Nieto was a highly touted prospect before his MLB career; he was drafted in the third round of the 1981 draft. He endured a solid career in the minors, ranking high in the Cardinals' system before finally joining the club in 1984.
Nieto helped the Cardinals reach the 1985 World Series, though the team ultimately lost to the Kansas City Royals in seven games. Nieto would return to the Fall Classic in 1987 though as a member of the Twins. This time, Nieto's team would emerge victorious, taking down Nieto's former team, the Cardinals, in six games.
Nieto's final regular season came in 1990 as a member of the Phillies. While he did sign a minor league contract with the Cardinals for 1991, Nieto would spend most of the decade as a coach.
He began his coaching career with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate, in 1992. He continued managing various teams including the Charleston Wheelers, Greensboro Bats, Tampa Yankees, and Palm Beach Cardinals through 2004.
Nieto returned to the big leagues in 2005, this time as the New York Mets' first base coach and catchers instructor. He stayed at that position until 2008. Afterwards, he would return to managing, becoming the manager of the the Twins' Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats in 2009 and their Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings in both 2010 and 2011. His professional MLB career ended in 2013 after managing the New York Yankees' rookie-level affiliate GCL Yankees for two seasons.
Minnesota Twins react to Nieto's death
The Twins organization mourns the loss of 1987 World Series champion, Tom Nieto.
Peoria, AZ - February 19: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres throws a bullpen session during a spring training practice on February 19, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres will have multiple rehabbing players eligible to return to the team soon. With Matt Waldron, Griffin Canning, Yuki Matsui and Jason Adam all being placed on the IL at the end of Spring Training (retro to March 22), their 15-day IL expires, Tuesday. Pitchers can have their IL window expanded to 30 days before any move has to be made. This gives Canning and Waldron more time to stretch out as starters and avoids any decision about the rotation until later this month.
Matt Waldron
Waldron has made two starts for El Paso with seven innings pitched. He has allowed five hits and no runs or walks and nine strikeouts. With increased fastball velocity, Waldron has relied heavily on his sinker and knuckleball (about 60%) while also utilizing his four-seam and sweeper for most of his offerings. He has mixed in the cutter sparingly so far. His last start reached 61 pitches in four innings pitched.
Griffin Canning
Canning made his first start on April 4 for the El Paso Chihuahuas against the Tacoma Rainiers, throwing 2.1 innings and 51 pitches. He allowed three hits and a run with two walks and four strikeouts. His fastball sat 94-96 mph, and he supplemented it with his 86-88 mph slider for about 60% of his offerings. He mixed in his change up and threw his knuckle curve a few times. The velocity on his fastball dropped to 92 mph in the third inning at which point he was removed. He will presumably have a lengthy rehab to build up, and it could look similar to a spring build up for a starter.
Yuki Matsui
Matsui pitched his first rehab inning on April 4 with El Paso, throwing 13 pitches with one hit and no runs, striking out two hitters. He could be ready after a couple more appearances.
Jason Adam
Adam threw his back-to-back games on April 4 and 5 with El Paso, he and Canning were both slated to travel to Tulsa, Okla. to pitch for San Antonio but inclement weather caused them to be re-routed to Tacoma, Wash. and the Chihuahuas. Over the two games, Adam threw 1.2 innings allowing one hit and no runs with two walks. He is expected to join the Padres for the home series versus the Rockies on Thursday. He could pitch on Wednesday, but the team is in Pittsburgh with unfavorable weather expected.
Sung-Mun Song
Song has played in eight games with El Paso with 36 plate appearances. He has nine hits and four walks with a double and seven RBI but has struck out 11 times. He has played 2B, 3B, SS and DH over those eight games but his almost 30% K-rate indicates he could use more time. Song still has a 20-day rehab window to work with, and he can also be optioned to the minor leagues to extend his window.
At the end of the pitchers’ 30-day window (April 21), the Padres will need to make some tough roster decisions but Waldron could be ready before then in case he is needed. With Buehler and Márquez having early issues with their starts, Waldron could be an option before April 21. Canning will need more time to be stretched out but still could be ready in May.
