Mets Minor League Mailbag: How soon could we see Ryan Clifford in the big leagues?

The minor league season is in full swing.

Let's open up the mailbag to discuss some of the Mets' top prospects...

If Carson Benge is a good MLB center fielder, does it not make sense to give A.J. Ewing some shortstop reps? Lindor is 32 years old, even if he was healthy, he’d have 2-3 years max left at shortstop anyways. If Benge is above average in center field, it seems wasteful to put him in a corner. -- @will_nba_hater

This is a loaded question with a few factors to consider here. Benge projects as a long-term plus corner outfielder who can play center field, not a true center fielder. In the small sample size in the majors in 2026, Benge is negative-1 outs above average in center field, while being plus-1 in right field and plus-2 in left field.

Ewing has not played one inning of shortstop since he was at Springboro High School in Ohio in 2023. I have not heard from anyone in the organization that getting shortstop reps is on the radar.

On the Lindor front, he is still a very good defensive shortstop. Will the day come that he eventually needs to slide somewhere else? History suggests yes, but that time does not appear to be even close to imminent, and Ewing is getting closer to a major league opportunity. He needs to be mostly preparing at the spot he will be playing when he reaches the big leagues.

The Mets also firmly believe that Ewing has all the tools to be an elite defensive center fielder. There is still some work to do with routes and jumps, and he’s already made strides this year there. That is something they believe will come with reps.

The best defensive setup from a projection standpoint is Ewing in center, Benge in a corner outfield spot and Lindor at shortstop. That could be three plus defensive players, two of whom are at premium positions. That is a good spot to be in.

A few reps at shortstop now for Ewing would likely have little bearing on potentially playing it a few years from now. If he reaches his potential defensively in center field, there won’t be any desire to play him anywhere else.

How soon do you think we could see Ryan Clifford in the majors given some of the recent injuries the team has had, and more power needed in the lineup? -- Reb Deud

The short answer is it is unlikely to be imminent or very soon. But you aren’t here for the short answer.

On the season, Clifford is slashing .252/.327/.473 (.800 OPS) with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 37 games for Triple-A Syracuse.

The pros of Clifford fit exactly what Reb said. The power is real, with his exit velocities (max EV of 113.1 mph), barrel rate (14.3 percent), hard hit rate (57.1 percent) and even pull-side air percentage (17.7 percent) all line up with that of a prototypical left-handed slugger. It is easy to envision a 30-home run type of bat if he can make enough contact.

The question among evaluators is if he will be able to make enough contact to get there. Clifford made some strides in his approach from 2024 to 2025, decreasing his strikeout percentage from 29.6 percent to 25.6 percent. While that is still a little higher than they’d ideally like to see, it was progress, and it is accepted that swing-and-miss will be a part of Clifford’s game.

Through the first month-plus of the 2026 season, Clifford’s strikeout rate has spiked to 36.1 percent. That is accompanied by a whiff percentage of 34.3 percent and, importantly, an in-zone contact rate of just 74.3 percent.

Comparing Triple-A stats to major league stats are apples to oranges given the level of competition, but just to add some context, Clifford’s Triple-A strikeout rate would be the third-worst in the majors and his in-zone-contact rate would be the seventh-worst in the majors.

The Mets are hopeful that things are starting to turn for Clifford as the calendar flips to May. Thus far in nine games this month, he is slashing .333/.389/.606 (.995 OPS) with two home runs, including this 110 mph EV blast on Mother’s Day. His strikeout rate so far this month is 25 percent, which is in line with his number from 2025. Again, progress, but it needs to be displayed over a larger sample size.

The general player development philosophy is to not call up a prospect until there is confidence that they are being put in position to succeed and not be forced back down to Triple-A in a couple of weeks.

However, given the injuries and performance of the big-league offense, there comes a point where something different has to be done, even if it goes against the general organizational philosophy. It is a tough balance between the immediate short-term need and the long-term vision. Is it worth risking stunting a prospect’s growth to try to add a spark to a struggling major league team? I see both sides of that argument.

The Mets currently have the worst record in baseball, and it falls largely on the backs of the offense that is both injured and underperforming. The three most notable injured players (Lindor, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr.) don’t have a known return to play timeline.

If Clifford can continue to build off his hot start to the month of May and the Mets season doesn’t start turning for the positive, I can see the conversation heating up as the calendar flips to June.

May 11, 2026

The Carolina Hurricanes made history, but the Stanley Cup is a different story

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 09: Logan Stankoven #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with Taylor Hall #71 and Sean Walker #26 after scoring a goal on Dan Vladar #80 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 09, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes are either the best team in hockey, or the biggest frauds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — it all depends on who you ask. The Canes made history on Saturday night in Philadelphia with their eighth straight playoff win, and their second sweep in a row. It made them the first team in NHL history to sweep their first two series since the 1987 best-of-seven format began, the first team to start 8-0 in the playoffs since 1985, and only the fifth team in NHL history to start the playoffs 8-0.

Yet nobody can settle on whether this team is really a Stanley Cup favorite yet.

A lot of factors go into the acrimony when discussing Carolina. There’s long-standing bitterness over southern hockey being a thing, especially following back-to-back years of the Florida Panthers hoisting the cup. There’s the fact that the team plays hockey in a manner that runs counter to everything we know about success in the modern NHL. Also, there’s simply a reality that the Canes have had a pretty easy path through the postseason thus far, facing two teams that were bad strategic mismatches for them.

What that doesn’t mean, however, is that either the Ottawa Senators or Philadelphia Flyers are “bad teams.” Finishing with 99 and 98 points on the season, respectively, the Sens and Flyers were better than the entire Western Conference Pacific Division, better than the Utah Mammoth who the Golden Knights beat in the first round, and just one win worse than the Bruins, who the Sabres bested in the opening round. Yet, it’s become cool to hate on the Hurricanes’ opponents thus far as a means to discredit Carolina as being a legitimate team — foisting them with criticism no other team in the field is left with.

It’s absolutely fair to say that both Ottawa and Philadelphia were thrown into a mismatch blender. Both teams thrived during the regular season when playing on clean ice, with open passing lanes and room to set up plays. This is what the Hurricanes excel at stopping, running brutal forechecks with gutsy defensive rotations that flip the formation to send defensemen up ice to hassle opposing defenseman on the puck, allowing the forwards to stay home.

