BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: Luinder Avila #58 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Coming into the 2026 season, a lot of excitement surrounded the Royals and their starting pitching depth. That quickly evaporated in a little over a month after a slew of injuries. One of those depth pieces, a guy who didn’t make the Opening Day roster, despite a lot of hype around him was Luinder Avila.
The 24-year-old right hander from Caracas, Venezuela is a success story for the Royals organization. The Royals signed him when he was just 16 years old. He slowly worked his way through the Dominican Summer League teams, to the Arizona Complex League and finally through the Royals minor league systems.
He debuted last August, about a week before his 24th birthday. At the 2026 All-Star Break, Avila has made 31 career appearances in the Majors, 9 times being the starting pitcher. His overall numbers are this: 5-4, 4.33 ERA, 70.2 innings, 66 strikeouts, 40 walks.
In his rookie season, he made 13 appearances out of the bullpen, recording a 1.29 ERA over 14 innings, striking out 16.
This year, he has made 18 appearances, 9 as a reliever, 9 as a starter. And the splits and stats are startling.
Here is Avila’s stats as a starter: 9 starts, 38.1 innings, 39 hits, 25 runs, 6 homers, 25 walks, 34 strikeouts, 1.67 WHIP, 5.87 ERA.
I understand some of his starting stats are inflated because of the disastrous start against the Astros, however Avila has looked more comfortable out of the bullpen in my opinion.
His power fastball plays up to upper 90s instead of the mid-90s, which makes his off-speed stuff, especially that deadly curveball all that tougher to handle.
Making Avila to be a starter, makes his stuff worse, it’s an overexposure per se. In short bursts, Avila looks like he has the potential to be a premier closer in the majors. Take his outing on May 2nd in Seattle. The Royals were trailing late in a close game, Avila steps in and threw 2 scoreless innings, his fastball/sinker was averaging 98 mph, his curveball was dropping out of the sky. Allowing his stuff to play up is critical.
To be fair in argument, I’ll choose one of Avila’s better starts. In Cincinnati, he went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. His fastball/sinker combo only averaged 96 mph.
I understand that he’s going to hold back on his velocity as a starter and not overthrow, but his stuff becomes not as good, compared to his relief outings. Also, realistically who else should be the Royals closer next year? Who has as good of stuff and velocity as Avila?
Alex Lange, Carlos Estevez, Matt Strahm are all more than likely not coming back. Daniel Lynch IV will apparently never be trusted in that type of role by the Royals, Lucas Erceg has regressed and showed he’s not a closer. Beck Way seems more middle relief to setup guy.
Could the Royals sign a new closer in the off season? Sure, it’s possible, but this season is already a lost one, after the All-Star Break, let’s start preparing Luinder Avila to be the closer of the future for the Kansas City Royals.
They are supposed to be rebuilding. They are supposed to be collecting draft picks, clearing contracts, and waiting years before they become a serious threat again.
Instead, they have quietly put themselves in one of the most fascinating positions in the NHL.
They have a young foundation beginning to emerge, nearly $15 million in projected cap space, and an astonishing collection of draft capital that currently includes 30 selections through the 2030 NHL Draft.
And that raises an interesting question:
What if the Flames don't want to wait?
What if, instead of slowly building toward contention, Calgary decides to accelerate the process with the kind of move that changes the direction of an entire franchise?
What if Connor McDavid became available?
Yes, that sounds far-fetched.
Maybe even impossible.
But hockey is a sport where the impossible has a funny way of becoming reality.
And if the Edmonton Oilers captain — arguably the most talented player of his generation — ever hit the market, few teams would have the combination of assets, financial flexibility, and motivation that Calgary currently possesses.
The Flames have spent the last several seasons attempting to reshape their organization without completely tearing everything down. They have accumulated young talent, maintained flexibility, and avoided putting themselves into the kind of long-term cap problems that have limited other contenders.
That patience could eventually create an opportunity.
A superstar center is the one missing ingredient every championship contender searches for. Calgary has quality pieces, including a promising defensive group and emerging young talent, but adding an elite No. 1 center would immediately change the ceiling of the franchise.
McDavid would not just make the Flames better.
He would transform them.
Of course, acquiring a player of that magnitude would require an unprecedented package.
A hypothetical offer would likely have to include significant assets, and Calgary has the ammunition to at least enter the conversation.
A package built around defenseman Zach Whitecloud, veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau with salary retention, and a massive collection of draft picks would represent the type of aggressive swing required to acquire a player like McDavid.
Would Edmonton accept something like that?
That is impossible to know.
Would Calgary even consider sacrificing that much of its future?
That is an even bigger question.
But the fact that the conversation can even be entertained says something about where the Flames currently stand.
Whitecloud, in particular, represents the type of valuable trade chip contenders covet. Acquired from Vegas as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade, the right-shot defenseman quickly proved he was more than a temporary cap piece. He has become a reliable top-four option, capable of handling difficult defensive assignments while providing leadership both on and off the ice.
At just $2.75 million annually through the 2027-28 season, Whitecloud is exactly the kind of contract teams around the league would love to add.
Calgary does not have to move him.
That is the important distinction.
The Flames have leverage because they are not desperate. Whitecloud fits their roster, helps stabilize a young defensive group, and provides veteran leadership around developing players.
But if the return is a franchise-altering superstar?
Everything has to be considered.
That is the luxury Calgary has created.
The Flames can listen on players like Whitecloud because they have depth. They can evaluate their future because they have accumulated assets. They can dream bigger because they are not trapped financially.
And that brings the conversation back to McDavid.
A player of his caliber rarely becomes available. Teams would line up. The bidding war would be historic. Every organization with championship aspirations would try to find a way.
