SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 15, 2025: Emiliano Teodo #82 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch during the eighth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed righthanded pitcher Chris Martin on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled righthanded reliever Emiliano Teodo.
This is the third trip to the injured list this season for the 40 year old Martin, and its possible he will not be activated again. Martin, who planned to retire after 2025 but opted to return for one more season, has a 9.00 ERA in 14 innings over 16 appearances this season, and has battled a shoulder issue throughout. It would be great if rest and rehab can get him back to being a semblance of the pitcher he was previously, the reality is that he may simply be done.
To replace him the Rangers are turning to righthanded flame thrower Emiliano Teodo. Teodo can reach 100 mph on the radar gun, but has had a challenging relationship with the strike zone in his career. It was hoped that he would be able to step up in 2025 and be a meaningful part of the Rangers’ bullpen, but he instead had an awful year plagued by injury and ineffectiveness.
Teodo is up now less because he’s shown he’s ready and more because the Rangers need arms and their options are limited. He has a 3.76 ERA in 40.2 innings over 35 games, with 35 walks, 8 hit batters, and 10 wild pitches to go with 52 strikeouts. He’s allowed just 4 earned runs in 15.2 IP since the beginning of June, but has walked 16 batters in those 15.2 innings. He’s also struck out 16 batters in those 15.2 innings, but having a 1:1 K:BB ratio isn’t generally a good thing for a pitcher.
Clay Burdette brings one of the best exit velos in Division I to the White Sox organization. | (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
It was a back-to-back, strong-armed outfielders move from the White Sox in the seventh round, nabbing Clay Burdette from Xavier University with the No. 195 pick in the 2026 MLB draft.
Just three years ago, Burdette was regarded as one of the three best shortstops in Ohio, but blossomed as a right fielder after a transfer from Ohio State to Xavier. Ranked No. 248 on MLB’s board, the White Sox had fears that Burdette would be gone by their eighth-round pick and nabbed him despite his lower overall rank.
It’s not immediately apparent why Burdette was so slightly regarded in the MLB rankings. He boasts a strong arm for right field and the speed to see time in center. Burdette also has a proven combination of raw power and top-notch bat speed, with exit velocities among the best in Division I.
Playing in a more minor conference, as the Big East is regarded in baseball, Burdette doesn’t have a big track record of plate appearances against top-notch pitching. He also has some selectivity and swing-and-miss issues that could rear up, with 50 Ks in 2026 against just 23 walks.
For you Xavier fans, Burdette’s selection in the seventh round makes him the highest-drafted Musketeers position player ever.
On the surface, Burdette kills it with his scouting ratings, particularly for an seventh-rounder, with his running ability leading the way at 60. But a hit tool of 40 drags his overall evaluation down to 40. Seems like a chip Burdette needs to put on his shoulder.
Expect Burdette to hit the ground running and get some time in a Kannapolis later this summer, as a player who’s been overlooked of late trying to prove his mettle.
Well, probably not the one that Golden State fans were hoping for, at least not yet. As the NBA world sits and waits for 21-time All-NBA selection LeBron James to decide where he will play next season, Steve Kerr and the Warriors reportedly added his former head coach to the staff.
Former Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel is set to join the Golden State staff as an associate head coach, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
Longtime NBA coach Frank Vogel has agreed to become the associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors under head coach Steve Kerr, sources tell ESPN.
While Vogel is as well-traveled as any coach in the NBA, he is best known as the head coach of the 2019-20 Lakers, who won the NBA Finals. However, even coaching the team to a title wasn’t enough to prevent his eventual firing two seasons later.
Across his 12 seasons as a head coach, Vogel has compiled a 480-422 record. He spent this past NBA season as an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks on Jason Kidd’s staff.
Although he brings another coach with experience, the big question surrounding this hiring is whether or not this helps or hurts the Warriors’ chances of landing James.
Gonzaga basketball suffered an unexpected loss from its starting lineup ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Starting point guard Mario Saint-Supéry officially signed with Valencia, a Spanish club in EuroLeague, on Saturday, July 11. The move leaves the Bulldogs without an established point guard next season, and they can't get an experienced replacement with the transfer portal closed.
