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Francisco Lindor feels Mets' frustration, 'sense of urgency' to right ship

When things are going right, Francisco Lindor likes to say the thing to do is to “keep riding the good wave.” After the Mets dropped their 10th game out of the last 11 on Tuesday night, letting a 3-0 lead after five frames turn into a 7-4 defeat to the Atlanta Braves, the hope is that this bad wave has finally crashed.

“Keep on grinding, keep on grinding. We gotta find a way to beat the team on the other side,” Lindor said when asked what the club has to do to pull out of the recent wipeout. “We have to stay together, we have to fight for each other, and just put our heads down and find a way.”

Just as quickly as a six-game winning streak can turn into a seven-game losing skid, there is a belief that the next wave is around the corner.

“We’re one week away from looking completely different," Lindor said. "At the end of the day, I believe in what we have here, the guys are gonna continue to stay together, they’re gonna continue to fight, continue to play for each other.

“What do we have to do to get out of something like this? Fight for each other, fight for each other. Turn the page, day in and day out. When we win, turn the page. When we lose, turn the page.”

In Tuesday’s defeat, Lindor went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, including grounding out weakly to second base for the game’s final out, representing the tying run with two men in scoring position. The shortstop snapped a run of three straight two-hit games, and he now has just six hits in his last 36 at-bats (.167) with nine strikeouts and two walks.

“I gotta get better,” Lindor said, adding, “I have felt good the past couple games, probably the past four or five days. Today’s just one of those nights. I gotta get good pitches to hit and when I get ‘em drive ‘em. And today I didn’t do that. “I felt like I got a couple of pitches to hit in that last at-bat and I didn’t come through.

"The bottom of the lineup today did a fantastic job of working together to get some runs. The top of the lineup, the leadoff guy, it came down to me, and I didn't execute. That's [the] bottom line.”

With the team scuffling in all phases of the game – pitching, hitting, defense, baserunning – Lindor said there is some frustration in the clubhouse, they are professionals who “understand the task” at hand. 

“There’s definitely some frustration, of course, as competitors and professional athletes, yeah, you don’t want to lose,” he said. “But the guys understand that, to get out of where we are today, we gotta do it together. We have a really good group of guys.”

“...I do feel a sense of urgency of like, ‘Alright guys, we gotta do this and we’re gonna have to do this together.’”

Of course, in the results industry of big league baseball, Lindor knows that, “It’s all about winning. Nothing else matters but winning. And we’re not doing that right now.”

Last season, the Mets stumbled out of the gate and struggled for the season’s early goings and looked lost at sea after a 22-33 start. Lindor said that experience gives them some measure of perspective, but this clubhouse is inhabited by a different team.

“We have a lot of guys that were here last year, but at the end of the day, we don’t really care what happened last year,” he said. “Yes, we all understand in this room that we’re gonna go through things like this. We gotta learn from it, we gotta play better, ultimately that’s what it comes down to. We have to play better, I have to play better.”

Lindor added that in understanding this is a tough moment, the players must “rely on each other and put our heads down and just work.”

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Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons

Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game.

The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025.

“At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,” wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206.

Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier.

The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well.

Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years.

Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic.

The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup.

Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games.

The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves.

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Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: What the Hali

Now that the NBA season is over, we’ll recap the fantasy basketball season for the 2024-25 runners-up.

Over the last two months, we’ve provided a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the Eastern and Western Conference champions.

Today, we’re looking at a team that went on one of the greatest playoff runs ever seen.

Indiana Pacers 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 50-32 (4th, East)

Offensive Rating: 115.4 (9th)

Defensive Rating: 113.3 (14th)

Net Rating: 2.1 (T-13th)

Pace: 100.76 (7th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 54th pick

The 2024-25 campaign was perhaps the most exciting in Pacers history, and I’m including the 1999-00 championship run and the 2005 Malice at the Palace season.

For the second straight year, the Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but this year, they got over the hump. Indiana lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 of the Finals to the Thunder, but Indiana’s improbable run to the last game of the season was one of the most entertaining and unexpected in recent memory.

Superstar Tyrese Haliburton took the next step with a dazzling postseason run, but a devastating injury in Game 7 of the Finals will have a major ripple effect across the roster next season.

Let’s recap last season’s fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26.

Fantasy Standout: Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton delivered a monster season for fantasy managers, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.0 triples in 33.6 minutes across 73 games. He shot 47.3% from the floor and 85.1% from the charity stripe as he finished fifth in per-game fantasy value.

For as great of a regular season as Hali had, his postseason run was the stuff of legends. The fourth-seeded Pacers took down the Bucks in five games, and Haliburton delivered the knockout blow with a game-winning layup in Game 5.

Next up were the Cavs, who Indiana dispatched in another gentlemen’s sweep. Down two in Game 2, Hali missed a free throw with 12 seconds remaining, gathered his own rebound, dribbled out beyond the arc and coldly sank the go-ahead trey with just over a second to play.

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, Haliburton wasted no time making his mark on the series. Down two with 10 seconds to play, he drove into the lane, dribbled back and launched a shot that took a long bounce off the rim before finding daylight. Thinking he had won the game, Haliburton imitated Reggie Miller’s iconic choking gesture to the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Review showed that his foot was on the line, but Indiana wrapped the game up in OT and never looked back in the series.

In the Finals, Haliburton hit another game-winner in Game 1 to give Indiana its first and only lead of the contest.

