Category: Baseball

If you followedDavid Wright’s career, watched how he ascended from mega-prospect to All-Star to Mets captain and beyond, what happened Saturday afternoon at Citi Field was no surprise at all. Throughout his time in Flushing, Wright handled most things deftly, from whatever happened on the field to a debilitating back injury that derailed what seemed like a rocket ride headed for Cooperstown. 

So why would it be any different on the day Wright’s No. 5 jersey was retired and he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame? The Captain did everything right, as usual, appearing as natural as ever, as if he were scooping grounders at third base in his prime. Well, maybe with more tears. 

Wright was self-deprecating, serious, funny, emotional and more during the pre-game ceremony and at a press conference beforehand. He was clearly touched by the applause, going over to third base and standing on the bag when he was first introduced. But, he admitted, the attention made him a tad uncomfortable, too. 

It was obviously his day – even the Home Run Apple had his No. 5 on it and it was also cut into the grass in center field. But Wright seemed delighted, and determined, to share it all with the Met teammates, mentors and friends who showed up to help him celebrate his big day, along with his wife, Molly, his three kids and family. Wright and his two daughters and son threw out the ceremonial first pitches before the Mets played host to the Cincinnati Reds.

But Wright also didn’t shy from what were obvious disappointments in his career, either. Early on in his speech, he noted to fans, “I never accomplished my goal of winning the World Series. But I wanted it just as badly as you did.” 

Fans, he said, realized that. As a result, “You supported me unconditionally, good and bad,” Wright added. For that, I will always be thankful.” The crowd erupted then, one of several times throughout the ceremony that fans roared, an obvious marker of their deep connection to Wright. 

And he talked more about that, too. He said during his press conference that he felt Met fans were “bring your lunch-pail to work” types, and that worldview jibed with his own. He learned quickly that there was “no pixie dust to make the Major Leagues, to become the third baseman of the New York Mets. Looking back, the recipe was pretty simple – want it more than everybody else and be willing to work harder than anybody else.” 

During his speech, a light rain began to fall. Wright didn’t stop talking and few, if any, stirred in their seats. No sparse shower was going to dampen the day. It dissipated quickly. Good vibes 1, Weather 0.

Near the end of his speech, Wright, tears in his eyes, borrowed a phrase from his kids: “This sure doesn’t feel like the for-real life,” Wright said. “Thank you for allowing me to live out my dream.”

At the press conference 90 minutes or so before the ceremony, Wright enjoyed some of the clubhouse-type banter he excelled at during his career. It’s something he says he’s missed about being retired. 

At one point, Wright was asked a question about a story Terry Collins has told recently, where Wright and Jose Reyes, after spring workouts, would race. Did Wright ever win one with his speedy teammate? In the back of the room, Reyes, who has known Wright since both were teenagers in the Mets system, chuckled. 

Wright then noted that he could certainly beat one of the people standing next to Reyes. Daniel Murphy, the man next to Reyes, replied, “How am I catching strays?” Everybody in the room laughed. 

That population included many former teammates or mentors, some of them Met royalty. In addition to Reyes, Collins and Murphy, Howard Johnson, a significant Wright mentor, was there; so were Michael Cuddyer, Cliff Floyd, Josh Satin and Joe McEwing and others. Rob Butcher, the PR man for the Team USA squad that Wright played for in the World Baseball Classic, was there, too. So was Dave Racaniello, the Mets bullpen catcher who is one of Wright’s best friends. 

Carlos Mendoza, after his own pregame press conference, sat in the crowd for a while before he left to prepare for the game. His seat was taken by former Met manager Willie Randolph. 

At another point, Wright joked that Reyes is getting “emotional in his old age” and would start crying any moment. “And he’s gonna make me cry, so this is going to be a whole thing,” Wright cracked. Wright, a prankster of some renown during his playing days, even joked that the ultimate prank would be if he went to the podium to make his speech and someone yelled “Psych!”

There were touching moments, too. Wright reflected on his close relationship with Shannon Forde, the Mets’ beloved PR executive who died in 2016 following a long battle with breast cancer. “Every time I walk in the building, I think about Shannon,” Wright said. 

He talked about his heartbreak over the Mets’ collapse at the end of the 2007 season, when they blew the division title. It’s evident that it still stings – he brought it up, unbidden, when asked about thanking fans at the end of the 2015 World Series.

“It was a lot easier to go on the field and thank the fans after winning the National League as opposed to, you know, coughing up a seven-game lead,” Wright cracked.

There will always be a bittersweet note to Wright’s career because of his back injury, which forced him to retire. He recently had another procedure about 18 months ago, he said, and he still performs a routine of exercises for his back. 