The All-WCC freshman team honoree averaged 8.6 points with 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season on 41% shooting as a true freshman, starting 17 of Gonzaga's 35 games. He's reportedly signing a four-year deal with the club.
"Zag nation, thanks for everything," he wrote on Instagram.
It's the second tough break for the program this offseason, as fellow European guard Jack Kayil was drafted in the second round by the Houston Rockets and subsequently traded to the New York Knicks after initially committing to Gonzaga.
👑 El principito hará del @RoigArena su nuevo palacio 😎🧡
— Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) July 11, 2026
It's unclear why Saint-Supéry is leaving, although it's a return home for the former Liga ACB guard. He previously played for Málaga, a Liga ACB club like Valencia, his new team.
Gonzaga returns 6-foot-10 forward Braden Huff, who averaged 17.8 points with 5.6 rebounds per game this season, and replaced leading scorer Graham Ike with highly touted Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop. It'll have to rely on projected backups in its backcourt, though, which could change the dynamic for a team expected to be in the national conversation next season.
For Portland, trading for Ja Morant was a high-upside play. The Trail Blazers land a former All-Star point guard at a minimal cost (Jerami Grant, Kris Murphy), and if it works out, it's a home run. If not, no big setback. Think of it like Portland owner Tom Dundon: They bought a distressed asset and are trying to turn it around.
For Ja Morant, it's a chance to change the narrative and prove he's still that All-Star player and a more mature one off the court. He was honest about that speaking to reporters at NBA Summer League (quotes via Ben Golliver of ESPN).
"What would I like cleared up? I think you know the answer to that. My image. [That] I'm a bad guy. I'm Ja. I've done what I've done in the past, but it's been addressed and handled already. I don't see why, years later, that's still the topic when nothing's happened since. If I was that guy, y'all wouldn't be talking to me now. I wouldn't be here...
"New home. New team. New organization. I get to show the fans in Portland a different Ja. It's like starting all over again. ... Over the years, I've grown a lot and learned a lot. My mindset changed. I go into things differently now. I feel more mature, and I'm ready to work."
Morant is going to get his chance, playing in a backcourt with trusted veterans in Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. There is athleticism on the wing around him and a center in Donovan Clingan who sets a big screen. He's working under an offensively-minded coach in Micah Nori.
This is a great opportunity for Morant. What he does with it, what level of athleticism remains, and how much the craft of his game has grown are what we will find out next season. Can he seize the opportunity?
In Las Vegas, Morant was saying all the right things, he was hanging out with his new teammates on the sideline of Trail Blazers Summer League games. It's a promising start and there is reason for optimism in the Pacific Northwest. This is going to be an interesting season for the Trail Blazers.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners hits a single in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 11, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners will play today to try to avoid going 0-6 on this road trip and being swept into the All-Star Break. Honestly? Things don’t feel great.
Lineups:
Dear Rays, you are in first place, I know things are tight around there with the stadium and all but surely you can make a gameday lineup graphic.
News:
Can you tell from the tone here Shannon is over it?
Nothing new on the Mariners injury front. Julio has continued to work out in Seattle and the hope remains he will be ready to return late this week. Donovan is expected to begin his rehab assignment in the next few days. Pitching plans have not yet been shared.
Programming note: It’s also the MLB Draft and ALSO the Futures Game today, because MLB remain unable to market their product nor its future. You can find separate threads for those events on the site.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Will Warren #29 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 07, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees’ fight back in the first two games of this series has been nothing short of admirable. They overturned late two-run deficits on both days, scoring three runs in the ninth in the opener and four in the eighth yesterday. The home runs are starting to fly again against a Nats bullpen that is seriously holding the rest of its team back. The Yankees are hoping to close out their first half in the best way possible: with a sweep.