Expect Adam to be used carefully in his return and a member of the current bullpen will need to be sent to the minors to make room for him. Estrada has improved from his early command issues, so Bradgley Rodriquez is the most likely candidate. Adams’ return will allow the Padres to take Wandy Peralta out of any high leverage situations, where he has been dismal so far.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros bats in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (6-4) visit the Colorado Rockies (3-6) for the first of a three game series in Denver.
RHP Cody Bolton will make his first career start this evening for the Astros opposite RHP Ryan Feltner and the Rockies.
ABOUT BOLTON: RHP Cody Bolton is set to make the first start of his career. He made his only appearance with the Astros on March 31 vs. BOS, in that outing he allowed one run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts in three innings. He earned his first career save in that appearance.
Last season, he split the season between the Mariners, Guardians and Astros organizations. He appeared in one MLB game with the Guardians (3ER/2IP) and 11 minor league games between the three organizations.
The right-handed pitcher has pitched in each of the last four Major League seasons with the Pirates (2023), Mariners (2024), Guardians (2025) and Astros (2026). He has combined to go 1-0-1 with a 5.60 ERA (28ER/45IP) in his 35 career appearances, all coming in relief, and recorded 45 strikeouts in his 45.0 innings of work.
ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight is the fourth game of a 10-game road trip for the Astros.
After this three-game set at COL, they will travel to Seattle for a four-game series at T-Mobile Park (Fri-Mon.). The Astros are 1-2 so far on this trip.
Houston went 41-40 on the road last season.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Houston Astros have reinstated RHP Enyel De Los Santos from the 15-day IL and IF Isaac Paredes from the Bereavement List. To make room for them on the active roster, the Astros have designated RHP Roddery Muñoz for assignment and optioned IF Shay Whitcomb to Triple A Sugar Land.
AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LF Yordan Alvarez was named the American League Player of the Week for the week of March 30-April 5. Alvarez batted .471 (8×17) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, seven walks and a 1.733 OPS for the week. It’s the fourth time that Alvarez has been named the AL Player of the Week.
LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in runs (70), doubles (28) total bases (168), hits (98), walks (61), OBP (.396) and OPS (.880).
Individually, LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in OBP (.578) SLG (.900) and OPS (1.478), while ranking tied for first in runs (10) with teammate IF Jose Altuve. 1B Christian Walker leads the Majors in doubles (6).
HOT START: The Astros have scored 70 runs this season, which is the most in the Majors. The 70 runs are also the most in the first 10 games to begin a season in franchise history, directly ahead of the 2004 season, where there Astros scored 68 runs in the first 10 games of the season.
AGAINST THE ROCKIES: The Astros and Rockies each other tonight for the first of six scheduled matchups in 2026. The Astros went 4-2 against the Rockies in the in 2025, including a 2-1 record at Coors Field.
The Astros own a 110-87 all-time record against the Rockies. The Rockies will travel to Daikin Park for a three-game series from April 14-16.
YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 174th career home run yesterday at ATH. The home run tied him with franchise icon OF George Springer for seventh on the Astros all-time list. Next up on the Astros all-time list is 3B Alex Bregman (191 HR).
WALK THIS WAY: LF Yordan Alvarez walked a career-high tying four times on Saturday at ATH. It marked the second time in his career he’s recorded a four-walk game, also Aug. 20, 2019 vs. DET.
Alvarez also tied the franchise record for walks in a nine inning game. The last Astros player to record four walks in a nine inning game was 3B Alex Bregman on June 3, 2023 vs. LAA.
1B Jeff Bagwell holds the franchise record for walks in a single game with six on Aug. 20, 1999 at MIA, but the game went 16 innings.
FREE PASSES: The Astros hitters recorded a combined 24 walks in their last two games, which is the second-most in a two-game span in franchise history. The franchise record is 25 walks from April 28-29, 2000 at the Milwaukee Brewers.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1975 – For $35,000, the Astros purchase RHP Joe Niekro from the Braves. Niekro would go on to win a club-record 144 games for Houston and become the club’s first two-time, 20-game winner.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, April 6, 7:40 p.m. CST
Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO.