One of the hallmarks of Carolina hockey is to forget the model of play that wins in the NHL, and instead change the game into Hurricanes hockey. They thrive in limiting the effectiveness of star players, making the game be about depth rather than top-line strength, then take over when their third and fourth lines are stronger than their opponents. There’s no coincidence that hockey fans were wondering why Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle disappeared in the Sens series, or why Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny couldn’t make inroads in round two. This was the Canes’ doing, and it worked.

This past week Brady Tkachuk explained why it was near-impossible to deal with the Hurricanes’ defense in his series, and noticing that it was happening to the Flyers as well.

“Their D… they have the best sticks I’ve ever seen. It was crazy. Some of the plays you’d just be like ‘I can get this through,’ like Slav [Jaccob Slavin] has probably the best stick in the league. I had two Grade-A’s [scoring chances] and they hit his stick and up in the netting. I was like ‘how on earth is that not in the back of the net?’”

The length of the Carolina blueliners is causing massive problems for any team trying to play pretty, puck rotation hockey. Throughout the Flyers series we saw the Philly attack get decimated due to deflections from Slavin, K’Andre Miller, and Alexander Nikishin — with their pairings in Jalen Chatfield, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Sean Walker serving more as the more traditional net battlers. This layered defense has been impenetrable in the playoffs and has been offset with the Canes showing more fight and edge that they have previously.

So why is there so much doubt that this can carry over to the cup? There are three fair statements to make:

The Hurricanes haven’t faced an elite, 90+ point player yet in the playoffs
They’ve been so good defensively that it seems impossible to keep it up
Carolina’s best players really haven’t turned up yet

Forgive the pun, but you can see the storm brewing for Carolina that this incredible run could go south quickly (another pun, sorry). Getting the better of Stützle or Konecny is one thing, but when that caliber of player changes to Nathan McKinnon, Martin Nečas, Nick Suzuki, or Kirill Kaprizov — can this same approach still work? Is there a break point to this defensive dominance where Carolina can be overwhelmed by star players, and if that happens can the Canes recover?

That is the real worry right now, and it’s fair to question what is happening with the Carolina top line. The heroes of the playoffs thus far for the Canes has been the Hall/Stankoven/Blake line two, which has been phenomenal — but there has been pronounced quietness from Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Seth Jarvis on the top line, outside of a few glimmers of magic. We know that historically the NHL playoffs have been won through star power, even by teams like the Panthers who were bruising, but still leaned on Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand to drag them through.

If the Canes can’t get that top-line performance firing then there’s a chance they can’t assert their will on the game, which has a domino effect on the rest of the lines, thereby putting more pressure on the defense to bail the team out.

The biggest questions about the Hurricanes won’t get answered for some time, with Saturday being the earliest their next series can begin. Whether the Sabres or Canadiens come out of the Atlantic, either team will be the best opposition Carolina has faced, with more star power and deeper lines. If the Canes are able to keep up this dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals then we can really talk about their chances to beat the Avs or Wild in the West.

So are the Canes really cup favorites or pretenders? They’re both, and neither, and bizarrely somewhere in the middle. Carolina is a unique Rod Brind’Amour team that approaches hockey in a way no one else does, which means we can’t use the typical yardsticks to measure their potential. It’s all a big guessing game, but that’s what make these playoffs so much fun.

May 11, 2026

Bucks “open for business” with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The ball is beginning to roll on the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason, which could include moving on from Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are listening to offers on a potential Antetokounmpo trade over the next several weeks:

“The Milwaukee Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo entering the NBA draft combine and over six weeks away from the draft, league and team sources told ESPN. There is expected to be a robust market for Antetokounmpo, and ownership and front-office officials expect to maintain their trade deadline asking price of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks, sources said.“

This report doesn’t exactly tell us anything new about a possible Giannis trade, and Charania has said this type of thing many times before. But it could have other teams pandering between now and the NBA Draft, which is just over a month away on June 23–24. It would be wise for the Bucks to drum up as much interest as possible to create a bidding war between the teams that are interested in Antetokounmpo, which would allow the Bucks to get the best offer possible.

Teams like the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers (since they own Milwaukee’s first-round picks from 2028–30) make the most sense out of the gate, but other teams could emerge as possible destinations for him. The main thing Antetokounmpo wants is a chance to win another championship, so teams that are a player away could be other options for him. If squads like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets are willing to make a move, the Bucks should look to do business with them.

Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discussed what teams would and wouldn’t make sense in a trade offer, but also adds this important caveat:

“Heading into the February trade deadline, team sources maintained to the Journal Sentinel that any potential deal for the star would require ‘everything’ in terms of young players and future draft assets. If the Bucks maintain such a firm stance on a big return, it might be more indicative of the team’s willingness to continue to retool around its star.“

May 11, 2026

Thunder vs Lakers Props & NBA Playoffs Game 4 Best Bets

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Luka Doncic isn’t coming to the Los Angeles Lakers’ rescue. And at this rate, the Purple and Gold would need a lot more than their superstar to counter the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oklahoma City can sweep Los Angeles in Game 4 of this Western Conference semifinal tonight, laying double-digits in La-La Land tonight.

Our Thunder vs. Lakers props dig into this do-or-die game (at least for L.A.), breaking down my best NBA picks and prop predictions for May 11.

Best Thunder vs Lakers props for Game 4

Player	Pick
Luke Kennard	Over 1.5 threes	-125
Isaiah Hartenstein	Over 8.5 points	-105
Lu Dort	Over 1.5 threes	-130

Game 4 Prop #1: Luke Kennard Over 1.5 threes

-125 at bet365

Luke Kennard was one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ few highlights in Game 3. The reserve guard was much more aggressive offensively, jacking up 10 shots and finishing with 18 points in the loss. Twelve of those tallies came from beyond the 3-point arc.

Kennard finished 4-for-6 from distance on Saturday. He’d been MIA since Austin Reaves returned to the L.A. rotation but was big to open the playoffs.

He started Round 1 making 8 of 11 triples in the first two games then cooled for a 3-for-10 slump from outside before going 2-for-3 from 3-point land in Game 3. In Game 4, the Lakers scaled back a struggling Marcus Smart and Kennard’s usage jumped to 14.5%.

The way I see it, Los Angeles needs Kennard to take and make shots from outside — either in a competitive game or a blowout, that could see the bench get extra run. Game 4 projections agree, with Kennard pegged for two triples with a positive game script for this prop.