The Pacers were massive underdogs to win the Finals against the Thunder, and they were dogs in each of the seven games of the series. Somehow, Haliburton and Co. forced a Game 7, but tragedy struck just minutes into the contest.

Haliburton sank three early triples to put the Pacers up, but as he made a move on the wing, his right Achilles visibly tore, and he went to the ground. Haliburton was immediately emotional, and he was helped off the court. Later reports confirmed the Achilles tear, and Hali

Fantasy Revelation: T.J. McConnell

McConnell finished the regular season ranked 218 in per-game fantasy value, but the revolutionary nature of his performance came in the postseason, where he became a Pacers legend.

McConnell averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks in 17.9 minutes across 79 games in the regular season. He shot respectably at 51.9% from the field and 74% from the charity stripe in his sixth season with Indiana, operating as a change-of-pace guard specializing as a high-energy defender and facilitator.

He came to play in the Finals, averaging 12 points, 3.6 boards, 4.3 dimes and 2.1 steals across seven games. With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled in Games 5-6 and out for most of Game 7, he stepped up in a big way.

Over the final three games of the championship series, McConnell posted 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals. He routinely made huge plays on offense, including key rebounds and microwave scoring when his team couldn’t hit shots.

With Haliburton set to miss significant time next season, McConnell has surely earned a larger role for the 2025-26 campaign, making him an intriguing late-round option in fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Disappointment: None

Indiana operated as a well-oiled machine throughout the regular season and playoffs, leaning on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to do the heavy lifting, with Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Benn Mathurin filling in the gaps. The stars shined, and the role players did what they were asked to do. There were no major surprises from a fantasy standpoint.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Myles Turner:

Turner finished his 10th season in Indiana with averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 swats and 2.2 triples. The big man appeared in 72 games and logged 30.2 minutes per night, shooting 48.1% from the floor and 77.3% from the charity stripe.

Turner finished inside the top 50 in per-game fantasy value thanks to his ability to block shots, grab rebounds and hit triples. His strong regular season was soured by a dismal Finals run. Across seven games against the Thunder, he averaged just 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 triples.

Indiana’s longest-tenured player has been included in many trade rumors throughout his career, but there’s no confidence that he will actually be dealt this offseason.

Set to be an unrestricted free agent, Turner could choose to test the free agent market and join a center-needy team like the Lakers. Perhaps the Pacers reconsider bringing him back after his lackluster showing on the biggest stage?

If he returns to the Pacers, expect similar numbers to the ones he posted this season, with a potential bump in scoring due to Haliburton’s absence.

Pascal Siakam:

Siakam was masterful in his first full season with Indiana, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.6 triples in 32.7 minutes across 78 appearances. The star forward shot efficiently from the floor (51.9) and knocked down 73.4% of his tries from the charity stripe.

Unsurprisingly, Siakam’s playing time and counting stats took a dip coming from Toronto to Indiana. He finished with his fewest points, rebounds and minutes in six seasons and his fewest assists in five seasons. He knocked down the second-most three-pointers of his career and recorded his sixth consecutive season averaging 20+ points.

Spicy P enjoyed a productive playoff run, leading his team in points and rebounds while making a strong impact as a facilitator and defender. He had some huge moments, including a pair of 30-balls against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semis.

Siakam could be a prime beneficiary of Haliburton’s extended absence. Expect big numbers in 2025-26.

Aaron Nesmith:

Nesmith enjoyed the most productive season of his career, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocked shots and 1.9 triples across 25 minutes per game.

Injuries limited him to just 45 games, but he made the most of his time on the court. His 43/51/91 shooting splits represent a new career-best in efficiency, and Nesmith finished just outside the top 120 in per-game fantasy hoops value in his third season with the Pacers.

Nesmith played well in the postseason, and he had a memorable performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He knocked down eight triples and finished with 30 points as the Pacers stormed back to defeat the Knicks 138-135 in overtime.

Nesmith isn’t going to wow in any category, but he doesn’t turn the ball over, he can provide respectable defensive numbers, and he can hit triples. He should take on a heftier load on offense next season with Haliburton set to miss time. A finish near the top 120 wouldn’t be surprising.

Andrew Nembhard:

Indiana will employ a platoon approach to pick up the slack for Haliburton in 2025-26, but Nembhard could perhaps see the biggest boost to his playing time, production and fantasy value.

The Gonzaga product finished the season ranked 175th in per-game fantasy hoops value behind averages of 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.8 triples with 46/79 shooting splits. He averaged nearly 29 minutes across 65 contests and set new career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Nembhard established himself as a capable playmaker and strong defender, leading the Pacers as a floor general during the regular season when Haliburton was sidelined and spending plenty of time defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Finals.

He’s worth a look in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drats.

Obi Toppin:

“Ain’t no stoppin…” In his second season with Indiana, Toppin posted averages of 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.4 triples while shooting 53.9% from the field and 78.1% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 79 games and played 19.6 minutes per contest.

Toppin set new career highs in points, rebounds, assists and triples, though his performances were hot and cold throughout the regular season and playoffs. He dropped 20 points in Game 6 of the Finals only to follow it up with a goose egg in the scoring column in Game 7.

Toppin finished just inside the top 200 in per-game fantasy hoops value. Even iif he takes on an increased role for the Pacers in 2025-26, he’ll be tough to trust as a late-round flyer in fantasy drafts.

