Category: Baseball

Baseball News

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Yankees reliever Jake Cousins has injury setback, this time a pec issue

NEW YORK — Yankees reliever Jake Cousins felt pectoral discomfort after throwing a pair of batting practice sessions, another setback in his bid to return to the mound for the first time since last fall.

Cousins won’t throw again for four or five days, manager Aaron Boone said Saturday.

Boone said ahead of spring training’s opening workout that Cousins had a strained right forearm and was uncertain for the March 27 opener.

A 30-year-old right-hander, Cousins threw batting practice to injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton on May 6. Boone said Cousins pitched an additional session before the pec issue caused a shutdown.

“We don’t think it’s anything serious, but enough to hold him back a few days,” Boone said.

Boone said Cousins had tests and they didn’t show any shoulder issues.

Cousins had a 2.37 ERA in 37 relief appearances last year, striking out 53 and walking 20 in 38 innings.

Boone said a date has not been set for Stanton to start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. The five-time All-Star has been sidelined since spring training with pain in the tendons of both elbows.

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Abel didn't expect the call but pitched well enough to earn it

Abel didn't expect the call but pitched well enough to earn it originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Players nearing the major leagues can sometimes see the writing on the wall before their first call-up, but Mick Abel did not. 

He had no reason to. The Phillies had five starters plus Taijuan Walker in the bullpen. Aaron Nola had struggled mightily but hadn’t missed time with an injury in over eight years. 

“We were in Syracuse playing the Mets’ Triple A. I had no idea it was coming,” Abel said Saturday afternoon from the Phillies’ dugout during batting practice. 

“Our manager, Anthony Contreras, called a meeting and was talking about the team’s success, how we’re not riding the highs too much, and at the end he was like, ‘We’ve got a lot to celebrate today,’ and he said it. I was pretty surprised. 

“I was a little star stuck at first, like, he said my name? I put my head down and didn’t know how to feel, I was pretty overwhelmed. Once I stood up, emotions started flowing, I started dapping guys up. It was fun.”

Abel is up for one start and one start only. He will make his big-league debut Sunday opposite Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes in an exciting pitching matchup to end the Phillies’ six-game homestand.

Abel is up because Nola was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right ankle sprain. Nola suffered the injury last Thursday in Tampa and pitched through it for two starts, allowing four runs in five innings in Cleveland, then nine runs on 12 hits to the Cardinals at home. 

The ankle felt a little bit better after the Cleveland start, Nola said Friday, but it lingered into the outing against the Cardinals, which was the worst of his career.

Nola had to adjust his mechanics in that one, he said, because he couldn’t rotate his foot properly. His back then tightened up. The Phillies want to sit him down for a few weeks so he doesn’t adjust anything else to compensate and injure a different body part. 

The Phillies do not expect Nola (1-7, 6.16 ERA) to miss much time beyond the 15-day minimum, manager Rob Thomson said Friday. But Abel will make just this start, regardless. Walker will slot into the rotation spot on Wednesday at Coors Field. Thomson made this clear to Abel. 

Maybe it puts a little less pressure on the 23-year-old former first-round pick. 

“I think so,” Thomson said. “We did it with Sanchy a couple years ago. I FaceTimed him and said you’re coming up here and it’s just one start and you’re going right back, so just come up here and be yourself, pitch like you are right now, you’re gonna have success. Just relax and have fun, enjoy the moment. And he did, he pitched really well.”

These are the Phillies’ probable starters for the week ahead:

Sunday vs. Pit: Mick Abel

Monday at Col: Cristopher Sanchez

Tuesday at Col: Jesus Luzardo

Wednesday at Col: Taijuan Walker

Thursday at Col: Ranger Suarez

Friday at Sac: Zack Wheeler

Saturday at Sac: Cristopher Sanchez

Sunday at Sac: Jesus Luzardo

Abel was the Phillies’ top pick in the 2020 draft, the first high school pitcher selected. He’s made 92 starts in the Phils’ system since 2021 and has put together the best run of his mjnor-league career this year, going 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. He’s 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA in the last four. 

“Any time a guy makes his debut whether it’s a position player or pitchers, it’s always exciting. And he’s had a lot of focus on him since he signed because he’s a high draft pick,” Thomson said. 

“He’s had some struggles in the past but he’s really put together a nice season this year. I told him today just come in here, one start, be yourself and have fun. Enjoy the moment.”

Abel has always missed bats but control has been a consistent issue. He walked 143 batters in 222 innings in 2023 and 2024. He’s down from 5.8 walks per nine innings to 3.7 this season. Sometimes, it’s been nibbling. Sometimes, he’s admitted over the years, it’s been thinking too much. 

Right now, he’s trusting his stuff, pitching with confidence and intent. 

“I’m expecting all the nerves in the world,” he said, “but at the end of the day, it’s the same game, just a different place.”

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Mets Notes: What LHP Jose Castillo brings to NY, next steps for Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday's Subway Series matchup against the Yankees, and gave some updates on the team...

Dedniel Núñez still "going to be a big part of this team"

New York optioned the relief pitcher to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported, as Mendoza said he needs to see more consistent strike-throwing from him.

