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Sharks trade William Eklund to Senators, add third 2026 first-round draft pick

Sharks trade William Eklund to Senators, add third 2026 first-round draft pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Sharks now have three first-round picks in Friday’s 2026 NHL Draft, and that’s because they just shipped out a former top selection.

San Jose has traded forwards William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda to the Ottawa Senators for the No. 9 overall pick in Friday’s draft.

The Sharks now have the No. 2, No. 9 and No. 27 selections in the first round.

It’s the second trade the Sharks have made in recent weeks involving a first-round selection.

Last Wednesday, San Jose sent the No. 20 overall selection to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the No. 27 pick.

Eklund was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and established himself as an everyday player during the 2023-24 season.

In three full seasons and parts of two others, Eklund recorded 50 goals and 113 assists in 252 games. He was a minus-91 during his time in San Jose.

With three first-round picks in hand, it’s unclear whether general manager Mike Grier plans to use all of them Friday or package some of them for an established player. But he spoke to reporters on Tuesday and said there is legitimate interest in the No. 2 overall pick.

So Grier and the Sharks might not be done wheeling and dealing with roughly 72 hours until the draft.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

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Sharks trade William Eklund to Senators, add third 2026 first-round draft pick

Sharks trade William Eklund to Senators, add third 2026 first-round draft pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Sharks now have three first-round picks in Friday’s 2026 NHL Draft, and that’s because they just shipped out a former top selection.

San Jose has traded forwards William Eklund, Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda to the Ottawa Senators for the No. 9 overall pick in Friday’s draft.

The Sharks now have the No. 2, No. 9 and No. 27 selections in the first round.

It’s the second trade the Sharks have made in recent weeks involving a first-round selection.

Last Wednesday, San Jose sent the No. 20 overall selection to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the No. 27 pick.

Eklund was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and established himself as an everyday player during the 2023-24 season.

In three full seasons and parts of two others, Eklund recorded 50 goals and 113 assists in 252 games. He was a minus-91 during his time in San Jose.

With three first-round picks in hand, it’s unclear whether general manager Mike Grier plans to use all of them Friday or package some of them for an established player. But he spoke to reporters on Tuesday and said there is legitimate interest in the No. 2 overall pick.

So Grier and the Sharks might not be done wheeling and dealing with roughly 72 hours until the draft.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

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SB Nation Reacts Survey: The Returning Astros SP To Have Biggest Impact?

DENVER, CO - APRIL 08: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

You can’t tell the story of the Houston Astros the last 3 seasons without addressing their historic amount of injuries, especially to the starting pitching.

Each of the past 2 seasons, the Astros depended on pitchers returning from injury, with less than optimal results.

This season is no different, and the team is counting on several starting pitchers to be able to return from injury and be productive members of the staff.

Among those returning starting pitchers, which one do you believe is likely to have the biggest positive impact on the team?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Astros fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Rockets have a rich person’s problem

“Is this just not our year?”

These are never the words that an NBA fan wants to hear from their general manager. If a team is rebuilding, it goes without saying. If they’re competitive, it’s a brutal concession.

Yet, those were the words that came out of Rafael Stone’s mouth as the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline approached. The Houston Rockets were waving the white flag. That was confirmed when the deadline passed, and they did precisely nothing.

Was that the wrong move?

Rockets smart to hold at deadline

One frustrating quality a lot of fans share is that they seemingly rely on their team to bring them joy in their lives. They need the dopamine rush that comes with the notification: The Houston Rockets have acquired…

When they don’t get it, they’re mad. How could Rafael Stone just sit on his hands? Why did we acquire Kevin Durant if we’re not making a title push? How am I supposed to find the will to live if Coby White isn’t on this roster?

Here’s the problem: White was traded for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three future second-round draft picks. Ayo Dosunmu? Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round draft picks. Personally, I wanted the Rockets to get Jose Alvarado, but it feels like the Pelicans willingly sent him to his hometown New York Knicks.

That worked out pretty well for him.

You may be thinking: Sure, but the Rockets could have beaten either the White or Dosunmu packages. That is correct. They could have rendered those deals laughable.

They could have traded Alperen Sengun, and/or Amen Thompson for them.

Too much? Agreed. Do me a favor. Load up the trade machine, and identify the package the Rockets could have offered that was more than either the White or Dosunmu package, but less than “too much”.

Exactly.

The Rockets have a rich team’s problem: They (almost) only have premium assets. Houston has enough second-round draft capital to acquire a rotation player, but excluding Alvarado, both of the needle-moving guards that got moved at last year’s deadline fetched more than, say, Dorian Finney-Smith and all the second-round picks the Rockets could legally move.

Seriously. Is Finney-Smith and seven second-rounders (the most Houston can move) a better package than Sexton, Dieng, and four second-rounders? I’d rather take the flyer on Dieng.

Imagine this. Your friend has a Pokémon card (why not?) that he’s looking to sell. It’s worth $25. Your other friend is willing to give him $30 dollars for it, because he really wants it (because you are children, presumably). You also want it, but you only have $100 bills (because you are rich children, apparently), and about ten bucks in change. Do you want it badly enough to fork over $100?

You have enough for the card: In fact, you have too much for the card. That’s Stone’s issue:

So what’s the solution?

Rockets need to stay the course

Exactly what Stone has been doing: Nothing.

The Rockets don’t have a spare player that any team is trading multiple future seconds for. They have young players with first-round value and veterans who are either too integral to the team or not worth multiple future seconds. So, diversifying their portfolio by recouping some second-round equity is out.

Overpaying shouldn’t be an option. The Rockets could have offered Finney-Smith and a future first for White or Dosunmu. They’d have still not won the NBA championship, and now they’d be contemplating whether to keep either White or Dosunmu in free agency, and they’d be down one valuable future first.