Game 4 Prop #2: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 8.5 points

-105 at bet365

On the long list of things L.A. can’t compete with is the Oklahoma City Thunder's size.

The Thunder’s twin 7-footers really stress the Lakers’ size restrictions. Center Isaiah Hartenstein is having an excellent series beating up on Los Angeles around the rim.

Hartenstein is getting his share of looks, especially with L.A. selling out to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That past two games, he’s a collective 11-for-13 from the floor for totals of 10 and 12 points with his usage almost doubling to 13.2% from 7.3% in Game 1.

His 31 minutes in Game 3 tied his season high in floor time and his seven shots matched his postseason pinnacle. His scoring prop for tonight remains modest, however, at 8.5 O/U.

Game 4 projections are very bullish on the Oklahoma City’s big man, with most north of 9.5 points and a ceiling of 11.0 from Hartenstein.

Game 4 Prop #3: Lu Dort Over 1.5 threes

-130 at bet365

Thunder small forward Lu Dort logged only 20 minutes in Game 3 due to foul trouble yet made both of his looks from long range.

Dort attempted 11 total triples in the two games prior, making just three of those 3-pointers. He has, however, connected for two more treys in five of OKC’s first seven playoff games and is shooting 37% from deep in the postseason.

With Los Angeles throwing the kitchen sink at SGA and Oklahoma City owning the inside, Dort is getting clean looks the perimeter versus the Lakers.

All 13 of his 3-point attempts are graded as “open” or “wide open,” with no defender within at least four feet — including 10 3PAs with no Lakers within six feet of Dort.

Dort, who strangely shoots significantly better beyond the arc on the road (39.4% vs. 30.8% at home), is projected for two makes from distance in Game 4 with models either leaning toward the Over or calling for 2+ triples.

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May 11, 2026

New Report Indicates That The Sedins Will Be Taking On A Bigger Role With The Canucks

It appears that Daniel and Henrik Sedin are set to receive promotions within the Vancouver Canucks front office. During an appearance on The Fan Hockey Show, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Hall of Famers will most likely be given bigger roles in the organization moving forward. The Sedins are currently part of the Player Development team, and are often at practice in either Abbotsford or Vancouver.

"It looks like the Sedins, I said this morning on the Pod that they've been asked, said Friedman. "It looks like that is going to happen. That they're going to take a bigger role. I can't say 100% certainty yet, but after we reported this morning, it sounds like they are preparing for that. I don't know how it is all going to work but I think what we are all trying to figure out here, who is going to be the head of the hockey operations. I think we are getting close to deciding. It looks like it is going to be either (Ryan) Johnson or (Evan) Gold. Also, will there be any other changes to their front office? I think we are going to get some clarity this week.

Friedman's report has been echoed by multiple insiders, including Irfaan Gaffar, who wrote on social media, "Elliotte is right. Daniel and Henrik Sedin were offered larger front office roles with the Vancouver Canucks and accepted over the weekend. The structure of what they are trying to do is starting to take shape."

Daniel and Henrik have been with the Canucks in an off-ice capacity since 2021. As mentioned, they often split their time between attending practices and games at both the AHL and NHL levels. Vancouver's front office will look very different in 2026-27, as Jim Rutherford has already announced his plans to shift to an advisory role after the 2026 NHL Draft.

Jun 20, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin are pictured with the King Clancy award during the 2018 NHL Awards at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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May 11, 2026

The Washington Nationals finally promote talented youngster Yeremy Cabrera to High-A

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 19: Yeremy Cabrera #23 of the Washington Nationals bats during the game between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

This was a long time coming, but the Nationals finally promoted outfielder Yeremy Cabrera to High-A after a red hot start to the season. The outfielder was repeating Low-A to start the season, and it was clear pretty early on that he was too good for the level. Cabrera posted a crazy 1.114 OPS in 30 games this season.

The Nationals are promoting outfielder Yeremy Cabrera to High-A Wilmington, per a source.

The 20-year-old was acquired in the MacKenzie Gore deal and had a staggering slash line in Single-A Fredericksburg. pic.twitter.com/00v1GqjvAV
— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) May 11, 2026

Cabrera was seen by most to be the fifth piece in the MacKenzie Gore trade. He was a glove first outfielder with intriguing offensive traits. However, he has had a power explosion to start the season. After hitting 8 homers in 102 games last year, Cabrera has 7 in just 30 this season. Cabrera pummeled Low-A pitching, and got a much deserved promotion.

Now that he is in Wilmington, the real test begins for Cabrera. The thing I will be watching is his strikeout rate. He has some swing and miss in his game, even this season. Cabrera struck out nearly 25% of the time this season, but I think part of that was due to selling out for power. Last season, he only struck out 19% of the time.

Trading off some contact for impact is something that has worked for Cabrera to start the season. However, now that he is facing better pitching, Cabrera will need to keep that strikeout rate under control. Wilmington can be a tough place to hit, but guys like Devin Fitz-Gerald, Ronny Cruz and Ethan Petry are showing it is not impossible.

Yeremy Cabrera has been one of the best power/speed guys in all of minor league baseball this year. There are just over 30 players with at least 15 steals in the minors, and few of them have the type of pop that Cabrera does. When he really gets a hold of one, his swing looks a little bit like Juan Soto’s.

Yeremy Cabrera is slashing .307/.441/.634 with a 178 wRC+ and 16 SB to open the season.

Of the 32 players who have stolen 15+ bags in the minors, his 1.075 OPS is the 2nd-highest mark. His 7th HR of the season was a no-doubt left on left tank. pic.twitter.com/s3ESeMF8X9
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) May 8, 2026

Obviously Cabrera is not Juan Soto. When Soto was at Cabrera’s age, he was winning World Series. I am excited to see how Cabrera fares in Wilmington. If he picks up where he left off with the Fred Nats, his prospect status could really take off. Cabrera has the speed and the glove, now he needs to show his bat is for real at a level that is more appropriate.

The Nats will actually have an interesting decision when it comes to Cabrera this offseason. Despite only being 20, Cabrera will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason. Cabrera was only signed for $10,000 dollars, so he moved slowly through the DSL and Rookie Ball. Now, he is a real prospect and it could create a dilemma for the Nats.

