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Yankees bats humbled by Payton Tolle, fall to Red Sox 6-1

Red Sox starter Payton Tolle retired the first 16 straight Yankees he faced and Will Warren surrendered five runs in the first five innings as New York fell 6-1 at Fenway Park on Friday.

The Yankees have now lost two in a row and six of their last nine to fall to 48-33 on the year. The Red Sox improved to 34-46, and the AL East cellar dwellers are now 13.5 games behind the first-place Yanks.

Here are the takeaways...

- Warren got a pair of ground ball outs in the first before Wilyer Abreu drilled a fastball on the outside corner off the wall in centerfield for a triple. Willson Contreras put the Sox ahead by serving a two-strike sinker into center. He got into trouble quickly in the second as a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out, and pitching coach Matt Blake was out for a visit. Warren didn’t allow a hit, but the first two ground balls netted Boston two more runs as they were hit too slow to turn two.

The righty wasn't so lucky with one out in the third, as a 1-2 sweeper to Contreras was hammered 418 feet (111.9 mph off the bat) over the Green Monster for a solo shot. Warren allowed his third extra-base hit of the night, a two-out double off the wall in center in the fourth to Tsung-Che Cheng, his first big-league hit, but got out without further damage.

His night would come to an end in the sixth as a leadoff double, on a ball that knuckled on Spencer Jones in center, groundout and sac fly extended the Sox lead to 5-0, and after a walk, the bullpen was called upon. Warren's final line: 5.2 innings, seven hits, five runs, three walks on 90 pitches (55 strikes).

- With two down in the seventh, the Yankees finally got something cooking as Tolle appeared to show signs of tiring as he walked Jasson Dominguez and JoseCaballero. That gave Jazz Chisholm Jr. the chance to make anything happen in the five-run game, but he got under a fastball and flied out to the warning track in center.

Chisholm finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Caballero went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout, blown away by a Tolle fastball.

Dominguez scaled a ground-rule double past Pesky's Pole with two outs in the ninth. He went 1-for-3 with the walk and strikeout, waving at an offspeed pitch away against Tolle.

- With ex-Yank Tommy Kahnle on the hill in the eighth, Anthony Volpe (a strikeout victim in his first two at-bats) started things off with a double off the Monster in left-center. 

Jones, who ended Tolle’s perfect game bid with a single in the sixth, would ground out to the hole in second to finish 1-for-3. Austin Wells (pinch-hitting for Ali Sanchez) knocked in the visitor’s first run with a groundout to second on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. 

New York mustered just three hits on the night and finished 0-for-4 with RISP with four left on base.

- Paul Goldschmidt, who entered the game eating left-handed pitching, went hitless against Tolle in three times up with a strikeout swinging. He finished 0-for-4.

- Amed Rosario, who struck out swinging and flied out to center, came closest to getting anything of consequence off Tolle in the seventh with a hard drive to the warning track in right, which would have been a home run in only one big league park: Yankee Stadium. He was 0-for-3.

- Cody Bellinger was hitless  0-for-3.

- Ben Rice, who was out of the lineup, as manager Aaron Boone said before the game that he felt Rice had been “dragging a little bit this week,” grounded out to second to start the ninth.

- Ryan Yarbrough, who picked off the runner at first to end the sixth, added a scoreless seventh with a walk and a strikeout. After the lefty allowed a leadoff hit in the eighth, Yerry De Los Santos was called on, but, after a stolen base and a groundout, a two-out base hit to left tacked on another run for Boston.

- The benches cleared with two outs in the bottom of the fifth after Warren walked Contreras. The coming together, which ended without incident, began when the Sox first baseman and Yankee starter exchanged words, leading to the benches and bullpens emptying. The umpires issued a warning to both teams.

Game MVP: Payton Tolle

The big lefty (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) needed 88 pitches to get through seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven.

Highlights

What's next

The two sides are back in action fast with a 1:10 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. 

Gerrit Cole (3.62 ERA, 1.175 WHIP in 32.1 innings) faces off against Boston lefty Jake Bennett (3.71 ERA, 1.125 WHIP in 26.2 innings).

