Yankees news: Chisholm, rest of squad “incredibly frustrated”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on August 04, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images

New York Daily News | Gary Philips: Jazz Chisholm Jr. has lost himself a considerable amount of money in his pending free agency with his downright bad 2026. The Yankee second baseman has managed just a 92 wRC+ with a career high strikeout rate, and of course self-proclaimed that he’d be able to land a 50/50 season in spring training. Jazz hasn’t been the only problem with the team’s offense of course, but he’s been a major contributor — or rather, non-contributor. If nothing else he seems to at least be aware of it, but awareness is different from adjustment.

NJ.com | Adam Zagoria: Tommy John released a very sad public farewell to the Yankee franchise and fanbase over the weekend, as the 83 year old enters hospice care with bladder cancer. Dr. Chris Ahmad, the club’s head doctor, penned his own touching open letter to the man on Monday, acknowledging John’s place in baseball history and remarkable determination to return to the game despite the shortest of odds.

New York Post | Ethan Spears ($): The Yankees will not have a clear path through the AL without Aaron Judge returning and hitting like we’re used to seeing Aaron Judge hit. Cody Bellinger will also likely need to be back, patrolling left field and hitting cleanup. However, the emergence of both George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones as potential lineup-lengtheners give the club a couple more options, although relying on rookies — including one with just five games under his belt — to be reliable contributors through their first taste of MLB baseball is a risky endevor.

FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer have been contemporaries atop the “best pitchers in baseball” list over the last decade or so, and they mirrored each other in strikeout accomplishments over the weekend. Scherzer fanned the 3,516th victim of his career on Saturday, moving into the top-10 in all of baseball history, and moments later Cole sat down the 1,000th batter as a Yankee, the fastest to do so in pinstripes, needing just 139 games. Both pitchers are closer to their enshrinement in Cooperstown than they are to having lost prospect status, but we can still mark the milestones when they come.

Sixers set to visit Lakers on NBA's 2026 Christmas schedule

Sixers set to visit Lakers on NBA's 2026 Christmas schedule originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To no one’s surprise, the star-loaded Sixers will feature in the NBA’s 2026 Christmas festivities. 

The league announced Tuesday that the Sixers will visit the Lakers this year on Christmas. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. ET and be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. Other Christmas matchups include Knicks-Spurs, Celtics-Heat, Timberwolves-Thunder and Warriors-Nuggets. 

The Sixers had Christmas off last season. They last played on Christmas in 2024 and beat the Celtics in Boston.

LeBron James is very familiar with playing on Christmas and in Los Angeles. He’s played an NBA-record20 times on Christmas. The four-time MVP decided to leave the Lakers this summer and sign with the Sixers.

The NBA also announced Tuesday that the Sixers will face the Knicks on opening night at Madison Square Garden (Oct. 20, 7 p.m. ET) and take on the Cavs for their home opener (Oct. 22, 7 p.m. ET). 

The league will release its NBA Cup group stage schedule on Wednesday and the complete season schedule on Thursday. 

NBA Christmas schedule revealed: Here are the 5 games for the 2026 holiday slate

NBA Christmas schedule revealed: Here are the 5 games for the 2026 holiday slate originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Time to start planning for the holiday season.

The 2026 NBA Christmas games were revealed on Tuesday as the league began to announce portions of its regular-season schedule.

After gathering around the tree to open presents in the morning, the NBA has packed the afternoon and evening hours with star-studded matchups and iconic rivalries.

Here’s a look at the five games on the Christmas Day schedule this season:

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks

An NBA Finals rematch will kick off the holiday slate, and the defending champions will host.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will look for revenge against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The last time these two teams faced off, it was the Knicks raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy in San Antonio. Stakes won’t be as high this time, but a Christmas Day matchup is as important as it gets in the NBA regular season.

Watch info: 12 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Miami Heat at Boston Celtics

One of the NBA’s fiercest rivalries has an added twist this season, and we’ll see it play out on Christmas.

Both the Heat and Celtics were bidding for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the blockbuster trade of the offseason. Miami ended up paying more for the two-time MVP, while Boston pivoted by trading Jaylen Brown and bolstering its depth. This matchup also fits the Christmas theme better than any of the others, with red and green being these team’s primary colors.