"Feel like even though the past two outings he's been better, we just need to see consistency with the strike-throwing," Mendoza said. "That's what made this guy elite last year and became who he was last year for us. First couple of outings, we saw the inconsistencies with the strike-throwing.

"But it was good to see him yesterday, 98 (mph), and he was a lot better. He's just got to go down there and find that consistency, and just continue to throw strikes."

Mendoza was asked how Núñez received the message and made it clear he's still in the team's plans going forward.

"Nobody's happy when you tell them they're going back to the minor leagues, but he's a professional, he understood, he gets it," Mendoza said. "He was fine, he was professional. He just got to keep working. He's going to be a big part of this team and he'll be back."

What LHP Jose Castillo brings to NY

The Mets acquired Castillo from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, adding a second left-hander to their bullpen.

Mendoza discussed how the 29-year-old can help the team against lineups like the Yankees and Dodgers.

"It definitely helps, especially when you're going against a lineup like this (Yankees), or Boston, or the Dodgers coming up," Mendoza said. "We know the stuff is there. He's a lefty that throws hard, he's got a breaking ball, a slider. We saw him not too long ago.

"This is a guy that when he's healthy, he's got the talent. He's dealt a lot with injuries in the past, but he was a big-time prospect coming up with the Padres. We feel like there's more in the tank there and hopefully he can be a player for us out of the bullpen."

Castillo had struggled in five games for the Diamondbacks this season with a 11.37 ERA across 6.1 innings. Although he had a strong 2018 season in San Diego with a 3.29 ERA over 37 games with 52 strikeouts before injuries started to derail his career, including an ACL tear, causing him to miss all of 2024. Castillo pitched just three times from 2019 through 2024.

Latest on Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas

Blackburn made another rehab start on Friday night for Double-A Binghamton, allowing five runs (three earned) on one hit (a home run) over 4.1 IP. He struck out seven and walked one.

Mendoza was asked what the next steps are for Blackburn before returning to the bigs, saying he'll get at least another rehab start.

"He was good. Five ups, up to 73, 74 pitches. He's going one more, at least, in the minor leagues and then we'll have a decision there," Mendoza said. "As of right now, came out fine. We'll give him one more in the minor leagues."

Over five minor league starts during his rehab assignment, Blackburn owns a 0-2 record with a 5.63 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16.0 IP.

As for Montas (lat), who threw a live bullpen session on Friday in Brooklyn, the starter is getting closer to a rehab assignment of his own.

"Good. So he's got another one Tuesday, I think it is and then we'll go from there," Mendoza said Saturday,

The 32-year-old has yet to make his Mets debut, but pitched to a 4.84 ERA last season with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.

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Last-place Orioles fire manager Brandon Hyde after falling 13 games under .500

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday after a dismal start to the season by a team coming off two consecutive playoff appearances.

The Orioles are 15-28 and in last place in the AL East following a loss to Washington on Friday night. Hyde guided the team through an extensive rebuild and won manager of the year honors in 2023, but Baltimore’s performance slipped noticeably during the second half of last year, and the Orioles have put themselves in a significant hole so far in 2025.

“As the head of baseball operations, the poor start to our season is ultimately my responsibility,” Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. “Part of that responsibility is pursuing difficult changes in order to set a different course for the future. I want to thank Brandon for his hard work, dedication and passion all these years, and for returning the team to the playoffs and winning an AL East championship.”

Third base coach Tony Mansolino will serve as interim manager. The Orioles also fired major league field coordinator/catching instructor Tim Cossins.

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Giants move Hicks back to bullpen, Birdsong to rotation

Giants move Hicks back to bullpen, Birdsong to rotation originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — It wasn’t hard to miss Jordan Hicks when the Giants took the field Saturday afternoon. The right-hander was wearing a bright orange long-sleeved shirt and surrounded by pitchers wearing black hoodies. The guys around him were all relievers, and Hicks now is, too. 

Manager Bob Melvin said young right-hander Hayden Birdsong will start Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals instead of Hicks, a longtime big league reliever who will move back to that role after struggling in his second season as a starting pitcher. 

“We’re just trying to get it right at a particular time,” Melvin said. “Jordan came in last year and signed here as a starter and came in here this year expecting to be a starter, and he was, but we’re just making adjustments a couple months into the season that we think are potentially going to make us better.”

Hicks has a 6.55 ERA through nine starts and Melvin was noncommittal when asked about his status on Wednesday, after Hicks got knocked out in the third inning. It seemed like an easy move to make, but the Giants were also well aware that some bad luck had been involved in those nine starts. Hicks has a 3.48 FIP and 3.75 xERA; he has mostly been undone by groundballs that have found holes, and his combination of throwing in the upper 90s and being among the league leaders in groundball rate is an intriguing one. But the results simply weren’t there. 

“He was great about it,” Melvin said of their conversation. “He just said, ‘Look, I want our team to win. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win.’ He thought the way he has pitched was better than the numbers and I agreed with him, but again, we have a lot of quality, we have a lot of good young arms, we have a lot of starters, and we’re just trying to get it right.”

