Sep 3, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ryan Bergert (38) pitches during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
You can never have enough pitching.
The Royals acquired Ryan Bergert from the Padres last summer hoping he could provide additional depth to their starting rotation. He impressed with a 4.43 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 40.2 innings over eight starts, but was sent to Omaha to begin this season. He exited his third start with right elbow discomfort.
The Royals announced today that Bergert successfully underwent Tommy John surgery this week to reconstruct his right ulnar collateral ligament. The typical timeline after Tommy John surgery requires 12-16 months of recovery.
Bergert had a 3.66 ERA in 76.1 innings in his debut season last year, split between the Padres and Royals. He was acquired with pitcher Stephen Kolek for catcher Freddy Fermin last July. Kolek is currently out with an oblique injury, although he has begun a rehab assignment in Omaha.
MLB.com reporter Anne Rogers also reports that Royals pitching prospect Ben Kudrna underwent an olecranon stress fracture fixation surgery on his elbow. The typical recovery time for that injury is 3-6 months. Kudrna had a 5.30 ERA in 105.1 innings in the minors last year, and made just one start for Omaha. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the #9 prospect in the organization.
Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Much is made about the so-called ‘sophomore slump’ in sports — you never know how a young player will respond as their opponents do anything and everything in their power to adjust to their game. After a slow start over the first couple of weeks, Cole Young has stabilized, and then some. It’s only fitting that he provided the exclamation point to close out the first full month of the year.
Behind a pair of clutch hits from Young in the late innings, the Mariners came from behind to defeat the Twins 5-3 Wednesday to take the series and guarantee a .500 record at the end of April.
Facing a drawn-in infield, down a run with one out in the ninth, Young snuck a grounder back up the middle to score two runs and give the Mariners the lead — and it wasn’t the first time on the afternoon that he came up huge. Just two innings earlier, he drove a double into the opposite-field gap to produce a tying run with two outs. Both of the hits came with two strikes.
“When we have that type of a hitter in those kinds of situations, you feel really good about your chances,” manager Dan Wilson said about having Young near the bottom of the order. “He’s really delivered.”
Things were looking bleak at multiple points later in the game, especially with the Mariners struggling to get runners into scoring position against Twins starter Taj Bradley, who eclipsed 110 pitches over seven innings and allowed only four hits and two walks. Prior to Young’s game-tying double in the seventh, Bradley’s only run was surrendered on a solo homer by J.P. Crawford in the third.
Thanks in part to Young, however, the Mariners were able to make the most of their few scoring opportunities, going 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile, for Mariners pitching, it felt like they couldn’t catch much of a break. George Kirby worked 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits — none of which came on hard-hit balls. Balls were dropping where fielders weren’t, and soft contact wasn’t resulting in outs the way they might’ve hoped.
Despite that, Kirby nearly made it through his outing unscathed, passing the game off to the bullpen with the game in reach. His two runs allowed both came across on a weak flare by Brooks Lee that dropped in for a two-out single in the fourth.
To add injury to insult, Matt Brash left the game after throwing only two pitches to begin the bottom of the eighth. Wilson said postgame that Brash has been feeling some discomfort in his side and that he will be evaluated again tomorrow.
Gabe Speier was sprung into action as a result. He allowed a Ryan Jeffers single to center, and pinch runner James Outman was able to steal second base to move into scoring position with nobody out. Though Speier was able to strike out both Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall to get the first two outs of the inning, pinch hitter Victor Caratini was able to slip a base hit just under a ranging Crawford’s glove to score the go-ahead run.
Needing only three outs to close the game out, the Twins called upon righty Eric Orze to face the 5-6-7 of the Mariners order. His first six pitches of the ninth were balls, and Randy Arozarena was able to work a lead-off walk as a result. After Orze bounced back to strike out Luke Raley, Dominic Canzone singled to right and move the tying run just 90 feet from home plate. Leo Rivas pinch-ran for Canzone and stole second to set up Young’s game-winning single.
Cal Raleigh tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly later in the inning, giving Andrés Muñoz some additional breathing room in the bottom half. This time, Muñoz had no problem, setting down the Twins in order to pick up his sixth save and close out a 5-1 roadtrip for the M’s.
The Mariners will return home to face the Royals for three games starting Friday night at 6:45 pm on Apple TV.
