CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel set the Hornets’ franchise record for 3-pointers in a season.
Knueppel needed four 3s entering Thursday night's game against the Phoenix Suns. After missing two wide open looks in the fourth quarter Knueppel finally hit his 261st 3-pointer off an assist from Grant Williams as the home crowd erupted in cheers.
The 20-year-old Knueppel beat the previous franchise mark of 260 3-pointers set by Kemba Walker in 2018-19.
Also in the game, the Suns' Collin Gillespie set the team's franchise record for 3-pointers in a season with his 227th basket from long distance, surpassing the mark of 226, set by Quentin Richardson (2004-05).
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham is set to join the growing list of NBA players who are ineligible for postseason awards.
A player becomes ineligible if they miss 18 or more games. Cunningham, who has played 61 games this season, suffered a collapsed lung that has kept him out since March 17. He will be re-evaluated in one week, the Pistons said Thursday.
Cunningham suffered the injury after a collision with Tre Johnson while diving for a loose ball in the first quarter of a game against the Washington Wizards on March 17.
Cunningham was once considered an MVP contender this season. Entering Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pistons had a 55-21 overall record and sat in first in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons will play three more games before Cunningham's latest evaluation.
He has averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game in 61 games played this season.
The Detroit Red Wings need every point they can get in this tightly-packed race toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the good news is that they've taken a 2-1 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers into the third period.
The bad news is that they're shorthanded once again. Defenseman Justin Faulk, who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues last month at the NHL Trade Deadline, suffered an unspecified injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
UPDATE: Defenseman Justin Faulk will not return to tonight’s game.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 3, 2026
Before his injury, Faulk had appeared in 10:49 of ice time over 16 shifts.
Since being acquired by the Red Wings from the Blues last month, Faulk has scored once while adding two assists.
He's signed for another season with a $6.5 million cap hit.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park on March 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants welcome the New York Mets to Oracle Park tonight to begin a four-game series.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who finished the 2025 season with a 3.65 ERA, 3.93 FIP, with 186 strikeouts to 73 walks in 182.1 innings pitched. His first start this season was in the Giants’ 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday, in which he allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in five and a third innings.
He’ll be facing off against the Mets left-hander David Peterson, who finished the 2025 season with a 4.22 ERA, 3.48 FIP, with 150 strikeouts to 65 walks in 168.2 innings pitched. His first start this season was in the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, in which he allowed six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in five and a third innings pitched.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City catcher Carter Jensen was removed from the Royals’ starting lineup for Thursday game with the Minnesota Twins after he overslept.
“I didn’t wake up to my alarm. Slept through it," Jensen told The Kansas City Star and other outlets. "Don’t really have an excuse — nor should I. It sucks. It happens. I feel like I let teammates down, coaches down. Just learn from it and just know it won’t happen again.”
Jensen eventually arrived, but not early enough to prepare adequately to start the game. He did end up coming in as Kansas City’s catcher in the ninth inning of the Royals' 5-1 loss.
Salvador Perez, who was expecting to be Kansas City’s designated hitter Thursday, ended up catching the first eight innings.
“First and foremost, I’m glad Carter’s OK,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino told reporters. “I mean, that was kind of the initial thought when you’re trying to get a hold of his parents and everything like that — just make sure he’s OK.”
Pasquantino said Jensen, a 22-year-old rookie, needs to learn from this experience.
“There are some things that cannot happen, and that’s one of them,” Pasquantino said. “So he’s going to have to wear it on the chin — same way anybody would have to. It can’t happen, and hopefully it doesn’t happen again. But it’s one of those things that you just can’t afford mistakes like that in this game. Just got to move forward the best that he can. I know he feels really bad.
“I know it was not his favorite drive to the field this morning, but it wasn’t our favorite morning either, trying to figure out what was going on. He’ll learn from it, grow a little bit. We’re here for him, though. It’s not like anybody’s mad at him. Things happen. But you’ve got to learn from mistakes like that — and maybe get another alarm clock or something.”
