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Paul Skenes bobblehead giveaway causes frenzy at Pirates game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Paul Skenes grew used to the buzz that surrounds him a while ago.
Still, Saturday was different. Throughout an unseasonably warm spring afternoon, the mania that seems to follow the 22-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates ace whenever he takes the mound collided with the reality of the current state of his underperforming team.
A day that began with fans queueing up outside the gates of PNC Park more than five hours before Skenes delivered his first pitch — all in the in hopes of securing one of the 20,000 bobbleheads inspired by the National League Rookie of the Year — ended with a 3-0 loss and the increasingly familiar chants urging owner Bob Nutting to sell the team.
The line for Paul Skenes' bobblehead goes past the Clemente Bridge and into Downtown Pittsburgh 🤯
(via @ThePoniExpress)pic.twitter.com/E7odApJj8o
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 19, 2025
The irony this time is that the club’s executives avoided the kind of public-relations missteps that have become all too frequent over the season’s opening month.
Due to what Pirates president Travis Williams called unprecedented demand, the team pledged to make sure that every one of the 37,113 who waited in lines that stretched for blocks in every direction — including across the Roberto Clemente Bridge into the city’s downtown — would be able to obtain one of the popular collectibles.
We know how unique today’s Paul Skenes Rookie of the Year bobblehead giveaway is and how popular it is for our fans. We don’t want any fan who attended today’s game to not receive one.
Any fan who scanned into today’s game after the first 20,000 bobbleheads were given away… pic.twitter.com/e1lZNIEJBL
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 19, 2025
It didn’t take long for some of them to pop up on eBay, though for far less than a one-of-a-kind Skenes rookie card that fetched more than $1 million at a public auction last month.
Asked if he thought the bobblehead bore more than a passing resemblance to him, the bearded Skenes — who is about 6 feet taller than the figurine — shrugged.
“It’s a bobblehead,” he said. “It’s not my thing.”
He didn’t notice the growing crush of people outside the ballpark when he arrived for work, though he called seeing a sellout for just the second time this season “cool.”
“Wish we would’ve gotten the win,” Skenes added inside a postgame clubhouse so quiet the most notable noise was coming from the air conditioning unit in the middle of the room.
Those moments have been far too infrequent during an opening month in which the Pirates’ play has offered a reminder that for all of Skenes’ brilliance, it takes more than a phenom pitcher to compete against some of baseball’s best teams.
Skenes did his part, limiting the Guardians to two runs and six hits across seven efficient if not quite overpowering innings. Making the first start of his big league career on four days’ rest, Skenes struck out a season-low four batters, which he chalked up to Cleveland’s approach more than the quality of his stuff.
There was just one true mistake, a 93 mph splitter on the first pitch of the seventh that dipped down and in to Kyle Manzardo. The left-handed designated hitter turned on it and sent it bouncing into the Allegheny River to put the Guardians up 2-0.
“I’m not going to lose any sleep over this outing,” he said. “Just got to score runs.”
Something the Pirates have not done with any sort of consistency. Five days after putting up a season-high 10 runs to back Skenes in a win over Washington, Pittsburgh managed just six hits while being shut out for the third time in a week.
The Pirates went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the most damning a two-batter sequence in the sixth in which first-and-third with no outs ended with Ke’Bryan Hayes taking a ball that looked outside for strike three, immediately followed by Tommy Pham grounding into a double play.
The unease that bubbled up during the home opener — when a plane flew overhead dragging a banner urging owner Bob Nutting to put the team up for sale — is starting to become a constant.
While there were boos after Pham’s dribbler to second ended the scoring threat, a brief but noticeable “sell the team” chant curiously popped up after Skenes gave up the homer to Manzardo. It quickly died out, and Skenes was given a generous ovation when he walked off the mound after the top of the seventh following a performance that gave his team a chance to win.
Only the Pirates didn’t. Just as they haven’t in three of his five starts this season, or in 14 of their first 22 overall.
Skenes brushed aside the idea that frustration is starting to creep in, even with the Pirates dealing with the same issues — namely offense and spotty work from the bullpen — that plagued them during a late-summer swoon that dropped them out of contention in 2024.