Partly, this is a hole Stone dug for himself. He flipped four second-rounders for Steven Adams. That was good. Attaching two second-round picks to Usman Garuba and TyTy Washington just to make space for a Brook Lopez that never was, was not. The Rockets also moved a pile of second-rounders for Durant, which is hard to argue with.

It feels myopic to hold Stone’s feet to the fire over the two second-rounders he wasted on Garuba et al. The reality is that Stone has (mostly) already used the bulk of his second-rounders (relatively) well.

He’s got enough left to make a move for an Isaiah Joe, or a Klay Thompson, or a Malik Monk this summer. That’s about it. Largely, the Rockets will either have to focus on upgrading their rotation through the draft, or use their premium assets to make a blockbuster deal:

Luckily, they have lots of those.

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Three different prospects hold the key to the Toronto Raptors’ future

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 11: Jayden Quaintance #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on prior to the first round of the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament against the LSU Tigers at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NBA Draft has finally arrived. Here are three players that our Raptors HQ experts believe the Toronto Raptors should take at pick 19 to take the next step.

Jayden Quaintance

An awesome choice at this pick is Jayden Quaintance. Some draft projections have him going too early for Toronto to get, but other boards have him somewhere in the 20s. It would be totally possible for him to still be available to the Raptors, as some teams have concerns about an Achilles and meniscus tear he sustained last year. Of course, the Raptors have proven they’re patient and able to help rehab a player back into peak playing form.

His biggest asset is his defence (where have we heard that before). He’s big: six-foot-nine barefoot and 253 pounds with a standing reach of just over nine feet. With explosive strength and athleticism, he’s already a great rebounder, something that Toronto desperately needs. I’m imagining him and Collin Murray-Boyles sharing the court and collecting almost everything that comes off the boards. He also seems to have a motor, something that would fit well with what Toronto is building alongside guys like Jamal Shead and Murray-Boyles.

His offensive game is still a question mark (again, where have we heard that before), as he even struggles from the free-throw line. He shot 6-32 from long range during his college career, but did manage a 53 per cent field-goal percentage largely as a lob threat, operating in the paint, and rim running.

This could be a bit of a gamble, but Toronto got Ja’Kobe Walter at 19 two years ago, so perhaps this will be a lucky pick for the Raps. – Rebecca Schapelhouman

Chris Cenac Jr.

Chris Cenac would be my pick at number 19. Recently mocked as going 20th overall, the big man from Houston stands at 6’11, and has the potential to be the missing piece in Toronto’s offence. Not only is he a capable interior threat, but he has a great looking outside shot, adding some flexibility that the Raptors currently lack.
Cenac’s length exceeds that of other big men projected to be taken towards the middle of the draft, and while the Cougar is not known for his rim protection, extra height is never a bad thing when contending in the modern NBA. Having another centre could only help Toronto better navigate its murky situation at the 5, and with this draft relatively light on big men, grabbing him at pick 19 looks like the right way to go. A stretch big who is also capable on the boards does not come around often, so the front office should attempt to snap him up if he remains available.

Cenac’s ability to contribute offensively without being in the paint could open up offensive opportunities for RJ Barrett drives and Scottie Barnes post moves, allowing the stars to shine even more. Chris and Murray-Boyles could form an undersized “twin towers” duo, pairing the rookie’s lob threat with the sophomore’s interior presence. And considering the whispers about the Raptors trying to pick up Myles Turner, adding a true rebounding centre to balance out that deficiency could mean the difference as Toronto continues to shake up its roster. – Julian Apolinario

Christian Anderson

While I appreciate the idea of selecting a big man, I think the 2026 NBA Draft should be used to add someone who can contribute right away, especially if that prospect has an elite transferable skill. Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson is viewed by many analysts as the best shooter in this year’s draft. The Raptors were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season. It’s a perfect fit.

Anderson shot a blistering 41.5 per cent on 7.9 three-point attempts. While the Raptors selected Gradey Dick out of Kansas for his shooting prowess (40.3 per cent on 5.7 attempts), Anderson has something different. The film shows the six-foot-one guard harnessing a shooting-aura that blankets perimeter defenders with dread. Anderson has unwavering confidence and legitimate game-breaking range that fits on any contending NBA bench. The next time defences load up on Scottie Barnes or Brandon Ingram in the playoffs, Raptors fans will want Anderson to get 3-4 attempts at a clean look from three.

While it’s true that Anderson will be hunted on the other side of the court, Toronto has enough weapons to absorb any potential problems. What’s the point of having elite defensive geniuses like Barnes and Murray-Boyles or pesky on-ball defenders like Shead and Walter if they can’t hide an offensive explosion waiting to happen like Anderson? – Kristian Cuaresma

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Detroit Pistons, other NBA Draft rumors and open thread

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #29 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks on the court during warmups before their game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.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 Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has finally happened … and the Detroit Pistons were not involved. Yet. Despite weeks of speculation, when the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s trade was broken by Shams Charania of ESPN, it involved just the two primary two teams — the Buck and Miami Heat. The Pistons were seen as a natural fit for and highly interested in Miami’s Tyler Herro, who did, indeed, get shipped in the deal. The Wisconsin native is currently slated to be a member of the Bucks, but the deal will not be made official until the new league year on July 6. That gives plenty of times for other organizations, including Detroit, to join the fray.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls decided to sacrifice their cap space to take on Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton in a deal that also saw the Minnesota Timberwolves jettison Julius Randle to the Nets. That opened up the flexibility for Minnesota to agree to a massive new deal for Ayo Donsunmu for north of $100 million. It also might also eat into the cap space for Brookyln, but I have heard there are structures that would allow them to do the deal without using cap space that I don’t quite understand.

