The Mets’ starting rotation suffered another big blow on Thursday night.
New York is already down regulars as Kodai Senga remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, Tylor Megill is dealing with an elbow injury, and Sean Manaea continues working his way through a rehab assignment.
Now it appears they could be without Griffin Canning for the remainder of the season.
Canning went down in a heap of pain as he seemingly pushed off the mound wrong on a Nick Allen grounder to Francisco Lindor -- he remained there for some time before being helped off by trainers.
He was undergoing testing during Thursday’s contest.
“It sucks, you hate to see it,” Mendoza said. “Especially the way he went down right away, and once you get there and you're asking what's going on and just how everything developed after that, I feel sorry for the guy, especially how big he's been for us this year.”
Canning certainly has been huge during his first year in the organization.
The 29-year-old former first-round pick has been putting together arguably the best stretch of his career -- as he’s pitched to a strong 3.77 ERA and the Mets have gone home victorious in all but four of his 17 outings.
But now they’ll have to look elsewhere to make up for that production.
They could look to swing a trade for a starter ahead of the deadline, but it may be some time before any sort of deal comes about, so in the meantime, they have some young talent in-house.
Blade Tidwell will get the first shot as he's set to rejoin the team in Pittsburgh this weekend, but Nolan McLean continues mowing his way through Triple-A, Jonah Tong has been stellar in Binghamton, and even the struggling Brandon Sproat could find himself jumping into the mix.
That's just a few of the young arms dealing down on the farm, no matter who they end up giving the call, Mendoza is confident this team will continue to find a way.
“Guys will step up,” the skipper said. “Our mentality is what do we need to do today. I’m confident in the guys we have in that room. I’m confident that the guys who will come up are going to give us opportunities to win baseball games, and we’ll continue to do so.”
The Mets’ bullpen was really put to the test on Thursday night.
Griffin Canning cruised his way through the first two innings against the Braves, but he was forced to leave the game in the third after suffering what appears to be an Achilles injury coming off the mound awkwardly.
Austin Warren, who was recalled prior to the game, then entered and picked up right where Canning left off.
After putting the finishing touches on the third, the right-hander put together 2.1 scoreless innings of work, allowing just one baserunner and striking out two in his second big league appearance of the season.
“The adrenaline kicked in right away and took over,” Warren said postgame. “Mendy told me every time I came in just to keep filling it up, I knew they needed a couple of innings out of me and pitch count is a big thing -- defense made some plays behind me, I had some punchouts and it all just worked out.”
Dedniel Núñez followed that up with arguably his best outing of the season -- retiring all six batters he faced over two scoreless innings of his own, and striking out the side in the top of the seventh.
Núñez looked back to his dominant form from last year and he’s now gone seven consecutive appearances without allowing a run.
“First of all, I’m just grateful to God for my health,” Núñez said through an interpreter. “But today I felt really good, I was able to attack the hitters like I did last year and I was really just able to focus in on executing my pitches, and I was able to help the team in any way I could.”
Ryne Stanek then delivered his third consecutive scoreless appearance before Edwin Diaz came on and put the finishing touches on the victory in the top of the ninth.
Overall, the bullpen combined to allow just two hits over 6.1 scoreless innings as they locked up the series split.
“Unbelievable job,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Once Griff goes down, you hate to see it and in the back of my mind, it’s like how are we going to get through nine innings -- for Warren to finish that inning, then go out for the fourth and fifth, just throwing strikes and giving us a chance.
“Then Núñez probably the best we’ve seen out of him, more like the Núñez we saw last year consistently -- the velo, the slider, throwing strikes. I wanted to stay away from Stanek, but him coming in there with just seven pitches and then Sugar finishing it off, just a hell of a job from the bullpen.”
After dropping the first two games, the Mets battled back to secure the series split with a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citi Field.
Here are some takeaways...
- Griffin Canning retired the first six batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single in the third -- a few batters later, the righty was forced to leave with a non-contact ankle injury. Canning went down in immense pain after seemingly coming off the mound awkwardly. He stayed down for several moments before being helped off, unable to put any pressure on his leg.
Canning's been putting together a career-best season, pitching to a 3.77 ERA across 16 outings.
