Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave updates on a number of injured players as they start a three-game series with the Guardians on Tuesday...
Dominguez's rehab start, tentatively, set
With the injury to Aaron Judge, the Yankees could be in need of an outfield bat to replace their captain in the short term. Jasson Dominguez would be an ideal candidate if he could return from his IL stint and Boone offered a promising update on the young outfielder.
Boone said that Dominguez will take live batting practice and will begin a rehab assignment on Friday.
The 23-year-old outfielder was starting to turn things around since his call-up in late April. He was 6-for-30 in his nine games, but had five hits, including a home run, in his last seven games before landing on the IL with a shoulder sprain after running into the wall making a catch in the outfield.
Stanton update
Boone was asked about Giancarlo Stanton's status and it was more of the same from a week ago, when imaging showed that his calf strain was healing. Stanton will also be hitting in a live BP and continue his running ramp-up.
When asked if Stanton will need a rehab assignment, the Yankees skipper didn't have a definitive answer, but it was the least of his concerns.
"That’s not a big question for me….not necessarily, but I won’t rule it out either," Boone said. "We’ll decide that at the end. He’s different than every other player in that he doesn’t have to build up innings or things like that. It’s possible, but not a certainty either."
Boone said that he was hopeful Stanton would return soon since the slugger has been running the last few days, but conceded it could be a couple of more weeks before we see Stanton.
Stanton was slashing .256/.302/.422 with an OPS of .724. He also has three home runs and driven in 14 RBI in his 24 games.
Fried latest
Southpaw Max Fried was the final injury update that Boone provided and the skipper gave a short, but optimistic breakdown of what Fried has been going through since he landed on the IL with a bone bruise on his elbow.
"Threw again at 75 feet back-to-back days with some better intensity," Boone said. "Seems to be responding to everything very well. Just talking to him, he’s excited how he felt since even a couple of days after the outing in Baltimore. He’s been doing well.
Meeting with the doctor today to see about whether we start ramping him up more. But seems to be responding pretty well."
Fried was pitching to a 3.21 ERA across his 10 starts before going down with injury. If the Yankees can get Fried back healthy, he'll slide into a rotation that has just welcomed back Gerrit Cole.
The NHL All-Star Game is returning in 2027 and will feature a new format.
The league and the NHL Players' Association announced details at NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's news conference before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The All-Star weekend will be held Feb. 5-6, 2027, in UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders.
The plan is to hold the All-Star Game every other year, with an international tournament taking place in the even years. There will be a World Cup of Hockey in 2028 and NHL players will take part in the 2030 Olympics.
Russian players will be allowed in the All-Star Game, but the NHL and NHLPA haven't decided on Russian participation in the World Cup of Hockey. They will follow the lead of the International Ice Hockey Federation, which recently said it would decide Russian eligibility in 2026-27 on a tournament-by-tournament basis.
Here are details for the 2027 All-Star weekend:
Feb. 6, 2027, NHL All-Star Game
It will feature five teams – Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a World team made up of international players from countries outside of the other four teams – competing in a three-on-three, round-robin exhibition tournament.
Each team will consist of 11 players: nine skaters and two goaltenders. The NHL and NHLPA will select 30 players from each of the participating teams for the 2027 NHL All-Star Fan Vote, which will open in December. Fans will use that list to select eight players from each team. The remaining three roster spots – one forward, one defenseman and one goaltender – will be selected jointly by the NHL and NHLPA.
Each team will play four five-minute games during the round-robin tournament. There won't be an overtime period or shootout in the event of a tie.
Teams will get points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
The top two teams from the round robin will advance to a 10-minute final. The winning team will claim a $2 million prize.
Feb. 5, 2027, All-Star skills competition
It will feature 10 young stars (25 or younger) competing across eight events. The players will be jointly selected by the NHL and NHLPA.
Each player will participate in four of the first six events: Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Passing Challenge, One Timers, Stick Handling and Accuracy Shooting. Players will earn points based on their placement in each event.
The top four players then will advance to a shootout, facing one of four All-Star goaltenders. The top two performers from the shootout will compete in the last event: the Obstacle Course Finale.