He wanted to play one final game in 2018, a sweet farewell, and did serious work to get ready. The man who had authored some terrific Met moments – his World Series homer, his barehanded catch, the walk-off RBI against Mariano Rivera – just wanted to play one last time. 

“There was nothing that I could do to, you know, do the thing anymore,” Wright said. “It was done. It took a while for my brain and my heart to kind of match up with that. But I think that very few athletes get the ending that they want, that storybook ending.

“I certainly wouldn't call mine a storybook ending, but it's better than 99 percent of what most athletes get, and I'll forever be thankful for getting that opportunity. I think that the send-off that the organization, that the fans, gave me, I guess I truly realized at that moment the bond that I'm going to have with this city and this organization for the rest of my life.”

On Saturday, Wright got honors that will only strengthen that bond, exactly what a forever Met deserves.

David Wright said that Saturday felt like being back home after a long trip -- ”when you’ve been away, seeing the familiar faces.”

It is true that this place -- Metsland, both physical and spiritual -- is a lifelong home for Wright, full of all the love and history that defines the word.

But the homecoming to mark Wright’s number retirement and induction into the Mets Hall of Fame was more than just a warm and fuzzy lovefest. It was a reminder that Wright’s impact on the organization remains tangible, even across vastly different eras, rosters and ownerships.

The years since Wright’s last game in 2018 have been ones of staggering turnover. And yet, his influence remains in the air.

Two of the young men who stand on the infield dirt in Wright’s former position can certainly feel it.

“I’ve gotten to speak with him a lot these past couple of years, and he’s an amazing guy,” Brett Baty said. “And I have seen what he has done for the organization and the type of leader he was.”

As a young player, Baty made a point to read Wright’s memoir, The Captain, written with Anthony DiComo.

“I read that book, and I was like, man, he was someone who everyone loved playing with, and who I would have loved playing with, too,” Baty says. “I could tell how hard a worker he was, and to bring that to the organization is huge, because that’s what everyone speaks on, how hard he worked. I didn’t witness it personally, obviously, but you know about it.”

“I grew up watching David Wright,” adds Mark Vientos. “My dad was a big Mets fan and the games were always on at home. He was the captain -- and now being on the same team and playing the same position is an honor.”

It’s more than that, too. Wright has taken time in spring training to talk about the specifics of the position with Vientos. He left a lasting impression on a young David Peterson with a similar conversation about the game. He called Max Kranick, another lifelong Mets fan, when Kranick made the team out of spring training this year.

Wright has dabbled in an even more active type of involvement.

For a brief time, he was an influential member of the front office. He attended the 2018 Winter Meetings as part of then-GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s inner circle. After that, he scaled back to spend as much time as possible with his family in California.

Several GMs later, Billy Eppler wanted Wright to come back to the fold in time to help the organization choose a manager. But while Wright is happy to be involved from a distance, and occasionally in person, he maintains that family is the priority for now.

The Mets will be fortunate if Wright ever decides to increase his time and influence, as Carlos Beltran has by joining the front office. But fortunately for the team, Wright’s initial impact, the one he made as a player, remains impactful.

“No one exemplifies more what it means to be a Met than David Wright,” says Dave Racaniello, the Mets' longtime bullpen catcher and one of Wright’s closest friends.

“The way he goes about his business both on and off the field, with his head down and his lunch pail, I think that has played a big part in why he’s so popular. That blue-collar attitude resonates so much with the people of New York, and especially the people of Queens.”

As a longtime Met himself, Racaniello is positioned better than anyone to describe the specifics of the legacy that linger into the 2020s.

“Our head strength coach, Dustin Clarke, and [trainer] Brian Chicklo -- these guys got here after David and, especially Dustin, has talked to me about how he remembers seeing David going about his business and thinking, ‘Okay, this is how it’s done here.’ And those expectations that Dustin now has for players were set because of how David conducted himself.

“So yes, the impact can run for generations.”

Schwarber continues monster week with grand slam in Phillies' win over Angels originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It was tough to tell what was louder Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park – the crack of the bat on Kyle Schwarber’s go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning or the MVP chants that cascaded down on the Phillies designated hitter.

Schwarber’s blast turned a 4-3 deficit into a 7-4 lead and propelled the Phillies to a 9-5 victory over the Angels. They extended their lead in the NL East to 1.5 games after the Mets lost again to Cincinnati.

“I knew I hit it kind of hard,” Schwarber said of his grand slam. “I saw it kind of go up and it looked like it kind of hit a force field there for a second. I was just hoping it had enough where it was going to hit the wall or something. But when it goes over the fence, you’re excited, you’re happy that you got the job done in a big way.”

Bryce Harper was asked about his view of Schwarber’s grand slam from the on-deck circle. “It was awesome,” Harper said. “What a moment for him. Sold out crowd, big opportunity obviously and he continues to come through for us. Just really cool for him and really excited for him.”

