In response to a federal judge’s ruling granting four West Virginia football players eligibility this season, the NCAA issued a statement Wednesday criticizing the decision. The organization argued the ruling could weaken academic standards and once again called on Congress to step in with legislation to bring consistency to eligibility rules. “This ruling will lead […]
Kodai Senga struggles, Mets' rally falls short in 5-4 loss to Nationals
The Mets were unable to extend their winning streak to four games on Wednesday night, as a lack of rhythm and length from Kodai Senga proved costly in a 5-4 road loss to the division-rival Nationals.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Brandon Nimmo's first at-bat of the night was unfortunately his only one, as TV cameras caught him running gingerly out of the box on a double-play groundout in the first inning. While he came back out to play left field in the bottom half, he was ultimately pulled in the second inning with what the Mets called "neck stiffness" and replaced by Starling Marte. Call it a troubling development, as Nimmo has an established history of neck issues.
-- To make matters worse, the Mets suffered another scare in the third, when Luis Torrens injured his glove hand on a swing from Drew Millas that resulted in catcher's interference. The training staff checked out Torrens as backup, Hayden Senger started putting on his pads, but no substitution was made. Torrens flexed his hand a few times while being evaluated and then remained in the game. The Mets can ill afford to lose Torrens, as they just placed Francisco Alvarez on the injured list with a disconcerting right thumb sprain.
-- Senga looked comfortable through the first two innings, retiring the Nationals in order with two strikeouts on 19 pitches. But the Mets' starter labored in the third, as a leadoff walk to Dylan Crews and the interference error on Torrens sparked a bases-loaded rally that produced a pair of runs on an infield single and a sac fly. Senga's off-speed pitches were hit much harder in the fourth -- he gave up two doubles and a triple that pushed the Nationals' lead to 4-0.
-- The Mets cut their deficit to three in the fifth, when Brett Baty crushed a two-out fastball from Brad Lord to right-center that landed in the second deck for a mammoth 455-foot home run. But the Nationals' lead quickly went back up to four in the bottom frame, as Senga served up a solo shot to Josh Bell that also found the right-center field seats. Senga has now allowed 18 earned runs over his last six starts.
-- The Nationals tried to steal outs with Lord in the sixth, and the plan backfired. The inning began with back-to-back walks to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, and then with one out, Pete Alonso ripped an RBI double to right that cut the score 5-2. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Jeff McNeil kept the rally going by slicing a two-run double down the left-field line that brought the Mets within one, 5-4. The Mets threatened to take the lead after Lord's exit with one out, but their bases-loaded opportunity against Cole Henry was squandered by a flyout and groundout.
-- Senga returned for a sixth inning of work, but his leash was extremely short. He gave up a leadoff single to Daylen Lile that prompted the Mets to yank him at 84 total pitches. Yet another underwhelming outing from Senga, who allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He also hasn't completed six innings in any of his seven starts since coming off the injured list in mid-July. His season ERA rose to 2.58. Tyler Rogers entered in relief of Senga and logged three outs by inducing a double-play and a comebacker.
-- The Nationals turned to relievers Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Clayton Beeter for the seventh and eighth innings, and the duo retired the Mets in order on a combined 19 pitches. The ninth inning belonged to lefty Jose Ferrer, and while he gave up a one-out infield single to Cedric Mullins that placed the tying run on first, he managed to induce a double-play groundout from Torrens that earned him the save. The Mets have yet to win a game in which they've trailed after eight innings this season.
Game MVP: Josh Bell
The lefty slugger's two-run homer to right-center in the fifth pushed the Nationals' run total to the magic number of five.
Highlights
A pair of strikeouts in the first for Kodai Senga pic.twitter.com/pakeTeUmnN
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 20, 2025
Mark Vientos rips a double to right-center pic.twitter.com/W2i4YEE7NE
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 20, 2025
Brett Baty to the second deck at Nationals Park on back-to-back nights!
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 20, 2025
455 feet! pic.twitter.com/ars8E1CSNy
Pete Alonso drives an RBI double the other way pic.twitter.com/ND6RtxhIrh
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 21, 2025
Jeff McNeil slices a two-RBI double the other way to cut it to 1! pic.twitter.com/AHPieIQHvw
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 21, 2025
The Tyler Rogers special!