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Mets offense unable to back Zach Thornton's strong start in 2-1 loss to Phillies

The Mets mustered just five hits in their 2-1 loss to the Phillies on Friday night at Citi Field.

New York has lost seven in a row and is a season-low 14 games below .500. 

Here are the takeaways...

-Zach Thornton, making his second career and his first start since being recalled, worked in and out of trouble in the first. He allowed three straight hits, with Bryce Harper's single scoring Trea Turner to put the Phillies up 1-0. Thornton and the Mets bounced back, getting Alec Bohm down swinging and then Jared Young robbed Brandon Marsh of a double down the first base line with a magnificent dive to get the second out. Derek Hill ended the opening frame, striking out swinging.

After a quiet second, Thornton found himself in trouble in the third, allowing the first two runners on. He got Harper to fly out -- he just missed a three-run homer -- before Bohm lined the ball right at Young, who caught the liner and hit first base to double up Kyle Schwarber to end the threat. 

Thornton would settle down, getting through six innings, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven.

-The Mets bullpen, which has been great this season, faltered in the seventh. Huascar Brazoban allowed the Phillies to retake the lead after Trea Turner singled to bring home Hill. 

Cionel Perez was great after Brazoban, allowing two hits in two scoreless innings. 

-Young did more than just make a couple of stellar defensive plays. He drove in the Mets' first run, singling home Bo Bichette in the fourth. The Mets had just five hits and five baserunners. A.J. Ewing reached base twice -- finishing 1-for-2 with a walk -- but was caught stealing second twice. 

-Friday was just the 10th time Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor were in the lineup together. They went a combined 1-for-8 with a strikeout. However, Soto was close to giving the Mets an early lead. In the bottom of the first, Soto hit a bomb to center field off Zack Wheeler, but Hill made a tremendous leap and robbed Soto of a two-run shot. 

Game MVP: Derek Hill

Hill scored the go-ahead run and his catch changed the game.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Phillies continue their three-game set on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m.

The Phillies will send Alan Rangel (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound as their opener. The Mets have yet to announce their starter, but it's expected to be Christian Scott returning from the IL.

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Angels fire GM Perry Minasian, hire longtime Cardinals executive John Mozeliak

The Los Angeles Angels announced the firing of general manager Perry Minasian and hiring of John Mozeliak as the team's "Baseball Operations Consultant" and interim general manager.

Mozeliak replaces Minasian, joining the Angels after spending 30 years with the St. Louis Cardinals, including 18 as the head of the club's baseball operations.

He will be tasked with overseeing the day-to-day baseball operations for the team while also "refining a baseball operations strategy."

Mozeliak is not expected to be the full-time replacement as general manager but instead will help assist the team in its search for a new general manager, according to the announcement made by club president Molly Jolly.

“John is one of the most accomplished and respected baseball executives with a proven track record of building a winning organization,” Jolly said in a statement. “For three decades, he constructed one of baseball’s most respected organizations, combining strong leadership with a commitment to player development and organizational excellence.”

Mozeliak had signed a contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 that lasted through the 2025 season. The team suffered its first two losing seasons during Mozeliak's tenure, leading to him stepping down from the role as his contract expired.

Minasian had been with the Angels since 2020, following the firing of Billy Eppler. Minasian initially signed a four-year contract before signing a two-year extension in August 2024.

“Perry has been a valued leader who worked tirelessly over the last six years to strengthen our baseball operations department,” Jolly said in a statement. “I am grateful for his dedication, insight and many contributions to our organization.”

The Angels have compiled a 418-534 overall record since 2020.

The team is currently 34-48 through the first 82 games of the season, sitting in last place in the American League West standings. The Angels are seven games behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

There’s been a sense of frustration for a portion of the Angels’ fan base, including groups of fans who sit in the upper deck of home games shirtless, waving their shirts while asking for team owner Arte Moreno to sell the team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angels fire GM Perry Minasian, hire longtime Cardinals executive John Mozeliak

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Dodgers vs. Padres game chat

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 12: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on June 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers (52-29) battle the Padres (42-37) down south in San Diego for a three-game series. 