Everyone from Nutting to Williams to general manager Ben Cherington to Shelton to Skenes has said it’s time for Pittsburgh to win. Those wins aren’t coming with any regularity.
The window to contend that the club expected to open in 2025 remains shut. And no amount of giveaways can distract the fanbase, even as their bright young hope continues to look every bit the budding superstar that he is.
Skenes brushed aside the idea that frustration is starting to mount internally, even as it ratchets up externally, even on days that begin with the giddy frenzy that seems to follow Skenes wherever he goes in full bloom.
“We’re just not executing at a high enough level and as consistently as we need to, to win these games,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a clubhouse thing. Everybody likes each other. But positive feelings, friendships and all that don’t win championships. We’ve got to figure it out.”
Kodai Senga has been spectacular this season.
The right-hander was forced to work his way into and out of trouble at times during the Mets’ meeting with the Cardinals on Saturday -- but he got the job done, helping them secure their fourth shutout victory.
Senga retired the side in order in the first, but had some heavy lifting to do in the second as a double and a walk put two in scoring position with just one out, but he struck out Nolan Gorman and got a line out to end the inning.
He cruised through the third and fourth, picking up two more punch outs along the way.
The Cardinals threatened again in the fifth, as Thomas Saggese led off the inning with a double and then advanced to third on a wild pitch but a strike out and a strong throw to the plate from Brett Baty on a fielders choice helped him dance out of danger again.
A leadoff walk followed by a Willson Contreras single put Senga in immediate danger again in the sixth, but he got Brendan Donovan to roll into a double play before hitting Nolan Arenado with a pitch to end his day.
Reed Garrett entered and escaped the first and third jam easily -- capping off Senga’s final line at three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts across 5.2 shutout innings of work.
After being limited to just one regular season start last year due to numbers different injuries, the 32-year-old has stepped tremendously thus far -- pitching to the second-lowest ERA in the majors (0.79) through four outings.
Senga's taken home the victory in each of his last three starts and he hasn't allowed a run in any of them -- stretching his streak to 18.2 consecutive scoreless innings, a much-needed return to form following his injury-plagued campaign.
“That’s what people saw here in 2023,” Carlos Mendoza said. “A guy that’s going to take the baseball and he’s going to give you a chance every night -- it doesn’t matter who we’re facing. If they’ve got an ace, we feel good about our chances when he takes the ball.
“That’s what we’re looking for and that’s what you want -- someone who is going to match the best of the best when he’s healthy and feeling good.”
The last time Senga was at the top of his game he was the Mets’ ace -- finishing seventh in National League Cy Young voting and second in Rookie of the Year voting during a spectacular first year in the league.
Despite the success and his manager’s praise, he feels he’s not quite at that form just yet.
“The pitches are coming out of my hand and what I’m imaging them to look like there’s still a bit of a difference,” Senga said through a translator. “I think getting used to the speed I'm throwing, going deeper into games -- my body will slowly adapt and hopefully I'll get closer and get to that form.”
TAMPA, Fla. — Three-and-a-half weeks into his New York Yankees career, Devin Williams doesn’t resemble the All-Star closer who dominated hitters with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Brandon Lowe tied the score with a two-run single in a four-run ninth inning off Williams, Jonathan Aranda hit a two-run homer in the 10th against Yoendrys Gómez and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 10-8 Saturday to stop New York’s five-game winning streak.
“Yeah, four-run lead, you’d like to get in and get out,” Williams said. “Made some good pitches, made some bad ones. Not enough good ones today.”
Williams has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed runs in four of nine appearances. While he has four saves in four chances, Williams has walked seven in eight innings and opponents have a .333 average against him.
“We got a long way to go,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a little bump here early, and he’s got all the equipment to get through it.”
Luke Weaver, who struck out two in a perfect eighth, could become an increasingly enticing option to replace Williams as closer. After thriving when he took over the closer role from Clay Holmes late last season, Weaver has not allowed a run in 11 innings over nine games this year and has given up just two hits while striking out 13 and walking five.
