New York Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (11) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after he flies out for the final out of the 10th inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
After progressing in recent days, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, the first baseman’s ankle discomfort resurfaced on Thursday, removing him from Friday’s starting lineup.
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It was the second time in four games that Polanco, who has been used as a DH since Sunday, was absent from the starting lineup.
“I am not going to say concern, but it’s a day to day,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ 10-3 win over the Giants. “He’s got days where he feels it more and for the past couple of days he was in a pretty good place until [Thursday] night.”
Polanco hasn’t played first base since last Saturday because of the discomfort, which Mendoza is terming as tendonitis. Brett Baty got the start at the position on Friday, but Mark Vientos and Jared Young have also received starts there.
Mendoza said he’s been pleased with Vientos’ development at the position.
New York Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (11) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after he flies out for the final out of the 10th inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“[Thursday] night the way he moved, a couple of plays there,” Mendoza said. “He’s moving around well, not only when he’s fielding the baseball, but just how he’s receiving the throws. He’s looked really good there.”
David Peterson committed an error fielding a toss from Vientos on a ball that appeared thrown behind the left-hander, and Mendoza indicated it’s part of the “learning curve” for Vientos.
“[Vientos] made a hell of a play there,” Mendoza said. “You have got a moving target and you just continue to practice that.”
Carson Benge (0-for-4, one RBI) received his first career start in Oracle Park’s vast right field, which includes various angles due to the ballpark’s unique layout. Mendoza said the rookie worked with outfield coach Gilbert Gomez before Thursday’s series opener to become acquainted with the various nuances.
The Mets entered play sixth in MLB and second in the National League with 71 strikeouts by their pitchers. The team’s 3.02 ERA was sixth in MLB and tied for fifth in the NL.
The Mets entered play sixth in MLB and second in the National League with 71 strikeouts by their pitchers. The team’s 3.02 ERA was sixth in MLB and tied for fifth in the NL.
As he was on the Chicago Sports Network during the broadcast of a White Sox’s 5-4 win over the Blue Jays on Friday in Chicago’s home opener, Guillen was joined by Scott Podsednik.
Podsednik, best known for his All-Star and World Series title season of 2005 with the Guillen-managed White Sox, opened an envelope on-air, suggesting he didn’t know what it was.
Ozzie Guillén, World Series winning manager with the Chicago White Sox, lifts the World Series trophy during a ceremony commemorating the 2005 Chicago White Sox team at Rate Field on July 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images
Guillen, who was eagerly looking over Podsednik’s shoulder for an attempt at a clearer view of the letter, was then shocked to learn of what it contained.
“The Chicago White Sox announce today,” Podsednik began before he paused and appeared to look over in Guillen’s direction.
Podsednik’s voice continued, as it now echoed throughout Rate Field, “That 2005 World Series winning manager Ozzie Guillen will be honored on Saturday, Aug. 8.”
Guillen interjected, “Another bobblehead?” with a chuckle.
Podsednik continued, “With a special ceremony retiring his No. 13 uniform.”
Guillen immediately began to feel the emotions, which coincided with the crowd unleashing a round of cheers and applause for the former manager, who is now 62.
“Where’s my wife?” Guillen asked, overcome with emotion, as she immediately entered the set, and the two embraced.
No. 13 is forever
The White Sox will retire Ozzie Guillen’s number 13 on August 8th!
He managed the White Sox from 2004 to 2011, winning Manager of the Year and leading the team to their first World Series in 88 years in 2005.
Then Chicago White Sox General Manager and Executive Vice-President Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillén, who is draped in the flag of Venezuela, celebrate during the team’s 2005 World Series victory parade in Chicago. Getty Images
With the White Sox, Guillen went 678-617 with one title and two playoff trips; the run also included four seasons of at least 88 wins.
Guillen later managed the Marlins for one season in 2012.
As a player, the former shortstop was a three-time All-Star with the White Sox in 1988, 1990 and 1991.
He also won a Gold Glove in 1990 and was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1985.