- Right-hander Austin Warren came on in emergency relief and he picked up right where Canning left off -- allowing just one baserunner and striking out two over 2.2 terrific innings of work in his second big-league appearance of the season.
Warren's been putting together a strong year in Triple-A, posting a 3.94 ERA over 19 appearances.
- The Mets were held in check over the first three innings by Braves starter Grant Holmes, but they were able to get on the board in each of the next two frames as Tyrone Taylor lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the fourth and Pete Alonso lined up a clutch two out RBI single in the fifth.
Alonso has hit a bit of a tough stretch, but he had three knocks after being named an All-Star finalist.
- New York would tack on a few innings later against left-hander Dylan Dood thanks to three straight two-out knocks, the last of which was a Jeff McNeil two-run single to shallow center to make it a 4-0 ballgame -- McNeil delivered four hits during the four-game series.
- The rest of the Mets' bullpen was spectacular behind Warren. Dedniel Núñez put together his best outing of the season, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out the side in the seventh. Ryne Stanek then delivered his third straight scoreless appearance, and Edwin Diaz closed the door in the ninth.
Overall, the bullpen allowed just two baserunners over 6.1 innings after Canning left with the injury.
- With Mark Vientos officially set to return on Friday, the Mets' infield depth continues to produce. Brett Baty reached base two more times on the night and Ronny Mauricio picked up another knock, giving him five over the last three games. Carlos Mendoza said pregame that it's possible the Mets keep Mauricio even with Baty and Vientos on the roster.
- With the Mets' second straight win and the Phillies losing to the Astros for the third straight game earlier this afternoon, New York has officially jumped back into first place in the NL East.
Game MVP(s): The bullpen
What more can be said about New York's pitching -- they were absolutely spectacular on a night they desperately needed them to be.
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees and Athletics play a three-game series at Yankee Stadium starting on Friday night...
Preview
AL East race heating up
Don't look now, but the AL East race is getting tight.
After the Yankees had a sizeable lead in the division, the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays pulled within 0.5 games behind New York for first place. While the two teams won't face each other this weekend, the Yankees could potentially put some space between them with a series win over the lowly A's.
Tampa will head to Baltimore to take on the downtrodden Orioles, so the Yankees will want to take care of business if they expect to still be in first place by the end of the weekend.
Clarke Schmidt encore
Last time Schmidt pitched, he threw seven no-hit innings in what was arguably the best start of his career. Schmidt will take the mound on Saturday after the Yankees decided to flip him and Will Warren to give Schmidt an extra day of rest but what will he do for an encore?
Schmidt has had more success at home (1-1, 2.30 ERA in seven starts) this season, so with the extra rest and pitching at home, expectations are that Schmidt will have another quality start.
Bullpen reset
Thursday's off day came at a great time for the Yankees. Their last off day was back on June 9 (16 straight games) so the bullpen has been taxed. Although Luke Weaver returned from the IL, manager Aaron Boone has had to use his relievers much more than usual, but Thursday gives the team a chance to reset -- and Jonathan Loaisiga (illness) a chance to rest. The Yankees do need Warren, Schmidt and Sunday's starter (TBA) to go long to give the bullpen a bit more time off. The Yankees' offense can also help by building huge leads and allowing the low-leverage relievers to stay in longer.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) looks out between pitches in the first inning of the MLB interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Can the offense turn it on?
The Yankees offense has been up-and-down during this recent cold stretch, but they'll need to be up this weekend and that starts with Aaron Judge. Over his last seven games, Judge is hitting .308 with two home runs, but he has begun to expand his strike zone a bit too much and he's striking out more as a result. In that span, he's struck out eight times. Now, there's no need to panic, Judge is still hitting a league-best .361, but he's starting to swing and miss at the same clip when he was struggling. (Remember the sweep in Boston?)
As the captain goes, so does the rest of the Yankees' lineup.
The return of Luis Severino
This is Severino's second season in the majors since leaving the Yanks in free agency, but this Sunday will be the first time he pitches in Yankee Stadium since 2023. It'll be an emotional day for Severino and for the fans who appreciated the right-hander.
For Severino, his 2025 hasn't been as good as his 2024 when he was with the Mets, but he's been a great road pitcher this year. In seven road starts, Severino is 201 with a 2.27 ERA as opposed to his 0-7 record and 6.79 ERA when playing at home this season.