The player with the highest cumulative score will be named All-Star skills champion and take home a $1 million prize.
Bettman: Succession plan not imminent
Bettman, who turned 74 on June 2, responded to a report that a succession plan for him has been discussed, and said there have been discussions over the last couple years but nothing is imminent.
"Reports of my demise − or retirement − are greatly exaggerated," he said.
He also defended the current playoff format amid suggestions of going to a 1 vs. 8, etc., format. He said the current format leads to longer series and more competitive games.
BETTER SCORE FIRST: The Cubs are 10-0 when they have scored first in games at home and 8-11 when their guests have scored first. They are 20-6 in all games when they have scored first and 12-21 when they have not. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
THE LONG BALL RETURNS…: The Cubs have hit at least one home run in five consecutive games, their third-longest streak of the season. They homered in six straight twice, April 12-18 and April 20-25, and in seven in a row, May 2-8. Their longest streak last year was eight games. They also had one of seven, one of six and seven of five. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
… BUT ONLY A LITTLE BIT: They have hit exactly one homer in their last four games. They had not done that since May 13-17 of last year. This is their 11th four-game streak since their most recent of five, Aug. 16-21, 2018. Their previous one of five was in 2012. That was the longest since they hit one homer in eight straight games, May 23-30, 2009, to tie the team record, set in 1931. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Matt Stairs, Sammy Sosa and Rondell White homered and the Cubs defeated the Brewers 10-4 in Milwaukee. It was the final victory of a 12-game winning streak, the Cubs’ longest since 1936, and the Cubs led the NL Central by 3.5 games. It happened 25 years ago today, Saturday, June 2, 2001.
I’m not sure what to say about Jameson Taillon anymore.
His last three starts have been, well, awful. The numbers back me up: 14.2 innings, 21 hits and four walks (1.705 WHIP), 16 runs (all earned, 9.82 ERA), eight home runs. His four-seamer velocity is down from last year, not by much, but maybe dropping that from 92.3 to 91.7 makes a difference.
Last year he had a decent outing against the A’s, April 2, 2025 in Sacramento, allowing two runs (a two-run homer by Brent Rooker). I think we’d take that.
Just keep the ball in the yard, Jamo.
Gage Jump. Now there’s a name!
Jump was the A’s second-round pick in 2024 out of LSU. He was a Top 100 prospect before this season and after nine starts at Triple-A Las Vegas this year, the A’s called him up to make his MLB debut last Tuesday against the Mariners. He allowed nine hits and four runs in five innings.
That’s about all I’ve got here, besides the pitch chart below (for the 88 pitches he threw against Seattle). He’s obviously never faced the Cubs or anyone on their active roster.
Please visit our SB Nation Athletics site Athletics Nation. If you do go there to interact with A’s fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Anaheim Ducks need to free space to sign young stars like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, and as a result, they could be looking to trade a struggling Mason McTavish.
A new report from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period links the St. Louis Blues to the 23-year-old center.
“We know that St. Louis is looking to get younger and augment their lineup quite a bit,” said insider Pagnotta.
Too much center depth in the NHL isn’t really a thing. And having an abundance of young centers is how teams become contenders. Currently, the Blues’ center core consists of 26-year-old Robert Thomas, 21-year-old Dalibor Dvorsky, and 30-year-old Pius Suter. Outside of the NHL, the Blues could see players like Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Adam Jecho.
Adding McTavish would improve the current Blues roster while still aligning with the direction the team hopes to head.
It’s no secret, though; McTavish really struggled during the 2025-26 season and hasn’t had the breakout campaign many thought he would have had by this point. The 6-foot-1, left-handed center notched just 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games this season after posting 22 goals and 52 points the year before.
Despite the issues in McTavish’s game, he’s proven to be a reliable enough center, even at his worst, and his track record provides enough belief that a change of scenery could unlock his game.
McTavish was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, with a resume that includes a gold medal at the World Junior Championship, as well as MVP honours at the event, a U-18 gold medal, and an OHL championship.
The price tag to acquire McTavish is a bit of a mystery at the moment, but he just finished the first of a six-year, $7-million contract.