The Royals will call up Luinder Avila from Omaha to start Friday’s game against the Brewers, according to MLB.com reporter Anne Rogers. Michael Wacha was originally scheduled to start on Friday, but will be pushed back due to illness. Avila was scheduled to start Omaha’s game tonight, but was scratched and replaced by Ethan Bosacker. The team has yet to announce the move, but Steven Cruz seems like a good bet to be sent down after he pitched on back-to-back days and gave up three home runs in an inning of work in a 5-1 loss on Thursday.
Update: Luinder Avila will start tomorrow and Michael Wacha will be pushed back due to an illness. Rest of the weekend (Lugo, Bubic) is unchanged. Roster move will be announced tomorrow. #Royalshttps://t.co/38QCp74Mlq
Luinder Avila appeared in 13 games with the Royals last year, giving up just two runs with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings for an ERA of 1.29. The Royals sent him to the minors to keep him stretched out as a starter. He started the first game for Omaha, and he gave up two runs in three innings with three strikeouts.
Avila is ranked as the #9 prospect in the Royals’ farm system by MLB Pipeline. He throws from a high angle, and tends to induce a lot of groundballs. His curveball had a 48 percent whiff rate in limited big league action. He was also impressive in the World Baseball Classic, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing just one unearned run for Team Venezuela.
The Royals list Seth Lugo to start the Saturday game with Kris Bubic to start on Sunday. The Royals begin a three-game series in Cleveland on Monday.
The “boys in blue” will take on a literal meaning this year.
On Thursday, the Dodgers announced they are introducing a new blue uniform into their regular road rotation.
The new jerseys follow the team’s traditional template, featuring their iconic red numbers on the front and a cursive “Los Angeles” script across the chest.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani on deck in the fourth against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It marks the first time in team history they will wear blue uniforms on the road.
Blue uniforms have been used at home in the past, but not since the team’s original “Los Dodgers” city connect jerseys were replaced by their new moon-colored iteration.
Previously, the Dodgers had rotated between two gray uniforms on the road — one that said “Los Angeles” and another that said “Dodgers.”
The new edition will be accented in gray, used for the sleeve piping and an outline on the numbers.
Dodger Blue.
For the first time in history, the Dodgers will be wearing a blue jersey as part of their regular uniform rotation on the road. pic.twitter.com/ce3EVFVJTd
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 31: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout in the ninth inning during the game against the Athletics at Truist Park on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Reynaldo López and the Braves are looking for their third consecutive series-opening win against Ryne Nelson and the Diamondbacks. More on the pitching matchup here and today’s lineups here. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 pm ET.
We are entering real sicko hours (for us on the East Coast). But unfortunately for me, seeing Wiley Ballard take on each ballpark’s Crazy Food Item is appointment viewing. Chase Field debuted the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame Shake”: salted caramel shake, whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat Bars and Cracker Jacks.
“Shake Me Out to the Ballgame” was right there, but if you disagree, let us know in the comments.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: A general view of the exterior of Chase field is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
BRAVES
DIAMONDBACKS
Ronald Acuna – RF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Drake Baldwin – C
Corbin Carroll – DH
Matt Olson – 1B
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Austin Riley – 3B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Mike Yastrzemski – LF
Alek Thomas – CF
Ozzie Albies – 2B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Michael Harris – CF
Carlos Santana – 1B
Dominic Smith – DH
Jordan Lawlar – LF
Mauricio Dubon – SS
Jorge Barrosa – RF
Reynaldo Lopez – RHP
Ryne Nelson – RHP
The D-back seek to get to a four-game winning streak. Modest, but that is something they only did once before June last year, winning five in a row from April 12-17. After Zac Gallen successfully righted the ship yesterday, following a shaky first outing, Kyle Ryne Nelson will seek to follow suit tonight. Meanwhile, social media has got the pitchforks out for a line-up not including Jose Fernandez. Sigh.