Roki Sasaki (3-4, 4.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) starts for the Dodgers in the series opener Friday night. 

Old friend Walker Buehler (4-3, 3.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) takes the ball for the Friars.

Lineups

Friday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Padres
  • Ballpark: Petco Park, San Diego
  • Time: 6:45 p.m.
  • TV: Apple TV
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

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Arrighetti Blasted as Tigers Crush Astros 8-0

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros looks to the outfield after giving up a three-run home run to James Outman of the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The hopes of being a .500 ball club by Sunday Afternoon were blasted to smithereens like something out of the new SuperGirl movie.  Tigers 8 Astros 0.   If only MLB had adopted the mercy rule for this season.

Things would begin unraveling in the bottom of the third for Spencer Arrighetti (L, 7-4).  James Outman started things with a walk.   Kevin McGonigle followed with a single to right, sending Outman to third. McGonigle would steal second and a throwing error by Yanier Diaz, Outman would score the first of many runs.   Moments later, Kerry Carpenter would homer to right and before you could blink, it was 3-0.   

The Tigers would continue their offensive assault in the fourth.  Zach McKinstry would walk, a single by Matt Vierling moved him to third and everyone would come home when James Outman would leave the yard. 

Kevin McGonigle would walk next, steal second and come around to make it 8-0 on Dillon Dingler’s RBI single. Just like that in the span of less than 30 minutes, Arrighetti would be charged with 8 earned runs. That would be your final.  

Nate Pearson would come on in relief and stop the bleeding, pitching three scoreless innings of relief. Jake Meyers pitched a 1-2-3 8th with dominating 52 MPH stuff. 

Overall, it was a Motown K.O. that Joe Louis would’ve been proud of.   Let’s see how the Astros respond at 12:10 CDT tomorrow.    

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Islanders take defenseman Malte Gustafsson with No. 13 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Matthew Schaefer and Malte Gustafsson at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Malte Gustafsson is pictured alongside Matthew Schaefer after getting picked in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26.

The Islanders are continuing to build up their blue line. 

After re-signing Tony DeAngelo to a two-year deal Friday, they later used their first-round pick (13th overall) in the NHL draft on Swede Malte Gustafsson.

The pick was introduced by last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, who won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. 

“Most strong teams that draft well, the strategy is always to take the best player available,” general manager Mathieu Darche said. “Malte is a 6-4-½ if not 6-5, 200-pound defenseman. Very strong skater for his size, moves the puck, likes to play physical, hard to play against. You can never have enough defensemen, good defensemen. “ 

Malte Gustafsson is pictured alongside Matthew Schaefer after getting picked in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26. Getty Images

Gustafsson, known for his physicality as a showdown blueliner, comes from HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the country’s top professional league. As a 17-year-old, he spent most of last year in the SHL and notched three assists in 27 regular-season games. He also appeared for the club’s under-20 team and produced 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 19 games. 

Gustafsson recently signed a one-year extension to remain in Sweden, so he won’t be joining the Islanders next year. He plans to take part in their development camp for prospects. 

Malte Gustafsson participates in the agility test for the
NHL Scouting Combine on June 6. NHLI via Getty Images

“I’m a big two-way defender. I like to contribute all over the ice,” he said. “I like to use my size, my length, play physical and compete. I have a pretty similar style to Victor Hedman.” 

Gustafsson said he is “annoying” on the ice. Asked what that means, he replied: “hitting people.” 

Gustafsson, now 18, earned a gold medal as an alternate captain for Team Sweden at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship. He was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after tallying five points (one goal, four assists) in six games.

He also won a silver medal as an alternative captain for Sweden at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He had six points (two goals, four assists) in five games. 

“I debated with a few of our scouts about the big forwards. They’re all saying, Malte is a guy that stops those guys,” Darche said. “We’re all happy with the pick.” 

Darche said he spoke to teams about potentially moving up in the draft, but the right trade didn’t present itself. The Islanders will next pick tomorrow in the fourth round. They don’t have a second- or third-round selection. 