Guillen played for the Sox from 1985 to 1997, and enjoyed stints with the Orioles, Braves and Rays, retiring after the 2000 season.
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) pitches during the third inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
In a game dominated by the two starting pitchers, it was Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson who stepped to the plate with the score 0-0 in the ninth inning and answered the bell to give the Braves their third consecutive win and improve their record on the young season to 6-2.
The Braves have now recorded three shutouts in the first week of the season.
Albies stood in against veteran reliever Paul Sewald and hammered a ball down the right field line to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Chase Field erupted with a big contingent of Braves fans in attendance.
Olson followed with a solo blast of his own three pitches later, a no-doubter to center field to go back-to-back and make it 2-0. Olson has absolutely mashed throughout his career in Chase Field, and it appears the desert has gotten his season on track in a hurry.
Grant Holmes was superb over six innings, flirting with a no-hitter until Ketel Marte finally broke the seal with a single in the bottom of the sixth. That was the lone hit Holmes would surrender in addition to three walks. He struck out four and generated 14 whiffs on 85 pitches.
In relief of Holmes, the trio of Dylan Lee, Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias brought the win home. The Braves pitching staff through the first week of the season has been, to put it mildly, stellar.
A night after scoring 17 runs, the Braves were pretty helpless against veteran lefty Eduardo Rodriguez. They had a scoring opportunity in the first and sixth innings with two runners on, but they were unable to capitalize and support Holmes’ efforts.
The four-game tilt continues tomorrow night with Bryce Elder set to face old friend Michael Soroka, who pitched really well in his season debut against the Tigers earlier in the week. It’ll be a 7:15 p.m. ET first pitch on FOX.
Sean Manaea of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on April 2, 2026 in San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO — Sean Manaea could take a glimmer of satisfaction from his latest outing.
Yes, the left-hander created traffic in his relief appearance Thursday night, but there was an uptick in his velocity. The final result — one earned run allowed over 3 ²/₃ innings — was respectable, despite the four hits and two walks he allowed.
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“I was just throwing free and easy and just throwing with confidence,” Manaea said.
The appearance in a low-leverage spot — the Mets trailed by four runs when he entered and ultimately lost 7-2 to the Giants — allowed Manaea an opportunity to stay stretched out as the sixth starter in what has been a five-man rotation to begin the season.
Manaea averaged 89.9 mph with his four-seam fastball — still down from last season but up from spring training and his 1 ¹/₃-inning relief appearance against the Pirates last Sunday.
The lone run Manaea allowed Thursday was on a four-seamer that Rafael Devers smashed for a homer.
“I thought it was a positive step,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “[Manaea] was aggressive and his fastball had life, swings and misses, and for him to finish that game and save the bullpen is huge. There were a lot of good signs.”
The Mets used plenty of relievers in the first week, with three games that went extra innings. Manaea could help ensure Mendoza wouldn’t need to summon another arm.
Sean Manaea of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on April 2, 2026 in San Francisco. Getty Images
“This is a family; this is a team,” Manaea said. “Everyone has got work to do, and I am really glad that I was able to help out.”
Manaea’s next step is unclear, but he’s unlikely to be available for the remainder of this series after throwing 74 pitches. The Mets have a day off Monday and then have games scheduled the following nine days, so it’s possible Manaea would be inserted into the rotation as a sixth starter as soon as the next homestand.
Nolan McLean took the mound on Friday, and the Mets have Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga aligned for the final two games in the series. Freddy Peralta and David Peterson are the other members of the five-man rotation.
“We’ve got five extremely talented starters, and my role right now is to help this team in the capacity that I am doing,” Manaea said.
The early results have been positive from the rotation, Peterson’s latest start notwithstanding — the lefty was knocked out in the fifth inning on Thursday after allowing six runs, five of which were earned. That got the ball to Manaea with the chance for an extended outing. He had thrown only 29 pitches in his appearance on Sunday.