In a Phillies season marked by inconsistency, Schwarber has been the constant. His eighth career grand slam was his 32nd home run of the season, tied with Shohei Ohtani for the most in the National League. Schwarber added a double in the first inning and has 74 RBI and a .945 OPS in 98 games. He’s on pace for a career-high 53 home runs.

“I don’t know where we’d be without him,” manager Rob Thomson said. “It seems like there’s a moment every other night. There’s a lot of moments. Thank God we got him. He’s really something… He’s been huge. He’s really a solid hitter and a solid man.”

It’s been a banner year for Schwarber but this week stood out. His ‘swing-off’ performance in Tuesday’s All-Star Game earned him MVP honors. He homered in his first at-bat after the break on Friday. Then he rescued the Phillies from a potential third straight series loss with one swing of the bat on Saturday.

“It’s been a crazy week, a whirlwind,” Schwarber said. “It was fun, I had the boys (his sons Kade and Asher) down on the field for the Home Run Derby. Obviously the game and the whole swing-off thing, able to come home with the trophy. Went to Avalon there for a couple days and got some rest. You come back and get honored on the field (during Friday’s pregame ceremony) with a lot of great players here that have been All-Stars and have the fans go crazy, special moment.”  

Schwarber wasn’t the only big bat that made noise on Saturday. Harper continued his torrid pace with a double in the third inning and a two-run home run in the eighth. Harper now has 11 extra base hits in his last six games, including three home runs in the first two games after the break. He has 12 hits in his last 24 at-bats.

But it was Schwarber’s grand slam that flipped the script on what had been a frustrating night for the Phillies. They squandered numerous scoring chances early in the game. There was a baserunning blunder in the first inning that resulted in Schwarber and Turner both being caught in rundowns. There were runners left on base in each of the first five innings.

Then there was Taijuan Walker. The veteran righthander held the Angels scoreless through the first three innings before his outing unraveled quickly in the fourth. Los Angeles erupted for three runs on six hits in the inning, highlighted by back-to-back solo home runs by Taylor Ward and Jo Addell.

“I made some pitches,” Walker said of the fourth inning. “A lot of base hits, singles. It was one of those innings where I’m glad to get away with just three runs and still kept the team in it and give them a chance to win.”

Walker exited after allowing three runs on nine hits in just four innings. His ERA ballooned to 3.75. It was the type of frustrating performance that has typified his three seasons with the Phillies.

But on this night, what mattered most was Schwarber. The soon-to-be free agent has made it virtually impossible for the Phillies not to re-sign him. We’re approaching blank check territory.

“I think management knows that, I think Dombo (Dave Dombrowski) knows that as well,” Harper said of the growing sentiment to bring Schwarber back at all costs. “Obviously he should be here. He’s been great for us, he’s our leader. He’s the guy that talks on the bus and everything else. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. And one of the better guys I’ve ever played with. I can’t see him in any other uniform and I think he deserves it.”

Schwarber appreciates the support he’s getting from teammates and fans when it comes to his future after this season.

He was asked whether a contract extension could get done before he reaches free agency.

“It’s probably something that you just wait ‘til the end,” Schwarber said. “You just want to feel like you’re pouring everything you have into your team and you don’t want to be distracted by anything else, whether it’s numbers getting exchanged or what you’re thinking about what’s coming next. You would do everyone a disservice where you could be thinking about something else besides trying to help these guys in here win a game.”

The Phillies will turn to another pending free agent, Ranger Suarez, to deliver a series win in Sunday’s rubber match.

Update on Alec Bohm

The Phillies placed Alec Bohm on the 10-day injured list with a left rib fracture before Saturday’s game. The club recalled Weston Wilson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Bohm’s place on the 26-man roster.

Bohm sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch last weekend in San Diego. He aggravated the rib during his last at-bat of Friday’s game against the Angels.

Rob Thomson didn’t want to speculate about a timeline for how long Bohm might be out. But it’s fair to assume Bohm will miss more time than the minimum 10 days. Thomson said the Phillies will use both Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa at third base while Bohm is sidelined.

David Wright is officially a part of forever, as the Mets unveiled the beloved third baseman's No. 5 into the rafters on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.

He became the eighth player in franchise history to have his number retired, and also joined legendary pitcher Tom Seaver as the only members to be enshrined into the team's Hall of Fame on the same day.

"Whether or not I earned this love, this respect, can probably be debated," Wright humbly said at the podium before a sold-out crowd. "I never accomplished my goal of bringing a World Series back to Queens, but I promise you I gave it everything I had and wanted it just as badly as you did.

