Category: Sports News

The Detroit Tigers’ woes continued on Friday night, losing for the fourth straight time and seventh of the last eight games in a 3-1 final against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The offense has been arctic cold of late, scoring just seven runs over those four straight losses, which left no breathing room for Drew Anderson’s modest three runs allowed.

Alas, that playoff spot is looking further and further out of reach.

On the mound for the Tigers to try and salvage a win is left-hander Framber Valdez, who has had two straight rough outings after posting a pair of quality starts to open up August. Over the 32-year-old’s last 11 1/3 innings, he has put up a 6.35 ERA and 5.47 FIP, allowing 11 hits (one home run) and nine walks while striking out eight, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch.

Valdez has faced Kansas City twice this season — both in Detroit — with varying results. On April 14, he tossed seven frames of one-run ball on four hits and two walks with a strikeout for a no-decision in a 2-1 team win; on July 26, he served up three runs (two earned) on four hits (0ne home run) and three walks with four strikeouts over five frames, also failing to figure in the decision in an eventual 5-4 loss.

For the Royals, fellow southpaw Daniel Lynch IV will climb the hill in the series finale for his fourth start of the 2026 campaign after appearing in relief 46 times. The 29-year-old has struggled in the starting role, throwing 1 2/3, 2 1/3 and four innings, respectively, over his three previous outings, with subpar results that include a 7.88 ERA and 6.33 FIP, surrendering eight hits (two home runs) and four walks while striking out six to earn a pair of losses.

“We’re going to probably take a shot at putting him there (and) see how it goes,” manager Matt Quatraro said before his first start against the Chicago Cubs. “He’s thrown a couple of innings before. We’ll see how far he can get tomorrow. But we’ll do it responsibly. With the injuries we’ve had, we have a spot in the rotation.”

So despite the limited innings, it does not appear that Lynch is serving as a true opener — he has just struggled in the few frames he has started in. He did look much better last time out against the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium, giving up just one run on a pair of hits, walks and strikeouts in his four frames of work.

Here is how the two match up for Sunday afternoon’s matinee.

Detroit Tigers (61-68) vs. Kansas City Royals (57-74)

Time (ET): 2:10 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site:Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 130: LHP Framber Valdez (8-8, 4.35 ERA) vs. LHP Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.83 ERA)

VALDEZ

LYNCH

Triple A: Syracuse Mets (63 – 61)

SYRACUSE 3, WOOSTER 0 (BOX)

Three runs in the second were enough for Syracuse in this one, with RBI singles from Zack Short, Emilien Pitre, and D’Andre Smith. Jonah Tong got the win, though he wasn’t exactly impressive. It’s been a lost season as he continues to search for a viable breaking ball as well as the good version of his fastball. Hopefully an offseason reset can get him back on course for 2027 – if he’s still even in the org at that point, that is.

• 2B Émilien Pitre: 1-4, RBI, K
• CF D’Andre Smith: 2-4, 2B, RBI, K
• SS Ronny Mauricio: 1-4, 2 K, SB (12), CS (3)
• RF Jose Ramos: 1-4, CS (1)
• LF MJ Melendez: 0-4, 3 K
• 1B Nick Lorusso: 1-3, 2B, K
• C Hayden Senger: 0-2, R, BB
• DH Shawn Ross: 1-3, R, K
• 3B Zack Short: 2-3, R, RBI
• RHP Jonah Tong: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, E (4), W (4-6)
• RHP Chris Devenski: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, H (2)
• RHP Tobias Myers: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, S (1)

Double A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (53 – 66)

BINGHAMTON 4, ALTOONA 0 (BOX)

Binghamton scored four runs in the first four innings, and the pitching made it stand up. Jacob Reimer had three htis and a steal and Vincent Perozo homered to pace the offense. R.J. Gordon had another solid outing as well as he pitches better here down the stretch.

• DH Marco Vargas: 0-3, R, BB, 2 K
• SS Jefferson Rojas: 1-3, BB
• 3B Jacob Reimer: 3-4, 2 RBI, SB (14)
• CF John Bay: 0-2, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
• 1B Corey Collins: 0-4, K
• C Kevin Parada: 0-4, K
• RF JT Benson: 0-4, K
• 2B Jamari Baylor: 1-4, R, K
• LF Vincent Perozo: 1-3, 2 R, HR (8), RBI, BB
• LF Branny De Oleo: 0-0
• RHP R.J. Gordon: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, W (4-7)
• LHP Felipe De La Cruz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RHP Brendan Girton: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RHP Carlos Guzman: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (52 – 65)

BROOKLYN 15, ASHEVILLE 3 (BOX)

The Cyclones scored 16 last night and added 15 more today. Somehow they did it today without a home run – 10 walks will go a long way, particularly alongside 13 hits. Every starter except Daiverson Gutierrez had at least one hit, and all nine reached base at least once. Aidan Smith had two hits and a walk (surprisingly, he didn’t homer) and Elian Pena managed a single in five at bats.