Will Warren will have to be miles better than his last time out against the Rays, when he coughed up six runs on three home runs in four innings. The league is starting to figure out his fastball and he needs to find a way to vary his pitch mix more. I am surprised he has barely thrown the changeup and curveball given the above-average raw characteristics of each pitch — perhaps they can help him become less predictable. In 18 starts, Warren in 7-4 with a 4.15 ERA (101 ERA+), 3.96 FIP, and 94 strikeouts in 93.1 innings.
Cade Cavalli was the hot-head pitcher involved in the bases-clearing brawl with Willson Contreras and the Red Sox last week, making his first start after serving his five-game suspension for his inflammatory remarks. The former top pitching prospect for the Nationals, Cavalli missed all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons to Tommy John surgery. He has faced the Yankees once and it was by far the worst start of his major league career — eight runs on eight hits including four home runs in 2.1 innings at the end of last August. He’s a different pitcher this year with a four-seamer that averages 97 and tops out at 100 and a knuckle curve that’s gotten whiffs on almost 40-percent of swings. In 19 starts, Cavalli is 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA (110 ERA+), 3.35 FIP, and 105 strikeouts in 92.2 innings.
The Yankees make several changes to the lineups that have faced lefty openers in the last two games. Austin Wells celebrates his 27th birthday with a return to the lineup after homering in two of his last three appearances. Ryan McMahon’s bat is heating up and his glove at third is a welcome return following Amed Rosario’s mishaps. José Caballero replaces Anthony Vople at shortstop. Max Schuemann comes in to play right, moving Jasson Domínguez to DH to give Paul Goldschmidt a day off.
The Yankees haven’t shown they can handle superstar James Wood — 3-for-5 with a home run in each of the first two games — so it’s a matter of silencing the rest of the Nationals lineup. They also make a handful of changes from the starting nine yesterday. Abimelec Ortiz plays DH, moving Luis García Jr. to first and Curtis Mead to the bench. Keibert Ruiz starts over Drew Millas behind the plate while José Tena replaces Nasim Nuñez at second.
How to watch
Location: Nationals Park – Washington, DC
First pitch: 1:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Nationals.TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | WJFK 106.7 The Fan (WSN)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Guinness World Records adjudicator Thomas Bradford poses for a photo with members of the Texas Rangers front office and Budweiser after presenting a certificate for the world's largest glass of beer prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on July 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Day two of the 2026 MLB Draft: The Texas Rangers will be selecting sixteen players today, in Rounds 5 through 20. We will be updating through the day as each selection is made.
As a reminder, if a team selects a player in the first ten rounds, but doesn’t sign the player, they lose the bonus pool money referable to that pick. Thus, the players in the first ten rounds are almost certainly going to sign, and players taken in the back half of the first round are often less-heralded players who will sign for less than the slot value, which allows teams to apply the savings elsewhere (such as, in the case of the Rangers, Brody Bumila, their third round pick who has indicated he’s been offered first round money).
Players taken after the tenth round are less likely to be signed, since a team doesn’t lose any of their bonus pool money if they don’t sign those players. A player taken after the tenth round can sign for up to $150,000 without it counting towards the bonus pool.
5th Round— Michael Anderson Jr., DH/RHP, Penn State.
Ranked #263 on the Baseball America top 500, Anderson is a 6’3”, 230 lb. righthanded hitting and throwing senior who spent two years playing for Rhode Island, then transferred to Arkansas, where he went 0 for 8 in four games. He transferred from Arkansas to Penn State for his senior season, slashing .358/.470/.742 in 232 plate appearances with 20 homers, 23 walks and 30 Ks. He has big power and bat speed, but there are concerns about his ability to make contact and his tendency to chase. Anderson is slow and while he’s played first base in the past, he was just a DH for Penn State this year.
Anderson was announced as a two way player, and pitched in 8 games (8.2 IP) as a freshman for Rhode Island, as well as appearing in two games for Penn State. He’s hit 97 mph on the mound, and when he was in the transfer portal there were some who thought he had more potential on the mound than as a hitter. He presumably will get a chance to work out of the bullpen as well as hitting.