"I think this fanbase recognized that, and was willing to genuinely have my back and support -- support me unconditionally through the good and the bad. And for that, I'll always be thankful... Thank you so much for allowing me to live out my dream in front of you each night. I love you so much. Let's go Mets."

"Whether or not I earned this love, this respect, can probably be debated. I never accomplished my goal of bringing a World Series back to Queens, but I promise you I gave it everything I had and wanted it just as badly as you did. I think this fanbase recognized that, and was willing to genuinely have my back and support -- support me unconditionally through the good and bad. And for that, I'll always be thankful."

A first-round pick in 2001 who blossomed into a seven-time All-Star at the hot corner, Wright wrapped up his 14-year career as the Mets' all-time leader in hits (1,777), doubles (390), RBI (970), and runs scored (949). He also ranks second in games played (1,585) and third in home runs (242).

Wright became the Mets' fourth captain in 2013, joining team greats Keith Hernandez (1987-89), Gary Carter (1988-89), and John Franco (2001-04). While his career was cut short due to serious neck, back, and shoulder injuries, he hung up his cleats in 2018 with a laudable .296 average.

"We have truly formed something extraordinary in this game," Wright said. "An 18-year-old kid from Virgnia, having the privilege of being a lifelong Met and developing an unbreakable bond with the best fanbase in baseball."

Here are highlights from the pregame celebrations and festivities...

Congratulations to David Wright on having his number 5 retired by the Mets! 👏

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/lRPcP9um1S

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

David Wright walks out to third base for his number retirement ceremony

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/weuJgrvp2Z

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 19, 2025

The Mets have gifted David Wright a mosaic No. 5 with his former teammates, managers, and other special people who helped him get to this point

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/3G1cZIp4gf

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

"DA-VID WRIGHT! DA-VID WRIGHT!"

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/b9J72kiPaO

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

David Wright caught up with @SteveGelbs ahead of his number retirement ceremony at Citi Field:

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/VpD4ikw7R6

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

He didn't ask for the torch. He earned it. pic.twitter.com/vcPc3cBUG1

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 19, 2025

"I never accomplished my goal of bringing a World Series back to Queens, but I promise you I gave it everything I had and wanted it just as badly as you did."

- David Wright

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/Lp4gJ1w9jt

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

David Wright looks back at his final game:

"That night I fully realized the extent of the relationship I had developed with the city of New York and in particular, this Mets fanbase."

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/PC3rkqPZsc

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

David Wright closes his number retirement speech:

"Thank you so much for allowing me to live out my dream in front of you each night. I love you so much and Let's Go Mets!"

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/IMwOSuXB75

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

"I've known David since 2001, he's like my brother. To be here and this team do that for him, that's unbelievable" @SteveGelbs talks with @lamelaza_7 following David Wright's jersey retirement ceremony:

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/82mLEZnIgu

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

"He never wavers. He's always the same guy."

Cliff Floyd catches up with @SteveGelbs after David Wright's number retirement ceremony:

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/rxIHFuQmBu

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

"Everybody wanted to follow what he was doing."

David Wright's longtime friend and former Met Michael Cuddyer catches up with @SteveGelbs after Wright's number retirement:

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/IFu3a50WSA

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

David Wright and his kids throw out the first pitch at Citi Field 🫶

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillacpic.twitter.com/mPtCOklgJm

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 19, 2025

Saturday will be a massive celebration at Citi Field.

The Mets are retiring David Wright's No. 5 and inducting him into the team's Hall of Fame in a ceremony that kept the former Mets captain awake the night before.

Wright, who spent his entire 14-year career with the Mets, is still in disbelief at the generosity and support from the organization and former teammates and coaches -- plenty are in attendance -- as he spoke with the media before the ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

“Just the support, whether it’s my family, friends...the support walking around the city the last few days. Seeing No. 5 on the backs of so many people in New York is humbling," Wright said of the experience the last few days leading up to Saturday. "Former teammates, got a chance to hang out with them the last couple of days. As us old players like to do, reminisce about the good ol’ days. Just an amazing time. Just an amazing experience that's only going to get better.

"Thanks to the organization. Steve and Alex [Cohen]. They made this nothing but first class. They’ve gone over the top… and just welcomed me and my family with open arms, along with the rest of the alumni."

Wright will be the eighth Met to have his number retired, joining Tom Seaver (No. 41), Mike Piazza (No. 31), Jerry Koosman (No. 36), Keith Hernandez (No. 17), Willie Mays (No. 24), Dwight Gooden (No. 16), and Darryl Strawberry (No. 18).

It's an honor befitting of Wright, who captained the team less than 10 years after debuting in 2004. In 1,374 games from 2004-13, Wright slashed .301/.382/.506 (.888 OPS) with 222 home runs, 345 doubles, 876 RBI, 853 runs scored, and 183 stolen bases. He was one of the best players in baseball, but back injuries shortened Wright's career.