Watch info: 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers

Welcome home (?), LeBron James.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will make his return to Los Angeles on Christmas. After eight years with the Lakers, James signed with the Sixers this summer — joining Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid on a loaded roster. Los Angeles retooled by adding Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes around Luka Doncic. James is the headliner here, though, as he’ll play in his record 21st Christmas Day game.

Watch info: 5 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves

Two Western Conference contenders will kick off the nightcap in Minneapolis.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are the main attractions for these teams, but both squads are deep. The Wolves added LaMelo Ball over the offseason, while the Thunder dealt away several role players to give more opportunities to their young talent. This game could surely be a preview of a future playoff series.

Watch info: 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors

To wrap things up, two of the league’s biggest stars will face off.

Steph Curry and the Warriors will host Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the final game of the day. Both of these players and teams have been staples of your Christmas viewing for years. Curry will play in his 13th Christmas game, compared to Jokic’s seventh. Last year on the holiday, the Joker dropped an absurd statline of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a Denver win.

Watch info: 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Celtics to open NBA season on October 20th vs. Detroit

Celtics to open NBA season on October 20th vs. Detroit originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

From trading Jaylen Brown to welcoming in a handful of veteran players, it’s been an offseason of significant change for the Boston Celtics.

And with everyone eager to see how everything comes together for the Celtics in the 2026-27 season, we now know when they’ll make their debut.

The NBA announced that the Celtics will play the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday, October 20th.

Interestingly, the weekday game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock, with the league rolling out a full slate of games for its opening day.

The Celtics lost their opener a year ago in what proved to be a sign of postseason results to come, losing at home against the Philadelphia 76ers by a 117-116 final score.

That actually was the start of an 0-3 stretch to begin the season, part of a rocky opening month that had the Celtics at 8-8 through early November. They then went 15-4 through early January, en route to finishing with a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the East. In the playoffs though, the Celtics led a 3-1 lead over the Sixers slip away, leading to a first-round exit.

The Celtics will surely be on a mission to improve come playoff time next season, and nobody knows how successful they may be. We do now, however, have the official start date for the journey.

Also announced on Tuesday, the Celtics will host the World Champion New York Knicks on Friday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at TD Garden. On Christmas Day at 2:30 p.m., Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat will come to Boston .

The full NBA schedule will be released Thursday, August 13th.

Celtics to open NBA season on October 20th vs. Detroit

Celtics to open NBA season on October 20th vs. Detroit originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

From trading Jaylen Brown to welcoming in a handful of veteran players, it’s been an offseason of significant change for the Boston Celtics.

And with everyone eager to see how everything comes together for the Celtics in the 2026-27 season, we now know when they’ll make their debut.

The NBA announced that the Celtics will play the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday, October 20th.

Interestingly, the weekday game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock, with the league rolling out a full slate of games for its opening day.

The Celtics lost their opener a year ago in what proved to be a sign of postseason results to come, losing at home against the Philadelphia 76ers by a 117-116 final score.

That actually was the start of an 0-3 stretch to begin the season, part of a rocky opening month that had the Celtics at 8-8 through early November. They then went 15-4 through early January, en route to finishing with a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the East. In the playoffs though, the Celtics led a 3-1 lead over the Sixers slip away, leading to a first-round exit.

The Celtics will surely be on a mission to improve come playoff time next season, and nobody knows how successful they may be. We do now, however, have the official start date for the journey.

Also announced on Tuesday, the Celtics will host the World Champion New York Knicks on Friday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at TD Garden. On Christmas Day at 2:30 p.m., Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat will come to Boston .

The full NBA schedule will be released Thursday, August 13th.

Sixers to play Knicks on opening night, face Cavaliers in home opener

Sixers to play Knicks on opening night, face Cavaliers in home opener  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the new-look Sixers will head to Madison Square Garden for their season opener.

The NBA announced Tuesday morning that the Sixers will visit the Knicks on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. ET as part of its opening night. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the matchup.

New York swept the Sixers in the second round of the playoffs last season on its way to an NBA championship. The Sixers have changed radically since then, replacing Daryl Morey with Mike Gansey as the team’s president of basketball operations and acquiring Brown and James in a high-drama summer. 