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May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease (84) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images | Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
The Jays shared some injury news today:
Dylan Cease will have a rehab start Thursday. With luck, he’ll be back with the Jays after that.
Max Scherzer will have a rehab start Friday.
Shane Bieber will have a rehab start, likely Saturday, in Buffalo and will likely need two more rehab starts.
Alejandro Kirk will start a rehab assignment Wednesday, DHing for Dunedin. He’ll likely need a week’s worth of games to get back to speed. Or lack there of.
Jesús Sánchez is day-to-day, not in the lineup today.
And Addison Barger is hitting and will be back pretty soon.
Yimi Garcia will pitch for Dunedin Wednesday.
Tommy Nance will pitch in Buffalo Friday.
Apparently it is raining in Atlanta. I’m hoping the game will happen, because I’ve planed to watch at the bar with a friend, and, if the game doesn’t happen, we’ll have to talk or something.
Tuesday marks a special anniversary for the Florida Panthers franchise.
It’s been exactly 10 years since the team debuted its then-brand-new logo and uniform, moving away from the leaping panther that had been the team’s main symbol since its inception.
Florida’s new logo was a shield-shaped design that was inspired by the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, which Panthers Owner Vincent Viola was a member of during his time serving in the military.
The unveiling was held during a fan-attended event on the floor of the then-BB&T Center on the night of June 2.
Four Panthers players were brought onto the stage wearing the new duds.
They were Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck, Steven Kampfer and Shawn Thornton.
Photos from the event can be seen in the collage at the top of this page.
To say things have been going well for Florida since the logo change would be an understatement.
From 1993-94 to 2015-16, the Panthers reached the playoffs five times in 21 seasons, winning a total of three postseason series (all in 1996) and 18 playoff games during that span.
Under the new Panthers shield logo, it’s been quite a different story.
Florida has qualified for the postseason in six of their ten seasons wearing the new logo, all coming since their 2019-20 campaign.
During that time, the Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships while reaching the Stanley Cup Final during three straight seasons, from 2023 to 2025.
Future success seems like a strong possibility for the Panthers, considering the team has their talented and battle-tested core locked up for years to come.
May 26, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Kyle Harrison (52) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Brewers’ offense came alive last night, when a Milwaukee offense that scored only nine runs over the weekend put up 16 on Landon Roupp and the San Francisco Giants in the first of a four-game series. Tonight, they will look to keep that offensive momentum going, Kyle Harrison looks to continue his brilliant start to the season.
Harrison’s brilliance this year has been overshadowed by the firepower of his rotation-mate, Jacob Misiorowski. But it’s actually Harrison who leads the Brewers in ERA, even after Misiorowski’s seven scoreless innings on Sunday: in 10 games started this season, Harrison has allowed just nine runs. He’s just short of “qualifying” for the ERA title, but if he did, he’d be third in the league, only behind the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler (1.50) and Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez (1.47). Incidentally, those are probably your two leading candidates for the AL and NL Cy Young Awards right now.
Harrison hasn’t allowed a run in any of his last three outings, which covers 18 innings. In that time he’s struck out 20 batters and walked only one.
For the Giants, 25-year-old righty Trevor McDonald will take the hill. He’ll be making his sixth start of the year (in just his tenth career appearance), and he’s been okay this season: in 29 innings, he has struck out 27 and walked only six. He’s had some bad luck, so his 4.34 ERA doesn’t look great, but his FIP (3.26) tells a nicer story. While McDonald has walked only nine batters in 47 major league innings (1.7 per nine), his minor league numbers suggest that might be small sample size blip; even in just the last two years, he’s walked 4.4 batters per nine when pitching with Triple-A Sacramento.
Milwaukee will mostly ride with the lineup that collected 18 hits last night. The one change is that Garrett Mitchell is in while Andrew Vaughn is out; Jake Bauers slides from left field to first base, while Milwaukee goes with a Jackson Chourio-Mitchell-Sal Frelick outfield alignment. For the second straight night, Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton make up the left side of the infield.