At the end, Wright was one of the greatest Mets to wear the uniform. He's first in hits (1777), doubles (390), RBI (970), runs (949) and third in home runs (242).

"Special day for the organization, for all of us here. We get to witness one of the best players, one of the Mets greats," current Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Special career, obviously, but what a special human. Over a year and a half ago, I got with the organization and one of the highlights for me was meeting David last year in spring training. The humble, the quality of the person. It was pretty incredible. I was a big fan of his, watching him throughout his career and today we get to celebrate him, his family. And it’s an honor for all of us." 

When Wright wrapped up his career at the end of the 2018 season, he was emotional then and hopes he can be less so on Saturday. Although that's not likely, Wright reminisced about that day and how today will feel different.

"It’s certainly different. The biggest difference for me is, I hope I can keep it together better today," Wright said with a grin. "There’s something about taking off that uniform for the last time. I view this day as an incredible, organic relationship between me and my family, the organization, this fanbase. To me, the Mets fanbase is a blue-collar, bring your lunchpail to work type of fanbase. That’s how I was raised and that’s how I try to approach each day, coming to the ball park. Provide that blue-collar mentality. That’s why that relationship with the Mets fanbase has become so special."

That embrace from the fans and the organization has made Saturday feel more like a natural visit than a special moment for Wright, and he appreciates it.

"It feels like it was yesterday," Wright said. "It was a neat feeling. It’s the feeling when you come home from a long trip…seeing the familiar faces from ownership down to the team and the different smiles that you’re accustomed to seeing on a daily basis, now you see once a year or whenever you come back. It brings back a lot of memories…I catch myself reminiscing more than I ever did when I played." 

Wright expects to feel the love from everyone when he steps out on the field Saturday. For someone who was the face of the organization for so long, days like this still make the All-Star infielder uncomfortable. But what he's looking forward to most from the ceremony is celebrating with those who helped him on his journey.

"[I'm looking forward] to sharing it with my family, friends, the organization, the fanbase," Wright said. "It’s an uncomfortable feeling for me to be the center of the spotlight. I like to share it with everybody that’s had an impact in getting me to this point. That includes more people than I can name."

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared insight on a few topics before Saturday's game against the Reds.

---

Celebrating the Wright Way

David Wright will become the 10th player in franchise history to have his jersey retired when the Mets unveil his No. 5 in the rafters at Citi Field during a pregame ceremony. While his tenure in New York ended years before Mendoza's arrival, the skipper praised the former third baseman's legacy.

"It's a special day for the organization, for all of us," Mendoza said. "A special career, but what a special human. Over a year and a half now with the organization, one of the highlights for me was meeting David last year in spring training... I was a big fan of his, watching him throughout his career... It's an honor for all of us. Congrats to David, I'm going to be a big fan today."

When asked about the attributes he looks for in a clubhouse leader, Mendoza stressed humility. And it didn't take long for him to see how Wright treats people with respect and represents the Mets with class.

"The first thing that sticks out to me is, humble," Mendoza said. "You've got to be able to communicate and meet people where they're at. From the very first second I met David, I was like, 'Wow, this guy's impressive.' It was easy to see why he was able to do what he did, on and off the field... Accountability, responsibility. The care. Being around him, it's pretty easy to see it."

Alvarez keeps mashing in Triple-A

It's only a matter of time until Francisco Alvarez is called up from a weeks-long stint with Triple-A Syracuse that's allowed him to correct offensive and defensive flaws. At some point, the Mets won't be able to ignore the power he's producing.

Alvarez crushed his ninth homer in Triple-A on Friday, a 427-foot blast to left with an exit velocity of 111.8 mph and a launch angle of 23 degrees. Since his demotion in late June, the 23-year-old catcher has slashed .250/.329/.691 with 20 RBI across 68 at-bats (19 games).

Mendoza didn't put a timeline on when Alvarez's promotion will happen, but he's fully aware of the power numbers and particularly pleased with the progress reports on his efforts behind the plate.

"He continues to be in the conversation. He's doing everything we're asking him to do," Mendoza said. "[A promotion] could happen at any moment... We've seen the power, obviously, with the way he's been driving the ball to all fields. But the defense, the reports we're continuing to get are pretty impressive.

"The receiving, the blocking... We just wanted to see some consistency there. The framing, the blocking, just in general, as a catcher. And he's doing that. So, again, he's putting himself in a position where we continue to have those conversations. We'll see what happens here."

Bullpen carousel keeps spinning

The latest shakeup to the relief unit, made official on Saturday morning, featured right-hander Kevin Herget signed to the big league roster and left-hander Brandon Waddell optioned to Triple-A.