Acquired in December from Milwaukee for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, Williams can become a free agent after the season.
Williams converted 14 of 15 save chances with a 1.25 ERA for the Brewers last year, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Diagnosed during 2024 spring training with two stress fractures in his back, he didn’t make his season debut until July 28.
Given an 8-4 lead, Williams allowed José Caballero’s one-out single on a chopper as third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera made a high throw, for an error, then walked No 9 batter Ben Rortvedt. Chandler Simpson hit an opposite-field RBI double to left for his first big league hit, Yandy Díaz hit a run-scoring infield single and Lowe singled to left.
“A lot of soft contact,” Boone said.
Williams allowed the hits to Caballero, Díaz and Lowe on his changeup, known as an air-bender.
“Just the changeup to Lowe. I’d like to have that one back,” Williams said. “Tough luck on that double down the line, but aside from that I thought I threw the ball pretty well.”
Williams generated just one swing and miss among his seven changeups.
“Maybe using it too much,” he said. “We’ll work on that.”
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Lowe tied the score with a two-run single in a four-run ninth inning off Devin Williams, Jonathan Aranda hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 10-8 Saturday to stop New York’s five-game winning streak.
Williams, an All-Star closer acquired from Milwaukee during the offseason, has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed runs in four of nine appearances. He has walked seven in eight innings.
Given an 8-4 lead, Williams allowed José Caballero’s one-out single on a chopper as third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera made a high throw, then walked No. 9 batter Ben Rortvedt. Chandler Simpson hit an RBI double to left for his first big league hit, Yandy Díaz hit a run-scoring infield single and Lowe singled to left.
After New York wasted runners at the corners with no outs in the 10th against Edwin Uceta (1-1), Aranda led off the bottom half against Yoendrys Gómez with his fourth homer, stopping the Rays’ four-game losing streak.
New York went 6 for 15 with runners in scoring position.
On a foul popup that ended the Yankees’ fifth, Aranda collided with Rortvedt and was on the grass with training staff before walking off on his own power.
Aaron Judge had three hits and three RBIs, and Trent Grisham homered for the Yankees.
Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice left with a bruised left elbow after getting hit by an 88.2 mph slider from Manuel Rodríguez in the fourth inning. X-rays were negative.
Rays starter Shane Baz allowed five runs, his most since July 10, 2022, in 3 1/3 innings. Yankees starter Carlos Carrasco threw just 35 of 78 pitches for strikes and gave up four runs in four innings.
With the bases loaded and no out in the first, Paul Goldschmidt grounded sharply to Caballero at shortstop, who started a double play by throwing the ball between his legs to force Austin Wells at second.
Simpson was 1 for 5 in his major league debut.
Yankees LHP Max Fried (3-0, 1.88 ERA) and Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (1-2, 4.91) start Sunday’s series finale.
At no point last season did Pete Alonso ever look as good as he's looked at the plate to start his 2025 campaign for the Mets.
After another 2-for-4 day, including a double, home run and two RBI in New York's 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, the first baseman is "locked in" offensively right now.
In fact, Alonso said this is the best he's felt at the plate since his junior year of college -- even better than his rookie season in 2019 where he set the rookie home run record with 53 long balls.
"From a consistency aspect, yes," he said, talking about feeling better this year compared to his rookie year. "I mean, I know in 2019 I hit a lot of homers, obviously [I] had a phenomenal year that year, but from a consistency aspect and controlling the zone I definitely feel better [now]."
Alonso's production in the middle of the Mets' lineup since the start of the year has helped carry them to a 14-7 record as other players such as Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are just now starting to find their groove offensively.
In 21 games, Alonso is batting .356 (26-for-73) with a 1.220 OPS and has six home runs, nine doubles and a triple to go along with 23 RBI.
"He’s locked in. He’s got conviction, he’s got a plan and he’s executing it," said manager Carlos Mendoza. "I don’t think we saw this version last year, maybe towards the end and definitely in the playoffs, but I think right now he’s got conviction, he’s dictating at-bats, he’s ready for his pitches, he’s not missing them and he’s taking his walks when they don’t want to pitch to him. He’s a dangerous hitter."