Bennedict Mathurin:

Mathurin finished 181st in per-game fantasy value with averages of 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.4 triples. He shot 45.8% from the floor and 83.1% from the charity stripe and logged 29.9 minutes per game across 72 contests.

His rebounds, three-pointers, FG% and FT% represent career highs, though much like Toppin, his production was up and down.

Mathurin scored 27 points in Game 3 of the Finals and finished with 17 total points across Games 4-6 before going 24/13/3/2 with a pair of triples in Game 7.

Heading into Year 4, Mathurin could take the next step forward and push to score 20 points per night. With Haliburton out, he’s the next man up after Pascal Siakam as a reliable nightly bucket-getter.

Ben Sheppard:

The man with the best moustache in the NBA finished his second professional season with averages of 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.1 triples while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 88.9% from the charity stripe. He appeared in 63 games and logged 19.5 minutes per tilt.

Sheppard logged just under 14 minutes per game in the playoffs as Indiana’s rotation tightened up, but he averaged nearly 19 minutes per game in Game 6 and 7 of the Finals with Haliburton limited and out.

Sheppard could see more run in Haliburton’s absence, though he’s not yet someone to pick up in 2025-26 fantasy drafts outside deeper leagues.

Restricted Free Agents: Quenton Jackson, Isaiah Jackson

Unrestricted Free Agents: Thomas Bryant, James Johnson, Myles Turner

Club Option: Tony Bradley

Player Option: None

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Michael Conforto shows signs of life in Dodgers' win over Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, left, congratulates Michael Conforto as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Germán Márquez in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Max Muncy greets Michael Conforto after Conforto's three-run home run in the fourth inning Tuesday. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

When Major League Baseball’s trade deadline arrives next month, the Dodgers will almost certainly be on the lookout for help in the bullpen.

If their injury-plagued rotation takes any more hits, they might reluctantly have to explore the starting pitching market, as well.

But, when discussing the team’s deadline plans recently with The Times’ Bill Shaikin, the one potential area of offensive need that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman seemed unlikely to address was left field.

Michael Conforto might be struggling mightily this season after signing for $17 million this winter. But the Dodgers have remained bullish on his ability to eventually help.

“Never say never,” Friedman said when asked about the possibility of trading for a left fielder in the next month, “but I think we would hold a very high bar and find it very unlikely.”

Read more:Shaikin: What Mark Walter's ownership might mean for local fans watching the Dodgers and Lakers

On Tuesday night at Coors Field, Conforto gave such optimism some badly needed life.

In the Dodgers’ 9-7 win against the woeful Colorado Rockies, the veteran slugger went two for five with an early double and a go-ahead home run, keying the team’s six-run rally in the fourth with a three-run blast launched deep to right.

The performance marked Conforto’s first multi-hit effort since May 27, and his first with multiple extra-base hits since collecting three doubles on May 13.

It was his first game all season with more than one RBI.

The question now is whether Tuesday was a temporary blip, or a legitimate turning point for Conforto?

The answer could have important implications on the Dodgers’ roster construction for the second half of the season.

Conforto’s overall numbers are still not easy on the eyes. His .171 batting average is easily the worst among qualified big-league hitters. His negative-0.7 mark in wins above replacement (an all-encompassing stat not helped by his limited defensive range in left field) entering the day ranked 158th out of 161 such players.

Read more:Shaikin: Walker Buehler struggling to rediscover his Dodgers World Series magic with Red Sox

His playing time has also begun to decrease recently, with Conforto twice getting benched against right-handed pitchers last week in favor of fellow lefty hitter Hyeseong Kim in the outfield.

“I see [Conforto] playing a lot still,” manager Dave Roberts said then. “But I do think that in a meritocracy, in that vein, Hyeseong has earned opportunities.”

And yet, to this point, the Dodgers have sounded wary of shopping for a potential replacement ahead of the deadline.

“To date, obviously, Michael hasn’t performed up to what he expected or we expected,” Friedman said. “But, watching the way he is working, watching the progress being made, I would bet that his next two months are way better than his last two months.”

On Tuesday, the 32-year-old provided a blueprint for how.

One of Conforto’s primary weaknesses this season has been hitting the fastball. Entering Tuesday, he was batting just .174 against heaters, compared to a .283 average against them last year with the San Francisco Giants.

“That's probably the genesis of the whole deal,” Roberts said of Conforto’s struggles. “When you don't hit the fastball, that starts to lend to a little cheating, chasing on spin. And so we got to get him back on the heater.”

In his first at-bat against right-handed Rockies starter Germán Márquez, Conforto finally did, turning on an inside four-seamer for a double down the right-field line; just his third extra-base hit of June.

Power has been another missing piece of Conforto’s game. A four-time 20-home run hitter in his 10-year career, he entered Tuesday with only four long balls this season; all of them solo shots.

Read more:Dodgers Dugout: It's time for Kiké Hernández to retire ... as a pitcher

But in the fourth inning, he came up with two aboard — after two misplays by Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia led to a pair of Dodgers runs that erased an early 2-0 deficit. Then, when Márquez flipped a 1-and-1 curveball low in the zone, Conforto found the barrel for his three-run blast, putting the Dodgers (49-31) in front 5-2.

Left-hander Justin Wrobleski made the lead stand up, yielding just two runs over five innings of bulk relief to lower his ERA to 3.54 in four outings this month. Shohei Ohtani added some insurance in the sixth with his National League-leading 27th home run, muscling a two-run drive the other way. And though the Rockies (18-61) scored four unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make it close late, Tanner Scott shut the door with a four-out save to seal the team’s 11th win in its last 15 games.