It's a second cup of coffee for Herget in Queens, as the 34-year-old began the 2025 season with the Mets but appeared in only one game before being claimed off waivers by the Braves in mid-May. He then logged a single inning with the Braves before receiving another demotion in early July.

Waddell's move to Triple-A comes as little surprise, as he registered 3.2 innings of relief in Friday's loss to the Reds and the Mets prefer a fresh arm in his place. Overall, the 31-year-old has produced a 4.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 10 appearances (27 innings).

Phillies place Bohm on IL, notes on Nola, Walker and Painter originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies placed Alec Bohm on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left rib prior to Saturday’s game against the Angels.

The club recalled Weston Wilson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Bohm on the 26-man roster.

Bohm aggravated the injury during Friday’s loss to the Angels.

“He felt the rib thing last night in his last at-bat,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday afternoon. “He came in today and he still felt it so he’s going to see the doctor.”

Turns out that visit to the doctor resulted in an IL stint.

Bohm sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch last Saturday in San Diego. He missed the final game before the All-Star break. The hope was that he would be good to go following the break.

Bohm is hitting .278 with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 92 games this season. He’s hitting .304 in his last 64 games following a poor April.

Wilson hit .194 in 20 games with the Phillies earlier this season before being demoted to Triple-A on June 19th.   

Otto Kemp will play third base on Saturday. The Phillies will likely use a combination of Kemp, Edmundo Sosa, Wilson and potentially Bryson Stott at third base while Bohm is sidelined.

Sosa gets the start at second base on Saturday against Angels lefthander Yusei Kikuchi. Brandon Marsh moves over to left field with John Rojas playing center field.

It’s a rare start against a lefty for Marsh.

“I like the way Marsh is swinging the bat,” Thomson said. “And we get really good defense out there (with Marsh and Rojas in the outfield).”   

Good news for Nola

Aaron Nola’s live batting practice session on Saturday was a success.

“Very good,” Thomson said when asked how Nola looked. “34 pitches, two ups (innings). Command was really good. Curveball was really good.”

Nola will throw a bullpen session either Monday or Tuesday. If that goes well he could head out on a minor league rehab assignment.

Signs point towards an early August return for Nola.

Walker’s next opportunity

Taijuan Walker will make his 10th start of the season Saturday. Walker has spent his third season with the Phillies bouncing back and forth between the starting rotation and the bullpen. He’s made 11 relief appearances and has a 3.55 ERA overall.

Thomson raves about Walker’s team-first mentality.

“He’s been great,” Thomson said. “He’s been throwing the ball well, he really has. He’s battled. I felt for him last year and all the stuff that he went through. This year he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do. And along the way, whatever situation he’s been in, he’s thrown the ball pretty well. Hopefully it continues.”   

Walker threw a bullpen session in Arizona during the All-Star break and should be more stretched out for tonight’s outing. He threw 63 pitches in his last start 11 days ago in San Francisco.

The fifth starter spot appears to be Walker’s to lose until Nola returns. Mick Abel and Andrew Painter are currently pitching for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Progress for Painter

Speaking of Andrew Painter – the Phillies’ top prospect will start on Thursday for Lehigh Valley. Painter has a 5.01 ERA in 12 starts in Triple-A this season.

Thomson discussed Painter’s progress prior to this weekend’s series.

“He’s healthy,” Thomson said. “I think his command isn’t quite where it normally is for him. But his stuff is good… we’ll just go start by start.”

Before the season Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski mentioned ‘July-ish’ as a potential Phillies debut date for Painter.

That timeline seems far-fetched with just 12 days left in the month.

 “You can’t put a date on it,” Thomson said. “I’ve always said the whole time that he’s got to be healthy and he’s got to be performing and there’s got to be a spot here. I think he’s going to get to the point where he’s Andrew Painter, the normal Andrew Painter. I don’t think he’s quite there yet.”

Phillies managing partner and CEO John Middleton echoed Thomson’s sentiments on Painter’s command issues.

“He’s getting there,” Middleton said. “It’s hard. I remember years ago talking to some trainers and some orthopedic surgeons and they said ‘when you have Tommy John surgery you lose five miles per hour off every pitch and you lose command. The velocity comes back pretty quickly. Command can take a while.’ I think he’s just experiencing as he’s gotten up into the higher ranks now, it’s testing his command. And that’s good, he’ll learn.”

Middleton was asked if he’s excited for Painter’s eventual big league debut.

“I’ll be excited when he’s shutting people down,” Middleton said. “Which he will. He’s a smart guy, he’s a determined guy. So he’ll get it right and he’ll get it when he gets it. And hopefully he’ll get it sooner rather than later for us.”

