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Could the Devils be a Fit for Yegor Chinakhov?

On July 17, 2025, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov requested a trade, according to a statement published by his agent, Shumi Babaev. 

Babaev posted a statement from Chinakhov on X, which read:

“I had some misunderstandings with the coach during the season. Now I would be glad to have a trade. I would like to move to a different location. Will I return to Russia? As long as I can play in the NHL, I will keep developing here.”

The announcement sparked immediate speculation about where Chinakhov might land. Among the potential rumored suitors? The New Jersey Devils.

At 24 years old, Chinakhov brings size [6'1"], speed, and a high hockey IQ. His shot placement and skating ability make him an intriguing addition for any team looking to boost offensive depth, particularly on the right wing.

Of course, New Jersey isn’t the only team being floated. Chinakhov has also been linked to the Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs as possible destinations.

Babaev stated that he is in active communication with Blue Jackets management and emphasized that Chinakhov’s desire to move is mutual and understood:

“I always stand by the player, especially in this case, and I understand that Yegor’s desire to be traded did not come out of nowhere.”

He followed up in a separate post:

“However, we are fully aware that there is an active contract in place, and if Yegor’s request for a trade does not materialize, he will continue to give 120 percent in fulfilling his responsibilities.”

Babaev’s player-first approach has earned him trust amongst players. He currently represents six NHL players, including two on the Colorado Avalanche, one on the Philadelphia Flyers, one on the Pittsburgh Penguins, and notably, Arseni Gritsyuk of the New Jersey Devils.

While the connection doesn’t guarantee anything, it certainly helps to have a familiar relationship between the agent and the front office when a player is exploring trade options.

Chinakhov is entering the second year of a two-year, $4.2 million contract ($2.1 million AAV). That’s a manageable number for a team like the Devils, if they can make the cap work. New Jersey is nearing the salary cap ceiling, with less than $7 million in space remaining, and they still need to sign Luke Hughes.

In the end, Chinakhov to the Devils isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but it’s also far from certain. Cap constraints and other roster needs may push the Devils to look elsewhere. Still, imagining Chinakhov in red and black raises an interesting question: how would he fit in, and could he thrive in New Jersey’s system?


Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Shaikin: Home again? Why Kenley Jansen could be a good trade match for Dodgers

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kenley Jansen reacts after the Angels won a baseball game.
Angels closer Kenley Jansen reacts after a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on July 18. Should the Dodgers try to pull off a reunion with Jansen? (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

Kenley Jansen signed his first professional contract with the Dodgers 21 years ago. He was Clayton Kershaw’s catcher in rookie ball. He has been honored as an All-Star four times. He has saved more games than all but three men in major league history, all of them Hall of Famers. He won a World Series with the Dodgers.

For all that Jansen has accomplished in his two decades in pro ball, there is one thing he has not experienced: He never has been traded.

That could happen in the coming days, with baseball’s trade deadline next Thursday. As we talked about that possibility Friday at Angel Stadium, and about how the sport can be a cold business at times, he dropped 11 words that stood out.

“I thought,” he said, “I would play my whole career with the Dodgers.”

Maybe you can go home again.

Read more:With trade deadline looming, Dodgers showcase revived offense in win over Boston

The Dodgers are urgently shopping for right-handed relievers. In Anaheim, Jansen is enjoying a season that by some measures is his best since 2021, his last season with the Dodgers.

First things first: Jansen did not sign with the Angels just to rack up saves. He is 36 saves shy of 500, a milestone reached only by Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.

“I came here with one goal in mind,” Jansen said, “and the goal was to help this team turn around, to end that playoff drought. That’s what I’m here for.

“If they move me, I’d definitely feel disappointed we didn’t accomplish it.”

But let’s be real: The longest playoff drought in the majors is likely to hit 11 years. The Angels are 4-1/2 games out of a postseason berth, but they would have to pass six teams to sneak into the last wild-card spot in the American League playoffs. Baseball Prospectus projects their chance of making the playoffs at 2%.

The Angels demoted their fifth starter this month. They have been running bullpen games because they had no one in their farm system ready to fill the vacancy. They only have two starters you could pencil into their 2026 rotation.