Following a down season in 2024 that just so happened to be Alonso's walk year which led to him and New York agreeing to a two-year, $54 million late in the offseason -- much less than what Alonso was expecting -- the Mets must be thrilled with the offensive output they're seeing from their first baseman.
Always a threat to go deep, even last year when he hit 34 home runs, Alonso would still strike out a lot and his batting average and on-base percentage were never the highest as a career .251 hitter. However, this season he's striking out less, walking more and not missing when pitcher's make mistakes.
"I think my mechanics are super clean," he said. "I’m able to hold those and carry those pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat."
Alonso also credits "having a great gameplan" which includes "staying aggressive in [his] zone" for the start to his season.
But with another great Citi Field crowd on hand, with 42,339 in attendance on Saturday, Alonso isn't discounting the effect the fans have had on the team, who is 8-1 at home, as well
"Obviously having sellout crowds is awesome and I feel like having a jam-packed stadium like this it’s almost like having a 10th guy out there. It’s honestly awesome," Alonso said.
"It’s a good feeling knowing that the ballpark is going to be packed and the fanbase is going to be right behind you," Mendoza added. "Not only are we feeling it, the other team is feeling it… It’s an environment that people probably don’t want to come over here and that’s what you want. That’s why they’re the best fans."
New York hopes to keep the good times rolling as it looks to go for the series sweep on Sunday before starting a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
"Just wanna keep playing well," Alonso said. "The team is absolutely playing great ball, we’re playing as a unit."
Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn began a rehab assignment on Saturday night.
Blackburn took the mound for the Brooklyn Cyclones and he was handed an early lead but gave it right back -- as the second batter he faced crushed a solo homer deep to left-center.
He issued a walk following that, but got a lineout double play to end the inning.
The veteran allowed another walk and a hit in the bottom of the second, but was helped out by a caught stealing and a ground out to help him end his first rehab appearance without any further damage.
Overall, he allowed one run on two hits while walking two and threw 38 pitches.
Blackburn landed on the injured list after dealing with right knee inflammation late in camp.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said it’s still too early to tell exactly what his role will be when he returns to the big-league club, but they are planning on stretching him out to around 75 pitches to keep the door open on him joining the rotation.
Blackburn pitched to a 5.68 ERA over five spring training outings.
He has just four appearances in his career out of the bullpen, all with the Athletics.
Mets 3B Mark Vientos left Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals early due to groin discomfort and is considered day-to-day.
Manager Carlos Mendoza spoke after the game and said his third baseman "felt it" after he made a leaping grab on a line drive to start the fourth inning.
"I think it was the batter right after that play, there was a foul ball that he reacted towards the baseball and he felt something," the skipper said.
After testing the 25-year-old following his departure, the team's level of concern is "low-level" and will wait and see how he feels on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Vientos said he feels good and is "almost positive" the injury is more of a cramp than anything else.
"Not concerned at all," he said. "I think it’s just I didn’t drink enough water, made that play and then just felt like a little tweak, but I think I’m good."
The injury comes after Vientos had hit a home run in two straight games and was showing signs of pulling himself out of an early slog offensively.
"[It's] frustrating because it’s something that I can control which is drinking water and staying hydrated, but I’m grateful it’s not too bad," Vientos said.
Vientos was replaced by Brett Baty in the field in the top of the fifth inning and he immediately made an impact -- throwing Thomas Saggese out at the plate attempting to score on a grounder to third.
Vientos finished the day 0-for-2 with a groundout and a popout. Baty went 0-for-1 with a walk.
Roki Sasaki was in line for his first career win in Major League Baseball on Saturday.
Instead, the Dodgers suffered their first walk-off loss of the season.
Up a run in the bottom of the ninth, thanks in large part to Sasaki’s season-long six-inning, two-run start, the Dodgers’ bullpen couldn’t hold on.
Primary closer Tanner Scott was down after closing out Friday’s win. Top ninth-inning alternative Blake Treinen was placed on the injured list pregame with forearm tightness.