New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea throws during the seventh inning on Thursday night. AP
Last season was disastrous for Manaea, who strained an oblique in spring training and didn’t appear in a game for the Mets until July. But he struggled upon his return and pitched to a 5.64 ERA in 15 appearances.
The Mets re-signed Manaea before last season to a three-year contract worth $75 million.
Manaea had thrived the previous season and emerged as a de facto ace for a team that reached the NL Championship Series, crediting a drop in arm angle against left-handed hitters for much of his success.
But Manaea indicated he may have dropped his arm slot too low last year in trying to replicate that success.
“I think the arm slot getting too low was a byproduct of the rest of my body,” Manaea said. “If I am more upright the arm slot doesn’t matter.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Starting pitcher Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Athletics during the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Maybe the joke’s on me.
Before the season even started, as baseball experts and national publications kept insisting that Lance McCullers Jr. would be part of the Houston Astros’ starting rotation, I wasn’t buying it. Not even a little. I questioned it constantly. I doubted it openly. And realistically, I believed there was no chance McCullers would not only make the rotation, but stay in it.
Truth be told, I was done with him.
At least three different times last season, I reached my breaking point. I even said on my radio show that I didn’t want to talk about McCullers again until he actually earned it—until he performed at a level worthy of the attention. His track record, paired with the endless cycle of injuries, setbacks, and uncertainty over the past few years, made it hard to believe anything else. It felt far more likely that 2026 would be his last season in an Astros uniform, if he even made it through the year.
And then came his first start.
To my surprise, it was nothing short of impressive.
Sure, there were a couple of hard-hit balls that just barely stayed foul, but at the end of the day, he did his job. He pitched effectively. He competed. And most importantly, he helped the Astros secure a win. It wasn’t just serviceable, it was encouraging.
At the same time, my confidence in another arm was trending in the opposite direction.
Coming into the season, I was far more bullish on Cristian Javier. I believed he was the one poised to return to form, the one the Astros could count on again. In my mind, Javier had a legitimate shot to work his way into the top three of the rotation by midseason.
Instead, we’ve seen the exact opposite.
Javier has looked nothing like the pitcher Astros fans remember. He’s committing the cardinal sins of starting pitching: issuing walks, hitting batters, and consistently putting runners on base to start innings. And as any pitcher knows, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Those runners? They’re scoring.
Despite a noticeable uptick in fastball velocity, Javier’s inability to locate his pitches has completely undermined his effectiveness. His command is off. His control is shaky. And his inability to consistently throw strikes has led to a spike in walks and a lack of trust on the mound. His “invisaball” has been located anywhere but near the zone.
Through two starts, he hasn’t looked like a reliable major league option, especially not for a team with the expectations the Astros carry into 2026. In fact, he’s looked more like a pitcher who belongs in Triple-A than one you can depend on every fifth day.
And that’s where things get interesting.
With Spencer Arrighetti closing in on a return and the Astros considering a six-man rotation, there are real decisions looming. We’ve seen this movie before. Last year, “mysterious” or conveniently timed injuries played a role in managing struggling arms, most notably with McCullers himself.
Could that scenario play out again, this time with Javier?
It’s not out of the question.
The good news for Houston Astros is that they have depth. Between options at the major league level and reinforcements in Sugar Land, Dana Brown and Joe Espada have flexibility. If Javier continues to struggle, there are viable replacements ready to step in and stabilize the rotation.
But before we go too far in either direction, before we anoint McCullers as “back” or write Javier off completely, it’s worth remembering something.
We’ve been here before.
Last season, after one strong outing against the Dodgers, McCullers had everyone believing he had turned the corner for good. It didn’t last. That memory alone is enough to pump the brakes on any sweeping conclusions based on a single start.
So where does that leave us?
For me, it means staying cautious.
McCullers deserves credit for what he showed, but I need to see more. A few more quality outings. Consistency. Durability. Proof that this isn’t just another flash before a setback.
As for Javier, the leash might be shorter than expected. The potential is still there because of his track record, but the results have to follow, and soon.