Disastrous sixth inning derails Giants' bounce-back win hopes in deflating loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Logan Webb starts coming after a loss typically signal a get-right day for the Giants, and it appeared Saturday would be no different as San Francisco’s ace held a potent Toronto Blue Jays lineup scoreless through five innings despite plenty of traffic on the basepaths .

Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer was perfect through four innings himself before a towering Willy Adames solo shot gave the Giants a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, and jolt of confidence that would be short-lived in San Francisco’s 6-3 loss to Toronto at Rogers Centre.

Willy POWER 💥 pic.twitter.com/YXKjheFTk4

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 19, 2025

Toronto had runners on first and second with no outs in each of the first two innings, but San Francisco’s All-Star right-hander found a way to escape both jams.

Webb induced a double-play ball from American League All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first inning, before logging his only strikeout of the game by punching out Blue Jays third baseman Will Wagner with runners on second and third with one out in the second inning.

In the sixth inning, Webb’s magic ran out. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette and right fielder Addison Barger led off the frame with a single and a double respectively, once again placing Webb in a precarious spot.

For a brief moment, it looked like Webb once again was going to limit the damage after getting left fielder Joey Loperfido to pop up to short. With the bottom of Toronto’s order coming up, it would’ve been completely reasonable to envision a scenario where Webb and the Giants got back into the visitor’s dugout unscathed.

Instead, the 7-8-9 hitters ended up delivering the game’s decisive blow, recorind three straight hits to give Toronto a 4-2 lead that the Blue Jays wouldn’t relenquish for the remainder of the contest.

“Balls just started finding holes,” Webb told reporters about the sixth inning after Saturday’s loss. “They were swinging a lot, putting loud contact on balls throughout the game. Just that inning, didn’t make any good pitches, really … I thought I threw pitches where I wanted to, just seemed like they were on everything. So, I don’t know.”

It appeared the Blue Jays’ scouting report emphasized jumping on Webb early, as it seemed every Toronto batter would swing at Webb’s first pitch of each at-bat, creating a difficult outing for the two-time MLB All-Star.

“They don’t strikeout much. It seemed like they swung at every first pitch I threw. It seemed like they were on every first pitch I threw, so it wasn’t fun.”

Webb ended up surrendering 11 hits across six innings of work Saturday, allowing four earned runs — a figure which easily could’ve been astronomically higher given the amount of traffic Toronto had on the bases throughout his start.

Giants manager Bob Melvin lauded Webb’s ability to work out of trouble and give San Francisco a fighting chance as its offense attempted to decode Lauer’s stuff early on.

“He gave up some hits, but he also pitched around most of it until the sixth. He got a double-play ball early on when he needed it,” Melvin told reporters. “The one strikeout he had [came with a man on third, less than two outs. It was the guys at the bottom of the order who ended up getting him and doing all their damage. I mean, he goes into the sixth without giving up a run, they just made him pay in the sixth.”

While Webb is the pitcher typically tasked with righting the ship, the Giants are blessed to have two ace-caliber arms at the top of their rotation.

With Robbie Ray on the mound Sunday, San Francisco gets one more shot at salvaging this weekend series in Toronto.

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There's a real chance the Yankees welcome Luis Gil back into their starting rotation before the calendar turns to August, considering last year's AL Rookie of the Year just passed another test on his minor league rehab assignment.

In his second start with Double-A Somerset on Friday, the 27-year-old right-hander looked sharp, striking out seven in 3.1 innings against the Rockies' affiliate. While the outing wasn't blemish-free -- he gave up a two-run home run in the first inning plus a pair of walks -- Gil threw 39 of 57 pitches for strikes and touched 97 mph on his fastball.

The latest rehab outing from Gil mirrors his first, as he punched out six across 3.1 frames of one-run ball for Somerset on July 13. He's logged 6.2 innings in the minors thus far, and held opponents to a .167 average.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently said there's no intention of rushing Gil, who's been on the injured list since spring training with a right lat strain. But the expectation is for him to pitch next for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 23, and if all goes well, he could be activated shortly thereafter.

Of course, the Yankees will exercise caution with Gil once his return to the majors arrives. But he should certainly boost a top-heavy rotation that's endured season-ending injuries and felt back-end vulnerabilities.

Sweet Lu 🔥@Yankees RHP Luis Gil punched out SEVEN in his second start of 2025!

Final Line: 3.1 IP | 2 H | 2 R | 2 BB | 7 K
Pitches (Strikes): 57 (39) pic.twitter.com/Of2PEDhb9W

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 19, 2025

Max Muncy knew he had gotten lucky, after his ugly-looking knee injury earlier this month proved to be nothing more than a bone bruise.

