFMark Vientos, DH
Gavin Sheets, DHJeff McNeil, 2B
Ryan O'Hearn, 1BBrett Baty, 3B
Jake Cronenworth, SSLuis Torrens, C
Freddy Fermin, CCedric Mullins, CF

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

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Mets' Reed Garrett lands back on 15-day IL with 'concerning' elbow sprain, Tommy John surgery not ruled out

The Mets announced a series of roster moves ahead of Thursday's series finale against the San Diego Padres, highlighted by reliever Reed Garrett landing back on the IL. 

Garrett, who was just activated off the IL on September 7 after dealing with right elbow inflammation, has again been placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow sprain, which ends his regular season. 

According to manager Carlos Mendoza, Garrett is experiencing the same issues as when he went on the IL earlier this month, saying he "continues to have a hard time recovering after every time he pitched."

Garrett warmed up to come into Wednesday's game against San Diego, but he shut it down after experiencing discomfort. 

Garrett will undergo further imaging before the team determines the next step, but Tommy John surgery has not been ruled out. 

"It's hard to say now. We've got to wait until we've got the imaging there," Mendoza said. "But it's concerning. It's concerning for the second time in less than a month that a guy is going down with elbow issues. 

The right-hander pitched to a 3.90 ERA in 58 games this season, but he was extremely streaky. After not allowing an earned run in April and continuing to pitch well in May, Garrett posted a 7.36 ERA in June and an 8.00 ERA in August.

The rest of Thursday's roster moves include:

-- RHP Wander Suero has been selected to the Major League roster.

-- LHP Sean Manaea has been placed on the Paternity List.

-- RHP Huascar Brazoban has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.

-- RHP Chris Devenski has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.

-- RHP Dom Hamel has been designated for assignment.

By designating Hamel, who pitched a scoreless inning in his major league debut on Wednesday, for assignment and adding Suero, Brazoban, and Devenski, the Mets give themselves a crop of fresh arms heading into Thursday's finale against the Padres and the ensuing weekend series against the Washington Nationals.

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Machado the man for bases-loaded moments as his 14th grand slam powers Padres past Mets

NEW YORK — With the bases loaded, the last man any opposing pitcher wants to see at the plate is Manny Machado.

The seven-time All-Star once again showed why Wednesday night.

Machado launched a tiebreaking grand slam off David Peterson in the fifth inning that sent the San Diego Padres to a 7-4 victory over the New York Mets in a pivotal matchup between postseason contenders.

“The one thing about Manny that I appreciate is just his calmness,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “Just not making the moment bigger than it is. You know, a lot of guys, hey, bases loaded — and try to do too much. Manny just knows who’s in charge at that point, and it’s the hitter. He just knows, I’m gonna stick a good at-bat. He put a nice, sweet stroke on it.”

Machado gave the Padres a 6-2 lead with his second grand slam this season and the 14th of his career — most among active players.

It was the first allowed by Peterson in 130 major league games.

“I was just trying to drive in one,” Machado said. “In that opportunity, it’s just trying to get one. Not try to do too much. You know, keep it simple. I think sometimes you can get into a habit of, you want to bring ’em in, you want to be the hero. But ultimately it’s just about just trying to get one run across.”

The win kept the Padres two games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West with 10 to play. They lead the Mets by five games for the second of three National League wild cards.

New York remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Arizona for the final NL playoff berth. Cincinnati and San Francisco are both two games back.

“Felt like a playoff game,” Shildt said.

The score was tied 2-all when San Diego loaded the bases with one out in the fifth.

After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Jake Cronenworth was hit by a 2-2 sinker from Peterson on the eighth pitch of his plate appearance. Cronenworth advanced on Elias Díaz’s sacrifice bunt, and Fernando Tatis Jr. fought back from a 1-2 count to draw a seven-pitch walk.

Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez dropped down a bunt single to bring up Machado. He drove a full-count curveball over the left-center fence for his 26th homer this season and third in the last four games.

“We talk about this a lot: We love the homers. You know, small things lead to big things,” Shildt said. “A lot of good, quality at-bats. Luis’ bunt knock to get Manny up there, and Manny put a swing on for a big number.

“A lot of good situational at-bats. Just a really well-played game in all phases — honestly both sides of the ball, both clubs. But yeah, it was a really well-played baseball game on our part.”

Machado’s grand slam provided enough cushion that a baserunning gaffe in the sixth didn’t cost San Diego.