First pitch is at 6:40 on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 27: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the seventh inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves on May 27, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The awful road Orioles (9-17) take on the even more awful Fenway Red Sox (9-19) in a battle for the bottom of the American League East.
But you know who hasn’t been awful at Fenway of late? Connelly Early. He’s thrown back to back seven inning shutouts in the comforts of home against the Rays and Braves, who are two of the best teams in all of baseball.
Early’s probably going to have to be great again too, because offensively, the Red Sox have been so bad at Fenway Park this season, they’ve only won one game all year in which the opponent has scored more than two runs. In the month of May, it was even worse. Here’s all their wins at home in May, and as you can see, all of them involved the opponent scoring one run or less:
3-1 vs. Houston on May 1st
2-0 vs. Tampa on May 8th
3-1 vs. Philadelphia on May 13th
8-0 vs Atlanta on May 27th
Boy do they suck!
The good news is, as you can probably deduce, two of those were the Connelly Early games referenced above, so between that and the Orioles being on the road, maybe they can break through tonight.
Lineup wise, the biggest items of note are Ceddanne Rafaela and Willson Contreras back in there after being out of the lineup on Sunday to double up on rest days with the Monday off day, and Mickey Gasper continuing to court favor with Chad Tracy as he once again gets the start behind the dish.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres throws to first base after forcing out Adolis García #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies at second base during the eighth inning at Petco Park on May 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (32-26) at Philadelphia Phillies (30-29), June 2, 2026, 3:40 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Penn.
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Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Third base coach Gary Pettis #8 of the Houston Astros looks on before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on July 22, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants didn’t take long to find a new third base coach. Just four days after the team announced that they had removed Hector Borg from third base duties, and reassigned him within the organization, they formally hired his replacement: Gary Pettis.
Longtime Giants coach Ron Wotus had been serving as the interim third base coach following Borg’s demotion but, according to reporters, did not wish to remain in a full-time, traveling role. And so the Giants pounced on Pettis, announcing the news a day after USA Today’s Bob Nightengale first reported the likelihood of a deal.
Pettis, who is 68, has a lengthy resume, and has been coaching in the Majors for 22 years. He also has tons of experience as a third base coach specifically, as he served that role for the Houston Astros from 2015-2025, a run that included four championships and two pennants. He also spent many years working for the Texas Rangers, where he was primarily a first base coach, but also a third base coach for two seasons. Pettis was the first base coach for the Rangers in 2010, when they lost to the Giants in the World Series.
Not only does Pettis have tons of experience in the role, but he has plenty of experience with people in the Giants organization. During some of his time with the Astros, he worked under manager Dusty Baker, who currently serves as a special advisor to Buster Posey. And during much of his tenure with the Rangers, Pettis worked under manager Ron Washington, the organization’s Major League infield coach. So it’s safe to say that Pettis comes highly recommended from people within the organization.
In addition to his successful coaching career, Pettis played 11 seasons in the Majors as a centerfielder, and won five Gold Glove awards in a six-year period between 1985 and 1990. Befitting for his current role, Pettis was an excellent baserunner, and stole 354 bags in his career.
It’s also something of a homecoming for Pettis, who was born and raised in Oakland. He not only grew up in the East Bay, but played both his high school and college baseball in Oakland, at Castlemont High and Laney College, respectively. You can imagine how exciting it must be for Pettis to, after more than three decades in the Majors in various capacities, finally get a chance to wear a Bay Area jersey. His son, Dante, is an NFL wide receiver who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2018 draft, and spent parts of three seasons with the Niners.
Pettis is expected to join the Giants on Wednesday for their game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors smiles after the game against the LA Clippers during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In today’s Dub Hub:
Steph Curry signs a 10-year, $400 million deal with Chinese shoe company Li-Ning, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is reportedly expected to be resolved “over the next few weeks” prior to the NBA Draft, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Steph Curry officially announced his new partnership with Chinese shoe company Li-Ning on Monday, calling it the “partnership of a lifetime.” According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Curry’s agreement with Li-Ning is a 10-year deal, worth over $400 million, officially beginning a new chapter after previously spending the past 12 years with Under Armour.