In May, Severino pitched against his former team in Sacramento. He lasted just four innings and allowed eight runs on nine hits.
Which version of Severino will the Yankees see? And will this year's Yankees squad show Severino they are more than just two hitters?
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Since Chisholm returned from the IL, he's been on a heater. In 20 June games, Chisholm is batting .329 with four home runs and 13 RBI. With the Yanks taking on two right-handers, Jazz could keep his hot streak rolling.
Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?
Will Warren.
Warren has continued to be a solid starter, giving the Yankees two straight starts where he pitched at least six innings.
Which Athletics player will be a thorn in Yankees' side?
Jacob Wilson.
The front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year, Wilson continues to hit at an insane clip. He'll enter the weekend series hitting .345 with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
Griffin Canning had to leave his start against the Braves on Thursday with what the team says is a left ankle injury.
The Mets say Canning will undergo imaging.
With one out in the top of the third, the Mets starter got Nick Allen to hit a grounder to Francisco Lindor for the second out, but Canning collapsed near the mound as he seemed to have pushed off wrong.
Canning stayed down on his back with his leg raised as he was eventually helped off the field by trainers.
The 29-year-old is having a solid season in his first year with the Mets. In 16 starts -- including Thursday -- Canning had pitched to a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He was arguably the Mets' best pitcher in March/April, as he pitched to a 4-1 record with a 2.61 ERA to start the season.
Canning's apparent injury comes at an inopportune time for the Mets. Kodai Senga was placed on the IL back on June 13 after he suffered a hamstring injury during a game and has yet to return to the mound. Sean Manaea, who hasn't played in a game this season after suffering an oblique injury this spring, had his rehab setback a few days after a loose body was found in his left elbow earlier this week.
Three Mets are moving on to Round 2 of All-Star Game voting.
Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso were officially named finalists on Thursday night.
Lindor was the top vote-getter among shortstops in the National League during Phase 1 of voting, but he'll now have to beat out Dodgers star Mookie Betts as he looks to land his first All-Star appearance as a Met.
The 31-year-old has slowed down a bit after his scorching start to the season, but he's still produced 16 homers and 43 RBI while swiping 13 bags through 79 games.
Alonso finished second among first basemen behind only Freddie Freeman.
The big man has also cooled off following his spectacular first few months, but he's still launched 18 homers and remains fourth in the National League with 64 RBI.
Soto joins former Mets prospect Pete-Crow Armstrong, Teoscar Hernandez, Kyle Tucker, Andy Pages, and Ronald Acuña Jr. as the six outfield finalists for the National League.
His slow start to the season appears to officially be behind him, as he's put together a historic month of June with an incredible 11 homers and 20 RBI over his last 25 games.
Jeff McNeil (fourth), Francisco Alvarez (fifth), Starling Marte (fifth), Mark Vientos (eighth), Brandon Nimmo (11th), and Tyrone Taylor (15th) all fell shy of cracking the second round of voting.
Phase 2 starts on Monday and lasts until Wednesday.
Aaron Judge is the American League's first named All-Star.
The Yankees slugger earned an automatic All-Star bid after being the American League's leading vote-getter, MLB announced Thursday. Judge led all players, including the National League, with 4,012,983 votes.
Shohei Ohtani earned his automatic big by leading the National League in votes.
The selection doesn't come as a surprise as Judge is having another MVP-caliber season. Entering play Thursday, Judge is slashing .361/.461/.719 with an OPS of 1.180. He leads the major leagues with his .361 batting average, is second in the majors with 28 homers and is tied for fifth in the league with 63 RBI.
This is Judge's seventh time being named an All-Star and the fifth consecutive year he'll be playing in the Midsummer Classic.
In addition, Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and DH Ben Rice have advanced as finalists.
Goldschmidt is having a resurgent year in his first season in the Bronx. The right-hander is slashing .288/.346/.432 with a .778 OPS.
The Yankees' first baseman will be going up against Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to be named a starter for the American League. If Goldschmidt wins, it'll be his eighth selection and his first since 2022.
As for Rice, the left-handed slugger has had a solid second year with the Yankees. He's slashing .238/.324/.489 with an OPS of .814 to go with his 14 home runs and 29 RBI. Opposing Rice is Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn. With the trade of Rafael Devers, the field is open for Rice to earn his first career All-Star selection.