If the Nets and Bulls are mostly out on major free agent acquisitions, that leaves the Lakers as the only potential threat, however minor, to lure Jalen Duren with a big offer sheet. I anticipate a multi-year deal for Duren to return to Detroit any day.

Donsunmu getting such a huge contract hints at the going rate for ball-handlers and scorers, which is precisely what Detroit is on the market for. In other words, it expensive.

That is why the Pistons are one of the “many” reported suitors for new Buck Tyler Herro, and why the cost for Detroit might have been as much as Isaiah Stewart, plus Ron Holland, plus stuff.

One other free agent target has also fallen off the board for Detroit with CJ McCollum agreeing on a deal to return to the Atlanta Hawks for another go-round. Oh yeah, and Aaron Wiggins was shipped off the OKC to save a boatload of cap space and put less pressure on them to deal Isaiah Joe, another Detroit target, though a trade might still be needed for financial reasons.

The Pistons currently have the No. 21 pick in the draft, and that feels like the range to be able to grab a skilled guard or wing. It also could present opportunities to draft another defensive-minded big if you really want to take all these Isaiah Stewart trade rumors to heart.

Langdon has said he’s more likely to trade up to get a targeted player than he is to trade down in the draft. We will see what happens.

If any other juicy rumors pop up, add them in the comments. If anything really interesting comes along that involves Detroit, expect that to get its own post.

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Braves vs Padres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Atlanta Braves visit the San Diego Padres tonight at Petco Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. 

My Braves vs. Padres predictions are eyeing Griffin Canning to quiet Atlanta's offense and continue his improved form at home. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, June 23.

Who will win Braves vs Padres today: Padres moneyline (+101)

The Atlanta Braves will hand JR Ritchie the baseball tonight, and the rookie has struggled lately. He owns a 6.70 FIP over his last 10 innings while allowing an alarming 46.2% hard-hit rate.

It doesn't get much better on the road, where Ritchie has posted a 5.24 FIP this season.

Griffin Canning hasn't been in peak form lately either, carrying a 5.46 xERA across his last five appearances. However, the right-hander has pitched considerably better at Petco Park, compiling a respectable 3.48 xFIP.

Atlanta's offense is also cold. The Braves were shut out in Monday's series opener and haven't scored more than four runs in a game since last Wednesday.

I'll play this pick up to -120.

Covers COVERS INTEL: The Braves own just a .120 ISO over the last week compared to a .166 mark on the season, suggesting their power production has cooled considerably.

Braves vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-131)

There may be two inconsistent starters on the mound, but neither lineup is swinging the bats particularly well. Atlanta owns a 67 wRC+ over its last six games and is averaging just three runs per contest during that span.

San Diego has been slightly better offensively, but its .313 wOBA doesn't suggest a lineup capable of carrying this total on its own. Both bullpens have also been solid lately. Atlanta's relief corps owns a 3.59 xERA over the last week, while the Padres' pen has posted a stellar 2.51 ERA across the last two weeks.

Between the bullpen form and recent offensive struggles, the Under offers value.

I'll play this pick up to -140. 

Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 29-24, +2.63 units
  • Over/Under bets: 31-21, +5.60 units

Braves vs Padres weather

Conditions at Petco Park should be fairly neutral tonight. Temperatures are expected to be around 70°F with 8.1 mph winds, 73.1% humidity, and virtually no chance of rain. The mild weather and light breeze shouldn't provide much assistance to either pitchers or hitters.

Braves vs Padres odds

  • Moneyline: Braves -108 | Padres +104
  • Run line: Braves -1.5 (+150) | Padres +1.5 (-170)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-117)

Braves vs Padres trend

The Padres have hit the Under in 16 of their last 22 games at home (+9.50 Units / 40% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Padres.

How to watch Braves vs Padres and game info

LocationPetco Park, San Diego, CA
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
First pitch9:40 p.m. ET
TVESPN
Braves starting pitcherJR Ritchie
(1-2, 4.54 ERA)
Padres starting pitcherGriffin Canning
(1-5, 6.64 ERA)

Braves vs Padres latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Washington Nationals ace Foster Griffin spun yet another gem

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22: Foster Griffin #22 of the Washington Nationals pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After the game, Foster Griffin told me, “You are not done until the manager shakes your hand and says you are done”. Last night, that hand shake did not come until one out in the 8th inning. When Blake Butera took the ball from Griffin, the crowd that stuck through a long rain delay erupted in cheers.

It has been that kind of season for Foster Griffin. In his first season back from Japan, the crafty lefty has been an absolute horse for the Nationals. On the season, he has a 3.15 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 91.1 innings. That is borderline ace stuff, or at least high end number 2 starter production for a guy who signed for $5.5 million.

Griffin has had a lot of good outings, but tonight may have been his best. As he put it, there are only 4 or 5 outings across the season where everything is working, and tonight was one of those nights. Griffin was using his entire 7 pitch mix to perfection, and it baffled the Phillies. He tied his career high with 9 strikeouts.

While Griffin’s cutter is always his bread and butter pitch, it was particularly dominant tonight. He got 8 of his 17 whiffs on the cutter, which he threw 29% of the time. Seeing all his pitches work together was truly beautiful. As usual, he had his fastball and breaking stuff, but his changeup and splitter were also on point tonight. That changeup was just perplexing right handed hitters.

Foster Griffin has honestly been a true ace outside of back to back blowup starts in May. When he had those rough outings, there were questions about if the soft tossing lefty had been figured out. However, he has had his best month of the season so far in June. Griffin has allowed exactly one run in each of his four outings this month.

