Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches during a game against the Cardinals last week. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup again Tuesday, as the Dodgers ease him back into regular play after four days off to address lingering right biceps and left knee injuries.
“Came out of [Monday] well, but talking to the training staff, it’s more of the thought of, ‘Let’s build him up slowly,’ ” manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts said Ohtani would be available to pinch-hit “in a big spot” Tuesday against the Reds, and he expected Ohtani would be back in the lineup for the series finale Wednesday and, after the team’s off day Thursday, again Friday in Miami.
“I’ve been training a little bit more, doing just supplementary things to be able to make sure that I’m in a good place,” Ohtani said after returning to the lineup Monday. “I hope to continue to do that to make sure that I’m up to shape.”
After going 0 for 3 Monday, Ohtani acknowledged that he didn’t feel 100% physically and likely wouldn’t for the rest of the year, despite all but ruling out pitching for the rest of the season.
“As long as I’m playing in games, it’s not exactly the best way to recover and heal,” Ohtani said. “Of course the best mode of recovery is to completely not play. But right now I just want to make sure that I’m playing, playing well and just focusing on the now.”
With Ohtani out, first baseman Freddie Freeman moved to the designated hitter spot Tuesday, essentially giving him a half-day off. And center fielder Tommy Edman hit leadoff.
Roberts said that he could see a couple more “proactive” days off for Ohtani down the stretch.
“It’s about, ‘What can we do to get him to be optimum, as we get into the postseason?’” Roberts said. “So I think that a day here or there is not the worst thing to make sure that his body overall feels as close to 100% as possible.”
This year was Ohtani’s first juggling full two-way duties from the start of the season since joining the Dodgers. The team, in conversation with Ohtani, failed to manage his workload and aches and pains in a way that would be sustainable for more of the year.
The organization tried to lean on Ohtani’s expertise, noting how unprecedented his career has been. But Ohtani hadn’t made 20-plus pitching starts in a season since 2023, when he was 28 years old. On Monday, Ohtani referred to this season as a “learning experience” to carry into next year. It will be for the Dodgers as well.
“For me, it’s just really trying to be mindful of the long season,” Roberts said. “You don’t know until you know, and it’s important to learn from experiences. And I think it’s good for all of us to kind of appreciate that he’s not supernatural, as much as we think he might be at times.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 08: Kody Clemens #2 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates his two run home run in the sixth inning with teammates while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 08, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The pitching and defense were pretty good all around in this one, and neither offense got much going. The Tigers briefly held the lead after a Kevin McGonigle blast, but the difference was a two-run shot from Kody Clemens in the sixth off of Drew Anderson that gave them a one-run lead which held up. Both teams’ bullpens were sharp, and the Twins evened the series with a 3-2 victory.
Drew Anderson’s shaky command dug him into a hole pretty quickly in this one. Luke Keaschall popped out to start the game, but Anderson hung a curveball a bit and Brooks Lee doubled into the right field corner. Anderson wasn’t missing by a lot, but he was trying to nibble and walked Kody Clemens and Ryan Jeffers. Josh Bell lifted a sacrifice fly to Brett Callahan in left, and Lee scored as Hao-Yu Lee, probably rightly, cut off a strong throw home. Callahan is the best throwing outfielder in the Tigers organization and has racked up a lot of assists during his time in the minors, but Lee runs reasonably well. Royce Lewis fouled a 1-1 fastball off into the visiting dughout and Colt Keith, in pursuit, smashed himself into the railing as the ball fell just beyond his outstretched glove. Fortunately, a good changeup whiffed Lewis to strand two. A long first inning for Anderson, but minimal damage at least.
Dean Kremer took the mound looking to improve over his last start, where the Tigers got to him for four earned runs in five innings on September 2 at Target Field. Kevin McGonigle wouldn’t make it easy for him. After missing his pitch, a 2-2 sinker that was up in the zone and fouled off, the Tigers rookie fought through a 10-pitch at-bat and single to center field to start the bottom half of the first. A little liner off the end of the bat went for a Gleyber Torres single to left, and the Tigers were in business. Colt Keith worked a 2-0 count after Jeffers mistakenly challenged a ball, but then lined out to first and McGonigle was too far off of second base, locked up, and thrown out for a double play. Not great. A wild pitch got Torres to second, but Riley Greene struck out.