The Sixers’ second nationally televised opening-week game will come on Oct. 22. They’ll face the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena for their home opener. ESPN will have the broadcast.

Of course, James is a native of Akron, Ohio and considered a return to Cleveland this offseason. Gansey served in the Cavs’ front office before shifting to Philadelphia.

The other Sixers schedule reveal Tuesday was that the team will visit the Lakers on Christmas at 5 p.m. ET. 

The NBA is set to release its full 2026-27 season schedule on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. 

Warriors' opponent, date, time for primetime 2026-27 NBA season-opener revealed

Warriors' opponent, date, time for primetime 2026-27 NBA season-opener revealed originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors will begin their 2026-27 NBA season against the same team, in the same city, on the exact same day as they did last year.

Golden State, for the second consecutive year, will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 21 at Crypto.com Arena, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

The Warriors vs. Lakers game will be one of nine primetime opening-week matchups, with the season officially getting underway with three marquee games on Tuesday.

Golden State and Los Angeles are coming off very, very different offseasons.

Polar opposites, in fact.

The Lakers were extremely busy this summer, adding a whopping nine new veteran players to their roster, either via free agency or trade, while the Warriors added, at the time of this writing, … zero new veteran players.

While Golden State appears to be running it back this season with, essentially, the same roster as last season, their Pacific Division rivals, still led by superstar guard Luka Dončić, will look dramatically different with their new additions and the loss of 22-time All-Star LeBron James.

After beating the Lakers in Game 1 last season, but then losing the three remaining matchups, the Warriors once again will look to steal the opening-night bout on the road, but might need to notch another victory or two against Los Angeles throughout the season to keep pace with its rival in the standings.

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NBA opening night schedule: Here are the games that will tip off the season

NBA opening night schedule: Here are the games that will tip off the season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Basketball is still more than two months away, but it’s time to start planning ahead.

The 2026-27 NBA opening night games, which will air on NBC and Peacock, were revealed on Tuesday as the league began to announce portions of its regular-season schedule.

As is tradition, the NBA has two prime-time matchups on the slate for opening night — including the defending champion raising a banner and three other title contenders taking the court. However, this year, there is an additional midday matchup to open the season.

Here’s a look at the three games for this year’s NBA Tip-Off:

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons

The NBA season will begin a bit earlier than usual, with the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons battling in a matinee matchup.

The teams were the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference standings last season, with the Pistons vaulting to the No. 1 seed and the Celtics coming in at No. 2.

Watch info: 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks

Two Atlantic division foes will face off on the first day of the season, and this game has added stakes.

On the Knicks’ side, the franchise will raise its first championship banner since 1973. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the squad will put on their rings in front of what’s sure to be a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden. All five starters from the championship team were retained this summer, with backup big Mitchell Robinson as the only rotation player departing.

For Philadelphia, the city hopes this game will mark the beginning of their own title run. The Sixers were the most aggressive team over the offseason, trading away Paul George for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James. So, while this is a second-round rematch from last year’s playoffs, this game will look completely different than it did in May.

Watch info: 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

The most tightly-contested series of last season’s playoffs will be revisited on opening night.

The Spurs, fresh off a disappointing Finals loss to the Knicks, will begin their quest to defend the Western Conference title and get over the hump. San Antonio gave Victor Wembanyama some extra help over the offseason — notably Tobias Harris. But the 2026-27 campaign will hinge on internal improvement for young rising stars like Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

Oklahoma City will be out for revenge immediately, considering San Antonio took Game 7 on the Thunder’s home court and ended their repeat bid. Sam Presti had a busy offseason rebalancing the roster and shedding salary, cutting ties with key role players in Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, is aiming to be the fourth player in NBA history to win three straight MVPs (Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird).

Watch info: 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

NBA opening night schedule: Here are the games that will tip off the season

NBA opening night schedule: Here are the games that will tip off the season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Basketball is still more than two months away, but it’s time to start planning ahead.

The 2026-27 NBA opening night games, which will air on NBC and Peacock, were revealed on Tuesday as the league began to announce portions of its regular-season schedule.

As is tradition, the NBA has two prime-time matchups on the slate for opening night — including the defending champion raising a banner and three other title contenders taking the court. However, this year, there is an additional midday matchup to open the season.