Because in a season where expectations are high, the Astros don’t have the luxury of waiting too long for anyone to figure it out.
So I’ll ask you:
Who do you trust more right now? And how do you see this rotation shaking out between now and the All-Star break?
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 20: Seiya Suzuki #27 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a home run during a Spring Training game against the Chicago White Sox at Sloan Park on February 20, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We were supposed to have our final two affiliates take the field tonight, but South Bend was rained out.
I no longer post anything on Twitter/X. I still go over there because the affiliates are there, but I don’t post any new content. You can find me posting some stuff at Bluesky at @joshftimmers.bsky.social. I’m not quite as active there as I used to be, but I still do some updates.
Everyone wins! Well, not South Bend, but they had a good excuse.
Iowa starter Will Sanders gave up a solo home run in both the first and second innings, but other than that he was quite sharp. Sanders got the win after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. Sanders struck out seven and walked two.
Iowa manager Marty Pevey then got two scoreless innings out of Collin Snider and one out of Ryan Rolison in non-save situations to close out the game.
Iowa put this one away with a five-run second inning. DH Chas McCormick led off the inning with a solo home run, his second on the season.
Chas McCormick DEMOLISHES one to left field to get the I-Cubs on the board! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/YSjhPx5AH5
After catcher Christian Bethancourt singled and center fielder Brett Bateman walked, right fielder Justin Dean singled home Bethancourt to make it 2-1.
After first baseman Jonathon Long grounded out, second baseman James Triantos crushed this three-run home run to make it 5-1. It was Triantos’ second home run of the year.
A three-run blast off the scorching hot bat of James Triantos gives the I-Cubs a 5-1 lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BhHm5sOj5i
McCormick finished the game 2 for 4 with the home run and this RBI double.
Chas McCormick lines one off the left field wall for his second extra base hit of the game, extending the Iowa lead to 6-2 in the seventh! 🐻 pic.twitter.com/0R6MhMeDtU
Minor League Rule 5 draftee Zane Mills made his Cubs organizational debut tonight. He pitched 3+ innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Mills walked three and struck out four.
Jace Beck relieved Mills in the fourth inning and promptly walked the first two batters and then coughed up a three-run home run to put Birmingham up 6-5. But he settled down after that and collected the win after the Smokies scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead. Beck’s final line was three runs on two hits and three walks over two innings. He struck out four.
Evan Taylor came on for the save in the ninth and he made it a nailbiter after a one-out walk and a two-out double. But with runners on second and third and two outs, Taylor got the strikeout to end the game. He struck out two in his one inning of work.
The third batter of the bottom of the first inning, shortstop Jefferson Rojas, clobbered this three-run home run.
Jefferson Rojas delivering the Smokies first 3️⃣ runs of the game and the first homer of the season! ⚾️💥 pic.twitter.com/YwBbYRAVtR
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) April 4, 2026
Rojas went 2 for 4 with a walk. He also made this nice play on defense.
Cubs #5 prospect, Jefferson Rojas, with a diving stop sending us into Bottom 6.
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) April 4, 2026
Seiya Suzuki played five innings in right field in a rehab appearance. He was 1 for 2 with a sacrifice fly. He also scored on the Rojas home run. Suzuki seemed to be moving fine to my eyes, but he wasn’t really tested out there.
DH Alexander Ramirez led off and was 2 for 3 with a double and two walks in his Cubs organizational debut. Ramirez scored twice and drove in one.
Left fielder Jordan Nwogu was 3 for 5 and scored once.
Catcher Ariel Armas went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI double in the eighth inning. Armas also scored on a wild pitch in the fifth.
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs home opener was postponed because of unplayable field conditions. A makeup date has not been scheduled.
Kane Kepley did double in kickball.
No. 6 @Cubs prospect Kane Kepley rips a backside double with an elite dodge at the end of the play. He’s 2-for-2 in his High-A (kickball) debut. 👀
Pelicans manager Yovanny Cuevas got three innings each from three pitchers. Starter Noah Edders allowed two unearned runs on two hits. He struck out five and walked no one.