Anyway, short intro today, for work reasons. Should have a bit more time tomorrow. See you then!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: David Peterson #23 of the New York Mets pitches during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on March 28, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Jorge Polanco – DH
Luis Robert – CF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Tyrone Taylor – RF
David Peterson – LHP
Giants lineup
Willy Adames – SS
Rafael Devers – DH
Heliot Ramos – LF
Luis Arraez – 2B
Matt Chapman – 3B
Jung Hoo Lee – RF
Harrison Bader – CF
Daniel Susac – C
Casey Schmitt – 1B
Robbie Ray – LHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 9:45 PM ET TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
LA's path is relatively simple: four wins, or four Denver Nuggets losses, or a combination of two Lakers wins and two Nuggets losses would keep them in the third seed at the end of the season. With two tanking teams in the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, that should be more than feasible -- but getting at least a split in an upcoming two-game series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder would be crucial for the Lakers, and for Luka Doncic's MVP campaign.
The top six in the Western Conference are pretty close to set, with the current sixth seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves, holding a 4.5-game lead over the Phoenix Suns entering Thursday. The Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Nuggets are all locked in, along with the Lakers. The Houston Rockets can clinch on Thursday night with a Suns loss.
Here's a quick rundown of possible first-round playoff matchups the Lakers may face, ranked from most to least desirable.
Phoenix Suns
This is an unlikely matchup as the Suns trail the current sixth-seed Timberwolves by 4.5 games and are almost certainly bound for the play-in.
Phoenix has had LA's number this season, winning three of their four matchups, but the Lakers have been a different team over the last month, while the Suns have scuffled down the stretch, losing seven of their last 10 games, including a six-game skid from March 13-21. Ranked 13th in USA TODAY Sports' latest NBA power rankings, the Suns have been stuck in the middle of the pack in the West for months now. Part of it is due to injury -- longtime LeBron James pest Dillon Brooks was having a breakout year individually, putting up a career-high 20.6 points on 43.8% in 30.4 minutes per game.
That, along with his usual physical style of play on defense helped him emerge as a key contributor in Phoenix until he fractured his left hand on Feb. 21 and missed 18 consecutive games before returning last Tuesday in a 115-111 loss to the Orlando Magic that handed the division to the Lakers. The Suns (42-33) went 9-9 in Brooks' absence.
Houston Rockets
When the Rockets traded for Kevin Durant last summer, it was supposed to take them from a fun team of young up-and-comers to the upper echelons of the Western Conference. That looked to be the case early in the season, but they eventually middled out as they dealt with growing pains and another KD burner account scandal.
Houston (47-29) currently has a half-game advantage over the Timberwolves in a heated battle for the fifth seed. The Rockets have size and athleticism, two things that have proven to be matchup nightmares for the Lakers in the playoffs the last few years, but this Lakers squad got two big wins over them on March 16 and 18, so they've shown that this is a team they can handle.
This is who the Lakers would face if the season ended today, and it's also the one with the most question marks.
The Wolves swept the Lakers in the first round a year ago (see: size and athleticism), but the Lakers swept the season series this year. Last year, the Lakers were horribly outmatched with no bona fide center to stop Rudy Gobert as Jaxson Hayes was basically unplayable. Hayes has improved by leaps and bounds this season with a full year of playing next to Doncic, not to mention this is why Rob Pelinka signed Deandre Ayton, who seems to have finally bought in and has been key in the Lakers' late-season surge.
One more thing to keep an eye on: Minnesota ruled Anthony Edwards out of Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons with an illness and right knee injury management, putting him below the 65-game threshold and making him ineligible for end-of-season awards. There could now possibly be a scenario in which the Timberwolves shut down Edwards for the remainder of the season, giving him a chance to enter the playoffs rested and as close to 100% as possible.
Denver Nuggets
For the last few years, Lakers-Nuggets games have felt like the myth of Sisyphus. The Lakers would get out to a quick start, build a big lead and look to be well on their way to victory until Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray make some insane shots that defy logic and all of a sudden, Denver wins and the rock rolls all the way back to the bottom of the hill.
But two weeks ago, fate seemed to finally go the other way when the Lakers rallied against Denver for what felt like their biggest win of the season when Austin Reaves got his own putback from a missed free throw with 1.9 seconds left to tie the game at 118 and force overtime, where Luka Doncic eventually hit an 18-foot stepback fadeaway over Spencer Jones to take a two point lead with 0.5 seconds left to seal the game.