Here’s a look at the three games for this year’s NBA Tip-Off:

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons

The NBA season will begin a bit earlier than usual, with the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons battling in a matinee matchup.

The teams were the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference standings last season, with the Pistons vaulting to the No. 1 seed and the Celtics coming in at No. 2.

Watch info: 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks

Two Atlantic division foes will face off on the first day of the season, and this game has added stakes.

On the Knicks’ side, the franchise will raise its first championship banner since 1973. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the squad will put on their rings in front of what’s sure to be a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden. All five starters from the championship team were retained this summer, with backup big Mitchell Robinson as the only rotation player departing.

For Philadelphia, the city hopes this game will mark the beginning of their own title run. The Sixers were the most aggressive team over the offseason, trading away Paul George for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James. So, while this is a second-round rematch from last year’s playoffs, this game will look completely different than it did in May.

Watch info: 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs

The most tightly-contested series of last season’s playoffs will be revisited on opening night.

The Spurs, fresh off a disappointing Finals loss to the Knicks, will begin their quest to defend the Western Conference title and get over the hump. San Antonio gave Victor Wembanyama some extra help over the offseason — notably Tobias Harris. But the 2026-27 campaign will hinge on internal improvement for young rising stars like Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

Oklahoma City will be out for revenge immediately, considering San Antonio took Game 7 on the Thunder’s home court and ended their repeat bid. Sam Presti had a busy offseason rebalancing the roster and shedding salary, cutting ties with key role players in Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, is aiming to be the fourth player in NBA history to win three straight MVPs (Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird).

Watch info: 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

This. Team.: Rays 10, Athletics 6

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Jonny DeLuca #21 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by Junior Caminero #13 after he scored against the Athletics during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on August 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the Yankees sitting idle, and at first pitch, the Red Sox losing a one-run game to the Blue Jays, tonight felt like the perfect opportunity to gain ground on both teams in the AL East pennant race.

Two pitches in from West Sacramento, Yandy Diaz launched Jacob Lopez’s offering atop the visiting clubhouse at Sutter Health Park.

Diaz’s 16th round-tripper of the season also gave him sole possession of sixth all-time on the Rays’ home run leaderboard. 1-0, Tampa Bay.

Newly-acquired right-hander Freddy Peralta had the honor of taking the mound first at the launchpad of the American League.

In the bottom of the first, things got shaky as Peralta had a nearly 30-pitch first inning that included a Tyler Soderstrom double, as well as a Soderstrom steal of home.

From the second through the fifth inning, other than a Jonny DeLuca single, the Rays offense went stone cold.

In the bottom of the fifth, Zack Gelof homered to bring the score to 3-1 Athletics.

In the seventh, DeLuca and Chandler Simpson reach base on singles that traveled no more than 40 feet from home plate. Nick Fortes drove in DeLuca with an RBI groundout, and the Rays draw within 3-2.

Right-hander Chris Roycroft entered after Freddy Peralta’s quality start, and surrendered three runs to push the Athletics’ lead to four runs. 6-2 Sacramento.

Within four pitches, in the top of the eighth, Diaz and Jonathan Aranda single, and Diaz signaled for Caminero to calm down from second base as Caminero has been pressing recently with runners in scoring position.

On the very first pitch of the at-bat, Caminero launched one into the West Sacramento sky to cut the deficit to one.

Ryan Vilade would walk next, followed by a DeLuca single, and Chandler Simpson tied the game with a single to right field.

DeLuca and Simpson would steal second and third, Nick Fortes would draw a walk, and Taylor Walls delivered with a two-run go-ahead double to bring the Rays to 8-6.

Tampa Bay would send twelve men to the plate and score eight unanswered runs, their biggest offensive inning of the season.

Tyler Wells and Kevin Kelly pitched the eighth and ninth innings, with Wells allowing one hit and one walk, and Kelly delivering a scoreless frame.

The Rays win 10-6, and sit atop the AL East with a six game lead over the Yankees and an eight game lead over the Red Sox. Tomorrow’s probable pitchers are Nick Martinez and Mason Barnett, and first pitch is 9:40 EST from Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA.

