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Yankees’ Will Warren continues to dominate after 10-strikeout performance in win vs. Rangers

A huge development in the 2025 Yankees season so far has been Will Warren.

The young right-hander broke camp with the team largely due to injuries to the likes of Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil. But a couple of months in, and Warren is starting to cement himself as a part of the rotation moving forward, and Tuesday night was the latest example.

Warren pitched 5.2 scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, striking out a career-high 10 batters to help the Yankees win 5-2. 

The Yankees have seen this sort of performance from Warren this season a few times, but the most encouraging part is how consistent he’s been. 

Warren’s last start saw him strike out nine batters against the Mariners, and in the start before that, he struck out seven against the Athletics across a career-high 7.1 innings pitched. 

“Just the next wave of execution,” manager Aaron Boone said of the difference in Warren of late. “Gaining a bit more confidence and knowing his stuff plays. He has different ways to get you out…. He’s putting it together more now. We’ve been seeing this to start the year and parts of last year.”

“[The confidence level] is feeling good,” Warren said of his start. “Just trying to keep it rolling.”

The Yankees skipper said there’s still room for improvement in Warren’s game, even after this dominant stretch. Specifically, he believes Warren can finish off batters better, especially when he’s ahead in the count.

But Boone is happy with how Warren has responded this season. It wasn’t too long ago that Warren had an ERA nearing 6.00 -- after pitching to a 10.32 ERA across six games (five starts) a season ago. But three consecutive dominant starts have lowered his ERA to 4.05, and he's picked up two wins along the way.

When asked if he sees more double-digit strikeout games in Warren's future, the longtime Yankees manager wouldn’t make guarantees, but Tuesday’s performance didn’t take him off guard either.

“I don’t think we’re surprised. His stuff really plays,” he said. “It’s just about that next wave of execution that we’re seeing more and more of…He has the arsenal to do it. Biggest thing is getting outs.”

Warren was asked if there’s a difference between him now and earlier in the season, and the 25-year-old gave a response as confident as the way he pitched on the mound.

"I think I was close this whole time,” he said. “It's just like I talk about, the execution, just sticking with our plan and trusting that I'm here for a reason.”

After Tuesday’s win, Warren now has 60 strikeouts this season, 17 more than any other MLB rookie pitcher. Over his last four starts, Warren has struck out 34 batters across 22.2 innings.

Ben Rice and Aaron Judge, the sluggers whose homers powered the Yankees' win on Tuesday, echoed their manager’s sentiments and knew this was in Warren all along.

"I feel like today and his last few starts, he's just seemed a lot more confident out there, stayed aggressive, and he's just not giving in out there,” Rice said. “It's been fun to watch."

“In spring training, seeing him [I thought], this is going to be something special here when he finally gets the call-up,” Judge said. “And it’s been fun to watch him grow and develop the last couple of seasons, especially this season. Seen him making huge strides over the last couple of starts. He’s going to be a big piece for us down the road, and he’s a big piece for us right now.”

Indeed, Warren has been just that for the Yankees. With Gil still on the IL, and without a fifth starter for the time being, Warren will continue to be asked to help the team win every time he's on the mound. And if the last few weeks are any indication, Warren has the ability to do it.

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Thunder’s defense, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overwhelm Timberwolves in second half to take Game 1 114-88

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder

May 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during game one of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

This felt like so many of Oklahoma City's games during the regular season. In particular, the 68 wins.

The Thunder's elite pressure defense forced 19 turnovers and turned them into 31 points. Oklahoma City's defense took away the paint, giving up just 20 points on 43.5% shooting in the key. The Timberwolves tried to shoot over the top of it and that got them an early lead when they shot 8-of-19 to start the game, but the math caught up with them and Minnesota shot 7-of-32 (21.9%) the rest of the way.

Then came the run. Sparked by that defense, the Thunder took the lead with a 10-0 run using their small-ball lineup in the third quarter. That was stretched out to 17-2 with Kenrich Williams hitting some big shots off the bench. By the start of the fourth, Oklahoma City was up by 10, 76-66, and they pulled away late.

Then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after a rough 2-of-13 first half, found his groove, shot 8-of-14 in the second half, drew fouls, and finished with a game-high 31 points.

The result was a comfortable 114-88 win at home, which has Oklahoma City up 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals. Game 2 is Thursday night in the same building.

This defense is why Oklahoma City is the title favorite, holding Anthony Edwards to zero points in the fourth quarter and the Timberwolves team to a 92.6 offensive rating for the game. It's not just that the Thunder have elite defenders like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, it's their teamwork — they can have two or three players swarming the ball trying to force a turnover, yet still seem not to leave anyone else open. By the end, the swarming defense had the Timberwolves hesitant and second-guessing before making a pass. That defense led to offense.

