The 23-year-old won’t throw for approximately six weeks — well after the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
So instead of potentially joining the bullpen in The Bronx in the coming weeks, Lagrange will be shut down indefinitely, knocking the hard-throwing righty off the list of possible upgrades.
Before the game, Aaron Boone said it altered the team’s plans “certainly for the short term.”
Carlos Lagrange throws a pitch during the Yankees’ Feb. 21 game in spring training. Charles Wenzelberg
Lagrange opened eyes in the spring with his ability to throw 100 mph consistently and the Yankees continue to view him as a starter in the future, but hoped to move him to the pen for the rest of this season as a nasty bullpen arm.
That process began in early June, with a possible second half promotion to the majors.
That’s now on hold, very possibly for the rest of the season.
Lagrange last appeared in a game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. He pitched on two days’ rest and had his worst outing as a reliever, allowing five runs on four hits, as well as a pair of walks, in just two-thirds of an inning. Lagrange averaged 98.8 mph with his fastball and hit 100.9.
It was Lagrange’s seventh appearance out of the bullpen and second time pitching on two days’ rest.
Naturally, questions arose about whether the switch led to the shoulder woes.
“It’s impossible to answer that for sure,’’ Boone said. “We were pretty disciplined and methodical with how we took him into that role. I feel like we were careful with it, but you never know for certain why [it] happens.”
It’s no secret why the Yankees were looking to get some help from Lagrange.
Two of last year’s trade deadline acquisitions who were expected to aid the pen, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird, have been huge disappointments, while David Bednar has mostly been solid as closer.
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And if the season had gone according to plan, the Yankees would consider Ryan Weathers as another left-handed option since there would be no room for him in the rotation.
But they’re waiting for Max Fried to get back from a left elbow bone bruise and now have Carlos Rodón on the IL with left elbow inflammation.
There was also belief that Luis Gil might thrive out of the pen, but he last pitched on April 26 with the Yankees and then was shut down with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in early May with a shoulder injury.
He’s resumed throwing, but is a long way from being considered for a role in The Bronx.
That could leave the Yankees looking for at least a pair of relievers in the next month, and as they proved last year, that’s no easy feat.
"You talk about the toughest job, manager of the New York Mets is the toughest job in baseball right now," Martinez, who cited his "freedom" and work-life balance in explaining the outlook on managing before Friday's 5-3 loss at the Atlanta Braves. "Managing is tough. You have to know how to maneuver pieces, how to handle pitching staffs, all that. I pride myself on the offensive side of things."
The Mets hired Martinez, 38, as a special advisor to baseball operations in March.
"It's a really good group," Martinez said in early April when asked about this year's Mets. "I played with and against a lot of these guys. I have a ton of respect for them."
A six-time All-Star, Martinez ended his career with the Mets. He slashed .235/.320/.406 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI in 120 games.
"Every time he speaks I listen -- he has great advice and we relate, so it’s great to have him around and see a familiar face," Mark Vientostold SNY'sSteve Gelbsin early April.
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 3: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with Mickey Moniak #22 after his first inning solo home run against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on July 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies did not just open their series against the San Francisco Giants with offense. They opened it with a flood.
By the time Gabriel Hughes entered from the bullpen to make his Major League debut in the seventh inning, the Rockies already had a 14-3 lead, 17 hits, three home runs, two triples from Cole Carrigg, a career game from Jake McCarthy, and another strong start from Ryan Feltner. Colorado finished with a 15-3 win, pounding out 18 hits while getting run production from almost every part of the lineup.
The Rockies improved to 36-53, while the Giants fell to 36-51. Colorado is now one game behind San Francisco in the NL West.
Feltner controls the Giants
Ryan Feltner had more than enough run support, but his outing was still one of the biggest reasons the game stayed under control. He gave Colorado six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. The Giants scored in three separate innings, but Feltner avoided free traffic and kept them from building the type of inning that can change a game at Coors Field.
Feltner set the tone immediately by striking out Luis Arráez on a changeup to open the game. That pitch became a major part of the night. Feltner threw the changeup 13 times, generated five whiffs on nine swings, and used it for four strikeouts. Its 56% whiff rate was his best mark of any pitch he used regularly, and it gave him a finishing pitch against a Giants lineup that was forced to cover multiple speeds.
Feltner struck out the side in the second inning, then opened the third by striking out Victor Bericoto for his fourth straight strikeout. San Francisco broke through later in the inning when Arráez doubled and Casey Schmitt followed with a 104 mph RBI single, but Feltner limited the inning to one run and kept Colorado ahead 5-1.
The pitch mix supported the line. Feltner threw his four-seam fastball 36% of the time, averaging 94.2 mph, and it produced four strikeouts with a 53% called-strike-plus-whiff rate. His slider was his second-most used pitch at 31%, generating six whiffs on 15 swings for a 40% whiff rate. Between the four-seamer, slider, and changeup, Feltner got 16 of his 17 whiffs and all nine of his strikeouts.
The fourth inning was the only frame where Feltner helped create the damage. Jung Hoo Lee reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on Feltner’s throwing error before Bryce Eldridge singled him home. Feltner again kept it to one run, then responded with a 1-2-3 fifth that included two more strikeouts.
Rafael Devers got Feltner for the loudest swing against him in the sixth, a 104.1 mph, 432-foot solo homer to right field. Feltner finished the inning by getting Lee to fly out and striking out Willy Adames, ending his night with the Rockies ahead 14-3.
This was not just a run-support start. Feltner missed bats, filled the zone, and leaned on a three-pitch core that gave the Giants very little room to turn contact into sustained pressure.
Rockies jump Webb immediately
Logan Webb never had a chance to settle in. McCarthy attacked the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning and drove a 92.2 mph sinker to right-center for a leadoff home run. The swing came off the bat at 105.1 mph and traveled 440 feet, giving Colorado a lead before Webb recorded an out.