But, when doctors explained how close he came to suffering something so much worse, from when Michael A. Taylor slid into his leg at third base on July 2, even Muncy was amazed by the infinitesimal margins.

“If the timing was just a millisecond different either way,” he was told, “you’re probably looking at surgery, and done for a long time.”

Instead, barely two weeks removed from having the outside of his knee bent inward on that play, Muncy was out doing early work at Dodger Stadium on Friday afternoon; running in the outfield, playing catch with coaches and performing agility drills in front of trainers without any obvious signs of pain or discomfort.

Read more:Dodgers are shut out by Brewers, but Tyler Glasnow shows signs of growth

“We’re pleasantly, not surprised, but happy with the spot that I’m in right now,” Muncy said afterward, having also taken swings for the first time since his injury earlier on Friday afternoon. “It feels great. I’m moving well. Progressing quickly. We’re trying to be smart about it, and understand where we’re at, and what it’s gonna take to get back on the field. But we’re in a really good spot … We’re kind of right where we think we should be at.”

If not, it seems, already a few steps ahead.

While Muncy was initially expected to miss roughly six weeks with his left knee bone bruise, manager Dave Roberts struck a more optimistic tone as the Dodgers opened the second half of their season.

“He’s in great shape right now,” Roberts said Friday. “I don’t really know a timeline. But I do know … it’s going to be a lot sooner than anticipated, which is good for all of us.”

Since Muncy — who was one of the hottest hitters in baseball in May and June — got hurt, the Dodgers have not looked like the same offense. In their last 11 games entering Saturday, the club was 3-8, averaging less than three runs per game, and struggling to fill the gaping hole their slugging third baseman has left in the middle of the lineup.

Since the start of July, only the penny-pinching Pittsburgh Pirates have been worse than the Dodgers in batting average (.205) and OPS (.594).

“We've still got a lot of good players,” Roberts said. “But yeah, there's a certain line of demarcation when Max is not in the lineup, what happens to our offense.”

The Dodgers’ problems, of course, go beyond Muncy’s absence. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have all been slumping of late (or, in Betts’ case, for much of the season). Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman have been nowhere near their typical standard since returning from injuries in May. And the depth options the Dodgers have called upon have provided few sparks of life.

Still, Muncy figures to be a linchpin in the Dodgers’ long-term potential at the plate — with his recovery growing ever steadily in importance as the rest of the lineup flounders in his wake.

“We got to figure out how to get something going," said outfielder Michael Conforto, chief among the Dodgers’ underachievers this season. "Every time we go out there, we expect to score, and that's what we've been doing all year. It's just one of those stretches [where it’s] a little bit tougher to get runs in. But, you know, obviously, we have faith in our guys, and some big names in here that made their careers on scoring runs and driving guys in. I think we'll be OK."

Muncy, of course, is one of those proven names.

And in another fortunate stroke with his recovery, he remains confident his injury won’t significantly impact his swing once he does come back.

“If [the injury] was on the inside of the knee, it’d probably be a different story,” Muncy said. “But just being on the outside, I think it’s a good spot, knowing that I don’t feel it at all when I’m pushing off on the backside.”

Read more:Shaikin: Why the small-market Milwaukee Brewers might be America's team

Muncy tested that theory for the first time Friday, taking some light swings in the cage that he said “felt fine.”

“It’s a lot of work, more work than actually playing in the game, which always sucks,” Muncy said of his rehabilitation process. “But it’s that way for a reason … You don’t want to have any other injuries that are a side effect from it.”

So far, even that latter concern has been quelled, with Muncy noting that “there’s no lingering side effects with it.”

“All in all,” he reiterated, “we’re about as lucky as we could be.”

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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

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• In their first game back from the All-Star break, the Mets allowed eight unanswered runs in a loss to the Reds on Friday
• Sean Manaea threw just 69 pitches in his second start this season, as his workload is being closely monitored for now
• The Mets' bullpen remains a concern, as the unit owns the third-worst ERA (6.20) in baseball over the last month
• Mets top prospect Jonah Tong shoved down in Double-A, delivering 5.1 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts
• Mets first-round pick Mitch Voit discussed his minor league development plan after signing his contract with the club
• Francisco Alvarez is making a case to be recalled to the majors, as he crushed his ninth homer down in Triple-A
• Jesse Winker (back) has been shut down from baseball activities, but Starling Marte (knee) is nearing a return
• Brooks Raley was activated from the injured list, while Richard Lovelady was DFA'd amid a flurry of moves
• Pros and Cons: Should the Mets trade for Pirates reliever David Bednar?
• WATCH: Are Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty destined to be long-term Mets?
• WATCH: Here's a Mets-Orioles mock trade that makes sense for both teams
• WATCH:Mets of today congratulate yesterday’s captain David Wright