Also in the second half, the Thunder started to get inside the Timberwolves' stout defense, which led to dunks and open 3-pointers.

It was a rough night for Edwards, who picked up a foolish early technical for tossing the ball at Gilgeous-Alexander.

Later in the first quarter, Edwards went back to the locker room after turning his ankle on a landing. Fortunately, he returned to the floor midway through the second quarter and looked like nothing had happened.

Julius Randle was Minnesota's offense in the first half scoring 20 points and shooting 5-of-6 from 3. Minnesota was an impressive 7-of-17 on above-the-break 3-pointers in the first half, but that dried up after the break. The Timberwolves' defense focused more on Randle, who scored eight points in the second half.

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren came on in the second half for the Thunder, finishing with 19 and 15 points respectively.

Edwards finished with 18 for Minnesota as only he and Randle scored in double figures.

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Panthers cruise to victory over Carolina in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Final

The Florida Panthers took care of business in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Traveling directly to Raleigh from Toronto after their Game 7 win on Sunday, Florida looked plenty fresh as they skated to an impressive 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center.

Florida’s power play cashed in on their first chance of the series to get the Panthers off and running.

Sasha Barkov found Carter Verhaeghe between the circles, and Verhaeghe took the puck on his backhand and roofed it past Frederik Anderson to give Florida a 1-0 lead near the midway point of the first period.

About four minutes later, Evan Rodrigues jumped on a loose puck after it was lost by Jordan Staal and found a wide-open Aaron Ekblad in the left circle.

Ekblad sent a wrist shot past a screened Anderson to put the Cats up 2-0 with 7:31 on the clock.

Sebastian Aho got the Hurricanes on the board with just 15 seconds left in the period, deflecting a Seth Jarvis shot with his skate past Sergei Bobrovsky after the Panthers failed to get the puck deep into Carolina’s zone a few moments prior.

It only took a few minutes into the second period for Florida to regain their two-goal lead.

A play started by Niko Mikkola in his own zone led to Mikkola carrying the puck over Carolina’s blue line on an odd-man rush.

The massive defenseman slid the puck to A.J. Greer and his one-timer beat Anderson to put the Cats up 3-1.

Despite going over 15 minutes of game time without a shot after Greer’s goal, Florida would make their next one count.

While on the power play after a delay of game penalty by Scott Morrow, Sam Bennett fired a shot that found its way through a screen and past Anderson, extending Florida’s lead to 4-1 with 13:52 to go.

Late in the period, right off a faceoff in Carolina’s zone, Tomas Nosek went behind the net and backhanded a perfect pass to the red-hot Eetu Luostarinen.

Eetu’s one-time beat Anderson and gave the Panthers a 5-1 lead with 5:05 to go.

Jackson Blake added a late power play goal after a roughing call on Jonah Gadjovich, but by then it was too little too late.

Credit must go to Bobrovsky, who kept his cool between the pipes despite a rough night in terms of Hurricanes players trying to get in his kitchen.

Between an Andrei Svechnikov hit to Bobrovsky’s head or Shayne Gostisbehere shooting the puck directly at, and hitting, Brad Marchand, there will be plenty for the Panthers to ponder ahead of Thursday night.

On to Game 2.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Verhaeghe’s goal was his fifth of the playoffs, but it was his first point in four games.

Three of Verhaeghe’s five goals have come on the power play.

Barkov has logged three assists over his past two outings.

Ekblad is up to three goals and seven points in nine playoff games.

Bennett’s goal was his seventh of the playoffs.

Rodrigues has five assists over his past four games.

Greer has two goals and an assist over his past four outings.

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates scoring against the Carolina Hurricanes during the during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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Mets’ offensive struggles continue with shutout loss to Red Sox: ‘We’re going through it, no doubt’

Things were shaping up perfectly for the Mets on Tuesday night. 

With a struggling offense, New York got into an overworked Boston bullpen early after Walker Buehler was ejected with just one out in the top of the third for arguing a missed strike call to Juan Soto. 

However, not much changed, and the Mets were unable to get anything going.

New York’s at-bats were mainly lifeless and they didn’t make much hard contact -- managing just two walks and four hits while going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and grounding out 13 times in their third shutout loss of the season. 

This is the first time the Mets have dropped three consecutive games on the year -- and the biggest factor in that easily has been their sluggish offense.

“We’re going through it right now, no doubt about it,” Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re having a hard time putting guys on consistently and when we do get those guys on, we’re having a hard time getting them in — offensively, we’re going through it right now.”

New York has scored just 10 runs over their last seven games -- they’ve gone 5-for-44 with runners in scoring position over that span, leaving a total of 43 men on-base, and they haven’t hit a homer since Brett Baty’s solo shot last Tuesday against the Pirates. 

Juan Soto has five hits during that stretch, Pete Alonso has four, Francisco Lindor two. 