The inning did not stop with the first swing. Mickey Moniak, Hunter Goodman, and June NL Rookie of the Month TJ Rumfield followed with three straight singles, and Cole Carrigg drew a bases-loaded walk. The first five Rockies reached base against Webb, forcing him into immediate damage control. Tyler Freeman then grounded into a double play, but Goodman scored on the play, giving Colorado a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
Colorado’s approach carried into the second, but it showed up in a different way. Kyle Karros singled and stole second before Ezequiel Tovar forced Webb through an 11-pitch at-bat. Tovar fouled off four two-strike pitches, including three fastballs after the count reached 3-2, then drove a cutter to right-center for a two-run home run. The swing came off the bat at 101.7 mph and traveled 392 feet, pushing the Rockies’ lead to 5-0.
The third inning showed the same problem for Webb. Carrigg opened the inning with a triple to right field, and Edouard Julien brought him home on a fielder’s choice. Tovar later added a single, and McCarthy followed with an RBI single to right field before stealing second. By the end of the third, the Rockies had scored seven runs on 11 hits against Webb and had forced him into traffic in all three innings.
That was the best version of Colorado’s offense against a starter. McCarthy punished the first pitch he saw. Tovar won a long at-bat and still got to damage. Carrigg added pressure with speed and extra-base contact. The Rockies were not just swinging early; they were forcing Webb to execute in different counts and punishing him when he did not.
The data matched the result. Webb allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs in three innings, and the Rockies produced eight hard-hit balls against him. He generated only eight whiffs on 43 swings, a 19% whiff rate, with a 17% called-strike-plus-whiff rate. Colorado put 17 balls in play against Webb, and 11 of them became hits.
Webb leaned on his cutter more than any other pitch, throwing it 39% of the time, but the Rockies handled it. They collected three hits on five balls in play against the cutter, with two hard-hit balls and a 95.3 mph average exit velocity. The sinker was also a problem from the first pitch, with McCarthy’s leadoff homer setting the tone.
By the time San Francisco went to the bullpen in the fourth, Colorado had already built a 7-2 lead and forced the Giants into a game that was no longer being played on Webb’s terms.
Rockies turn it into a blowout in the fifth
Matt Gage gave San Francisco its first clean inning in the fourth, but the reset did not last. The Rockies came back in the fifth with the same pressure they had created against Webb, and this time they turned a comfortable lead into a blowout.
The inning started with a walk from Julien, followed by singles from Karros and Tovar. That brought McCarthy back to the plate with the bases loaded, and he delivered the swing that put the game away. McCarthy drove a grand slam to right-center for his second home run of the night, pushing Colorado’s lead to 11-2 and giving him a career-high six RBI. It marked McCarthy’s second career grand slam, the first of which came on May 7 against the Mets.
Goodman kept the inning going with a double to left, and Rumfield followed with a walk. The Giants went to Ryan Walker, but the change did not stop the inning. Carrigg drove in both runners with his second triple of the game, then Freeman brought Carrigg home with an RBI single. Colorado scored seven runs in the inning and stretched the lead to 14-2.
The inning also showed how complete the offensive night had become. McCarthy supplied the biggest swings, but the fifth included a Julien walk, a Karros single, a Tovar single, a Goodman double, a Rumfield walk, Carrigg’s second triple and Freeman’s second run-scoring plate appearance. The Rockies were getting production from the top, middle and bottom of the order.
Carrigg’s night stood out beyond the box score. His two triples gave Colorado extra-base production and forced San Francisco to defend the full field. Tovar added three hits, including his long two-run homer in the second. Karros reached base four times, stole a base, tripled and scored three runs. Freeman drove in two runs from the lower third of the order. Rumfield added a hit and walk, continuing a first half that has pushed him into notable franchise company among Rockies rookies before the All-Star break.
By the end of the fifth, Colorado had 14 runs, 17 hits, three home runs and two triples. The Rockies had already beaten Webb, then carried the same approach into San Francisco’s bullpen. That turned the game from a strong offensive showing into one of their most lopsided wins of the season.
Hughes makes his MLB debut
By the seventh inning, the game had shifted into a different phase. McCarthy exited after his career night, Braxton Fulford entered for Goodman, Troy Johnston replaced McCarthy in left field, and Brett Sullivan took over for Rumfield at first base. The Rockies had already created separation, but the final three innings still carried another important development.
Hughes replaced Feltner to start the seventh and made his MLB debut with an 11-run lead. His first inning was clean, even after Eldridge reached on Karros’ error. Hughes got Bericoto to ground into a double play, then retired Cavanaugh on a lineout to Carrigg in center field.
Hughes picked up his first career strikeout in the eighth, getting Jonah Cox swinging to open the inning.
San Francisco followed with singles from Schmitt and Heliot Ramos, but Hughes kept the inning scoreless by getting Drew Gilbert to ground out.
Colorado added one more run in the bottom of the eighth when Karros tripled off JT Brubaker and Tovar brought him home with a sacrifice fly. That pushed the lead to 15-3 and gave Tovar his third RBI of the night. Tovar finished with a home run, two singles, a sacrifice fly and three RBI, giving Colorado run production early and late.
Hughes returned for the ninth and finished the game with help from the defense. After Christian Koss flew out and Eldridge walked, Bericoto grounded into his second double play against Hughes, ending the game.
Hughes finished his debut with three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk with one strikeout. He threw 53 pitches, leaning heavily on his four-seam fastball. The pitch accounted for 35 of his 53 pitches, or 66% of his usage, and averaged 93.6 mph. He paired it mostly with his sweeper, which he threw 14 times, or 26% of his mix. The curveball and changeup were used only sparingly.