Read more:Shohei Ohtani's wife gives birth to a girl for the couple's first child
That meant veteran right-hander and former Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates was summoned to try to finish off his old club. He couldn’t, giving up a leadoff double and then a walk-off two-run home run to Adolis García for a 4-3 loss at Globe Life Field.
The ending overshadowed an otherwise positive day from the 23-year-old Sasaki — who saw his fastball velocity suffer a noticeable drop on Saturday but took another step forward in his major league development nonetheless.
Early on, Sasaki’s heater was as soft as 92 mph. Not until the fifth inning did it top 96 mph. Overall, it averaged just 94.7 mph, a stark drop from the 96.9-mph average he had over his first four MLB starts.
And yet he turned in his best effort as a big-leaguer anyway, using a heavy dose of splitters and sliders to hold the Rangers’ powerhouse lineup to just a two-run home run from Kyle Higashioka in the third inning.
Read more:Yoshinobu Yamamoto outduels Jacob deGrom, makes statement in Dodgers' win over Rangers
The Dodgers' offense, meanwhile, put Sasaki in line for his first career win, erasing the early 2-0 deficit with a three-run rally in the fourth that was keyed by Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer and (after a botched pickoff attempt from Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi moved Michael Conforto into scoring position) a go-ahead ground-rule double from Max Muncy.
The bullpen provided a bridge to the ninth inning, with Jack Dreyer, Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips (who was making his season debut after being activated off the injured list in place of Treinen) combined for scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth.
Yates, however, failed to record an out in the ninth. Josh Smith smashed a leadoff double after barely missing the right-field foul pole on a potential game-tying homer two pitches before. García then launched a no-doubt blast to left field, hammering an elevated 93-mph fastball to knot this three-game series between the past two World Series champions.
The result highlighted the significance of Treinen’s absence, serving as an immediate reminder of how valuable he’s been to the bullpen early on this year.
Treinen, who has two saves and a 3.38 ERA this year, first felt something in his arm after pitching an inning against the Chicago Cubs last Sunday. That day, he struck out three batters but also gave up a run on two hits and averaged less than 93 mph on the two fastballs he threw — almost two ticks lower than his normal velocity.
This week, the Dodgers had tried to avoid using Treinen, hoping the rest would alleviate the issue. However, while warming up in the ninth inning on Friday, Treinen reported more tightness to the team. It was enough for the Dodgers to put him on the IL and cut short Phillips’ triple-A rehab assignment so he could pitch on Saturday.
Read more:Pitching help on the way, improved bats, too? | Dodgers Debate
The severity of Treinen’s injury wasn’t immediately clear. According to manager Dave Roberts, Treinen was scheduled to have an MRI later on Saturday. While his timeline to return wouldn’t be known until the team got those results, Roberts said his initial concern level is “not too high right now."
“We want to get to the bottom of it,” Roberts said. “Don't know how long it'll be. But I appreciate Blake for letting us know his discomfort.”
Still, it didn’t take long for the Dodgers to miss the veteran right-hander in a save situation that would have been tailor-made for him.
A day that should have been about Sasaki’s first career win instead ended in a frustrating defeat.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Mets (14-7) won their third straight game against the St. Louis Cardinals (9-12) with a clean 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
-Despite a hot Saturday afternoon at the ballpark, the offenses were cold and held mostly in check as Kodai Senga and St. Louis starter Matthew Liberatore were locked in a pitcher's duel. Both pitchers were coming off scoreless outings of six or more innings in their last start and kept it going on Saturday with Senga able to keep his scoreless streak alive by escaping a couple of jams.
In the second, after a one-out walk followed by a double, the right-hander came back from 2-0 on Nolan Gorman by throwing three straight forkballs and getting Gorman to swing and miss on all three for the strikeout -- one of just four strikeouts by Senga on the day. A flyout to center ended the scoring threat.
Then in the fifth, a leadoff double and wild pitch put a runner on third and nobody out for a prime scoring chance for the Cards. However, Senga struck out Gorman once again (on a forkball) for the first out before his defense helped him out on the next batter.
-Freshly inserted into the game after Mark Vientosexited with what the team announced as "groin discomfort", Brett Baty fielded a grounder to third base and with the runner at third running on contact, Baty immediately went home with the throw to nab Thomas Saggese at the plate by a comfortable margin as Luis Torrens applied the tag.