Those three haven’t done much setting the table at the top, but it’s not just them -- Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez have cooled off after a hot stretch and Brandon Nimmo is all the way down to a .719 OPS on the year. 

Mendoza said he’s always looking for ways to shake things up -- but for now, they just have to keep battling. 

"Some things just aren't bouncing our way," Nimmo said. "I've never encountered a year where we haven't gone through something like this. Even the 100-win season we encountered it in September -- it's just part of the game, unfortunately."

"It happens," Mendoza added. "We just have to continue to fight, we have to continue to work, we have to stay positive. We just have to turn the page. It might not sound right, but that’s what we have to do. We have to keep fighting and we have to keep our heads up because we have another tough one tomorrow.”

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How Ottawa Charge defeated Minnesota Frost in Game 1 of PWHL Finals: Takeaways

How Ottawa Charge defeated Minnesota Frost in Game 1 of PWHL Finals: TakeawaysOTTAWA — In many ways, it’s fitting that the only local player on the Ottawa Charge would score the first PWHL Finals goal in the city.

After a tight first period, it was Rebecca Leslie who opened the scoring 11:34 into the second period of Game 1. Leslie, who signed with the Charge as a free agent this season, only scored one goal in the regular season for her hometown team, but now has back-to-back opening goals in the postseason.

“The crowd finds it fun when the hometown girl scores,” said Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod. “You’re just thrilled when she’s rewarded and she’s worked hard, she just goes about her business so professionally.

“I think this community is incredibly proud of her. And they should be she’s a heck of a person No. 1 and a phenomenal player.”

In the end, after Minnesota scored in the third period to force overtime, it was Emily Clark who scored the winner in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Minnesota Frost. Gwyneth Philips made 25 saves on 26 shots to seal her third straight win of the playoffs.

“Tonight was a hard fought game,” Clark said. “To start the series off with a win, especially at home in front of our fans is really special.”

For Ottawa, the series opener was yet another one-goal game. The Charge have now won 13 one-goal games, the most in the PWHL. For the Frost, it was a major change from the high-scoring semifinals against Toronto, where Minnesota scored 18 goals in four games.

The Charge now have a 1-0 series lead.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

The scoreless opening frame

There were no goals in the first period, and there wasn’t much room in the middle of the ice for either team to generate much offense. Minnesota got the first shot of the game, and didn’t register another until around the five-minute mark of the period. Ottawa didn’t test Nicole Hensley for the first seven minutes of the game.

The Frost made it tough for Ottawa to get out of the offensive zone, and any time Ottawa tried to set up, Minnesota skaters were jumping on pucks, forcing turnovers and taking away the high-danger areas of the ice, getting sticks and bodies into shooting lanes.

Midway through the period, though, the ice started to tilt in the other direction. The Charge killed off a Stephanie Markowski penalty and held the Frost to just one shot on goal on the advantage. On their own power play a few minutes later, Ottawa put four shots on goal – compared to just three in the first 13 minutes. They didn’t score, but Ottawa generated momentum on the power play that continued to the end of the period, finishing with nine shots, including a great chance by Gabbie Hughes in the dying seconds of the frame.

Minnesota, meanwhile, didn’t get another shot on goal after Michela Cava’s power-play shot at 8:32.

Leslie breaks through

Not only did Leslie open the scoring in the Finals in her hometown, she also went bardown while facing down Lee Stecklein, one of the best defenders in the world with a long reach and an active stick.

On the goal — which came on the heels of a successful penalty kill by the Charge – Stecklein had her stick extended right in Leslie’s lane. But she got the shot off quickly before Stecklein could get her stick on the puck and disrupt the rush chance.

“Stecklein’s stick is so long and it makes it extremely difficult to play her,” said Clark. “But Rebecca’s goal was incredible. To be able to get that shot off, let alone the placement of it…It was a huge boost for us.”

Philips’ miscue

No goalie has been better in the playoffs than Philips, who entered the finals with a .956 save percentage and 1.14 goals-against-average. So it was a bit surprising to see her leave the crease and play a puck right to Minnesota forward — and Philips’ former Northeastern teammate — Katy Knoll.

Knoll quickly sent the puck to Klára Hymlárová, who easily put the puck into the open net. It was the third goal scored by Minnesota’s fourth line in the playoffs, once again proving the team has a mix of legitimate star power and depth that can contribute in the biggest moments. The goal ended Philips’ shutout bid 5:24 into the third period and tied the game 1-1.

It was an uncharacteristic mistake by Philips, but one that she bounced back from well, stopping the next nine shots she faced to get the Charge to overtime.

“Those little missteps are going to happen. That’s the reality of sport,” said MacLeod. “She just doesn’t let it phase her, and we know that about her too. We knew she was going to continue doing what she’s been doing for us all season, and she certainly did that.”