Conforto didn’t have another hit, grounding out with two aboard in the fifth, flying out with a runner at second in the seventh and grounding out again with a runner at second in the ninth.

His season-long woes are far from being rectified. His long-term role with the team, even in a best-case scenario, might be as more of a part-time player (especially if Kim continues to command more playing time).

But, if the Dodgers are truly hoping to avoid having to replace Conforto at the deadline, Tuesday at least represented a potential start.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Report: Erik Karlsson Willing To Depart Penguins For Contending Team

Apr 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) warms up before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

There is a lot on the table for the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer, as it's widely been reported that they're going to be the only "true sellers" on the market.

And, according to a new report, there is an update on one of their stars on the trade block.

Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson - who is actively being shopped by the Penguins - is willing to waive his full no-movement clause to be dealt to a contender. The Penguins are also, apparently, willing to retain some of the $10 million salary they owe him. 

Karlsson, 34, was dealt to Pittsburgh in a massive three-team blockbuster during the summer of 2023. Expectations were high for the three-time Norris Trophy-winning blueliner, who - in addition to coming off of an historic 28-goal, 101-point campaign with the San Jose Sharks - had the pressure of helping return the Penguins to the playoffs after their first miss in 17 years.

Unfortunately, not a whole lot has gone right for the Penguins since, and Karlsson's tenure has been a mixed bag. He is owed $10 million by the Penguins for two more years, as San Jose retained $1.5 million as part of the initial trade. 

Should The Penguins Deal Erik Karlsson? It May Not Be As Simple As It Seems.Should The Penguins Deal Erik Karlsson? It May Not Be As Simple As It Seems.With the 2025 NHL Draft just two weeks away and free agency to follow directly after, the trade market is beginning to heat up.

If Pittsburgh is able to move Karlsson, it would also present a challenge in terms of roster-building, as they are currently already thin on their blue line and would require a contingency plan to replace Karlsson's role. Matt Grzelcyk is likely to hit the unrestricted free agent market, Kris Letang is due for his role to be a bit more diminished, and top defensive prospects Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke aren't quite ready for top-four roles yet. 

Karlsson is one of three Penguins' players - the others being top-six scoring forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust - generating some buzz on the trade market ahead of the NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday as well as free agency on Jul. 1.

NHL Rumors: 3 Penguins Off-Season Trade CandidatesNHL Rumors: 3 Penguins Off-Season Trade CandidatesThe off-season is now officially here, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will certainly be a team to watch closely during it. With the Penguins retooling their roster, there is a good chance that they will be active this summer.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!      

Feature image credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Yankees' extra-inning woes continue in 5-4 loss to Reds

The Yankees' bullpen wasted Carlos Rodon's efforts, and the team's extra-inning woes continued, as New York fell 5-4 in the 11th inning.

New York entered the 11th batting .770 with a .270 OPS while driving in one run in extras all year. So, of course, the Yankees would push across a run, but it happened without a hit. After Cody Bellinger moved Aaron Judge -- the ghost runner -- to third on a sharp groundout, Judge scampered home on a wild pitch.

But it wasn't enough as the Yankees allowed two runs as the Reds clinched the three-game series.

Here are the takeaways...

-Tuesday saw the major league debut of Chase Burns, the Reds' flamethrowing righty, and No. 1 prospect, and he didn't disappoint. Burns struck out the first five batters he faced before Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s single in the second inning. Burns bounced back by getting Anthony Volpe to strike out swinging. Burns' fastball averaged around 96 mph and the combination of his heater and breaking pitches that ranged from 88-93 mph kept Yankees hitters off balance.

Burns would get through the order the first time with no problems, but Ben Rice led off the fourth inning by launching a 427-foot bomb on the first-pitch slider to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. The Yankees would get a couple of singles to put a runner in scoring position with two outs for Volpe. The Yankee shortstop hit a liner toward TJ Friedl, but the Reds center fielder made an ill-advised dive and let the ball get past him for a two-run triple.

That was all the runs the Yankees would get on Burns, though. The young phenom threw 81 pitches (53 strikes) across five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out eight batters.

-Opposite the rookie was veteran Rodon, who had his second consecutive strong start. The southpaw scattered four hits and one walk over six innings (88 pitches/53 strikes) while striking out five, with the only inning where Rodon was in trouble coming in the fourth after a one-out double by Spencer Steer, but the Reds stranded him.

Rodon now has five starts this season of six-plus innings pitched without allowing a run. Tarik Skubal is the only pitcher with more such starts this year. His ERA dropped to 2.92 on the season with Tuesday's performance.

-Unfortunately for the Yanks, their bullpen could not hold the lead. Jonathan Loaisiga walked Tyler Stephenson after the home plate umpire squeezed him on a potential third strike. Then Rece Hinds and Jose Trevino singled to load the bases before Christian Encarnacion-Strand lined a double to left that cleared the bases -- helped by a Cody Bellinger bobble in the corner.

Loaisiga was pulled with what looked like an apparent injury, but the reliever was sitting in the dugout while Fernando Cruz finished the inning without allowing the go-ahead run to score.

The combination of Luke Weaver and Devin Williams pitched scoreless eighth and ninth, and Mark Leiter Jr. pitched a scoreless 10th. But Aaron Boone asked Leiter to pitch a second inning, and the right-hander couldn't do it, giving up a walk and three hits to allow the two runs that won the Reds the game.