They need pitching depth, and it would be organizational malpractice not to get some by trading their pending free agents, Jansen included.

Kenley Jansen pitches for the Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 2021 NLCS.
Kenley Jansen pitches for the Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLCS on Oct. 19, 2021. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

For the Angels, the optimal outcome would be a team desperate for a closer overpaying to get Jansen.

However, such a team would be more likely to overpay for the marquee names on the market, including Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins, Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians and Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles, with a second tier led by David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Dodgers hate to overpay.

Jansen has 17 saves and one blown save, with a 1.00 earned-run average in save situations and a 3.19 ERA overall. The latter is his lowest ERA since 2021. By ERA+, a statistic that accounts for league and ballpark factors, Jansen is at 133 — or 33% better than league average.

The only Dodgers relievers with an ERA+ above 133: left-handers Alex Vesia and Jack Dreyer.

Dodgers relievers have thrown 49.1% of the team’s innings pitched; the highest percentage of any major league team. Vesia, Anthony Banda and the injured Tanner Scott rank among the top 20 in appearances. Ben Casparius, who earned his first major league save Friday, ranked second among major league relievers in innings pitched.

In an ideal world, the Dodgers would enter the playoffs with four primary right-handed relievers: Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips.

Phillips is out for the season. Treinen could return from the injured list next week, with Kopech possibly to follow next month and Graterol in September, but it is risky to count on injured players to return healthy and effective.

In a major league career that started in 2010, Jansen never has been on the injured list because of an elbow or forearm issue, and his two stints for shoulder inflammation were brief.

The Dodgers could drop Jansen into their mix of high-leverage right-handers. They would not want Jansen if he would want to be the unquestioned closer.

He is getting the job done as a closer, and he is getting closer to 500 saves. But the Dodgers' analysts would probably take note of his career highs in exit velocity and hard-hit balls, and a .774 OPS against left-handers that compares unfavorably to his .600 career mark, and might want to spot him against a run of right-handers. Could be the sixth inning, could be the ninth.

Read more:Beyond the bullpen, how aggressive will the Dodgers be at the MLB trade deadline?

Whether it’s the Dodgers or any other contending team, would Jansen consider a role outside the ninth inning?

“At that point, it’s just about getting rings,” Jansen said. “My goal is to win. You play for that, always. I understand there is a milestone I am close to. But, at the end of the day, it’s what you play for. You play to win. You play to win a World Series.

“If I have to go throw the sixth, seventh, eighth, I would do it. I’m a professional. I would do what I do best, and that is pitch.”

Jansen said he hasn’t given up on this Angels team, or this Angels season. He would love to win in Anaheim. The Angels could help him do that: Trade him for another pitching piece that could help them next year, then sign Jansen again over the winter.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Michael Pezzetta Among Maple Leafs Spotted As Guest At Team's Hockey School This Summer

Michael Pezzetta is already showing love to Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

The 27-year-old was spotted hanging out with kids from the Maple Leafs' hockey school earlier his month. Pezzetta, who grew up in the Toronto, Ontario area, spoke, took photos with the children, and even signed each of their Maple Leafs jerseys.

Pezzetta signed a two-year, $1.625 million contract with Toronto as a free agent when free agency opened up on July 1. The annual average value of his contract is $812,500. He's been with the Montreal Canadiens ever since being drafted by them in the sixth round (160th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

In 200 career NHL games with the Canadiens, Pezzetta has 15 goals and 23 assists. He's likely to play a depth role with the Maple Leafs within their bottom six. Pezzetta grew up a Maple Leafs fan, idolizing players such as Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph, among others.

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal Part 3, No. 9 Through 16 RevealedRanking Every NHL Arena Media Meal Part 3, No. 9 Through 16 RevealedWelcome to Part 3 of The Hockey News Toronto’s ranking of the media meals that are served around the NHL. This week, we move further down the rankings to look at the teams and venues

"I know my mom's super excited that I get to stay home, it's been a while. And then even all my friends and everybody's like all Leafs fans, just through and through, and they're so excited," Pezzetta said in his first media availability as a Maple Leaf.