Not to be ignored completely: Hymlárová’s goal was the third scored by Minnesota’s fourth line in the playoffs, once again proving the team has a mix of legitimate starpower and depth that can contribute in the biggest moments.

“They simplify the game, they get pucks in deep and they go to work,” Minnesota head coach Ken Klee said about the trio of Knoll, Hymlárová and Liz Schepers. “They know what their job is. They all read off each other well and then have good sticks. It’s been great for us to have them, just to help with our scoring because we need everybody.”

The game-winner

Less than three minutes into overtime, Clark led the rush out of the zone and fired a tough angle shot on Hensley that found its way in the back of the net.

“I just saw an opportunity to skate it and tried to get it on net,” she said after the game. “Luckily it went in.”

It was Clark’s second straight game-winning goal of the playoffs, after scoring the winner in Game 4 to advance to the Finals. She now leads the Charge in scoring with two goals and four points through five games.

Home ice advantage

Ottawa is now 3-0 in home games in the playoffs thus far, and the home ice advantage is real.

There were 6,184 fans packed into TD Place Arena and they didn’t hold back, from the moment players walked in the building – yes, fans lined up outside just to greet them – to the final buzzer.

It went beyond your typical signs and jerseys throughout the stands. Fans brought kazoos and trumpets, and they prepared cheers to go along with their instruments.

“They’re loud, they’re passionate,” said PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford. “Watching on TV, you can feel (the) energy that they have. … It’s an amazing building to be in.”

“Being from Ottawa, just to see how this fan base has gone behind our team, it’s something truly special,” said Leslie. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many fans in this building or it ever being this loud.

“It is really an honor for us to continue playing here for this crowd, and we definitely use the crowd for momentum.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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Sergei Bobrovsky takes controversial hit to head from Carolina's Andrei Svechnikov

It’s best not to poke the bear.

A controversial play during the second period of Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Final Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes will likely be a hot topic ahead of Game 2.

With the Panthers leading 3-1 during the second period, Andrei Svechnikov took a shot from the left circle that was stopped and covered by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Svhechnikov crashed the net, which is perfectly fine, but it’s what he did after that had Panthers players quite upset.

Replay shows Svechnikov appear to look at Bobrovsky and skate through the crease, hitting Bob directly in the head with his upper leg.

Fortunately for the Panthers, Bobrovsky seemed fine after the hit and continued in the game without issue.

The problem is that this is an incredibly dangerous play, targeting another player’s head, if that is in fact that Svechnikov was trying to do.

Whether or not the NHL Department of Player Safety decides to take a closer look at the play remains to be seen.

Throughout Game 1, Carolina was not shy about playing around Florida's goal crease. 

One thing that can probably be counted on is the Panthers addressing this it in their own way, on the ice, regardless of what the league decides to do. 

This is only Game 1, after all.

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell (15) defends against Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho (20) during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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Ben Rice, Aaron Judge homer and Will Warren dominates in Yankees' 5-2 win over Rangers

Ben Rice and Aaron Judge homered, and Will Warren struck out 10 batters as the Yankees took the series opener against the Texas Rangers, 5-2, on Tuesday night in the Bronx.

Here are the takeaways...

-Rice got the scoring started in the second inning with a solo shot that went into the upper deck in right field off of lefty Patrick Corbin. It's the left-hander's 10th homer of the season -- in his 42nd game -- after he just seven in 50 games a year ago. In his second at-bat, Rice smoked a pitch into center field but Sam Haggerty made a running snare to steal an extra-base hit. The play did allowJudge to score from third on the sac fly. The DH finished 2-for-3.

The Yankees wouldn't score again until the sixth when Anthony Volpe hit a two-out bloop single just out of the reach of the sliding centerfielder to score Paul Goldschmidt from second.

Judge came up to the plate in the eighth after going 1-for-3 and his average dipped to .400 earlier in the game, but then he took Caleb Boushley the other way for his MLB-leading 16th dinger with Grisham on base to put the Yanks up 5-0. He finished 2-for-4 and is hitting .403. The homer went just 326 feet, the shortest longball of Judge's career.

-Warren had another efficient and dominant start. After striking out nine in his last start against the Mariners, Warren sat down 10 Rangers, breaking the previously career high of nine he set in Seattle a week prior.

Warren was cruising until the sixth inning. After an incredible catch by third baseman Oswald Peraza in foul territory, the Rangers loaded the bases after a walk and back-to-back bloop singles. Warren struck out Marcus Semien looking before manager Aaron Boone pulled his starter for Mark Leiter Jr. to get out of the two-out jam. The right-handed reliever struck out Joc Pederson to end the inning.

Warren pitched 5.2 innings (101 pitches/65 strikes) without giving up a run and allowing just five hits and one walk.