Hicks had always been a reliever before signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Giants before last season. He pitched well in the first half before running up against an innings limit, and he bulked up in the offseason to handle a greater workload this season.

Now, he’s back to a familiar role, although Melvin said it’s too soon to know exactly how Hicks might be used the rest of this season. He is stretched out and can provide length for the bullpen in the coming weeks, although ultimately he could be back in a late-inning role, similar to what he did in St. Louis. That’s to be decided, but Hicks certainly has shown the velocity this season to think he can be a big piece for what might be the league’s best bullpen.

“You look at our bullpen arms now … It’s a good problem to have that many plus arms and guys that have pitched late in games,” Melvin said. 

That mix includes Kyle Harrison, who was not in the conversation to take the rotation spot, Melvin said. Birdsong was always next in line after just missing out on Landen Roupp’s rotation spot this spring. He pitched well when the Giants asked him to become a reliever, and he’ll take a 2.31 ERA back to the rotation. 

“Hayden hasn’t been getting the type of regular work he was earlier in the season when the starters weren’t going as long,” Melvin said. “I don’t think Jordan’s numbers are as bad as they look. If you look at a lot of the internal numbers and FIP and so forth, he has pitched a lot better than his ERA and some numbers would suggest, but at this point in time that’s what we’re going to do, starting on Tuesday.”

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Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. returns to mound after online threats that followed his previous start

ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. allowed two unearned runs over four innings against the Texas Rangers on Friday, six nights after the right-hander failed to get out of the first inning in a game that he said was followed by online threats.

“Honestly, a lot, a lot of prayer. And a lot of faith,” McCullers said when asked how he handled everything between those starts. “And my teammates were so supportive of me. I hope one day I’m able to repay the favor of what these guys in here have meant to me over the last couple years, and over the this last week.”

The 31-year-old right-hander made only his third start for the Astros since the 2022 World Series. He got a no-decision in their 6-3 win over the Rangers, who led 2-0 when he threw his last pitch.

McCullers, who is making a comeback after missing two full seasons with injuries, allowed seven runs while getting only one out in Houston’s 13-9 loss last Saturday, then said afterward that he had received online death threats directed at his children. The Astros said Houston police and Major League Baseball security were alerted to the threats.

“They’re on it,” McCullers said, adding that he was asked to not comment on any investigations. “These things aren’t taken lightly.”

Back on the mound, McCullers needed 83 pitches to get through his four innings and he threw 53 strikes. He struck out two, walked one and gave up four singles.

The only runs against McCullers came when Jonah Heim had a two-run single with two outs in the second inning. That was three batters after shortstop Jeremy Peña was charged with an error when he failed to catch a throw from McCullers, who was trying to get the lead runner at second base after fielding a comebacker.

“I’m sure if you ask Peña, he’s going to say he should have made the play. And I’m going to say I should have made a little bit of a better throw,” McCullers said. “I kind of joked with some of the guys, my best sinker all night was to Peña at second.”

Jake Burger, whose homer was the only run in the Rangers’ 1-0 win in the series opener Thursday night, then had an infield popout before Heim’s hit into the right field corner.

Astros manager Joe Espada said before Friday’s outing that McCullers was mentally in a good spot and fine physically, and he liked what he saw during the game.

“It was a really good bounce-back outing for him,” Espada said. “He came out throwing a ton of strikes. ... Where he was five or six starts ago, and where he’s at now is now, it’s a step in the right direction.”

McCullers had surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur, and was rehabbing last June when he had a setback during a bullpen session that shut him down for the rest of the season. He made four starts in the minor leagues this year before rejoining the Astros’ rotation on May 4.

“We all have confidence he can do it. He just needs to go out there and do his thing,” Espada said. “It’s going to happen.”

McCullers is 49-33 with a 3.53 ERA in 133 games (130 starts) for the Astros since his big league debut with them in 2015.

An All-Star in 2017, McCullers went 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games in 2018 before having Tommy John surgery. He was 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts in 2021, then signed a five-year, $85 million contract that goes through 2026.

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Bryce Harper reaches 1,000 RBIs in the Phillies’ 8-4 victory over the Pirates

PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper reached 1,000 RBIs and was part of a wild seventh inning rally in which the Philadelphia Phillies scored four runs on just one hit in an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Harper, who had three hits and reached base four times, picked up his milestone RBI with a bloop single to left field off Pirates starter Andrew Heaney. Harper is one of eight active players with 1,000 RBIs.

The Phillies scored four runs in the seventh inning when six consecutive batters — including Harper — reached base against three relievers. Only one — Trea Turner — had a hit. The others all reached base via a walk or a hit by pitch and three of the four runs scored without a ball being put in play.

Philadelphia tacked on three more runs in the eighth inning. Turner had an RBI triple, and Harper added No. 1,001 with a single.

Ranger Suarez (2-0) pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Jose Alvarado retired the final two batters to clean up a bases loaded jam for his seventh save.

Alexander Canario provided most of the offense for Pittsburgh when he hit a three-run homer off Suarez.

Ryan Borucki (0-1) didn’t get an out and allowed two runs.