"So many people messaged me the last day-and-a-half now, and it's just surreal. Like, to think that it's a possibility I get to put this sweater on, so I'm just really grateful for the opportunity."

Pezzetta, though, isn't the only Maple Leafs player who's visited the kids at Maple Leafs hockey school. Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, and Morgan Rielly, each of whom is spending a lot of time in Toronto this summer, have also stopped by to take photos at the camp.

'I Think He Really Wore It': Matt Martin Reflects On Mitch Marner's Move To Golden Knights And His Two Seasons With Maple Leafs'I Think He Really Wore It': Matt Martin Reflects On Mitch Marner's Move To Golden Knights And His Two Seasons With Maple LeafsMatt Martin might be retired, but he remembers playing with Mitch Marner on the Toronto Maple Leafs like it was yesterday.

The two-week-long event, held by the Maple Leafs' development team, is "a recreational/beginner level camp that welcomes players of all ability levels. Participants will have fun, step outside their comfort zone, learn and improve upon their hockey skills while also continuing to develop their fundamental movement skills," their website reads.

"Our program is designed to provide young athletes with an all-around professional hockey camp experience both on and off the ice. Off-ice programming includes dryland training, special guest seminars and team building activities."

Other Maple Leafs who've surprised the kids in recent years at the camp are John Tavares, Chris Tanev, Joseph Woll, and former Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe. The organization has even had Toronto Sceptres forward Emma Maltais as a guest at the camp.

'Looking Forward To Playing A Long Time Here Like (Phil) Kessel': Why Dakota Joshua Will Wear No. 81 With Maple Leafs This Season'Looking Forward To Playing A Long Time Here Like (Phil) Kessel': Why Dakota Joshua Will Wear No. 81 With Maple Leafs This SeasonWhen Dakota Joshua puts on a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time, he'll be wearing a number that many fans are familiar with.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: Michael Pezzetta Among Maple Leafs Spotted As Guest At Team's Hockey School This Summer

(Top photo of Pezzetta: @leafsdevelopment / Instagram)

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Warriors' Steph Curry reveals best team he's ever been a part of at any level

Warriors' Steph Curry reveals best team he's ever been a part of at any level originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry has been a part of several great teams throughout his basketball career, but which does he view as the best?

The Warriors superstar sat down with Complex’s Speedy Mormon during a recent interview to unveil his answer.

“The greatest team I’ve played on, which is kind of weird to say, it’s a tie between the ’15, ’16 [Warriors] team and the ’16, ’17 team, for different reasons,” Curry said. “The chemistry, the placement of roles, everybody had a specific job to do out there on the court, we had the highest of skill, we had the highest of IQs, we had the highest of athleticism, good coaching, everything.

“That was peak basketball.”

It is hard to argue with that.

Golden State made five consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2019, establishing a dynasty centered around Curry, Draymond Green and former Warriors guard but forever franchise legend Klay Thompson.

But in 2016, one major asset was added to those legacy years. The addition of 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant. Together, they won two championships with the teams Curry views as the best he’s been a part of.

The Warriors’ 2016-17 and 2017-18 teams consisted of key contributors such as Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney, Zaza Pachulia, David West, JaVale McGee, Jordan Bell and Nick Young and others.

Curry also considered another team as which some might view as the greatest assembly of talent: The 2024 USA Team, which won gold at the Paris Summer Olympics.

“That’s the greatest collection of talent,” Curry said. “The ’24 Olympic team, when you talk about the Dream Team, it’s hard to find a collection of guys with the resumes in their prime and the up-and-comers. It just all fit.”

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Dodgers' journey from 'best ever' to 'rock bottom'

Shohei Ohtani looking anguished after a strikeout
Shohei Ohtani spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before joining the Dodgers [Reuters]

Los Angeles Dodgers v Boston Red Sox

Venue: Fenway Park, Boston Date: Sunday, 27 July First pitch: 18:35 BST

Coverage: Live coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app, from 18:30

After winning last year's World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up from where they left off.

They made a flying start to the current Major League Baseball season, becoming the first defending champions to win their first eight games.