Griffin’s performances have left a real mark on his teammates as well. Luis Garcia Jr. was quick to remark that Griffin is impressive every time he pitches, not just tonight. He also said that you can rely on Griffin to go 6 or 7 innings almost every time out. Garcia is pretty spot on in this assessment, as Griffin has gone at least 6 frames in 8 of his last 12 outings.

Curtis Mead was very impressed by how Griffin kept the Phillies hitters off balance. He said that, “It felt like the swings (from Phillies hitters) were not as good as those guys are capable of”. Seeing what Griffin did to a lineup that thrashed the Mets the last couple days made this even more impressive. Kyle Schwarber has been on one of his home run binges, but Griffin made him look silly.

That has been a trend for Griffin. He just has hitters second guessing themselves with all of the different pitches he can throw. I am not saying he is Max Scherzer obviously, but last night felt like a Scherzer outing, even down to the solo homer he gave up. It has been a while since I have seen a Nats starter in such control of an outing that deep into the game.

One key part of Griffin’s outing is that he did not walk anyone. That has been a trademark for him all season, but especially lately. In his last 7 starts, Griffin has just 5 walks in over 40 innings. Just seeing a Nats pitcher not beat themselves while also having the stuff to beat opposing hitters just gives me so much joy.

The Nats will have an interesting decision to make with Griffin at the deadline. He is only on a one-year deal, so there is a chance he could be moved. However, with how the Nats are playing, moving him is not the lock that it may have been earlier in the season. As Spencer Nusbaum put it, Griffin is one of the faces of Paul Toboni’s trade deadline conundrum. 

It would be wrong for Toboni not to at least explore the market. However, I also think it would be a mistake for Toboni to not check in with Griffin’s representation to see what an extension would look like. With underlying numbers that are more average than elite and stuff that does not jump off the page, Griffin might be more valuable to the Nats than he is on the trading block.

A Griffin trade is still obviously on the table, but an extension for 2 to 3 years should be as well. It all comes down to where the Nats are sitting in a month and what Griffin’s number would be. I doubt teams would pay Griffin the way most 3.15 ERA guys are paid in assets or money. That could make an extension easier, but this could be the best we get from Griffin. Just look at Erick Fedde, who had a great first season back from Asia and regressed after that.

This will be a complicated decision for the Nats front office. However, that is not the main focus right now. Instead, let’s close out by talking about how brilliant the lefty has been for this team. He was a real under the radar pickup, but has been one of the steals of the offseason. It is tough to imagine where the Nats would be without Griffin, but they sure would not be in a Wild Card race.

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Former Maple Leafs President And GM Brian Burke Deserving Of Hockey Hall Of Fame Nod

When the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 on June 22, Brian Burke’s selection in the Builders category felt both overdue and entirely fitting. The longtime NHL executive, whose fingerprints are on Stanley Cup success, franchise revivals, league discipline, Olympic hockey and a generation of media coverage, joins Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk and Cindy Curley in the Hall. For Burke, it is recognition not just of titles won or drafts executed, but of a career defined by relentless engagement with the game at every level.

Burke’s path through the NHL reads like a map of modern hockey’s front-office evolution. He served as director of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks in the early 1990s before a brief stint as general manager of the Hartford Whalers. He then spent six seasons in the NHL’s league office as executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, where he became the league’s chief disciplinarian,  the man charged with interpreting and enforcing the rulebook during an era of evolving physical play and expanding scrutiny. That experience gave him a league-wide perspective few executives possess.

He returned to club management as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 1998 to 2004, helping stabilize and re-energize a franchise that had struggled for relevance. The Sedin twins, drafted and developed during his watch, became cornerstones of sustained success. From there Burke moved to the Anaheim Ducks as executive vice-president and general manager, guiding the organization to its first Stanley Cup in 2007,  a validation of his belief in building through a mix of high-end talent, physical identity and cap-aware roster construction.

It was in Toronto, however, where Burke became a daily fixture for those of us on the beat. Named president and general manager of the Maple Leafs on November 29, 2008, he took over a franchise desperate for direction and star power. He spoke bluntly about the team’s identity, the need for physicality, and the realities of competing in a salary-cap world.

When I joined the Leafs beat in 2011, Burke was still the GM and president. He was always approachable and available. He believed in what he called the “rules of engagement”  a straightforward philosophy he would articulate plainly: if you were asking questions to promote the team or seeking legitimate information about the organization, he would answer. There was no gatekeeping for its own sake. In an era when some executives viewed the media as an obstacle, Burke treated reporters as part of the ecosystem that helped sell the product. He understood that accessibility built trust and, ultimately, grew interest in the team. Practices, morning skates, off-day scrums, he was there, often holding court with the same candor he brought to the draft table or trade calls.

The Leafs did not reach the playoffs during Burke’s tenure, finishing with a 129-135-42 record across parts of five seasons before he was relieved of his duties in January 2013. Yet the foundation he helped lay — in scouting, player development and a willingness to accumulate draft capital — contributed to the infrastructure that later executives inherited. More than the wins and losses, what lingered was the way he conducted himself: honest, passionate, and never above explaining the “why” behind a decision.

After Toronto, Burke served as president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames and later held the same role with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also served as general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic team that captured silver in Vancouver. In every stop, the through-line was the same: a commitment to the game’s integrity, player development and the business of selling hockey.

Even now, years removed from day-to-day management, Burke remains a visible and influential presence in Toronto. He continues to do the media rounds, offering sharp analysis on television and radio, while regularly attending games from the press box at Scotiabank Arena and showing up at practices. That continued engagement speaks to who he has always been: someone who loves the game too much to step away completely. Younger reporters and front-office staff still seek him out for counsel. His willingness to share hard-earned lessons has made him a de facto mentor in a league that too often treats institutional knowledge as disposable.

