Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Cubs have struggled over the last few weeks — this should not be a surprise to you. Since their 27-12 start they’re 13-25, which is pretty bad. They’ve had the last two days as unexpected off days due to rain.
So at least the bullpen has gotten some rest, for whatever that will do to help the team’s rather beleaguered relievers.
But that’s not the only problem with this team. Many of the bats — with the exception of Pete Crow-Armstrong and maybe a couple of others — have gone silent. The starting pitching has been pretty shaky.
If you were to improve this team right now, and not wait till the trade deadline Aug. 3, what would be the first thing you’d address?
Vote in the SB Nation Reacts survey below and I’ll post the answers here later in the week.
A turnaround at this point seems unlikely, since the team’s litany of issues — from injuries to key players, to poor performance from the rotation and the lineup — has left it reeling.
Now, they have to make sure they don’t get accustomed to losing.
Ewing, the 21-year-old who’s been in the majors a little over a month, acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to the majors while not winning as much as he’s used to.
“You’ve got to show up every single day,” Ewing said. “Everyone in this room is trying to win every day and putting their best foot forward whenever they’re here. There are gonna be ups and downs. Those are gonna happen, and it’s impossible to avoid them. I’m gonna keep showing up.”
Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing (9) prepares to bat against the Cincinnati Reds. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
That included Monday, when he was scheduled to be in the lineup against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga before the game was postponed due to rain, with plans to make it up Wednesday as part of a split doubleheader.
The Mets have been careful about which lefties the left-handed-hitting Ewing faces. While Monday was rained out, Ewing nonetheless will have to improve that part of his game in order to reach his potential.
In what has a chance of becoming a lost season for the Mets, they’re looking to see what they have in their younger players, like Ewing and Benge.
Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing sits in the dugout before the game against the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
“It’s big,’’ Carlos Mendoza said of getting Ewing in the lineup versus lefties, as he has just a .437 OPS against lefty pitching, compared to .823 against righties.
“That’s part of the development at this level,’’ the manager said. “I’ve said from the beginning, he’d get some starts against lefties. We had some tough ones here and there, but I feel good about what he brings to the table. The more at-bats you give this guy, he’ll benefit from it.”
So far, so good.
MEts merch shop
47 Brand logo cap
1986 eco tote bag
Mets fiber beach towel
14-ounce sculpted relief mug
Customizable jersey
Color block logo backpack
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
After going through a horrid 13-game stretch in which he went 8-for-44 with no extra-base hits, two walks and 19 strikeouts, Ewing recovered and has hit well in 17 games since.
“There’s always a chance when the initial success a young guy has runs out that he’s gonna get stuck in that kind of slump he was in,’’ said one American League scout who has seen Ewing this season. “You watch to see if that’s gonna happen and if he’s gonna give them a reason to send him back to [Triple-A] Syracuse. That didn’t happen with him. That will probably do him some good, even with them not winning.”
The not winning part could take a toll.
Ewing said he has a way of getting around that.
“A lot of growth happens when a person or team hits adversity,’’ Ewing said. “We’re growing. Every single day, I act like we’re on a 20-game winning streak, no matter what. That gives you confidence. I’ve always believed that and as a competitor, that’s what you have to do.’’
Darryn Peterson believes he should be the No. 1 pick.
Cameron Boozer said he deserves to be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick.
There might not be a right answer for the Wizards in Tuesday’s loaded NBA draft at Barclays Center — three impressive prospects who all have an argument to be selected first.
“There’s definitely competition. You see what they did. Great players who averaged the same amount of points,” Dybantsa said Monday, as the draft green room invitees met members of the media at Lotte New York Palace in Midtown. “But I’m gonna bet on myself.”
NBA Draft prospect AJ Dybantsa visits the Empire State Building on June 18th, 2026 in New York City. NBAE via Getty Images
The general expectation is that the 6-foot-9 Dybantsa will go first, followed by the 6-5 Peterson and the 6-8 Boozer. A Western Conference executive broke it down this way: Dybantsa is a safe choice with upside, and the Wizards need a No. 1 scoring option. The Jazz, at No. 2, aren’t afraid of taking risks, and finding an elite guard like Peterson is difficult. That leaves the Grizzlies and Boozer at No. 3. That’s not a consolation prize.
“He will be a stud,” the executive said.