It had many saying this is the best MLB team that has ever been assembled.

Three months later, the Dodgers remain top of their division, but they are struggling.

After Tuesday's defeat to Minnesota, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was desperate to stop the rot, saying: "It better be rock bottom."

Now his team visit the Boston Red Sox hoping to get their title defence back on track, and you can watch the final game of their three-game series live on the BBC.

How did the Dodgers get even better?

Speaking to BBC Sport after last year's championship win, former World Series winner Chase Utley said that the Dodgers' "entire line-up has the ability to hit a home run and they play great defence. They're just really good at all aspects of the game."

And in the off-season their roster got even better. After their starting pitcher rotation was hit by injuries last year, they brought in Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to add greater strength in depth.

They also re-signed veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw and knew that at some point Shohei Ohtani would be able to pitch again after recovering from elbow surgery.

Ohtani is a 'unicorn' in that he is a two-way player. The Japanese star is the first MLB player to be elite at both pitching and hitting at the same time.

After joining the Dodgers in a deal worth $700m (£558m), he could only hit in his first season, yet still earned his third Most Valuable Player award as they won the World Series.

The Dodgers' offensive line-up also features two former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who are part of a nucleus of players on long-term contracts.

And the team bolstered that core with Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez signing extensions.

What's gone wrong since winning start?

It's a good job the Dodgers secured that pitching insurance for this season because their injury woes returned, with four of their starting pitchers having had spells out.

That has meant they could not sustain that early-season form and have had to use their relieving pitchers - known as the bullpen - far more than any other MLB team.

That has taken its toll, with six relieving pitchers currently out injured, and the team generally struggling for form - in the outfield, on the mound and at the plate.

Betts has hit three home runs in his past 49 games and Freeman one in 61.

At the start of this month, the Dodgers lost seven games in a row for the first time since September 2017. And since that 8-0 start to the season, their record is 53-43.

Manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday: "It better be rock bottom, as far as how we've been pitching, how we've been playing defence.

"I think the offence is kind of starting to tick up, which is good. There's certainly more in there. But I think as far as quality of baseball, it's been a tough watch. It really has."

Ohtani's class continues to shine through though. Only Seattle's Cal Raleigh (39) has hit more home runs than Ohtani (37) this season.

Ohtani homered in five consecutive games over the past week, and in one of those games he also had three strikeouts as a pitcher.

The 31-year-old's return to the mound last month has provided the Dodgers with some relief.

So far he has made six starts, with his innings gradually being increased, and in his third game back, Ohtani threw his fastest MLB pitch ever (101.7mph).

Red Sox also looking to regroup

Ohtani is not scheduled to pitch again until Wednesday, with Dustin May set to be the Dodgers' starting pitcher for Sunday's game against Boston.

And there will be a familiar face on the Fenway Park mound.

Walker Buehler left the Dodgers for the Red Sox in the off-season and before the start of their three-game series on Friday, some of his former team-mates presented Buehler with his World Series ring for last season's championship triumph.

The Dodgers won Friday's game 5-2 to improve their record to 61-43 atop the National League West division.

Boston are 55-50 and sit third in the American League East, with Wilyer Abreu (20 home runs) their leading hitter.

After going into the All-Star break on a 10-game winning streak, the Red Sox have won just two of their seven games since.

As it stands, they would end their three-year play-off absence, but they too need an upturn in form to be sure of securing a wild-card spot.

BBC Sport will be showing an MLB game live every Sunday evening until the end of the regular season on 28 September.

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Summer McIntosh v Katie Ledecky: a generational duel set to define the world championships

The teenage phenom from Canada is chasing five golds in Singapore, but her showdown with the sport’s longtime 800m free queen could signal a passing of the torch

For the first time in more than a decade, Katie Ledecky may not be the most feared swimmer in the pool. That honor now belongs to Summer McIntosh, the Canadian teenager looking to do what only Michael Phelps has done before her: win five individual gold medals at a single world swimming championships.

Their clash in the 800m freestyle on 2 August is set to be the defining moment of the weeklong meet in Singapore. Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer in history, is bidding for an unprecedented seventh world title at the distance she has dominated since 2013. McIntosh, just 18, is the only swimmer to have beaten her at 800m in the past 15 years.