6th Round — Aidan Brainard, RHP, University of Nevada
Brainard is a 6’3”, 210 lb. righthanded senior who played for Northeast Community College in Nebraska and then Regis University in Denver before spending his senior season at Nevada-Reno. Between his junior year at Regis and his senior year at Nevada he put up a 6.77 ERA in 115.2 IP, striking out 125, walking 71, and hitting 22. It would appear that control is something he needs to work on.
7th Round — Caden Aoki, RHP, University of Georgia
Aoki is a 6’0”, 185 lb. righthanded throwing pitcher for the University of Georgia. He just finished his fifth year of college ball, having appeared in four games for Notre Dame as a freshman, then been part of the USC starting rotation for three years before transferring to Georgia for his fifth season. In 9 starts and 11 relief appearances for the Bulldogs he logged 86 innings, striking out 110 and walking 27, though also allowing 14 homers.
Here’s a “three things to know” piece from the Athens Banner-Herald about Aoki, who turns 24 later this year. It would appear he has no eligibility remaining, which means he’s almost certainly signing for somewhere in the $10-25K range. He also has a sweet mustache:
8th Round — Kolby Branch, SS, University of Georgia
Branch is a 23 year old, 5’11”, 202 lb. righthanded hitting infielder born in Allen, Texas, who graduated from Lovejoy High School and spent his freshman year at Baylor before transferring to Georgia, where he just finished his senior year. I guess the Rangers are buying Bulldogs in bulk. Branch was #43 on the BA top 100 senior sign list. 5th round pick Anderson, as a point of reference, was #4.
As a senior he slashed .291/.394/.628 in 234 plate appearances, with a whopping 72 Ks and 40 walks. For his college career, he has a .296/.397/.555 slash line.
9th Round — Kaden Carpenter, OF, Utah Valley State
Carpenter is a 6’4”, 225 lb. left handed hitting and throwing outfielder from Provo, Utah, who spent his first three years as a starter for Utah before transferring to Utah Valley State for his senior season. He’s #48 on the BA list of the top senior signs. I’m a big fan of his song “Rainy Days and Mondays.”
Carpenter had his best season as a senior, slashing .338/.467/.706 with 17 homers, 44 walks and 58 Ks in 255 plate appearances. Of course, he also was playing in the WAC, rather than the Pac 12 and then Big 12. His career slash line in college was .308/.421/.554.
10th Round — Evan Morrison, SS, Grand Valley State
Morrison is a 5’11”, 200 lb. lefthanded hitting shortstop who turned 23 in April. He’s from Ontario and was at the University of Waterloo, then McPherson College in Kansas, and then, for the past two seasons, at Grand Valley State, part of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which includes such powerhouses as Davenport, Wayne State, and Wisconsin-Parkside.
As a senior, Morrison slashed .410/.476/.590 with, according to B-R, 28 walks against 7 strikeouts in 288 plate appearances, and was 27 for 35 on stolen base attempts. He’s also pitched in the past. He did not make the B-R top 100 senior sign list, and is probably a guy getting a $10K signing bonus and who will be plugged in to play whatever position is needed wherever they need somebody.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game festivities kick off at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, with tonight's Home Run Derby.
Kyle Schwarber (+344) tops the field of eight in the MLB odds, but he has company in the form of Junior Caminero (+456).
Let's dive deeper into the Home Run Derby odds for Monday, July 13, and don't miss Colby Marchio's Home Run Derby predictions!
Odds to win the 2026 Home Run Derby
Player
2026 HRs
Kyle Schwarber
32
+344
Junior Caminero
28
+456
Munataka Murakami
20
+488
Jac Caglianone
15
+669
Jordan Walker
22
+681
Ben Rice
29
+809
Bryce Harper
20
+826
Willson Contreras
20
+1199
Odds as of 7-13.
2026 MLB Home Run Derby field and favorites
Kyle Schwarber currently holds the lead in the season-long home-run race, so it makes sense that he's favored in this competition, especially in his home stadium. Ben Rice is his next-closest competitor, yet he sits third from the bottom in this market.
Junior Caminero is in close pursuit following a recent power surge that saw him hit 11 dingers between June 23 and July 4. He was the Home Run Derby runner-up to Cal Raleigh in 2025.