-The Yankees' bullpen did its job, keeping the Rangers off the board. The combination of Leiter Jr. and Devin Williams pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out four batters, but Ian Hamilton allowed a two-run shot to Jonah Heim with two outs and then a triple that got past a diving Judge before he was pulled for Luke Weaver. Weaver got the final out to lock down the save.

-Cody Bellinger extended his hitting streak to 14 games and finished 1-for-3. On the other side, Trent Grisham's sixth-inning single broke an 0-for-14 stretch for the outfielder. Grisham went 2-for-4 on Tuesday night.

-Volpe was put in the No. 5 hole and finished 1-for-4 but his RBI blooper with two outs could potentially get him going.

Game MVP: Ben Rice

Warren was great, but he faltered at the end and was partially bailed out by the bullpen. But Rice accounted for two of the team's runs.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees continue their three-game set with the Rangers on Wednesday night in the Bronx. Ryan Yarbrough (1-0, 3.70 ERA) will come out of the bullpen to starts for the Yankees. Jacob deGrom (4-1, 2.29 ERA) will be on the mound for the Rangers.

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Mets' offense silenced again, fall to Red Sox, 2-0, for first three-game losing streak of season

The Mets suffered their third straight loss, falling the Boston Red Sox 2-0 on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

It's New York's first three-game losing streak of the season.

Here are some takeaways...

- Taking the mound for the first time in nearly a month, Boston starter Walker Buehler mowed down the struggling Mets offense over the first two innings. The right-hander struck out four of the first six batters he faced, but he was ejected with one out in the top of the third for arguing balls and strikes.

New York threatened against left-hander Brennan Bernardino who entered in place of Buehler, but as has been a common theme with this club of late they stranded men in scoring position -- they went a brutal 0-for-7 as a team in such situations on the night.

- Luckily for the Mets, Clay Holmes was able to do a good job dancing around threats of his own. The righty walked a pair in the first, but struck out back-to-back batters to end the frame. He was then helped out by a perfect Brandon Nimmo throw to gun down Nick Sogard trying to score on a potential sac fly in the second.

The 91.8 mph strike from shallow left was the hardest outfield assist of Nimmo's career.

Boston put two more on with two outs in the third, but Holmes found his way out of danger again. He put together his first clean inning of the night in the fourth with some help from a beautiful barehanded play from Brett Baty, who continues shining defensively.

The Red Sox were finally able to strike in the fifth, as Carlos Narváez and Rafael Devers snuck a pair of solo homers over the Green Monster. He finished his outing with a five-pitch bottom of the sixth -- ending his night with a final line of two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

- Unfortunately for Holmes, the Mets' offense wasn't able to get much of anything going against the rest of the Boston bullpen, as they went down silently for their third consecutive loss. They managed just four hits on the night and were shutout for the third time this season.

- Juan Soto reached base twice with a walk and a hit -- his opposite field knock came with two outs in the top of the sixth, just a few pitches after Francisco Lindor was caught stealing second base.

Game MVP: Carlos Narváez

The 26-year-old backstop got the scoring started and gunned down Francisco Lindor trying to steal second a few innings later.

Highlights

What's next

Tylor Megill (3-4, 3.74 ERA) takes the mound against ace left-hander Garrett Crochet (4-3, 2.00 ERA) as the Mets and Sox close out this three-game set on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. on SNY.

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Mets’ Ronny Mauricio launches homer in Triple-A, Brandon Sproat’s struggles continue

Ronny Mauricio appears to be settling into a groove. 

The young Mets infielder had just three hits with St. Lucie and Binghamton during his rehab assignment -- but after being activated from the injured list this weekend, he’s been able to find some success back in Syracuse.

Mauricio was on-base three more times during Tuesday night’s loss to Rochester. 

He lined a double down the left field line with one out in the bottom of the first, drove in a run with a two out single up the middle in the seventh, and then capped off his strong night by crushing a solo homer in the ninth. 

All three drives left the bat at 100+ mph.

The 24-year-old is now 5-for-9 with two extra base-hits over his first two games in Triple-A. 

Mauricio missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL during winter ball, but if he can stay healthy and continue to produce consistently, he just might find his way back into the big leagues before long.

Things weren’t as positive on the pitching side of things. 

Top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat was knocked around for the second straight outing. 

Sproat did work his way through for scoreless innings, but things took a turn for the worst in the fifth as he failed to record an out and was pulled after allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and a walk. 

The 24-year-old punched out just one batter on the night. 

He has now allowed six or more runs in three of his last five outings -- bringing his ERA up to an ugly 6.69 on the season.

With the way Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean have been pitching of late, it's safe to say Sproat has fallen down a bit in the organization's prospect rankings.

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Orioles GM Elias speaks 3 days after firing manager, says he's evaluating reasons for team's decline

MILWAUKEE — Orioles general manager Mike Elias broke his silence about his decision to fire manager Brandon Hyde, saying Tuesday he's doing an across-the-board evaluation to determine what has caused Baltimore's remarkably rapid decline.