Key moment

Borucki hit Nick Castellanos with a pitch ahead in the count 0-2. It allowed the tying run to score in the middle of the Phillies’ rally.

Key stat

Pirates interim manager Don Kelly was ejected from the game by third base umpire John Libka after arguing Libka’s call of no swing on Harper that resulted in a walk to load the bases. Kelly has been Pittsburgh’s manager for seven games and has been tossed twice.

Up Next

Pittsburgh RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 5.20) was set to start Saturday against Philadelphia RHP Zack Wheeler (4-1, 2.95).

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Flores hits three home runs, drives in eight runs to back Webb as Giants thump A’s 9-1

SAN FRANCISCO — Wilmer Flores homered three times — including a grand slam — and drove in eight runs to back a strong start by Logan Webb, leading the San Francisco Giants past the Athletics 13-5 on Friday night.

Flores, who set single-game career highs for homers and RBIs, hit his seventh slam in the third inning off A’s starter JP Sears. He had a three-run shot against Michel Otañez in the sixth, then added a solo shot off Anthony Maldonado in the eighth.

That was more than enough support for Webb (5-3), who carried a shutout into the eighth inning. The 2024 All-Star allowed one run and five hits in eight innings with four strikeouts and two walks. The Giants ace has allowed two runs over his last four home starts covering 28 1/3 innings for a 0.64 ERA.

Camilo Doval struck out the side in the ninth to wrap up the win in the Giants’ first game against the A’s this season in the former Bay Bridge Series.

Sears (4-3), who gave up one run in 14 2/3 innings covering his previous two starts, allowed four runs and six hits in four innings.

It was the A’s first visit to the Bay Area since leaving Oakland for Sacramento while a new stadium in Las Vegas is built.

Key moment

The A’s had two on with one out in the eighth when Webb got A’s slugger Brent Rooker to ground into a 1-4-3 double play.

Key stat

The A’s got two runners to third base twice in the first three innings, but failed to score.

Up next

A’s RHP Luis Severino (1-4, 4.70 ERA) makes his league-leading 10th start against Giants RHP Landen Roupp (2-3, 4.95) on Saturday.

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Mets reinstate Ronny Mauricio from 10-day IL, option him to Triple-A

The Mets reinstated infielder Ronny Mauricio from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday after he completed a rehab assignment, the team announced.

Mauricio, who missed all of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL suffered during winter ball in December 2023, played 10 games with Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton during his rehab stint.

The 24-year-old recorded four hits over 32 at-bats, including two doubles. Defensively, he's seen action at 3B (three games), SS (two games), and 2B (two games), in addition to three games as DH.

President of baseball operations David Stearns spoke about the plan for Mauricio on Wednesday, noting that he will stay in the minors "until we have a need."

“Ronny continues to progress. He’s still in Double-A. We’ll get him up to Triple-A here pretty soon, and then it’s just play all three [positions] on the infield, continue to build up volume,” Stearns said. “He’s still got, I think, a little ways to go to get – he’s a healthy player, but to get back into that true baseball shape, ready to compete art a high level at the big leagues, I think we’ve still got a little bit of a ways to go. So, it’s continue to get him at-bats, continue to get him reps in the minor leagues.

“He’s a player who has options, so he’s going to stay in the minor leagues until we have a need.”

Over 26 major league games during the 2023 season, Mauricio hit .248 with two home runs and four doubles for nine RBI. He also stolen seven bases.

Manager Carlos Mendoza also spoke about expectations for Mauricio on Saturday ahead of the team's game against the Yankees, saying that he needs to get reps at multiple positions across the infield.

"I think it's that, become a normal baseball player," Mendoza said. "Getting used to playing every day without the restrictions, 'Hey, you're only playing five innings, you're only playing seven.' Just continue to play full games, continue to play back-to-back, three, four games in a row. And he's not there yet, so we got to get him there.

"I think it's more getting every day at-bats, every day reps. And then we'll go from there."

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Mets at Yankees: How to watch on SNY on May 17, 2025

The Mets and Yankees continue their three-game Subway Series on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. on SNY.

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

Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto walked three times in Friday's loss, giving him 36 walks on the season -- second in the majors behind Braves DH Marcell Ozuna (37)
  • Francisco Lindor is slashing .333/.375/.567 over his last seven games with two homers and three RBI
  • Griffin Canning (2.36 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) makes his ninth start of the season, trying to build on his impressive 5-1 record
  • Brandon Nimmo looks to extend his eight-game hitting streak after picking up two base knocks on Friday at Yankee Stadium
METS
YANKEES

Francisco Lindor, SS

Ben Rice, DH

Juan Soto, RF

Aaron Judge, RF

Pete Alonso, 1B

Cody Bellinger, CF

Brandon Nimmo, LF

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

Mark Vientos, DH

Jasson Dominguez, LF

Jeff McNeil, 2B

Anthony Volpe, SS

Luis Torrens, C

J.C. Escarra, C

Brett Baty, 3B

DJ LeMahieu, 2B

Tyrone Taylor, CF

Jorbit Vivas, 3B

What channel is SNY?

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

How can I stream the game?