Cabrera is still pretty far from the big leagues, so he would be kind of like a wasted 40 man roster spot. However, it would be a big risk to not add him. Teams would love to pick up a talented player like Cabrera for free. I am not sure if they would be able to roster a guy that young and that raw for an entire season though.

If Cabrera stumbles a bit in High-A, it would probably be safe not to protect him. However, if he keeps hitting and is knocking on the door of Double-A, the Nats might have to protect him. This dilemma adds another layer of intrigue for Cabrera.

All of this context, as well as the fact Cabrera was dominating made it odd that he was not promoted. Now that promotion has finally happened. If Cabrera keeps hitting, he could start moving quite quickly. His secondary tools give him a high floor and his power potential gives him a high ceiling.

I mean the Nats HAVE to promote Yeremy Cabrera on the off day tomorrow right? They are just wasting this kids time keeping him in Low-A pic.twitter.com/xOjBJZLQLf
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) May 10, 2026

Cabrera got the promotion today, but he is not the only guy who the Nats should consider moving up. There have been a ton of prospects who are hitting the crap out of the ball right now. This gives Paul Toboni a fun problem. He has to decide which guys to promote and which to let marinate a little longer.

There was a post the other day which had promotion candidates at every level. Cabrera was their pick for Low-A, but the other three on the list are also deserving of promotions as well. Ethan Petry, Seaver King and Yohandy Morales have all been dominating at their respective levels.

One Nats prospect per level who is deserving of a promotion pic.twitter.com/kUSk8YAZOj
— MLST (@DCSportsCast) May 4, 2026

I think Petry and King are pretty obvious promotion candidates. Petry is a polished SEC bat who is dominating in High-A with a .905 OPS. Given the level of competition he faced in college and his production in the minors, it feels like Petry is prepared for Double-A. This move would also open up more playing time for Cabrera, as Petry has been playing mostly in the outfield this season.

Seaver King has been one of the biggest stories on the farm right now. The former 10th overall pick had a brutal first season as a pro. However, he has bounced back in a huge way. King has a .987 OPS in 29 games this year at Harrisburg.

It is worth noting that King left the game on Friday and did not play the next two games. Hopefully that injury is not too serious, and he can start playing again soon. Assuming the injury is not serious, he is an easy promotion candidate. Triple-A Rochester has mostly been playing Trey Lipscomb at shortstop lately, so there is an easy path to playing time here. King also looks ready for the level.

I am really enjoying the fact that the Nats have so many players who deserve a promotion right now. That has not been the case in previous years. This just speaks to the improved depth across the organization. There are also lesser known guys like Jack Moroknek and TJ White who have also made strong pushes to be promoted.

While Yeremy Cabrera was the guy who got moved up the ladder today, he is just one of many players on the farm performing. There are so many exciting players in this system that is just suddenly bursting with talent. I cannot remember a time when the Nats farm system was this fun.

May 11, 2026

Draymond Green eviscerated by celebs at Kevin Hart roast: ‘Time to retire’

“The Roast of Kevin Hart” on Sunday night somehow turned into the blasting of Draymond Green.

The Warriors star, whose NBA season came to an end just a couple weeks ago via a playoff loss to the Suns, attended Netflix’s special event at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, and while the evening was supposed to be all about hearing celebrities throw barbs at Kevin Hart, Green sure took a verbal beating.

Tom Brady led off the attack on the polarizing hooper just minutes into the start of the show, right after he got done grilling Hart.

Draymond Green took shots from several celebrities while appearing at “The Roast of Kevin Hart” on Sunday night.

“Draymond Green is here,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion roared to the crowd. “Yeah. Draymond’s here. For now. He’ll probably get thrown out in the next 10 minutes. You know we’re not roasting Steve Kerr, right?”

Green laughed at the quip, but a few minutes later, he found himself in the crosshairs of comedian Shane Gillis.

Tom Brady: “Draymond Green is here. Draymond’s here, for now. He’ll probably get thrown out in the next 10 minutes.” #KevinHartRoast pic.twitter.com/tFpafgakTU
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) May 11, 2026

“Draymond Green is here, give it up for Draymond,” Gillis, the event’s host, said. “Yeah. Sick. F–k him. Boo.

“With a name like Draymond Green, he only had a few options in life: Pro athlete, pimp in a documentary or wealthy cartoon duck.”

“Steph Curry couldn’t make it tonight, but he did carry Draymond Green all the way here.”

Jeff Ross came with the jokes for Draymond Green #KevinHartRoast pic.twitter.com/dkzPpEJSej
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) May 11, 2026

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also made fun of Green’s name, telling him, “Maybe it’s time to retire.” Pete Davidson also lit him up over the Warriors’ loss to Phoenix.

But perhaps the most painful dig came from Jeff Ross, who poked fun at the four-time All-Star’s relationship with Steph Curry.

Jeff Ross was one of many celebrities to make fun of Draymond Green at “The Roast of Kevin Hart.”

“Steph Curry couldn’t make it tonight, but he did carry Draymond Green all the way here,” Ross said. “Love you, buddy. I’m not going to make fun of you because you’re violent. You’ve been ejected more times than a Kevin Hart DVD.”

"I never have, and never will, smash Chelsea Handler. I'm Draymond Green. I don't hit threes." #KevinHartRoast pic.twitter.com/7ujebgnG7y
— Netflix (@netflix) May 11, 2026

Green, though, did get a chance to dish some jokes back, and one he hit Chelsea Handler with went viral on X.

“I never have, and never will, smash Chelsea Handler,” he said. “I’m Draymond Green. I don’t hit threes.”

It’s been an eventful month already for Green, who was criticized for some on-air sparring he did with Charles Barkley last week, and with the Warriors not slated to begin the 2026-27 campaign for a few more months, it seems the Green offseason headlines might only be just getting started.

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May 11, 2026

Possible Reasons Why Nashville Predators General Manager Search Is Taking So Long

It's been over three months since Barry Trotz announced his intent to retire, with Trotz staying on as the Nashville Predators general manager until a replacement is found.

In that time, rumors have been swirling about multiple names, with it seemingly coming down to three candidates: Tom Fitzgerald, Brett Peterson and Bill Scott, with Fitzgerald leading the way.

Fitzgerald is the New Jersey Devils' recently ousted general manager. Peterson is Florida's assistant general manager, and Scott is Edmonton's assistant general manager.