Díaz slowed up while approaching home plate and failed to score from second base on a single before Arraez was tagged out to end the inning. Arraez made an ill-advised attempt to stretch the hit into a double with Machado on deck.

“I just thought it was a base hit, so I’m going to score easily. That’s why I slowed down at the end. I never thought he was going to try to get a double,” said Díaz, who took full responsibility. “You have to finish it — 100 percent.”

When he realized he didn’t cross the plate in time, Díaz sheepishly put his hands on his head.

“We were glad it didn’t turn out to be a pivotal run,” Shildt said. “Kind of just took it for granted a little bit. But it’s a good opportunity to continue to remind ourselves that until you touch home plate you haven’t scored, before the play’s over.”

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Mets 2025 MLB Wild Card Watch: Playoff odds, standings, matchups, and more for Sept. 18

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Mets are looking to hold off a handful of teams for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of play on Sept. 18...

Mets: 78-74, 1.5 games up on Diamondbacks for third Wild Card

Next up: vs. Padres, Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY (Jonah Tong vs. Randy Vasquez)
Latest result: 7-4 loss to Padres on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 1 vs. SD, 3 vs. WSH, 3 @ CHC, 3 @ MIA
Odds to make playoffs: 82.3 percent
*Mets hold tiebreaker over Giants by virtue of winning the season series, while Reds hold tiebreaker over Mets. The tiebreaker between the Mets and Diamondbacks is TBD, and will likely be based on intradivision record since the two clubs split the season series

Diamondbacks: 77-76, 1.5 games back of Mets

Next up: vs. Phillies, Friday at 9:40 p.m. (Ryne Nelson vs. Taijuan Walker)
Latest result: 5-1 loss to Giants on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. LAD, 3 @ SD
Odds to make playoffs: 6.7 percent

Reds: 76-76, 2.0 games back of Mets

Next up: vs. Cubs, Thursday at 7:15 p.m. (Hunter Greene vs. TBD)
Latest result: 6-2 win over Cardinals on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PIT, 3 @ MIL
Odds to make playoffs: 6.6 percent

Giants: 76-76, 2.0 games back of Mets 

Next up: @ Dodgers, Thursday at 10:10 p.m.(Logan Webb vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto)
Latest result: 5-1 win over Diamondbacks on Wednesday
Remaining schedule: 4 @ LAD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. COL
Odds to make playoffs: 4.4 percent

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ICYMI in Mets Land: New York falls short against San Diego; potential bullpen moves on the horizon

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Wednesday, in case you missed it...

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Justin Verlander reveals plans for his MLB future after turning season around

Justin Verlander reveals plans for his MLB future after turning season around originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Giants starter Justin Verlander has turned things around in his age-42 MLB season, and he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

After another dominant outing Wednesday, in which he spun seven scoreless innings in the Giants’ 5-1, extra-innings win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Verlander was asked if he plans to keep going in 2026.

“Next year? I mean, I’d like to, yeah,” Verlander told reporters at Chase Field. “I would hope that somebody would offer me a contract now, showing that I can turn it around and still pitch at a high level.”

After a rough start to his first season with the Giants, Verlander now has a 2.17 ERA in his last 11 starts.

Verlander, who turns 43 in February, will be an unrestricted free agent entering the 2026 campaign after signing a one-year deal with the Giants.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey even admitted Verlander exceeded his expectations when he brought the veteran pitcher to San Francisco this past offseason. And Posey’s open to the idea of keeping him around.

“Yeah, definitely,” Posey said Thursday morning on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.” “It’s something we’ll have to discuss, but for a multitude of reasons, he’s been a great teammate. He’s helped some of our younger guys learn how to prepare and then he just sets an example by going out and performing and continuing to show up.

“So that’s definitely something we’ll be open to.”

After Wednesday’s showing, Verlander joined seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens as the only pitchers age 42 or older to allow one or fewer runs over four consecutive starts (h/t Sarah Langs).

Verlander’s 3-10 record certainly doesn’t paint the whole picture, as either the Giants’ bullpen or lack of run support has let him down.

The Giants (76-76) still are chasing the New York Mets for the final NL wild card spot, tied with the Cincinnati Reds (76-76) and one-half game behind the Diamondbacks (77-76).