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

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

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

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

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

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

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

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

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

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ICYMI in Mets Land: Juan Soto's return to the Bronx; injured starting pitchers progressing

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

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Mets option Dedniel Núñez back to Triple-A

To make room for lefty reliever Jose Castillo, the Mets have optioned Dedniel Núñez back to Triple-A Syracuse, league sources say. 

Núñez, who emerged as a high leverage arm last season before suffering an elbow injury, made his season debut on May 5. The Mets planned for Núñez to remain with the team long term, but he walked has six batters in 3.2 innings.

The Mets had been looking for another lefty reliever since losing both A.J. Minter and Danny Young for the season. In making the move for Castillo, it was easier to option Núñez than designate Genesis Cabrera for assignment and risk losing him.

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Bronx backlash for Juan Soto as Mets’ $765m star booed on Yankee Stadium return

Juan Soto of the New York Mets bats during his first game back at Yankee Stadium on Friday night.Photograph: Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos/Getty Images

During the last game of the 2024 baseball season – as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series to clinch a championship in front of a sold-out crowd of disappointed New Yorkers – there were still Yankees fans buying No 22 Juan Soto jerseys at the ballpark. This was noteworthy because as soon as the game ended, Soto was a free agent.

He had been traded to New York from the San Diego Padres – where he landed after a bombshell trade from the Washington National team that drafted him and with whom he won a World Series in 2019 – just ahead of his walk year. But Soto had endeared himself to the fervent fanbase quickly. In 2024, he was 80% better than average at the plate according to wRC+ and, with the towering Aaron Judge hitting behind him, led the American League in runs scored. And it seemed his swagger fit with the famous franchise that brought him back to the Fall Classic for the first time since he was 20 years old.

Related: Pete Rose returns to the Hall conversation as baseball embraces his original sin

And so, even as the season dwindled around them, Yankees fans sprang for the pricey pinstripes sold in team stores. Some of them were Dominicans who vowed to root for their countryman wherever he went. Some of them simply wanted a souvenir from a summer in the Bronx worth commemorating. Some of them assumed he would be back.

On Friday night, he was. Soto roaming right field at Yankee Stadium. Soto sauntering to the plate and doffing his cap to the crowd. But now the gesture was cheeky, a joke with his new teammates who had tittered in the dugout about how funny it would be, and the crowd met it with resounding boos.

Over the winter, the New York Mets made Soto the richest professional athlete in North America, signing him to a 15-year, $765 million contract. It was the capstone of an evolution several years in the making for the Mets from charmingly hapless to heavy hitters that coincided with über-billionaire Steve Cohen buying the club. Of course, Soto could have been the richest professional athlete in North America who still played for the Yankees – reportedly he rejected their offer of a 16-year deal worth $760m. Whatever affinity he felt for the Yankees was worth less than $5m. Or maybe it was just New York that he loved.

Friday night was the start of a Subway Series between the Mets and the Yankees that might have been the best matchup of MLB’s debut ‘Rivalry Weekend’ even without the Soto of it all. For just the third time since the debut of the Subway Series in 1997, both teams have sole possession of first place in their respective divisions. Both entered the season with skyscraper-high expectations and have thus far lived up to them.

There was reason to believe Yankee Stadium might be evenly split. Even-ish, anyway. However far Yankees fans traveled to be at the game Friday night, Mets fans couldn’t have traveled much further. And yet, Soto’s reception left no doubt which fanbase dominated the 47,400-strong crowd. They booed him at every at-bat. As he ran out to right field in the bottom of the first, the entire section of seats turned their back on him. When they turned around it was to hurl profanity at him. Soto met their middle fingers with a wry salute.

As for the No 22 jerseys bought back when he was one of their own, some Yankees fans made their own alterations – one added a choice four-letter word scrawled on tape atop the nameplate, another wrote “Arroz” over the number, a nod to the newest Yankee No 22, Ben Rice.

At one point, Soto tossed a ball into the stands as he jogged off the field at the end of a half inning on defense. The Yankees fans around there roared with cheers when whoever caught it threw it back rather than relish a keepsake tainted by an ex.

“It’s New York, it’s what you sign up for,” said Clay Holmes before the game about the raucous atmosphere. An All-Star reliever with the Yankees, he, too, only went as far as a borough away in the offseason. He signed with the Mets, who have since turned him into a capable starter. “It’s what you want. You can feel the energy, the buzz. It’s a lot more fun to show up to the park.”

To underscore that this is a clash of true baseball titans, we should say that the Yankees, scorned by Soto, did not go on to wallow away the offseason. The money that could have gone to a single preternaturally gifted young star instead was instead used to plug holes around the roster with additions from baseball’s B list: lefty pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and a couple of post-peak former MVPs in Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger. Fried, in particular, has proven essential and ascendant – he currently owns the lowest ERA in baseball, especially necessary on a contending Yankee club that has lost Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole for the season and has thus far been without Cole’s worthy replacement from last year and reigning Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil.

Cohen, for all his largess, never would have sprung for Fried, whose eight-year, $218m contract is the largest ever for a lefty. Under new general manager David Stearns, the Mets philosophy has favored splurging on position players and finding value on the margins when it comes to pitching. The converted Holmes, for example.