While those three names have come to light in the last few weeks, there's been no movement or signaling from the Predators front office that they are ready to make a hire.

Since Trotz announced his retirement, New Jersey and Toronto have both fired and hired general managers in less time.

Fitzgerald was fired on April 7 and the Devils hired Sunny Mehta nine days later. The Maple Leafs fired Brad Treliving on March 30 and hired John Chayka on May 3, a little over a month after the search began.

So what is causing this selection committee to take so long?

Candidate Is Still In Playoffs

May 9, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (22) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Philadelphia Flyers in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanely Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

While the three leading candidates we've heard of are no longer in the playoffs or did not qualify, a candidate the Predators could be eyeing may still be in the postseason.

Hurricanes assistant general manager Darren Yorke is a name that's popped up a few times that the Predators may be considering. He's served in that role for six years and has been the Chicago Wolves general manger for two seasons.

Nashville reportedly did an in-person visit with Yorke in early April, so there's interest. However, the Hurricanes show no sign of slowing down as they are 8-0 In the playoffs, they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

If the Predators are waiting for Carolina's season to end before hiring Yorke, they could be waiting as late as June 21, the final possible day of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Anaheim Ducks assistant general manager Martin Madden was reportedly interviewed by the Canucks. Buffalo Sabres assistant general manager Marc Bergevin was an early name mentioned for the Nashville job and is expected to be considered for a handful of other teams.

Both Anaheim and Buffalo are still alive in the playoffs, adding on that not just Nashville, but other teams could be waiting before announcing a hire.

Predators Sticking To "Draft Day" Deadline

In February, Predators owner Bill Haslam said the team had a deadline of Draft Day in June but wasn't fully set on it, implying they could announce then.

Nashville could be sticking to that timeline a little bit closer than expected. Possibly wanting the new general manager until a replacement is found. to focus specifically on the draft and have their first action be selecting the 10th overall pick.

Trotz is still executing general manager duties following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, signing KHL free agent Vitali Pinchuk to a 1-year, $1.025 million contract at the end of April.

Nashville also has four players and two prospects playing in the IIHF World Championship, not that it requires any general manager involvement, but it may be something that Trotz wants to oversee before stepping away.

The deadline will allow the Predators to bring in a new general manager for the draft in one swoop, but the question is how prepared this general manager will be until a replacement is found. will be for a draft with little time to prepare.

Waiting On Canucks

Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Fin the mascot and the Vancouver Canucks celebrate their victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

A new conversation is revolving around the Vancouver Canucks general manager search, which is still ongoing.

Patrik Allvin was fired on April 17 and is one of the more appealing jobs in the NHL, given the larger Canadian market. The Predators had requested to speak with Vancouver's assistant general manager, Ryan Johnson, but didn't get the opportunity.

It's rumored that if the Canucks pass on promoting Johnson, the Predators may try to swoop in and hire him instead.

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on May 8, Boston Bruins assistant general manager Evan Gold is a leading candidate and, if hired, would pass over Johnson, who is a very similar candidate but already in the organization.

Johnson has been with the Canucks since 2013, joining as a development coach. He was promoted to the Canucks' AHL affiliate general manager until a replacement is found. In 2017 and became Vancouver's assistant general manager in 2024.

He has a successful track record in the AHL, winning the Calder Cup last season with the Abbotsford Canucks.

This could be a red herring, but Predators fans should keep an eye on whatever happens in Vancouver, as it could signal some movement of things to happen in Nashville.

There Is Disagreement On A Hire

This is unlikely, but still a possibility that a new general manager will be appointed until a replacement is found. The front office wouldn't disclose this if it were true.

From the outside, the rumors that Fitzgerald is a leading candidate sparked a lot of displeasure among fans.

With him having been recently fired, struggling to prove himself during his tenure as general manager until a replacement is found. , and having a connection to the Predators, fans did not take it well.

It's possible that the committee has no collective agreement on whether to hire Fitzgerald or another candidate. Trotz said in his final press conference as general manager until a replacement is found. that he believes he never made a wrong decision, as it was well-thought-out among those in the front office.

That same mentality could be carried into this situation. Nick Saban also brings a different perspective to the table that many NHL teams do not have, one focused on leadership and success.

His addition to the conversation could make these talks a little longer, with a new take and a look toward who Nashville is interviewing.

The committee will likely need to wholeheartedly agree on a candidate before making an offer, but it's not too far-fetched to say that disagreement over a hire could be why this general manager is not until a replacement is found. The search has been so elongated.

May 11, 2026

When will Knicks begin Eastern Conference Finals?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 10: Miles McBride #2 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks celebrate after McBride's 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Knicks are earning a break for themselves after a Game 4 win against the Philadelphia 76ers that completed a sweep and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row.

The Knicks will face off against the winner of the other Eastern Conference series between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, which is only three games deep. The Pistons lead 2-1 with Game 4 coming on Monday in Cleveland.

Game 5 for the series is scheduled for Wednesday, while Game 6 would take place on Friday if the Cavs win at least one more game. If the series were to reach Game 7, that would mean the series would end on Sunday, May 17.

If the series goes that long, the Eastern Conference Finals would begin on Tuesday, May 19, either at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit if the Pistons come out on top or Madison Square Garden if the Cavs win the series.

If the series were to end in five or six games, there is potential for the series to begin early on Sunday. This means the Knicks will have at least a week to heal and rest up for the Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s rare to get this kind of break in the middle of the playoffs, but that’s what happens when you take care of business during the postseason.

Posting and Toasting Community, which team would you want the Knicks to face off against in the ECF? Let us know in the comments below.

May 11, 2026

Vegas is Disrepecting the Timberwolves at Their Own Peril

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The disrespect continues for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After the Timberwolves clawed back to even their Western Conference Semifinals series against the San Antonio Spurs at two games apiece, the latest NBA title odds dropped, and Minnesota somehow ended up with the longest odds of any remotely viable contender left standing. I’m excluding the Lakers who are currently hanging on by a thread against Oklahoma City with odds sitting at a hilarious +60,000 like somebody accidentally left an extra zero on the spreadsheet.

The Wolves are a team that already survived their matchup with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, has now been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals, and has repeatedly punched above its weight in the postseason over the past three years.

And Vegas looked at all that and basically shrugged. The Wolves currently sit at +8,000 to win the NBA title at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs, the exact team Minnesota is currently tied with 2-2, are sitting at +380.