Senga's defense came to his rescue again in the sixth, this time a double play turned by Luisangel Acuna and Francisco Lindor after a walk and single put runners on first and second. With a chance to maneuver through another jam, Senga hit Nolan Arenado to end his outing after 5.2 innings. Reed Garrett did his part and got the final out of the inning to preserve Senga's scoreless streak and lower his season ERA to 0.79.
-Facing Liberatore, New York's offense was able to push across two runs in the third. The first was driven in by Juan Soto who singled home Acuna and the second came via Pete Alonso's double -- his ninth already this season.
Other than that, Liberatore's ledger was clean as the left-hander went 6.2 innings, striking out six.
-Alonso added an insurance run in the eighth with his sixth home run. The slugger finished 2-for-4 and is now hitting .356 with a 1.220 OPS as his early season success continues.
-A.J Minter survived the eighth inning despite three walks and set up Edwin Diaz who looked dominant in the ninth, striking out two and securing his fifth save in as many opportunities.
Alonso is doing it all right now as his 23 RBI lead the Mets and is one off Aaron Judge for the MLB-lead.
Juan Soto with an RBI single to put the Mets on the board!
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 19, 2025
(via @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/HoRdwxWeu7
Pete Alonso follows Juan Soto’s RBI with one of his own 🤝
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 19, 2025
(via @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/0gpjsoVfrS
Pete Alonso LAUNCHES one to the second deck for a solo home run!!! 💣
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 19, 2025
(via @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/rcZotwt4F2
The Mets will look for the sweep when they close out their four-game series against the Cardinals on Easter Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 p.m.
RHP Clay Holmes (2-1, 3.66 ERA) faces off against RHP Sonny Gray (3-0, 3.13 ERA).
Roupp reaches ‘new territory,' sets career high in Giants' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Landen Roupp couldn’t have asked for a better way to introduce himself to Mike Trout in the first inning of the Giants’ game against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.
The three-time AL MVP went down swinging, falling victim to a curveball that has brought Roupp plenty of success over his last two starts. Roupp struck out the side to begin Saturday’s game, but Trout’s next two at-bats against Roupp didn’t go as smoothly for the Giants starter. In the end, though, San Francisco was able to survive two Trout home runs off Roupp en route to a 3-2 victory at Angel Stadium.
“It was fun,” Roupp told reporters after the game about his first time facing Trout. “I wish I could have gotten him all three times, but that’s baseball and the way it goes, and I’ll learn from it.”
Aside from Trout’s two homers, Roup was lights-out against the Angels, recording a career-high nine strikeouts with one walk, five hits and two earned runs across seven innings on 96 pitches. His curveball, which he threw 56 times in a 10-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, was at work again 43 times Saturday and produced a 60-percent whiff rate.
Roupp’s sinker, which he threw as often as his curve (42 times), kept the Angels off balance as well, and the 1-2 punch allowed him to last seven innings for the first time in his MLB career.
“I think that’s new territory for him,” Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters of Roupp’s seven-inning outing. “Nine punch-outs, only walked one, kind of splits the plate with his sinker and his breaking ball going the other way. It’s a tough breaking ball to track; kind of has different shapes on it from time to time … Less than 100 pitches, so pretty impressive.”
"Pretty impressive."
Bob Melvin lauded Landen Roupp's strong outing in tonight's win 👏 pic.twitter.com/e9M4mBDYna
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 20, 2025
After starting the 2025 MLB season out with a no decision and a loss, Roupp now has two consecutive wins under his belt and is proving worthy of the rotation spot Melvin gave him out of spring training. Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who delivered two of San Francisco’s three runs Saturday with a two-run homer in the first inning, is encouraged by what he has seen from Roupp so far.
“I thought it was great,” Chapman told reporters of Roupp’s outing. “I think he continues to get experience every time he goes out there. He gets to go back out for the seventh, and he’s gaining confidence, gaining experience. He’s got really good stuff, and I think he gave [the Angels] some trouble tonight. Obviously Mike Trout’s a great player and put some good swings on the ball.