Ben Johnson, a 17th-round pick in 2024 who missed all last season with an injury, finally got to make his professional debut in the fourth inning. Johnson gave up two runs on three hits. He struck out four and walked two.
Jordan Henriquez tossed the final three innings and got his first Pelicans win in his first game in Myrtle Beach. Henriquez held the RiverDogs to no runs and just two hits. He struck out four and walked no one, although he did hit one batter.
First baseman Cole Mathis hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth that ended up being the difference in this game. It was Mathis’ second home run in as many games this year. He finished the game 1 for 4 with a walk.
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) April 4, 2026
Carico was 1 for 3 with two walks.
In the seventh inning, right fielder Josiah Hartshorn crushed his first professional home run on a ball that I still don’t think has landed. It came with the bases empty.
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) April 4, 2026
That is some serious power. If you’re down in South Carolina, I’d suggest getting to see Hartshorn this month because he may be in South Bend sooner rather than later.
Hartshorn was 2 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored.
Shortstop Ty Southisene went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.
Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy was 2 for 5 with an RBI infield single in the first inning.
But after heading into the season with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt sidelined and more than a few question marks surrounding a bullpen that lost Luke Weaver and Devin Williams in the offseason, a historic start to the regular season probably wasn’t considered likely.
With another solid effort by Will Warren and a dominant effort by the bullpen, though, the Yankees’ pitching continues to be elite.
After an 8-2 win over Miami in the home opener in The Bronx, the Yankees have allowed just eight runs in seven games.
That matches the fewest runs by a team in MLB history — along with the 1993 Braves and 2002 Giants.
And the rotation has given up four runs in those games, tied for the best since 1900, matching the 2018 Red Sox and the ’93 Braves.
New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren (29) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after ending the first inning on April 3, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
In Friday’s win, Warren was backed up by Tim Hill — who escaped the two-on, one-out jam Warren left in the sixth — Jake Bird, Brent Headrick and Ryan Yarbrough, as the bullpen combined to toss 3 ¹/₃ shutout innings.
Aaron Judge noted what’s made the staff so tough overall.
“They’re dictating at-bats,’’ Judge said of his teammates. “They put pressure on guys at-bat after at-bat. We’re feeding off them.”
To Judge’s point, the Yankees didn’t issue a walk on Friday, while striking out 10.
Yankees pitcher Tim Hill (41) throws a pitch during the sixth inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Warren, who survived some rough outings last season, bounced back from a pair of solo homers to pitch into the sixth. After and after Hill got Liam Hicks on a soft comebacker to end the inning, Bird entered and continued his promising start to the year, as he and the lefty Headrick retired all six batters they faced before Yarbrough finished it after Ben Rice put the game away with a two-run double in the eighth.
“We’re playing great baseball,’’ Cody Bellinger said. “It’s unbelievable. Starting with the starters — all four — and the bullpen coming in every time, it makes it easier on the offense.”
Aaron Boone praised Bird and Headrick, perhaps the latest in a long line of reclamation projects the Yankees will turn into reliable bullpen pieces.
Warren seemed to speak for all the Yankee pitchers when he said his key to his results Friday was being “aggressive in the zone.”
“If we attack early, the odds are in our favor,’’ Warren said. “We’re attacking early and throwing strikes and have confidence in our stuff to put us in a position to be successful. … Our lineup is a beast. We know they’re gonna put up runs.”
Juan Soto exited Friday’s 10-3 win over the Giants after the top of the first with right calf tightness and was replaced in left field by Tyrone Taylor.
Soto singled in his lone at-bat and later appeared to grimace as he went first to third on a Bo Bichette RBI single.
Juan Soto of the New York Mets hits a single against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on April 3, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images
He remained in the game before getting thrown out at home on a Brett Baty double play, but Taylor entered for defense in the bottom half of the first.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said after the victory that Soto would undergo imaging on Saturday.
Soto, one of the few Mets consistently hitting early this season, extended his hitting streak to eight games and now has a .355 average and a .928 OPS.