1-0 Twins after one inning.
Anderson got Trevor Larnach on a ground out to Torres to start the second, and then punched out Kaelen Culpepper with a good changeup. Walker Jenkins grounded out to Keith at first for a much snappier second for Anderson.
Eduardo Valencia started the bottom half with a single up the left center field gap. A splitter whiffed Callahan, and Max Clark got a fastball up in the zone 2-1 and popped out in foul territory. A cutter tied Hao-Yu Lee up and he popped out as well.
Keaschall doubled to left to start the third. Brooks Lee flew out to Callahan, and it was routine, giving him time to set up. Keaschall foolishly challenged that arm and was thrown out by 10 feet on a perfect strike from the rookie. Kody Clemens bounced out, and that inning went from trouble to helping Anderson get his pitch count in a little better shape at 50 through three frames.
McKinstry grounded out, and McGonigle popped out again, to open the bottom of the third. Gleyber Torres worked a walk, but Keith tapped one back to Kremer to send us to the fourth. Still 1-0 Twins.
Jeffers singled up the middle to open the fourth, but Bell grounded to Keith, who fired to McGonigle and back to Keith for a 3-6-3 double play. Lewis flew out to McKinstry in right on Anderson’s 60th pitch. A squibber to Lee from Riley Greene opened the bottom half, and Valencia and Callahan both lifted deep fly balls but still routine outs. On to the fifth.
Anderson needed just seven pitches to handle the frame. Larnach and Jenkins grounded out, while Culpepper struck out swinging between them.
After Clark flew out and Lee struck out, McKinstry ripped a single to right field. Kevin McGonigle dug in, got an 0-1 fastball over the middle, and smoked it to left field and into the home bullpen for an opposite field two-run homer, his 16th of the year. 2-1 Tigers.
Keaschall started the sixth taking an Anderson fastball off the knob of the bat. He tried to argue for a hit by pitch but home plate umpire Vic Carapazza wasn’t buying it. In a 1-2 count, Anderson got the called strike three on a fastball away, but it was challenged and overturned to a ball. Another heater in the same spot but a little closer to the edge did the job…but Keaschall correctly challenged that one as well, and a changeup walked him. A good slider whiffed Brooks Lee for the first out as Anderson worked to hold Keaschall at first as well. Unfortunately, a 2-2 fastball was up and in the zone and Kody Clemens pulled it just over the fence in right for a two-run homer. 3-2 Twins.
It’s really tough to know what to do with Anderson. He’s fine as a backend starter but his command is just shaky enough to allow too many meatballs that get crushed. At the same time, his relief work shows that tendency even more decisively. And yet he has a sub-4.00 ERA and has been reasonably solid as a starting pitcher, with a 2.29 ERA in that role, though still with a 4.20 FIP. He’s certainly among the Tigers 10 best arms, and maybe middle and long relief is the way to go. The Tigers have a $10M club option on him for 2027
Beau Brieske entered the game and promptly gave up a drive from Jeffers. Callahan cruised back to the wall and while it probably wasn’t quite going to clear the fence, he caught it with his glove on the yellow line at the top of the fence for the second out. A 3-2 fastball to Josh Bell was ripped hard to right field, but McKinstry cruised over and hauled it in on the run.
Lefty AJ Minter took over from Kremer in the bottom of the sixth. AJ Hinch responded by pinch-hitting Spencer Torkelson for Keith, playing first base. He took a fastball on the outer edge in a 2-2 count and Jeffers burned the Twins last challenge. It was still a ball, but Minter dotted a cutter at the top of the zone to strike him out anyway. Greene lifted a shallow fly out to center and Valencia flew out to left.
Brieske spun a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Ben Malgeri faced Minter, pinch-hitting for Callahan, in the bottom half of the seventh. Malgeri drew a walk, stole second, and took third as the throw bounced into center field. The Twins pulled in their infield and Max Clark bounced out to Culpepper at shortstop too quickly for Malgeri to try and score. Hao-Yu Lee struck out, and it was up to McKinstry, who flew out to left. Those three at-bats with a man on third were pretty much the death knell in this one.