Now, to be fair, nobody is arguing that the Wolves should be favorites. That would be ridiculous. The road in front of them is absolutely brutal. They already had to go through Denver and the best player on the planet in Nikola Jokic. Now they’re in a trench war against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. And even if they survive this? Oklahoma City is looming like the final boss.

The Thunder, deservedly, have become the betting darlings of the postseason. They’re sitting at -180, the only remaining team with negative odds, and Vegas is treating them like Thanos after he finally got the last Infinity Stone. OKC is deep, athletic, relentless, and terrifying. Nobody is disputing that.

But +8,000 for Minnesota? That feels absurdly aggressive, especially when you actually look at what this Wolves team has already accomplished and who they’ve accomplished it against. They just eliminated Denver. Again. They beat the Nuggets in the playoffs for the second time in three years. They’ve now won playoff series in three consecutive seasons. They’ve proven repeatedly that when they lock in defensively, they can drag elite teams into ugly rock fights and survive. They split their regular season series with Oklahoma City 2-2. They’ve split this Spurs series down the middle despite being held together by athletic tape, pain tolerance, and whatever mutant healing factor Anthony Edwards apparently stole from Wolverine.

Yet somehow they’re still being treated like a novelty act. It’s funny because we’ve seen this exact cycle before. Nobody believed they could beat Phoenix in 2024. Then the Wolves stomped them into dust. Nobody believed they could beat Denver after dropping three straight games in that same postseason. Then Minnesota marched into Ball Arena and pulled off the largest Game 7 comeback in NBA history. Nobody believed they could survive the injuries against Denver this year after losing Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Then they closed the Nuggets out anyway behind defense and one of the gutsiest team efforts this franchise has ever produced.

Every time, the Wolves have responded by making the doubters look ridiculous.

That’s part of what makes this current version of the Timberwolves so fascinating. They’re simultaneously battle-tested and doubted. Proven and dismissed. At some point, maybe people should stop acting surprised.

Now, again, let’s be realistic here. The Wolves are not some flawless juggernaut. Their offense can go into deep freezes. Their reliance on three-point shooting can make them look unstoppable one night and borderline unwatchable the next. Anthony Edwards is clearly compromised physically. The backcourt injuries have forced role players into critical minutes. Victor Wembanyama remains to be conquered and SGA is waiting in the wings after that.

There are legitimate reasons why Vegas is hesitant, but +8,000 still feels far from a fair assessment. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last few postseasons, it’s this: counting out the Wolves is a dangerous hobby. This team has embraced the underdog role. They seem to genuinely enjoy being doubted. The more people pick against them, the more they lean into the “nobody believes in us” identity they’ve built over these playoff runs. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels turning games into defensive hostage situations. Julius Randle bulldozing people downhill. Naz Reid detonating off the bench. Terrence Shannon Jr. becoming a quick step freight train. Mike Conley somehow continuing to outrun Father Time like he found Tom Brady’s avocado ice cream diet. And then there’s Ant, who even without functioning knees still walks around with the confidence of a guy who thinks every arena belongs to him.

All of this matters in playoff basketball. Belief matters. Chemistry matters. Defense absolutely matters.

And if Minnesota survives San Antonio? Suddenly those +8,000 odds start looking a whole lot sillier. Because once you get down to the final four, weird things happen. Injuries happen. Matchups matter. One hot shooting stretch can flip an entire series. One defensive masterpiece can rewrite everything.

So no, Minnesota probably shouldn’t be favored to win the title, but treating them like they’re 20 times less likely than the Spurs to pull it off? If you’re the gambling type and feeling a little reckless, Vegas may have just handed you the basketball equivalent of finding a wallet on the sidewalk.

Because if this Wolves team keeps defending like maniacs, keeps embracing the fight, and keeps making everyone look stupid for doubting them…

+8,000 might not stay on the board much longer.

May 11, 2026

Series Preview: Angels at Guardians

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians takes a photograph of Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians, Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox, and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Man, do the Guardians need to figure things out with the Angels coming to town.

The Angels are 16-25, 16th in MLB with a 99 wRC+, 28th in baserunning runs above average at -2.6, 27th in defense at -14.7, 17th in starting pitcher ERA at 4.05 (3.88 FIP), and 28th in bullpen ERA at 5.38 (4.98 FIP).

The Guardians are 21-21, 19th in MLB with a 96 wRC+, 16th in baserunning runs above average at 0.1, 16th in defense at -6.4, eighth in starting pitcher ERA at 3.91 (4.15 FIP), and 16th in bullpen ERA at 3.98 (3.98 FIP).

The Angels have a bad record and look, on paper, like a pretty bad team. Let’s see if the Guardians can take advantage of that… this time, unlike with the Twins.

Matchups:
Game One, Monday, 6:10PM: Opener of Brent Suter, LHP 4.05 ERA (4.23 FIP) followed by Alek Manoah, RHP (has thrown 1 inning so far this year) vs. Joey Cantillo, LHP 3.43 ERA (4.41 FIP).
Game Two, Tuesday, 6:10PM: Walbert Urena, RHP 3.22 ERA (3.88 FIP) vs. Slade Cecconi, RHP 6.15 ERA (5.53 FIP).
Game Three, Wednesday, 1:10PM: Reid Detmers, LHP 4.33 ERA (3.09 FIP) vs. Parker Messick, LHP 2.30 ERA (2.82 FIP).

The Angels’ starters Urena and Detemers are actually solid starters. The Guardians need to try to get them out of the game as soon as possible and capitalize on a weak Angels’ pen. It would really help if they can get Manoah out of the game in 2-3 innings tonight and try to tire out the Angels’ relievers for the remainder of the series.

The Angels are led on offense by Mike Trout 158 wRC+, Oswald Peraza 127 wRC+, Vaughn Grissom 119 wRC+, Jorge Soler 115 wRC+, Adam Frazier 105 wRC+ and Zach Neto 104 wRC+. STEPHEN VOGT – DON’T LET MIKE TROUT BE THE ONE WHO BEATS YOU IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. GO AFTER EVERY OTHER HITTER IN THIS LINEUP BUT TROUT.

The Guardians are led by Chase DeLauter 152 wRC+, David Fry 133 wRC+, Daniel Schneemann 132 wRC+, Austin Hedges 120 wRC+, Brayan Rocchio 115 wRC+, Jose Ramirez 110 wRC+, Travis Bazzana 106 wRC+ and Rhys Hoskins 101 wRC+. Let’s see if we can get Kyle Manzardo to crack 75 wRC+ by the end of this series, huh?