The swing-and-miss was limited. Hughes generated six whiffs on 30 swings, a 20% whiff rate, with an overall 21% called-strike-plus-whiff rate. All six whiffs came on the four-seamer. The Giants put nine balls in play against him, but only two went for hits, and Hughes kept the contact manageable with an 85.8 mph average exit velocity.
Final notes
McCarthy led the offense with the best run-producing game of his career, finishing 4-for-5 with two home runs, six RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. He opened the game with a first-pitch homer, added an RBI single in the third and put the game away with a grand slam in the fifth.
Tovar finished 3-for-4 with a home run, a sacrifice fly, three RBI and two runs scored. Carrigg went 2-for-4 with two triples, three RBI and two runs scored. Karros reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base and three runs scored. Goodman went 2-for-4 with a double, while Moniak added two hits and a walk.
Colorado finished 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. The Rockies also got two-out production from McCarthy, whose third-inning RBI single gave Colorado its only two-out RBI of the game.
San Francisco finished 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left five runners on base. The Giants did not record a two-out RBI. Devers had the loudest swing for San Francisco with a solo homer in the sixth, while Schmitt finished with two hits and an RBI.
Feltner earned the win to move to 3-2, lowering his ERA to 4.27. Webb took the loss, falling to 5-6 with a 3.66 ERA after allowing seven earned runs in three innings. Hughes recorded a three-inning save in his debut, the second Rockie to do so this year.
Hughes became the eighth player to make his major league debut for Colorado this season, and the Rockies remain undefeated in July.
Up next
The Rockies and Giants continue the series Saturday night at Coors Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 p.m. MDT on the Fourth of July.
Tomoyuki Sugano gets the ball for Colorado after the Rockies used only two pitchers in the series opener. Sugano enters at 8-4 with a 4.80 ERA and 48 strikeouts, and the Rockies will look for him to keep the bullpen rested after Feltner and Hughes covered all nine innings in Thursday’s win.
San Francisco will turn to Robbie Ray, who enters at 7-6 with a 3.39 ERA and 82 strikeouts.
Seranthony Domínguez’s struggles again cost the White Sox a chance to pick up a crucial win.
After both the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox had no issues scoring last night, there was no doubt that this game would be much more likely to end as a pitcher’s duel. True to form, the game ended up being exactly what most fans expected — until a rain delay changed the fortunes of the entire game.
Unfortunately for the White Sox, those fortunes didn’t favor them.
The first few innings went along smoothly for both sides, until Anthony Kay ran into trouble in the bottom of the third. After surrendering two straight walks, the Guardians played small ball, using a sacrifice bunt and a single to bring home the first run of the game. Luckily for the White Sox, Kay was able to lock back in and coaxed a huge double play out of David Fry to end the inning with minimal damage.
It stayed 1-0 in favor of the Guardians until Miguel Vargas had one of his best at bats of the year in the top of the fifth. With neither pitcher giving an inch, it was Vargas who worked the count, seeing nine pitches until Gavin Williams hung a sweeper up in the zone and Miguel Vargas did his best Barry Bonds impression. Not only did Vargas become the third White Sox player to have 20 home runs on the season (making Chicago the only team in baseball to hold the honor) but the White Sox turned the game on its head and took a 3-1 lead.
The game likely would’ve continued as a pitcher’s duel until the game was delayed due to rain immediately after Vargas’ home run. When I say immediately, I mean they locked that game down quicker than a security breach at Area 51. Instead of Kay likely dominating for another few innings, the rain delay took him out of the game and forced the White Sox to turn to their depleted bullpen early. It immediately moved momentum away from the White Sox and made this game up for grabs once again.
Although the delay benefited the Guardians, Jordan Hicks came in and picked up the pitcher’s duel where Kay left off, making a statement of his own. After giving up a leadoff single, Hicks sat down the next three batters, all looking, to swing momentum back in the favor of the White Sox. For a pitcher who struggled mightily early in the season, Hicks has now allowed just three hits and no runs over his last five innings dating back to late May, a trend that could do wonders for Chicago’s bullpen if it continues.
Unfortunately, the White Sox threw in Seranthony Domínguez, who is probably being paid about $8 million more than he’s worth, in the seventh inning, and his issues came to the forefront once again. Entering with a 3-1 lead, Domínguez surrendered two walks and a wild pitch, which gave the Guardians their first rally since the third inning. Even though Domínguez was pulled before a run crossed the plate, the damage was already done. Both runners that Bryan Hudson inherited from him scored, thanks to more small ball from the Guardians in the form of two RBI singles.
The stalemate continued until extra innings, when fans could finally expect to see some offense from the South Siders with a runner automatically placed on second. Instead, Randal Grichuk and Junior Perez both went down on strikes looking in two terrible at-bats (Grichuk burning the White Sox extra-innings challenge on the second pitch of the inning) before Sam Antonacci flew out to right field. Clearly, the rain delay took all the juice out of Chicago’s bats, along with their decision-making abilities.
The South Siders didn’t have enough in the tank to see out the win. After a Thursday loss where the White Sox blew a ninth-inning lead, and with it their lead atop the AL Central, the club fell victim to an all-too-familiar storyline once again.
The Guardians put an end to all of our misery when the White Sox couldn’t record a single out in the bottom of the 10th. With two back-to-back singles, the Guardians walked off the White Sox for the second straight game, taking sole possession of the AL Central once more.
It’s a tough loss for a team that will certainly feel hard done by a questionably-timed rain delay. While the rain that fell shortly after the tarps came out is undisputed, it is certainly up for debate how the game would’ve gone had starter Kay been able to continue spinning the ball as he had up to that point.
Not only does the loss hurt, but so does the fact that the White Sox again had to dig deep into a bullpen that is already hurting. With their first off day since June 25 coming next Monday, the hope is that the team can find a way to take the final two games of this series before loading up for the final stretch before the All-Star break.