Boozer had the most successful season of the three, leading Duke to the Elite Eight and the ACC regular-season and postseason crowns. He became the sixth freshman to be the consensus National Player of the Year after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and shooting 39.1 percent from 3. If not for injuries to his supporting cast, Boozer might have been the first freshman to lead his team to a national championship since Duke’s freshmen in 2015.
Experts, however, see Dybantsa as the top talent in this draft. In his lone year at BYU, he produced 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, and has been considered the front-runner for quite some time. As early as eighth grade, he was ranked No. 1, and he never lost that spot.
“He’s the best guy. He’s the most well-rounded player in the first five. There aren’t people who do what he does,” an NBA scout said. “The kid continuously worked on his game and got better. With all the other distractions, he ended up getting better.”
Getty Images
Of the three, Peterson is somewhat of a mystery. He dealt with an assortment of injuries, cramps and illnesses and missed 11 games. Frequently, he played sparingly in the second half of close games. His motor and desire have been questioned. After the season, he told ESPN that high doses of creatine led to severe cramping.
“The questions that I have are about s–t I can’t answer, and they won’t answer them,” the scout said.
Despite a recent report that Peterson would only meet with the Wizards, he spent time with the Jazz over the weekend, though he only worked out for Washington. Peterson was adamant he isn’t dodging any team.
“Whoever takes me, I’m going to come in and be delighted to be there,” he said.
Asked about the doubts, Peterson responded: “I’m back, period. That’s it. I’m myself again, I’m feeling great. I never felt better, actually.”
Cameron Boozer smiles during the NBA Cares State Farm Assist Tracker Event on June 22, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
He was impressive when he was on the floor for Kansas, tallying 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and shooting 38.2 percent on 6.9 attempts from distance. Peterson believes he’s the best player in the draft.
“I’m supposed to [feel that way], I think I prove it all the time,” he said.
This is far from a three-player draft. North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson would be a No. 1 contender most years and seemingly a lock to go to the Bulls at No. 4. The next wave, featuring guards Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville, Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas, Kingston Flemings of Houston and Keaton Wagler of Illinois, wing Nate Ament of Tennessee and center Aday Mara of Michigan, is full of highly regarded prospects. This draft has been talked about for years as not only being elite at the top but impressively deep.
“I think there are some hidden gems,” Dybantsa said. “When we see ourselves in 15 years, I think a lot of us will still be in the league, and it will be [considered] one of the best draft classes [ever].”
Amid a breakout season, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages appears headed for his first MLB All-Star game.
MINNEAPOLIS – Andy Pages isn’t on social media.
Not because he’s sensitive to criticism.
But because he thought he was wasting too much time on it.
“You get on and before you know it, you’ve lost two hours,” Pages told The California Post in Spanish. “I think it’s better for me to spend those two hours studying my mechanics, studying the opposing pitchers, which will help me more.”
Amid a breakout season, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages appears headed for his first MLB All-Star game. Getty Images
But if the changes in how he spends time before games has improved his on-field performance, it’s also kept him from seeing how the outside world has reacted to his breakout season.
When Pages was asked about his thoughts on being the leading vote-getter among National League outfielders in the second All-Star balloting update that was released today, he said he was unaware of it. Pages has collected more than 1.5 million votes. Brandon Marsch of the Phillies (1.26 million) and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves (1.22 million) round out the top three.
“They told me [I was leading] when the first one came out, but I haven’t seen it since,” Pages said. “It’s not something that I’m thinking about. If it happens, it happens. I can’t control that.”
But as a once-anonymous player, didn’t it feel good to be recognized the way he has?
“Obviously, you feel good about that,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the talent that I was given by God and that things are going well. With every year that goes by, people get to know you more.”
Pages said he noticed his public profile grew after his 9th-inning catch on the warning track in Game 7 of the World Series. He ran over teammate Kiké Hernández to make the play.
“Literally, the entire world saw that play,” he said. “Obviously, after that, there were people who started to know who I was. But it’s nothing I pay much attention to.”
Pages currently leads all NL outfielders in All-Star votes. Getty Images
Pages is currently tied for third in the majors with 57 runs batted in.
Does he feel like he’s now one of the best players in baseball?
“Yes, but I don’t see that kind of commentary,” he said. “When someone comes and tells me that, I feel good. It makes me feel good about the work I’ve done to be [that] kind of player. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in to achieve what I’ve achieved.”
A former youth soccer player, Andy Pages said he is carefully watching the World Cup. He told The Post he played the sport in his homeland of Cuba until he was 12 or 13 years old.