Munataka Murakami would probably have more homers by now but for a multi-week injury. He is one to watch for on Monday night.
2026 MLB Home Run Derby rules
The Home Run Derby timer that's been in place since 2015 has been abolished, and a new format has been put in place. Here's a quick breakdown of how it works:
Round 1: 20 swings for each batter.
Round 2 & Finals: 15 swings for each batter.
Each swing, homer or not, counts. There are no "outs."
If a player homers on his final swing in any round, he may keep going until he does not homer.
No bonus rounds.
No "bracket" for the first round.
Tiebreakers: home run distance in Round 1, three-swing "swing-offs" in Rounds 2 & Finals.
Only six players have won the Home Run Derby and recorded the most home runs in the regular season in the same year. Cal Raleigh (2025) was the last to pull it off.
The Home Run Derby title has been shared by two players twice in the event’s history (1986, 1989).
Ken Griffey Jr., Yoenis Cespedes, and Pete Alonso are the only players to successfully defend their Home Run Derby title in back-to-back years.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrates as he runs the bases after he hits a home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Nationals Park on July 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After back to back bullpen meltdowns, the Nats look to get off the mat yet again and try to avoid the sweep. Staying above .500 going into the All-Star Break feels big for the morale of this team. On paper, this pitching matchup should be favorable as well.
The Nats are going with a lefty heavy lineup against righty Will Warren who historically has lefty issues. Dylan Crews is the only true righty in the lineup. Abimelec Ortiz will be making his MLB debut and hitting third. Jose Tena will be in the field today at second base. Jorbit Vivas will get the start over Curtis Mead and Keibert Ruiz will be behind the plate. Cade Cavalli is back from suspension and gets the start today.
The Yankees are making a couple changes as well. Trent Grisham will move up to the leadoff spot with a righty on the mound. Ryan McMahon will start at third base and Jose Caballaro will be at short. Max Schuemann will start in right field and Austin Wells is back behind the plate. As mentioned, Will Warren is on the mound.
This is a big game as we enter the break. The difference between being over and under .500 is massive. To prevent a sell off, this team needs to get off the mat and perform. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 23: Tyson Grulkowski #54 pitches during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With the 112th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep right hander Tyson Grulkowski. Grulkowski is a cold weather arm with a mix of frame and stuff where he is an intriguing add for the Braves system.
Bio
Name: Tyson Grulkowski
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Muskego, WI (Muskego HS)
School: South Florida
Height: 6’5
Weight: 225
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 217
Perfect Game: 206
Pipeline: N/R
ESPN: 222
Overslot: 333
My Own: 263
Consensus: 227
Fastball 50/55
It’s presently an average to above average pitch up to 95 MPH but he sits more low 90’s. Grulkowski will have a chance to grow into more strength on his large frame and add to that velocity.
Slider 60
His best pitch is a slurvy breaking ball that is a legit plus offering for him.
Changeup 45
The change is very lightly used, but he has shown enough that it’s not hard to project it to at least become a fringy pitch for him with continued work.
Command 50
The command will need to continue to be refined but I believe it could get to future average grade for him.
Overall Thoughts
This feels like another arm like Cole Dennis, a possibly overslot prep arm with traits for growth that won’t break the bank as the Braves continue to fill the system. Grulkowski is years away and may need to start out in the FCL, but he will have middle of the rotation ceiling if things really work out, and will have a chance for backend starter/reliever otherwise.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Tyler Nickel #55 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It looks like the Knicks are so good that they have the worst Summerteam.
Conversely, the Spurs are doomed as they reached the Finals but then beat the SummerKnicks by 21 in Las Vegas. Not good news for San Antonio.
Anyway, here’s the latest to cap the weekend from Sin City.
On Tyler Nickel’s shooting, defense and preparation:
“He’s been shooting all right. His defense has actually been impressive in the camp. When we were in the airport the other day, I went over to talk to him, and he was studying our playbook, so I already like where he’s at, getting ahead of the game.”
On his first impressions of Jack Kayil:
“Really liked him. Started watching him on film after the draft. Thought he could get in the paint. Thought he had a quick burst.”