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 21, 2025
He induces a double play and a ground ball back to himself to finish off the 6th pic.twitter.com/W58MMLWqhT
What's next
The Mets (67-59) will play a matinee rubber game against the Nationals on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.78) is slated to take the mound, opposite LHP MacKenzie Gore (5-12, 4.04 ERA).
Mets' Luisangel Acuña exits game with Triple-A after collision at first base
Mets infielder Lusiangel Acuña exited Wednesday's game while playing with Triple-A Syracuse after a collision on the basepaths.
Acuña hit a chopper to Indianapolis third baseman Tsung-Che Cheng, who rushed the throw to first base to get the speedy youngster. But the throw over was high, and first baseman Nick Yorke, leaping to grab it, landed on Acuña.
Acuña hit the floor after the collision and stayed there while trainers tended to him.
Syracuse pulled Acuña from the game after the play, likely for precautionary reasons, but the broadcast speculated it could be Acuña's shoulder, as he walked off the field under his own power.
Acuña has been up and down with the Mets this season. In 79 games with the big league club, Acuña was slashing .239/.295/.283 with seven doubles and seven RBI to go along with 12 stolen bases. Acuña's last appearance with the Mets came on Sunday against the Mariners during the Little League Classic, where he was used as a defensive replacement. Acuña was the Mets' 27th man for the game.
With Syracuse, Acuña is slashing .281/.333/..360 with five doubles, one triple and five stolen bases across 23 games.
Luisangel Acuña was taken out of tonight's game in Syracuse in the 7th inning after colliding with first baseman Nick Yorke pic.twitter.com/DFEFcsvCmC
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 21, 2025
Blues: Where Robert Thomas Ranks Among NHL's Top Centers
St. Louis Blues top forward Robert Thomas was a major reason why the Central Division club got back into the playoffs this spring. The 2017 first-round pick thrived for the Blues, as he recorded 21 goals, 60 assists, 81 points, and a plus-20 rating in 70 regular-season games. He then followed that up by posting two goals and eight points in seven playoff games with the Blues this spring.
This was the second season in a row that Thomas recorded at least 60 assists and 80 points. Furthermore, it was the third campaign in four years that he produced at an over a point per game pace. Thus, he has blossomed into a legitimate star, and he has now been rewarded for it.
Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies
What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh
The NHL Network recently released its latest Top 20 Centers Right Now list heading into the 2025-26 season, and Thomas rightfully made the cut. The Blues star landed the No. 12 spot on the NHL Network's rankings, beating other star centers like Sebastian Aho, Nico Hischier, and Dylan Larkin.
When noting that Thomas has emerged as a big-time offensive threat, it is not surprising to see him be ranked among the NHL's top centers by the NHL Network. If he puts together another big season in 2025-26, perhaps he could even move ahead of players like Jack Hughes and Nick Suzuki on the NHL Network's next top centers list.
2 Blues Who Could Be Nice Surprises The St. Louis Blues' goal this upcoming campaign will be to build off their strong 2024-25 season. When looking at the Blues' current roster, it is clear that they are trending in the right direction. This is especially so when noting that they brought in some good new talent this off-season. 2 Devils Stars Ranked Among NHL's Best Centers
The NHL Network has released its latest Top 20 Centers Right Now rankings, and it features two New Jersey Devils key players.
Unsurprisingly, Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier made the cut. When noting that they are legitimate stars, both of them making the NHL Network's top centers list is entirely justifiable.
Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies
What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh
Hughes secured the No. 11 spot on the NHL Network's list, beating out other stars like Robert Thomas and Sebastian Aho. Hughes is coming off another excellent season with the Devils, as he recorded 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points, and a plus-12 rating in 62 games. This was the fourth season in a row where Hughes produced at over a point per game pace, so there is no question that he has earned a spot on this list.
Hischier, on the other hand, was ranked at the No. 14 spot on the NHL Network's list. He was ranked ahead of notable centers like Dylan Larkin, Tim Stutzle, and Roope Hintz. When noting that Hischier is one of the game's top two-way forwards, it is hard to disagree with him making the top centers list. In 75 games last season with the Devils, he recorded 35 goals, 34 assists, 69 points, and a plus-9 rating.
Former Devils Prospect Heading OverseasFormer New Jersey Devils forward Tyce Thompson is taking his talent overseas. Buckeyes seek to make their own legacy in 2025 instead of being defending champs
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has tried to make one thing clear: This season’s team is the 2025 Buckeyes, not the defending national champions.