Calgary would face obvious challenges. Edmonton trading its captain to a provincial rival would be almost impossible to imagine. The Flames would also have to convince McDavid that Calgary is the right destination for the next chapter of his career.
But hockey is unpredictable.
The idea of Wayne Gretzky leaving Edmonton once seemed impossible. The idea of superstar players changing teams has become increasingly common in today's NHL.
Could the Flames actually land McDavid?
Probably not.
But could Calgary be one of the few teams positioned to at least make the phone call?
Absolutely.
And sometimes, in the NHL, being prepared for the impossible is how franchises end up making history.
This is a sight that could send Knicks fans into cold sweats — even in July.
Jalen Brunson was spotted Saturday for the first time since his left wrist surgery, photographed paying a visit to The Other Lucy Beach Grille in Margate, New Jersey.
Brunson’s left hand and wrist were wrapped and resting in a sling almost a month after winning NBA Finals MVP with the Knicks.
Brunson underwent wrist surgery Tuesday to repair a tendon issue in his left hand and wrist that he dealt with throughout the Knicks’ playoff run, which resulted in their first championship since 1973.
Brunson also confirmed online that he will make an appearance at Madison Square Garden for the WWE “Saturday Night’s Main Event” this weekend after Roman Reigns extended an invite.
“Thank you, Jalen, for taking the time to inspire, uplift, and show that even a small act of kindness can have a lasting impact. Robert will never forget this special moment, and neither will we,” the caption read from the restaurant, which is run by the H.O.P.E. program.
“Congratulations again on an incredible season and on bringing home the title! We wish you continued success both on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring the next generation and for showing what great leadership looks like. We truly appreciate your visit and hope to see you again soon.”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates while holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during the Knicks ticker-tape parade and celebration on Broadway in downtown Manhattan. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Brunson’s discomfort didn’t stop him from putting on a world-class performance during the Knicks’ run to the championship.
In the title-clinching Game 5 win against San Antonio, Brunson posted a Knicks’ Finals record 45 points after adding 36 in the Game 4 comeback from a 29-point deficit.
He averaged 32.6 points in the Finals overall.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images
After the clinching Game 5, Brunson admitted he felt some pain.
“I’m hurting right now,” Brunson said. “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m hurting right now. But like I said before, the opportunity presented itself.”
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres made a series of moves involving its forward corps Monday, signing Peyton Krebs to a four-year, $18 million contract and dealing Tyler Kopff to the Washington Capitals for fellow prospect Zac Funk.
The 25-year-old Krebs, who had been eligible for arbitration, set career highs with 12 goals and 27 assists last season. The former first-round pick by Vegas in the 2019 draft was acquired by Buffalo in the deal that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas. He has 42 goals and 91 assists with Buffalo and Vegas.
The Sabres also announced the hiring of veteran NHL executive John Davidson as senior adviser.
Davidson, 73, spent 18 seasons as president of hockey operations for St. Louis, Columbus and the New York Rangers. He is now reunited with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen, whom he hired as GM in Columbus.
Following an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility, Buffalo clinched a playoff berth last season and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals where the Sabres lost to Montreal in seven games. The drought was among the four North American major sports’ longest active streaks, ranking second behind the NFL’s New York Jets, who last qualified in 2010.
“I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and look forward to the opportunity to help the organization in any way I can,” Davidson said. “The momentum in Buffalo is palpable throughout the entire league and the passion from Sabres fans makes this opportunity all the more exciting.”
Funk, 22, has two goals and four assists in 25 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears and 28 points in 34 career ECHL games with the South Carolina Stingrays. Kopff, 23, split last season in the same two leagues.
PHILADELPHIA — Cristopher Sánchez, untouchable for most of the first half, will feel the full appreciation of his dominance when he throws the first pitch of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14.
Full starting lineups were announced in a press conference format with managers Dave Roberts and John Schneider on Monday.
Sánchez will kick-start what could be a nightlong fawning over the Philadelphia Phillies' brightest stars, leading a contingent of six hometown players in front of a Citizens Bank Park crowd eager for its first time playing host to the Midsummer Classic since 1996, when it was staged at Veterans Stadium, and many of this game's stars were not yet born.
Yet Sánchez and the National League will not have it easy; the American League will trot out Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease — who flirted with a no-hitter in his last outing — to start the game; as the Philadelphia Inquirer noted, the last pitcher to start an All-Star Game for either team was the late Hall of Famer Roy Halladay.
“This feels real special, real exciting, especially at home, so I am able to enjoy it overall,” says Sanchez through a translator.
“This can be described as the best moment of my career," the NL's starting pitcher said.
Cease will be backed by a power-packed lineup that gets a quick jump-start with future Hall of Famer Mike Trout, followed immediately by consensus first-half MVP Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros.
The NL lineup will be missing Shohei Ohtani, but that simply opens up the designated hitter slot for the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, who has hit 88 homers, most in the major leagues, since the start of the 2025 season.
USA TODAY Sports is providing live on-site coverage of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Here are the latest updates and news as the National League and American League starting lineups were announced:
Who is the National League starting pitcher for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game?
MLB announced on Sunday that Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will start for the National League on Tuesday in the All-Star Game. He is the first Phillies pitcher to start the Midsummer Classic since Roy Halladay got the start in 2011.
Sánchez, who finished as the runner-up in the Cy Young Award race last season, has continued to be one of the top pitchers in the league this year. He finished the first half with an 11-4 record and a 2.62 ERA with 144 strikeouts in an MLB-leading 20 starts.
Who is the American League starting pitcher for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game?