“I thought [Roupp] did an amazing job and gave us an opportunity to win that game.”
Seven innings, nine strikeouts and a win. After wasting a gem by Logan Webb on Friday night at Angel Stadium, the Giants improved to 14-7 on Saturday behind Roupp’s dominance, a 1-2-3 eighth inning from Tyler Rogers and Ryan Walker’s fifth save of the year. It’s all coming together for the 26-year-old Roupp, who can feel the difference and improvements every time he steps on the mound.
“My curveball has been the best it’s been,” Roupp said. “It’s not even close to what it is last year. It’s been where I think it’s always been — I just feel really good right now.”
Shohei Ohtani has added a new title to his already decorated résumé: father.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar announced the birth of his first child, a daughter, in an Instagram post Saturday. Ohtani, 30, shared a photo of the newborn’s tiny feet cradled in two hands, along with a message expressing his gratitude and wonder at becoming a parent for the first time.
“Welcome to the Ohtani Family!” he wrote. “I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter. To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
Ohtani is currently on Major League Baseball’s paternity list and missed the Dodgers’ weekend series against the Texas Rangers. He is eligible to miss up to three games, with the club off Monday before heading to Chicago for a series with the Cubs starting Tuesday.
The baby’s arrival marks the latest milestone in a whirlwind 16 months for Ohtani. After signing a record-shattering $700m contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, the three-time AL MVP revealed he had quietly married Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan. The couple had kept their relationship private, with Ohtani only confirming their marriage after joining the Dodgers.
Tanaka, 28, played collegiately at Waseda University before joining the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women’s Japan Basketball League, where she competed from 2019 to 2023. The couple also share a dog, Dekopin, who has become a fan favorite on Ohtani’s social media accounts.
In his Instagram post, Ohtani extended his thanks beyond family. “I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement,” he wrote. “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the birth on Saturday’s game broadcast from Arlington, Texas. “Congratulations Sho!” Roberts said, adding with a smile that he wasn’t yet sure of the baby’s name.
Ohtani, who helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title last fall, is off to a strong start in his second season with the club. Through 21 games, he’s batting .288 with six home runs, eight RBIs, and a .930 OPS.
Shohei Ohtani announced the birth of his first child on Saturday, posting on Instagram that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed a baby girl.
“I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter,” Ohtani wrote in his post. “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
Ohtani has been on the paternity list since Friday, and stayed back in Los Angeles during the Dodgers’ trip to Texas to face the Rangers this weekend in anticipation of the birth.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday afternoon — before learning the baby had arrived — that it remained possible Ohtani could be back in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale, though no plans had been finalized.
“I’m hopeful,” Roberts said.
Ohtani first announced that he and Tanaka were expecting back in December. The couple got married the same winter Ohtani signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
During an in-game interview on Saturday's Fox broadcast, Roberts said: "All of the baseball world, the Dodger family, is so excited for Shohei and Mamiko. Congratulations, Sho!"
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to reporters prior to Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals and addressed a number of different topics...
Despite riding a five-game hitting streak, Brett Baty is on the bench Saturday and Luisangel Acuña is starting at second base. Mendoza talked about his decision with the Cardinals starting LHP Matthew Liberatore, making it clear both players understand they will have plenty of chances to play.
"I don't necessarily go and tell them why, by now they both know that they are both going to get opportunities," Mendoza said. "And it doesn't necessarily have to be against the lefties or the righties. I think I gave Acuñathe other day a couple of starts against right-handed pitching. And there'll be days with Baty, he'll stay in there with lefties, too.
"I think it just comes down to continuing to build the confidence for both of them. Not only Baty, who's playing really, really well. Acuña's been playing really, really well. Just continuing to communicate with those guys that they are good major league players. And now we're seeing that... I think everybody's different and you can manage a lot of different ways."
Over the last seven games, Baty is 8-for-25 (.320) with two doubles, one triple, two RBI, one walk, and one steal while Acuña is batting .368 (7-for-19) with four runs, two doubles, one RBI, three walks, and four steals.