Still 3-2 Twins, and on to the eighth.
Lefty Brant Hurter took the mound for his first inning of work in the majors since his lower back strain in May. He locked up Jenkins with a set of really nasty looking sweepers from that wide angle and low release point. Keaschall flew out to Clark, and Malgeri made a great diving catch in foul territory in left to retire Brooks Lee. The defense was not the Tigers’ issue in this one.
Jeff Hoffman took over for the Twins in the bottom half, and McGonigle started the inning by flying out to right field just short of the wall for the first out. Torres tapped a 3-2 slider away back to Hoffman for the second out, and so it was up to Torkelson, now without the platoon advantage. He fouled off a first pitch meatball of a slider right down the pipe thigh high, and eventually struck out swinging on one down and away.
So, now it was the Tigers needing a walkoff victory, but first they’d have to hold the Twins in place in the ninth.
Hurter got Clemens to start the inning, and then gave way to the next man up. Yilber Diaz got the assignment with most of the usual high leverage suspects unavailable in this one. He fired 99 mph heaters to get ahead of Jeffers 0-2, but Valencia called for a slider and Diaz left it up. Jeffers doubled to left. Bell hammered a ball to center field, but Clark made a nice play on it and Jeffers had to tag and hold at second. Lewis grounded out to McGonigle, and it was last call. Solid inning for Diaz, who just needs to locate his fastball-slider combination, which is electic. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but Diaz’s life story already reads like a book, and he’s overcome a lot more than control issues, so here’s hoping. The Tigers could really, really use an arm like that in the late innings.
Yoendrys Gomez looked to close it out for the Twins. He tied up Greene with a perfect sweeper to strike him out. Valencia lined out to Ryan Kreidler at second base. Keaschall made a nice sprawling play on a sinking drive from Malgeri in right field, and that was that.
They’ll decide the series at 1:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday. RHP Keider Montero will take on RHP Zebby Matthews in that one.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 27: A general view of Oracle Park during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Landen Roupp, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.17 ERA, 3.70 FIP, with 137 strikeouts to 68 walks in 144.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday, in which he allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
He’ll be facing off against Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.38 ERA, 3.26 FIP, with 24 strikeouts to 12 walks in 24.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Cardinals’ 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Thursday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jacob Young #30 of the Washington Nationals catches a ball during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For most of the season, the Nats have been road warriors. However, that has not been the case at all since the end of July. They have struggled mightily away from home and this west coast trip has been no different. There have been a lot of close games, but they have been unable to get the job done.
The Nats are making a couple changes to their lineup. Yohandy Morales will be in the lineup and playing first base. That pushes Abimelec Ortiz to DH. Dylan Crews moves from left to center with Daylen Lile shifting to left field. Jorbit Vivas and Harry Ford are also back in the lineup. Riley Cornelio will start a bullpen game.
San Diego is actually only making one change to their lineup. Veteran Freddy Fermin will replace youngster Ethan Salas behind the plate. Other than that it is the same crew. Tatis, Machado, Merrill and France are the main guys in this offense. Casey Mize has not had the best start to life in San Diego but he will look to change that tonight.
The Nats are playing out the string here, but finding some life at the end of the season would be nice. Hopefully that can start tonight. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
The Athletic is one of several major NHL publications that remain unconvinced by the Calgary Flames' rebuild. Whether ranking the club near the bottom of its power rankings or limiting the club's representation in league-wide evaluations, the publication has shown little confidence in the organization's current roster.
A few days ago, The Athletic released one of its most anticipated features of the year: its annual NHL player tiers. Unsurprisingly, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid once again topped the rankings.
This year's list is divided into five categories: MVP, Franchise, All-Star, Star, and Support. The MVP tier features the league's elite players, while the Franchise tier includes 23 skaters who can serve as the cornerstone of any organization. The All-Star and Star tiers make up the bulk of the rankings, recognizing established impact players from around the NHL.
For the Flames, however, their inclusion on the list was brief. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was Calgary's only representative, earning a spot in the Support tier.
One Bad Season Tanked Wolf's Reputation
In the comments under Wolf's ranking, they praise the 25-year-old for his breakout performance in 2024-25, but discuss how his sophomore slump tarnished his budding reputation. One NHL executive quoted by The Athletic believes that the young netminder, entering his third season, may never recapture his rookie form. As insulting as that is, many forget that Wolf is a two-time AHL Goalie of the Year and a former league MVP.