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who is serving as the American League manager in the All-Star Game, shared in the Blue Jays locker room on Sunday that right-hander Dylan Cease will start the Midsummer Classic.
Cease, who was one of the Blue Jays' big free agent additions this past offseason, went 6-4 in the first half of the season with a 2.56 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings pitched.
In his final start of the first half, Cease nearly came three outs shy of pitching the second no-hitter of his career and just the second in Blue Jays history, as he struck out 11 San Francisco Giants and threw a career-high 118 pitches in a 10-0 conquest of the San Francisco Giants.
How did Cease learn he's starting the All-Star Game?
Bettors are backing the hometown hero in the Home Run Derby, but it’s not Bryce Harper.
Key Takeaways
Kyle Schwarber is a big liability at sportsbooks.
MLB changed the Home Run Derby’s format for this year.
Bryce Harper and Junior Caminero are two other popular picks.
The other Philadelphia Phillies’ star, Kyle Schwarber, is the favorite and most-bet participant in Monday night’s event at Citizens Bank Park in the City of Brotherly Love. FanDuel told Covers that Schwarber is getting 22% of the tickets and 26% of the handle with Home Run Derby odds of +290.
BetMGM reported that Schwarber (+310) has seen an even higher 24.8% of the bets and 29.1% of the money, making the Phillies’ designated hitter the operator’s biggest liability.
Schwarber leads all MLB players with 32 home runs at the All-Star Break, and he’s competing in his third Home Run Derby. No other participant on Monday has more than 20% of the handle.
Bettors could also be backing Schwarber because of MLB’s format change. The Home Run Derby is ditching the clock, instead opting for a swing-based system for each round. Participants will get 20 swings in Round 1, 15 in Round 2, and 15 in the final round, attempting to hit as many homers as possible in those ranges.
If they hit a home run on their final swing of a round, they can keep going until the ball doesn’t go out.
This format also removes the first-round matchup brackets of years past, and tiebreakers in the first round are determined by home run distance and a swing-off in the later two rounds.
The main competition
Schwarber’s teammate, Harper, is BetMGM’s second-biggest liability. His odds have shortened from +900 to +850, third in the market, and Harper is getting 16.1% of the tickets and 14.4% of the money.
Only three players EVER have won the Home Run Derby in their home ballpark (h/t @SlangsonSports)
Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero is second on the odds list at +380 at FanDuel, where he’s getting 19% of the tickets and 20% of the money. He’s getting just over 17% of the handle at BetMGM and is third on the book’s liability list.
BetMGM has seen Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami’s odds in the Home Run Derby winner market go from +500 to +475, and the Japanese star has 10.7% of the bets and 10.3% of the handle.
Taking a shot?
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice is a popular longshot. With odds of +1,000, 16% of the bet count and money are backing the Bronx Bomber at FanDuel. He’s fourth at BetMGM, where his odds have shortened from +1,100 to +850, with more than 11% of both the tickets and handle.
Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone (+650) is getting 8.8% of the money at BetMGM, while St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (+750) has taken 5.2% of the handle. Boston’s Wilson Contreras (+1,500) has seen the least amount of tickets (5.3%) and handle (2.4%).
What if the Los Angeles Kings aren't standing still at all?
After an offseason that has left some fans questioning the lack of a blockbuster move, a growing theory suggests general manager Ken Holland may be positioning the franchise for something far bigger than another veteran addition.
The Kings may not be waiting for the next available piece.
They may be waiting for the player who changes everything.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Los Angeles has been intentionally preserving as much financial flexibility as possible, with the belief that the right opportunity could eventually present itself. On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman described the Kings' strategy as maintaining "maximum flexibility" for what he called an "LA-type move."
That phrase immediately sparked speculation across the hockey world.
Because if the Kings are truly keeping their financial options open, there are only a handful of players who would justify such patience.
Connor McDavid.
Auston Matthews.
Two of the most recognizable superstars in the sport. Two players who could instantly change the trajectory of any franchise fortunate enough to acquire them.
Neither player is available today, and there is no guarantee either ever reaches the open market. But if one of hockey's biggest names does become attainable, Los Angeles appears determined not to be eliminated from the conversation because of financial commitments made today.
That possibility changes the way the Kings' offseason should be viewed.
Instead of chasing a series of expensive short-term upgrades, Los Angeles has focused on adding experienced complementary pieces, bringing in players such as Corey Perry, Mats Zuccarello, and Erik Haula. Those moves provide depth, but they are not the type of transactions that define a franchise.
Perhaps that is exactly the point.
Friedman noted the Kings would still like to add a puck-moving defenseman, but any move would likely require money leaving the roster first. Los Angeles is operating in a "dollar in, dollar out" environment, making every decision with an eye toward maintaining future flexibility.
For months, critics have questioned whether the Kings should abandon their current core and begin a full rebuild. But perhaps the organization sees another path.
Maybe Los Angeles doesn't believe it needs to tear everything down.
Maybe it believes one transformational addition could change the entire equation.
And it's important not to underestimate Holland when it comes to making those kinds of moves.
The veteran executive has faced criticism for the Kings' cautious approach this summer, but history shows patience does not mean passivity. During his tenure as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Holland completely reshaped his roster before the 2001-02 season by acquiring future Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Dominik Hasek, and Brett Hull.
That trio helped Detroit capture the Stanley Cup.
The circumstances were different, with no salary cap limiting roster construction at the time. But the larger lesson remains the same: when Holland believes a championship opportunity exists, he has shown he is willing to make aggressive decisions and swing for the biggest prizes available.
That history is worth remembering as Los Angeles continues to keep its options open.
The Kings may not be preparing for a rebuild.
They may be preparing for a blockbuster.