Continue reading...
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Mets' Francisco Lindor says swing is in a 'good spot' after collecting three hits in win over Giants

It wasn't long ago when Francisco Lindor was in the worst funk of his career, but the Mets shortstop has turned things around at the right time.

After breaking his career-worst 0-for-31 skid in the team's series finale against the Angels on Wednesday, Lindor picked up where he left off in Friday's impressive 8-1 win over the Giants.

Lindor went 3-for-5, but as skipper Carlos Mendoza put it after the game, it's how his at-bats look that is encouraging to him.

"His ability to use the whole field, and going the other way, that’s when he’s at his best," Mendoza said. "Some really good signs and it’s good to have him feeling that way."

Mendoza broke down Lindor's three hits and said there was something to like about each of them. His first hit was a single up the middle in the first inning. The second was when he pulled an inside fastball over the right field wall for his 20th home run of the season. And even though he struck out the next two times, his final at-bat in the ninth saw Lindor go the other way for a ground-rule double down the left field line.

"I got rhythm. I feel good," Lindor said of his swing of late. "I did what I wanted to do today. Had a game plan and was able to execute it. That means my swing is in a good spot. Stay the course, continue to be better every day."

It's been a rough few months for Lindor, who was hitting .283 entering June and was looking every bit of the MVP-caliber player that helped the Mets get into the postseason last year. At the lowest point of his skid in July, Lindor was hitting only .245. But after his five hits in two games, he's looking like himself at the plate again.

Lindor credits the team, and especially the hitting staff, for keeping him positive and getting him back to a good spot with his swing.

"It was coming and going. I work, feel good, then it disappears," Lindor said of why his swing went awry. "It’s human nature when you go through tough times … you rely on the people around you and hope to get a hit or two."

Lindor closed his answer with his signature smile. And there's a lot to smile about with the Mets right now. Friday's victory pushed their winning streak to five games and they are clinging to first place in the NL East over the Phillies. But if the Mets hope to win their first division title since 2015, they'll need Lindor and his swing to feel good to get there.

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Mets start West Coast trip with impressive, wire-to-wire win over Giants, 8-1

The Mets started their West Coast trip with an impressive 8-1 wire-to-wire win over the Giants in San Francisco on Friday night.

New York (60-44) remains 0.5 games ahead of the Phillies, who won their game earlier in the evening, to stay atop the NL East.

Here are the takeaways...

-Against a Cy Young-caliber pitcher in Logan Webb,the Mets jumped on him early in the first. Brandon Nimmo lined a double just over the head of left fielder Heliot Ramos -- who took a bad route to the ball -- and Francisco Lindor followed with a single. Lindor stole second before Juan Soto rolled over a grounder to the right side to plate Nimmo and move Lindor to third. Pete Alonso drove in Lindor with a sac fly to give the Mets an early 2-0 lead.

Clay Holmes wasn't much better in his half of the first, allowing a single to Ramos and a double to Rafael Devers to lead off. Willy Adames grounded out to drive in the Giants' first run. After a walk to Matt Chapman, Holmes bounced back by getting Mike Yastryzmski to fly out and Wilmer Flores to ground out to end the 33-pitch opening frame.

-Webb's struggles continued in the fourth as Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez led off with back-to-back singles. Ronny Mauricio walked to load the bases for Tyrone Taylor with no outs. Taylor chopped a grounder up the middle but Adames made a nice scoop and flip to second base, but Taylor beat out the potential double play as Baty scored. After Taylor stole second, Nimmo hit an opposite-field single to drive in two and push the Mets' lead to 6-1.

Webb would not last beyond the fourth, pitching his shortest outing of the season.

-Holmes did not last much longer as he struggled in the fifth. The right-hander allowed back-to-back singles to the No. 8 and 9 hitters, but Holmes got Ramos to pop up and Devers to strike out. He then got Adames to pop up to get through the fifth.

Holmes tied a career-high with 104 pitches (64 strikes) through his five innings. He allowed just one run on six hits, one walk while striking out two batters.