DENVER — When Logan Webb took the mound here, almost a mile above sea level, a little more than a month ago, he only left the game due to a pitch restriction.
In that start, his first back from the injured list, Webb still pitched into the fifth inning.
In his return visit Friday night, following five starts so dominant that he was named National League pitcher of the month that afternoon, his day was done after only three innings.
“I just got my ass kicked today,” Webb said, more than three hours since he hit the showers.
Apparently the Rockies didn’t get the message that the Fourth of July fireworks were scheduled for after the game. Jake McCarthy started the show on Webb’s first pitch of the game.
When Logan Webb took the mound here, almost a mile above sea level, a little more than a month ago, he only left the game due to a pitch restriction. Getty ImagesApparently the Rockies didn’t get the message that the Fourth of July fireworks were scheduled for after the game. Jake McCarthy started the show on Webb’s first pitch of the game. Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
McCarthy, the Rockies’ leadoff man, put a first-pitch sinker into the home bullpen, only the beginning of a battering that will go down as one of Webb’s worst nights on the field.
The Giants’ ace yielded seven earned runs on 11 hits — both matching career-highs — in a 15-3 rout to one of the only two teams in the NL with a worse record (36-53) than San Francisco’s (36-51).
From the get-go manager Tony Vitello could see Webb’s pitches were impacted by the altitude.
“The ball can do different things here than the average park,” Vitello said. “Coming out of the shoot, the first pitch of the game, it looked like it ran down and in to the lefty. It’s supposed to go the other way.”
Colorado had a clear plan of attacking, pouncing on Webb early and often. Of the 21 hitters who came to bat against him, nine put one of his first two pitches in play, resulting in seven hits.
“It was a good game plan,” Webb said. “I didn’t adjust very well.”
And yet, probably the most enraging result came on the 12th pitch of Ezequiel Tovar’s at-bat in the second inning, which the No. 9 hitter turned on for the second of three Rockies home runs.
For all the Rockies’ fireworks against Webb in three innings, they put on an equal spectacle in one inning against Matt Gage and Ryan Walker, who allowed Colorado to bring 12 men to the plate in a seven-run fifth that, even at Coors Field, put this one far out of reach.
Gage put the first three batters of the inning — also the bottom three hitters in the Rockies’ order — on base, and McCarthy slugged a grand slam for his second homer of the night. He became the first player ever to hit a leadoff home run, a grand slam and steal a base in one game.
Colorado had a clear plan of attacking, pouncing on Webb early and often. Of the 21 hitters who came to bat against him, nine put one of his first two pitches in play, resulting in seven hits. Getty Images
What it means
What a deflating way for the Giants to begin their first series of July.
The schedule lightens up substantially, with three games against the Mariners (45-44) being their only ones against a team with a winning record for the rest of the month. But they can’t feel too good about their chances of capitalizing when this is how it goes against a team as bad as the Rockies.
“There’s no easy part of the schedule in this league,” Vitello said, “especially when you’re on the road.”
Who’s hot
Getting a rare chance to play his natural position with Matt Chapman sidelined, Casey Schmitt showed why many evaluators considered him a future Gold Glove candidate as a third baseman.
Schmitt turned one of the most spectacular double plays of the season — “one of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen,” in the words of Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming — to record the first two outs of the night after Webb allowed the first five Rockies to reach base.
On a sharply hit grounder down the line, Schmitt backhanded the ball, followed his momentum into foul territory — while stepping on third for a force out — and flashed the arm that he used to use to save games at San Diego State, slinging a sidearm throw across the diamond, which Bryce Eldridge scooped at first base to complete a desperately needed double play.
Jonah Cox, an outfielder getting his second chance at second base, also flashed the leather once he entered with the game out of hand. Before the game, Vitello raved about his work with Ron Washington, and it showed, ranging behind the bag at second and making an accurate throw across his body for the second out of the seventh inning.
“I think everybody knows Jonah’s athletic and certainly can benefit from some reps,” Vitello said. “He’s athletic enough he can make a bunch of different plays but actually got tested for the first time on the routine play and looked solid.”
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Safe to say Webb will not be repeating as the pitcher of the month for July.
He had allowed 11 hits twice in 191 previous career starts. He also allowed seven earned runs only twice before. But never in the same outing.
The previous two times he had yielded 11 hits came while also completing six innings. Since becoming a full-time member of the rotation midway through 2021, there had only been one other occasion that he failed to throw a pitch in the fourth inning.
Statistically, there is only one other start in Webb’s career that compares to this one: When the Cardinals knocked him around for eight runs (seven earned) in 2 2/3 innings in the fourth start of his career, when he was still 22 years old and struggling to establish himself as a big leaguer.
Here’s the thing: While Coors Field can be a minefield for most starters, Webb hasn’t had many problems here, at least since 2022. Of the starters to log at least 40 innings at Coors Field over the past five seasons, only Merrill Kelly had a lower ERA (1.96) than Webb’s (3.29).
“This place sucks to pitch in, no matter what,” Webb said. “So you if you have any excuses going into it or after it, that’s on you. That’s no excuse. I’ve pitched here before.”
Up next
Robbie Ray, who has been on a roll similar to Webb’s, will try to right the ship Saturday in the second game of the series — and Vitello’s first time managing on Fourth of July — against Tomoyuki Sugano.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in the All-Star Game on July 14 after the Los Angeles Dodgers adjusted his schedule.
The two-way superstar has primarily been starting on the mound every Wednesday, but the team pushed him back to Friday this week to manage his workload.
Asked if that meant Ohtani was unlikely to pitch in the All-Star Game, manager Dave Roberts said Friday: “I haven’t formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine. But I don’t have to make that decision quite yet.”
Roberts will manage the National League All-Stars in Philadelphia.