Landmark: Golden State star Stephen Curry's 10-year endorsement deal with Li-Ning is worth over $400 million, industry sources tell ESPN. Curry had similar financial commitments from other brands, including at least one more lucrative offer, but chose Li-Ning to power Curry… https://t.co/4xp0gy5vJB
While Li-Ning may not be as familiar to casual NBA fans as brands like Nike or Adidas, the company has quietly built a strong reputation within basketball circles over the years. The brand has found its most prominent success recently through Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and his “Way of Wade” signature line. Li-Ning’s basketball roster also includes current NBA players such as Fred VanVleet, CJ McCollum, D’Angelo Russell, and Curry’s Golden State Warriors teammate, Jimmy Butler.
During Curry’s sneaker free agency throughout the 2025-26 season, he was frequently seen testing multiple brands on the court, including several Li-Ning models. YouTube basketball shoe reviewer Foot Doctor Zach recently discussed Curry’s decision to sign with Li-Ning, breaking down what may have gone into the big decision.
However, the most intriguing part of the partnership may be the length of the deal itself. A 10-year commitment at this stage of Curry’s career suggests he may be thinking beyond simply what shoes he will wear over the next few NBA seasons. Given the long-term success of Wade’s signature line well after his retirement, Curry could be viewing Li-Ning as an opportunity to continue expanding Curry Brand globally, long after his playing career eventually comes to an end.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, June 2nd:
Curry opted for Li-Ning over other pitches from American and foreign companies despite similar financial commitments, including at least one brand that offered more, sources said. One factor in Curry’s ultimate decision was his comfort while testing the shoes of two Li-Ning signature athletes: Jimmy Butler, his fellow Warriors teammate, and Dwyane Wade.
Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and in China. Curry’s agent, Jeff Austin, finalized negotiations in recent days.
“What Wemby did to Chet, in a way, is what LeBron did to Steph, in [Game 6 of the 2016 Finals]” Kellerman said, referencing a viral moment in which James blocked Curry’s shot and appeared to stare him down afterward. “[James] blocked the shot and screamed on [Curry] and Steph…had his head hung. There was something in that moment where it was like…no, you’ve got to respond, you can’t let someone scream on you like that.”
The above backstory has only increased league curiosity about the Magic’s appetite to join the team widely perceived to be a leading contender in the Giannis Trade Sweepstakes — Orlando’s fellow Floridians on South Beach — in the chase for No. 34. More and more, with sources saying Miami and Portland are already in pursuit, Antetokounmpo’s future is increasingly expected to be resolved over the next few weeks in conjunction with NBA Draft proceedings.
The basketball lifer spent two seasons at the helm for the Warriors, coaching them to a 36-46 record in 1995-96, and a 30-52 record in 1996-97, before being fired. While those records aren’t very good, they were better than before he took over, as the Dubs went 26-56 the season before hiring Adelman.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Curry has agreed to a 10-year endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear giant Li-Ning worth more than $400 million. The landmark agreement will serve as the foundation for the next phase of Curry Brand, expanding the venture far beyond basketball shoes.
But according to the same report, it wasn’t Curry’s biggest offer.
Stephen Curry’s shoe deal with Li-Ning is worth $400 million. Getty Images
Industry sources told ESPN that Curry received similar financial commitments from multiple companies and even turned down at least one offer that was more lucrative than Li-Ning’s proposal.
Ultimately, he chose the brand he believed offered the best long-term vision for growing his business empire.
The deal includes basketball footwear and apparel, athleisure lifestyle products, a dedicated golf line, and the ability for Curry to sign both male and female athletes under the Curry Brand umbrella.
Li-Ning is also planning to open Curry Brand retail stores in both the United States and China, giving the four-time NBA champion a global platform that extends well beyond the court.
Curry’s decision ends a highly publicized recruitment process that began after he mutually parted ways with Under Armour in November following a 13-year partnership.
While Curry publicly expressed gratitude toward Under Armour, industry insiders reported growing frustration with what was viewed as underinvestment from a company facing declining valuation.