The Dodgers’ social media team recently posted a video of Pages and other players juggling a soccer ball.
“I used to be a defender,” Pages said. “I didn’t score goals.”
After Oklahoma took a 2-0 lead in the road half of the second inning of June 22's decisive College World Series Game 3, the Tar Heels were threatening to answer with runners on first and second and two outs. Rom Kellis V drove a pitch from Nick Wesloski the opposite way that was fielded by Harris, and rather than going home to try and save a run, Harris instead threw a rocket to third.
The ball was fielded clean on a hop by Cam Johnson, who applied the tag to Carter French to get the Sooners out of the inning. Exacerbating the out for North Carolina, French was tagged out before Erik Paulsen crossed home plate, sending the Tar Heels out of the inning empty-handed despite a challenge from Scott Forbes that confirmed the timing.
It's a championship game where every run and every out will matter, so we'll see how big of a difference that throw ends up making. But there's no question Wesloski was happy for the help, and for the fortunate break that Paulsen was just a little bit behind the throw to third.
The Warriors have their highest draft pick in five years at No. 11. It’s the first time Dunleavy will have a lottery selection since replacing Bob Myers as general manager in June 2023.
This pick is of paramount importance for a Warriors team that’s trying to extend Stephen Curry’s championship window.
The Warriors’ draft pick is of paramount importance to a team that’s trying to extend Stephen Curry’s championship window. NBAE via Getty Images
How crucial is adding a great young player to this squad?
Curry is 38. Draymond Green is 36. Jimmy Butler is 36.
Enough said.
So, with this pick the Warriors need someone who can win now. Not a project. Not someone who could be great in a few years.
They need someone like Yaxel Lendeborg, who, at 6-foot-9, 238 pounds, is considered versatile and NBA ready. His upside is also his downside. He’s 23 years old. It’s fair to question if he’s closer to hitting his ceiling than some of the younger prospects the team could draft who have the potential to turn into superstars.
But with Lendeborg, the Warriors have a good idea of who they’d be getting — and it’s exciting.
Lendeborg led the University of Michigan to its first national championship since 1988. He was an All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year.
For a team that has missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons and hasn’t even gotten past the second round since winning a championship in 2022, Lendeborg would be a great choice, giving the team a wing with size who could make an immediate impact.
Former Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg would be a great addition for the Warriors and could immediately play alongside Steph Curry. Getty Images
Another interesting prospect for the Warriors could be Arizona’s Brayden Burries, a 20 year old who’s a two-way backcourt sensation. The 6-foot-4 versatile scorer with noted physicality is likely going to be just out of reach for the Warriors, though, with many mock drafts having him going in the No. 8 or No. 9 range.
Other prospects of interest include the 7-foot-3 Aday Mara and Mexico’s Karim López.
What’s clear is that the Warriors need to get this right. They missed with James Wiseman at No. 2 in 2020, as well as Jonathan Kuminga at No. 7 in 2021.
Wiseman isn’t even on an NBA roster. And Kuminga got traded last February after his relationship with the Warriors had soured amid tensions over him wanting him to be a star while the team needed him to star in his role.
This is a historically deep draft class and the Warriors have a high pick. They have a chance to put themselves back on the map. They have the opportunity to begin to resuscitate a fading dynasty, which won four NBA championships in eight years from 2015 to 2022.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has a monumental decision ahead of tomorrow’s NBA draft. NBAE via Getty Images
But the NBA landscape has greatly changed since the Warriors were atop the league.
Teams have gotten younger. They’ve gotten deeper. The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs practically have 13 players they can play in the postseason. The Warriors’ rotation is much, much shorter
The draft is one of the Warriors’ clearest paths to making an impact this summer.
Their attempt to acquire Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo last trade deadline fell flat. They’re currently linked to having interest in both Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, but both of those players are a reach.
It’s unclear what direction the Clippers are currently leaning. And as for James, his camp is currently talking to the Lakers.
So for the Warriors, the draft is of huge importance.
They need young legs. They need depth. And they need someone who’s ready to play alongside Curry, Green and Butler right now.
Luka Dončić will be closely watching how this unfolds.
Ever since he was traded to the Lakers in February 2025, they’ve vowed to build a contender around him.
Luka Dončić will be closely watching how the draft unfolds. Getty Images
Well, summer 2026 has arrived and the sand is now streaming through the hourglass. The Lakers could have up to nine free agents. And they have the No. 25 pick in the NBA draft.