Forum Talk: Should The Ducks Trade McTavish?
Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon listed six potential trade destinations for Mason McTavish, who remains an RFA with the Anaheim Ducks.
As we're now about a month away from the NHL pre-season, the longer McTavish goes without a contract, the more there will be trade speculation. That was the case with Jeremy Swayman last year with the Boston Bruins, and it's the case with Marco Rossi in Minnesota this summer as well.
But of the Ducks want to be competitive, I don't see why they would even consider trading him right now. Even if he wants a long-term deal, he's shown promise, and he improved last year.
Sure, there's the question about whether the Ducks could have too many centers when Beckett Sennecke graduates to the NHL and Leo Carlsson continues to improve. But until that great problem to have arises, try to get the most out of McTavish for the time being. That's what I would say based on the information we know right now. Expect an NHL Rumor Roundup on this situation later this week.
What do you think? Should the Ducks look to move him now or try to get a deal done to keep him in Orange County for the foreseeable future?
All eyes on top-rated recruit Bryce Underwood at QB for No. 14 Michigan in Sherrone Moore’s 2nd year
The Wolverines trail four Big Ten teams in the AP Top 25, but Underwood said people should expect a lot from them.
Top Five Mushy Middle NHL Teams Of The Past Five Years
Here at THN.com, we regularly discuss the mushy middle of the NHL – where teams are not good enough to be near the top of the league but not bad enough to be at the bottom and secure a top draft pick.
With next season on the horizon, it’s a fun time to look at which teams have been the biggest mushy middle teams of the past five years.
With that said, here are our picks for the NHL’s top five mushy middle teams in alphabetical order:
Calgary Flames
The Flames have made the Stanley Cup playoffs just once in the past five years. In the other four seasons, Calgary has finished either fourth or fifth in its division.
They have not been good enough to challenge for a championship but also haven't drafted in the top five since selecting Sam Bennett with the fourth overall pick in 2014.
When you look at the Flames’ roster, they’re missing the type of generational talents that teams can only acquire via the draft. While Calgary GM Craig Conroy seems confident he can build a genuine Cup contender out of the assets he’s managed to get through free agency (Nazem Kadri) and trades (Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee), we’re not so sure — especially when you're in a division that includes Edmonton, Vegas and Los Angeles.
Unless the Flames decide to tear things down and rebuild, it feels like they are going to have more mushy middle finishes for the foreseeable future.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings haven’t made the playoffs in nine seasons. Only the Sabres have spent more time out of the post-season.
At the same time, Detroit has picked in the top five of the draft just once in the past 35 years.
It's difficult to land a generational talent when you're not picking in the top five. The Red Wings have managed to get lucky and draft Simon Edvinsson (sixth overall in 2021), Lucas Raymond (fourth overall in 2020) and Moritz Seider (sixth overall in 2019) in recent years, but imagine what this team would look like with a few top three picks.
Don't expect that trend to change anytime soon.
The Red Wings’ additions this summer, which include signing goalie John Gibson, won't move the needle for them in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. Unless something drastic changes, Detroit is almost assuredly headed for another mediocre season.
Even if they do sneak into the post-season, the Wings will probably be roadkill against superior opponents. And that means more mushy middle developments for a franchise that once was the gold standard for NHL organizations.
Five NHL GMs With The Most To Prove In 2025-26NHL GMs are under pressure every year to prove they can craft a successful squad.
Nashville Predators
To their credit, the Predators have made the playoffs in three of the past five years. However, once they got there, Nashville was easy pickings every time, winning only four games combined in three first-round losses. In the two seasons they failed to make the playoffs, the Preds finished fifth and seventh in their division.
Nothing to write home about, any way you cut it.
It’s no wonder that the Predators have had only one draft pick higher than 15th overall in the past five years — Brady Martin, who went fifth overall this year.
The Preds, which went big in free agency in 2024 when they acquired Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, are not good enough to vault past Winnipeg, Dallas and Colorado — or even Minnesota — in the Central. But they also stubbornly refuse to tear it all down and start from scratch.
That’s why they appear destined to be a mushy middle team at least for next season, if not longer.
New York Islanders
The Islanders stand out from the other teams in this mushy middle list, having made it to back-to-back conference finals in 2020 and 2021. But since then, they’ve lost twice in the first round and missed the playoffs twice.