Apr 28, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (15-15) vs. Atlanta Braves (21-9)
Time/Place: 7:15 p.m., Truist Park SB Nation Site: Battery Power Media: Detroit Sportsnet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Tarik Skubal (3-2, 2.72 ERA) vs. RHP JR Ritchie (1-0, 2.57 ERA)
MILWAUKEE, WI - AUGUST 25: Hoan Bridge over Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on AUGUST 25 2012. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
BREWERS
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Brandon Lockridge – LF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Brice Turang – 2B
Corbin Carroll – RF
William Contreras – C
Adrian Del Castillo – C
Jake Bauers – 1B
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Gary Sanchez – DH
Lourdes Gurriel – LF
Luis Rengifo – 3B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Greg Jones – RF
Jose Fernandez – DH
Blake Perkins – CF
Alek Thomas – CF
Joey Ortiz – SS
E. Rodriguez – LHP
Brandon Sproat – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: LHP Philip Abner (No. 50)
Optioned to Reno following last night’s game: RHP Andrew Hoffmann
Probably a necessary move, simply for an extra arm. Though the chart above doesn’t necessarily show it, the D-backs bullpen has been wheezing. Jack went into more detail about that earlier today, due to a combination of short outings by starters and close contests. But it is interesting to note that Arizona are below MLB average, both in terms of bullpen innings, and batters faced. They are above the median in relief outings – but at 101, only five percent above it (96). So why is it a problem for Arizona? Part of the reason might, oddly, be the stability of the D-backs bullpen.
This is only the second “true” change to the bullpen since Opening Day, over a month ago. The first was DFA’ing Joe Ross, who was replaced by Taylor Rashi. When he was optioned to Reno to make way for the return of Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt got bumped to the bullpen. But that has been it. Consequently, Arizona has used only 11 relievers all year, and that includes James McCann. The teams atop the bullpen usage by innings, the White Sox and Nationals have also used the most relievers – a startling twenty-one already in Chicago’s case, almost twice as many as the D-backs. Arizona has been leaning heavily on the same arms since the beginning of the season.
We can see this if we look at the average number of outings per reliever. Take the total number of relief appearances, and divide by the number of relievers used. For Arizona that comes out to 9.2 games per reliever, well above the median (around 7.5). The real problem is the lack of reliable bullpen arms for Arizona. We don’t have many credible alternatives in Reno who can be rostered in and out to give others a blow. Not helping matters: as Jack notes, only Hoffman and Juan Morillo have options, so can be sent to the minors. Well, technically, Pfaadt does too, but I’d not expect him to be enjoying buffet food anytime soon.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The Flyers’ playoff run is headed to the second round.
Rick Tocchet’s club finished off the Penguins in six games with an eke-it-out, 1-0 overtime win Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. In this best-of-seven first-round matchup, the Flyers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead and then fended off Pittsburgh after dropping Games 4 and 5.
Cam York scored the Game 6 winner. It came with 2:30 minutes left in overtime.
Dan Vladar played a significant role in that. He was magnificent in closing out Pittsburgh.
The Flyers face the Hurricanes next. The last time the Flyers made the second round was 2020, their previous playoff berth. They lost to the Islanders in seven games.
The 28-year-old backed up his words with 42 saves Wednesday night.
He turned away Anthony Mantha at the doorstep around the midway mark of overtime. He made a superb stop on Bryan Rust with under four minutes to go in regulation.
Vladar was excellent in the series, allowing just 10 goals and delivering two shutouts.
“He has been our backbone all year,” York said Monday. “When he’s that confident, that poised, it just bleeds through the room. He has been our MVP this year.”
Arturs Silovs, making his third straight start for the Penguins, stopped 31 shots.
The Flyers opened the third period with a power play after Travis Konecny drew a roughing penalty on Kris Letang at the end of the middle stanza. But the Flyers came up empty.
Their last-ranked power play went 2 for 17 in the series. It didn’t cost them.
Christian Dvorak and Travis Sanheim nearly connected for a shorthanded goal in the second period. Silovs, though, turned away Dvorak in close to keep the game scoreless.
Early during the third period, Dvorak made a clutch defensive play in the slot to help prevent a goal.
After being healthy scratched in Game 5, Matvei Michkov had a couple of good looks during the second period. In a span of 29 seconds, he was denied on a semi breakaway and then at the post when he tried to tuck one past Silovs.
Michkov had an assist on York’s winner.
• Give the Flyers credit for tightening things up defensively and really grinding out a win.
Their stinginess is what pushed them into the playoffs.
They needed to get back to that and did. They found a way to close out Pittsburgh despite scoring just five goals over the final three games.
• Sean Couturier oozed with experience in Game 6. He played a true brand of playoff hockey.
The 33-year-old captain led by example all series.
• The Flyers now have a second-round date with the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
Carolina swept the Senators in the first round and finished the regular season with 113 points at 53-22-7.