It’s ironic, then, that the Yankees, who lost a player most often compared to Ted Williams, have started the season with perhaps the strongest offense in the sport. And the Mets, who eschewed top-of-the-line starters to budget for a $700m hitter, have the best starting rotation ERA.

Ultimately, the Yankees bats overpowered the Mets pitching in a 6-2 trouncing that almost got exciting in the ninth inning before Soto flied out with the bases loaded. It sent the Yankees fans who booed him home happy, but it elides the otherwise perfectly acceptable day he had at the plate: three walks, a stolen base, a run scored.

In the lead up to the Subway Series, both sides were asked about the presumed impending boos that would rain down on Soto specifically. Which is to say, it was no surprise.

“I was ready for it,” Soto said after the game, confirming that it was likely the loudest he’d ever been booed in his career. “You’ve got to embrace it at the end of the day.”

If his new union with the Mets works out the way both sides hope, the Yankees will be the last team Soto leaves on bad terms. The dynamic has added spice to a rivalry that was heating up anyway. The era of the must-see Subway Series has just begun.

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Letters to Sports: Put away morality card when it comes to Pete Rose

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 1985 file photo, Cincinnati Reds baseball player Pete Rose hits a line drive to break Ty Cobb's all-time hit record, in Cincinnati. Rose got to get back on a baseball field for the 25th anniversary of his record-setting hit No. 4,192, the subject of a documentary debuting this week. (AP Photo/File)
Pete Rose hits a line drive to break Ty Cobb's all-time hit record while playing for the Reds in 1985. (Associated Press)

Rather than stew over whether Pete Rose and “Shoeless" Joe Jackson should be admitted, the Baseball Hall of Fame should open a special wing for miscreants. Rose, the Black Sox members who are HOF-worthy, and PED users like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, whose accomplishments before they started using would have earned them plaques, would all be welcome.

Brian Lipson
Beverly Hills

So MLB has reinstated Pete Rose, months after his death. What a major league error to Pete Rose and his family, the fans and the Hall of Fame.

I understand that he violated the rules and bet while a player/manager, but his numbers, which make him a Hall of Famer, had nothing to do with bets. He didn't cheat, he violated a rule. The Astros cheated and still kept the World Series title.

Russell Morgan
Carson

On the field a great player and fun to watch. Off the field bad news. His character a complete disaster. I hope he does not get in the Hall of Fame.

Phil Schneider
Marina del Rey

Was that a bit of ironic humor from Bill Shaikin saying he checked with bookies to see what the odds are on Pete Rose getting into the Hall of Fame?

Sports betting is now at epidemic levels and appears in various commercials and program commentary throughout sports media as a display of odds changing throughout many games. It’s so out of control that it’s become normalized.

As for Rose, he brazenly and obsessively bet on baseball, including games involving his own team when he was a manager. That has always been considered a cardinal sin in the sport. He lied about it for decades, then came clean half-heartedly to make money on a book, then tried to play the aggrieved victim being denied his rightful place in the Hall. It was a nauseating spectacle that went on for years.

Rose was an exceptional player. But character and certain violations matter, otherwise there's no point in trying to protect the integrity of the game.

T.R. Jahns
Hemet

I understand the steroid thing with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, and maybe they too will be honored in the Hall of Fame someday, but this "integrity, sportsmanship and character" purity test is nonsense! Look at Ty Cobb! What matters is what happened on the field. Let the all-time hits leader in ASAP.

Kennedy Gammage
San Diego

Not again

After reading Bill Plaschke's column, I can't disagree that Austin Reaves might have to be traded in order to obtain a legitimate center. (I remember way back when we actually had one … seems like his initials were AD.) But whether the Lakers can "build around Luka Doncic" and whether JJ Redick is the carpenter for the job are huge questions.

In the Timberwolves series, Redick was outcoached and Minnesota's favorite target was Doncic. They pressured him in the backcourt and then doubled and line-trapped him in the front. By halftime, Luka was panting like an old dog in August.

The buzz on Doncic at Dallas was that he was lazy, chronically out of shape and self-unaware. That sounds like a shaky foundation to me.

Thomas Bailey
Long Beach

Here we go again. Tossing a great player like Austin Reaves early in his career while we keep the worn-out old guys. Yes, I mean LeBron James. Why trade away Reaves in the prime of his career and keep a broken-down LeBron James? 2025-2026 will probably be his last season. Let him go back to Cleveland for free. We need the Lakers to be younger and coachable so we can get back to winning titles.

Dave Newman
Brea

Normally I agree with Mr. Plaschke and enjoy his articles, but trading another future star and hitching their wagon to an aged LeBron James appears, to me, to be a big mistake. There are plenty of examples of young talent that the Lakers let go with the lost hope of winning with the “older” guys. Granted LBJ is an anomaly and a truly spectacular athlete. A sure first-ballot Hall of Famer but, come on man, its time to move on.

Paul D. Ventura
Mission Viejo

They all count

In regards to a comment from comment that baseball standings from April to July are one of the most meaningless stats in sports, I disagree somewhat. The Dodgers and Padres are on top of the NL West, the Mets lead the NL East, the Yankees are pacing the AL East and the Tigers are on top of the AL Central. Barring major injuries, all these teams will be in their current positions in September. So, the current standings reflect the future.