‘Clark Kent grew up’: Audley Harrison on fighting the system, Olympic gold and life after the ring

Former Olympic super-heavyweight champion takes satisfaction from changing British boxing for the better, but still wants to train a world champion

“I was the Olympic champion, and I was the next big thing, but the system had to win,” Audley Harrison says as he reflects on his rise and fall as a fighter who changed so much in British boxing while failing to fulfil his grandest ambitions in the ring. Harrison had once been considered a likely successor to Lennox Lewis, the undisputed world heavyweight champion, but he became a figure of ridicule mocked as “Fraudley Harrison”.

He retired in 2013 with a modest 31‑7 record and having never come close to winning the world title many thought would be his inevitable glory when he took gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. But Harrison dragged British boxing fleetingly into the mainstream and ripped up the old traditions of the fight game by managing and promoting himself.

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MLB Injury Report: Nathan Eovaldi sidelined with elbow inflammation, Blake Snell set to return Tuesday

In this week’s Injury Report, starting pitchers took some hits across baseball. The Rays lost Griffin Jax to an elbow injury. Nathan Eovaldi also went down with elbow inflammation. And Hunter Greene’s season is over as he’s set to undergo elbow surgery. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will welcome back Blake Snell on Tuesday against the Royals. All that and more as we highlight all of the most relevant injury news around baseball.

⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

Griffin Jax (elbow)

This one is a tough blow to the Rays. Jax was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Mariners with right elbow soreness and placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow discomfort. The 31-year-old right-hander will get a second opinion, something that rarely foretells anything good. Jax has strived since moving from the bullpen and into the starting rotation, with a 3.16 ERA across 82 2/3 innings as a starter. Keep a lookout for an update in the coming days, but fantasy managers should probably be prepared to be without Jax the rest of the way. Michael Grove was recalled to take his spot on the active roster.

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The Brewers reclaim the top spot while the Mariners and Guardians are trending in the wrong direction.

Nathan Eovaldi (elbow)

Another brutal blow to fantasy managers, and one that seemingly came out of nowhere. Eovaldi was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right posterior elbow inflammation. This comes just days after he allowed one run across 5 1/3 innings against the Orioles on Friday. Look out for an update on Eovaldi’s status in the next day or two.

Devin Williams (shoulder)

After he was deemed unavailable to pitch last Wednesday due to arm fatigue, Williams returned to the mound on Friday and gave up two runs in a non-save situation against the Pirates. On Monday, the Mets placed the 31-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. There’s no timeline for a return. Williams’ first season with the Mets has been nothing short of a disappointment, with a 4.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 38 2/3 innings. Despite strong underlying skills, he just hasn’t been able to find success in New York, posting a 4.79 ERA with the Yankees in 2025. With Williams on the shelf, the Mets could turn to Daniel Duarte and Kodai Senga to close out games.

Hunter Greene (elbow)

Greene didn’t make his season debut until July 4 following surgery in March to have bone chips removed from his right elbow. Five starts in, he landed back on the 15-day injured list last week with right elbow soreness. After a visit with renowned surgeon Dr. Neal El Attrache, Greene was diagnosed with a partially torn right UCL and scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery. Depending on the extent of the injury and type of surgery, the injury could also cost him part of 2027.

Joe Ryan (glute)

Ryan underwent evaluation for a lower-body injury following his start against the Royals last Tuesday in which he allowed four runs in a loss. He was diagnosed with a mild left glute strain and placed on the 15-day injured list. The issue had apparently been bothering him, and helps explain the 16 runs allowed over his last three starts. Still, it’s a big blow to the Twins rotation, but the team is hopeful that Ryan will just need a couple of weeks off before he’s ready to return. Zebby Matthews was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to fill his spot in the rotation.

Adley Rutschman (wrist)

Rutschman is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday for his anticipated Red Sox debut against the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old catcher joined Boston in a major intradivisional trade with the rival Orioles at the trade deadline. He’s been on the injured list since July 20 with wrist inflammation. His return will push Connor Wong to a reserve role.