If Auston Matthews were ever to leave Toronto, Los Angeles would immediately become one of the most fascinating destinations to watch.
Matthews' connection to the American Southwest runs deeper than most NHL stars. Born in California, he spent much of his childhood in Arizona, where his family still has strong ties. It was there that he first fell in love with hockey, famously becoming captivated after watching Alexander Ovechkin score a highlight-reel goal during his rookie season in 2006.
The Arizona Coyotes are no longer part of the NHL landscape, creating a unique situation for a player whose early hockey memories were built in the desert.
If Matthews ever decides he wants to return closer to where his hockey journey began, the Utah Mammoth could naturally enter the discussion as the league's newest western destination. Utah has quietly continued building its roster and establishing itself as a legitimate NHL market.
But the Kings offer something different.
They offer a proven playoff foundation, one of the league's biggest markets, and potentially the financial flexibility to make the kind of move that rarely becomes available.
The same applies to McDavid.
Landing the Edmonton Oilers captain would represent one of the largest transactions in modern NHL history. Few organizations could realistically enter that conversation, but Los Angeles has the market, the ambition, and potentially the patience to make itself part of it.
In the meantime, the Kings continue adding pieces that fit a contender's supporting cast.
Haula's arrival is a perfect example. The veteran forward signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million annually and immediately leaned on familiarity when making his decision, reaching out to longtime friend Joel Armia. The two grew up together in Finland and even shared a room during the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving Haula an inside perspective on life in Los Angeles.
Those are the types of moves teams make while waiting for something bigger.
Whether that bigger move ever involves McDavid, Matthews, or another superstar remains impossible to predict. Superstar players rarely become available, and both remain under contract with their current teams.
But if Friedman's theory is correct, the Kings are not simply sitting through a quiet offseason.
They are positioning themselves.
And if the right opportunity arrives, Los Angeles may be ready to make the biggest move in hockey.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Junior Caminero to win
Price: 19¢ (+425) at Polymarket
Junior Caminero was very close to becoming the youngest player ever to win the Home Run Derby last year, but came up a little short vs. Cal Raleigh.
He still hit 21 bombs in the first round and averaged 435 feet per homer. That distance is powered by the league's fastest bat speed at 79.9 mph, the best BlastCont% (26%), and a Top-10 IdealAtlAng%.
This is as short as +330 in some places.
Neil Parker's expert pick: Ben Rice to win
Price: 12¢ (+733) at Polymarket
A “super-short, super-tight swing,” has New York Yankees star Ben Rice up to 29 home runs, and his 29.8% home run to fly ball rate ranks fourth in the majors. Rice will also have his father, Dan Rice, on the mound tossing to him Monday, just like the father-son duo do every offseason.
Experience matters in this event, and Bryce Harper has already proven he thrives under its unique pressure.
He won the 2018 Derby in front of his home crowd in Washington, showing the spotlight only fuels him.
Some hitters get rattled under the bright lights of this competition, but Harper is built for it. Now he’ll have another chance to perform in front of a home crowd, and I think that experience gives him an edge.
Colby Marchio's expert pick: Jordan Walker to win
Price: 12¢ (+733) at Polymarket
I want young guys who have raw, natural power in the Home Run Derby, and Jordan Walker has all of that and more.
The younger stars are always a draw for me because I want to see them leave their mark and make a bigger name for themselves. The Cardinals' 6-foot-6, 250-pound outfielder is easily one of my favorite looks in this event.
JD Yonke's expert pick: Kyle Schwarber to win
Price: 23¢ (+344) at Polymarket
Citizens Bank Park is crafted for left-handed power, given its short porch in right field. Kyle Schwarber knows this park as well as any contestant, and he has something to prove with only a runner-up finish on his resume.
He's crushed 12 more dingers than any other player to lace them up since the start of last season (88), and it's time he takes the throne as the rightful home-run king with the hometown crowd behind him.
Chris Hatfield's expert pick: Kyle Schwarber to win
Price: 23¢ (+344) at Polymarket
Kyle Schwarber is my pick. While June may be the star's typical magic month, it will be this night in July that's his.
The case is simple: he has the most homers in baseball, elite barrel volume, and a lefty pull swing aimed at the 330-foot corner he calls home. The new 20-swing format rewards efficiency over stamina, and nobody wastes fewer swings than Schwarber.
Bonus storyline: he lost the 2018 final to Harper. Revenge at home against a teammate. Sign me up.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Novak Djokovic’s five-set quarter-final thriller, Linda Noskova’s courage and Jannik Sinner’s class were among the highlights at SW19
It takes a certain amount of toughness and inner belief to keep moving forward after an excruciating setback. In the last match Jannik Sinner played before Wimbledon, he was on the receiving end of a shocking collapse in his French Open second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. He responded by gradually building in every round, turning in a flawless 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Novak Djokovic . Then he elevated his level against a peaking Alexander Zverev to defeat the new No 2 in four sets. Sinner’s run to a fifth grand slam title showcased his dramatic serve improvements, defensive skills, drop shots and lobs alongside the clean, vicious ball-striking that defines his play.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 06: Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) is honored for being named an All Star prior to the start of the the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on July 6th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the Atlanta Braves’ 2026 All-Stars were revealed just over a week ago, Ozzie Albies earned the distinction for the fourth time in his career. Though it might seem rote for a veteran player by that point, Albies believes this may be his most meaningful trip to the midsummer classic yet.
Beginning with a key home run on Opening Day, Albies appeared poised to return to his slugging ways and once again become a difference maker in the Atlanta lineup. The past three months only strengthened that notion as Albies earned the opportunity to start the All-Star Game for the first time in his 10-year career.