Their biggest hole?
Down low.
With their first chance to build out the roster in Tuesday’s draft, the Lakers should prioritize targeting a center, such as Kentucky’s J or UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr.
Doncic needs a reliable presence in the paint. He needs a rim protector. He needs someone who can catch lobs. He needs a stalwart defender.
Deandre Ayton, who has an $8.1 million player option for next season, has proven inconsistent. Same with Jaxson Hayes, who will become an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers need an elite big and a developmental center, the latter of which they could find Tuesday.
The 6-foot-9 Quaintance was initially projected to go much higher in the draft. But after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee in February 2025, there’s a chance he could slip into the Lakers’ grasp. When healthy, the 18-year-old has proven to be a skilled shotblocker who’s athletic and defensive-minded.
An ACL tear to former Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance may cause him to slide in the2026 NBA draft and right into the waiting arms of the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
Then there’s the 6-foot-10 Reed, who averaged 14.7 points on 60.7% shooting, nine rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 35 games for the Huskies as a senior last season. The 22-year-old is physical and could make an impact as a reserve center.
Houston’s Chris Cenac is another option. The 19-year-old is 6-foot-10, athletic and has a 7-foot-5 wingspan.
This much is for sure: Against a gauntlet of Western Conference teams with strong frontcourts, such as Denver (Nikola Jokic) and San Antonio (Victor Wembanyama), the Lakers’ roster needs some major bolstering in the paint.
In recent years, the Lakers haven’t fared well in the first round of the draft.
They picked Dalton Knecht at No. 17 in 2024, but he never became a rotational player. And they selected Jalen Hood-Schifino at No. 17 in 2023, but he’s now out of the league.
The pressure is on for the Lakers to get this right.
Dončić agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension last summer with a player option in 2028. He’s doing his part. He led the league in scoring last season (33.5 points per game) and finished fourth in MVP voting.
Now the Lakers must do their part.
Former UConn star Tarris Reed Jr. is the ideal complement as a defensive-minded, rim-running center to play alongside Doncic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Under the direction of new owner Mark Walter, the Lakers have prepared for this moment by revamping their front office, adding Tony Bennett as a draft consultant and Rohan Ramadas as their assistant general manager of strategy and data systems to work alongside general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.
Andrew Friedman, Farhan Zaidi and Lon Rosen are also going to have their fingerprints on trying to make the Lakers elite again.
All eyes are on the Lakers’ new braintrust.
The Lakers don’t have any second round picks, but they could get involved through a trade. One thing they’ve been historically great at is picking up guys who have fallen through the cracks, such as Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso, who both went undrafted.
Reaves, who transformed into a star after the Lakers acquired him in 2021, is expected to turn down his $14.9 million player option to become a free agent. He’s one of the Lakers’ biggest question marks this offseason, along with LeBron James, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers have made it clear they want both players to return.
This much is clear: The Lakers need to improve in a lot of areas to compete with the league’s elite, such as San Antonio and Oklahoma City. In addition to their struggles at the center position, they need more 3&D players. They need to get younger. Deeper.
After the Lakers were swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Thunder, Pelinka pointed to Ajay Mitchell as the type of diamond in the rough who can be found in the draft. Mitchell, who was the 38th pick in the 2024 draft by New York, torched the Lakers with 22.5 points a game in that series.
“There’s ways to add to your roster if you commit to doing the hard work and commit to the process of adding the right pieces,” Pelinka said in May.
Ever since the Lakers traded for Doncic in Feb. 2025, they told him the summer of ‘26 would be where they build a team around him — now that time has come and it begins with Tuesday’s NBA draft. Getty Images
As the fallout continues from the explosive reported trade request earlier this month from Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, a new club has reportedly emerged as the potential frontrunner.
According to a report from NHL Insider Nick Kypreos, the Dallas Stars, who are led by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill, are now Larkin's preferred landing spot in the wake of the Florida Panthers acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators.
While Kypreos notes that another former Red Wings executive in Pat Verbeek, a former Detroit teammate of Steve Yzerman who also served under him as assistant GM in both Tampa and Detroit, could try and acquire him for the Anaheim Ducks, the Stars "appear" to be Larkin's preferred destination.