The Mets will receive a big boost heading into this weekend’s series against the Pirates, as Mark Vientos is officially set to make his return from the IL.
Vientos has been sidelined since the beginning of the month with a hamstring strain.
The youngster had gotten off to a bit of a slow start at the plate this season, but there’s no denying that adding him back into the middle of this struggling lineup could provide a huge boost.
"Mark is a big part of our team," Carlos Mendoza said. "We saw it in the playoffs last year, he drives the ball to all fields, gives you good at-bats, and the power is real -- if we get him going, we’re talking about a deep lineup 1 through 9. He’s a guy who can hit anywhere in the lineup, so it just adds to the quality of our roster."
Vientos’ return also puts the Mets in a bit of a conundrum, as their infield depth suddenly gets a whole lot more crowded and they’ll have to open up another roster spot prior to the 25-year-old’s activation.
While it’s a tough decision to make, Mendoza says it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
"This continues to be a puzzle," he explained. "There are going to be a few spots that are going to be rotating and I think that’s a good problem to have -- I’ve been saying since day one, talking about the depth, how good our team is because of the quality and quantity we have.
"So there will be at-bats for everyone in there who is on the active roster, and we’ll make sure that we are communicating with them on a daily basis and they understand that we’re here to win baseball games."
Ronny Mauricio has been viewed as one of the candidates to go back down -- though the skipper did say there's a possibility we could see him stick around even with Vientos and Brett Baty on the roster.
Mauricio was brought back up to the big leagues earlier than the team had hoped following Vientos’ injury, and while he’s looked a bit overmatched at times, he’s coming off one of his best showings to this point.
The youngster picked up three hits, including a solo homer on Wednesday night.
"I’ve been impressed with how he’s handled the adversity," Mendoza said. "I haven’t been around him much because he spent all of last year rehabbing and this year, in spring training he wasn’t really around much just being in the training room and the backfields.
"Watching him after missing so much time and struggling, he’s being the same guy, continues to work and asks for feedback for help -- it was finally good to see a really good game from him last night, we hope to see that same version moving forward."
DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw inched closer to 3,000 career strikeouts on Thursday, fanning five in six innings against the Colorado Rockies.
Kershaw has 2,997 strikeouts in his 18-year career, three short of becoming the 20th major leaguer to reach the milestone.
The 37-year-old would be the third active pitcher to reach the mark behind Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Verlander, in his 20th season, has 3,468 strikeouts. Scherzer has 3,412 in 18 seasons.
Kershaw struck out three in the first two innings Thursday and got his fourth for the final out of the fifth. He struck out Tyler Freeman for the second out of the sixth inning and left the game after retiring the next batter. He threw 69 pitches, 41 for strikes.
He recorded two strikeouts on his 73 mph curve and got three more on sliders against a Rockies’ lineup that included all right-handed batters.
Kershaw’s next scheduled start is expected to come at Dodger Stadium on July 2 against the Chicago White Sox.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star received plenty of crowd support in Colorado, getting a standing ovation from some in the Coors Field crowd when he left the mound after the sixth inning.
Kershaw had made eight starts this season after being activated from the injured list May 17 following offseason left knee and foot surgeries.
Kershaw left with a 3-1 lead and was in line for his fourth straight victory. His ERA dropped to a season-low 3.03.
Jul 25, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) throws to first base in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop facing sexual abuse charges, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.
Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.
Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and would serve the full sentence.
Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, the main judge orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses.
“This is a somewhat complex process,” said Judge Jakayra Veras García.
More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”
As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.
Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.
In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.
He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.
While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw struck out five in six innings on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies to get to 2,997 strikeouts for his career. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
Clayton Kershaw got to the precipice of history on Thursday afternoon. And now, when he inevitably crosses the 3,000 career strikeout milepost, it will almost certainly happen on his home mound.
In the Dodgers’ 3-1 win against the Colorado Rockies, Kershaw struck out five batters over a six-inning, one-run start to move to 2,997 punchouts for his career.
For a moment, it seemed as if Kershaw might be able to eclipse the threshold on Thursday. At the end of the sixth inning, he had thrown only 69 pitches while mowing through a free-swinging Rockies lineup.