In the NHL, he's backstopping the NHL's lowest-scoring team, so even if he gives up one or two goals, too many of those games still end in losses because the Flames struggle to score.
Since most of the team's core is Wolf's age or younger, growing pains are bound to come for an organization preparing to move into a new arena. The hope is that, with a modernized facility and all the amenities the Saddledome has lacked over the years, Calgary could recruit more elite talent. Until then, the Flames have committed fully to their rebuild, relying on prospects rather than outside additions. The reinforcements are not coming from other teams; they are coming from within the system.
Wolf's placement in the Support tier is surprising. He's not a supporting player; he's the team MVP. Yes, he's not at the same level as Andrei Vasilevskiy or Igor Shesterkin, both Vezina Trophy winners. Still, those clubs wouldn't be as successful with a mediocre goalie between the pipes. Can anyone imagine how bad the Flames would have been last season without their No. 1 goalie posting a 23-29-3 record? Yikes.
Overall, most NHL fans who don't stay up late to watch Calgary games rarely see how impactful Wolf is in every game he plays. Casual fans may look at the rankings and conclude the Flames are simply rebuilding. However, the Calgary faithful will see these rankings and wonder why Wolf couldn't move up a tier, and ask why players like Matt Coronato and Zayne Parekh were left off entirely.
Calgary's rebuild won't be measured until the latter part of the decade, when the organization expects to be back in the playoff picture. Until then, rankings like these are likely to become the norm.
It took three months, but the Yankees finally have their captain back.
Aaron Judge has been progressing nicely over the past few weeks in his recovery from a fractured rib injury, and he finally received the okay to return on Tuesday night.
“It’s a long time coming,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s been chomping at the bit.”
Judge isn’t facing any restrictions in his return, so he jumped right back out there for the Yanks, batting third and playing his usual right field in the opener against the Rockies.
The slugger took three at-bats and played six innings in the field, which is part of the team’s plan as they look to play it smart with his build-up after opting to skip a minor league rehab assignment.
He missed a pair of middle-middle sliders before swinging through a fastball up in the zone, as Gabriel Hughes struck him out in his first plate appearance back.
Judge then got ahead 2-1 before flying out to center his second time around.
He worked a full count against left-hander Mark Manfredi in the sixth, but was called out looking at a fastball on the corner of the zone to end his night.
"I thought he looked really good," Boone said. "First AB was getting himself in good positions, just missed a couple of sliders before they beat him with the fastball. I thought he looked like Judgey.
"Obviously there will be some time getting the timing and rhythm and everything, but I thought he was on everything for the most part -- overall I thought it was a pretty good night for him."
Judge wasn't pleased with Boone for taking him out after six innings, so the skipper is confident he'll be ready to go for the middle game of the three-game set Wednesday night in the Bronx.
He does anticipate getting him a full off day at some point during the series, though.
"The competitor in him wants to be out there," Boone said. "He's done a lot of work and I know he feels in his mind he's very much ready to play and go the distance, but it's my job to be smart, especially these first several games."
Phil Jackson, who won 11 NBA titles as a coach combined with the Lakers and Bulls, is set to get a statue at Crypto.com Arena in April. NBAE via Getty Images
Jackson’s coaching résumé speaks for itself: 11 NBA championships, which are the most by any head coach in league history, in 13 NBA Finals appearances across 20 years.
The most playoff wins (229) by a coach in league history.
A 70.4 regular-season and 68.8 playoffs winning percentage, both the highest marks in league history among individuals who’ve coached at least 10 seasons.
But Jackson’s impact and case as the NBA’s greatest coach of all time goes beyond statistics and rings.
He popularized the triangle offense, which was developed by Tex Winter, a longtime assistant coach under Jackson with the Bulls and Lakers. The offensive system was the backbone for team success for two decades, and its principles have influenced successful NBA offenses for even longer — particularly the Warriors’ most recent dynasty.
His ability to manage personalities on superstar-driven teams led to his teams maximizing their potential: Jackson-coached teams won 25 consecutive playoff series from 1996-2003.