Burke’s induction is a reminder that the Hockey Hall of Fame honors builders in the fullest sense of the word. It is not only about championships or individual accolades, though he has both. It is about the cumulative impact on the sport, the franchises he stabilized, the players he helped develop, the standards he upheld in the league office, and the example he set for how executives can and should interact with the people who cover the game. In an industry that can feel increasingly guarded, Burke’s career stands as proof that openness and accountability are not liabilities. They are part of the job.

Burke is one of the most prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in hockey and was the driving force behind the You Can Play Project, which operates under the philosophy that "if you can play, you can play"

He's the definition of a builder, and Burke's call to the Hall is well deserved.

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Winners, losers from Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami

The Miami Heat got their man. Again.

Miami was the frontrunner to land Giannis Antetokounmpo going back to the February trade deadline — it was the most persistent suitor then, and it was one of the two teams standing in the end.

Milwaukee is trading Antetokounmpo to Miami for four players and three draft picks, but which team won this trade? And who were the losers?

Let's break it down. But first, a reminder of this trade.

Miami gets: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis
Milwaukee gets: Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the 2026 No. 13 pick, Miami's unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 pick swap, and Miami's 2033 second-round pick

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

In the end, Antetokounmpo got his wish.

After 13 years in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo was ready to leave the only team and city he has ever called home. From the outside, you could both see this divorce coming in slow motion — the traded and then misfires on draft picks sped up the process — yet still understand why Milwaukee had to stay on the path it had chosen.

For the second half of Antetokounmpo's Bucks tenure, the team kept making short-term, win-now moves — and it paid off with the 2021 championship. But when the bill for those moves came due in the past couple of years, Antetokounmpo realized he wanted another shot at a ring more than anything else. Antetokounmpo wanted out and to go to a place he believed he could contend, and that was no longer Milwaukee.

Miami was one of the teams on Antetokounmpo's short list. In the end, the star got traded to the place he wanted to go. NBA superstars almost always get where they want to go.

Now we'll see if this story ends happily ever after.

Winner (with work to do): Miami Heat

The bar is set high in Miami with these kinds of bold moves. After LeBron James made his decision and Miami landed him and Chris Bosh in 2010 free agency, the Heat appeared in the next four NBA Finals, winning two. After landing Jimmy Butler in 2019 free agency, the Heat appeared in two of the next four NBA Finals.

Miami has work to do to live up to those expectations — even with a healthy Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat are not a contender today, as constructed.

However, they are a whole lot closer than they were when Charlotte eliminated them from the play-in two months ago.

Miami has been a star-driven franchise (dating back to Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal winning a ring together), and landing Antetokounmpo makes them both relevant and interesting again — and much better. While the Heat sent out some of their best young players to make this trade happen, this is still a solid roster: Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, a re-signed Norman Powell (he is a free agent but expected to return to the Heat), Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell are the starters, with Bobby Portis off the bench. That is a really good defensive roster and, while there are questions about having enough ball-handling and shooting, it's going to be a good team. Top six in the East, maybe top four, depending on health.

However, as New York showed in its run to the title, depth matters. That feels especially true when the guy the Heat just traded for has missed all or part of the last three playoffs due to injury.

Miami has a lot of work to do to round out this roster. Part of why Antetokounmpo wanted to go to Miami was trusting the organization to get those players and coach Erik Spoelstra to get the most out of them. Now the pressure is on to do just that because the expectations in Miami are sky high — exactly where Pat Riley wants them.

Loser: Boston Celtics

Technically, the Celtics are losers because they came in second in the bidding for Antetokounmpo. However, the bigger loss could be the franchise's relationship with Jaylen Brown.

Boston with Jayson Tatum and Antetokounmpo — who would put pressure on the rim and make the team less 3-point dependent, plus help the Celtics' defense — would have been a title contender. One could argue the Celtics offered the better trade package for Antetokounmpo because it returned an All-NBA star in his prime (Jaylen Brown), but Milwaukee preferred Miami's offer (something reportedly driven by Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam).

Reports out of Boston are that the Celtics are not shopping Brown and are not looking to trade him, he was available only for the two-time MVP Antetokounmpo. Except Brown went through this same thing a year before when it was Kevin Durant. It's fair of him to ask how much Boston really wants to keep him — Brad Stevens has some work to do to mend that relationship.

Losers: Milwaukee Bucks fans

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in Milwaukee franchise history, and he just followed in the footsteps of the only other person who could lay claim to that crown — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — by forcing his way out of town.

This sucks for Bucks fans, who have been loyal to Antetokounmpo to a fault and are now going to watch their team rebuild for years — the return in this trade is a lot less than they might have gotten a year ago, or even at the trade deadline. And with the new draft lottery system, it's going to be even harder for genuinely bad teams to turn things around.

Antetokounmpo brought Bucks fans a title and some of the best years in franchise history, he will ultimately be remembered fondly. But the next few years are going to be rough.

Winners: NBA fans done with Antetokounmpo saga

The will-he/won't-he of Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially forcing his way out of Milwaukee has been going on for what seems the better part of a decade. Each time he would threaten to leave, the Bucks front office would make a grand gesture — getting Jrue Holiday (which led to a title) or landing Damian Lillard — and in the end, Antetokounmpo would re-sign with the Bucks. Then there would be about a one-year lull in the rumors before they would start back up again.

Finally, our long national nightmare is over — Antetokounmpo has been traded. This saga is over and he ended up with one of the league's glamour franchises. Bucks fans are left to pick up the pieces, but now the rest of NBA fans can move on… and figure out who is the next superstar whose future will become a constant topic of rumors and conversations.

Winner: Portland Trail Blazers

Trying to make a big splash, new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon tried to push his team into the mix for Antetokounmpo, which was never realistic, but gave him good "look how much I want to win" PR to try to win over Portland fans unsure of him.