• 2B Sammy Stafura: 1-2, R, RBI, 3 BB, K, E (7)
• SS Elian Peña: 1-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, K
• CF Aidan Smith: 2-5, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 K, E (2)
• 1B Ronald Hernandez: 2-4, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K
• LF Trey Snyder: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, K
• 3B Yonatan Henriquez: 2-6, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SB (21)
• RF John Spikerman: 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
• DH Colin Houck: 1-5, R, K
• C Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-2, 2 R, 2 BB, K, E (14)
• RHP Jose Chirinos: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
• RHP Ryan Dollar: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, W (3-1)
• RHP Parker Carlson: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• RHP Joe Scarborough: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Low-A: St. Lucie Mets (51 – 67)

ST. LUCIE 6, LAKELAND 2 / 10 (BOX)

A walkoff grand slam is always fun. With the score tied at 2-2 in the tenth (after the Mets had already scored once to tie it), Jack Toomey stepped to the plate and hit a bomb over the left field fence to send the St. Lucie fans home happy. The only recently healthy Boston Baro went hitless in three at bats, as did Jeremy Rodriguez. Zack Mack got the win.

• 2B Boston Baro: 0-3
• 2B Vladi Gomez: 0-1, RBI
• C Ryan Tayman: 1-3, R, 2 BB
• LF Eli Serrano III: 0-4, 3 K
• CF Bohan Adderley: 1-1, R
• DH Kuhio Aloy: 0-2, R, BB, K
• RF Jack Toomey: 2-5, R, HR (1), 4 RBI
• 3B Jeremy Rodriguez: 0-3, BB, K
• SS Dylan Carey: 0-4, 3 K
• 1B Reed Stallman: 1-4, R, 2 K
• PR Jake Ogden: 0-0, R
• CF-LF Wyatt Vincent: 0-2, BB, 2 K
• RHP Aidan Keenan: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RHP AJ Krodel: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• RHP Joel Lara: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
• RHP Ernesto Mercedes: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
• RHP Zack Mack: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, W (7-2)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Jacob Reimer

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

None, system sweep!

Andrew Painter?

Andrew Painter.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• The win streak the Phillies had may mean we have to reconsider some things, including Alec Bohm and his place on the roster ($).
• Luis Arraez had to leave the game with cramps in his lower body. They were likely just being cautious with him.

MLB news:

• Seems that Fangraphs is starting a series to challenge old baseball adages with math. These are the kinds of pieces that are interesting.
• Andy Pages has a broken hand and will be shelved for 4-5 weeks. Alek Thomas will take his spot on the roster.
• The Yankees may have suffered another shot to their starting rotation with Ryan Weathers leaving his start with forearm discomfort.

Sunday marks another fine day at the Little League World Series. It also welcomes the big leaguers, as the MLB Little League Classic caps off the day's action.

It will be an early start from Williamsport as the winner's bracket continues play with Nevada taking on Washington at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN. It starts a full day of coverage across ESPN, with the 1 p.m. game between Iowa and New Jersey getting the limelight on ABC.

Sunday also marks MLB's time to shine, as the Atlanta Braves take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a clash of two of the league's best playing at Historic Bowman Field.

USA TODAY Sports will have live coverage with updates, scores and highlights from all of Sunday's Little League World Series action.

Good news: Cody Bellinger is back today! Bad news: The Yankees’ winning streak was snapped, Ryan Weathers left with forearm tightness, and Giancarlo Stanton might be officially toast. So… 1-for-4? But call some of those non-hit ABs tough ones, like a double play with the bases loaded.

Today on the site, Scott will have the live report from the past couple days of Cody Bellinger’s rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, I’ll have the Rivalry Roundup, Jonathan will pay tribute to the first-ever DH for his 78th birthday, and John will have the weekly Social Media Spotlight.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

TV: YES Network, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you that Max Fried is back in the rotation by the first week of September? (He started throwing again yesterday.) And same question, but with Clarke Schmidt in the bullpen, post-Tommy John rehab? Let’s say “by mid-September” for Clarke.

2. Without going purely by record (it’s a minor morass at the bottom), who do you think has been the worst team in baseball in 2026?

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Cody Bellinger is slated to return from the IL today. The outfielder had a short rehab stint at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he recovered from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that’s kept him off the field since late July. “I’ve been wanting to get back for a while,” Bellinger said. “You always want to be realistic, and for me, I want to come back and stay. You don’t want to make anything worse. I’m itching to get back, but I’ve got to continue to play it safe and make sure I’m 100 percent ready.” In his second year with New York, Bellinger was an All-Star this season and figures to fortify an outfield that’s also been without Aaron Judge in right.