Cooper Pratt (hamstring)

Pratt had been dealing with a hamstring issue for a few days before he was held out of Sunday’s lineup against the Twins. After further evaluation, the 21-year-old shortstop was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. We still don’t know the results of Pratt’s MRI or how much time he’s expected to miss. He’s been a solid contributor since taking over as the team’s starting shortstop, hitting .272/.352/.368 with two homers and 10 steals across 159 plate appearances. His absence should open the door for Joey Ortiz to step in for more playing time.

Trey Yesavage (knee)

Yesavage was pulled from his start last Tuesday against the Astros in the second inning with left knee discomfort. The next day, he was placed on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation. Blue Jays manager John Schneider reported last Thursday that Yesavage was dealing with a meniscus injury and was set to see a specialist. He apparently met with doctors on Monday, so we could probably expect an update in the next day or two. If surgery is on the table, it could mean an end to the season for the 23-year-old right-hander.

Blake Snell (elbow)

Not all news on the pitching front is bad this week. Snell is set to return to the Dodgers’ rotation on Tuesday for a start against the Royals. He’s been out since May 9, his only start of the season, after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. The 33-year-old left-hander could be the most impactful pitcher coming off the injured list for the final stretch.

60-59 – Rangers beat Angels 4-1 at the teeth pulling convention

Aug 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Cam Cauley (27) lays down a bunt against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Anaheim Angels scored one run in ten innings.

Despite the fact that the Angels are among the worst teams in baseball, and indeed the team currently with the worst record in the American League, the Rangers came into tonight’s game winless at Angel Stadium in 2026 after getting swept by their divisional rivals up the road from Disneyland back in late May.

The Rangers only fared marginally better when last these two teams met in Arlington around a month ago with Texas claiming two of three against the Angels despite suffering a 13-1 loss to Anaheim in the middle game of the series, a game started by MacKenzie Gore.

Gore was on the hill tonight for the Rangers as they tried to inch closer to a positive record against the division’s basement dwellers. Two batters into the game and it was already 1-0 Angels as Mike Trout hit his 785th career home run against Texas.

Ultimately though, that first inning solo home run amounted to the Gore Inning (TM) as Gore settled in and didn’t allow another run through his 5 1/3 innings of work. The Angels did make him work a little as it took him 103 pitches to get to one out in the sixth before hitting the showers, but he finished allowing just the one run on four hits and a couple of walks with nine strikeouts.

Meanwhile, tonight’s starter for the Angels was Reid Detmers and he seems to enjoy alternating between being pedestrian and dominant against the Rangers. The last time Detmers took the mound against Texas he allowed five runs in four innings which seemed seemed to mean the Rangers were in for a struggle tonight.

Detmers didn’t reach dominance but he did hold the Rangers to a run in six innings on three hits and four walks with six strikeouts.

After the lefty starters left, we eventually had a battle of the bullpens. I’m loath to assume that’s a situation that favors the Rangers in any particular game this season but against Anaheim, it should be. Luckily Texas’ ‘pen held firm keeping the Angels off the board for the remaining 4 2/3 innings, not even allowing Anaheim’s Manfred Man to touch home in the bottom of the tenth.

As for the Manfred Man for the Rangers, Nicky Lopez scored the go-ahead and eventual winning run when the Rangers loaded the bases (scary, I know!) and got consecutive weakly-hit RBI base hits from Brandon Nimmo and Jake Burger. Burger’s hit, which drove in two, included Corey Seager scoring from second base where Seager decided to test the arm of Anaheim right fielder Wade Meckler.

Perhaps that was a bit out of spite after Meckler had committed robbery against Seager earlier in the game, reaching over the fence to take away a potential two-out, three-run home run in the top of the seventh with the score 1-1 that would have saved us all a little grief with the need for extra innings.

Nevertheless, Jacob Latz came in with a three run lead and worked around an 11-pitch walk to Trout but nothing else as the Rangers are again above .500 and have their first win at the Big A this year. It doesn’t seem like it needed to be that difficult but will be marked off in the win column regardless.

Player of the Game: I supposed I could highlight Elias Diaz for collecting a couple of hits including an RBI single off of Detmers to tie the score when it looked like the Rangers were about to waste a two on, no outs situation in the top of the fourth. Or Nimmo for the winning hit with the bases loaded.