Ohtani is already penciled into the starting lineup as the designated hitter because he was the overall leader with 3,341,257 votes after the first phase of fan balloting.
The right-hander is a strong candidate to be selected to the NL pitching staff as well, but Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sánchez seems most likely to start in his home ballpark. Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski leads the majors with a 1.45 ERA but is on turn to pitch for the Brewers two days before the All-Star Game, which would make him unavailable against the American League.
Ohtani was second with a 1.58 ERA going into Friday night’s start against San Diego.
The Dodgers wanted Ohtani to get additional rest during a stretch of 13 games in 13 days. After his outing Friday, he’s scheduled to make one more start before the All-Star Game on July 10 against Arizona at home. That would give his arm only three days of rest prior to the Midsummer Showcase.
“Shohei hasn’t had his best stuff recently and that’s the truth,” Roberts said. “The fastball command hasn’t been what it was earlier in the season, the sweeper hasn’t been the same.”
Ohtani has been bothered by left knee soreness and has a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.
“He feels good, the body feels good,” Roberts said before Friday’s game. “The knee feels as good as it’s felt in quite some time, so that’s encouraging.”
The Yankees looked differently, played differently and found a different result against a club that sure felt familiar.
Maybe it was a lineup that looked far more whole, even without Aaron Judge. Trent Grisham immediately announced his return from the injured list by stroking a leadoff home run while Ryan McMahon doubled and fought for a nine-pitch walk. The two, who had been sidelined during the entirety of the club’s slide, played a part in four of the team’s five runs.
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Maybe it was the passing storm with heavy winds and a sky that opened up after the top of the third, the downpour perhaps washing away the slop and grime that the Yankees had not been able to shake.
Maybe it was Gerrit Cole, one of the game’s great competitors, trading in gas for guts to bridge a 53-minute rain delay and find a way to grind through five solid innings. Or maybe it was simply an opponent that seems always willing to take a punch when the Yankees’ right hook needs work.
Whatever the cause, the Yankees looked more like the Yankees in snapping a season-worst, seven-game skid by quieting the Twins, 5-2, on Friday night in front of 45,104, many of whom brushed off the rain and remained on a fireworks night in The Bronx.
“We’re in a rut,” said Cole, who managed to take down five innings while allowing two runs despite the lengthy delay. “We needed this one today.”
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) walks off the mound after ending the fourth inning on July 3, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Yankees (49-38) recorded their first victory since June 24, halting the hard-to-fathom skid by scoring their most runs since June 19 — they had not even plated five runs in 12 straight contests.
For the entirety of that slide, the Yankees were without Grisham, who missed three weeks with a hamstring strain. He returned to center and to the top of the order, stepping up in the first inning and authoring what manager Aaron Boone called “a classic Grish at-bat.”
He went down, 1-2, worked the count full, and then turned on a middle-of-the-plate changeup and smacked it to the second deck in right.
New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) hit a solo home run to start the first inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post
This despite just a one-game rehab assignment.
“It was like I never left,” said Grisham, who had helplessly watched the club spiral without him. “Which is surprising — I thought I was going to have to find it a little bit.”
McMahon, himself back from a throat infection, returned to third base — making a smooth play to help Fernando Cruz escape a jam in the eighth — and pushed José Caballero back to his natural shortstop.
Lightning strikes during a rain delay in the third inning at Yankee Stadium.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
A defense that had contributed to a stunning 17 unearned runs during the skid looked far more buttoned up.
“In what’s been a tough week for us, to be able to go out there and play a complete game,” Boone said. “That one feels good.”
Ben Rice, who had gone 2-for-25 during the slide, followed up a Grisham single in the third inning by cracking his 24th home run of the season, this one pulled into the short porch, for a go-ahead, two-run shot.
The Yankees gained separation in the seventh, when McMahon doubled and scored on a knock from Caballero, who then came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Grisham.
On a day of returns, Cole, too, returned to form. After a pair of duds, the ace allowed just a first-inning home run to Kody Clemens and a well-placed RBI single from Victor Caratini in the fourth, an inning in which Cole’s sheer presence on the mound impressed.
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During the delay, he had gotten up to throw approximated innings — 8-15 pitches every 10 minutes to ensure he would be ready to take the mound — then talked Boone into allowing him to return for the fifth inning, too.
Cole, plus Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn, Cruz and David Bednar (17th save), helped toppled a club that is a perpetual pushover around these parts.
The Yankees are now 112-44 against Minnesota since 2002 (128-46 if you include the postseason), which is the majors’ best record for one team against another in the span.
Ben Rice celebrates his two-run homer. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The onslaught has been unabated despite the Twins making the playoffs for 10 of those seasons, a perfectly fine team against any opponent that isn’t wearing pinstripes.
Whatever the cause, the skid is over.
“I think everyone was ready to turn the corner,” Rice said.
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 3: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after his first inning solo home run against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on July 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds plan to reinstate pitcher Hunter Greene from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Greene’s return is a boost to a Cincinnati rotation that also features 23-year-old Chase Burns, who is 10-1 with a 2.40 ERA in 17 starts this season.
The Reds entered the three-game weekend series against Baltimore in last place in the NL Central with a 40-46 record but still hope to climb back into the wild-card race.
“You’ve seen our team and other teams get really hot,” Greene said. “That’s our mindset. I’m confident that I’ll be a really good asset to that full picture.”
The 26-year-old Greene, an All-Star in 2024, has been on the IL since March 23 after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. It was the latest setback for the hard-throwing right-hander, who hasn’t made more than 26 starts in any of his four major league seasons.
He made three minor league rehab starts, including two at Triple-A Louisville, going 1-0 with 13 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings. His fastball topped out at 101 mph.
Greene threw 82 pitches over 6 1/3 innings in his final rehab outing, allowing one hit and striking out four.
Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday he doesn’t plan to limit Greene’s workload.
