Astros closer Josh Hader took an important step toward a return to action by throwing a live batting practice session before Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Facing hitters for the first time since August, the six-time All-Star threw 20 pitches to Taylor Trammell and Brice Matthews. Hader hasn’t pitched this season due to left biceps inflammation after a left shoulder strain kept him out of action for the final seven weeks of 2025.
“I got through it. That’s a positive thing to note,” Hader said.
Hader estimated he threw 15 pitches in the bullpen before taking the mound at Daikin Park. His fastball velocity ranged from 91-93 MPH, which is what he expected the first time out.
“Feeling good. Feeling strong,” Hader said. “Throwing relatively hard and commanding the baseball in the zone. Commanding the slider, getting good whiffs on it. Ideally, that’s what you want.”
Hader is approaching his buildup the way he would approach the ramp up to a season. He’ll throw a bullpen in the next few days and then another live BP. The goal is to shorten the gap between the two, but he did not put a timetable on when he could expect to go out on a rehab assignment.
“I take it day by day. Try and build my shoulder, bullet proof it, get it strong, and I feel like I’ve been able to do that.”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 12: Cedric Mullins #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays scores against the New York Yankees during the second inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 12, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lakers coach JJ Redick publicly acknowledged feeling like his team wasn’t physically ready for the start of last year’s first round playoff series against the Timberwolves, which ended in a five-game defeat for the Lakers. And the role his preparations from the week leading into Game 1 of the matchup played into that.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets. NBAE via Getty Images
Physical preparedness incorporates trackable elements, including workloads, accelerations and jumps.
“We mapped this out 10-12 days ago,” Redick said. “We wanted to reach certain thresholds, and we did. We were tracking it in real time. We met those thresholds, and thought the guys had a very business-like, focused approach to practice.”
But there are also intangible components — the types that’ll show up against a team like the Rockets.
How do you handle the defensive pressure as a ball handler?
Will you have the focus and desire to box out later in the game — or series — when fatigue becomes an even greater factor?
It’s why when asked about the keys for the matchup against the Rockets, which tips off with Game 1 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, Redick quickly responded, “take care of the ball and box out.”
That’s easier said than done against a Rockets team that easily led the league in offensive rebounding percentage at 38.8%, the highest mark for an NBA team during a regular season since the 1996-97 season, which is as far back as the league’s official website statistical database goes.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes is fouled by Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant. AP
Stathead has this season’s Rockets as the best offensive rebounding team since the 2002-03 Warriors.
The Rockets also led the league in offensive rebounding percentage last year at 36.3%, which highlights how ingrained controlling the offensive boards is into their identity.
“That’s the series,” Redick said. “Scheme, personnel, obviously important, but if we don’t take care of the ball and we don’t box out, we’re not gonna win the series. They were No. 4 in scoring opportunities, we were No. 23. We don’t have the luxury with Luka [Doncic] and [Austin Reaves] out of getting drilled in scoring opportunities every single game. We gotta box out.”
Boxing out is such a big emphasis for the Lakers that Redick said it was the “only thing” they focused on regarding the Rockets.
“We’re going to place an emphasis on every drill in practice,” Redick added. “We started practice with boxing out. You gotta put it in their minds. That’s literally the only thing we said about Houston [on Tuesday]. [Tuesday] was about us. [Wednesday], we’ll introduce (Rockets) personnel. Thursday we’ll do our scout, as we would. Friday will be a reinforcement of that scout. Saturday we’ll be good to go.”
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is fouled by Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. AP
Lakers players welcomed the focus on defensive rebounding.
“I feel like it’s always good to get those drills in,” Jake LaRavia said. “We don’t do them enough during the season and sometimes you kind of forget or can get lethargic about it during the games. So it’s good to kind of just come back to when you were in middle school and high school and stuff, doing those drills.”
Jaxson Hayes added: “Obviously, we weren’t trying to murder each other out on the boards. But definitely practicing that stuff. Houston is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the past 20 years. So just making sure we’re ready for that.”
The Lakers won the regular season series against the Rockets, 2-1, albeit with significantly different personnel.
They remain without Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (left oblique), with Redick reaffirming the star guards are sidelined “indefinitely” leading into the playoffs after suffering their regular season-ending injuries less than two weeks ago.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James goes up for a dunk against the Houston Rockets. AP
In the one game the Rockets won on Christmas in Los Angeles, Houston had a 56.5% offensive rebounding percentage, which was their highest mark of the regular season. But that came with Steven Adams in the lineup for the Rockets. Adams had season-ending ankle surgery in January.
In the two games the Lakers won in Houston in March, Houston finished with offensive rebounding rates of 47.6% and 36.2%, respectively, which were still high but more manageable.