Every matchup between the Flyers and Hurricanes in the regular season went past regulation. The Flyers lost three of the four games.
The schedule for the series has not yet been announced.
There’s no more clarity in Steve Kerr’s situation following a reported meeting with the Warriors’ top decision-makers earlier this week.
According to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. on Monday.
The meeting lasted two hours, per ESPN, but while both sides told the outlet it was “productive,” they weren’t able to reach a resolution.
There’s no more clarity in Steve Kerr’s situation following a reported meeting with the Warriors’ top decision-makers earlier this week. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAccording to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob (above) and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. on Monday. AP
Kerr, whose contract expired at the end of the season, will continue talks with Golden State management next week, according to ESPN.
In 12 seasons, Kerr, 60, has won four NBA championships and this past year became the fourth-fastest coach to win 600 regular-season games.
However, according to multiple reports, Warriors brass believe some stylistic changes are in order following only their second below-.500 finish under Kerr, with Steph Curry not getting any younger.
Kerr, meanwhile, was upfront immediately following the Warriors’ elimination to the Suns in the play-in tournament that he would understand if the organization was ready to move on.
The meeting with Lacob and Dunleavy Jr. (above) lasted two hours, per ESPN, but while both sides told the outlet it was “productive,” they weren’t able to reach a resolution. NBAE via Getty Images
Kerr said after the game, almost two weeks ago, that he would take some time to think before sitting down with Lacob and Dunleavy, which seems to have taken place Monday.
People close to Kerr told ESPN the coach was still “torn” about his preference, while those with the team told the outlet that whatever the conclusion, it would be a “basketball decision.”
The bottom line seemed to be that neither side was in much of a hurry.
The Warriors will know their fate in the draft lottery next Sunday, which could factor into Kerr’s decision. They have the 11th-best odds and a 9.4% chance at moving into the top four. If the ping pong balls break the right way, they would have a valuable asset to potentially bolster a roster for Curry’s final years.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Drew Millas #14 of the Washington Nationals shows his foul catch of a hit by Mj Melendez #1 of the New York Mets to end the first inning at Citi Field on April 28, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night was one of those games you just have to flush down the drain. The Nats were never in it, and fell 8-0. Those types of games happen in a 162 game season. It is all about responding well the next night. They will have a chance to do that with an improving Cade Cavalli on the mound.
With a lefty on the mound, Blake Butera made a few alterations. James Wood will get off his feet for the first time in a while and get the nod at DH. That means Joey Wiemer will play right field. Curtis Mead will get the start at first base, as he looks to heat up again after cooling off lately. Keibert Ruiz will be the man behind the dish. Cade Cavalli had his best start of the season last time against the Braves, and he will look to follow up that outing in style.
The Mets are not making many changes. Juan Soto is still only healthy enough to DH. Brett Baty will start at first, while Tyrone Taylor will play center field. Carson Benge will move back to his natural right field position. David Peterson is on the mound tonight, and he has had a lot of success against the Nats in his career.
The Nats offense has cooled off considerably the past week or so. They will look to get back on track tonight. This team has been pretty resilient after heavy losses so far this season, so hopefully that can continue tonight. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
The Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo left Wednesday’s game with right hamstring tightness.
During the bottom of the fifth inning against the Yankees in Arlington, the ex-Mets outfielder went from second to third base on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Joc Pederson.
After the play, Nimmo was checked on by the Rangers’ trainer and manager Skip Schumaker and left the game after a brief conversation near the bag.
Nimmo appeared to grab at his right hamstring before walking off the field.
A replay showed Nimmo moving gingerly to third base.
Nimmo downplayed the injury in a postgame press conference, saying he and Schumaker were “being cautious” in pulling him from the contest.
“I fully expect to be available Friday,” he added.
Texas Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo (24) walks off the field with head athletic trainer Matt Lucero in the fifth inning on April 29, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. AP
A long-term loss of Nimmo would be a major blow for a Rangers team that has enjoyed his presence in the lineup through the first month of the season.
The Mets haven’t quite enjoyed their half of the trade.
Semien is hitting just .214 with one longball in 103 at-bats headed into Wednesday’s play.
Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the third inning against the Athletics at Globe Life Field. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Mets have been one of the worst teams in baseball to date, sitting at 10-19 in a tie with the Phillies for last in the NL East, but Nimmo claims there’s still time to turn it around.
“Listen, I don’t think anything surprises me anymore,” Nimmo said Monday before the Rangers’ series opener against the Yankees. “I was part of that team that started off [0-5 in 2024], and then from May 15 on was the best team in baseball. So I’ve been on both sides of it. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. Baseball, it takes a long time to have a good or bad season.