"Frustration and lack of playoff games finally got Larkin to a point where he requested a trade from Detroit with multiple years left on his contract and a full no-trade clause. While Larkin will have some control over his next destination because of that clause, GM Steve Yzerman also has control on if Larkin gets traded at all. There is a strong push for Larkin to expand his list of teams he’s willing to go to. Yzerman will not move him if he feels he’s getting squeezed. Look for Yzerman's former assistant GM, Pat Verbeek, to try and get in on this. However, it appears Larkin's destination of choice is Dallas."
The elephant in the room regarding a potential trade of Larkin to the Stars is whether Detroit could pry away the rights to pending RFA forward Jason Robertson, a Michigan native who has scored 40 or more goals multiple times in his career, to his hometown.
Robertson's contract expires at midnight on June 30, and will also be eligible to receive offer sheets from other NHL clubs.
A likely stipulation from Yzerman would be that Robertson agree to a long-term extension with Detroit before any trade is finalized.
According to multiple unconfirmed reports, a potential December deal that would have brought defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Red Wings fell through due to his reported reluctance to commit to a long-term extension, despite being ineligible to sign one until this summer.
The Stars were not included in Larkin's initial reported short list of teams he'd be willing to accept a trade to; that list only included the Panthers, the Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild.
However, Yzerman reportedly asked Larkin’s representation to expand that list, and they were said to be receptive.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Apr 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) dribbles up court during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks are already working towards building their roster for their title defense just a few days after parading around the city as champions.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Knicks are signing Mo Diawara to a four-year deal.
“Restricted free agent Mohamed Diawara intends to sign a multiyear, $10-plus million deal to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Diawara — the No. 51 pick in last year’s NBA draft — was part of the champion Knicks after spending the season on a standard contract,” Charania tweeted.
Restricted free agent Mohamed Diawara intends to sign a multiyear, $10-plus million deal to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Diawara — the No. 51 pick in last year's NBA draft — was part of the champion Knicks after spending the season on a standard contract. pic.twitter.com/ZwhQcHelMR
Diawara, 21, could have signed a four-year deal as a rookie, but he bet on himself and agreed to a one-year contract worth just over $1.2 million. Diawara bet on himself, hoping that he could prove to the Knicks that he was worth a long-term deal, and he did just that.
Diawara appeared in 69 games for the Knicks in his rookie year, averaging 3.6 points per game. He also made seven starts during the year, proving that the organization was high on him from the start.
While Diawara isn’t expected to be part of the Knicks’ championship core, he is a depth piece the team can have in their backpocket for the next four years.
The Knicks hope Diawara can continue to improve with the development of the coaching staff, and he can emerge into a true regular option for the team.
P&T community, what do you think of Diawara’s new deal with the Knicks? Let us know in the comments section below.
Jun 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner (18) throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
Fresh off a series win against Pittsburgh, the Rockies (30-48) will now host the Boston Red Sox (31-43) Monday through Wednesday, aiming for their seventh series win of 2026. Colorado’s seven series wins pre-All-Star are their most since winning 10 first-half series in 2023.
The matchup is a showdown between the National League’s worst team vs. the bottom dweller of the American League. B0th are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
RHP Ryan Feltner (2-2, 5.05) will be on the mound tonight for the Rockies. This will be Feltner’s fifth start since returning from the IL (right ulnar nerve inflammation) on May 30. Feltner has gone 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 21 innings. The Rockies have gone 2-2 in his starts.
LHP Jake Bennett (1-3, 4.79) will get the start for Boston. Bennett, 25, was a second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals. He was traded to Boston in December and made his MLB debut on May 1. In four starts, he’s gone five or 5.1 innings in each outing with 13 strikeouts, five walks with one homer.
The Rockies enter the season with a 10-8 record in interleague play and with a 14-18 all-time record against Boston (7-6 at Coors Field). The Rockies were swept by the Red Sox last season at Fenway Park.
Former Rockie Trevor Story is currently on the 60-IL (since June 4) with a sports hernia.
The Rockies got some good news on Monday when Mickey Moniak rejoined the team after being on the IL since May 22 with right ankle tendonitis. Read more about the Rockies roster moves here.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
May 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart (41) pitches during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Formerly of the Twins, as recently as last season, Brock Stewart has been activated just in time for the Dodgers’ three-game set against Minnesota. Making room for Stewart’s presence on the roster—freshly recovered from a bone spur on his left foot—the Dodgers sent down right-hander Chayce McDermott.