His holistic approach to coaching also earned him the moniker of “Zen Master.”
When it comes to NBA coaches, Jackson’s combination of success and influence stands above the rest.
Former Celtics coach Red Auerbach has a statue at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Auerbach, who led the Celtics to eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959-66 and nine championships in 10 years including the 1957 NBA title, was the architect behind one of the greatest dynasties in league history. Especially when factoring in his influence on Boston’s roster construction, which continued in his roles as Celtics general manager and eventually president after his retirement as coach in 1966. He was rightfully voted as the greatest coach in NBA history by the Professional Basketball Writers Association in 1980.
Popovich’s longevity with the Spurs is unmatched: an NBA record 1,390 regular-season wins to go with five NBA championships and six NBA Finals. Three NBA Coach of the Year awards, which is tied for the most in league history (the award was created in 1962). Twenty-two consecutive playoff appearances (1998-2019, which is tied for an NBA record. Popovich reinvented himself and his teams throughout his 29 seasons as the Spurs’ coach, consistently achieving success at the highest level with each version of the Spurs that developed.
Gregg Popovich led the Spurs to five NBA championships. Getty Images
But Jackson has a feather in his cap that Auerbach and Popovich lack: He successfully led two different franchises to dynastic runs with the 1990s Bulls and the 2000s Lakers.
An argument against Jackson, and in favor of another coach being the greatest of all time, was that Jackson coached some of the greatest players of all time in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. And that’s before even mentioning other key players to the dynasties Jackson led such as Pau Gasol, Ron Harper, Lamar Odom, Toni Kukoc and Horace Grant.
But Auerbach had Hall of Fame players such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Sam Jones, to name a few.
Popovich had Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili and Kawhi Leonard.
Coaching great talents is a prerequisite for becoming an all-time coach.
Among all the all-time coaches, Jackson stands above them all.
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1983: Michael Ray Richardson #20 of the New Jersey Nets in action against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Richardson played for the Nets from 1983-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets could be in for more ABA-related fun during the 2026-27 season.
Last week, the team announced plans to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary with an “ABA Night” on November 18. This week, a Sacramento Kings fan account on X discovered the NBA filed to trademark the term “ABA CHALLENGE SERIES” and an accompanying wordmark in late June.
The USPTO also has it listed as “live” and “pending.‘’
🚨BREAKING: The NBA may be planning a special "ABA Challenge Series" this season.
— Trademark filed on June 23 with intent for "live basketball games and basketball exhibitions" — League celebrating 50th anniversary of ABA-NBA merger with 4 ABA teams rumored for Classic unis 🧵 pic.twitter.com/U5MWZ6Vq5G
The Nets are shedding some light on their ABA roots this season. On ABA Night, they’ll give away a Julius Erving bobblehead giveaway. Peter Vecsey reported that all living players and coaches from the 1974 and 1976 title teams will be in attendance.
What exactly does the Nets ABA Night (Nov. 18) mean? I’m told all the living players and coaches from the franchise’s only two title teams (‘74 & ‘76) will attend…
There’s been no official word from the league or the Nets on whether or not there’s more to the scheduled “ABA Night,” although the “Challenge Series” might indicate that something larger is in the works.
The Nets are one of four NBA teams to have originated in the ABA, the other being the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. To our knowledge, they’ve yet to announce anything formally related to a the trademark filling either.
Brooklyn will face the San Antonio Spurs twice (December 23 and March 18), the Denver Nuggets twice (March 1 and March 25), and the Indiana Pacers four times (October 25, November 1, January 11 and March 15).
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 29: Cal Quantrill #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field on August 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres steals second base during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on September 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington Nationals (67-79) at San Diego Padres (76-68), September 8, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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Sep 3, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins (50) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Last night, the Athletics played spoiler by kicking off their homestand with a 6-5 walk-off win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight, the A’s will look to continue their strong finish to the season and secure a second consecutive series victory.
Right-hander Jack Perkins will make the start for the A’s. The 26-year-old enters his 34th appearance, 14th start of the season and first career start against the Blue Jays with a 3-10 record, a 6.50 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over 98 1/3 innings.