-The Yankees' offense could not get going after that three-run fourth inning. While they did get seven hits, they were 1-for-7 with RISP and left four men on base.

Chisholm was the only hitter to have multiple hits (2-for-4) but was ejected between innings in the ninth after he argued balls and strikes after home plate umpire Mark Wegner called a low pitch a strike that would have pushed the count to 3-0. Chisholm would eventually strike out with a runner on first.

Judge went 1-for-5 with a run scored, and his batting average is now .364 on the season. He came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th, but the AL MVP popped out to second base to end the threat.

Game MVP: Reds bullpen

After Burns allowed the three runs, the Cincy bullpen allowed the one unearned run in six innings to allow the comeback.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees and Reds complete their three-game set on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Max Fried (9-2, 2.05 ERA) will take the mound while the Reds will send Brady Singer (7-5, 4.13 ERA) to the bump.

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Mets' bullpen implodes to waste Frankie Montas' gem in loss to Braves

The Mets lost to the Braves, 7-4, on Tuesday night at a sweltering Citi Field, blowing a late 3-0 lead.

Here are the takeaways...

- The Mets' offense was quiet again early, failing to get a hit over the first three innings while striking out four times against Spencer Strider. The Mets' only runner across the first three frames was Juan Soto, who drew a two-out walk in the first.

But New York broke through in the fourth inning.

Soto drew a one-out walk and stole second, and Pete Alonso smoked a single to center that was hit too hard for Soto to score. After a Starling Marte walk loaded the bases, Jeff McNeil lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Soto and make it 1-0. Following a Luis Torrens walk that reloaded the bases, Brett Baty stayed back on a flat slider and flicked a two-run single to right field to make it 3-0 Mets.

- The Mets' bullpen gifted the Braves a go-ahead rally in the sixth inning. Huascar Brazoban started things by walking the bases loaded and allowing a sacrifice fly. He was relieved by Jose Castillo, who gave up a run-scoring infield single before drilling Michael Harris II with a pitch and allowing a game-tying single to Nick Allen.

Reed Garrett replaced Castillo and got Ronald Acuña Jr. to strike out for the second out. But with the bases loaded and a 1-2 count to Matt Olson, Garrett threw a fastball that caught too much plate -- with Olson drilling a two-run single to make it 5-3, Braves.

- Richard Lovelady pitched a perfect seventh inning in what was his Mets debut, but allowed two runs in the seventh -- allowing Atlanta to increase the lead to 7-3.

- Down by four in the ninth inning, the Mets got hits from McNeiland Jared Young with one out. Baty struck out looking after getting ahead 3-1 against Raisel Iglesias, but Ronny Mauricio delivered a run-scoring double to make it 7-4 and bring Francisco Lindor up as the tying run. However, Lindor grounded out to second base to end the game.

- Making his season debut (and Mets debut) after missing the first half of the season due to a lat strain, Frankie Montas came out throwing hard -- and kept it that way for the duration of his outing.

The right-hander's fastball sat at 97 mph in the first inning, topping out at 98, in an inning where he froze Acuña.on a fastball to start things. Montas then allowed a one-out walk and bloop hit before escaping by inducing a double play off the bat of Austin Riley.

Following a 1-2-3 second inning, Montas allowed a scratch single to Nick Allen and walked Acuña to find some trouble in the third, but he got Olson to fly out and struck out Marcell Ozuna swinging on a 98 mph fastball off the plate away to get out of the frame unscathed.

Montas was sharp the rest of the way, working around a one-out walk in the fourth and a one-out single in the fifth. He punctuated his outing by striking out Acuña swinging and getting Olson to fly out to end the fifth inning and his night.

Overall, Montas tossed 5.0 scoreless frames, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out five.

Montas' fastball was especially impressive, with 46 of them registering 94.8 mph or faster. It had life and precision all game.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets continue their series against the Braves on Wednesday at Citi Field at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Clay Holmes gets the start for New York against Didier Fuentes for Atlanta.

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Former Devils Defenseman Signs With KHL Club

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman Daniil Misyul is heading overseas, as he has signed a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL.

Misyul, 24, was traded by the Devils at the 2025 NHL trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Marc McLaughlin. Now, the former Devils blueliner is on the move again after signing this KHL deal.

Before being traded to the Bruins, Misyul made his NHL debut for the Devils this season on Oct. 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During it, the 6-foot-3 defenseman recorded one hit, one block, and a minus-1 rating. This would be his lone NHL appearance with the Devils. 

Misyul appeared in 47 games this season with the Devils' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he recorded eight assists, 33 penalty minutes, and a minus-8 rating. This was after he had four goals, 14 points, and a plus-1 rating in 44 games with the Comets during the 2023-24 season.

Misyul was selected by the Devils with the 70th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. 

Report: Devils Made Push For Jonathan ToewsReport: Devils Made Push For Jonathan ToewsOne of the main areas that the New Jersey Devils are looking to improve this summer is their forward group. It is understandable, as they need more offensive production throughout their lineup. 

Photo Credit:  © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Dylan Harper’s fit with Spurs, NBA comparisons, family history

Two years ago, the Basketball Gods bestowed a once-in-a-generation gift upon the San Antonio Spurs, giving them the top pick in the NBA Draft the year that Victor Wembanyama was going pro. Last season, the Spurs picked fourth and selected Stephon Castle, who went on to be the Rookie of the Year.