Also, though, Robby Ahlstrom came in to clean up an inning where Chase Silseth had gotten into a little trouble with the game tied. Ahlstrom pitched another scoreless frame after that and hasn’t allowed a run since July 12 spanning 13 appearances.

Up Next: The Rangers and Angels will be back at it for some late night baseball with LHP Cody Bradford expected to make another start for Texas against RHP Ryan Johnson for Anaheim.

The Tuesday night first pitch from the Big A is once again scheduled for 8:38 pm CDT and will once again air on the Rangers Sports Network.

Royals bullpen melts down again in loss to Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 10: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, August 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Well, I’m not sure what I expected. The Royals stars (Witt, Cags) were showing out both offensively and defensively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the moribund bullpen in a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers that was full of punch-counterpunch.

The 6th inning was the key part. The Royals held a 3-2 lead and Noah Cameron, who had pitched pretty well up to this point, gave up a few hard-hit balls in a row to put runners on second and third with two outs. John Schreiber came in and promptly blew the game by walking Kyle Tucker and giving up a weak line drive down the right field line just beyond Cags’ outstretched glove. All three runners scored to give the Dodgers the lead. Sigh.

The Royals counterpunched with a Kyle Isbel two-run homer in the seventh inning to bring the game back to even-steven at 5-5, but Alex Lange gave up two singles in the bottom of the seventh to relinquish the lead for good. It goes as two runs total charged to Schreiber and Lange, but I don’t think Cameron really deserved those runs being charged to him.

It’s a shame. Facing Tarik Skubal, the Royals position players put up a good fight.

In the first inning, in his first-ever at-bat against Skubal (really?), Cags fouled off four pitches to hit a grounder that squeaked through the middle to score Witt from second (Cags extended his hitting streak to 9 games with that hit).

In the third inning, once again Cags came up to bat and continued his torrid second-half power show. After a Nick Loftin double, Cags was down 0-2 in the count. Then he ripped a 110.8mph line drive home run to push the lead to 3-0. It was beautiful – one of those rising liners that seemed to just keep elevating as it went. Skubal embodied the grimace emoji as soon as the ball left the bat. The Royals chased Skubal after only five innings pitched in which he gave up three runs. I think if you’re facing Skubal, you take that every time.

The star on the other side, Shohei Ohtani, then counter-punched with a deep hit of his own after seeing Jac hit the dinger in the third. It was just short of a homer, but with Hunter Feduccia on second after a double, Ohtani got a bread-basket changeup from Cameron and blasted it to the gap. Freddie Freeman followed with a single to score Ohtani.

On the defensive side, throughout the game, Witt flashed the leather in the deep hole, like in the bottom of the second when he ranged to his right and fired a perfect throw to Massey to allow him to turn the double play. Witt was all over the place. I think he even caught a pop fly in left-center later in the game. Rex was talking about his hands so much that my wife wanted to file a complaint with HR. Fair. He was ridiculous.

It felt like a good effort from the boys. Well..at least it was a good effort from half the team.

The Royals fall to 49-71. The Dodgers are 71-48. They play again tomorrow at 9:10pm US Central time. Michael Wacha will pitch against Blake Snell.

Steph Curry, Warriors to host Nikola Jokic, Nuggets on Christmas Day 2026

Steph Curry, Warriors to host Nikola Jokic, Nuggets on Christmas Day 2026 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Once again, the Warriors are set to play on Christmas Day.

The NBA announced Tuesday morning that Golden State will face the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 25 at Chase Center in San Francisco, one of five Christmas games on the schedule.

Last season, the Nuggets were the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed, while the Warriors finished 10th and lost to the Phoenix Suns in the second play-in game.

The Warriors won just one of three matchups with the Nuggets last season.

The 2026-27 NBA season will be the 14th consecutive campaign in which the Warriors have played on Christmas Day, and the 16th time in the last 17 years. The franchise currently holds a 16-19 all-time record on Dec. 25, including 11-6 at home.

On Christmas Day 2025, Golden State defeated old friend Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks 126-116 behind 23 points from Steph Curry.

Curry historically has struggled on Christmas, averaging only 18.1 points on 35.0-percent shooting from the field and 27.2 percent from beyond the arc in 12 games. The primary exception, though, came in 2024, when he had 38 points on 8 of 15 from 3-point range in a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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