Alas, manager Dave Roberts gave his 37-year-old left-hander an early hook, turning a narrow late-game lead over to his bullpen — and preserving the opportunity for Kershaw’s milestone moment to happen back at Dodger Stadium during next week’s homestand.
“I would argue there might be a temptation to take him out [today] and let him go for it in front of the home fans,” Roberts said pregame, when asked if he would consider extending Kershaw’s leash to let him chase his 3,000th strikeout on Thursday. “I’m not going to force anything.”
Ever since Kershaw returned from offseason foot and knee surgeries in May, and showed an ability to produce even with a diminished fastball and increasing mileage on his arm, his pursuit of 3,000 strikeouts has felt less like an “if” than a “when.”
Entering Thursday, his career total was up to 2,992, leaving him just eight shy of becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history, and only the fourth left-hander, to join the prestigious 3K club.
“I guess ultimately the last box he needs to check for his future Hall of Fame career is that 3,000-strikeout threshold,” Roberts said. “We’re all waiting in anticipation.”
More impressively, though, Kershaw has been winning games and limiting runs for the Dodgers (51-31), improving to 4-0 with a 3.03 earned-run average through eight starts this season.
“I think there’s good days and bad days, good pitches and bad pitches,” Kershaw said. “Not as consistent, not as perfect as I would want. But the results have been OK. And at the end of the day, we’re winning games that I’ve been on the mound. So I’m thankful for that. Just a product of being on a great team.”
Kershaw wasn’t exactly expecting to reach the 3,000 mark Thursday, acknowledging that “eight in Colorado is never going to be easy to do.”
Over his first two innings, however, he quickly inched closer. Thairo Estrada whiffed on a curveball in the first inning. And though Brenton Doyle hit a solo homer in the second, Kershaw set Michael Toglia and Orlando Arcia both down swinging with a slider and curveball, respectively.
“I just love that edge that he gives each start day,” Roberts said. “We certainly feed off that.”
Kershaw didn’t get another strikeout until the end of the fifth, retiring the side with a slider that froze Braxton Fulford for a called third strike. An inning before that, he was bailed out by his defense after his lone walk, when Miguel Rojas turned a spinning double-play up the line at third base to erase the free pass.
"It could’ve been one run in, runner on second, nobody out," Kershaw said. "So to turn that double-play there was kind of a game-changer. ... Biggest play of the day."
Still, in the sixth, all eyes returned to Kershaw’s strikeout total after Tyler Freeman was rung up on a generous outside strike call to finish off an eight-pitch at-bat.
Though it would have required striking out the side, Kershaw was as little as one inning away from No. 3,000.
Instead, Roberts decided to end his day, ensuring that the next time Kershaw takes the mound — likely to be next Wednesday at home against the Chicago White Sox — he will need only three more strikeouts to do something only two pitchers before have ever done: Have a 3,000-strikeout career while playing for only one team.
“It would be very special,” Kershaw said of potentially reaching the milestone at Dodger Stadium. “It would be.”
While Kershaw mowed through the Rockies (18-63), Shohei Ohtani delivered the biggest swing of the day for the Dodgers, padding what was only a 2-1 lead in the seventh with a solo home run to right, his NL-leading 28th of the year.
The blast came hours after the other big news of the day, with Roberts confirming pregame that the two-way star will make his next start as a pitcher on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.
That game will mark Ohtani’s third pitching outing of the season and could be his first in which he goes beyond the first inning. Last week, Roberts hinted at the possibility of Ohtani — who is still building up in his return from Tommy John surgery — pitching into the second inning, but he has continued to leave any final decisions open-ended.
ST. LOUIS — Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched five scoreless innings against St. Louis on Thursday in his return from a strained left hamstring that had sidelined him since May 4.
Imanaga, a 31-year-old from Japan in his second season with Chicago, was activated from the 15-day injured list to pitch against the Cardinals.
He threw 77 pitches, 49 for strikes, and allowed one hit — a first-inning single to Masyn Winn. After that, he retired 10 straight batters before issuing his lone walk. Imanaga struck out three.
He left with a 2-0 lead, dropping his ERA to 2.54. Left-hander Caleb Thielbar came in to start the sixth.