However, Dundon's team wins because Portland controls Milwaukee's 2029 first-round pick and holds first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, all thanks to the 2023 Lillard trade. The one word of caution here is that, with the NBA's new lottery system and flattened odds, it's much harder to predict where those picks might fall and gauge their value. That said, Milwaukee is going to struggle for a few years, and Portland controls its draft picks for much of that period, which could work out well for the team in the Pacific Northwest.

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NHL & Islanders News: Mocking drafts; Beau-T day; Hall of Fame

Now that was a day. | Getty Images

The Islanders are just days away from adding another top prospect to their system, unless they trade their pick for a 30-year-old. The mock drafts overfloweth; someone rated between 10th and 18th will probably be theirs. It will be both brilliant and inexcusable, a steal and a reach.

Islanders News

  • This day in Islanders history: Anthony Beauvillier extends the series and closes the Coliseum with an OT winner. [Isles]
  • Here’s a mock draft with the Isles taking 6’5″ Swedish defenseman Malte Gustafsson, if OHL LW Ethan Belchetz and NCAA C Tynan Lawrence are off the board. [Athletic]
  • Here’s another saying Lawrence or else “two-way forward” Oliver Suvanto. [NHL]

Elsewhere

  • The latest Hall of Fame class was announced and no-brainer Patrice Bergeron is joined by Keith Tkachuk and Penne Rinne for some reason. (Brian Burke, too…by sheer volume, I suppose.) [NHL]
  • Rumblings on Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson, the Panthers’ goalie conundrum and more. [ESPN]
  • More on the Brady Tkachuk trade, which Steve Staios confirmed came from a trade request. [NHL]
  • The “Real Kyper” trade board is updated with LOTS of names, many of them plausible, though no Islanders on the list. [Sportsnet]
  • Darren Raddysh talks about the poetry of returning home to Toronto, where fans will surely chase him out like he’s Larry Murphy within a couple of seasons. [TSN]
  • The Sabres have decisions to make with Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. [TSN]
  • The Oilers have extended Connor Murphy for five years. [TSN] Not sure that and the Dickinson deal are the slam-dunk, defense-is-fixed moves they’re making it out to be. [TSN]
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Arizona Diamondbacks News 6/23: Treading Water

Jun 22, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) salutes the fans as he receives a standing ovation in his first visit back to St. Louis during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Game Recaps

Merrill Kelly grinds out bounce-back effort as Diamondbacks fall short vs. Cardinals by Payne Moses [Arizona Sports]

Kelly has logged more than one uncharacteristic start this season after re-signing with Arizona, but he didn’t let the latest last week against the Los Angeles Angels (six earned runs on 11 hits) carry over into Monday.

It didn’t look like a bounce-back start was loading in the first, with the first three St. Louis batters reaching on two singles and a walk. But a lineout to Geraldo Perdomo by star right fielder Jordan Walker and 4-6-3 double play hit into by Lars Nootbaar was a huge zero to put on the board.

Diamondbacks Fall Down to the .500 Line After New Loss to Cardinals by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to look like a rudderless team. Once again, they have fallen back to the .500 line after taking another tough loss in their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are, admittedly, a tough opponent. But in what has seemed to be an extremely common theme in recent days, the D-backs struggled to take advantage of the numerous opportunities they had on Monday night, losing by a thin margin of 3-2 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Diamondbacks News

Bowden: Zac Gallen an under-the-radar trade target by Tyler Drake [Arizona Sports]

It’s been a rocky 2026 for Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen after re-signing with the franchise on a one-year contract this offseason.

His most recent outing on Saturday that ended with a shower of boos at home was a prime example of that.

The reunion hasn’t been what many expected. And with the MLB trade deadline in the not-so-distant future (Aug. 3), The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has Gallen as an under-the-radar trade target to watch.

Arenado reflects on time with Cards in return to St. Louis with Arizona by Jeff Jones [MLB]

Nolan Arenado has been through the spin cycle of returning to a former home ballpark before, so he has the benefit of experiential wisdom when it comes to handling the emotions of four games at Busch Stadium this week.

“Being 35 now [helps],” Arenado joked Monday from the Diamondbacks’ dugout. “I’m a little older now, so I’ll be OK. In ‘21, it was kind of a weird moment, obviously being there [in Colorado] for eight years. I’m gonna take it in. I know I’m coming toward the end. Back then in Colorado, I didn’t really take it in as much. Here I probably will just because it means a little different here. I’m really excited for the game to start.”

Diamondbacks Give Update on Lawlar,Soroka Injury Timelines by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

“It’s gonna be weeks and not days, hopeful for the fastest return possible,” Lovullo said (via Arizona Sports 98.7’s Alex Weiner). “We’re hoping it’s gonna happen before the four to six week period of time, everybody seems to be throwing out, but I’ll keep you guys updated on their progression.

“Just unfortunate news. MRIs confirmed that there was something that was going on in there and they’re gonna have to step away and rest up.”

Around the League

Here’s the latest All-Star Ballot update by Brian Murphy, Shanthi Sepe-Chupuru [MLB]

Phase 1 of the voting concludes Thursday at noon ET. If Ohtani and Clement remain on top in their respective league, they will automatically receive spots in their side’s starting lineup for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14.

During Phase 1, you can vote as many as five times per every 24-hour period exclusively at MLB.com, on all 30 MLB club sites and on the MLB app.

Beyond the two leading overall vote-getters, the top two vote-getters at every position, and the top six outfielders, will advance to Phase 2 of the voting, which begins on June 29. If an outfielder is a league’s leading vote-getter, only the next four outfield finalists will move on to Phase 2 to determine who starts at the two remaining spots.