Mendoza was asked if Jeff McNeil would be ready in time to play on Monday when the Mets begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and said they will wait and see. He's scheduled to play with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday and Sunday.
"We'll see," Mendoza said. "He's scheduled to play today and tomorrow, back-to-back. And we'll see where we're at after that."
McNeil played center field for the first time on Friday night during his rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie, logging six innings of action.
Of course, when McNeil does return, the Mets will need to make a roster decision. Mendoza gave a similar answer when asked if there's a scenario in which Baty and Acuña would both be able to stay with the team after McNeil returns.
"We'll see, we'll make that decision when we get there, we're still a few days away," Mendoza said. "The good thing is, if we are having this discussion, it's a good thing. That means Baty continues to play well, that means Acuña continues to play well and they're making that decision very tough on us. That's what we want. So hopefully that's the case in a few days from now where we got get in that room and make a difficult decision. They're both earning playing time and they're both proving they're big league players."
Catcher Francisco Alvarez, who's recovering from a broken hamate bone in his left hand,is nearing his return to the majors and will catch again on Saturday for Double-A Binghamton.
"Scheduled to catch nine innings today, maybe he'll DH tomorrow," Mendoza said. "As far as from the medical staff, he's going to be clear. It's now, 'Do you need more at-bats just to get your timing right? Or are you ready to come up and start playing big league games?'
"I think after he plays today, he caught nine innings last night, after he plays today, I think maybe DH tomorrow. And then after that, knock on wood, from a medical standpoint he's going to be clear."
Over six games with St. Lucie and Binghamton, Alvarez is 4-for-22 (.182) at the plate with one home run and three RBI.
Mendoza had said Thursday that Alvarez's return date will depend on if he needs more at-bats to feel ready for big league action, but he could return during the team's homestand. He also noted Luis Torrens will continue to see playing time
"They're both going to play," Mendoza said. " I got to take care of Alvy, too, I'm not going to run him into the ground. And Luis is playing well. That's a luxury to have, when you got two guys that you feel good about your chances, doesn't matter who's in the lineup. That's credit to Alvy and that's credit to Luis.
"I could see a scenario here where they both will play. Schedule will dictate a lot of that, where you're playing a lot of games in a row, day games, night games. All of that factors into the decision making, but I could see both of them playing."
With Jose Siri on the IL, Mendoza is giving José Azócar a chance in the starting lineup after he was added to the roster on Thursday.
"He's here and we're going to use him," Mendoza said. "It's something that I always put a lot of value, using the whole roster. Obviously giving TT (Tyrone Taylor) a day here, he's been playing a lot too and I got to protect him a little bit."
Mendoza likes what he's seen from Azócar, who hit .250 with one home run over 44 at-bats in spring training after playing the past three seasons with the San Diego Padres. He owns a .243 average with 21 RBI over 214 career major league games.
"Good ballplayer, he's a guy that can play defense, can play all three (outfield spots), can run the bases, and can give you good at-bats too," Mendoza said. "He's got some big league experience, brings a lot of energy. Yeah, I'm excited to have him here."
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani announces birth of his daughter with heartwarming post originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Congratulations are in order for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, who gave birth to their daughter.
Ohtani made the aww-inducing announcement in an Instagram post on Saturday, sharing that he and his wife are now the proud parents of a baby girl. This marks the first child for Ohtani and Tanaka, who was a professional basketball player in their native Japan.
“I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy, beautiful daughter,” Ohtani wrote in his post. “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
The couple, who routinely guard their privacy, did not share their daughter’s name or a photo of the newborn, but did share an image of the couple holding their daughter’s tiny feet. Decoy, the pair’s beloved Kooikerhondje, made a cameo in the announcement with a small photo of the pooch on the corner of the post.
In addition to showering his family with his gratitude, Ohtani also expressed his thanks to the Dodgers and the medical staff that has been supporting the new parents.
The two-way athlete announced in December that his wife was expecting their first child. Ohtani did not specify when the baby was born.
On Friday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani was placed on MLB’s paternity list. Under the organization’s rules, Ohtani can miss up to three games during his paternity leave.