The Islanders did get lucky this summer by winning the draft lottery and landing elite defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the No. 1 pick. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this Isles team is still a far away from being a legitimate Cup threat.
The Islanders almost certainly have some tough sledding ahead as they attempt to rise through the Metropolitan Division ranks. And yet, the Isles have some solid veterans, such as Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat and Anders Lee, who will prevent them from finishing low enough to get another top-level draft pick. So if the Islanders are a mushy middle team next season, no one should be surprised.
Pittsburgh Penguins
It’s hard to believe the Penguins, an organization with multiple players who are locks to be first ballot Hockey Hall-of-Famers, have managed to miss the playoffs for the past three years. But Father Time remains undefeated.
Evgeni Malkin is 39 years old. Sidney Crosby turned 38 earlier this month. And Kris Letang is 37.
So it's hardly a surprise that the Penguins, which won three championships with those three players, have gone seven years without winning a playoff round. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s struggles have not led to high-end draft picks.
Since 2021, the highest the Penguins have drafted is 11th overall, selecting Benjamin Kindel this summer. It's hard to retool when you're cupboard is bare. While Pittsburgh did acquire top-end prospect Rutger McGroarty a year ago from the Winnipeg Jets, Penguins management doesn’t appear willing — or able — to strip down the roster completely and start over.
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Jets' Centre Earns Place on NHL Network's Top-20 List
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Schefiele named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025
As the NHL’s offseason lull stretches into its quietest phase, analysts are turning their attention to one of the season’s most anticipated media releases, the NHL Network’s annual Top 20 centres rankings.
This year, the spotlight shines on Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, who earns a spot at No. 9 on the list. This comes after last season when he didn't crack the list.
NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XMark Scheifele soars into the Top 10! ✈️
@NHLJets | #NHLTopPlayersScheifele delivered a career-best performance during the 2024–25 regular season, playing in all 82 games and finishing with a personal-high 87 points. He scored 39 goals, marking the fourth time in his career he reached the 30-goal milestone, and added 48 assists, just two short of his career high. He also posted a +12 rating and led the NHL with 11 game-winning goals.
The defining moment of his season came in Game 6 of the second round, when Scheifele showed incredible resilience and leadership. Just hours after the sudden passing of his father, he took the ice and scored a goal in his memory. The emotional tribute captured the attention of the sports world and became a lasting highlight in what was already a memorable season for both Scheifele and the franchise.
The ranking from NHL Network not only reflects Scheifele's statistical output, but also his maturation into a true two-way force capable of delivering in high-pressure situations, leading offensively, and elevating his defensive game. His standing places him just behind established stars like Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, and Brayden Point. At the same time, he is also ahead of notable names like Jack Hughes, Nick Suzuki and Robert Thomas.
Jets Aim to Soar Past Avalanche Once Again After Dominant Season Series WinThe Jets aim to win four crucial divisional games over the Colorado Avalanche next season.
NHL Network’s Top 20 Centres – 2025
- Connor McDavid
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Leon Draisaitl
- Aleksander Barkov
- Sidney Crosby
- Jack Eichel
- Auston Matthews
- Brayden Point
- Mark Scheifele
- Nick Suzuki
- Jack Hughes
- Robert Thomas
- Sebastian Aho
- Nico Hischier
- Dylan Larkin
- Tim Stützle
- Roope Hintz
- Tage Thompson
- Macklin Celebrini
- Sam Bennett
Exclusive: Jets 2025-26 Complete Team Preview Released in THN YearbookExplore 76 Years of Hockey History with THN + Get a Free Yearbook Preview
Blues' Thomas Comes In At No. 12 On NHL Network's Top 20 List Of Centers For 2025-26
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has been fulfilling his obligations as the top center for the team, and the 26-year-old is also earning every bit of the eight-year, $65-million contract he signed July 13, 2022.
NHL Network is also recognizing the Blues' No. 1 center on their list of top 20 in the league, checking in at No. 12 just ahead of Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho and behind New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes.
NHL Network’s Jamison Coyle, Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp counted down the best centers based on player performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on the 2024-2025 regular season and 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, while also considering future upside. The Top 20 centers right now list collectively features 51 All-Star Game appearances, 12 Stanley Cups, 10 Ted Lindsay Awards, eight Hart Trophies, eight Art Ross Trophies, seven Maurice Richard Trophies, six All-Rookie Team honors, five Conn Smythe Trophies, three Frank J. Selke Trophies, two Calder Trophies, two Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, one King Clancy Memorial Trophy, one Mark Messier Leadership Award and one NHL’s 100 Greatest Players Award.