“They’re going to try to come in and punk us,” Marcus Smart said. “And if you allow that, you will be punked. And I don’t think we have any guys that are going to be punked on this team. So, we might not be the most athletic and strongest, but we got to have the most heart.”
Apr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez (33) throws against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Former Atlanta Braves starter pitcher Martín Pérez has cleared waivers after the team designated him for assignment on April 12, 2026. The team optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, but the veteran lefty elected free agency.
Pérez, who made two starts and three appearances with Atlanta after his contract was selected in the first week of the regular season, was signed as a minor league free agent this past off-season. The 35-year-old has pitched in 328 games – including 281 starts – since debuting with the Texas Rangers in 2012.
Atlanta is currently working with a four-man rotation but will not need a fifth starter until April 21. Should Pérez opt to return to the organization, it is possible he could be in-line to make a start the next time the Braves need a fifth starter. Injured starting pitcher Spencer Strider is on a rehab assignment and likely won’t be ready within the next week.
Pérez tossed 14.1 innings for Atlanta, striking out six with a 0.910 WHIP and 3.14 ERA and 3.86 xERA. His xFIP of 4.51 in 2026 is an almost exact match with his career 4.52 xFIP.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) and Rockets center Clint Capela (30) battle for a rebound during a game last month in Houston. Ayton leads the Lakers in rebounding at 8.0 per game. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
Rebounding was not a strength of the Lakers over the course of the regular season. Rebounding was a strength of the Houston Rockets during the 2025-26 campaign.
So, on their first day of practice Tuesday for Game 1 of the first round Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers worked diligently on rebounding drills, knowing full well that will be one of the keys against the Rockets.
The Lakers were the fourth-worst rebounding team in the NBA, averaging 41.0 per game. The Rockets were the top rebounding team in the league, getting 48.1 overall and 15.0 on the offensive end.
And one of the Lakers' better rebounders, Luka Doncic, won’t be available because he’s dealing with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that he went to Spain for treatment. Doncic is second on the Lakers in rebounding at 7.7 per game. His starting backcourt mate, Austin Reaves, also is a good rebounder but he also won’t play because of a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Reaves is averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.
“They’re out indefinitely,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said about Doncic and Reaves.
Redick then gave a simple answer for how the Lakers have to deal with the Rockets in the best-of-seven series.
“Again, taking care of the basketball and boxing out. That’s the series,” Redick said. “Scheme, personnel, obviously important, but if we don’t take care of the ball and we don’t box out, we’re not gonna win the series.
“They were No. 4 in scoring opportunities. We were No. 23, so we don’t have the luxury with Luka and AR out of getting drilled in scoring opportunities every single game. We gotta box out. We’re going to place an emphasis on every drill in practice. We started practice with boxing out today. You gotta put it in their minds. That’s literally the only thing we said about Houston today. Today was about us having a practice, getting sharp with our stuff. Tomorrow, we’ll introduce [Rockets] personnel. Thursday we’ll do our scout, as we would. Friday will be a reinforcement of that scout. Saturday we’ll be good to go. Only thing we did today was box out.”
Lakers 7-foot backup center Jaxson Hayes will be counted to get rebounds. He’ll also spend time dealing with Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who averages 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds (3.0 on offense) per game.
Hayes missed the last four games because of left foot soreness, but he was back at practice Tuesday.
“Feeling a lot better,” Hayes said. “It's nice getting a few days off. Especially with my job, I jump a lot and I run a lot, so it's hard for me to rest something like that. Getting those days off was very much needed. Very helpful.”
When asked about the box-out drills the Lakers did at practice, Hayes recalled the last time he did such a thing.
“Definitely college, for sure,” Hayes said. “College days with those Texas bigs. Coaches start off the practice where you got to smack somebody. Obviously, we weren't trying to murder each other out on the boards, but definitely practicing that stuff. Houston is, I think, one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the past 20 years. So, just making sure we're ready for that.”
The Rockets are a physical team that also plays smothering defense.
Houston allowed 110.0 points per game during the regular season, the fourth-best defensive mark in the league, and held teams to 46.0% shooting, the sixth-best mark in the league.
For Lakers guard Marcus Smart, there is one way to compete with the Rockets on the backboards.
“Will. Willpower,” Smart said. “We’re competitors. We’ve been doing this for a while. We’re doing that at the highest level, right? And they’re going to try to come in and punk us. And if you will allow that, you will be punked. And I don’t think we have any guys that are going to be punked on this team. So, we might not be the most athletic and strongest, but we got to have the most heart.”
Unger Sorum, 20, has made quite the jump in his second year in North America, more than tripling his point production from his rookie year in the AHL.
The Swedish winger led the Chicago Wolves in scoring with 16 goals and 63 points in 69 games.