“You go back to last June, we were on top of the sport in almost every facet of the sport, including majors and minors,” Elias said of his team, which carried a seven-game skid into Tuesday’s game at Milwaukee. “Now we find ourselves where we find ourselves. This has been hitting us all very hard, but it’s unusual for that to be so sudden.”

Elias fired Hyde on Saturday, and since then, only players and interim manager Tony Mansolino had answered reporters' questions about the move. The Orioles, who won a combined 192 games from 2023-24, entered Tuesday last in the American League East with the fourth-worst record (15-31) in the majors.

Elias praised Hyde for getting the Orioles back into contention but said the time had come for a new voice. Baltimore has gone 0-3 since Mansolino was promoted from third-base coach.

“I want to emphatically credit (Hyde) for the wonderful job that he did and the skill set that he has,” Elias said. “I’m sure he’s going to continue and have a fantastic career. It’s very endemic to sports. After a certain number of years, sometimes organizations try something different, and that’s what this was.”

Elias was asked why he waited this long to speak about the move.

“It’s a pretty hectic few days,” he said. “I got Tony in place and traveled up here with the team. I just needed a couple of days.”

Hyde was named the AL manager of the year in 2023 after leading the Orioles to a 101-61 record and their first division title since 2014. Baltimore followed that up by going 91-71 and returning to the playoffs as a wild card last year, though it struggled to a 34-38 record to finish the season.

This year, the Orioles have been dreadful despite bringing back the young core that sparked the franchise's resurgence.

“I’m in the process of very heavily evaluating everything that we do across the organization - that (includes) the front office, analytics department, player development,” Elias said. “You name it, we’re looking at it very hard.

“To our credit, this has something that has not been lingering for years and years. This is something that’s mounted in months, and it’s been very tough on those of us in leadership positions in the organization, but we’re focused on fixing it right now. I think the main focus is trying to stabilize this team, improve the play on the field and get this core of players back on track.”

The Orioles entered Tuesday with a 5.53 ERA that ranked ahead of only major league-worst Colorado (5.85). Baltimore added Japanese veteran Tomoyuki Sugano, 41-year-old Charlie Morton and 37-year-old Kyle Gibson on one-year deals in the offseason to try to help offset the loss of four-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sugano is 4-3 with a 3.08 ERA, but Morton is 0-7 with a 7.68 ERA and currently working out of the bullpen. Gibson was released after going 0-3 with a 16.78 ERA.

Baltimore’s offensive struggles are a bigger surprise.

The Orioles entered Tuesday ranked 25th in the majors in runs (173) after finishing fourth in that category last year and seventh in 2023. The Orioles also were 25th in batting average (.230) and 18th in slugging percentage (.388) after being the top 10 in both categories each of the last two years.

“I think I’ve been pretty clear that our pitching staff, our starting pitching staff, has been a huge problem,” Elias said. “I put that on myself and the front office in terms of roster construction. The position player group, again, we haven’t had perfect health, but this is a universally lauded group and (has) had a lot of success. There’s underperformance happening there, and that’s something we need to address via player development, via coaching.”

Elias said he's confident he can help Baltimore rebound. He took over when the Orioles were coming off a 47-115 season in 2018 and hired Hyde a month later.

Now, he'll try to do it again, without Hyde.

“I think a big point of pride for me throughout my career has been my ability to adapt in a sport where you’ve got to do that,” Elias said. “What we’re going through right now and the degree to which we’re going through is well below anyone’s standards, including mine. This is deeply disappointing. I’m doing everything in my power to correct and improve it going forward.”

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Reinforcements soon? Injured Dodgers pitchers, including Shohei Ohtani, are finally progressing

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani warms up before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Shohei Ohtani warms up before a game against the Athletics. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)

Even as their pitching injuries have mounted in recent weeks, the Dodgers haven’t panicked.

On multiple occasions, team officials have noted how none of the seven pitchers who have gotten hurt since the end of spring camp suffered relatively serious injuries. In time, they promised, the staff would get back close to full health.

On Tuesday, signs of that optimism finally began to appear.

Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell (both out with shoulder inflammation) continued their throwing progressions, with Glasnow making some light pitches off a mound slope for the first time since going on the injured list last month, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Kirby Yates (hamstring strain) began playing catch just days after hitting the IL, raising his hopes of being back within the two-to-four week time frame the team has targeted. Blake Treinen (forearm sprain) also continued his catch play, while Michael Kopech (shoulder impingement) was set to make a rehab outing with triple-A Oklahoma City.

Most of all, though, Shohei Ohtani checked off another important box in his return from a 2023 Tommy John surgery, taking another step closer to resuming two-way duties for the first time as a Dodger.