May 11, 2026

Victor Wembanyama will not be suspended or fined following flagrant foul ejection Sunday

The NBA has completed a review of Victor Wembanyama's flagrant 2 penalty for an elbow to the neck of Naz Reid and subsequent ejection, and has decided not to proceed with further discipline — no suspension or fine is coming, something first reported by Shams Charania at ESPN and confirmed by NBC Sports.

Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter of Game 2 after he battled with Reid for a rebound and, after securing the ball, threw an elbow that hit Reid in the neck.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stuck up for his star after the game, including saying of a suspension, "There was zero intent … I think it would be ridiculous." He then went on to say that teams are intentionally very physical with Wembanyama to throw him off his game, and that the Frenchman is allowed to defend himself.

"At some point, he's going to have to protect himself. We've been asking (the officials) to do that now for a while... the lack of protection is really disappointing. At some level, it's starting to get actually disgusting."

Despite the feelings in Minnesota, a suspension was never likely — postseason suspensions are based on a points system counting flagrant fouls, and Wemby isn't close to that mark. This Flagrant 2 gives Wemby two points, but it takes four (another Flagrant 2 or two Fragrant 1 fouls) for him to get there. This is similar to why Nikola Jokic did not come close to a suspension after an altercation and ejection in the first round. (For clarification, flagrant foul points and technical foul points are counted separately, but both can lead to a suspension.) Also, Wembanyama does not have the lengthy history of incidents like this compared to someone such as Draymond Green (despite what Green thinks).

However, no fine for Wembanyama was more of a surprise to many around the league, but was there a reasonable fine the league could have levied that would have been a deterrent in the future? The prospect of a possible future suspension is the real deterrent.

Behind a strong finish from Anthony Edwards and some key late plays from Ayo Dosunmu, the Timberwolves came back on the Spurs to win Game 4, 114-109, to even the series 2-2.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in San Antonio at 8 ET, you can watch it on NBC or stream it on Peacock.

May 11, 2026

Yankees vs. Orioles prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for May 11

The Yankees (26-15) and the Orioles (18-23) open a three-game series at Camden Yards beginning tonight.

New York enters after being swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee over the weekend. Despite the three straight losses and falling a game behind Tampa in the AL East, the Yankees remain the team to beat in the American League. Powered by Aaron Judge (MLB-best 16 HRs) and Cody Bellinger (.444 average in May), New York carries an AL-best run differential of +73 into the game tonight.

The Orioles, meanwhile, have the worst run differential in the American League (-41). They have lost three of their last four. They sit nine games behind Tampa in the AL East. Gunnar Henderson is hitting .211 and Pete Alonso just .214. Those numbers are at the foundation of their issues.

On the mound, the Yankees hand the ball tonight to Ryan Weathers, a left-hander who has quietly become a reliable rotation piece for New York. He brings a 3.03 ERA and strong strikeout numbers (45 in 38.2 innings) into the matchup. The southpaw has already handled Baltimore earlier this month in the Bronx. The Orioles counter with Brandon Young (3-1, 4.35 ERA), a right-hander who has shown flashes of potential, but who has been consistently inconsistent through four starts on the season.

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Orioles

Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 6:35PM EST
Site: Camden Yards
City: Baltimore, MD
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, MASN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Orioles

The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:

Moneyline: New York Yankees (-156), Baltimore Orioles (+129)
Spread: Yankees -1.5 (+104), Orioles +1.5 (-126)
Total: 9.0 runs

Probable Starting Pitchers: Yankees vs. Orioles

Pitching matchup for May 11:

Yankees: Ryan Weathers
Season Totals: 38.2 IP, 2-2, 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 45K, 10 BB
Orioles: Brandon Young
Season Totals: 20.2 IP, 3-1, 4.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 14K, 8 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Yankees vs. Orioles

Pete Alonso was 1-12 (1 HR) against the A’s this past weekend
Leody Tavares is 6-27 (.222) in May
Cody Bellinger has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games (18-44)
Ben Rice is hitless in his last 13 ABs
Jose Caballero was 3-9 over the weekend against the Brewers

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees vs. Orioles

The Yankees are 12-9 on the road this season
The O’s are 10-11 at home this season
The Yankees are 23-18 on the Run Line this season
The Orioles are 18-23 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 26 times in Orioles’ games this season (26-15)
The OVER has cashed 18 times for the Yankees this season (18-21-2)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Orioles

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Orioles:

Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Run Line
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees’ Team Total OVER 4.5 runs

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May 11, 2026

What to do with Trevor Story? Weighing the options with struggling shortstop

What to do with Trevor Story? Weighing the options with struggling shortstop originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s May, and the Boston Red Sox have a Trevor Story problem. Sound familiar?

Story’s early-season struggles were a hot topic last year, when he hit just .138 (20-for-145) with 49 strikeouts over a 38-game span from April 22 to June 6. The brutal slump sparked debate over whether Boston should designate Story for assignment despite owing him more than $50 million.

But the Red Sox stayed patient with the veteran, and he rewarded them by becoming one of the league’s most productive shortstops from June 7 onward. Story posted an .827 OPS over the final four months of the season and finished with a team-high 25 homers and 96 RBI.

It’s been déjà vu through Story’s first 38 games of 2026. The 33-year-old is hitting .200 (31-for-155) with 55 strikeouts and a .520 OPS. He can’t hang his hat on his defense either, as he has the third-most errors among MLB shortstops (five) with -1 Outs Above Average.

Again, the Red Sox face a difficult decision about Story’s future with the club, but he believes he can turn it around as he did in 2025.

“I mean, I think if you know exactly what it was, you could kind of fix it right away,” Story said of his struggles, per The Boston Globe. “But that’s not baseball. And there’s a lot that goes into it, physically, mentally, and effort-wise. I know that was a big one for me last year, and I think it’s just a matter of time before I get it right.”

“It’s tough to go through in the moment, but I have confidence that I can do it because I’ve done it before,” he added. “Takes one game, takes one pitch. And I’m always optimistic about it. I’m not gonna sit here and pout about it. I’m not gonna sit here and feel sorry for myself.”