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 15: Guard Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Rocket Arena on November 15, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Grizzlies 108-100. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second straight day, a skeleton-crew version of the Cleveland Cavaliers is taking on a more skeleton crew version of the Memphis Grizzlies. Cleveland will be without Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Max Strus. They will, however, have Sam Merrill, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley.
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After six seasons in charge — and seemingly that many re-inventions of the roster — the Chicago Bulls have fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas as well as general manager Marc Eversley.
"Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally," Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We are grateful for their dedication and the work they've put in over the past six years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it's my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead. I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand the frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud."
Former Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver, currently an assistant general manager with the Hawks, is one of the names league sources told NBC Sports is connected to the job. Other names that sources said were connected to the job early on include former Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields, current Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy (this may be more of a wish list play by the Bulls, it is highly unlikely Dunleavy leaves Golden State), current Minnesota GM Matt Lloyd (a Chicago native who worked for the Bulls for 13 years), and CAA agent Austin Brown (this would be following in the footsteps of the Lakers and Knicks, who hired former agents as GMs and had some success with them).
Whoever gets the title of next basketball head of operations can be aggressive this summer: The Bulls will have up to $65 million in cap space as well as a lottery pick. However, what they need more than anything is a direction, a clear plan — that is what has been lacking for the Bulls for years.
The Bulls have been stuck on the treadmill of mediocrity under Karnisovas, making the playoffs just once in the past six years but finishing with at least 39 wins each of the four seasons previous to this one, meaning their draft picks were late in the lottery. Karnisovas built a team with potential early on, one that started 38-21 in the 2021-22 season, led by Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. However, a serious injury to Ball, who was the glue of that team, left them floundering. It's also a roster that aged quickly and was never the same again.
This season, the Bulls pivoted and started to semi-embrace tanking — as it stands today, the Bulls at 29-49 have the ninth-worst record and a better than 50% chance of drafting in that slot — but they have floor-raising young players on the roster in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Part of Karnisovas' challenge, and the challenge for whoever is the next GM, is that ownership is rumored not to want to fully tank but also not pay the luxury tax for anything less than a contender.
The Bulls will want to move fairly quickly to get a new head of basketball operations in place, as we are just more than a month away from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 31: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on March 31, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming off a 4-1 win over the Phillies on Sunday to prevent a home opener sweep, the Rockies also have more good news in the form of Ryan Feltner being able to take the mound today.
Feltner looked sharp against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 31. He’d thrown three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, one walk and one hit. Then he got hit with a 106.3 mph line drive comebacker to the right hip.
It was a brutal flashback of sorts from 2023 when a line drive fractured Feltner’s skull. Luckily, this one wasn’t as serious.
While it certainly hurt and Feltner’s hip tightened up — meaning the 29-year-old couldn’t return for the fourth inning — he won’t miss any time as he’ll be on the mound today as the Rockies (3-6) begin a three-game series with the Astros (6-4).
The Astors are coming off a high-scoring, 2-1 series loss to the A’s where Houston outscored the A’s 25-23.
RHP Feltner (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be going head-to-head against Houston RHP Cody Bolton (0-0, 3.00 ERA). Houston ace Hunter Brown (1-0, 0.84 ERA) was supposed to get the start, but Brown was placed on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain on Sunday. Bolton has one appearance this season when he gave up a solo home run with three hits, one walk and five strikeouts on March 31 against Boston. In the 9-2 win over the Red Sox, Bolton got the save after closing out Brown’s quality start, when he gave up one run on one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts) before he got hurt.
The Astros have had the Rockies number over the last three seasons, going 11-3 against Colorado and outscoring the Rockies 75-43 since 2023. That includes a two-game Houston sweep in Mexico City in 2024 when the Astros outscored Colorado 20-4. Houston took the 2025 series 4-2.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
It’s a unit that through 10 games has pitched to a 3.13 ERA, which ranked third in the National League entering Monday.
Only once during that stretch has a starter failed to complete five innings — David Peterson lasted just 4 ¹/₃ innings against the Giants on Thursday. Most notably, the team has received solid work from Kodai Senga in his two starts.