San Francisco can thank Verlander for helping keep the team afloat, and his presence on and off the mound hopes to continue to inspire a postseason push.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears

In this week's Closer Report, we run down the last week in saves around the league and examine every team's closer situation as we come down to the final week of baseball.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1

Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners

Chapman gave up a run in a non-save situation against the Yankees on Saturday, then bounced back with a clean inning, striking out one batter for a save on Sunday. The 37-year-old left-hander has recorded 30 saves with a 1.23 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and an 82/14 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings. And Muñoz struck out two batters in each of his two clean innings of work this week, picking up his 35th save of the season against the Angels on Friday. Matt Brash stepped in on Saturday with Muñoz unavailable and converted his fourth save.

Tier 2

Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres

Duran was busy on the mound this week with four appearances. He picked up saves against the Mets and Royals before blowing a one-run lead against the Dodgers on Monday. He recovered with a clean inning on Tuesday for his third save of the week and 31st of the season. He's already converted 15 since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline.

Díaz blew the save and took the loss against the Rangers on Saturday, giving up a run on three hits. He made two other scoreless appearances in non-save situations in the last week. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted just three saves since the start of August. He remains at 26 with an excellent 1.88 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and an 85/21 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Suarez locked down three saves to give him an NL-leading 39 on the season.

Tier 3

David Bednar - New York Yankees
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Abner Uribe - Milwaukee Brewers
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Ryan Walker - San Francisco Giants
Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Bryan Abreu - Houston Astros
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates

Bednar is up to 25 saves, eight with the Yankees, after converting three this week. The 30-year-old right-hander has had a tremendous bounce-back season after posting a 5.77 ERA in 2024, recording a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 79/16 K/BB ratio across 57 2/3 innings.

In Tampa Bay, Fairbanks reached a new career-high with his 26th save against the Cubs on Saturday. He then tossed a clean inning in a non-save situation against the Blue Jays on Monday before converting his 27th save on Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander has a club option for 2026, and it's hard to imagine the team not exercising that option after Fairbanks has managed to bounce back and stay healthy all season with a career-high 57 1/3 innings.

Jensen remains at 27 saves after making just one appearance in a non-save situation this week. In Kansas City, Estévez was pulled from his appearance on Sunday against the Phillies with mild back tightness. After a couple of days off, he pitched the ninth against the Mariners on Wednesday, giving up one run while holding on for his 40th save.

Uribe came away with a win this week in extra innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. Trevor Megill appeared set to return from the injured list this week, but felt renewed soreness following a live batting practice session. Uribe stands to continue operating as the team's closer in Megill's absence.

Pagán went without a save this week, logging a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Cardinals on Monday. Top rookie Chase Burns was activated from the injured list this week and will pitch out of the bullpen for the remainder of the regular season.

Smith converted three saves in four days for the Guardians, then blew a save with one run allowed against the Tigers on Tuesday before falling in line for a win. He's struck out multiple batters in each of his last eight outings. The 26-year-old right-hander is up to 15 saves with a 3.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 100/19 K/BB ratio across 69 2/3 innings.

Iglesias lowers his second-half ERA to 2.08 after logging two more scoreless appearances this week, including a save against the Nationals on Tuesday. The 35-year-old right-hander has allowed one run over his last 22 outings. He's certainly showing he has plenty left in the tank as he enters free agency this winter.

Walker tossed a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Dodgers on Friday, then took the loss in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday before working around a pair of baserunners in a scoreless inning on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Scott gave up three runs in a loss against the Giants on Friday. He bounced back with two clean appearances in non-save situations against the Giants and Phillies.

Abreu hasn't been quite as sharp since stepping in to fill the closer role in Josh Hader's absence. He stranded two hits and a walk for a save against the Rangers on Monday, then picked up a four-out save Tuesday as he worked around three hits and a walk.

Hoffman struck out two in a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Rays on Monday, then recorded the final two outs on Tuesday for his 31st save of the season to go with a 4.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and an 83/23 K/BB ratio across 64 innings.

Vest tossed two scoreless innings against the Marlins on Saturday before picking up a save Sunday in Miami. In his third outing in four days, he surrendered four runs, three earned, to take the loss against the Guardians on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Santana made one appearance in a non-save situation against the Nationals on Saturday.