“It’s one of the most exciting things you can get named for,” Albies said of earning his spot on the National League All-Star team. “It makes your whole year. You work so hard since Day 1 in spring, the offseason, putting the work in. It’s nice to get the recognition that, hey, you’re an All-Star and you play your butt off every single day.”
Albies, who was previously an All-Star in 2018, 2021 and 2023, built a reputation as one of the game’s top offensive threats at second base. He surpassed 65 extra-base hits four times, compiled seasons with 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs twice, and surpassed 100 runs scored on three separate occasions.
Of course, hard work has never been an issue for Albies, who’s built a reputation as one of the most dedicated players on the Braves roster and routinely goes the extra mile in both his offseason and daily preparation. Injuries, however, took their toll on Albies’ ability to go to the post and produce.
In 2024, a fractured right wrist cost Albies just over two months of playing time and factored heavily into his slow start last year. After finally hitting his stride in the second half, Albies then suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left hand which ended his season in late September.
Overall, 2025 was a disappointing year in which Albies batted a career-low .240 and hit just 16 homers to go along with a .671 OPS in 157 games. Those numbers coupled with subpar defensive metrics, resulted in a career-low 1.7 fWAR for Albies in 2025.
That was a sharp departure from the player who’d been such a major cog in Atlanta’s lineup since debuting in 2017.
Prior to last year, Albies averaged 4.0 fWAR in each of his four full seasons from 2018-2023. During that stretch, Albies dealt with several major injuries, however. He missed 31 games due to a bone bruise in his left wrist during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and lost 98 games in 2022 because of both a fractured foot and a fractured finger.
Having overcome that laundry list of setbacks, once again being recognized as one of the best players in the game was even more meaningful to Albies this time around.
“When they told me, I got tears in my eyes immediately,” Albies said of finding out he was an All-Star again. “Dealing with (injury) issues here and there in baseball, it’s part of the game. But to come back and have a better season, it’s huge. It’s amazing. Like I said, we work every single day. Each and every single one of us works our butt off every single day on this team. That’s why it’s great when we get recognized like this.”
New Braves manager Walt Weiss, who was an All-Star for Atlanta in 1998, experienced the challenge of overcoming injuries multiple times during his 14-year playing career. Given a front row seat to watch Albies on a daily basis while serving on the Braves coaching staff since 2018, Weiss believes his second baseman should be held in high regard for his perseverance.
“I told Ozzie that I have a deeper level of respect for guys that get kicked down in this game, then fight their way back and get back to a high level,” Weiss said. “It’s not easy to do and he’s had to deal with injuries the last couple years and has worked hard to get back to where he’s at. Now, he’s being recognized for it… It’s a credit to him, because that doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of work and a lot of patience, but it’s great to see him playing the way he is.”
With all of those injuries in the past, Weiss was counting on Albies to once again contribute to the Braves lineup in meaningful ways in 2026.
“I liked what I saw from Ozzie this spring, especially right-handed,” Weiss said as the season got underway. “For the majority of his career, he’s been one of the best hitters in baseball against left-handed pitching. I know last year was a bit of an outlier. He got off to a slow start like a lot of our guys did, but I still believe in the guy, especially right-handed. I think he’s a beast. So, part of the lineup construction is going to be putting him in a position to get as many right-handed at-bats as possible.”
That strategy paid off for Weiss and the Braves during the first half of the season.
Albies owns a .798 OPS in 172 plate appearances with 19 extra-base hits and six of his 14 home runs against left-handers this season. That comes after posting just a .708 OPS with only four homers against southpaws in 186 plate appearances in 2025.
That boost in production against lefties has helped Albies’ overall 2026 numbers return to form. He finished the first half slashing .267/.320/.439 with 21 doubles, 14 homers, 51 RBIs and 61 runs scored in 95 games.
As for starting the All-Star game for the first time, Albies shared his appreciation with the Braves fans who put him in that position. He received a total of 1,498,141 votes and edged out Bryson Stott of the All-Star host Philadelphia Phillies for that honor.
“I want to say thank you to the fans,” Albies said. “They’re cheering us on in every moment. Even when we’re down, they’re still cheering for us. It’s gets us hyped, especially coming to the plate in big moments and you listen to your name get chanted out there. It helps you out to even have a better at-bat. We’ve all been there. I want to tell them thank you for voting for us, supporting us, and coming to give us all the energy we need every single day. It makes the game better.”
Settling early is typical during the salary arbitration hearing season, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 1 in Toronto. Both sides try to work out deals before the hearings.
This year, 15 restricted free agents filed to have an independent arbitrator determine their next contract. Both sides file salary requests and the arbitrator can award either number but often does something between.
The most interesting case is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, who made $7.75 million in his last deal and is due a big raise after a 96-point season. The record arbitration award was $7.5 million to future Hall of Famer Shea Weber in 2011.
Here are the salary arbitration dates, per puckpedia.com:
Monday, July 20
Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia
Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg
Wednesday, July 22
Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia
Thursday, July 23
Jet Greaves, Columbus
Saturday, July 25
Xavier Bourgault, Ottawa (settled, one year, $850,000)
Jason Robertson, Dallas
Connor McMichael, St. Louis
Monday, July 27
Cole Sillinger, Columbus
Tuesday, July 28
Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh
Wednesday, July 29
Braden Schneider, N.Y. Rangers (settled, one year, $5.5 million)
The defenseman gets one year at $5.5 million, up from a $2.2 million average in his last two-year contract. Schneider averaged about three more minutes a game last season.
The forward averages $4.5 million in his new contract, a bump from his previous $1.45 million cap hit. Krebs had his first 82-game season and set career bests in goals (12), assists (27) and points (39).