Biggest strength for top current 2026 MLB playoff contenders by David Schoenfield [ESPN]

Arizona Diamondbacks

Week 12 ranking: 12
Record: 39-38 (3rd in NL West)
Biggest strength: Umm … the offense has underperformed

OK, that’s not really a strength, unless you consider that the Diamondbacks are still over .500 even though the offense has underperformed compared with last season. Indeed, it’s a little difficult to figure out how they’re over .500 in the first place considering they’re scoring about a half-run less per game than last year and the rotation is 29th in strikeout rate and has just two pitchers with an ERA under 4.97. And while the bullpen has been good, it’s not like Arizona has cleaned up in one-run games (13-12) or extra-inning games (2-4).

Will it continue? Sorry about the confusion here. This is more complicated than the 2016 Diamondbacks’ uniform scheme. We’re asking: Will the underperforming continue? Which isn’t a strength, since the Diamondbacks need the strength to be “better offense.” Anyway, FanGraphs projects Arizona averaging 4.59 runs per game the rest of the way, which is better than its current 4.28. But it’s probably not enough to get into the playoffs, unless the Diamondbacks start getting better work from the back end of the rotation.

How Much Would MLB’s Draft Proposal Cost the Best Players? by Dan Szymborski [FanGraphs]

A year or two is actually quite significant when dealing with an elite free agent or free agent-to-be. When you’re talking to guys that land megadeals, getting a player like Juan Soto or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a couple years early basically allows you to swap a year in their 40s for a year in their prime. This isn’t just mean math guys and their even meaner projection systems; teams are aware of this, which is why someone like Pete Alonso largely gets shrugs in free agency, certainly relative to how early-30s non-elite sluggers were treated 15 years ago. And yes, I’m fully aware of the irony of my noting how much teams have soured on non-elite free agents in their 30s, since, as I’ve been told both by multiple front office decision makers and multiple agents, I’m one of the people responsible for the spread of that attitude!

ZiPS originally projected Soto to get a 15-year, $719 million contract in free agency after the 2024 season, compared to the $765 million he actually netted. Keeping everything the same and making him two years older drops that projected salary from $719 million to $588 million, a pay cut of $131 million.

Sonny Gray “Open” To Discussing No-Trade Clause If Red Sox Sell by Steve Adams [MLB Trade Rumors]

With the Red Sox’ season continuing to spiral — they’re buried in the AL East cellar and have the American League’s second-worst record — speculation about a potential deadline sale continues to mount. The team hasn’t made any major directional decisions at this juncture, but if they opt to go the seller’s route, veteran right-hander Sonny Gray will be open-minded about waiving his full no-trade protection, he tells Tim Healey of the Boston Globe.

“If someone came to me from the Red Sox and made a decision that that’s the direction that this team was going to go, I would be open for a conversation,” Gray said. The 36-year-old righty declined to indicate whether geography would play any sort of role in his decision process.

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The Royals are avoiding the injured list like it is made out of lava

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 18: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals goes to the ground after making a play against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In these divided times, there aren’t that many things that we can all agree on. But in Kansas City Royals land, there are at least a few: that Bobby Witt Jr. is the franchise’s best position player since George Brett, that keeping him healthy is important for the short and long term, and that it would not be a good thing if, say, he weren’t in a knee brace. 

Unfortunately for us all, he’s hurt. He’s in a knee brace. And manager Matt Quatraro hopes that he will be available in the next few days after being diagnosed with a grade 1 MCL sprain. 

Witt last played on June 18, where he went down after a defensive play at shortstop. It looked scary, and though he stayed in the game afterwards, he was taken out of the game later.

While we’re on the subject of other things we can all agree on, let’s also talk about Maikel Garcia, who is also an important player for the Royals to succeed. Unfortunately for us all, he has been hurt, too. On May 30, Garcia was removed from the game after seven innings. He was diagnosed with a grade 1 hamstring strain, and though he made an appearance as a pinch hitter and as the designated hitter a few times in the following games, it took eight days for him to be well enough to play in the field again. 

Just a few weeks later, Garcia saw some time off due to injury, this time due to hand soreness which he said first happened in the St. Louis series in mid-May. Garcia left the game on June 16 after six innings and then saw the field five days later at shortstop while Witt was out.

And finally, one thing that we can all agree on, too, is that Salvador Perez is the best defensive catcher on the team. Yet at the beginning of May, Salvy spent eight consecutive games as the designated hitter due to a hip injury (and was on base only five times in 32 plate appearances).

What ties all these events together? You probably guessed, especially if you read the title of this article, but the answer is that the Royals didn’t put any of these players on the injured list at any point. 

Putting a player on the injured list provides the team with a clear benefit: players on the injured list don’t count against the active roster. So, as long as a player is on the injured list, they can call up another player to take their spot. The downside, though, is that injured list stints require a minimum of 10 days for position players (and 15 for pitchers) for non-concussion injuries. 

I don’t want to get into nitpicking whether or not any of these specific situations warranted an injured list trip or not. The fact of the matter is that the team doctors know more than us both about medicine in general and these situations in particular. Plus, players want to play, and more of them are banged up to some degree than not at this point in the year. Teams are better off with their core players playing at less than 100% than they are with Triple-A guys filling in at full strength, and of course there’s a chance that those players are also at less than 100%. 

All the listed injuries I brought up could have easily been injured list material. Salvy went 11 days between games behind the dish with his hip injury. Garcia went eight days between games in the field with his hammy injury. And Witt will, at minimum, be five days between any baseball action at all; he’ll hit the 10-day counter this upcoming Sunday. 