Tier 4

Shawn Armstrong - Texas Rangers
Jose Ferrer - Washington Nationals
Keegan Akin - Baltimore Orioles
Andrew Kittredge/Brad Keller - Chicago Cubs
JoJo Romero/Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Calvin Faucher/Ronny Henriquez/Tyler Phillips - Miami Marlins

Armstrong made two scoreless appearances against the Mets, picking up his ninth save on Saturday in New York. The 35-year-old right-hander has had an excellent season, posting a 2.39 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 70/19 K/BB ratio across 67 2/3 innings. Ferrer also locked down his ninth save of the season against the Pirates on Friday. And Akin had a big week with three saves for the Orioles. Armstrong, Ferrer, and Akin are still widely available in most fantasy leagues for teams looking to supplement some last-minute saves as we reach the end of the season.

Both Kittredge and Keller picked up two saves apiece as they work in a committee to fill the closer role left by Daniel Palencia. Palencia could begin a rehab assignment this weekend as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. And it was O'Brien's week in St. Louis as he converted a pair of saves for the Cardinals.

Tier 5

Justin Topa/Kody Funderburk - Minnesota Twins
Sean Newcomb - Athletics
Andrew Saalfrank/Jake Woodford - Arizona Diamondbacks
Jordan Leasure/Mike Vasil - Chicago White Sox
Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies

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Blake Snell is dominant (and bullpen helps too) as Dodgers shut out the Phillies

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell celebrates after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Otto Kemp to end the top of the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Blake Snell is fired up after striking out Otto Kemp to end the top of the seventh inning Wednesday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Dave Roberts started out of the dugout with a walk.

Once Blake Snell caught his gaze, it turned into a trot.

With two out in the seventh inning, and Snell trying to put the finishing touches on his best performance in a Dodgers uniform, Roberts appeared to be coming to the mound after a pair of walks to turn to his shaky bullpen with a three-run lead.

As he usually does when removing a pitcher, his gait was slow — at least, initially.

Once Snell saw him coming, however, Roberts picked up his pace — as he will sometimes do when electing to leave a pitcher in the game.

This time, it was the latter.

After a brief discussion between manager and starting pitcher, Snell stayed in.

Five throws later, the $180-million offseason signee rewarded the decision, striking out Otto Kemp with a 95-mph fastball to put an emphatic ending on his scoreless seven-inning start, one that lifted the Dodgers to a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Entering Wednesday, all the discussion around the Dodgers had centered on the bullpen. The slumping unit was coming off two of its worst performances of the season. The majority of Roberts’ pregame address with reporters was spent dissecting how to fix it.

Read more:Hernández: If Shohei Ohtani is open to playing in the outfield, the Dodgers have failed him

“Before the results, has to be confidence,” Roberts said, comparing the relief corps’ struggles to the second-half scuffles that the offense only recently emerged from. “It's just kind of trying to reset a mentality, a mindset and expect that things happen. … You can't chase a zero in an inning until you execute the first pitch, and then keep going like that. And I think that right now you can see that they're kind of trying a little too hard.”

On Wednesday night, however, Snell made their job easy.

Efficient from the start with the kind of aggressive, attacking game plan he had acknowledged was missing in his last three outings, Snell went to work quickly against the Phillies, retiring the side on eight pitches (and two strikeouts) in the first inning, en route to setting down the first eight batters he faced.

Brief trouble arose in the third, when Bryson Stott and Harrison Bader had back-to-back singles.

But then Snell froze Kyle Schwarber with a curveball, one of the seven punchouts he recorded with the pitch. He had a season-high 12 strikeouts on the night.

And after that, the Phillies didn’t put another runner aboard until the seventh, with Snell breezing through the next 12 batters.

In the meantime, the Dodgers built a lead. Freddie Freeman homered to lead off the second. Ben Rortvedt (starting his third straight game behind the plate, even with Dalton Rushing back from a leg injury) added an RBI single later in the inning, following an Andy Pages hit-and-run single that put runners on the corners.

Another run came around in the fourth, after Pages worked a two-out walk, stole second, took third on a wild pickoff throw and scored on an RBI single from Kiké Hernández (who played third base in place of Max Muncy, who still felt “fuzzy” on Tuesday from a hit-by-pitch he took to the head over the weekend).

And from there, the Dodgers watched Snell cruise, with the $182-million offseason acquisition attacking the corners of the strike zone while also inducing misses on 24 of 54 swings.

The night culminated in the seventh, after walks to Nick Castellanos and Max Kepler drew Roberts out of the dugout. In the bullpen, left-hander Alex Vesia was getting warm. For a brief moment, it appeared the game would be in the hands of the relievers.