Mark Heffernan
Bakersfield

A reader wrote that one of the most meaningless stats in sports is the MLB standings from April to July. That's good news for the Chicago White Sox and the Colorado Rockies.

Brad Nelson
Oxnard

Dollars and sense

The USC football program has not met the expectations of past years to any degree under head coach Lincoln Riley. Yet USC paid Riley more than $11.5 million in 2023. His base salary is a mere $10.2 million. So the school paid an additional $100,000 listed under bonus and incentive compensation. The bonus must have been for showing up for work. Who needs incentive compensation with a base salary of $10.2 million? How much is tuition at USC now? Unbelievable!

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

Winning the lottery

Dallas GM Nico Harrison: “If I trade Luka the fans will run me out of town.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver: “Don’t worry. I got you.”

Russell Hosaka
Torrance

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Email: sports@latimes.com

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Justin Martinez progressing towards return, Ryan Walker on the hot seat

In this week's Closer Report, Jeff Hoffman and Ryan Walker are among the closers struggling to keep runs off the board. Who's most at risk of losing the closer role? In New York, Luke Weaver is holding things down in the ninth inning. And the Diamondbacks could be getting Justin Martinez back soon.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1: At the Top

Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Mason Miller - Athletics
Josh Hader - Houston Astros

Muñoz surrendered an unearned run against the Yankees on Tuesday in the ninth inning and was charged with a blown save. Still, he’s 13-for-15 in save chances with a spotless 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a 26/8 K/BB ratio across 19 innings.

After not pitching for four days, Miller got an opportunity to convert a five-out save against the Yankees last Saturday. He gave up one run in the ninth and struck out four batters to get the job done for his 11th save. A spectacular 30/6 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings keeps him near the top of the rankings with full trust as one of the game's top closers.

Hader locked down his tenth save of the season in a win over the Royals on Wednesday, walking around one walk and striking out one batter. The 31-year-old left-hander holds an excellent 1.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 27/5 K/BB ratio across 19 innings of work.

Tier 2: The Elite

Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres
Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jhoan Duran - Minnesota Twins
Félix Bautista - Baltimore Orioles
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets

Suarez had his first bad outing of the season, giving up five runs on four walks and one hit against the Angels on Monday to blow the save chance. He bounced back against the Angels on Wednesday, striking out two in a clean inning of work in a non-save situation.

Scott is on a roll on the mound, with just one run allowed over his last 16 outings since April 1. He picked up his ninth save on May 9 against the Diamondbacks, the last save situation for the Dodgers.

Duran has been outstanding and a valuable part of Minnesota's winning streak in May. The 27-year-old right-hander has converted six saves and earned a win this month after recording just two saves through April. Duran holds an incredible 0.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 25/9 K/BB ratio across 21 1/3 innings.

Bautista's last save also came on May 9 in a perfect inning of work with two strikeouts against the Angels. He then gave up a run on a solo homer in a non-save situation two days later. It was his first run allowed since March 31. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up another run Friday, taking the loss against the Nationals. Still, he holds an excellent 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 15/8 K/BB ratio across 13 innings.

Díaz is up to seven straight scoreless outings. He picked up his ninth save of the season Tuesday against the Pirates, striking out a batter in a scoreless effort.

Tier 3: The Solid Options

Emmanuel Clase - Cleveland Guardians
Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals
Luke Weaver - New York Yankees
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Jose Alvarado/Jordan Romano - Philadelphia Phillies
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Will Vest - Detroit Tigers

Clase tossed a clean inning with two strikeouts on Tuesday against the Brewers for his ninth save. The 27-year-old right-hander is gaining some trust back with no earned runs over his last five appearances. All of the underlying metrics suggest we should continue to see Clase chip away and improve his 4.91 ERA on the season.

With two strikeouts in a clean inning against the Phillies on Sunday for his eighth save, it was Helsley's first outing without a hit or walk allowed since April 1. While he's done a good job suppressing runs, it's given him a bloated 1.53 WHIP and a 16/10 K/BB ratio across 15 innings.

A day after striking out three batters over two perfect innings in a non-save situation, Weaver struck out the side against the Mariners on Wednesday for his fourth save, then recorded the final out Friday against the Mets for his fifth. The 31-year-old right-hander has been incredibly effective, posting a 0.44 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, and a 22/6 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings. Devin Williams has made four scoreless appearances since giving up three runs against the Padres on May 5, but continues to operate in a setup role.

Another reliever working through a rough stretch, Hoffman took his second blown save after giving up five runs and recording one out against the Rays on Tuesday. That's now 11 runs allowed over his last five outings. The underlying skills suggest Hoffman should be able to get back on track. He'll be given every opportunity to do so in Toronto.

Fairbanks hasn't seen a save chance since May 4. He did fall in line for a win with a scoreless inning against the Brewers last Sunday before giving up two runs in a non-save situation Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Iglesias hit a bit of a snag with four runs allowed over three outings before recovering with a save in a scoreless inning against the Nationals on Thursday. He then gave up a run Friday against the Red Sox, but held on to secure his eighth save. A home run issue has given the 31-year-old right-hander a 5.89 ERA over 18 1/3 innings.