The Lakers are 2-1 against Denver this season (2-0 when Doncic plays), so they're not nearly as outmatched as their recent playoff history might suggest. The Nuggets are also currently the fourth seed in the West, so a first-round meeting probably won't happen unless they crash and burn over their remaining five games. Either way, this still would be the worst of their hypothetical first-round matchups.
Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers a pitch against Hiroshima Carp during baseball game in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
The Long Island Ducks are “excited” to offer former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer the “platform” to potentially return to Major League Baseball, team president Michael Pfaff told The Post Thursday night after the club announced the signing of the right-hander.
“What I would say is that all decisions are team decisions. Everybody has a voice in the room,” Pfaff said. “And what we looked at is a 10-year Major League veteran who is a Cy Young Award winner, who is eligible to return to Major League Baseball. And is desirous of using the same path so many have used before him, with the Long Island Ducks, to get back to Major League Baseball.
“So we’re excited to offer him this showcase and this platform. We’re going to work hard and he’s going to work hard to make sure that it turns out well for everyone.”
PLAYER SIGNING
10-year @MLB veteran and 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner @BauerOutage is the newest member of the Ducks! He is currently slated to serve as the our opening night starter on Tuesday, April 21st!
The addition of Bauer comes with its fair share of controversy after he was hit with sexual assault allegations in 2021, though he was never criminally charged.
He was suspended by MLB for 194 games for violating the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
Pfaff told The Post that the reaction the signing has “been really positive so far.”
The Ducks are handing the opening night start to Bauer when they face the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars on April 21 in Central Islip.
“He has a very good idea of what he wants to do and he asked the question about what our vision of his usage might be, and when we put opening day in front of him, he did not hesitate,” the Ducks executive said. “He said he’d be ready and our focus is to get him ready for that.”
The Ducks open their spring training on April 10 and the club is anticipating him reporting at the start of camp.
Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers a pitch against Hiroshima Carp during baseball game in Yokohama, near Tokyo on May 3, 2023. AP
As part of the Ducks’ announcement, the organization said Bauer would be mic’d up for all games and practices to create content for his personal social media and the team’s.
Following his release from the Dodgers in 2023, the former MLB All-Star has played in Japan and Mexico in hopes of reviving his career.
Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws during a game against the Giants on June 28, 2021, in Los Angeles. AP
A number of former major leaguers have gone through Central Islip in the hope of one final shot at the MLB, including ex-Met Daniel Murphy, Dontrelle Willis, Eric Gagne and Rich Hill.
Firebrand closing pitcher John Rocker famously attempted a comeback in 2005 with the Ducks.
Pfaff said Bauer had a number of opportunities in Japan, Mexico and with other Atlantic League teams.
“He chose Long Island because we have proveably been the best showcase for players like him to get signed by MLB and MLB clubs, and that’s his goal. His goal here is to see if he can get another chance in Major League Baseball and we’re going to provide him that showcase,” he said.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to the media before the team's series-opener against the Giants on Thursday and spoke about a number of topics...
When to deploy Sean Manaea
Manaea's role on the 2026 Mets is still in flux. He broke camp with the team, but as a part of the bullpen as a piggyback for the other starters. After six games, he's appeared just once and Mendoza was asked about when the right time is for him to deploy the southpaw.
"Ideally, I would like to find a spot for him where we could use a lot of his pitches," Mendoza said. "Especially with a lot of the extra-inning games we’ve played here…we’ve asked the bullpen to get an extra 15 outs. That’s a lot. With Sean, the perfect scenario would be to use all of his pitches when we need to."
The Mets have played three extra-inning games already and with their next off day not until Monday, it's probably safe to say we'll see Manaea some time in this four-game set with the Giants.
Mendoza and the Mets have said that they want to keep Manaea stretched out while in the bullpen if they need him to make a start, and the Mets skipper gave the parameters on how he ideally wants that to look.
In order for Manaea to use all of this pitches, as Mendoza prefers, he needs to have the southpaw throw 50-60 pitches, but admits that it's hard to cut out time for that in the midst of game action.