The Basketball Gods were not done blessing the Spurs — they landed the No. 2 pick in this year's draft and are widely expected to select Dylan Harper, the 6'6" point guard out of Rutgers. (There is a very slim chance they trade the pick, but it would need to be for an established superstar, and that does not appear close to happening.)

How will Harper fit with the Spurs? Who does his game remind scouts of? Let's break it all down.

Harper’s fit in San Antonio

Outside his camp, there was speculation that Dylan Harper was not thrilled about going to San Antonio because it already has a roster deep with quality guards. This is a team that traded for De'Aaron Fox at the last trade deadline to pair with Wembanyama, and a year ago drafted combo guard Castle to be part of their future backcourt. He went on to average 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game, winning Rookie of the Year.

When asked about it by ESPN, Harper said he was excited to play with Wembanyama and Castle.

"I mean, that would definitely be great and I would definitely be blessed to have that opportunity just because they're two young players, young stars, and the rest of the team from top to bottom is really good so when you get to play with better players and the best of the best, it just brings out your best game."

Where does Harper fit in with all that talent?

From San Antonio's perspective, this is an easy call — always take the best player on the board, and Harper is the clear second-best player in this draft. Teams that make picks based on positional need end up saying things like "We don't need Luka Doncic, we have Fox" or "We don't need Michael Jordan, we have Clyde Drexler." Take the best player, figure it out, and, if necessary, make a trade later. The Spurs are nothing if not the most patient organization in the league.

Harper is a combo guard in the Castle mold, and a lot of scouts think Harper will be better at it. Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists a game shooting an impressive 48% from the floor last season, and he demonstrated a fantastic feel for the game. Harper is not a classically explosive player, but his ability to get to the rim and finish or dish to the open man should pair beautifully with Wemby, as well as with players on the wing such as Devin Vassell. If Harper and Wembanyama start to show a real chemistry — and they are on the same age timeline — then the Spurs can lean into that and adjust as needed.

One thing to watch: None of Harper, Fox or Castle are great outside shooters. Whichever one of them develops that shot — especially a catch-and-shoot look — is going to have a huge advantage in getting minutes this season and into the future.

Dylan Harper’s NBA Comparison

Ask people around the league about Harper comparisons and two names come up.

Cade Cunningham. The Detroit Pistons' point guard, who made a leap to All-NBA this season, is another tall player for the position who is not an explosive athlete but can get to the rim and get to his spots on the floor, then knock down the shot. Some scouts made note of how Harper struggled at points at Rutgers when teams packed the paint, and think that goes away with the better floor spacing in the NBA (especially compared to Rutgers). Like Cunningham, Harper can play some off the ball and makes tough shots.

James Harden. Harper isn't as strong or quite as athletic as the former MVP, but his ability to get to his spot, make tough shots and bend the defense to his will is similar. The one thing Harper has over Harden? He tries hard defensively. Harper is no elite defender, but the effort is there and he's not an easy target on that end.

Dylan Harper’s father, brother

Dylan Harper enters the NBA with an impressive basketball pedigree. His father is Ron Harper Sr., the No. 8 pick in the 1986 NBA Draft who went on to play 15 seasons in the league and win five championships, four with the Jordan-era Chicago Bulls and one with the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. Don't forget about his mother, Maria, who played college ball at New Orleans and is a basketball coach to this day — she is the one who taught Dylan the game.

Dylan's older brother, Ron Harper Jr., also played at Rutgers and has bounced between the G-League and the NBA the past three years, playing in 11 NBA games (this past season he played a game for the Pistons). Dylan also has a younger sister, Mia, who is still in high school.

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NBA offseason trade tracker: Kristaps Porzingis headed to Atlanta

While the 2024-25 season did not officially end until Oklahoma City took care of Indiana in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, the news cycle has already moved on to the 2025-26 season. Houston acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns hours before Game 7, and there have already been three more deals in the two days since the NBA Finals concluded.

Below is a "tracker" of the trades that have occurred thus far, and given how things have gone, there will likely be more to add before the NBA Draft on Wednesday. Also, many of these deals will not become official until the new league year begins on July 6. Buckle up.

Tuesday, June 24

New Orleans acquires: Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, 40th overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Washington acquires: CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, future second-round pick

First-year Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars reportedly completed his first significant transaction on Tuesday, sending McCollum, Olynyk and the 40th overall pick to Washington. While CJ is entering the final season of his current contract, Poole has two years and nearly $66 million remaining on his deal. With Dejounte Murray still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in January, Poole should not lack opportunities to play on the ball in New Orleans. His second season in Washington was better than his first, and the hope in New Orleans is that Poole can build on that progress next season. The Bey acquisition may not impact fantasy basketball much, as he's coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season.

McCollum's addition gives the Wizards another "adult in the room" alongside Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton. All three have struggled with injuries in recent years, with none hitting the 60 games played mark in 2024-25. Heading into a contract year, McCollum can provide reliable middle-round value in standard leagues. That said, veterans don't come without risk in rebuilding situations, as some teams are all too willing to pull the plug and "tank." Olynyk's path to fantasy relevance is not as straightforward as McCollum's, but experienced managers have certainly seen him make waves, especially late in the year when playing for rebuilding teams.