The Colorado Avalanche have officially handed Fabian Lysell the opportunity he was waiting for.
Colorado announced Monday that it has signed the 23-year-old forward to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season, giving the former first-round pick a prove-it deal just weeks after acquiring him from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan. Financial details have yet to been disclosed.
For both sides, the timing makes sense.
The Avalanche add another low-risk, high-upside talent to an organization that has built a reputation for successful reclamation projects, while Lysell gets a fresh start after several seasons spent trying to establish himself in Boston's system.
Colorado has seen this story unfold before.
Andre Burakovsky blossomed into a Stanley Cup champion after arriving from Washington. Valeri Nichushkin resurrected a career many around the league had begun to write off, evolving into one of the Avalanche's most valuable players after his departure from Dallas.
Lysell now arrives in Denver hoping to follow a similar blueprint.
Originally selected 21st overall by the Bruins in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Swedish winger has yet to translate his immense skill into a permanent NHL role. He has appeared in just 12 career NHL games, recording one goal and two assists, while spending the majority of his professional career with the AHL's Providence Bruins.
Last season, Lysell registered 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games as Providence captured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for finishing with the American Hockey League's best regular-season record. He ranked sixth on the club in scoring while finishing fifth in both goals and assists before appearing in one Calder Cup Playoff game.
The numbers remain respectable, but they also reflect a prospect whose development plateaued after an encouraging start.
A 50-point campaign in 2023-24 appeared to signal a breakthrough. Instead, it was followed by 34 points in 52 games during the 2024-25 season and 42 points this past year, leaving questions about whether the missing ingredient was consistency, opportunity, or simply the right environment.
Even Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the relationship fell short of expectations.
"He hasn't fully grasped at the NHL level what it probably requires to play each and every night. He took ownership of that today," Sweeney said after the trade. "We took ownership that, could we have done more and better in supporting him? Probably."
That mutual accountability ultimately led both sides toward a fresh start.
Lysell's talent has never been difficult to identify. His skating, creativity with the puck, and offensive instincts made him one of the premier prospects in his draft class. The challenge has been converting those flashes into the kind of dependable, two-way game necessary to earn an everyday NHL role.
The Avalanche are betting they can help bridge that gap.
Before turning professional in North America, Lysell developed in Sweden with Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League while starring in Frölunda's junior program. He crossed the Atlantic following his draft year and immediately showcased his offensive ceiling with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, collecting 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 regular-season games before erupting for 21 points in 12 playoff contests. His 17 postseason assists led the entire WHL that spring.
Internationally, Lysell has represented Sweden at two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, earning bronze medals at both the 2022 World Juniors and the 2021 U18 tournament.
Now, the next chapter begins in Colorado.
The one-year contract gives Lysell an opportunity to reset his career while providing the Avalanche with another intriguing reclamation project at minimal risk. If the change of scenery unlocks the offensive potential that made him a first-round selection, Colorado could once again find itself turning another overlooked talent into a meaningful contributor.
For Lysell, that's exactly what this prove-it season is designed to determine.
Draymond Green and Udonis Haslem have found a way to turn the reported Bam Adebayo/Tyler Herro scuffle into a full-blown NBA enforcer feud.
Because apparently, one scuffle is never enough.
The drama started after Adebayo reportedly struck former Miami Heat teammate Herro during a workout Friday morning at practice near Resorts World Las Vegas. Herro, recently shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, declined to explain what happened.
Udonis Haslem ripped Draymond Green after Green linked him to the alleged Bam Adebayo/Tyler Herro punch drama. Getty ImagesL–R: Teammates Adebayo and Herro of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. NBAE via Getty Images
On “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors forward wondered whether Haslem would bring the same outrage for Adebayo that he once brought for Green after his infamous 2022 practice punch on Jordan Poole.
“I remember one person when the Jordan Poole incident happened with me who was really, really outspoken about it and it really Bothered me, was Udonis Haslem,” Green said.
“I saw UD get into it with guys on teams that was younger than him before. Ala Jimmy Butler,” Green continued. “Then he came out like, ‘That’s ridiculous! You get into it with your young guy I would never. I can’t believe you did that.’ What is it ‘Heat Culture or Heat way?’ Maybe they don’t have fights.”
Green speaking on his podcast “The Draymond Green Show”
Green even admitted he did not actually want Haslem to come down on Adebayo the way Haslem once hammered him.
“Reality is I don’t want him to have that same energy because I love Bam,” Green said. “That’s my brother, my dog.”
Haslem did not wait long to respond. NBAE via Getty Images
Green also appeared to draw a direct line between Herro and Poole, saying Herro, who is from Milwaukee like Poole, has “a lot of bravado as a young guy” and “probably said some very disrespectful things like Jordan Poole.”
Haslem, who spent two decades as Miami’s resident culture cop before moving into a front-office role, did not wait long to respond. In a lengthy social media post, the retired Heat captain essentially told Green to stop trying him.
“I see some things just don’t change,” Haslem wrote. “You was on sucka s–t four years ago when you swung on Jordan Poole and you on sucka s–t now.”
Haslem pointed out that Green was a 32-year-old veteran champion when he struck the 23-year-old Poole (left). NBAE via Getty Images
And that was just the warmup.
Haslem argued Green’s punch was not comparable, pointing out that Green was a 32-year-old champion and veteran leader when he struck the 23-year-old Poole. Adebayo and Herro, he noted, are much closer in age and no longer teammates after Herro’s trade to Milwaukee.
“First of all Bam is 28. Tyler is 26. Neither one of them got it all figured out yet,” Haslem wrote.
Golden State’s Green rebounds against Miami’s Haslem. NBAE via Getty Images
He then made the distinction even sharper.