Perkins’ strikeout numbers showcase the stellar arsenal he brings to the mound. However, his ongoing command issues have prevented him from taking the next step and establishing himself as a core member of the A’s pitching staff.
In his last outing against the Seattle Mariners, Perkins was bailed out by the A’s bullpen. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits in just three innings, striking out seven batters while walking five. Following that game, the Athletics optioned Perkins to Triple-A. He was recalled the next day as the corresponding move after fellow right-hander J.T. Ginn landed on the injured list with an elbow impingement.
Perkins has the ability to be a successful starting pitcher in this league, yet he has not reached his fully evolved form. If he keeps struggling, it would behoove the team to return him to a late-inning or long relief role. Will Perkins deliver a quality start, or will the team once again have to turn to its bullpen earlier than expected?
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for this matchup:
Center fielder Henry Bolte will look to follow his electric performance yesterday with another strong showing this evening. Third baseman Zack Gelof did not start the season in the majors, yet he is three home runs and six stolen bases away from a 20-20 season. The Blue Jays must be mindful of the two speedsters, who ran wild on the basepaths in the series opener.
After a hot streak, right fielder Lawrence Butler has cooled down. The Athletics could use a resurgence from him and slumping catcher Jonah Heim. The team also welcomes back designated hitter Tommy White, who sat out the last five games because of back tightness.
The A’s offense will face Blue Jays right-hander José Soriano. Toronto was active on both sides of this season’s trade deadline, and Soriano was one of its key acquisitions. The Blue Jays traded one of their top prospects to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for the hard-throwing right-hander.
Through 22 starts with the Angels, Soriano went 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA. In his first six starts with his new team, the 27-year-old went 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA.
The Green and Gold have faced Soriano plenty of times over the past few years. The right-hander enters this outing 1-3 with a 7.52 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 10 career appearances against the Athletics. This will be his third start against the A’s this season, but his first as a member of the Blue Jays. He received no-decisions in both of his first two starts. Will that happen again today, or will Soriano finally factor into the decision?
No George Springer in the Blue Jays lineup today. Left fielder Josh Smith and designated hitter Jesús Sánchez make their first starts of the series for the visitors. Perkins will have to be careful when facing the always-dangerous Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as well as Andrés Giménez, who hit the game-tying home run last night.
Time to make it two straight wins and send Toronto tumbling in the wild-card race. Let’s go, A’s!
Los Angeles, - September 05: Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares to throw weighted, javelin-like training tools prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Dodgers close out their nine-game homestand on Wednesday night, with one more game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts Wednesday, and like Tuesday starter Tarik Skubal is set up to face the Reds twice in a row, as these two teams meet up again next week for four games at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
The volume at Dodger Stadium is always high, but the series finale will be even Lowder, as right-hander Rhett Lowder starts for Cincinnati.
Los Angeles, CA - September 07, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) prepares to bat during the third inning of an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — After only one game back, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup on Tuesday, the fifth time in six days he isn’t starting.
“He came out of yesterday well, but talking with the training staff, it’s more the thought of let’s build him up slowly,” manager Dave Roberts said prior to Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. “He’ll be available in a big spot tonight. He’ll be in there tomorrow.”
Ohtani flew out to deep left field in his first at-bat back on Monday, after missing four games. He then struck out twice and walked. The flyout came on a 98.6-mph fastball from Chase Burns in the first inning.
“He got to 99 at the top of the zone yesterday, flew out to left field. A week ago, he wasn’t close to catching up to that,” Roberts said. “It’s not just about tonight, obviously he’s not in the lineup. It’s about what we can do to get him optimum as we get into the postseason. I think a day here and there is not the worst thing, to make sure his body overall feels as good or close to 100 percent as possible.”
Freddie Freeman gets the start at designated hitter, with Kiké Hernández starting at first base against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. It’s just the fourth career start at DH for Freeman, along with once in 2015 and twice in 2020 while with the Atlanta Braves.
Freeman is the 11th Dodger to start at DH this season, joining Ohtani (129 starts), Teoscar Hernández (three), Dalton Rushing (three), Will Smith (two), Alex Call (two), Santiago Espinal, Miguel Rojas, Andy Pages, Ryan Ward, and Max Muncy.