“I think he’s strong enough (and) stretched out enough, healthy enough, where we’re going to get him back, not just in name only, but in production also,” Francona said.
Greene went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 107 2/3 innings in 2025 despite two stints on the IL with a right groin strain.
He is 25-29 with a 3.65 ERA and 617 strikeouts in 495 2/3 innings over 91 career starts for the Reds.
The evening started quickly but died soon after. Edgar Quero must’ve read my June White Sox checkup and took my critiques of him personally, because his first home run with the Knights since April 6, 2025 gave Charlotte a 2-0 lead in the first:
— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) July 4, 2026
Memphis responded at the bottom of the frame, charging Joe Rock with consecutive bases-loaded walks to knot the game at 2-2. The game was a bit of a snoozer after that, as the Knights only put up three hits and got rung up 11 times from the second through the ninth inning. Although the offense was paltry, Charlotte’s arm barn game balanced out the absence of hitting. Four relievers combined for three hits, eight strikeouts, and two walks. Duncan Davitt and Zach Franklin carried the bulk of the pitching. Davitt effortlessly navigating three innings while only allowing one hit. Franklin had his best performance this season, tossing nearly three innings while striking out five in his shutout.
The game unceremoniously ended in the 11th inning. Ryan Galanie’s sacks-packed sac fly put Charlotte up and pressured the Redbirds to match it or lose. Leo Bernal pummeled a two-run shot off Javy Guerra to walk Memphis off and put an end to this disappointing game.
Birmingham Barons 2, Montgomery Biscuits 0 (7 innings) A two-hour rain delay postponed an unexpected Barons win. Was it worth it for a team that is so far out of the playoffs? Perhaps not, but it was quite entertaining.
There’s nothing else you could’ve asked from starter Dylan Cumming. Endurance and effectiveness haven’t often gone hand-in-hand for him this season, but he managed to put it all together against the Biscuits. Cumming silenced Montgomery in his six innings while striking out six. He made it easy for the Barons to sail through the game with just two runs scored. Jackson Kelley eventually relieved him to bring the game home.
In his second Double-A game, Boston Smith smashed a home run to right-center field to keep his slugging percentage well better than .550:
Boston Smith goes yard for the first time in AA to give the #Barons a 1-0 lead. (I apologize for the video quality, but I'm just happy the stream is up and running. We lost the last half of the game yesterday.) pic.twitter.com/vqTPHgMiUn
Samuel Zavala realized that he couldn’t let the new guy outshine him, so he decided to match Smith’s homer with one of his own, which beautifully sailed completely out of the ballpark:
Winston-Salem Dash 7, Greenville Dash 1 Everything fell Winston-Salem’s way against the Drive: The pitching was superb, the bats came alive, and Greenville provided ample opportunities for the Dash to pad the lead. After a tumultuous June, Max Banks shone on the mound, shutting out the Drive for seven innings while holding them to three hits and a walk. Although a bases-loaded walk interrupted the shutout, the arms didn’t let the Dash down.
Winston-Salem had a quiet start to the evening, sustaining off Ryan Burrowes’ RBI triple in the third until the seventh when the Dash capitalized off Greenville’s self-inflicted injuries to break the game open. Three walks, two fielding errors, and James Taussig’s home run sealed the night.
Although he hasn’t even been in High-A for a month, Taussig’s absolute missiles beg, compounded with his strong June, one question: When can he join the Barons?
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 7, Wilson Warbirds 1 The CBs took a page out of the Dash’s playbook, but they added their twist: PLENTY more hits. Kanny’s 16 safeties made Winston-Salem’s six look like child’s play. Jurdrick Profar was the only one not to collect a hit, while Alexander Albertus, Stiven Flores and Christian Gonzalez feasted on Wilson’s weak bullpen, earning three hits apiece. Gonzalez and Flores especially had a ball, firing off solo home runs to add some oomph to the game. Congrats to Gonzalez for hitting his first Single-A home run, and second career home run after making the jump from the ACL on June 29.
— Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (@Kcannonballers) July 3, 2026
Although the CBs stranded 11 on base, I won’t be too critical.
Caedmon Parker was the pitching hero of the game. He held the Warbirds to five hits and a run while punching out five over five frames to give the Ballers a strong foundation for the evening. He has shown he can consistently take the Ballers deep enough into the game before handing it off to the bullpen.
DSL White Sox 10, DSL Cardinals 6 There were a few firsts in the DSL Sox’s victory over the DSL Cardinals: the first three-game win streak this year, reliever Mario Sosa’s first career win, and Fernando Graterol’s first career home run. A breakout second inning, initiated by Graterol’s three-RBI single, carried the team’s runs. Franchel Cristomo made do with his tight three-inning leash, striking out four and giving up a run off two hits. Although Jose Taveras and Beinel Adon let the 6-0 lead slip away, the Sox managed to keep the runs coming from a combination of small ball and a long ball.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 03: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees celebrates his first inning home run against the Minnesota Twins with teammate Ben Rice #22 at Yankee Stadium on July 03, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What a difference one offday makes.
The Yankees got their heads handed to them by the Detroit Tigers in a three-game sweep, extending a losing streak which started in Boston to a full week of futility. But Thursday provided the Bombers a chance to finally hit that reset button. Additionally, some key returners from injury helped to shore up the lineup, and immediately made an impact. Trent Grisham led the way in his first game since June 12th, clubbing two extra-base hits and drove in two runs, including a home run, to lead the offense in a 5-2 victory over the Twins. Gerrit Cole provided five solid innings on the mound and Ben Rice also provided a two-run homer in the victory.
In what felt like a rerun of about 15 different games in recent days, the Yankees fell behind early on a first-inning homer. Kody Clemens took a Cole curveball to the opposite field and into the Minnesota bullpen to stake the Twins to an early 1-0 lead. It’s been a big year for Clemens, who now has 15 homers on the year.