“Anyone who knows Bam knows he’s strong as baby bear,” Haslem wrote. “If he would’ve unloaded on Tyler 100% it’s over. You fired off on that young boy like it was a club punch and you never met him before in your life.”
Haslem made it clear he is not interested in becoming a recurring character on Green’s podcast. NBAE via Getty Images
Haslem also defended his own history of checking teammates in Miami, including Jimmy Butler, saying that kind of behavior would not fly with the Heat.
“Call it Heat Culture or whatever you want,” Haslem wrote. “But before I let one player disrespect [head coach Eric Spoelstra] in front of the squad, cut his legs out and disrupt what 15 other guys tryin to get accomplished, I’ll kick his ass.”
Finally, Haslem made it clear he is not interested in becoming a recurring character on Green’s podcast.
Green and Haslem have already done what NBA gadflies do best in July: Turn somebody else’s fight into their own. Getty Images
“Ion really vibe you and I think you know that,” Haslem wrote. “You brought me into this and I am retired and out the way. I suggest you keep it pushing cause I ain’t giving out no more hall passes bra!”
Of course, being “out the way” apparently still includes dropping five-paragraph warnings on social media.
The original Adebayo-Herro incident remains cloudy. No video has surfaced, no punishment has been announced and nobody involved seems eager to explain exactly what happened.
But Green and Haslem have already done what NBA gadflies do best in July: Turn somebody else’s fight into their own.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 11: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the Tampa Bay Rays selection of Grady Emerson second overall during the 2026 MLB Draft at Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rays entered the 2026 draft with one of the best opportunities in baseball, and they capitalized on it. Headlined by Grady Emerson at No. 2 overall and complemented by an unusually prep-heavy class, Tampa Bay assembled one of the most interesting classes in the league. More notably, the Rays selected a franchise-record seven high school players in the first 10 rounds, continuing a philosophical shift that began in last year’s draft. Whether that’s simply confidence in their player development system or something more, the organization’s emerging willingness to invest premium picks in prep position players and prep pitchers has become one of the more intriguing draft trends in baseball. Nearly 50% of the Rays picks this year were from high school players while the league average continues to trend down for this demographic.
All-time draft history by school type, with the 2026 draft included:
The HS rate has hovered right around 20% since the covid draft.
The Rays’ first five selections add impact talent all over the field. Emerson and Marchand immediately bolster what was already an athletic group of middle infielders, giving Tampa Bay two more high-upside players capable of sticking on the left side of the infield. Emerson, in particular, projects to become one of the system’s premier prospects the moment he signs. I expect him to slot in as a consensus top 25 prospect behind Theo Gillen – who is looking like a consensus top 10 prospect. Marchand has a unique hit and power combo that gives him impact potential at the top half of a lineup.
On the pitching side, Ben Blair and Gavin Giese strengthen a farm system that has become increasingly position-player heavy near the top. Selecting Blair at No. 49 marked a departure from recent drafts, where the Rays had overwhelmingly favored position players with their early selections. Blair gives the Rays an advanced college starter whose deceptive, low-slot delivery and feel for spin could allow him to move quickly through the minors while Giese adds another projectable prep arm with the type of offspeed profile the organization has consistently developed well.
Collin Bland also fills a niche within the system. While the Rays have accumulated plenty of athletic position players in recent years, true middle-of-the-order power remains relatively scarce throughout the lower levels. Bland’s raw power gives the organization another potential impact bat to develop, even if there’s inherent risk in his hit tool.
Taken as a whole, Day One of this class reinforces what has become a hallmark of the Rays’ farm system: exceptional depth. Rather than targeting one demographic, Tampa Bay added premium athletes, two intriguing starting pitching prospects, and one of the better prep power bats in the draft. The result is a more balanced system that now features increased upside at several positions without sacrificing the organizational depth that has long been one of its greatest strengths.
Day Two
The Rays way was on continued display on Day 2 as Tampa Bay repeatedly targeted pitchers with flatter approach angles, lower arm slots, and above-average feel for spin. Lower arm slots can produce flatter approach angles, making fastballs appear to stay above hitters’ barrels longer and allowing them to play above their raw velocity. Owen Kramkowski, Tate McKee, Logan Georges, Cole Stokes, Steven Gonzalez, Mason Bixby, Alex Philipott, Nate Smithburg (lefty submarine pitcher!), and Ivan Sabater all fit that mold. Ben Blair belongs in this group as well despite being selected on Day One. While each has different velocity bands, the common denominator is the ability to spin multiple secondaries with lower slot deliveries that create deception.
A second group consisted of athletic, relatively low-mileage arms. Kyle Johnson, AJ Rice, Griffin Long, Amp Phillips, McCarty English, and David Horn Jr. all have comparatively light workloads for their age while showing either advanced feel for an offspeed pitch or the athleticism to develop one. Gavin Giese from their Day One group also falls under this category. Rather than chasing finished products, the Rays appear to have prioritized pitchers with developmental runway in this group.
The only position player the Rays selected on Day Two was prep OF Tai Jones. Jones is a big, 6’2 righty who is a great athlete. His swing is smooth with above average bat speed while still being direct to the ball. His plus arm and speed will play anywhere in the outfield. Jones could grow into a significant power-speed threat as he refines his approach. He also comes from Jackson Academy, where current Rays first base coach Corey Dickerson served as head coach before joining Tampa Bay’s staff.
Overall, this class reflects a subtle but meaningful shift in the Rays’ draft philosophy.
Tampa Bay invested heavily in prep talent more than ever before, added four position players with legitimate impact offensive tools, and diversified the types of pitchers it targeted throughout the draft – particularly in the later rounds where they usually go pitcher-heavy.