New York Post | Andrew Crane: Giancarlo Stanton strained his left calf earlier this week, calling into question whether he’ll be able to return this season, Aaron Boone revealed Saturday. The DH was working back from multiple strains to his right calf when he fell while running the bases, leading to a moderate strain in his left. “We’re at a point in the calendar where it gets challenging,” said Boone, acknowledging the reality that Stanton’s return this season is in jeopardy. Big G has appeared in only 24 games this season, adding to the struggles to stay on the field that have plagued his Yankees tenure.

(As a related aside, you should read Josh’s editorial, “Giancarlo Stanton and outrunning the sunset.” It’s quite good.)

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: In other injury news, Ryan Weathers exited his start Saturday in the fourth inning with left forearm discomfort. He’s scheduled for imaging on Sunday. In his first season in the Bronx, the left-hander had been a strong contributor to the rotation, including during a recent stretch in which he posted a 1.94 ERA in his last seven starts. For more on Weathers’ departure and some musings on short- and long-term implications, check out Andrew’s breaking news post.

The Athletic | Brendan Kuty: ($) There was a world where Bellinger’s return could have cost Spencer Jones his roster spot. The rookie outfielder has been playing well of late, though, going 12-for-41 with two homers and four stolen bases in his last 12 games.“(He’s) certainly proved that he can play up here,” said Boone. “I think there’s a lot more in the tank for him to continue to go and learn, but he’s showing the ability to do that, and that’s been really encouraging.”

With Ryan McMahon hitting the IL Friday, the Yankees ultimately choose to send down his replacement, Max Scheumann, instead, at minimum giving them a left-handed platoon option in Jones to pair with the struggling Heliot Ramos. The Schuemann demotion was made official after the game on Saturday.

On a dark afternoon for the Yankees, who revealed Giancarlo Stanton had again strained a calf and then watched Ryan Weathers exit with injury in the fourth inning, there were Cody Bellinger and Max Fried silver linings.

Bellinger is set to be activated Sunday, and Fried’s return to the mound went well.

First Bellinger: The left fielder survived two rehab games, including playing six innings in the outfield for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, and said his hamstring was tested on a few plays and passed each.

“For me, come in, help the team win as much as I can and play my best ball,” Bellinger said before the Yankees lost, 4-3, to the Blue Jays in The Bronx on Saturday.

After four weeks sidelined, Bellinger will return to a club that has been changed by the trade deadline and Spencer Jones’ emergence as a useful player. The Yankees have been playing Heliot Ramos — a righty hitter brought in to do damage against lefties — most days in left and the lefty-hitting Jones most days in right.

It is possible that the two become a right field platoon tandem until and if Aaron Judge returns, though manager Aaron Boone did not want to tip his hand regarding right field.

“Wait and see,” Boone said before the team officially optioned utilityman Max Schuemann to the minors, which ensures Jones — who might have been on the bubble — will remain in the majors.

Fried, meanwhile, threw a bullpen session before the game for the first time since hitting the injured list with a recurrence of his elbow bone bruise. Fried threw 26 pitches, and his whole repertoire, and said he felt encouraged by his afternoon.

“Hopefully we’re moving in a good direction there,” Boone said of Fried, “and we’ll see what’s next if that’s a live [batting practice] or another side.”

Already a major piece, the lefty’s importance probably grew as Weathers left the loss with forearm discomfort and was sent for tests.

Judge’s rehab is going “well,” Boone said, and the team’s captain remains hitting. He graduated Friday to tee-and-toss and has not yet faced machine or live pitching.

There are no definitive updates regarding Judge, who has said he will return this season from his fractured rib.

“He’s throwing, running, lifting,” Boone said. “He seems to be in a good place and moving. For him now, it’s about just getting the body built up.”

Luis García Jr.’s two-run shot in the eighth inning was his career-high 26th homer of the season and third as a Yankee. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to regroup after seeing their talented roster lose another key player to injury.

Center fielder Andy Pages suffered a left hand fracture after he took a 100.2 mph sinker, thrown by Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler in the third inning Friday night, to his hand.

Manager Dave Roberts announced after the Dodgers’ 5-4 win against the Pirates on Aug. 21 that Pages' injury was "not season-ending," but he expects the first-time All-Star to be out 4-5 weeks.

Pages is considered the team’s top defensive player, leading the team in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and outfield assists.

Offensively, Pages has produced 80 RBI, 21 home runs and 72 runs this season.

The Dodgers will have to explore options that will not only help the team defensively but also provide another solid bat in the lineup.