Read more:Hernández: Roki Sasaki's shoulder issue leaves Dodgers in a familiar and problematic position

In a flat-ground throwing session Tuesday afternoon, Ohtani mixed in some breaking pitches for the first time in his throwing program this year, Roberts said, a notable development after the right-hander had been limited to fastball and splitters previously in pitching activities.

Already in recent weeks, Ohtani had been ramping up his pitching work in other ways. He had steadily increased the number of throws in his weekly bullpen sessions, getting up to 50 last Saturday. He has been doing up-downs in his bullpens, too, to simulate the downtime he will experience between innings when he returns to a big-league mound.

Roberts confirmed it is all a sign that Ohtani is finally getting closer to facing live hitting again for the first time since he underwent his second Tommy John procedure two offseasons ago.

Roberts said he was still unsure exactly when that might happen, but indicated that Ohtani and Snell are on similar timelines to return — with Glasnow a tick ahead of each of them.

“It is progressing,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s pitching rehab, which had been in more of a static stage with weekly 20-pitch bullpen sessions earlier this year. “I'm not sure when [he’s] going to take that slider from the flat ground to the bullpen, but that is progress. Yes.”

Right now, the Dodgers could use all the pitching help they can get.

Over their last 11 games, the team’s shorthanded pitching staff has struggled mightily, posting a 6.31 ERA over a 4-7 stretch that included a four-game losing streak entering Tuesday.

Among the opening day rotation, only Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dustin May have stayed healthy through the first two months. And outside of Yamamoto — an early-season Cy Young candidate who was needed to be a stopper Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks — no Dodgers pitcher with more than three starts has a sub-4.00 ERA to this point of the campaign.

The rotation’s struggles have bled into the bullpen, where Dodgers relievers have combined for an MLB-high 207 2/3 innings this season, 19 more than any other team. Closer Tanner Scott has been solid, with a 1.74 ERA and nine saves in 11 opportunities. But many of the Dodgers’ other top relief arms have gotten hurt, including virtually all of their most trusted right-handers.

“It’s not the staff we thought we’d have this season,” Roberts acknowledged Monday night.

Read more:'A lot of gratitude and gratefulness to get back.' Clayton Kershaw reflects on 2025 return

Before long, however, the Dodgers are hopeful it will be again.

In addition to Ohtani, Snell and Glasnow, the Dodgers will also eventually get Roki Sasaki (shoulder impingement) and Emmet Sheehan (Tommy John recovery) back as rotation options. Sasaki is expected to begin throwing again during the team’s upcoming trip. Sheehan has been throwing live sessions against hitters for the last several weeks as he works back from last year’s elbow procedure.

Brusdar Graterol (offseason shoulder surgery) is also scheduled to return during the second half of the season.

About the only injured pitcher who hasn’t made recent progress is Evan Phillips, whose original 15-day diagnosis now looks likely to stretch far longer than that.

Still, no one’s return has been more eagerly anticipated than Ohtani’s. After almost a year and a half of waiting, the Dodgers are hopeful his return, which has been expected to come around the All-Star break, is finally on the horizon.

His next step will be facing live hitting. And given his recent workload increases, it’s possible it could come soon.

“I really wish I had an answer [on when it will be],” Roberts said. “I'm just waiting for the green light from people that are sort of managing the Shohei rehab, day to day.”

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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Phillies pushing Luzardo and he's delivering — ‘Matches the flow of our team'

Phillies pushing Luzardo and he's delivering — ‘Matches the flow of our team' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

DENVER — In Jesus Luzardo, the Phillies knew they were getting a lefty with upside who could miss bats and had the potential to pitch at the top of a rotation.

But 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA through 10 starts? After transitioning from a last-place team that draws under 10,000 fans per game to a club in win-now mode with as crazed a fanbase as you’ll find?

“I definitely thought it was possible but I know that it might come as a surprise to a lot of people,” Luzardo said after striking out 10 Rockies over six innings to help the Phillies improve to a National League-best 30-18.

“It’s been a struggle at times in my career but I think a little change of scenery at times is great. Just a breath of fresh air being around a good group of guys here. Nothing against the places I’ve been, it’s just a little different here.”

The Phillies banged out 17 hits for a second straight game to beat the Rockies, 7-4, on Tuesday night. Luzardo’s evening began with a 10-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning but he threw 72 pitches over the next three innings.

A six-inning start appeared unlikely when he began the fifth at 82 pitches but Luzardo recorded the first out on one pitch and struck out the next two.

The lefty came back to the dugout at 94 pitches and told pitching coach Caleb Cotham he wanted to go another. It meant something to him and the team on a night like this.

“He saved some of our bullpen because there’s quite a few guys who if we had to use them, they wouldn’t be available tomorrow,” manager Rob Thomson said. “I love him. He’s not gonna give in. He’s gonna fight.