Atlanta acquires: Kristaps Porzingis

Boston acquires: Georges Niang, future second-round pick

Brooklyn acquires: Terance Mann, 22nd overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Less than 24 hours after reportedly trading Holiday, the Celtics reportedly bid farewell to Porzingis as part of a three-team trade. Given that he's entering the final season of his contract, KP's exit is unsurprising. Going to Atlanta offers some intrigue, as a lineup of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu would have the length and defensive ability needed to compensate for Young's deficiencies on that end of the floor. However, Porzingis has played 60 games or more only once since tearing his ACL during the 2017-18 season. Add in the illness that limited his effectiveness down the stretch this season, and fantasy managers will have to exercise caution. Also, the Hawks still hold a trade exception worth $25 million due to the Dejounte Murray trade, so they could be extremely active this summer.

The Celtics add a solid veteran in Niang, who grew up in the Boston area and played his high school basketball at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. While his fantasy impact has been limited for most of his career, "The Minivan" may have more consistent opportunities in Boston next season, especially if Stevens isn't done making moves. The reported trades of Porzingis and Holiday have gotten the Celtics below the second apron.

As for Brooklyn, adding another first-round pick to their coffers is what sparks significant intrigue. The Nets now have five first-round picks in Wednesday's draft, which likely means that lead executive Sean Marks is not finished making moves. The draft may "begin" with Philadelphia at the third pick, but the Nets hold the cards that will significantly impact how things play out at Barclays Center. Adding Mann gives Brooklyn a versatile wing, but he's yet to pan out as a reliable fantasy option. Whether or not that changes with the Nets depends on what other moves the team makes this summer.

Monday, June 23

Portland acquires: Jrue Holiday

Boston acquires: Anfernee Simons, two second-round picks

After losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon during the second round of the playoffs and the franchise facing a hefty luxury tax bill, the Celtics have begun to break things up. How far lead executive Brad Stevens will go is unknown at this point, but he's traded two key rotation players in the two days since the season concluded. Late Monday night, it was Holiday who was on the move, with Boston sending him to Portland. Interestingly, the Trail Blazers acquired him from Milwaukee as part of the Damian Lillard trade a few years ago, ultimately moving the veteran guard to Boston.

Unlike two years ago, Holiday's fit with Portland is better now, especially after the team's improved play during the second half of the season. According to reports, the plan is to retain Holiday, as he can provide defense and steady leadership to the young group. For Portland, the trade also frees up more opportunities for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, even with Holiday expected to occupy a place in the starting lineup. It's time for Portland to truly learn what it has in Henderson and Sharpe, and whether those two can be key cogs in a rotation with playoff ambitions.

Boston's decision to trade Holiday saves the franchise some money in the short term, and there's the potential for them to save more next summer. Simons, a more than capable perimeter scorer who will fill a need in Boston with Tatum out, is heading into the final season of his current contract. The Celtics can sign him to an extension this summer, but they can also wait until 2026, just in case things don't work out. With Boston making another significant move on Tuesday, Simons should have a solid fantasy ceiling next season. The trades also increase Payton Pritchard's value, as he's coming off the best season of his NBA career.

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Yankees' Marcus Stroman roughed up in latest rehab start for Double-A Somerset

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman's rehab start for Double-A Somerset did not go the way he wanted as the right-hander surrendered five runs on 10 hits and two walks on Tuesday night.

Stroman, in what might be his final tune-up before he returns to the Yanks' starting rotation after spending time on the shelf with left knee inflammation, went just 3.2 innings, throwing 65 pitches (41 strikes). He had just one strikeout, with four ground outs to two fly outs, pitching in terribly hot conditions as the game time temperature was 98 degrees.

Stroman began the first and second innings the same -- allowing the leadoff hitter to reach before getting the second batter to ground into a double play. But in each inning, he allowed traffic, surrendering a two-out run in the first.

Unfortunately, things didn't go his way in the third as the Erie SeaWolves tagged him for single, single, double, double, single to score four runs. He did get his third double play to end the inning.

The righty faced three batters in the fourth, getting a ground out and a strikeout before allowing a ground-rule double -- his fourth extra-base hit allowed -- ending his night.

The 34-year-old fared much better in his previous outing last Wednesday, when he retired the first 10 batters he faced with four strikeouts on his way to allowing two earned runs on two hits in 3.1 innings.

Stroman tossed 3.1 innings in his first rehab outing on June 11, allowing a run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts.

Stroman made three starts in early April before landing on the IL, and he was not effective before getting injured. He allowed 12 runs on 12 hits and seven walks with just seven strikeouts in 9.1 innings, good for an 11.57 ERA.

In his debut season in The Bronx in 2024, the righty pitched to a 4.31 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 154.2 innings over 30 outings (29 starts). He had 113 strikeouts to 60 walks

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Former Penguins Forward Signs With New Team

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Scott Wilson is on the move, as he has signed a two-year contract with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL.

Wilson appeared in 60 games split between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa during the 2024-25 season, where he posted 13 goals, 17 assists, and a plus-14 rating. This was Wilson's third straight season in the KHL, and he will now be staying in the league after landing this two-year deal with Sibir Novosibirsk. 

Wilson was selected by the Penguins with the 209th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he spent his first four NHL seasons from 2014-15 to 2017-18 with the Penguins, where he recorded 13 goals, 32 points, 218 hits, and a minus-2 rating in 106 games. He also had six points in 23 playoff games during his time with the Penguins and also won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2017. 