“So there’s still plenty of time for them to right the ship. And there’s still plenty of time for teams that are hot to go bad. So I wouldn’t say I’m surprised anymore. I’ve seen baseball go a lot of different ways. So now it’s just like, ‘Well, yep, that’s baseball.’ Baseball’s a crazy game.”
A.J. Minter continues to progress well on his road back to the Mets’ bullpen.
The left-hander looked strong throwing a bullpen session at Citi Field on Tuesday, and he came back in feeling good Wednesday morning, Carlos Mendoza said.
Minter is expected to rejoin Syracuse and make his next rehab appearance on Friday.
Mendoza said that the plan is for him to throw on Sunday as well, working twice in three days for the second time, and then the team will see how he’s feeling from there.
The 32-year-old hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since suffering a season-ending lat injury during a game against the Nationals last April.
He has enjoyed success as he continues building his workload, allowing just two runs (one earned) in six appearances over three levels of the minors.
Getting Minter back in the mix would be a huge boost to New York’s pen.
The southpaw had gotten off to a tremendous start to his time as a Met prior to the injury, pitching to a 1.64 ERA while striking out 14 batters across 13 appearances.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets steals the ball from LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons — 7:00 PM ET (Prime Video)
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers — 7:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers — 10:00 PM ET (ESPN)
That’s your full slate for today. Enjoy the basketball!
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 28: Ozzie Albies #1 and Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves high five during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves are looking to stack another series win on their record tonight before the calendar flips to May.
Ritchie vs. Skubal starts at 7:15 pm ET tonight on BravesVision.
A most unusual occurrence − the Los Angeles Dodgers losing a series at home to the Miami Marlins − ended in a most unusual fashion: An unassisted double play from the second baseman.
Xavier Edwards and the Marlins made it happen, though, as the Marlins pushed across an eighth-inning run and held on for a 3-2 victory that ended when Edwards bagged superstars Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman at first to end it.
The situation: Freeman chopped a ball toward first base that Edwards fielded in the basepath. Ohtani realized that if he'd continue running, Edwards would have an easy double play by tagging him out and tossing to first.
So Ohtani froze in the basepaths and then shuffled back toward first, trying and failing to twist away from Edwards' tag attempt. Meanwhile, Freeman was lumbering down the line.
Edwards' deft manuevering resulted in a tag of Ohtani and, not breaking stride, a tap of the first base bag with his right foot a step ahead of Freeman to end the game. He spiked his first baseman, Connor Norby, in the process, but the Marlins were otherwise safely out of town.
Kodai Senga revealed to reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the lumbar spine inflammation forcing him to the sidelines wasn’t a recent development.
The righty dealt with the issue at times during spring training and early in the regular season, but he was able to pitch through it so he didn’t come forward.
The injury became too much to manage and effected Senga’s performance, though, so he finally met with trainers following a third consecutive rough outing on Sunday.
“There were games I felt good and I was able to pitch well,” he said through an interpreter. “But these past couple of games the results show it was unfortunately something I was not able to manage -- I was determined I could get through it, but it got to a point I wasn’t able to.”
The numbers certainly showed that over his latest outings.
After beginning the year with a pair of decent showings against the Cardinals and Giants, Senga failed to compete three full innings of work in two of the next three.
Even in the game he did reach that mark, he was pulled in the fourth.
His ERA now sits at an ugly 9.00 with a 1.95 WHIP after allowing 16 runs (15 earned) on 17 hits and five homers while issuing eight free passes and striking out just seven batters over that span.
“It’s just not good enough,” Carlos Mendoza said following Sunday’s loss.
The 33-year-old doesn’t know exactly how this will effect him the rest of the season, but his main focus right now is just getting healthy and back out on the mound.
When exactly that will be still remains to be seen.
Senga won't throw for the next seven-to-10 days after being given an epidural on Tuesday, then he will sit down with the doctors and trainers to see where things go from there.
“The expectation is that the injection will calm down the nerve irritation,” he said. “The medicine kicks in at different points for different people, so I’m not exactly sure when it’s going to start hitting, but we’ll see how the body responds.”
Sep 12, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue was has been a very enjoyable vacation in Pittsburgh so far this week as they and the Pirates will tangle in game 3 Wednesday night. Andre Pallante gets the start for St. Louis while Pittsburgh will hope Bubba Chandler can turn them around. If weather allows it, first pitch scheduled for 5:40pm central time, but there is rain in the forecast.