Taylor went 0-for-4 with a strikeout as his replacement, but the Mets had one of the best offensive outputs of the early season, scoring 10 runs on 15 hits. Francisco Alvarez hit two homers, and Marcus Semien went deep for the first time as a Met.
Defensive lineman Rakeem “Nacho” Nunez-Roches has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Buccaneers, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Nunez-Roches, 32, spent the past three seasons with the Giants.
In 2025, he played only nine games due to an ankle injury. Nunez-Roches still set a career-high with three sacks and made 23 tackles.
Nunez-Roches previously spent five seasons with the Bucs, playing 68 games with 22 starts from 2018-22. He won a Super Bowl ring when the Bucs won it all in the 2020 season.
The Chiefs made Nunez-Roches a sixth-round pick in 2015. He was in Kansas City for three seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring a run against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After hitting a single in the top of the first inning and then running from first to third, Juan Soto was removed from the Mets’ game in San Francisco before the team took the field in the bottom of the inning.
SNY showed the replay of Soto running the bases, and the 27-year-old outfielder grimaced between second and third. The team proceeded to announce that Soto left the game with right calf tightness.
The Mets’ lineup has been struggling mightily since Opening Day, and if Soto were to miss any time beyond the rest of this game, it would be a major blow to the team. Soto has been hot to start the season, as he’s hit .355/.412/.516 with a 161 wRC+.
While there weren’t any major injuries in spring training, Jorge Polanco has gone from the Mets’ starting first baseman to serving as a designated hitter because of an Achillies issue to not appearing in the team’s lineup for this game. We’ll see if he returns to the lineup tomorrow, but if he and Soto miss the same games, it’ll be that much harder for the organization to get the offense going.
Konnor Griffin entered the 2026 season with one of the most anticipated pending debuts in Major League Baseball.
And on Friday, the young Pirate did not disappoint.
The highly touted prospect, who will be 19 for another three weeks, ripped an RBI double in his first MLB at-bat as part of a 5-4 win over the Orioles, elevating the Pirates’ record to 4-3.
“It was awesome,” Griffin said, per MLB.com. “Getting a win, as well, was the cherry on top. That was hands down one of the best days of my life.”
He became the first teenage position player in the majors since Juan Soto did so with the Nationals in 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates 19-year-old Konnor Griffin hit an RBI double in his Major League Baseball debut. The Pirates beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4. Getty Images
The RBI double was part of what became a game-deciding four-run second inning.
Griffin, who was drafted in the first round at No. 9 overall in 2024, finished the day with 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate while hitting seventh in the order.
“He just went right down and hit his stride and was able to reset in a couple of days,” manager Don Kelly told reporters after the win. “Which again, for anybody, is really impressive, especially for a 19-year-old kid whose hopes and dreams were to make the big leagues.”
Konnor Griffin (6) points to his family while being interviewed after the game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 03, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Griffin slashed an incredible .438/.571/.625 line in just five games this season with the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis.
Additionally, across 122 games last year in the minors, Griffin hit .333, blasting 21 home runs with 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases.
As a result of his production, he was later honored with Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Griffin had originally committed to baseball powerhouse LSU, but ended up forgoing a career in the SEC to head straight to the pro ranks.
Griffin also earned a signing bonus of $6.53 million upon joining the Pirates organization following the 2024 Draft. He’s in the midst of finalizing a reported $140 million extension.
The Los Angeles Angels have used that name since 2016, but California state legislation could result in that changing.
California Assembly member Avelino Valencia has brought the legislation forward, asking to revert the name of the MLB franchise to the Anaheim Angels as a requirement of any sale or new lease of the stadium property, according to the LA Times.
The bill is named the “Home Run for Anaheim Act.”
Anaheim was dropped from the name after the team was previously called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2005 to 2015. The team was previously known as the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 2004, including during its championship season in 2002.
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has reportedly asked the city attorney to also explore the possibility that the MLB franchise may have violated its current lease by dropping the name from legal documents.