This is clearly a pattern, and it’s one that has actually gone back a few years. The Royals just do not like putting guys on the injured list if they don’t know for sure they’ll be out a minimum of 10 days. And it would be one thing if this were just limited to the player, but there are teamwide consequences, too–with guys on the bench but unable to play, Kansas City is forgoing a roster spot every time they do this.

I think it would also be one thing if the Royals were fighting for a playoff spot, but the 2026 Royals are simply fighting to not be the worst team in the American League. What’s the worst that could happen if Witt or Garcia or Salvy spend a few unnecessary days on the injured list? The team loses 95 games instead of 93 games? Oh, the horror. 

Witt’s injury is particularly worrying to me. Yeah, I’m sure he wants to play. Yeah, I know the Royals want to win, still, regardless of their record. But the Royals are going to look really dumb if that MCL sprain turns into some other, bigger knee damage that affects 2027 if they don’t even put him on the IL and send him back out there to play as soon as he can.

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Which Oriole is most deserving of an All-Star nod?

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles watches his run-scoring sacrifice fly against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This is not going to be one of those years where the American League All-Star roster is chock full of Orioles. There will probably only be one. The fan voting is not going to bring any Orioles on as starters, nor should it, because there aren’t any guys who are doing so overwhelmingly great to deserve that.

Still, there are a few Orioles with at least interesting cases to make the roster. In this week’s survey, I’d like you to think about who deserves it the most. You can define “deserve” however you like. For me, it’s a player who is among the best at his position in the league so far this year, or at least close enough to it that he’s not likely to end up on the level of an “All-Star Ty Wigginton” kind of embarrassment years down the road.

What do you think? Vote here:

Results will be shared on Friday. I’m curious to see how this one shakes out, because you could make the case for a few of these guys. It might come down to the commissioner’s office decision of who would fit the roster best based on the choices of the fans for starters, the players for reserves, and other “this team must have one All-Star” decisions.

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This Week in the Minors: Kendry Chourio makes his Quad Cities debut

SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Kendry Chourio #33 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”

Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (33-41, 13.5 games back)

The Storm Chasers split their series on the road in St. Paul. On the mound, Randy Dobnak, who the Royals traded for, made his first start with the organization. He went 4.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 5. Génesis Cabrera threw 3.1 innings of 2 run ball, both runs unearned, over 3 relief appearances, striking out 4 batters. Bailey Falter made a start, going 4 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, walking 3 and striking out 4.

At the plate, Abraham Toro had a great week, going 9-for-23, hitting 2 doubles, 2 triples and 3 homers, while driving in 10 runs. Oh, and he hit for the cycle, the sixth in modern Omaha history. Brandon Drury went 9-for-15, with 3 doubles, 2 homers, driving in 6 runs. Matthew Lugo was 12-for-29, with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 4 runs batted in.

The Storm Chasers return home to take on the Columbus Clippers this week. The series runs from Tuesday through Sunday.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-38, 16 games back)

The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Tulsa Drillers, the best team in Double-A. At the plate, outfielder Connor Scott went 6-for-15, with a double and homer, also driving in 3 runs. Scott is a 26-year-old, from the Marlins organization, he was taken 13th overall in 2018. Rudy Martin was 7 for 21, Jack Pineda was 7 for 19 with a double and 5 runs batted in.

On the mound, Drew Beam was fantastic in his only start of the week, going 7.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 5. Beam seems to finally have settled in at Northwest after getting promoted right before the season started from Quad Cities. Frank Mozzicato threw 4 scoreless innings over two relief appearances, allowing 2 hits, walking 5 and striking 5 batters out. Hunter Patteson made two starts, totaling 13 innings, allowing 6 hits, 5 runs, walking 3 and striking out 11. Patteson is a 26-year-old lefty out of Central Florida selected in the 5th round draft pick in 2022 by the Royals. He has a 5.22 ERA over 58.2 innings so far this season.

The Naturals hit the road, to take on the Springfield Cardinals this week. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Quad Cities River Bandits (30-35, 10 games back)

The River Bandits lost 3 of 5 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, with one game being rained out. On the mound, Kendry Chourio made his High-A debut after getting promoted from Columbia. The 18-year-old right hander went 4.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), while striking out 10 batters. It was a mixed bag performance against the fourth best team in High-A. Elsewhere, David Shields went 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 10 hitters. It’s the second straight start for Shields with 10 strikeouts. Jordan Woods threw for the first time in a couple weeks, going 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 2. Emmanuel Reyes threw 6 innings of 2 run ball, allowing 7 hits, while striking out 5.

At the plate, Ramon Ramirez was 7-for-20, with a double and 2 homers, while driving in 5 runs. On the season, Ramirez is hitting .285/.360/.487. The 21-year-old catcher is in his first year at Quad Cities. Derlin Figueroa was just 1-for-16, cooling him down after a good start to June and an overall good month. Figueroa is slashing .277/.366/.564 with 15 homers this season. The first baseman is just 22 years old.

The River Bandits hit the road to take on the South Bend Cubs, one of the best teams in High-A. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Columbia Fireflies (34-35, 5 games back)

The Fireflies lost 4 of 6 to the Hickory Crawdads. On the mound, Jose Gutierrez threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, striking out 4. Ryan McDonagh, a 20-year-old right hander from Canada, made his Low-A debut after getting promoted from Rookie Ball. In his start, he went 5 innings, allowing 1 hit, 2 runs, 2 walks, striking out 4.

At the plate, Josh Hammond went 8-for-18, with a homer and 2 runs driven in. Hammond is slashing .287/.349/.422 on the year. Sean Gamble went 6-for-16 with a pair of doubles and 3 runs batted in. Gamble in the month of June is slashing .292/.444/.438. Raising his season average all the way to .179, it’s good to see the Royals first round draft pick from last season starting to put things together.

The Fireflies stay on the road, taking on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.