"You go in, have a gameplan…you still got to make adjustments," Mendoza said. "We just got to wait and let it play out."
In Manaea's only appearance this season (March 29 vs. Pirates), he tossed 29 pitches across 1.1 innings, allowing one hit while walking two batters.
Mets' DH situation
Jorge Polanco is starting again as the team's DH. This is the fourth game in a row that Polanco will not play the field due to a sore Achilles.
Mendoza said that Polanco is close to playing first base again, but acknowledges that the DH spot is important to his team's composition, especially getting other players regular chances at the plate.
"Wanted to give [Polanco] an extra day. Continues to feel better, continues to progress," Mendoza said. "I might need the DH spot in the upcoming days for some of the other guys. That’s why I’m taking advantage of an extra day here to DH."
New York Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (11) hits a bloop single to help the Mets rally going in the first inning, Thursday, March 26, 2026. / Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
One of those guys is Mark Vientos. While Vientos is playing first base for the second consecutive game, the right-handed slugger has had little at-bats in the early part of the season.
Entering Thursday, Vientos is 2-for-5 on the season with a double. Although the opportunities haven't been there in the first week of the season, Mendoza says that Vientos has adjusted well to his role and continues to stay ready just like the other bench players who find themselves in the same position.
"He knows there’s going to be opportunities there even when he's not playing," Mendoza said. "Perfect examples is the past couple of days when Brett Baty hasn't been in the lineup in a game, like Yesterday he ended up getting three at-bats.
The night before, he gets two, so it could happen to Mark even though their name is not on the starting lineup, that doesn't mean they're not going to impact the game.
..there's a lot of different things that could continue to help us win baseball game and that's part of the role, and they all understand that."
Carson Benge so far
Benge made his MLB debut a week ago and after the high of homering in his first game with the Mets, the young outfielder has had his ups and downs in the early going.
He's played in six games, started five, for the Mets so far and is 3-for-19 on the season. Mendoza was asked what he's seen out of Benge at the plate so far.
"He’s adjusting, learning. He’s learning as he goes, and that’s part of the development," Mendoza said. "He’s going to get some at-bats where there’s going to be traffic. Yesterday, I decided to go with the left-on-left instead of the left-on-right. It’s part of the process. We gotta continue to support him, be right there with him and give him opportunities."
With the left-hander Robbie Ray starting on Thursday, Benge is on the bench for the series-opener.
Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Truist Park.
You snooze, you lose.
Royals rookie Carter Jensen was scratched from their lineup shortly before their 5-1 loss to the Twins on Thursday after oversleeping and not arriving at Kauffman Stadium with enough time to get prepped for the game.
“Carter had an oversight,” manager Matt Quatraro told reporters following the game, according to MLB.com. “Overslept. Wasn’t here on time, and we made the decision to scratch him from the lineup. … He’s a stand-up guy, a really hard worker, a great kid. He feels terrible. He’s accountable to it.
Royals catcher Carter Jensen drives in a run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against the Braves at Truist Park. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
“It’s not something that has been a pattern or any of that kind of stuff. Nobody feels worse than he does, and I think he’ll admit to that. And we’ll move on.”
Jensen, who was slated to catch, was replaced by Royals veteran Salvador Perez behind the plate, who was initially set to be the designated hitter. The 22-year-old later came in to catch in the ninth inning.
To his credit, Jensen owned up to the mistake, telling reporters that he woke up in “full panic” and tried to get to the field as soon as possible.
“No running from it,” Jensen said. “Just didn’t wake up to my alarm. Slept through it. Don’t really have an excuse, nor should I. It sucks. Happens. I felt like I let my teammates down, coaches down. Just learn from it and know it won’t happen again.”
Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen (left) looks on with teammate right fielder Jac Caglianone (right) before a game against the Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
With Jensen arriving late, the Royals had to lean on Perez to prep with starting pitcher Cole Ragans.
“You got a 36-year-old catcher preparing to DH today, and then his world gets a little rocked an hour and a half before the game that he’s not going to be DHing,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said. “Credit to Salvy today for being ready, first and foremost.”