In recent years, the Rays largely targeted pitchers with riding fastballs and feel for spin. This class was noticeably broader. Some pitchers this year fit that mold, but others were selected for deceptive lower arm slots, athleticism, or standout offspeed characteristics. Rather than searching for one archetype, Tampa Bay appeared to identify several different developmental pathways and filled each one with multiple prospects.
Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski, right, looks down at an All-Star Game jersey given to him before Sunday's game at Dodger Stadium. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski could have been content with his performance the first couple months of the season. After all, he’d come into the year fighting for a rotation spot, and he’d shown in that time that he was ready to be a full-time major-league starter.
That wasn’t enough.
While still holding onto his identity as a pitcher who goes right at hitters, over Wrobleski’s last two starts, he tallied 20 strikeouts.
“I think we’re just doing a good job with the plan,” Wrobleski said last week, days before he was named an All-Star. “I feel like I’m continuing to get better at knowing where to go with two strikes, knowing where to go versus a certain hitter with two strikes and just kind of reading the game.”
Wrobleski is the only Dodgers pitcher set to appear in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani’s schedules didn’t line up — and Ohtani eventually pulled out of All-Star activities altogether in order to have his left knee drained on Sunday.
The story of how Wrobleski got there, in his first full season in the rotation, after debuting two years ago, includes plenty of twists and turns.
“It’s a chronicle story in his young career, the down to up, but at the end of the day, he’s been a rock for us these first three months,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said in a conversation with The Times. “Was hoping he got in on the first set of announcements, but at the end of the day, he’s an All-Star, and he’s earned every bit of it.”
When Wrobleski wasn’t included on the initial NL All-Star roster, the Dodgers coaching staff went to work lobbying for him to be a replacement player. Manager Dave Roberts publicly made the case for Wrobleski and closer Tanner Scott whenever he had the chance.
Then, a week later, Wrobleski (10-2, 2.69 ERA) got the call after Reds right-hander Chase Burns bowed out because of tightness in his groin.
“He’s done so many intangible things that I think get lost in the shuffle of numbers and metrics,” Prior said. “But he’s eaten innings, he’s provided length for us when we needed length. He went toe-to-toe with [Phillies three-time All-Star Zack] Wheeler. He went toe-to-toe with [José] Soriano when he was dealing with the Angels, kept us in ballgames.”
Admittedly, a year and a half ago, Prior wouldn’t have imagined Wrobleski would be an obvious All-Star pick this quickly.
The tipping point came when Wrobleski surrendered eight runs to the Nationals in his first major-league start of the 2025 season. And it didn’t help that his last start of the previous season was a 10-run slog against the Diamondbacks.
“It was a long, raw emotional sit down with him,” Prior said. “And [Roberts] and I, and [assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness] and the staff, we left with like, ‘Which way is this going to go?’”
But persistence has been a hallmark of Wrobleski’s career, dating to his college years, when he infamously bounced back from a car hitting him on a scooter, and a baseball breaking his jaw. He also underwent Tommy John surgery two months before the Dodgers selected him in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB draft.
So, committing to a delivery change last April wasn’t all that intimidating.
Wrobleski returned to the majors in mostly a bullpen role. And his steadiness in those shorter outings culminated in a strong postseason run that included four scoreless appearances in the World Series.
“We talk about, who can you depend on to not let the moment get too big?” Prior said. “And I think Wrobo had proved that all the way through September, but clearly proved that the moment is not too big for him to continue to make pitches. And that was exciting to see, too, as a staff.”
Still, Wrobleski wasn’t guaranteed a rotation role in 2026. And Prior was frank about that over the offseason.
Wrobleski’s first outing of 2026 was in relief, but the Dodgers had earmarked him as their sixth starter for the second turn in the rotation.
In his first five starts, Wrobleski posted an eye-popping 0.56 ERA.
His swing-and-miss rate and strikeouts were down, but pitching to soft contact was getting him positive results. The most glaring example came against the Cardinals in early May, when he threw six shutout innings without recording a punchout.
Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski recorded 20 strikeouts in his last two starts before the All-Star Game. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Wrobleski wasn’t going to coast on that early success, however. He kept fine-tuning his delivery and adjusting his pitch mix, right through a rough patch in late May, and into a consistent June.
“He went from paring down his arsenal to kind of two pitches, to regrow his arsenal while he’s learning how to pitch at this level,” Prior said. “I think the big thing is now these guys have different looks.”
Throughout the year, Wrobleski’s four-seam fastball and slider have done the heavy lifting. But the rest of his secondary pitch mix has been a moving target.
He and the pitching coaches have talked through the most effective use of his curveball. He started integrating his sinker more consistently in late April, especially against left-handed hitters. He’s tinkered with different grips for his changeup, a pitch he started deploying more in mid-May. Three weeks ago, he introduced a sweeper. And in his past two starts, he’s thrown that pitch 19 times.
“At the heart of it, though, is he never lets off the gas pedal,” Prior said. “He just gets the ball, he’s on the rubber, he puts the hitter on defense from the get-go before they’ve even seen a pitch. And that’s something that not everybody can do.”
So, despite the journey, when Wrobleski looks back at the pitcher he was a year and a half ago, he doesn’t see a complete overhaul.
“Same guy but different, I guess,” he said. “It’s crazy. I’ve had to go through a lot of small tweaks and changes. And it’s just all been about just having belief that I could continue to do it. And I knew that there were a lot of things that I could do just to get better, and I wasn’t as far away as maybe it seemed on the outside — or, as people thought it was.
“I felt like I was close, that whole time, even though the results weren’t really there. It’s been cool to see the results come.”