Thomas set career highs in goals (26), assists (60) and points (86) in 2023-24 playing in all 82 regular-season games and followed it up last season with 81 points (21 goals, 60 assists) but playing in 70 games after missing 12 games with a fractured right ankle blocking a shot Oct. 22, 2024 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Thomas finished last season with 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in a 12-game point streak that fueled the Blues into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three seasons. They would lose to the Jets in seven games of the Western Conference First Round.
On his strong finish to the season, Thomas said, "Yeah, with team success comes some individual and I was very fortunate the way our team was playing to be able to produce like that. It takes the whole team for that kind of part of it. I think for myself, I talked a little bit about it last year where you see where you can get and you continue to believe it more and more every year and try and get better. For me, I think I took another step this year and looking to do the same again next year. Olympics is obviously a dream since a kid. You watch it, you have memories of whether it's Sidney Crosby's golden goal or what not. It's definitely a goal of mine. I need to really prepare this summer to have a really good chance at it."
Do you agree with this list and were Thomas is at on it? Comment below and let us know what you feel.
Our Top 20 Centers Right Now list has a total of:
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2025
• 12 Stanley Cups
• 5 Conn Smythe Trophies
• 10 Ted Lindsay Awards
• 8 Hart Trophies
• 8 Art Ross Trophies
• 7 Maurice Richard Trophies
• 3 Selke Trophies
What do you think of our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayerspic.twitter.com/7xSsx0hpuh
Red Wings' Larkin Cracks NHL Network’s Top 20 Centres List for 2025
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025
As the NHL offseason winds through its quietest stretch, the league’s media cycle finds new life with the annual release of NHL Network’s position-by-position rankings.
This year, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has once again earned a spot among the game’s top centres, landing at No. 15 on the network’s Top 20 list.
NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XThe captain of the @DetroitRedWings is #⃣1⃣5⃣ on our Top 20 Centers Right Now list! #NHLTopPlayersThe rankings, unveiled each August in anticipation of training camp, offer a snapshot of the league’s elite talent at each position, often sparking league-wide discussion and debate among fans and analysts. The league's top 20 best wingers, defenceman and goaltenders have all be released with the centre's rounding out the media rollout.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Larkin’s placement inside the top 15 follows yet another steady campaign, where the 29-year-old appeared in all 82 games and recorded 70 points. It marked his fourth consecutive season reaching at least 69 points and his fourth straight year topping the 30-goal mark.
Red Wings' Larkin, Kane Named to Team USA's Olympic Camp RosterDetroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane among the 44 named players attending Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan.
Larkin isn't just an offensive weapon but a Swiss Army knife that can be relied upon as the team's best defensive forward as well as leader on the top power play and penalty kill units. Not to mention his leadership in the locker room, and ability to drive play continue to earn him league-wide respect.
The Waterford, Michigan native has been a cornerstone for Detroit since being drafted 15th overall in 2014 and over nine seasons with the Red Wings has totaled 411 points (162 goals, 249 assists) in 734 career games. His role as Detroit’s captain and first-line centre has remained steady through a transitional period for the franchise as it continues to develop into a playoff contender.
NHL Network’s ranking places Larkin ahead of young stars like Tim Stützle and Roope Hintz, while also placing him just behind former No. 1 picks like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. The top of the list, unsurprisingly, features perennial MVP candidates like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby.
“My Heart Beat Faster”: Sergei Fedorov Recaps Finding Out Of Jersey Retirement NewsThe iconic No. 91 jersey of former Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov will soon be taking its rightful place in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena, and will be displayed alongside the eight previously retired numbers that include his teammates Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom.
NHL Network’s Top 20 Centres – 2025
- Connor McDavid
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Leon Draisaitl
- Aleksander Barkov
- Sidney Crosby
- Jack Eichel
- Auston Matthews
- Brayden Point
- Mark Scheifele
- Nick Suzuki
- Jack Hughes
- Robert Thomas
- Sebastian Aho
- Nico Hischier
- Dylan Larkin
- Tim Stützle
- Roope Hintz
- Tage Thompson
- Macklin Celebrini
- Sam Bennett
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Rocky, and painful, outing for Shohei Ohtani as Dodgers lose to Colorado
The Dodgers lost a game Wednesday. But it could have been worse.