Thankfully, the Yankees didn’t have to wait long for a reply. Inserted back in the leadoff spot, Grisham wasted no time reminding fans just how important his presence in the lineup is by clubbing a leadoff homer off rookie Mike Paredes to tie the game at 1. It wasn’t an A-swing from Trent, but the ball was clearly flying early on a 92-degree night in the Bronx.
In the third inning, a thunderstorm swept through the area—not too long after it rampaged through my neck of the words in New Jersey. The storm blew by quickly though, and 53 minutes later, we were ready to play ball again. The Yankees were ready.
Paredes retired the first two men he faced in that third inning, but Grisham continued to make an impact, singling off the first base bag to put a man aboard for Ben Rice. Rice worked the count full, then timed up a center-cut fastball from Paredes, sending it sailing over the right-field wall for a two-run blast to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.
Benny Bombs’ 24th home run of the season gave New York some breathing room, but the Twins closed the gap a bit in the fourth. Clemens continued his great night with a double, then a textbook two-out swing from veteran backstop Victor Caratini sent a dribbler through the left side for a single to score Roger’s youngest son and make it 3-2.
Cole worked around another extra-base hit in the fifth inning to send Minnesota packing. On a strange night for pitching, Gerrit played stabilizer, striking out seven Twins over five innings before turning it over to the bullpen having thrown 88 pitches. They might have tried to let him pitch into the sixth if not for the delay, but withdrawing after five allowed Cole to exit on a high note following some rough recent outings.
Brent Headrick assumed duties in the sixth inning and Paul Blackburn in the seventh—they did their jobs splendidly, recording two strikeouts apiece and retiring six Twins in order. After the seventh inning stretch, the Bomber offense got back to work.
It wasn’t just Grisham who made his impact in his return to the lineup. Ryan McMahon returned off the IL earlier today as well, and his leadoff double to right sparked a huge insurance rally. The next batter up, José Caballero, attacked the first pitch and found green grass in center with a looping liner which scored McMahon to restore the two-run lead. Caballero then stole second base and advanced to third on a bunt from Austin Wells—which he very nearly turned into a single. With just one out, all the Yankees needed to get an additional run home was a fly ball; Grisham was more than happy to provide, sailing a sac fly to right field to give the Yankees a 5-2 advantage.
Of course, nothing can be drama-free these days, so the Twins got two runners in scoring position in the top of the eighth against Fernando Cruz. With first base open, Aaron Boone opted to intentionally walk Josh Bell, making the force play available at every base while bringing up the potential go-ahead run in the person of Royce Lewis. Cruz and Lewis battled, but Fernando got the job done, inducing a grounder to third that McMahon flipped to second for the inning-ending out.
With the biggest bullet dodged, the ninth inning was a far smoother procession thanks to David Bednar. The Yankee closer continued his momentum from June, in which he quietly allowed no runs in the entire month. Tonight was more of the same, as he struck out the side to lock down his 17th save of the year. A perfectly-placed fastball on the outside corner against Tristan Gray provided the finishing touch. At last, the losing streak was over!
Due to Carlos Rodón’s injury, the Yankees’ plans for tomorrow are a bit in flux. It sounds like Triple-A starter Brendan Beck will be activated to make his second career appearance, but it is not yet known whether he will be a straight starter or the “bulk guy” in relief of an opener, as he was during his cameo on May 7th (update: Beck will indeed get the ball to start). Righty Zebby Matthews is expected to go for the Twins on the Fourth of July, with first pitch at 1:35pm ET.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves signed former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league contract on Friday in their ongoing search for a veteran who can provide offensive help.
The 39-year-old McCutchen was released by the Texas Rangers on May 27 after he hit .192 in 37 games as a designated hitter, pinch hitter and outfielder.
The NL East-leading Braves (50-35) signed first baseman Carlos Santana, 40, to a minor league deal last week. McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh, is expected to soon report to Triple-A Gwinnett. On Thursday, another veteran first baseman, Rowdy Tellez, was designated for assignment as rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis was recalled from Gwinnett.
McCutchen played his first nine seasons in the majors with the Pirates and earned five straight All-Star berths from 2011-15 while becoming one of the team’s most popular players. After stints with five other teams from 2018-22, he returned to the Pirates for the 2023-25 seasons.
In 2025, McCutchen hit .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs in 135 games before becoming a free agent. He is a career .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.
Braves manager Walt Weiss said McCutchen is “one of the most respected players in the game. ... He’s a pretty cool name to have in a Braves uniform.”
Weiss said McCutchen will be a good leader for young players. “He’s going to impact any room he’s in,” Weiss said.
The Braves on Friday also recalled right-hander Anthony Molina, activated left-hander Danny Young (elbow) from the injured list and optioned right-hander James Karinchak to Gwinnett. Right-hander Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment.
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice hit go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning after a rain delay and the New York Yankees ended a seven-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Trent Grisham hit a leadoff homer and had a sacrifice fly in his return from a strained right hamstring, and Gerrit Cole (3-3) pitched five innings to help the Yankees end their longest slide since a nine-game skid Aug. 12-22, 2023.
The game was stopped after Cole struck out Brooks Lee to end the third. During the 53-minute delay, the center field scoreboard showed the end of Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup.
Following Grisham’s single, Rice snapped a 1-1 tie by hitting rookie starter Mike Paredes’ full-count fastball into the right-field seats. Rice’s 24th homer helped the Yankees win the fourth time in 15 games and beat the Twins for the 12th time in the last 14 meetings.
After Carlos Rodón was placed on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, Cole allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out seven, walked none and was warming up in the bullpen when Rice homered.
José Caballero added an RBI single in the seventh and scored on Grisham’s fly ball as the Yankees scored more than four runs for the first time in 13 games.