“My goal is to play in the NBA. That’s why I went into the draft.”
On whether he will remain with the Knicks or return to Europe:
“It’s not my decision, so I’m just trying to show myself in the best way, and it is what it is. I’m super happy I also got drafted, and we’ll see what happens in the next days, weeks, whatever.”
On the reported contractual issues with Alba Berlin delaying his Summer League debut:
“There were things going on that I don’t want to get into.”
On adjusting from basketball in Germany to the NBA Summer League:
“It’s difficult to say [what the differences are from the German league]. It’s only one game. For me, it still feels like basketball, and [I] try to play the right way. And everywhere, it’s kind of the same. It’s obviously different players to play against and a different kind of speed and everything. But I’m used to different systems, so it wasn’t difficult to adapt to that. So for me, it wasn’t that big of a difference.”
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 11, 2026
Jose Alvarado
On looking up to his father:
“I just looked up to my dad… I saw somebody that I really love struggle and still work hard every day and continue to grind it out.”
Jose Alvarado Sr.
On the championship gear his son gave him:
“He gave me his whole uniform, his jersey, shorts, sneakers, headband, the champion shirt… He said, ‘Pa, hold this. It’s wet, but put it on.’”
On watching his son win a championship with the Knicks:
“He’s from New York and to win in New York with his team, it was just amazing.”
On keeping his son away from trouble while growing up:
“Williamsburg now, it’s not the same, but when I was growing up, it was drug-infested, gang-infested, a lot of killing. So I was trying to keep him out of the streets.”
On traveling from Brooklyn to Staten Island for his son’s football games:
“I came out of work at 1:30 p.m., got home at 3, got on the bus to the R train, and then back on a bus to go over the bridge, and then walk from Hylan Boulevard.”
On getting his son into Christ the King’s basketball camp:
“I said, ‘Yeah, how much is it?’ He goes, ‘It’s about $225 a week.’ I said, ‘Alright, I’ll take a week.’ When I went to pick him up for the last day, Coach Joe Arbitello came to me and was like, ‘Can we keep him here for another two weeks?’ I said, ‘As long as it’s free.’ He said, ‘I’ll take care of it.’”
On taking his son to Knicks games at Madison Square Garden:
“When I had enough money to take him to the games [at MSG] … we were sitting all the way on top … And I remember him saying, ‘I can’t wait to be one of these players,’ and I said, ‘You just got to work hard.’”
On the sacrifices required to support his son’s AAU career:
“I used to hope at times they lost. I was like, ‘I gotta go to work tomorrow. I can’t drive at 12 o’clock at night and get to work at 4 in the morning.’ The first person that came to me was Georgetown. And then, after that, it just started flooding. Then, one day, Coach Pastner [of Georgia Tech] came by and rang my bell.”
On supporting his son during his career at Georgia Tech:
“So I supported him through the TV. I texted him before the game, after. I was his hype man.”
On his son’s reaction to being traded from New Orleans to New York:
“He had mixed emotions, because he loved the Pelicans; he’s a loyal kid.”
On why he believed the Knicks would win Game 5:
“He got traded on the fifth. His daughter’s birthday is on the fifth. He’s representing the five boroughs. We live on the fifth floor.”
On his son’s new contract with the Knicks:
“He can take care of his family forever now.”
On Patrick Ewing joking with him:
“He sits right next to me, and he looks at me and goes, ‘Who you with?’ I said, ‘With Alvarado.’ He goes, ‘Who?’ I said, ‘GTA 5, the small guy on the team.’ He goes, ‘I’m only messing with you man, I love that kid.’”
On seeing children react to his son at the championship parade:
“They were like, ‘Don’t touch my hat, he signed it!’ That’s when I was like, ‘This kid could change people’s lives.’ It was beautiful.”
On the Knicks’ chemistry and selflessness leading them to the title:
“They care for one another. They play for one another.”
On Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges:
“I got to know some of those guys when I played with the USA team—with Mikal, Josh and JB. Great dudes. You couldn’t ask for better humans. I think that shows on the basketball court. They care for one another. They play for one another. And that’s, like you said, something you want to build.”