The 2023 second-round pick is a cerebral playmaker who excels with the puck on his stick. He has tremendous vision and is able to create time and space with ease.
While not the biggest player, he's unafraid of going into the corners either and has proven that he's capable of elevating his game in North America.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 03: Josh Smith #8, Josh Jung #6, Evan Carter #32, Sam Haggerty #0, and Andrew McCutchen #4 of the Texas Rangers stand for the National Anthem before the home opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field on April 03, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for April 14, 2026 against the A’s: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Jeffrey Springs for the A’s.
MacKenzie Gore looks to continue his early success against the A’s this evening. With former Ranger great Jeffrey Springs, a southpaw, on the mound, we have an odd looking lineup, though one that does feature Wyatt Langford, who is back in the lineup after missing the past three games with a quad issue. Langford is at DH, though, and looking at the outfield, I hope Gore generates a lot of ground balls.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Langford — DH
Seager — SS
Burger — 1B
Haggerty — CF
Jung — 3B
McCutchen — LF
Jansen — C
Duran — 2B
8:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -135 favorites.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Marcus Smart #36, Austin Reaves #15 and Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch from the bench during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Head coach JJ Redick fielded that question for the first of what will be many times on Tuesday and had a definitive, if not unclear, response.
“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”
Based on the latest reports, Luka is set to return to Los Angeles later this week. From there, he’ll be re-evaluated after receiving treatment in Spain. Austin, meanwhile, is not close to a return and has not really had any updates on his status.
Outside of those huge caveats, though, the Lakers are back to full health heading into the postseason. That included LeBron James, who has been on the injury report with left foot injury management, as well as Jaxson Hayes, who missed the final four games of the regular season.
Hayes’ absence was also due to a foot injury, which he discussed after practice on Tuesday.
“Feeling a lot better,” Hayes said. “It’s nice getting a few days off, especially with my job. I jump a lot and I run a lot so it was hard for me to rest something like that. So getting those days off was very much needed and very helpful.”
Despite how things went about this time last season, Hayes is set to have an important role this postseason. While it won’t be as a starter, he will be a key figure off the bench.
Fortunately, the Lakers are going to head into the playoffs with Hayes and a host of options…even if it won’t include their two top stars.
Bisons are seen on a farm in Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania, Germany, on February 16, 2026. (Photo by Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
6pm CT on ESPN+.
Just got home from work… let me put this up now and then edit, so you have something to comment on.
On the Mound (I’m guessing…)
Tuesday @ 6:00pm ESPN+
Vanderbilt #45 Fr. RHP Connor “The Canadian” Hamilton (1-0; 4.07 ERA)
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild (45-24-12) is back in action tonight for its final game of the regular season against the Anaheim Ducks (42-32-6).
Minnesota dropped its last game 6-3 in St. Louis on Monday. In that game, the Wild rested eight regulars.
The Ducks have two more games left in the season and are just one point up on the Los Angeles Kings for the third spot in the Pacific. They are also only three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the Pacific and one point back of the Edmonton Oilers for second.
Although the Ducks have clinched a playoff spot, they still have a lot to play for, like home ice in the playoffs.
The Wild, on the other hand, don't. It is already official that they will face the Dallas Stars in round one, with the first two games being in Dallas.
On that note, the Wild will again use this game to rest the same guys.
Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman, Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, Marcus Foligno and Jared Spurgeon.
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Homegrown, slider-slinging southpaw Noah Schultz makes his first MLB start tonight. | Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Finally making the long-awaited jump to the major leagues, left-handed pitching prospect Noah Schultz got the call up on Saturday after an excellent start to his season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.
In three games this season (two starts), Schultz has allowed just two earned runs on four hits in his 14 innings, surrendering one home run and two walks while striking out a whopping 19 batters. He’s got three wins, and his 0.429 WHIP is exceptional, especially coming off a rough stint in Charlotte at the end of last season.
Schultz has a solid arsenal with his fastball, changeup, and slider, and his fastball typically sits in the mid-90s range while topping out around 99 mph. While his changeup is sound, his real weapon is a wicked slider that sits in the mid-80s and eats up batters left and right, with many comparing him to Randy Johnson.
Schultz will go up against a Tampa Bay team that is comprised mostly of right-handed hitters, and while he has been consistent against both this season, Schultz posted a 2.03 WHIP against righties in 43 1/3 innings in 2025. The Rays hold the fifth-best team batting average (.260) in baesball, though they rank in the bottom five thus far in isolated power, and 10th in BABIP (.304). One factor of the Tampa offense that Schultz might have to work through is that the Rays don’t strike out very much. They hold the second-lowest strikeout rate at 18.5%, with 108 strikeouts as a team; by comparison, the White Sox offense holds the highest K% (27.9%) with 160 (fifth-highest).