Snell had other ideas, signaling Roberts to hurry to the mound in the middle of his walk before seemingly pleading his case to stay in.

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers are blowing their bye, and hopes for deep playoff run, thanks to familiar issue

Whatever he said, Roberts listened.

Snell stayed on the rubber. A crowd of 50,859 roared in approval.

Against his final batter, Kemp, Snell fell behind, missing low with a changeup before pulling a fastball wide. Undeterred, he went back on the attack, getting one foul ball with a heater on the inner half, then another with a curveball that leaked over the plate. The count was 2-and-2. Chavez Ravine rose to its feet.

The next pitch — Snell’s 112th of the night — was another fastball, this time on the upper, outside corner at 95.3 mph. Kemp swung through it. Snell screamed and pumped his fist. In the dugout, Roberts raised an arm in the air, then began clapping as Snell walked off to a raucous ovation.

The next two innings were refreshingly simple. Alex Vesia retired the side in the top of the eighth. The Dodgers made it a five-run lead by scoring twice in the bottom half of the frame, including on Shohei Ohtani’s 51st home run of the season. Embattled closer Tanner Scott spun a stress-free ninth, pitching three consecutive scoreless outings for the first time since early July.

Come October, that’s the kind of blueprint the Dodgers (who maintained a two-game lead in the National League West over the San Diego Padres) will have to try and replicate.

Their bullpen still needs fixing. Their relief issues aren’t solved. But more gems like Snell’s would certainly help.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mets need David Peterson to return to form and steady rotation before it's too late

One night after their pitching piggyback was a roaring success, the Mets’ rotation reality smacked them once again on Wednesday. On David Peterson’s turn, the Mets were back to their normal starter usage – one guy, his game. Let’s just say the results were not nearly as encouraging as those delivered by the Clay Holmes-Sean Manaea combo in the opener of this series against the Padres, and now thorny questions loom about Peterson going forward.

Peterson didn’t exactly get shelled, but he didn’t exactly do anything that should make the Mets feel comfortable about giving him an October start, either. You know, if the Mets can actually make the playoffs.

Peterson allowed six runs in five innings, the big blow coming on a Manny Machado grand slam in the fifth inning that tilted a tie game. The Padres went on to win, 7-4, and the Mets bungled a chance to put more distance between them and the Diamondbacks in the race for the third NL Wild Card. Arizona had lost earlier in the day, just as the Mets’ grounds crew was taking the tarp off the diamond at Citi Field, so the Mets still own a 1.5-game lead.

Again, Peterson didn’t get mauled – the Padres loaded the bases in the fifth on a hit batsman, a walk and a bunt single by Luis Arraez before Machado’s slam. And they got a run in the second on two bloop hits sandwiched around a groundout. Still, Peterson’s final line was ugly, in line with much of his poor second half. In 11 starts since making his first All-Star team, Peterson has a 5.71 ERA.

“It’s obviously tough when you know what you’re capable of,” Peterson admitted of his struggles. “You're gonna go through times where it's not going exactly how you want it to, whether it's baseball or whether it's something that you're not necessarily executing. But you know you can't hold onto it. Look at it as objectively as possible and correct things that need to be worked on and move forward.”

With the playoffs looming, Peterson must revert back to the ace-type that he was earlier in the season if the Mets hope to reach October and go on a run similar to last season. And the Mets have to help him get there.

“When he’s at his best, he’s getting a lot of ground balls,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s inducing weak contact. He’s using all of his pitches when he’s ahead and he’s able to get swings and misses with the secondary pitchers. And we haven’t seen that for quite a bit.”

Still, Mendoza said, he trusts Peterson going forward.

“We trust him and all of the guys here,” Mendoza said. “We only got, what, 10 more (games) to go in the regular season. We need him. He’s been a big part of this team. But it’s been a struggle for him. We want to do everything moving forward to put guys in position to help us win baseball games.

“We’re counting on him.”

The Machado home run came on a 3-2 curveball that Machado swatted for his 14th career grand slam. Asked how he felt about the pitch when he threw it, Peterson replied, “Felt fine about it. I shook to that pitch and felt like I threw a good, competitive pitch down and away. And he’s a really good hitter and he was able to give them a gap there in the game.”