The thought is that the offer sheet given to Carlsson wouldn't be all that much more than Fantilli would get if pursued by another team. But there's no way Don Waddell is offering Fantilli $15-plus million during their contract negotiations.
How bad does Adam Fantilli want to stay in Columbus? I guess we'll find out if the Flyers decide to send him an offer sheet. Is it possible he'd turn down the Flyers to stay in Columbus?
The Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell need to get center Adam Fantilli signed, but with the threat of an offer sheet out there, can they do it without having to match another team's offer?
If the CBJ and Adam Fantilli were presented with an offer sheet, should the Blue Jackets match any offer given? The answer should be a resounding YES!
Scouting Report - Physicality & Grit: Despite his smaller frame, he plays with a heavy edge. He consistently finishes checks, battles along the boards, and is a frequent team leader in hits and fighting majors.
NHL Debut - January 25, 2018 (Calgary)
Career NHL Stats - 394 Games - 35 goals - 37 Assists - 72 Points - 475 PIMs
NHL Playoff Experience - 32 Games - 3 Goals - 0 Assists - 3 Points - 1 Stanley Cup
Career AHL Stats - 219 Games - 49 Goals - 60 Assists - 109 Points
The Blue Jackets have announced the signing of goalie prospect Sergei Ivanov. It felt like it would never happen, but here we are. They have signed Sergei Ivanov to a two-year ELC. Ivanov is expected to spend the 2026-27 season in the Kontinental Hockey League before playing in North America, per the CBJ. His ELC runs through the 2028 season.
Total Points - The record is 547, set by Rick Nash. Werenski currently has 465, which is 82 off the mark. Zach has 82 and 81 points in the last two seasons, respectively, so it's highly probable that he breaks it, or comes very close.
Overtime Goals - The record is 8 and owned by Seth Jones. Werenski currently sits at 7, so this one should fall pretty quickly. He already owns the record for most OT assists with 14.
After the news, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta offered this quote to The Sheet's Jeff Marek. "No plan B is my understanding; they're not gonna pivot and go after Adam Fantilli or Connor Bedard or whomever else."
Pinelli was also rewarded for his strong play in the AHL, as he appeared in his first three career NHL games last season with the Blue Jackets. Now, he will be looking for more chances on Columbus' roster next season.
The 2025-26 season was a tough year for Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson. In 76 games with the Metropolitan Division club, he posted just seven goals and 22 points. He was also healthy scratched multiple times during the season.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Summer Celtics don’t have a traditional point guard on the roster, a position usually relied upon to generate a little upheaval on opposing offenses.
The blueprint of the re-built Celtics is a series of concentric circles. In the middle are the offensive engines of Boston’s offense with Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Paul George, and Derrick White being the most likely leading scorers in that order. The next level outside that core is your margin-control support staff. Think Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta — players tasked to not make mistakes and accentuate the best players.
The larger circle represents your ceiling raisers, a group of hellraisers that could swing games all season. That’s Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Mitchell Robinson. For a team focused on limiting turnovers and controlling the boards, that trio of banshees flip the script on opponents, trying to force turnovers and generate extra possessions with offensive rebounds.
And out in Las Vegas for the next week, the Celtics are developing their next group of game changers and energy shifters.
When you’re picking on the backend of the draft, the available pool can be a bit of an island of misfit toys. There are those more polished players like Scheierman and to some extent, Amari Williams. Those 4-5 years in college have rounded out their games. But there are also those diamonds in the rough, one-and-dones and transfer portal frequenters that never found their place that may have some glaring flaws, but also show some clear portable NBA skills.
Rookies Chris Cenac and Dillon Mitchell having a film session with Director of Player Development Craig Luschenat pic.twitter.com/gcnNYwOLLW
In the 2026 NBA Draft, the Celtics front office identified two players that could potentially be part of that outer circle crew, Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell.
“He can just do so many things on the court. You saw him put the ball on the floor. You saw him shoot the three. You saw him screen. His rebounding is incredible, and so for us, I think he can have an immediate impact.”