They could have lost Shohei Ohtani.
The final score was 8-3 in favor of the Colorado Rockies, although the game was far more one-sided than that. And the result, combined with San Diego’s win over the Giants, cut the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West to just a game.
Yet the word the team used most often to describe the night was lucky because two hours after Ohtani took a line drive off his right leg, the reigning National League MVP said he had dodged serious injury when the ball missed his knee and struck him in the thigh.
“I think we avoided the worst-case scenario,” he said through an interpreter. “So I'm going to focus on the treatment.”
“It was in the thigh, fortunately, and not off the knee,” added manager Dave Roberts. “But it got him square.
“We'll see how it comes out. But I'm hopeful, confident.”
Ohtani was struggling through his worst pitching performance in nearly five years, one that would see him give up a season-high five runs and a career-high nine hits, when Colorado’s Orlando Arcia added injury to insult by lining a two-strike shot back up the middle.
The ball came off the bat at 93 miles per hour and struck the pitcher just above the right knee before caroming across the first-base line for an RBI single. Ohtani winced in pain and took a practice throw from the mound before being allowed to continue.
Read more:'He looks much more confident.' Hard-throwing Edgardo Henriquez settling in with Dodgers
He limped off the mound three batters later with the Dodgers trailing 5-0 and after drawing a walk as the designated hitter in the top of the fifth, Roberts pulled him from the game.
“I took him out a little bit because of the score [and] because it was getting stiff and there was some swelling there,” the manager said. “I felt as the game was going to go on, it was going to stiffen.”
With the Dodgers in the midst of a stretch that will see them play a season-high 19 games without a break, Roberts had already planned to give Ohtani a day off Thursday before the opener of a three-game series Friday in San Diego. That plan, obviously, won’t change.
“Right now it feels pretty good,” Ohtani said. “I'm going to do everything in my ability to make sure that it doesn't affect me moving forward.”
If Ohtani’s health was the Dodgers’ primary concern Wednesday, worries over his last two pitching performances — in which he gave up nine runs and 14 hits in 8 1/3 innings, nearly doubling his season ERA from 2.37 to 4.61 — probably aren’t far behind.
The game against Colorado, his first regular-season start at Coors Field, was his 10th start as a Dodger and it didn’t go well from the start, with the weak-hitting Rockies bunching three hits to score two runs in the second.
Colorado, which finished with 16 hits, made it 5-0 in the fourth, with the first five batters reaching base, the last of those coming on Arcia’s line drive.
“I put the team in a bad spot,” Ohtani said. “It was just a very regrettable outing that I wish I could have done better.
“The ball doesn't move quite as much as it does in normal sea level, but that's not an excuse.”
Read more:Dodgers Dugout: The 10 best center fielders in Dodger history
Speaking of not making excuses, Roberts promised earlier in the week that the Dodgers would not experience a letdown against the last-place Rockies even through the four-game series comes between six crucial games with the Padres. Now the Dodgers need a win Thursday to earn a split and guarantee they’ll land in San Diego this weekend with the division lead.
“You know, the results are the results. The performance is the performance,” Roberts said. “I'd like to think it's not a letdown, but yeah, I don't know.
“There's nothing I can do to change it. It certainly leaves a sour taste in your mouth. But we’ve got to win tomorrow.”
Etc ...
Utility player Kiké Hernández made a rehab appearance as the designated hitter for triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, going two for three with a double and an RBI before leaving for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Hernández has been on the injured list since July 7 with left elbow inflammation, but he could return to the Dodgers early next week. ... Relievers Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott both threw hitless innings in rehab appearances for Oklahoma City on Tuesday and could rejoin the team in San Diego this weekend. ... Before Wednesday’s game, the Dodgers recalled right-hander Paul Gervase from triple A and optioned right-hander Alexis Diaz. Gervase, 25, acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, appeared in five games with the Rays this season, striking out six batters in 6 1/3 innings. He made his Dodgers debut against the Rockies, giving up a run and two hits in two innings.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sabres Didn't Lose In Regulation Time Against Canucks Last Year — Can Buffalo Play As Well Against Vancouver In 2025-26?