In 193 career NHL games split between the Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres, Wilson posted 20 goals, 31 assists, and 365 hits. His last appearance in the NHL was during the 2019-20 season with the Sabres, where he recorded one goal, one assist, and a plus-1 rating in six games. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Release 2025-26 Preseason SchedulePittsburgh Penguins Release 2025-26 Preseason ScheduleWith the off-season here, the Pittsburgh Penguins have released their 2025-26 preseason schedule. The Metropolitan Division club will play seven games this preseason, with three at home and four on the road. 

Photo Credit: © Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

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Report: Celtics, Hawks, Nets finalizing three-team trade that sends Porzingis to Atlanta

When looking for ways to trim their payroll, Boston's ultimate goal was to find a team willing to take on Kristaps Porzingis, with all his potential and his $30.7 million contract. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.

The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a three-team trade that shakes out like this (and was broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic):

Atlanta receives: Kristaps Porzingis, a second-round pick
Brooklyn receives: Terance Mann, the No. 22 pick in this draft (the Lakers' pick, which belonged to Atlanta)
Boston receives: Georges Niang, second-round pick

Porzingis brings size, outside shooting and a defensive presence, all of which the Hawks could use — he also brings a huge injury risk. Porzingis has reached playing in 65 games once in the last 10 seasons, and his injuries often have carried over to the playoffs (he missed Finals games even during the Celtics' 2024 title run). Last season, he averaged 19.5 points a game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range, plus 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He has a game that would complement Trae Young (who is recovering from his own massive injury).

It's a roll of the dice by the Hawks, but the price was so low it was worth the risk. The more interesting question is whether the Hawks will extend Porzingis (multiple years at close to $35 million per year) or risk letting him walk after one season? The answer may reveal something
about the new front office and its plans in Atlanta.

Brooklyn now has five first-round picks (16.7% of all the first-rounders): Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27. Keep an eye on them as the Nets have been looking to trade up.

Boston saves money. A lot of money. If anyone wondered what being over the second apron looks like, it is this. Between this trade and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics have saved $180 million in salary and luxury tax payments (it's only about $27 million in actual salary, but because of the second apron and repeater tax, the savings are exponential). The Celtics are now under the dreaded second apron. Perhaps Boston would have acted differently this offseason if Jayson Tatum had not torn his Achilles and the Celtics had made a deeper playoff run, but this is the new reality for Celtics fans. Boston is also getting calls from other teams asking about Jaylen Brown.

Niang is also a solid rotational pickup, the kind of player Celtics fans will love.

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Sean Manaea’s return to injury-depleted Mets rotation delayed by elbow issue

NEW YORK — Mets pitcher Sean Manaea complained of elbow discomfort following his most recent minor league rehab outing, and his return to New York’s injury-depleted rotation will be delayed.

Manaea had an MRI on Monday that showed loose bodies in his left elbow. He received a cortisone shot and was shut down from throwing for two to three days.

“They’re telling me that he should be fine for the rest of the year. But again, we’ll see what happens there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday.

New York’s top starter last season, Manaea has been sidelined since spring training by a right oblique strain. After a gradual progression, the left-hander pitched well for 5 1/3 innings last Friday at Triple-A Syracuse and was expected to come off the 60-day injured list in early July after making one more rehab start this week.

Instead, he was returned from his rehab assignment Tuesday and won’t pitch in the minors again until at least next week.

“After what just developed here after the last outing, we’ve got to take it one outing at a time,” Mendoza said.

The skidding Mets had been counting on Manaea’s impending return to help replenish a rotation minus ace Kodai Senga (right hamstring strain) and fellow right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow sprain). They are among nine Mets pitchers on the injured list.

The team did get a starter back Tuesday, when veteran right-hander Frankie Montas was reinstated from the 60-day IL to start against Atlanta in his Mets debut.

Right-handed reliever Chris Devenski was optioned to Triple-A following Monday night’s loss to the Braves, and designated hitter Jesse Winker (right oblique strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

The goal is for Winker to begin a minor league rehab assignment by the end of this weekend, Mendoza said. He’s been out since getting hurt on May 4.

The 32-year-old Montas, sidelined all season by a right lat strain, signed a two-year, $34 million contract as a free agent in December. He was roughed up consistently in six minor league rehab appearances, compiling a 12.05 ERA.

New York had lost nine of 10 heading into Tuesday night, dropping the Mets 1 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East.

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Nets acquire Terance Mann, No. 22 overall pick as part of Kristaps Porzingis deal

The Nets continue to collect draft picks as they were one of three teams involved in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks.

According to multiple reports, the Boston Celtics are sending Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks. Atlanta is sending guard Terance Mann and the Hawks' No. 22 overall pick to the Nets, while Georges Niang and a second-round pick go to the Celtics.

The move helps Boston get out of the second apron, as the Celtics look to retool after the injury to Jason Tatum. For Brooklyn, they get a capable bench guard in Mann.

Mann, who is a Brooklyn native, still has three years and $47 million left on his contract. In 67 games between the Hawks and Clippers last season, the 28-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game across an average of 21.1 minutes on the court. The former second-round pick was drafted by the Clippers in 2019 and spent parts of six seasons in Los Angeles. In that time, Mann averaged 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

But the biggest aspect of this trade for the Nets is the first-round pick they are getting from Atlanta. Brooklyn now has a whopping five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, which takes place Wednesday night.

With the No. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27 overall picks in Wednesday's draft, all eyes are on the Nets and what they plan to do with them in any potential deals.