The #27 pick finished with a strong double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds, with four blocks and the game-tying three in regulation.
Mitchell didn’t fill up the box score like his fellow rookie, but his four stocks (two steals and two blocks) are indicative of what his contributions could look like early in his Celtics career.
Celtics Summer League head coach Amile Jefferson talking about Dillon Mitchell
Said he is the loudest voice on the team rn and I love the shout from coach saying the speed of the game is something he has already grasped. Able to play slow on both ends as a rookie
“He’s probably the loudest voice we have right now. He talks nonstop — on defense, on offense, in huddles — and that’s huge for a young guy,” Jefferson told Celtics.com’s Marc D’Amico.
“The speed of the game… he already gets it. He’s able to slow things down on both ends, which is rare for a rookie. Everyone sees the athleticism, but his mind is what really stands out. That’s what’s going to let him impact the offense even when he’s not shooting.”
At one point in the win over the Raptors, Cenac Jr. attempted a putback over Mitchell that ended with a missed dunk and both players splayed across the Cox Pavillion floor. It was an insane display of athleticism and reckless abandon. Pure chaos.
Back in 2007 when Danny Ainge put together the Big Three, Boston was able to retain some of their core in Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, and Kendrick Perkins. All were late first round picks in the 20’s and all contributed to raising Banner 17. Maybe this is a bit of getting drunk on small sample Summer League showings and a fever dream of what could be by training camp in September then a two-week run in the December dog days of the NBA season then a spark off the bench in June and July, but what might have been a mirage on draft night is quickly crystalizing as a real vision for the two rookies.
For the first time since his selection at the 2025 draft, fans were able to see what Alexander could do on the ice at the Montreal Canadiens’ development camp, and they were impressed. The youngster has got impressive hands and looks to be on his way to a promising NHL career. He’s still in town, and on Saturday night, he dazzled the crowd at the Make Your Move event.
Zharkovsky had some fun showing off his hands at the Make Your Move shootout tournament. 🏒
Le Journal de Montreal’s journalist Kevin Dube spoke to former Buffalo Sabres first-round draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko and asked him what he thought of the Habs’ prospect. The former NHLer, who skated in 249 NHL games and played in eight KHL seasons, winning three Gagarin Cups, has nothing but praise for the young man:
“He’s excellent, he’s a very, very good player. He will spend another year in Russia, and then, I don’t know if he’ll make the jump straight to the NHL. He might need a year in the AHL, but I believe he has the potential to be a top-six player in the NHL.”
For the former Quebec Remparts player, the Canadiens were able to claim him so late because of the fact he plays in Russia:
“If he didn’t play in the KHL, he would have been drafted in the first round. It’s hard for people to know just how good he can be because they can’t see him in the Junior World Championship or similar events and compare him to other young players. That was a steal for the Canadiens.”
At 32 years old, Grigorenko, who played for the Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, knows he’s unlikely to return to the NHL, but he seems at peace with that. He has a bigger role in the KHL than he would have in the NHL and says that he’s in a good place financially.
It will be interesting to see how Zharovsky’s transition to North American play goes at the tail end of the season. The KHL season is scheduled to take place from September 5 to March 20, while the playoffs will run from March 23 to May 11, 2027. The Canadiens’ prospect is set to return with Ufa Salavat Yulayev, and the team isn’t expected to be contending for the Gagarin Cup, which could mean that his season in Russia ends while the Canadiens are still playing. While KHL players’ contracts normally end on May 31, it wouldn’t be surprising if his team released him once its season ends, just as SKA St. Petersburg did when Ivan Demidov first joined the Habs.
Zharovsky was named rookie of the year in the KHL last season, putting up 42 points and 16 goals in 59 games and said at development camp that he will work on becoming a responsible forward at both ends of the ice.
Kyle Schwarber
Junior Caminero
Munataka Murakami
Jac Caglianone
Jordan Walker
Ben Rice
Willson Contreras
Cal Raleigh
Teoscar Hernandez
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Juan Soto
Pete Alonso
Giancarlo Stanton