Romano has worked his way back into the saves mix with the Phillies with seven straight scoreless outings. He picked up two of the last three saves for the team with five strikeouts over two perfect innings. Alvarado stepped in to record the final two outs with the bases loaded Friday against the Pirates for his seventh save and remains the preferred reliever to roster for saves in Philadelphia.

Megill picked up just his fifth save of the season last Sunday against the Rays. The save chances just haven't come for the Brewers. Still, the 31-year-old right-hander has been solid, posting a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 15/7 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings.

Chapman picked up his sixth save with a scoreless inning against the Royals last Sunday. He then took the loss with one run allowed against the Tigers on Wednesday. The 37-year-old left-hander has been excellent, recording a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 22/6 K/BB ratio across 16 innings.

Vest has tossed seven scoreless innings since giving up three runs on April 29. He's been the most effective reliever in the Detroit bullpen with the most prototypical closer stuff. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 23/7 K/BB ratio across 20 innings. Meanwhile, Tommy Kahnle's last six outings have come in the eighth inning. While A.J. Hinch can still play the matchups on occasion, the path seems clear for Vest to operate as the primary closer through the rest of the season.

Tier 4: Here for the Saves

Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals
Ryan Walker - San Francisco Giants
Emilio Pagan - Cincinnati Reds
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Shelby Miller/Kevin Ginkel - Arizona Diamondbacks
David Bednar/Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates
Luke Jackson - Texas Rangers
Porter Hodge/Ryan Pressly - Chicago Cubs

Finnegan locked down saves on Wednesday and Friday with a pair of scoreless innings. The 33-year-old right-hander is up to 14 saves with a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 17/7 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings.

Walker's inconsistencies continue. He took the blown save and the loss against the Twins on Sunday, then worked around two walks in a scoreless inning against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday in a non-save situation. While Bob Melvin keeps going to the 29-year-old right-hander in the ninth inning, it's hard to imagine he's not on the hot seat with Camilo Doval holding a strong 1.31 ERA over 19 2/3 innings.

Pagan gave up three runs against the White Sox on Tuesday, then bounced back with a clean inning against the Guardians on Friday for his tenth save. While Tony Santillan has been outstanding in a setup role, there's no one challenging Pagan for saves in Cincinnati.

Jansen gave up two runs without recording an out and took the loss against the Padres on Tuesday. There's going to be some inconsistencies with the 37-year-old veteran. He bounced back with a scoreless outing in a non-save situation against the Dodgers on Friday.

Estévez has made three scoreless appearances over the last week. He picked up his 12th save with a scoreless inning against the Astros on Monday with one strikeout. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and an 18/10 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings.

Miller has the last two saves for the Diamondbacks. After tossing a clean inning with one strikeout against the Giants on Monday, he gave up one run before holding on for his third save of the season Wednesday in San Francisco. Miller has helped fill the ninth-inning role with Justin Martinez and AJ Puk on the injured list. While Puk's injury is more long-term, Martinez is set to pitch in a minor league rehab game in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday and could be ready to return sometime in the next week if all goes well.

The Pirates' situation has not been a very fruitful one, regardless of who's pitching the ninth inning. Santana has the team's only save in May as the team has utilized a matchup-based approach to the late innings. While Santana has the better surface stats to date, Bednar has flashed the better skills and strikeout upside.

Jackson was hit on the hand back a comebacker on the first pitch he threw on Monday. X-rays showed no fracture, and the 33-year-old right-hander will avoid the injured list after sitting out a few days. Chris Martin was also sidelined by an elbow injury this week, but he should be available in the coming days after receiving a clean MRI. Shawn Armstrong recorded two saves this week, filling in for Jackson and Martin.

After giving up eight runs against the Giants on May 6, Pressly's last three appearances have come in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. He tossed the eighth on Friday with a seven-run lead over the White Sox. Hodge could get the chance to take the closer role, but has battled some inconsistencies himself. He gave up three runs and took the loss Sunday against the Mets, then struck out two in a scoreless inning against the Marlins on Wednesday.

Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel

Jesus Tinoco - Miami Marlins
Zach Agnos - Colorado Rockies
Steven Wilson/Cam Booser - Chicago White Sox

Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates

Toronto's Brendon Little has been outstanding in high-leverage situations for the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old left-hander leads the team with eight holds while recording a 1.77 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 31/10 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings. Despite not having the highest velocity, with a 93mph fastball, Little has been elite at missing bats, leading all relievers in swinging-strike rate behind a devastating Knuckle Curve. While he makes for an excellent addition in holds and points leagues, Little could be a name to watch if Jeff Hoffman's struggles continue, considering he isn't the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen. In Seattle, Matt Brash was once thought to be one of the best up-and-coming future closers before missing the 2024 season with Tommy John surgery. Four appearances into his return, he's working his way into a setup role behind Andrés Muñoz, recording a hold with two strikeouts in the eighth inning against the Yankees on Tuesday.