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Tigers shut out Astros thanks to Keider Montero and hot bats

Detroit Tigers center fielder James Outman (43) celebrates batting a three run home run against Houston Astros with second baseman Zach McKinstry (39) and left fielder Matt Vierling (8) during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, June 26, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now this is the kind of shutout we can get behind! The Tigers beat the Astros 8-0 on Friday night.

After dropping their first game of the series against the Astros, the Tigers were looking to even things up on Friday evening. They had Keider Montero on the mound to get the job done, and he was up against Spencer Arrighetti for the Astros. Montero was sporting a special “VZ” patch on the side of his cap for the game to honor his home country of Venezuela, still reeling after suffering through multiple earthquakes earlier this week.

Montero got things going with a 1-2-3 inning. If the Tigers took anything away from their Thursday loss, hopefully it would be that they needed to pad a lead, because good pitching goes only so far, and then a few bad luck pitches can overshadow the whole thing. In the bottom of the inning, they did not do that. Instead, they went down in order.

In the second, Christian Walker reached thanks to an error from Kevin McGonigle. He was very quickly removed, however, thanks to a double play off the bat of Jose Altuve. A third out followed to quickly end the inning. Arrighetti had some lengthy at-bats in the bottom of the inning as Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry worked back-to-back walks, but they were both ultimately left stranded.

Montero got through the side in order again in the third. In the home half, James Outman took a leadoff walk. McGonigle then singled, and it was deflected by the first baseman, allowing Outman to advance to third. Dillon Dingler struck out, but then a throwing error by the catcher gave the Tigers the opening they needed to score their first run. McGonigle also stole second. Kerry Carpenter came in and hit a homer, quickly building a nice little lead for the Tigers.

In the fourth, Isaac Paredes got a one-out single, but that was all the Astros would manage. Things broke wide open for the Tigers in the bottom of the inning. Colt Keith got things going with a leadoff home run.

Zach McKinstry walked, followed by a Matt Vierling single. Then, Outman hit one outta the park for a three-run shot.

McGonigle walked, and the Astros then dipped into their bullpen, with no outs. Nate Pearson came on, and McGonigle stole second. Dingler then singled a perfect little blooper behind second, scoring another run. It seems fairly clear at this point that the Tigers did, in fact, learn their lesson from last night.

A strikeout and double play ended the inning, but the Tigers were up 8-0 when all was said and done, and Montero was very well rested.

Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single in the fifth after facing a stadium-wide chorus of boos. Tigers fans certainly know how to hold a grudge. The next play was initially ruled a fielder’s choice with Altuve out at second, but the Tigers challenged the safe call at first and it was overturned, becoming an inning-ending double play. Spencer Torkelson took a leadoff walk in the home half, but was quickly eliminated in a fielder’s choice off the bat of Keith. The Tigers weren’t able to convert their baserunner, though.

In the sixth, Taylor Trammell got a one-out walk. Jeremy Peña then singled, but two outs followed to get the Tigers out of a potential jam. Minor rant… the Tigers should not wear these new orange jerseys against teams whose primary color is orange. It’s visually confusing. In the home half, McGonigle got a one-out walk. Dingler then hit into a double play to end the inning.

It was another single for Altuve in the seventh, this time after the first out of the inning. He got the second out after that. Montero was starting to lose the zone a little at this point, and gave up a double to Yanier Diaz. But he turned it around to get the final out of the inning and end the threat. That would be the end of the game for Montero, who looked good, especially through the early innings. His final line for the game was 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, on 96 pitches. After these last starts, I think Montero has more than demonstrated that he belongs in the starting rotation. Pearson was replaced in the home half by Bryan Abreu, who got the Tigers out in order.

Enmanuel De Jesus was the first Tigers’ reliever of the game, and like Montero, he was sporting the VZ on his cap for his home country. He followed right in Montero’s cleats and got the side out in order. Jake Meyers was the new reliever, and he got the Tigers out in order.