That is where the outing spun out of control for Peterson. His season has, too. As recently as Aug. 6, Peterson had a season ERA below 3.00 (2.98). It now sits a full run higher.  He was one of the few reliable sources of length in the rotation, too, a problem that’s plagued the Mets all year. Now it plagues Peterson, too. 

Wednesday’s loss dropped him to 9-6 and was the third time in his last seven starts he’s given up six or more runs. Earlier this season, he was working on a since-dead streak of 56 consecutive starts in which he did not allow more than five runs, according to the Mets.

Still, Mendoza confirmed postgame that Peterson will indeed make his next start. Would Peterson perhaps be a consideration for some kind of piggybacking scenario, too, at some point?

“We just got done with this turn,” Mendoza said. “We’re already doing it with two guys.”

But, the manager added, “I mean, everything’s on the table because we’ve got to win baseball games.”

Starting soon. They had won two in a row before losing Wednesday. Was that just a quick palate cleanser before another course of losing? The sands in the 162-game hourglass of the season are rapidly running out.

In a season in which there are no behemoths in either league, it’d be a shame if the Mets aren’t able to take their chances in October. They’ve got to get there first, though. And they’ll need a better David Peterson to do that.

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Juan Soto just misses late-inning game-tying homer in Mets’ loss to Padres: 'We're looking at inches'

“We’re looking at inches,” Carlos Mendoza said. 

That’s how close Juan Soto came to tying Wednesday’s game against the Padres. 

After Francisco Alvarez lifted an opposite-field homer to make it a one-run ballgame, the Mets' slugger stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with a man on and one out, facing San Diego’s All-Star reliever Mason Miller. 

Soto had already gone deep once in the ballgame, tying his career-high with 41 blasts. 

After battling to a 2-2 count against the hard-throwing right-hander, the sweet-swinging lefty laced a 102.6 mph fastball for a long fly ball deep down into the left field corner that sent the Citi Field crowd into a frenzy. 

It came oh so close to being a game-tying two-run blast and Soto’s signature Mets moment down the stretch in the playoff push, but upon further review, the ball dropped in just shy of the foul pole.

“I knew it had enough power behind it to go out,” Soto said. “I just didn’t how long it was going to stay fair, it was fair most of the time and then at the end it just hooked a little more -- it was just a long strike.”

Miller would get the best of Soto one pitch later, freezing him with a nasty slider on the corner. 

The 26-year-old found himself with an opportunity for redemption a few innings later, though, as Brett Baty led off the ninth with a single and Francisco Lindor drew a two-out walk to again bring him to the plate as the tying run. 

Soto was in another 2-2 count when he laced a 100.5 mph comebacker back up the middle at San Diego closer Robert Suarez, which he was able to glove down before throwing to first to end the ballgame.  

Just like that, the Mets’ lead for the third wild card spot is back down to 1.5 games over the Diamondbacks and 2.0 over the Reds and Giants with 10 games to play. 

“We just have to try to be a little bit more consistent,” Soto said. “We still have a playoff spot, so we’re definitely still in this, but we have to get going today because tomorrow is going to be too late; we have to get going right now.”

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Trent Grisham's two homers power Yankees to 10-5 win over Twins

The Yankees had to make up for a lackluster starter's performance again, but Trent Grisham's two homers powered New York to a 10-5 win over the Twins on Wednesday night in Minnesota.

Here are the takeaways....

-After scoring 10 runs on Tuesday, the Yankees picked up where they left off thanks to Aaron Judge. The defending AL MVP hit a two-out double, and Cody Bellinger followed with a single that Judge was able to get home ahead of the throw from left field. Grisham's career year continued, as his second-inning solo shot gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead. 

-For the second straight game, a Yankees starter could not make it through five with a big lead. Luis Gil, starting for the first time since throwing six no-hit innings against the Red Sox, was not as sharp on Wednesday. The Twins drew a one-out walk and back-to-back singles (with a throwing error on a pickoff thrown in) allowed Minnesota to push across a run in the second inning. Then, with two outs, Gil threw a wild pitch that Ben Rice should have blocked, but the Twins took advantage to take a 2-1 lead.

Bellinger would hit a two-run shot in the ninth to put the game away.

After the Yankees tied it back up, Gil unraveled again in the third. Byron Buxton led off with a double and then Gil hit Austin Martin to put two runners on with no outs. But Gil hunkered down and got a double play and a ground out to end the threat. Minnesota would get to Gil again in the fifth. They pushed across three runs on four hits and one walk, which could have been more if not for some nifty defense by Jazz Chisholm Jr. and was pulled for Fernando Cruz. Cruz got Royce Lewis to line out to end the inning.