Leading off for the Rays is Yandy Díaz, who will be the designated hitter for the Rays. Díaz holds the 11th-best OPS (1.025) in 58 at-bats this season with 14 RBIs, though Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero are power bats who could definitely put some pressure on Schultz and the defense. Left fielder Chandler Simpson is also one to watch, as he hardly strikes out (5.1% K%), ranks in the Top 10 in on-base percentage, and has 99-grade speed that allows him to be a menace on the base paths.
On the bump for the Rays is lefthander Shane McClanahan, making his third start of the season. McClanahan has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years: Out for the 2024 season to have Tommy John surgery, and again in 2025 for a nerve-related issue in his throwing arm. In a small sample size, McClanahan has bounced back well so far, and has allowed two earned runs in both of his starts this season, striking out nine and walking seven in his 8 2/3 innings so far in 2026.
While the White Sox pitching has been (surprisingly) great over the last couple of weeks, the offense has taken over command of the struggle bus. Year-to-date, the South Siders rank last in baseball in pretty much every team hitting category: OPS, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBIs, and hits. And if you boil it down to just the last seven days … they still rank in the bottom three in all of those categories — I think you get the point.
Switching it up a bit tonight for the South Siders, Miguel Vargas will lead off, followed by Chase Meidroth, Munetaka Murakami, and Everson Pereira taking over in the cleanup spot as he returns to the lineup after a couple weeks on the IL.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 8: Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen #24 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field on April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
That four-game sweep in San Diego last week?
Whatever.
It was a lifetime ago.
It’s a new day and a new series, this time with the Houston Astros, a team the Colorado Rockies swept last week that has now lost eight in a row. To be fair, the Astros have be devastated by injuries.
Taking the mound for the Rockies will be RHP Michael Lorenzen.
Currently, he has an ERA of 8.36 in 14.0 IP. He’s struck out 10 while giving up 4 walks and 3 home runs with a 2.14 WHIP.
Starting for the Astros is Colton Gordon, who was recalled from the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Monday. He has started three MiLB games and has a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 IP.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 17: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 17, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Game Details
When: Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 PM ET Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC Watch: Amazon Prime Video Follow:@LibertyBallers
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blazers defeated the Suns 92-77. 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. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
The 2026 play-in tournament starts tonight, and the only game that Spurs fans really need to be interested in is the second matchup, which will decide San Antonio’s first round opponent. Will it be Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker and the Suns, or will it be Tiago Splitter’s overperforming Blazers squad. No one is really giving Portland much of a chance to beat Phoenix, but the teams are pretty evenly matched with the Suns leading the season series 2-1. The last game was on February 22, a 92-77 rock fight win by the Blazers. Both teams are more healthy tonight, so perhaps at least one of them will score in triple digits tonight. The winner will face the Spurs in the first round series beginning at the Frost Bank center on April 19, and the loser will go on to face the winner of the tomorrow’s Clippers/Warriors game on Friday for the chance to be dismantled by the Thunder in their first round matchup. I’m kind of hoping that the Warriors will end up facing the Thunder because their shooting could cause problems for OKC, and also because I don’t like the Suns or the Clippers. Let’s go Blazers!
Game Prediction:
Jeff Bezos will use his Blue Origin rocket to attend both games in person, which will create quite a mess when it lands in the parking lot at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Miami Heat vs Charlotte Hornets—6:30 PM Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trail Blazers—9:00 PM April 14, 2026 TV: Amazon Prime Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — You think the Charlotte Hornets were starving for a home postseason game?
It’s been a decade since the Hornets hosted a postseason game, and the team is doing what it can to celebrate the accomplishments of Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball and generate excitement among its fan base.
Prior to Tuesday night's play-in tournament game against the Miami Heat, the Hornets placed a black “Protect the Hive" T-shirt on each of the 19,444 seats in Spectrum Center.
“I expect it to be lit,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said of the atmosphere.
The Hornets need to beat the Heat and then defeat the loser of the Wednesday night’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to qualify for its first playoff series in 10 years and snap the longest drought in the league.
"My wife was actually able to go to the (Carolina) Panthers’ playoff game and I remember her calling me ... and she’s like, ‘This is insane! People are going crazy! This town is ready for a winning team, playoff atmosphere!'" Lee said of the Panthers' first playoff home game in January after seven seasons of missing the playoffs. "So that was exciting to hear. And so I expect a very similar environment here.”
The Heat-Hornets game is a sellout.
“We have an exciting, young team that has earned this moment and brings an energy that’s fun to watch and easy to rally behind,” Hornets president of business operations Shelly Cayette-Weston said. “Protect the Hive represents the connection between our team and our fans at the highest level.”