Raynel Delgado took a leadoff walk. With one out, Delgado advanced to second on defensive indifference. De Jesus then got the final two outs of the game to close out the all-Venezuelan shutout.

Final: Tigers 8, Astros 0

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Islanders Select Left-Shot Defenseman Malte Gustafsson With 13th Selection In 2026 NHL Draft

BUFFALO, NY -- With the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders selected left-shot defenseman Malte Gustafsson from HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Last year, Gustafsson tallied three assists in 27 games among men with HV71.

Additionally, with HV71 U20, the 6’4”, 203-pound defenseman scored four goals with eight assists for 12 points in 19 games.

Gustafsson’s game is well-rounded, but his calling card lies in his skating and athleticism. Possessing a long stride and excellent footwork, the big blueliner is effective in all three zones.

He can defend and shut down the rush, bring the puck up the ice in transition, as well as contribute offensively — with an occasional pop of elite skill, though inconsistent.

The Väckelsång, Sweden native filled out his frame this season, and perhaps his most impressive showing occurred at the IIHF U18 tournament, where he ate impressive minutes for his country as a shutdown, do-it-all defenseman.

Gustafsson is slated to play for HV71 in the SHL next season, with no immediate plans to come to North America. He also joins a long list of Islanders left-shot defensive prospects, which includes Matthew Schaefer, Kashawn Aitcheson, Isaiah George, Marshall Warren, Jesse Pulkkinen, Xavier Veilleux, among others.

On Saturday, New York will make four draft selections in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. Day 2 of the NHL Entry Draft will be available to watch on NHL Network, Sportsnet, and ESPN+.

Kai Russell contributed to this story. 

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Fastest pitches in MLB history: Where does Jacob Misiorowski rank?

It's getting harder and harder to catch up to The Miz.

Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, firmly established as the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in major league history, established another high-water mark Friday, June 26, when he threw a personal best 105.5 mph pitch, breaking his own record for a starting pitcher.

Misiorowski's first-inning fastball to Chicago Cubs leadoff batter Pete Crow-Armstrong – he fouled the pitch off – tied Los Angeles Angels reliever Ben Joyce for the third-fastest pitch in the 18-year pitch-tracking era. Misiorowski's previous fastest pitch – set earlier this month against the Philadelphia Phillies – registered 104.5 mph.

Current Boston Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman owns the two fastest pitches, at 105.8 and 105.7 mph, setting the record in September 2010 with the Cincinnati Reds.

Fastest pitches in pitch-tracking era (2008)

  • 1. Aroldis Chapman, Reds, Sep. 24, 2010 — 105.8 mph
  • 2. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 18, 2016 — 105.7 mph
  • T3. Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, June 26, 2026 — 105.5 mph
  • T3. Ben Joyce, Angels, Sept. 3, 2024 — 105.5 mph
  • 5. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 18, 2016 — 105.4 mpg
  • 6. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 22, 2016 — 105.2 mph
  • T7. Aroldis Chapman, Pirates, Aug. 7, 2024 — 105.1 mph
  • T7. Aroldis Chapman, Cubs, Aug. 2, 2016 — 105.1 mph
  • T7. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 22, 2016 — 105.1 mph
  • T7. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 18, 2016 — 105.1 mph
  • T11. Jordan Hicks, Cardinals, May 20, 2018 — 105 mph
  • T11. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees, July 23, 2016 — 105 mph

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fastest pitches in MLB history: Where does Jacob Misiorowski rank?

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Top Flyers Center Trade Target Off The Board

Officially, the Philadelphia Flyers are down one more trade target at the center position to start the 2026 offseason.

On Friday, during the 2026 NHL Draft, we saw a number of surprises, with teams still continuing to wheel and deal draft picks.

That trend continued when the Anaheim Ducks finally traded potential Flyers target Mason McTavish, acquiring the 15th and 29th overall picks from the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Previously, the Flyers had already missed out on Bowen Byram, which was understandable given the absolutely outrageous price paid for him by Chicago.

At center, Shane Wright could be an option, even with Seattle selecting defenseman Chase Reid at the top of the draft order.