-The Mets' lineup wouldn't get much going against the Giants' bullpen, but it didn't matter as New York's bullpen was just as sharp with the team using three arms to get the final 12 outs of the game.

  • Husacar Brazoban: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K
  • Rico Garcia: 2.0 IP, 3 K
  • Jorge Castillo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 K

-Alonso went 0-for-4 with a sac fly RBI in this one, but he helped the Mets on the defensive end, saving Holmes, Lindor and Mauricio from errors with his glove.

Lindor was struggling mightily before the series finale against the Angels, and his hot bat has traveled to the West Coast. After his single in the first inning, the Mets shortstop got around on an inside pitch from Webb and deposited it over the wall in right field for his 20th homer of the season. Lindor's last at-bat saw him drive a ground-rule double down the left field line. He finished 3-for-5.

The Mets scored their final two runs in the ninth after Luisangel Acuna scored from third on a wild pitch and Soto's single drove in Lindor from third.

-The Mets were 3-for-3 (Nimmo, Taylor, Lindor) on stolen base attempts against Webb. Webb entered Friday's game, having only given up four stolen bases this season in his first 21 starts.

Game MVP: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo went 2-for-5 but his two-run single in the fourth put this game to bed.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Giants play the middle game of their three-game set on Saturday evening. First pitch is set for 9:05 p.m. on SNY.

David Peterson (6-4, 2.90 ERA) will take the mound as the Giants will send Robbie Ray (9-4, 2.92 ERA) to the bump.

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Yankees option Scott Effross, Jorbit Vivas to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Ryan McMahon trade

The Yankees optioned right-handed pitcher Scott Effross and infielder Jorbit Vivas to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Friday's trade with the Colorado Rockies for third baseman Ryan McMahon to prepare for his arrival.

Will McMahon play for New York in Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies?

"Yeah, I expect him available," Boone said after Friday's 12-5 loss.

The 31-year-old Effross threw 23 pitches (13) strikes and allowed four runs on four hits in one inning, the ninth, where the Phillies (59-44) put Friday's game out of reach. He has allowed 10 runs on 16 hits while striking out six and walking three in 10.2 innings pitched over 11 games.

Vivas, 24, entered Friday's game at third base in the eighth inning and flew out to right field for the ninth's second out. He is slashing .161/.266/.250 with one home run and five RBI through 29 games.

The 30-year-old McMahon, who was a 2024 All-Star, joins the Yankees (56-47) at a pivotal time. He does so with a .217/.314/.403 slash line, 16 home runs and 35 RBI through 100 games this season.

"He's a really good player, great defender," said first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. "... He's a good hitter, and he's going to help us."

McMahon will take Vivas' spot on the roster while a corresponding move for Effross -- likely a fresh arm for Saturday's game -- was not announced.

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Nick Kurtz becomes first MLB rookie with 4-homer game as Athletics beat Astros 15-3

HOUSTON (AP) — Nick Kurtz became the first major league rookie to hit four homers in a game, leading the Athletics to a 15-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Kurtz went 6-for-6 with eight RBIs and six runs scored. He’s just the second player in Major League Baseball history to have four homers in a six-hit game, joining Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 23, 2002 at Milwaukee, and he matched Green’s MLB record with 19 total bases.

It was the first six-hit game for the Athletics since Joe DeMaestri on July 8, 1955 at Detroit.

The 23-year-old also had a single and a double that hit just below the yellow line over the visitor’s bullpen in the fourth inning.

Kurtz singled in the first and his two-run homer in the second put the Athletics ahead 5-0. His solo shot in the sixth made it 10-2. His third homer was his longest, a 414-foot drive into the second deck in the eighth.

Kurtz’s final homer came against outfielder Cooper Hummel, a three-run, opposite-field line drive to the Crawford boxes in left field that made it 15-2.

Kurtz extended his hitting streak to 12 games and his 23 home runs are the most for an A’s rookie since Yoenis Céspedes in 2012 and fourth most in franchise history.

Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers also homered for the A’s, who had a season high in runs.

Jeffrey Springs (9-7) allowed two runs over six innings. Zack Short hit a two-run homer for Houston in the fifth.