The Buffalo Sabres need to play well against just about every opponent next season in order to get back into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in a decade-and-a-half. And one team that could stand in their way against Buffalo is a team needing a rebound year -- the Vancouver Canucks.
in our continuing series on THN.com's Sabres site, we're looking at each of the Sabres' 31 opponents next year. And in this file, we're focused on the Canucks, whom Buffalo didn't lose to in regulation time last season. Vancouver made a notable addition in former Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane, but otherwise, the Canucks are mostly the same team as they were last season.
That said, we want to know your opinion on the Sabres' rivalry against Vancouver. Do you think Buffalo will play at least as well against the Canucs as they did last year? Be sure to make your opinion known in the comment section below. And feel free to register as a community member on THN.com. Your opinion matters, and we want to hear it.
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Are Rebounding Canucks Too Much For Buffalo To Handle?
The Buffalo Sabres are going to face significant difficulty next season trying to end their Stanley Cup playoff drought at 14 years. To be sure, the Sabres will need every standings point they can get, and that means playing well against even the NHL's top teams.
To that end, THN.com's Sabres site has been producing a series in which we examine every one of Buffalo's 31 opponents next season. We've made our way through teams from the league's Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central divisions, and more recently, we've been focusing on the eight Pacific Division franchises.
We're nearly done looking at the Pacific teams, but in today's file, we're looking at a team looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024-25 season -- the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks missed the playoffs last season after being one of the league's stronger teams in 2023-24. And Vancouver has made an important addition (and a former Sabre) this summer, making them into a team the Sabres will have a tough time against next season.
With that said, let's look at Buffalo's performance against Vancouver last year, and what that may say about the Sabres' chances against them in 2025-26.
BUFFALO SABRES VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
NEW CANUCKS PLAYERS: Evander Kane, LW; Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D
2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-0-1, Canucks 1-1-0
2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: December 11 at Vancouver; January 6 at Buffalo
CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Canucks were facing the loss of star winger Brock Boeser in free-agency this summer, but Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin re-signed Boeser, assuring the Canucks of a strong offensive presence.
Then, Vancouver traded with the Edmonton Oilers for Vancouver native Evander Kane, giving the Canucks more snarl and experience up front. And the re-signing of Boeser and addition of Kane make Vancouver a deeper and stronger team.
The good news for the Sabres is they didn't lose to the Canucks in regulation time last season, dropping an overtime game in their first game in late November before beating Vancouver in the second game in late January. But this coming season, Buffalo and the Canucks will be squaring off twice in less than a one-month span.
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Kraken Swept Buffalo Last Year -- Will This Season Be A Different Story?The Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 schedule has been out for some time now, and in this ongoing THN.com Sabres site series, we're breaking down Buffalo's chances against every team in the league.
Playing former Sabre Kane may give Buffalo some added inspiration to play well against the Canucks, but like the Sabres, Vancouver wants nothing more than to get back into the playoff mix next year. So the Sabres will have their hands full with the Canucks.
Another factor that could change things for Vancouver is new Canucks coach Adam Foote. The former star defenseman has been Vancouver's assistant coach, but when Rick Tocchet left for the Philadelphia Flyers this summer, Canucks management went in-house to replace him. And Foote inherits a Vancouver team that was a letdown on many fronts this year.
That includes the injury-absence of star Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko, who was limited to only 23 appearances last season. But Demko also signed a contract extension this summer, giving the Canucks one of the strongest goalie tandems (including veteran Kevin Lankinen) in the league. The Sabres will have to be at their best to get pucks past either Demko and Lankinen, because if they can't, Vancouver's above-average offense will put all the pressure on Buffalo's goalies next year.
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Sweeping Rebuilding Sharks Should Be No Problem For BuffaloThe Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 schedule has been out for a while now. And although Sabres fans have known when and where their team will be playing at any given time, it's still worthwhile to examine each Buffalo opponent next year -- and specifically, how the Sabres should fare against team NHL team in 2025-26.
The Sabres and Canucks don't have a natural rivalry that's stood the test of time, but Buffalo needs to play at least as well as it did against Vancouver last year. Failure to do so could impact the Sabres' bottom line -- and potentially be the difference between Buffalo missing and making the post-season next season.
The Sabres will face many teams at least as good as the Canucks next year, and they can't afford to let up on any opponent. Any more disappointment will lead to major change in Buffalo -- but if the Sabres do handle their business against Vancouver and other above-average teams, Buffalo's playoff drought will come to an end.