That’s three players shy of the club record set in 2022, when a whopping 14 different players started at DH — Justin Turner (61 starts), Muncy (25), Smith (24), Edwin Ríos (19), Jake Lamb (12), Chris Taylor (five), Miguel Vargas (four), Joey Gallo (three), Trayce Thompson (three), Eddy Alvarez (two), James Outman, Zach McKinstry, Gavin Lux, and Hanser Alberto.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the press after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
No, this is not an attempt to get birthday wishes from our faithful Bright Siders.
But I was thinking about some outrageous things that would be great to see from the Suns this season. Some bold takes. What better way to wish for some wild outcomes than to do it while blowing out some candles? That way, you can’t hold me accountable for any of this. When in Rome…
Let’s get freakishly optimistic and speak some things into existence.
Disclaimer: Again, these are NOT things I am predicting. Just speaking into existence in an alternate reality where things go according to… Suns fans. Yes, I am going to get greedy.
1) Devin Booker revenge tour season + enters MVP conversation
What if it just finally happens? What if this is the year Devin Booker catches everyone by surprise and unleashes a new level to his game? Why not? He’s still just 29 years old, going on 30 in October, and this is an age that many players have had career years in the past.
He finished 4th in voting in 2021-22 after leading the Suns to a 64-win season, so it may take a lot from both a personal and team perspective, but he’s been in the conversation before.
Just when everyone seems to have taken a collective step back on his hierarchy in the NBA star food chain… this could be the moment he strikes. What if he has his best season yet and the Suns crush expectations? They’ll have to pay attention to him again.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: Devin Booker of the USA Men's National Team poses for a photo with his 2 medals as he returns to the hotel after winning the Gold against France on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2) The Phoenix Suns just SMASH expectations, win 54 games
Devin Booker is in MVP conversations, after all. I don’t know why I picked 54, but it just felt right.
Most betting sites have them in the 38-40 win range, so this would be exceeding those expectations by quite a bit. Even with their win total being 46 a year ago, Vegas does not believe in the Suns for the second season in a row.
54 wins likely puts them in the top-4 in a loaded Western Conference, so yeah. This is entering best-case scenario territory. They start the season hot, beat bad teams, stay healthy, and Devin Booker has the year of his life.
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 27: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
3) Khaman Maluach breaks out a year early
This one may be a little more realistic. But let’s make even this one bold. He takes the starting job from Mark Williams, and it has nothing to do with injury. He runs with it after filling in as a spot starter in back-to-backs and gains Jordan Ott’s trust. Most expect gradual production and improvement from him in year two, and at his age that’s reasonable. But why not a full-on breakout?
Summer League Khaman carries into the regular season, takes the starting center job, and never looks back for the next decade. Let’s get even bolder. How about he enters the top 10 center conversation in the back half of the season?
We’re not just talking about looking competent; we’re talking about looking like a future franchise cornerstone.
CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 2: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 2, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
4) Jalen Green takes a leap
Jalen Green is in a weird position right now. We call this “young player with high expectations” purgatory. When you’re drafted as high as Green, you are held to another standard. Some view him as a negative asset due to his contract; some say he’s still young enough to warrant being a “sleeper” breakout pick.
I’m not going to say anything bold like stardom, but becoming the type of player that everyone said he couldn’t be. Playmaking improves. Defense improves. Catch-and-shoot numbers improve. Improved shot selection, which increases his efficiency. It’s not a pure PPG breakout, but rather, a breakout in the areas we all want to see improvement in.
We don’t need a flashy leap. The boring, intangible, and efficiency-led leap is what I am wishing for.
5) Koa Peat is the steal of the draft
Koa Peat exceeds our wildest expectations and forces himself into the rotation. Not only in the rotation, but he becomes a staple of it. He and Maluach showcase a very promising 4-5 combo that is versatile, strong, athletic, and has high upside.
Rival GM’s will long be asking themselves why they didn’t take him sooner. We are due for a player like that, so I will speak it into existence.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
That was a whole lot of optimism, delusion, and manifestation taking place all at once. Thanks for sticking through.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Quinn Mathews #60 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during game one of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 17, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals return to Oracle Park Tuesday night for game 2 against the San Francisco Giants. Quinn Mathews gets the start for the Cardinals while Landen Roupp gets the ball for the Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 8:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