Ryan Gusto (6-4) allowed eight runs on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Key moment

Hummel had allowed one run and retired two batters in the ninth when Kurtz hit a 77 mph, 2-0 pitch for his fourth homer.

Key stat

Kurtz is batting .553 (26 for 47) with nine homers and 20 RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak.

Up next

Houston RHP Hunter Brown (9-4 2.57 ERA) opposes LHP Jacob Lopez (3-6 4.60 ERA) when the series continues Saturday.

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Avalanche Swap Prospects with the San Jose Sharks, Acquire Forward Danil Gushchin

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Friday that they have acquired forward Danil Gushchin from the San Jose Sharks in return for forward Oskar Olausson.

Gushchin, 23, was drafted by San Jose in the 3rd round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 76th overall.

He made his NHL debut with the Sharks in the 2022-23 season against the Arizona Coyotes. Since then, he's skated in 18 total NHL games, 12 of which came just last season. He cracked the Sharks' opening night roster, playing in all 9 games in October before being sent down to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). He was called up two more times, once for one game against the Vancouver Canucks in November, then again in April for the last two games of the team's regular season. His only NHL point last season was an assist in a 5-4 OT win against the Utah Mammoth.

The Yekaterinburg, Russia native played 56 regular season games with the Barracuda and totaled 51 points (28g/23a), finishing third on the team in points and second in goals. He earned one point in the form of a goal in four GP in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Gushchin is a smaller forward, coming into Colorado's system at 5'8", 165 lbs. 

He's a great, tenacious back checker who often almost functions as a third defenseman in transition at times. He takes smart routes to the puck on the forecheck, and he's surprisingly physical for someone his size. He sets up really well by faking a shot or a pass first and then separates by accelerating inside his movements.
- EliteProspects 2020 Draft Guide

As mentioned above, the Avalanche received Gushchin in exchange for Sweden native Oskar Olausson, who was drafted by Colorado 28th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. During his three years in the Avalanche system, he appeared in four NHL games. In 61 GP with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this past season, he tallied 26 points (11g/15a).

Bookmark THN's Colorado Avalanche site so you never miss the latest news surrounding the burgundy and blue!

Make sure you also bookmark The Hockey News to keep up on all things hockey, from NHL to AHL to PWHL and so much more!

Follow Bailey Curtis on X and stay up to date on live news stories following all things Colorado hockey!

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Tim David smashes Australia’s fastest T20 century in victory against West Indies

  • Third T20I: WI 214-4, Aus 215-4; Australia win by 6 wickets in St Kitts

  • Middle-order powerhouse hits 11 sixes in 37-ball unbeaten hundred

A remarkable record-breaking innings from power hitter Tim David has carried Australia to a six-wicket win and an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match T20I series against the West Indies.

Chasing a testing target of 215, Australia were struggling at 87 for 4 in the ninth over of their run chase at the small Warner Park ground in Basseterre, St Kitts.

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Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat's scoreless streak ends in gutsy win for Triple-A Syracuse

Brandon Sproat scattered two runs on five hits while striking out three and walking two in five innings of Friday's 8-2 Triple-A Syracuse Mets win over the Kansas City Royals-affiliated Omaha Storm Chasers.

New York's top pitching and overall prospect, according to SNY's Joe DeMayo, had not allowed an earned run in more than a month.

The scoreless streak snapped in the top of the third inning when Michael Massey's ground-rule double on a fly ball to center field scored Jordan Groshans and Rudy Martin.

Sproat's stretch without an earned run spanned 25 innings, starting June 22. He allowed an unearned run in this past Saturday's five-inning start. His ERA is down to 4.30 after April and May struggles.

Sproat, who is 5-5 and has a 1.29 WHIP, threw 60 strikes on 86 pitches. He responded strongly to his two-run third, working out of trouble with a fourth-inning-ending double play before retiring the side in the fifth -- including two strikeouts to end the frame and the outing.

In four July starts, Sproat pitched to a 0.82 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. He allowed three runs (two earned) on 11 hits while striking out 24, walking five and hitting three.