Jensen admitted that there was “a lot” to learn from his blunder, saying that he will be setting “a million alarms” to get up early for day games.
“There’s a lot to learn from it. Making sure if I don’t set one alarm, maybe set three, four, as many as possible,” Jensen said. “Moving forward, that’s what I’m going to do. Set a million alarms. Make sure I’m up. It stinks, though.”
Jensen is Kansas City’s top prospect, according to MLB.com, and briefly saw the big-league diamond last year, when he put up an impressive slash line of .300/.391/.550, with six doubles and three home runs in 20 games.
One week — and one West Coast trip — into the season, the Yankees return to The Bronx for today’s home opener with a few things fairly clear: Their rotation — even without the injured Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt — appears formidable. And Ben Rice could be the left-handed offensive force they’ve been searching for.
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For a team that was surrounded by the phrase “Running it back,’’ things are off to a promising start.
Here’s a look at the key questions entering the season and how they have unfolded through the first six games, leaving the Yankees 5-1.
Can Rice handle first base?
After starting 41 games at first for the Yankees in 2024, Rice was in the lineup there 46 times last season. But the Yankees made clear they are all in on him at the spot this season, with Paul Goldschmidt expected to be limited to starts against left-handers, and even then, Rice should get more at-bats versus lefties in ’26.
The power has never been in question for Rice, but the Yankees were looking for more consistency.
Ben Rice fields a throw during the Yankees’ win over the Mariners on March 31, 2026 in Seattle. Getty Images
So far, Rice has provided it.
His walk rate has jumped and strikeouts dropped, and as one AL scout noted, Rice hasn’t hit the ball in the air much this season.
While Rice hit into some bad luck in ’25, as his expected numbers were higher than the ones he posted — which is why the Yankees were optimistic for more growth at the plate — he’s making up for at least some of that misfortune in the early part of this year.
Where there remains disagreement is on defense.
Rice showed improvement at first base last year and has again this season — especially in decision-making — but his footwork can be clunky.
“I’d be more worried about his glove if I didn’t think he could be such a threat at the plate, but he keeps getting better,’’ the scout said. “And I think he can at least be average defensively. If he’s hitting like he’s been the past year or so, you’ll live with some hiccups on defense.”
As for hitting lefties, Rice has just three plate appearances against them through his first five games — with Goldschmidt starting the only game with a lefty starter.
Good start
Through six games, four Yankees starters have combined to allow just two earned runs.
At some point, Cole and Rodón will join the rotation alongside Max Fried and Cam Schlittler. As good as that foursome is, it could leave Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Clarke Schmidt all available as the fifth starter later in the season if everyone stays healthy.
And the Yankees are high on a handful of their top pitching prospects, with Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodríguez potentially knocking on the door at some point, perhaps in bullpen roles.
Max Fried throws a pitch during the seventh inning of the Yankees’ Opening Day win over the Giants. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Bullpen
The Yankees have been waiting for the 2023 version of Camilo Doval and would like him to get there as the primary setup man for David Bednar. He’s displayed a nasty sinker, but ran into his first trouble of the season in Wednesday’s win in Seattle after three straight impressive outings to start the year.
Jake Bird might turn into a weapon, but a National League scout said he’d be surprised if Bednar, Bird and Doval remain in their current roles throughout the season.
“I like his guts, but Bednar in a big spot would still make me nervous,’’ the scout said.
Left side of the infield
Ryan McMahon arrived from Colorado at last year’s trade deadline with a tremendous glove and too many strikeouts.
Not much has changed, even after offseason changes to his swing.
McMahon is 1-for-15 with two walks and seven strikeouts. If the rest of the lineup clicks, they could afford below-average offense at third, but they’ll need more from McMahon, regardless.
And José Caballero, as well as Amed Rosario, certainly appear better suited to utility roles, as the Yankees wait for Anthony Volpe to get back from offseason shoulder surgery.
Until that happens — and Volpe shows his defensive issues from last season are gone — expect questions to remain about the left side of the infield.
PLAYER SIGNING 
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