Fernando Cruz retired Royce Lewis with the bases loaded to end the eighth. David Bednar returned from the paternity list struck out the side in the ninth for his his 17th save.
Kody Clemens homered in the first inning and Victor Caratini hit an RBI single in the fourth for the Twins, who lost for the third time in their last 10 road games. Minnesota played without Byron Buxton for the fourth straight game because of right hip impingement.
Paredes (0-2) allowed three runs and four hits in four innings.
Up Next
RHP Zebby Matthews (4-5, 4.15 ERA) was set to start for Minnesota on Saturday. The Yankees had not announced who will start for Rodón.
Just once, I’d like to hold up a different finger to the Yankees. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When a team that’s historically turned into terrified toddlers at the very name of one particular other team goes 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, it’s not generally going to end well. Inning-by-inning notes:
1: I don’t know this for sure, and I’m not going to check it, but it feels like Klobberin’ Kody Klemens hits a homerun every Friday, now. Good for him! Although hitting one now means he can’t later (he has a quota) and he won’t be able to stave off the inevitable late-inning Yankee comeback.
Or maybe not the late innings. Trent Gisham strokes a solo dong to right. Incidentally, on both the Clemens and Grisham home runs, radio guy Kris Atteberry called them “pop ups” at first, so maybe the sightlines from the press box at Yankee Stadium are weird. Tied 1-1
2: Royce Lewis has a leadoff double, and the Twins follow the sabermetric playbook to the letter and have no interest in moving him over/getting him in. Why waste a bunt on an out when you’ve got sluggers like Victor Caratini and Tristan Gray coming up?
A 1-2-3 inning for rookie Mike Paredes. I’m sure that Derek Shelton gave somebody in the media the standard speech about how he doesn’t care about the Twins’ sad history against the Yankees; how the players are different now and he doesn’t believe in curses. I’ve heard it from Gardy and from Molitor and Rocco. They all got their butts beat by the Yankees anyways. It’s a fact of life, like ear hair increasing when you’re older.
3: A 1-2-3 for Gerrit Cole, followed by a rain delay. “Other” radio guy Dan Gladden interviews former player Terry Pendleton, who was with St. Louis when they lost to the Twins in the 1987 World Series, and with Atlanta when they lost to the Twins in 1991. Pendleton was actually with three other World Series-losing teams; St. Louis in 1985, Atlanta in ‘92 and ‘96. Looks like Terry Pendleton was cursed. Not as cursed as the Twins against the Yankees, though.
An hour later, Trent Grisham hits a two-out grounder that bounces off third base, and then Ben Rice hits a fly ball that bounces off the hands of the fan who tries to catch it in the outfield seats.
Then Jasson Domínguez singles and steals, then Cody Bellinger walks. Bringing the Yankees’ best non-Judge hitter, Paul Goldschimdt, to the plate. Fortunately, he strikes out, but Paredes threw a lot of extra pitches in that inning. Yankees 3-1
4: Clemens with a leadoff double. Do you think the Twins will move him over this time? Sorry, but NO TEAM does that anymore. It doesn’t matter, because mighty slugger Victor Caratini (.711 OPS) gets the two-out RBI!
Paredes up to 81 pitches plus a rain delay. Done? Anyways, fine here, Yankee Highlanders 3-2
5: A one-out double for Luke Keaschall. Alas, no mighty slugger Caratini available here. Cole at 88 pitches.
Time for Derek’s Magical Arm Barn, Kody Funderburk your first sorcerer. It actually goes fairly smoothly, so far.
6: The Yankees bringing out their own bullpen, too, starting with legendary ex-Twin Brent Headrick. he dispatches the Twins easily. Incidentally, Ryan Jeffers made a rehab start for the Saints tonight and went 2-4. Matt Wallner has a .947 OPS in his 40 games since being demoted.
More smoothness for Funderburk, he’s pitching with Charmin.
7: Paul Blackburn for NYY. He is not related to Nick “gave up that one homer to Thome in Game 163” Blackburn.
New necromancer Eric Orze for the Twins. He immediately gives up the leadoff double and RBI; the RBIer, José Caballero, steals second and is bunted to third. He then scores on a sac fly. See, Twins? It’s possible to bunt a runner over with nobody out and then score! I’m just saying! Team that’s not the Knicks 5-2
8: Luke Keaschall gets a lucky-as-heck single off new reliever Fernando Cruz. Then Trevor Larnach walks. Then Brooks Lee out, Clemens out, Josh Bell walk… Royce Lewis up. Easy roller to third. Nice cRISPy LOBsters. (At one point during the Lee AB, a pitched ball went in the dirt and Larnach had a good break on it… but Keaschall didn’t. Getting one or two runs this inning wouldn’t have been enough, anyways.)
Derek Shelton is now taking the team aside and explaining, “all that stuff I said about there being no curse… it’s all a lie, the Yankees will own the Twins until the end of recorded time, abandon all hope ye who enter here.” Eric Orze says “OK” and, no longer trying, actually does fine.
9: Yawn, David Bednar strikes out the side. Twins lose.
Once again, Yankee Stadium is a haunted house that eats up all the Twins. Like this one.
Studs: Clemens (2-4, HR, 2B), Keaschall (2-3), Funderburk (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K). Duds: Every other Twin for being, as always, seized by The Fear when they enter the building
COTG go to Goose for recalling feudalism (which is more what Renaissance Fairs celebrate than they actually celebrate the Renaissance), norff for standing by his radio sensei, and nagurski for his water-making feelings. Thanks to everybody who participated in the GT, I know things went south after the rain delay.
Tomorrow’s game is at 12:35, featuring our own Eric Orze against the dreaded, mysterious TBA. (A minor-league callup; Carlos Rodon went on the IL today.) Catch y’all next time!