“The guys are healthy and in a good spot, which I think is exciting,” Clay Holmes said. “To be this early, on somewhat limited pitch counts, and to see the length that people have been able to provide is encouraging.”
Nolan McLean (r.) walks with pitcher Clay Holmes before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets have games scheduled for nine straight days beginning Tuesday, opening the possibility they will deploy a six-man rotation for the first time this season. Sean Manaea, the sixth starter, was squeezed from the rotation as spring training concluded and has been working from the bullpen.
Manaea pitched 3 ²/₃ innings in relief Thursday, allowing one earned run after Peterson was removed. Manager Carlos Mendoza credited the lefty’s performance for helping the Mets win the series.
Due to anticipated weather conditions, the Mets have changed the start times for their games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. Both games are now scheduled for 4:10 p.m.
The Mets announced that fans who have already purchased tickets will receive vouchers for future games.
In addition, a limited number of complimentary tickets will be issued for both games on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can log onto Mets.com/Tickets and enter code THANKYOU to claim up to four tickets per account, per game.
The Mets have set Sept. 19 as the date for Carlos Beltrán’s number retirement ceremony and induction into the club’s Hall of Fame. The Post first reported last month that the Mets had decided to retire Beltrán’s No. 15 this season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: A general view outside the stadium prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on March 29, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets announced Monday afternoon that the start times for their first two games against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday and Wednesday will be moved up from 7:10 p.m. ET to 4:10 p.m. ET, due to projected cold and windy conditions.
Fans with existing tickets for those games will have them honored at the new start time, and will receive an additional voucher for a future Mets game at Citi Field. The Mets also made a limited number of complimentary tickets available for both games — a supply which sold out just under two and a half hours later.
The Mets will look to extend their three-game winning streak against Arizona, with Freddy Peralta matching up against Zac Gallen on Tuesday and David Peterson slated to take the mound on Wednesday against a yet-to-be-announced Arizona pitcher. The series finale is still scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday night, with Nolan McLean and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez listed as the probable starting pitchers.
Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) receives congratulations from catcher Dillon Dingler (13) after he hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (4-5) vs. Minnesota Twins (3-6)
Time/Place: 7:40 p.m., Target Field SB Nation Site: Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.82 ERA)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 3: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
On Saturday afternoon, two things happened that Spurs haven’t seen much this season. One: the Spurs stars failed to make plays in crunch time and two: the Spurs lost the game. It really was a perfect preparation for the playoffs where the team worked through their mistakes and still almost won the game, but also learned that wasting possessions on the road in a playoff atmosphere can cost games. The biggest question for the Spurs coming into the playoffs is their lack of playoff experience, and the Denver game is as close to a playoff game as many of the players on the current have had, and there’s no way that they don’t learn from the experience.
Tonight, they face the Sixers, who have been hampered with injuries all season long but have a relatively clean sheet tonight, with Maxey playing with a splint on his injured finger and former Spur (in name only) Cameron Payne out with a hamstring injury. Joel Embiid and Paul George should be ready to go, but with Embiid, it’s always hard to know how well he’ll move until you see him on the court. They also have a decent cast of supporting characters, with Kelly Oubre and Dominick Barlow. Did you realize that Kyle Lowry was still in the league? I didn’t, but he doesn’t play a lot, so he shouldn’t be a factor tonight. The most exciting matchup to watch will be VJ Edgecombe against Dylan Harper as the two super rookies showcase their talents.
The Spurs have no listed injuries, which means that Victor Wembanyama had no lasting effects from his hard fall on Saturday, where it looked like he banged his head on the hardwood in Denver after being tripped. The Spurs are the more talented team in this matchup, and they should be focused after the loss. The Spurs have four games left in the season, and the standings are set (OKC will NOT lose 3 of their 4 remaining games), so the remainder of the season will be an opportunity for Coach Mitch to work on preparing the team so that the mistakes of a few days ago don’t recur once the playoffs start. The Spurs won’t know their playoff matchup until after the first game of the play-in tournament, so they need to focus on poise and decisiveness more than specific plays, and I’m sure that’s what they’re going to be working on tonight. OK, GO SPURS GO!!!