McDermott’s latest stint on the big league club was short-lived, with the right-hander only appearing in one game, Sunday’s blowout, filling in as a sort of bridge between Treinen’s IL placement and Stewart’s readiness to return to the fold.
Stewart is brought up having appeared in just 5.2 innings, two of them this year, since the Dodgers reacquired him last season for James Outman in a straight swap with the Twins. With Treinen out, Los Angeles will hope to rely on Stewart as another high-leverage arm for this bullpen. The right-hander tossed a couple of scoreless frames with three strikeouts for the big league club in early May this season.
Jun 17, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams (32) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 17: Elly De La Cruz #44 and Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds hug in the dugout prior to the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds are itching ever-closer to getting the band back together. Considering it’s their lead singer and lead guitarist that are the pieces they’ve been missing, that’s pretty huge.
MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reported earlier on Monday night that the Reds plan to activate shortstop Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday following a rehab stint spent with AAA Louisville. Despite having missed some three weeks with a right hamstring injury, Elly’s 2.1 bWAR still ranks second overall on the Reds, his .855 OPS in 257 PA a sorely missed impact bat in the heart of the team’s order.
Meanwhile, the guy who’s been their ace and All Star for the better part of three years is also on the cusp of a return to the big leagues. I only hesitate to call Hunter Greene ‘Cincinnati’s ace’ given the co-brilliance we’ve seen so far this year from Chase Burns, but Greene – when healthy – remains one of the absolute most elite starting pitchers on the planet. That said, the AAA Louisville Bats announced on Monday evening that Greene would start for them tomorrow (Tuesday) at Slugger Field.
The Return of the Ace 🔥
Hunter Greene is expected to make an MLB rehab start here at Louisville Slugger Field this Tuesday, June 23rd!
Greene got work in at Cincinnati’s complex in Arizona and impressed for the ACL Reds previously in his rehab from preseason elbow surgery. That he’s now slated to throw at the highest levels of the minors is indicative of how close he is to making his return to the Cincinnati rotation, of course.
Maybe, just maybe, the Reds will get to run out their full squad this season before it’s too late after all.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run, to take a 1-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch (CT):6:40 TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe:True Blue LA
After an ultra-successful roadtrip last week, the Twins will face their biggest test yet in the villainous, evil, powerful, omniscient Los Angeles Dodgers. However, because it’s baseball, even the best are fallible and while the Dodgers’ do have the best record in baseball, it’s only by a game or two.
How did they get here? Glad you asked. I could give you a bunch of fancy stats that show you that they’re really good, but we don’t even need that this time. The Los Angeles Dodgers have allowed the fewest runs in baseball (by a decent margin) while scoring the second most. That’s a pretty simple recipe for “best record in baseball.” Plus, they’ve done it while having All-Stars Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Edwin Diaz, Blake Treinen, and Evan Phillips miss most of the season. To say nothing of starting second baseman Tommy Edman and old friend Brock Stewart both returning from the IL this past week for the first time all season. Man, this team is DEEP.
The starting pitcher tonight is technically reliever Will Klein, but he’ll be followed by bulk man Eric Lauer, a lefty. Under Rocco Baldelli, we saw the Twins go with their right-handed lineup in these situations regardless of the opener, but that won’t be the case tonight, especially with how well Trevor Larnach has hit of late. We’ll see if Austin Martin or Kyler Fedko get brought in second time through the lineup or if Shelton will stick with the regulars and hope to get into LA’s bullpen.
Oh also there’s this guy named Shohei Ohtani. Maybe you’ve heard of him before. He’s won MVP in four of the past five seasons and is well on his way to his fifth in perhaps his most impressive season yet. Ohtani still ranks in the top five in nearly every relevant offensive category while also pitching like a Cy Young. Plus, he’s doing this in an era where both pitching and hitting are harder than they’ve ever been. He’s unquestionably the best baseball player of all time and probably the best athlete ever. It’s completely insane.
Jun 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Jake Bennett (64) delivers a pitch during the second inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
This? Folks, this is bad. The last-place Red Sox, at 31-44, are better than the last-place Rockies, at 30-48. That’s the good news. It’s extremely relative. The Red Sox are a walking catastrophe. If it wasn’t for the Scottish fans, would Fenway have hummed even a little last week? I think not. Now they’re in baseball hell. This was once a World Series matchup. We’re as far from that as possible. And I’ll be here to recount every moment! LMAO. At least Jake Bennett is pitching. Something is potentially fun.