Gil went just 4.2 innings (85 pitches/54 strikes), allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits, two walks, while striking out just two batters.

-Aaron Boone had an unconventional lineup on Wednesday. With Judge DHing, Giancarlo Stanton was relegated to the bench as Jasson Dominguez took over in left field. The young outfielder went 1-for-3, with two stolen bases but his RBI double in the fourth gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. His steal of second in the eighth and getting to third on the throwing error led to a much-needed insurance run.

Jose Caballero started at short in place of Anthony Volpe, who went 2-for-4 on Tuesday, and went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored.

-Grisham has 33 home runs and 70 RBI for the season. It's his eighth long ball in his last 19 games and 10 in his last 22. 

-In relief of Gil, the Yankees' bullpen was solid. The combination of Cruz, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver and Camilo Doval went 4.1 innings without allowing a run on two hits and striking six batters. 

Game MVP: Trent Grisham

Grisham's two blasts and four RBI helped the Yankees clinch the series win.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees head to Baltimore to take on the division rival Orioles for a four-game series starting Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.

Max Fried (17-5, 3.03 ERA) will take the mound against Cade Povich (3-7, 5.05 ERA). 

 

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Mets' offense can't overcome David Peterson's rough outing in 7-4 loss to Padres

The Mets were defeated by the San Diego Padres 7-4 on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

Here are some takeaways...

- David Peterson's struggles continued, as he was knocked around by the Padres in just five innings of work. The left-hander was hurt by some soft contact in the early innings, allowing a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first and then another on an RBI single in the second. 

He appeared to settle into a bit of a groove, putting together back-to-back scoreless frames, but things caved in on him in the fifth. After loading the bases on a single, a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Manny Machado crushed a go-ahead grand slam to deep left. 

Peterson escaped the inning without further damage but his final line still closed with an ugly six runs allowed on six hits and three walks while striking out just one batter -- bringing his ERA to 3.98 for the season. 

- The Mets' three runs off of San Diego right-hander Nick Pivetta all came via solo blasts. Pete Alonso got them on the board in the bottom of the first, Starling Marte evened things up at the time with one of his own in the fourth, then Juan Soto lifted one to right in the fifth. 

Alonso's left the bat at a whopping 112 mph as he's now homered in three straight, Marte snapped a 16-game homerless drought to give him eight on the season, and Soto tied his career-high, which he set last year while with the Yankees (41). 

- Dom Hamel entered, making his MLB debut behind Peterson; he was the 46th different pitcher used by the Mets this season, which is a new league record. Hamel was helped out by some shoddy Padres base-running to escape the sixth with no runs against. 

- The Mets were able to chip into the lead against the high-powered Padres bullpen. Francisco Alvarez took a second-pitch slider from right-hander Jeremiah Estrada and lifted it the other way just over the right field fence, cutting it back down to a two-run ballgame. 

After Cedric Mullins walked and stole second, Soto appeared to have lifted a game-tying two-run shot off of hard-throwing All-Star Mason Miller, but it hooked just inches foul -- Miller got the best of both Soto and Alonso representing the tying run, then put together a 1-2-3 eighth.

- Soto would have one more opportunity to even this thing up in the bottom of the ninth. After Ryne Stanek allowed a solo homer in the top half, San Diego's Robert Suarez put two on with two outs in the ninth, but he got the All-Star slugger to line into a comebacker to end the game and secure the save.  

- Brett Baty did enjoy himself another strong day at the plate, reaching three times with two singles and a double. The left-hander hitting slugger entered play with a .297 average, 12 extra base-hits, 17 RBI, and a .854 OPS in 47 games following the All-Star break. 

- With an announced attendance of 41,783 on the night, Citi Field officially reached a total of 3 million fans for the season for the first time since the stadium opened its gates for the first time back in 2009.  

- New York's lead for the final wild card is back down to 1.5 games over the Diamondbacks, Reds, and Giants. 

Game MVP: Manny Machado

Machado's grand slam was the big blast that sunk Peterson and the Mets in this one. 

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Padres close out this three-game set on Wednesday afternoon at 1:10 p.m.

Jonah Tong (1-2, 8.49 ERA) takes the ball against RHP Randy Vásquez (5-6, 3.72 ERA).