Game Prediction:
Dom Barlow will attempt to dunk on Victor Wembanyama. It will not go well for him.
San Antonio Spurs vs Philadelphia 76ers April 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Stars have banned a person from attending games at American Airlines Center after they bought tickets for a group of spectators seen celebrating a goal with a Nazi salute.
“Any type of discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in our arena,” the team said Monday in a statement. “Creating and sustaining environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful is a non-negotiable for the Dallas Stars.”
Stars fan Courtney Ripley told WFAA-TV in Dallas that she took a 12-second video at a game against Toronto in late December. It showed four fans reacting to a goal by appearing to raise and extend their right arms with a straightened right hand facing downward.
The team conducted an investigation that identified the individual who bought the tickets, who was informed of the indefinite ban.
“Additionally, we are increasing in-arena messaging regarding the Fan Code of Conduct and how our fans can report violations, along with prioritizing staff training to identify and handle situations that arise,” the team said.
Fan codes of conduct are prominent throughout the NHL. Every team has a scripted segment that is shared on their video boards, through their public address system or both, telling fans about their respective codes of conduct.
The NHL also has a multipoint fan code of conduct that opens by stating, “The best hockey experiences happen in environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful."
Remember when the Rangers didn’t score a single goal on home ice until their fourth game of the season at Madison Square Garden?
That set the tone for the 2025-26 campaign, and not in the way the Blueshirts wanted.
For a majority of the season, the Garden was a playground for opposing teams who ventured to the World’s Most Famous Arena to embarrass, bully and tease the Rangers like kids in a schoolyard. Clubs had their way with the insecure Rangers, and reveled in it.
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They were shut out two more times before capturing their first win on home ice in their eighth game. Their 0-6-1 start at MSG was the worst in franchise history, while their winning record on the road looked like it belonged to another team.
But it was so much more than the disparity in wins and losses. The Rangers could barely put up a fight at home. Offense wasn’t just hard to come by, it was painstakingly difficult to generate amid their one-and-done entries into the zone, a lack of energy and an overarching dysfunction.
The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to suffer six shutout losses through 17 home games.
It was bad. Really bad. It weighed on everybody. The futility at home hovered over the team all season long and acted as a sort of premeditated expectation. Fans booed incessantly, and who could blame them considering the prices they paid to be there only to not hear the goal song once?
Rangers right wing Jaroslav Chmelar (49) reacts after he scores the first goal of his NHL career during the third period. The New York Rangers defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
This current season-long homestand, however, has been the polar opposite of what everyone had come to expect from the Rangers at MSG.
“You get the sense of what the Garden is like when you compete hard,” head coach Mike Sullivan said amid his team’s 5-1 stretch entering their final home game of the season Wednesday night against the playoff-bound Sabres. “And the fan base, and they value and appreciate your work ethic and your competitive spirit out there.”
To put it in perspective, the Rangers mustered only four regulation wins through the first 34 home games of the season. They are already up to five in this seven-game homestand.
This encouraging streak — filled with rookie milestones and moments — has ensured the Rangers avoid tying the 2003-04 team’s record for the fewest home-ice wins in a season of 80 or more games.
The Rangers couldn’t buy a goal through the first couple of months of the season, but they’ve scored three or more in each of their most recent wins to outscore opponents 27-8 over the past six games. Their one loss was a one-goal defeat to the Canadiens.
Rangers left wing Adam Sykora (C) celebrates his goal with his teammates past Florida Panthers in the third period at Madison Square Garden. New York, USA, Sunday, March 29, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Certain rookie additions to the lineup — such as Adam Sykora, Jaroslav Chmelar and Gabe Perreault — have bolstered the offense in more ways than one.
Perreault posted his first career NHL hat trick this past weekend in his 49th game, becoming the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to score a hat trick and one of five NHL rookies this season to record one. His three multipoint games are tied for the second most among all NHL rookies, whom he has led in points (17) and goals (7) since March 17.