The team's current stadium lease extends through 2032, according to Sports Business Journal. The Angels have the option to consider extending the lease through 2038.
Arte Moreno bought the Angels from the Walt Disney Company for $183.5 million in 2003. Moreno considered selling the team in 2022 but decided the team was no longer for sale after having a change of heart in January 2023.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 03: Starting pitcher Joey Cantillo #54 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs of the home opener at Progressive Field on April 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well. What a game. Cantillo was nearly perfect this afternnon, going 5 1/3 innings of “1-run” ball. He notched 6 strikeouts, walking only 2. I put 1-run ball in quotations because, if you watched the game, that run being earned is nonsense. For those who might not have watched, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a lazy fly just past the infield to which Jose, Arias, and Kwan all converged. Arias called off Jose and Kwan, and then proceeded to let the ball drop. PCA got to second on that error-that-somehow-wasn’t-an-error. The Cubs brought PCA home right after. Cantillo wasn’t in the zone much today, but got the Cubs to chase quite a bit. He did a fantastic job of limiting hard contact, only surrendering 1 batted ball over 100 mph. That ball, for reference, was a groundball that escaped up the middle of the infield.
A few innings after the Cubs scored, the Guardians put guys on second and third with DeLauter coming up to bat. Counsell had brought in submarine lefty Hoby Milner to face the top of the Guardians’ order, and DeLauter did this against him:
The kid just won’t stop hitting. Arias, shown in this video, did in fact get thrown out at the plate… somehow. From a different angle, it looked like he got a pretty bad jump. Despite there being two outs, he got a bad jump. Speaking of jumps, Connor Brogdon pitched the 7th. Facing Matt Shaw, he surrendered a ball that was smoked to right-center, and Daniel Scheneemann was able to reel it in with this unbelievable play.
DeLauter went 3-4 in his regular season debut in Cleveland, notching 2 singles and a 2-run homer. For those keeping count, he’s slashing .346/.370/.923 through 27 plate appearances, good for a 271 wRC+. He’s up to 5 HRs and 8 RBI.
Flying somewhat under the radar was what is, somehow, an almost routine thing for Jose Ramirez. After the homer, he softly served a liner into center. What made that a signature Jose play was him somehow turning that into a double. Not many people turn 73 mph line drives up the middle into doubles.
And not to let CTC figurehead Quincy Wheeler’s favorite reliever go unnoticed… Matt Festa pitched today! He came on for Cantillo with runners on, and got back-to-back pop-ups to end the 6th.
Armstrong pitched a clean 8th, and Cade shut the door in the 9th. Cade was much better today. He was able to throw his splitter more consistently for strikes, which had been a problem for him so far this year. Hopefully, that’s a good sign.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Oracle Park on March 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue their four-game series against the New York Mets tonight at Oracle Park.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Tyler Mahle, who finished the 2025 season with a 2.18 ERA, 3.37 FIP, with 66 strikeouts to 29 walks in 86.2 innings pitched. His first start this season was in the Giants’ 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday, in which he allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and a walk in four innings.
He’ll be facing off against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean, who finished the 2025 season with a 2.06 ERA, 2.97 FIP, with 57 strikeouts to 16 walks in 48 innings pitched. His first start this season was in the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, in which he allowed two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners plays shortstop during a 7-2 Seattle Mariners win over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 26, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
J.P. Crawford is back in the lineup Friday as the Mariners begin their first road trip of the season.
Crawford was activated from the injured list Thursday. He makes his 2026 debut in what very well may be his last season with the Mariners.
Bryan Woo is on the mound and will look to build off a solid six inning, nine strikeout performance last week against the Guardians.
The Mariners send their lefty lineup to face Reid Detmers, who Jake Mailhot covered in our series preview.
Lineups
Game Info
First pitch: 6:38 PM PDT TV: Mariners TV and MLB Network (for those out of market). For how to watch, Kate’s got the details. Radio: 710 KIRO