A view of Under Armour sneakers worn by Stephen Curry during a Warriors game on Oct. 27, 2025. Getty Images
Following the split, Curry became one of the most coveted free agents in the sneaker industry. He generated buzz throughout the 2025-26 season by rotating through shoes from multiple brands, including a notable appearance in Nike Kobe 6 “Mambacita” sneakers during a Warriors road trip to San Antonio.
According to Charania, comfort played a major role in Curry’s final decision. He spent time testing signature models from fellow Warriors teammate Jimmy Butler and NBA legend Dwyane Wade, both of whom are prominent Li-Ning athletes.
Now, with more than $400 million committed over the next decade, Curry is betting that Li-Ning can help transform Curry Brand from a successful signature line into a global sports and lifestyle powerhouse.
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 23: Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitching during an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels played on May 23, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for June 2, 2026 against the St. Louis Cardinals: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Dustin May for the Cardinals.
The Texas Rangers go up this evening against Texas native and one time Dodgers wunderkind Dustin May.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Jung — 3B
Nimmo — RF
Burger — 1B
Duran — SS
Osuna — LF
Carter — CF
Higashioka — C
Lopez — 2B
6:45 p.m. Central start time. The game is a pick ‘em.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 16: Bryan Abreu #52 of the Houston Astros pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The curious case of Bryan Abreu continues to become more intriguing with every appearance he makes for the Houston Astros.
For a pitcher who was once considered one of the most feared setup men in Major League Baseball, it is an understatement to say that Abreu has underperformed this season. A reliever who routinely sat above 97 mph on the radar gun has seen his velocity drop by nearly three miles per hour, and the dominant results that Astros fans had grown accustomed to simply have not been there.
To be fair, Abreu had shown signs of improvement recently, putting together several scoreless appearances and appearing to regain some of the form that made him such a valuable weapon out of the bullpen. However, even during that stretch, the warning signs remained impossible to ignore.
His command issues continue to plague him. Too often he struggles to find the strike zone, frequently walking the leadoff hitter or putting additional runners on base. With a strike percentage hovering only slightly above 50 percent, Abreu is putting himself in difficult situations before opposing hitters even have a chance to do damage.
That simply is not good enough for a pitcher whose role is to enter high-leverage situations and protect slim leads, preserve ties, or keep his team within striking distance. The margin for error is too small, and right now Abreu is creating more problems than he is solving.
Beyond the numbers, he looks different. The confidence that once defined him appears to be missing. The intimidating presence and trademark stare that accompanied his dominance on the mound seem to have faded. His body language tells a story of a pitcher searching for answers rather than one who expects success every time he takes the ball.
The Astros must determine how they want to proceed because Abreu is no longer a reliever that manager Joe Espada can trust. That statement would have been unthinkable just a season or two ago, but it reflects the current reality.
While the recent scoreless outings are encouraging, context matters. The situations in which those appearances occurred matter just as much as the final line in the box score. The usage patterns suggest Espada deploys Abreu only when necessary or when the risk to the outcome of the game is relatively limited.
The series against Milwaukee provided another example. Entrusted with a one-run lead against a quality opponent, Abreu entered with an opportunity to secure a meaningful victory. Instead, he left the game with the score tied, and the Astros ultimately lost. It was another reminder that the version of Abreu who once thrived under pressure is nowhere to be found at the moment.
The question becomes: how much longer can the Astros continue expecting different results when placing him in situations he once handled with ease?
With Josh Hader expected to return soon and other bullpen options emerging, it is fair to wonder how long Abreu can maintain his place in the bullpen hierarchy. It may even be reasonable to question how secure his spot on the major league roster remains.
Abreu is approaching free agency, and based on his current performance, it is difficult to imagine owner Jim Crane committing significant money to an extension. The organization has already experienced the consequences of investing heavily in relievers after the disastrous Rafael Montero contract, and it would be surprising to see the Astros repeat that mistake.
As an impending free agent, Abreu is pitching for his next contract as much as he is pitching to rediscover the success that once made him one of baseball’s elite setup men. Unfortunately for both him and the Astros, neither objective appears close to being achieved.
The Astros are also in a position where every victory carries increased importance. After a slow start to the season, they are playing catch-up in the standings and cannot afford to give games away while waiting for a struggling reliever to figure things out.