After Will Cuylle recorded his first hat trick Sunday, the day after Perreault, the Rangers had a player score a hat trick in two consecutive games for the first time since 2016 and on consecutive days for the first time since 1982.
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin makes a save while teammate New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (C) protects the net from Florida Panthers left wing Nolan Foote in the first second at Madison Square Garden. New York. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
The last time the Rangers had hat tricks in consecutive games was Matt Puempel (Dec. 29, 2016, at Arizona) and Chris Kreider (Dec. 31, 2016, at Colorado).
Sunday’s 8-1 win over the Capitals at MSG was their largest of the season.
Oh, and a riveting Igor Shesterkin goalie fight was mixed in with all this rare home success.
The Rangers are doing what they can to salvage the pride of Madison Square Garden this season.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We all agree that the Orioles 3-6 start to the season is disappointing. But can we also talk about how it has been extremely weird?
When Dean Kremer was optioned to the minors to start the season, common sense said that he’d be the next starter up. Then Zach Eflin got hurt, and the Orioles called up Albert Suárez.
A few days later, Yaramil Hiraldo was sent to the IL. Surely it was time for Dean, right? Nope, Cade Povich was called up. He was slated to start today until Chris Bassitt couldn’t get past the second inning yesterday and he had to come in. Today, Dietrich Enns was added to the IL. Called up in his place and announced as tonight’s starting pitcher is Brandon Young.
WHERE is Dean? I know that at this point, he started for the Tides three days ago and thus wouldn’t be a great fit as the starting pitcher tonight. But things could have been done differently at several steps along the way. It’s a true mystery.
So anyway, Brandon Young. He last pitched on April 1st, so he will be on regular rest tonight. His Norfolk start was pretty good. He gave up just one run on four hits. He didn’t issue a walk. It would be really nice if he could have another strong start tonight, although his brief Major League experience does not bode well.
The Chicago White Sox are not expected to be a good baseball team this year, but they are coming off a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. That is something I certainly appreciate. Hopefully, the Orioles have shaken off their disappointing series with the Pirates and are ready to start to start, you know, winning baseball games.
The temperature at game time is expected to be about 40 degrees with a real feel in the mid-20s.
SAN JOSE – For weeks, particularly after losses, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky has cautioned his players about needing to bring a different level of play to the rink.
“That’s how the playoffs are going to be,” Warsofsky said frequently.
With the 2025-26 NHL regular season winding down, it seems as if the Sharks have bitten fully into what Warsofsky has been feeding them.
Two days after a gut-wrenching loss to the Nashville Predators that threatened to derail San Jose’s playoff hopes, the Sharks returned to SAP Center and beat a mediocre Chicago Blackhawks team 3-2.
The score was a lot closer than the game actually was. After a somewhat slow start, San Jose got its offense rolling behind William Eklund and kept the fans at the Tank smiling and clapping all night.
“We all know much these points matter and how tight of a race it is,” said Will Smith, who notched the 100th point of his NHL career. “(The vibe has) definitely picked up speed, and we know how important it is.”
The Sharks had high expectations during the offseason, but most were in agreement that the team would need a year or two of development before being considered a true contender.
With players like Smith, Eklund, star Macklin Celebrini and a solid goal-tending tandem of Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic, however, the timetable has been sped up.
They obviously still need some seasoning, both as individuals and as a collective, but the heart within the locker room is beating as strong as ever.
“The young core has kind of learned how to win these games,” Eklund said. “Today everything wasn’t perfect, but we won a game.”
That, in essence, is all that matters, especially at this time of the season.
There’s no value in style points. Just wins and losses. Celebrate the W’s, and learn from the L’s.
“I think we’ve had a lot of growth in individuals and as a team,” Warsofsky said after Monday’s win. “An example tonight, I thought (Michael) Misa was really good. He was skating, he was on the puck. It comes and goes with inconsistencies with that individually, but from a group there’s a lot of good communication and effort to play the right way. …
“The details that we need to play with in certain situations, we’ve seen some real growth for sure.”
Feb 17, 2026; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom during media day at Surprise Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