So, should Boston stay the course and bet on another Story bounce-back, or is it time to make a major move? Below, we’ll weigh all the options with Story and share our take on how the Red Sox should proceed:

Option 1: Designate for assignment

Just like last year, many have grown impatient with Story and are clamoring for him to be DFA’d. While it might seem like the easiest solution, it’s hard to imagine the organization eating the $50 million remaining on his contract, especially given how he snapped out of his 2025 funk.

If Story is DFA’d, and he goes on to post an .800-plus OPS the rest of the season with another club, it will give fans yet another reason to lambast the Red Sox front office. He may give Craig Breslow & Co. no choice if this slump extends well into the summer, but now is too soon to pull the trigger. Story has earned additional time to figure it out.

Option 2: Trade in a salary dump

With a hefty contract and poor early-season numbers, Story’s trade value is at its absolute lowest. If the Red Sox look to trade him, it would likely be in an attempt to dump a good chunk of the $50M remaining on his deal, meaning they won’t get much of anything in return.

Perhaps there’s a club desperate for infield help that’s willing to take a chance on a struggling, high-upside veteran. Still, Story’s price tag makes such a move unlikely.

Option 3: Bench

Benching Story would be understandable, as he’s been a liability at the plate and hasn’t provided much value defensively. Perhaps that’s the kind of reset he needs, and he could look to regain form while Andruw Monasterio takes over as the starting shortstop.

That said, it seems doubtful that the club will sit its veteran leader, especially since he’s far from the only Sox player with awful offensive numbers.

Option 4: Move to second base and/or drop in the lineup

Story’s status as a veteran leader on an expensive contract is the only reason he remains a middle-of-the-lineup, everyday shortstop. Ex-Red Sox manager Alex Cora moved him down in the order earlier in the season, but Chad Tracy has put him in the fourth or fifth spot since taking over as interim skipper.

While the offense as a whole has been a massive disappointment, continuing to plug Story into the middle of the lineup is not a winning strategy. Moving him back down in the order while potentially switching him to second base, where there would be less pressure on him defensively, could help him get back on track.

Option 5: Stand pat and hope for the best

Story and the Red Sox seem convinced that another bounce-back is right around the corner. We wouldn’t be surprised if Option 5 is the organization’s pick, but if so, they’re playing with fire.

As of Monday, Boston owns the third-worst record in the American League at 17-23. The good news? The club is remarkably only 2.0 games back of a Wild Card spot, but it has to start stringing some wins together to stay in the mix. Sticking with this version of Story without making adjustments only hurts the Red Sox’ chances of doing just that.

Our pick: Option 4

DFA’ing Story would be a drastic move at this stage, though it’s fair to revisit the conversation if his struggles extend into mid-summer.

Heading into the upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Red Sox should move Story down in the lineup and consider a position switch. The latter seems less likely, as the organization has shied away from playing Marcelo Mayer at shortstop, but it has to be considered. If Mayer isn’t moved to short, Monasterio could take that spot while Story and Mayer platoon at second.

If those adjustments still don’t solve the issue, Option 3 comes into play. Options 1 and 2 will be on the table if Story can’t turn things around in June.

May 11, 2026

Victor Wembanyama will not face any further discipline for flagrant foul, available for Game 5

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As expected, the NBA will not be taking any further action against Victor Wembanyama after he was ejected from Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves for elbowing Naz Reid in the throat area, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

There will be no further discipline for Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after he was ejected for elbowing Naz Reid in Minnesota on Sunday night, sources tell ESPN. No suspension, no fine. Wembanyama will play in Game 5 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night in San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/GOGCbIcbQP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 11, 2026

The incident occurred with 8:39 left in the second quarter, after Wemby had grabbed an offensive rebound, and Reid and Jaden McDaniels were swiping and draped all over him. Wemby then swung his elbow and hit Reid in the throat, and after video review, head referee Zach Zarba determined that the three key points of intent, wind-up and follow-through were met to meet the criteria of a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in him being ejected from the game for the first time in his NBA career.

While making it clear that he did not justify the play itself, head coach Mitch Johnson had Wemby’s back after the game, stating his frustration with the officiating and how the amount of contact and physicality players are allowed to get away with on him led up to this point, perhaps at the risk of his own fine.

“Just the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself. Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on you. He’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely. We don’t complain because we’re just going to play. We don’t really give a s—. But at some stage, he should be protected. If not, he’s going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately, stuff like that happens.
“It’s starting to get disgusting in terms of when he tries to fight through things, be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff. I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, but he’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not. And I think it’s disgusting.”

Wemby reportedly had words of encouragement for his teammates at halftime, and to the Spurs’ credit, they didn’t fold or give up on the game without their star center (despite Carmelo Anthony’s idiotic suggestion that they should during NBC’s halftime show — perhaps that mindset is an insight into why he never even made the finals himself). Instead, they weathered the initial storm and rode their star guards to a 9-point second-half lead before what felt like an inevitable Anthony Edwards fourth-quarter storm, and they didn’t have quite enough time recover, resulting in a 109-114 loss with the series tied at 2-2.

The good news is Wemby will be available for Game 5 after avoiding suspension. That shouldn’t be a surprise considering it was a pretty standard flagrant 2 (or at least as standard as a flagrant 2 can be) without anything extra, plus we already saw Nikola Jokic attempt to throw a punch against this same team in the last round with no suspension, as well as several far more egregious fouls that didn’t lead to suspension, although Wemby will have to pay the mandatory fine of $2,000 that comes with a flagrant 2. His case is likely also helped by the fact that has no prior history of such acts (unlike Draymond Green or Isaiah Stewart, whom we’ve seen receive “repeat offender” suspensions in the past).

Speaking of Green, one thing that likely won’t impact Wemby but he will have to keep in mind is the NBA’s technical counter, which can lead to a player being suspended after accumulating 7 points in the playoffs, with 2 points for Flagrant 2’s and one point for Flagrant 1’s or technical fouls. While it is extremely unlikely he will reach 7 points, hopefully this is still something he learns and grows from.

The series will resume on Tuesday in San Antonio. Thanks to the Knicks sweeping the 76ers, there is no double-header to contend with, so tip-off will be at the preferred time of 7:00 PM CT (instead 8:30) on NBC and Peacock. (Game 6 may be another story, depending on if Cleveland vs. Detroit reaches a Game 6, but at least that’s on Friday.)