“We pushed him tonight. It’s not something I like to do because he’s coming back on regular rest for Sunday but just to save the bullpen, he did a great job.”

Luzardo threw 105 pitches, exceeding 100 for the fourth time in his last five starts. The most he’s ever done it in a season is five times.

The Phillies are testing him. They want to protect Luzardo after he missed the second half of 2024 with a back injury but they aren’t using kid gloves.

“Nothing that’s shown me he’s slowing down,” Thomson said.

Bryce Harper, who doubled twice, gushed about his first-year teammate.

“I can’t say enough how smart he is,” Harper said. “In the clubhouse, out there, he’s always thinking about what he needs to do.

“I’ve said it a million times, I’m glad he’s on our team. I faced him multiple times when he was in Miami and it was always a tough game for us.

“The way he goes out there, his demeanor, it matches the flow of our team.”

By going six, Luzardo enabled Thomson to use just two relievers, Jose Ruiz and Max Lazar. Jordan Romano warmed up during the bottom of the ninth as the Rockies scored two runs in Lazar’s second inning but Lazar recorded the final out after a mound visit from Cotham.

The Phillies have won their first two games at Coors Field while also resting Romano, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering each night. They’ll have a full bullpen ready Wednesday behind Taijuan Walker.

The offense is averaging nearly two hits per inning in the series, 34 in all. On Tuesday, six players had multiple hits and eight either drove in a run or scored. The Phillies lead the Mets by 1½ games in the NL East and have picked up 6½ games on them since being swept at Citi Field the third week of April.

“There’s a lot of hits in this ballpark,” Harper said of Coors Field, where the Phils play twice more this week before moving on to Sacramento to face the skidding Athletics.

“Our team, it’s a lot of fun when we’re hitting on all cylinders. I think we’re doing that right now.”

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Guard Jordan Marsh transfers to USC from UNC Asheville

Jordan Marsh, the Big South’s newcomer of the year last season, is transferring to Southern California. The guard spent last season at UNC Asheville, where he averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32 games. Marsh began his college career at Appalachian State, where he played in 32 of 34 games off the bench as a freshman.

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Bats jump all over Rockies, Luzardo finds second wind in Phillies' 5th straight win

Bats jump all over Rockies, Luzardo finds second wind in Phillies' 5th straight win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

DENVER — They didn’t explode until the final three innings Monday but the Phillies took no time on Tuesday night, jumping out to a two-run advantage three batters into the game and leading wire-to-wire in a 7-4 win over the Rockies.

Bryson Stott singled to begin the game, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper followed with doubles and the Phillies quickly had all the run support Jesus Luzardo would need.

Stepping on the throat of a last-place team is always important to prevent it from building momentum or thinking it has a chance. In Monday’s series opener, the Phillies trailed until the eighth inning and spent most of the night down by two before scoring seven times in the final three innings.

Tuesday was much more comfortable.

The Phillies have collected 32 hits over the last 16 innings with a .418 batting average, six doubles, a triple and four home runs. They’ve made Coors Field look like Coors Field, which wasn’t a given even with how poorly the Rockies have played in 2025. The Phils entered the series having scored two runs or fewer in five of their last 12 games in Colorado.

It’s been a different story early this week. The Phillies have won five games in a row and own the best record in the National League at 30-18. They’re 1½ games ahead of the Mets, who have lost three straight and five of six. Since being swept at Citi Field in late April, the Phillies are 17-6 and the Mets are 11-13.

Luzardo had a winding night that began and ended strong. He opened with a 10-pitch, 1-2-3 bottom of the first then struggled with control and needed 72 pitches over the next three innings. It looked like Luzardo might not finish five innings, much less six, but he got into one final groove after Stott snared a liner to begin the bottom of the fifth. From there, Luzardo struck out four in a row and ended the night with a groundout.

He whiffed 10 over six innings and allowed just two hits. A third of the way into his first season with the Phillies, Luzardo has exceeded all expectations. He’s 5-0 with a 1.95 ERA, second in the NL to Kodai Senga (1.43).

Every Phillie in Tuesday’s lineup except J.T. Realmuto had a hit and either drove in or scored a run. Six had multiple hits. It’s the first time since 2007 the Phillies have picked up at least 17 hits in back-to-back games.

Kyle Schwarber, who joked, “200 more and I can quit,” after launching his 300th career home run Monday, added No. 301 on Tuesday. It wasn’t a 466-footer off the facing of the third deck like the night before but this one traveled 430 feet and was, again, off of a lefty. He’s become lefty-proof, hitting .300 against them last season and .317 this season with a 1.250 OPS and nine of his 17 home runs.

The Phillies have avoided looking past or playing down to the level of their last two opponents, the Pirates and Rockies, winning all five games. They can win another series on Wednesday night when Taijuan Walker opposes left-hander Carson Palmquist in his second career start.