That brings us to the questions the Astros must answer before the trade deadline.
Is there a physical issue contributing to Abreu’s declining velocity? Are there mechanical flaws causing his inability to consistently throw strikes? Is this something that can be corrected during the season, or does he need a stint on the injured list to address either a physical ailment or make significant adjustments?
There are mental questions as well. Has the constant struggle begun to affect his confidence to the point where he is expecting failure before he ever takes the mound? Has he become trapped in a cycle where poor performances feed self-doubt, which in turn creates more poor performances?
There is also the possibility that the heavy workload of recent seasons is catching up to him. Astros fans have seen similar situations before. One cannot help but wonder whether Abreu is dealing with the effects of overuse, much like Lance McCullers Jr. eventually experienced after years of heavy reliance and repeated arm issues. While the circumstances are certainly different, the concern remains valid when a pitcher’s velocity drops and effectiveness disappears.
Whatever the cause may be, the Astros cannot afford to ignore it much longer.
Bryan Abreu was once one of the most reliable and dominant relievers in baseball. Today, he is one of the biggest question marks on a team desperately trying to climb back into contention. Between now and the trade deadline, the Astros must determine whether the answers lie in mechanical adjustments, medical treatment, rest, or simply accepting that the pitcher they once depended on may no longer be the same.
Until then, every appearance will continue to add another chapter to the curious case of Bryan Abreu.
The city of Ottawa is no stranger to Stanley Cup wins.
The original Senators won the Cup on 11 occasions, but unfortunately, everyone who witnessed those Cup and their ensuing parades is now gone. Next season will be the 100th anniversary of Ottawa's last Cup win.
Montreal counts all the Cups they won in that era because they never went away. Ottawa's 11 Cup wins are rarely talked about because when the depression hit, we had to dip out for a quick 58-year absence from the league.
While the original Senators were a dynasty, the modern-day Sens haven't been nearly as successful. But they have had their great moments all the same.
They've been to three conference finals in their history, but advanced only once. That year was 2007, and as long as we're dabbling in nostalgia, today marks the 19th anniversary of the only game they've ever won in a modern-day Stanley Cup Final.
Put another way, while the ancient Sens were running out of ways to celebrate championships, June 2, 2007, was the closest the new era has ever been to winning it all.
We won't spend a lot of time on a game recap. You probably vaguely recall what happened. Scotiabank Place, going crazy. The Pizza Line. Ray Emery. Lyndon Slewidge in his prime. A Senators team that needed just five games to win each of their three series to that point. And that crazy long nine-day layoff after the Conference Final.
The Senators were down 2-0 after losing the first two games in Anaheim and returned home to host the first Cup Final game in Ontario in 40 years. If you take that as a gratuitous jab at the Leafs, then that's entirely your business.
In fairness, it had been 80 years since Ottawa had hosted a Cup Final game.
The Senators won the game 5-3, and the winning goal was scored late in the second period by Dean McAmmond. With the score tied at 3, McAmmond banked a shot in off Chris Pronger, probably Anaheim's best and certainly the most intimidating player.
If only something had happened that would have taken Pronger completely out of that series... Oh, wait, it did.
Early in the third period, McAmmond skated up the middle and took a shot from distance, and in a clear targeting of the head, Pronger stepped up and smashed his elbow and forearm into his head. McAmmond was immediately knocked out and slid along the ice for 30 feet before finally coming to a rest in the corner of the ice near the boards.
Today, Pronger would not only be ejected and out of the series, but he'd likely be missing games the next season as well. In 2007, he not only stayed in the game but there was no penalty. The league did suspend him later, but only for one game.
At least he learned his lesson. The following season, Pronger got an eight-game suspension for stomping on the leg of Vancouver forward Ryan Kesler.
Anaheim would go on to win the next two games and the Stanley Cup.
While the Pronger hit did take a little of the shine off the Game 3 Cup Final victory, that entire run was such an exciting time.
No, the Stanley Cup never came to Ottawa, not in the modern era. Not yet.
But on June 2, 2007, for a few hours, it sure felt like it might.