To make room for Imanaga on the roster, Chicago designated right-hander Michael Fulmer for assignment.
Imanaga has made nine starts this season, allowing two or fewer runs in seven of them. He was an All-Star as a rookie last season, when he went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA.
Imanaga made three minor league rehab starts, most recently for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, when he threw 72 pitches in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
The NL Central-leading Cubs went 25-16 while he was on the IL.
The 32-year-old Fulmer made two scoreless appearances for the Cubs this week during their four-game series against the Cardinals.
Fulmer had a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances for the Cubs in 2023, but the right-hander needed Tommy John surgery and missed last year. He also had the Tommy John procedure in 2019.
Fulmer appeared in one game this season for the Boston Red Sox, surrendering three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings on April 14. He then was released and signed a minor league deal with the Cubs.
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have promoted the oldest son of team owner Dick Monfort amid one of the worst starts in baseball history.
Walker Monfort was named executive vice president of the Rockies on Thursday and will immediately begin leading the team alongside outgoing President and COO Greg Feasel, who is stepping down at the end of this year after 30 seasons in their front office, the team announced.
The Rockies went into Thursday’s home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 18-62 record. Colorado’s 81st game marked the midpoint of its regular season.
Walker Monfort, 38, who had been the team’s vice president of corporate partnerships since 2015, will officially assume Feasel’s responsibilities by January.
Feasel joined the Rockies in 1995 as vice president of sales and marketing. He was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2010 and club president in April 2021.
“Greg has been a pillar of this organization since its earliest days,” Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. “His leadership and vision helped shape not only the Colorado Rockies organization, but the entire baseball community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He has been instrumental in our many successes over the years and has been a strong and steady presence throughout the past three decades.”
Feasel said it is bittersweet to be stepping aside, but that it was something he had discussed with the owner for several years.
Walker Monfort began his career with the Rockies at an entry level, gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments, including the grounds crew, gameday promotions, ticketing and visiting clubhouse from 2006-2009. He officially joined the front office in a full-time capacity in late 2009, working in minor league operations and player development through 2013.
“While we thank Greg for his impact and service, we are excited to turn the page into our next chapter with Walker,” Dick Monfort said. ”He brings a deep understanding of this organization, earned through his 20 years of experience working both within and alongside every department of our operation. He offers a fresh, forward-looking mindset, and we’re confident his perspective, experience and leadership will benefit the club in the months and years to come.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going to again play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next year certainly will have a bigger role than last time.
Witt announced Thursday that he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the 2026 WBC. It will be Witt’s second time on the team.
When part of Team USA in 2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off a standout rookie MLB season. He was a bench player who went 1 for 2 at the plate, and also was a pinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes have also committed to play for Team USA next spring.
“It’s truly an honor,” Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, told MLB Network. “It’s something I’ve kinda dreamed about my whole entire life. Just being part of that team a couple years ago was amazing, and now we’re going to bring home the gold.”
Witt was the runner-up to Judge in the American League MVP voting last season, when the shortstop led the majors with a .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in the Royals’ first 80 games this year.
DeRosa said on MLB Network that he approached Witt during spring training about playing in the 2026 WBC, to which the player responded, “100%. I’m starting, right?”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided two positive updates prior to Thursday’s game…
Sean Manaea
Manaea played catch for the first time since being shut down after an MRI revealed a loose body in his left elbow earlier this week.
The left-hander is expected to throw a bullpen session by this weekend, and if all goes well, the hope is that he’ll be able to make his final rehab appearance early next week.
Manaea was terrific during his latest minor league outing -- tossing 5.1 scoreless innings with Triple-A Syracuse last Friday, but he felt some soreness in his elbow afterwards and didn’t recover how he hoped.
Getting him back in the mix would be a huge boost for the struggling Mets rotation.
Jesse Winker
Winker went through his normal routine, taking batting practice on Thursday at Citi Field.
The left-handed hitting slugger was swinging with conviction and wasn’t favoring anything, so the skipper said he remains on schedule to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.
He’s expected to serve as the DH with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday.
Winker will likely require a lengthy build-up after having been sidelined since the first week of May with a Grade 2 right oblique strain.
When he does return, he should see plenty of time at DH against right-handed pitching.