It has also been reported that the Flyers are interested in Ottawa Senators centers Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, and Ridly Greig, though that chatter has subsequently died down since.

Flyers Star Winger Makes NHL Insider's New Trade BoardFlyers Star Winger Makes NHL Insider's New Trade BoardStar Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett makes his debut on NHL insider Frank Seravalli's trade board ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

In any case, with McTavish off to the Blues, the Flyers will not be adding yet another Duck to the reunion party in Philadelphia with Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, and Simon Benoit.

McTavish, 23, has five years remaining on his contract at a $7 million cap hit, and in St. Louis, he'll join a young nucleus that includes trade acquisition Connor McMichael, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Adam Jiricek, Dalibor Dvorsky, Robert Thomas, Philip Broberg, Justin Carbonneau, and more.

At the time of this writing, it is looking increasingly likely the Flyers will stand pat and make their pick at 21st overall, rather than trade it.

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Lakers’ Cameron Carr wants to show new teammates he can be ‘best defender here’

Search Cameron Carr’s highlights on YouTube from his lone season at Baylor, it’ll immediately become clear what made him such a tantalizing prospect.

There are rim-rattling dunks, with the Lakers’ first-round pick taking full advantage of his 42 ½-inch vertical. 

Former Baylor star Cameron Carr wants to be known as the Lakers’ “best defender.” NBAE via Getty Images

There are deep 3-pointers where it’s evident his smooth shooting stroke will translate to the NBA. 

There are a plethora of blocks from all over the court, with Carr using the 7-foot-plus wingspan on his 6-foot-4 ½ frame to stop shots where they began. 

The plays are “explosive,” which along with “dominant” were one of the ways Carr described his game during his introductory news conference Friday at the Lakers’ El Segundo practice facility. 

But Carr, 21, knows he’ll have to get better at the quieter aspects of the game to carve out a role during his rookie season with the Lakers.

Staying in front of ball handlers while being the point-of-attack defender.

Being more physical. 

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“First things first, play defense,” Carr responded when asked how he’ll adjust his skills to fit with the Lakers. “I feel like I’ve got to show that I’m the best defender here. That’s what I’m here to do. Yeah, I was a primary ball handler at Baylor, but that has not always been my role. 

“In high school, I was an off-ball player. I had the best point guard in the country, Elliot Cadeau, so he set the table for me and made it very easy for me. I feel like now stepping in an organization with people with the same type of mindset and abilities, it only makes my job easier. I’ve just got to cut and dunk the ball for them and run in transition. But first things first is establishing a defensive consistency and showing I can be dominant.”

Carr knows he needs to put on some pounds to succeed in the NBA. Getty Images

To best do that, Carr knows he’ll have to get stronger. 

His strength, or lack of it, was one of the biggest critiques surrounding him entering the NBA draft, where he was projected to be selected during or just outside of the lottery before he fell to No. 24. The Lakers traded picks with the Knicks to select Carr. 

He weighed 184.4 pounds at the combine, which was the lightest among all players who measured at least 6-3.

“Got to put on some weight,” Carr said. “That’s going to be an emphasis, be in the weight room as much as possible. It’s going to be my second home.”

Carr also spoke glowingly and excitedly about the opportunity to play alongside the Lakers’ best players, including superstar Luka Doncic and star guard Austin Reaves, the latter of whom agreed to a four-year, $185 million deal to stay in Los Angeles.

And Carr, without being prompted, mentioned superstar free agent LeBron James and how he can’t wait to take advantage of the passing/playmaking they bring to the table.

“Man, anytime I can make their job easy and cut, I’m going to do that,” Carr said. “That makes their job easy. I think the chemistry that we build over time, it will only get stronger. Hopefully I can make their job easy of just [throwing] it by the basket and I go dunk it for them.”

Those types of plays will capture attention.

But Carr knows more work is needed.

“Of course just having great vets in front of you to look up to and learn from, follow in their footsteps and take little things from them and implement it into your life,” Carr said. “Overall, it’s going to be exciting. I know I keep saying it and it’s repetitive, but, man, y’all don’t understand how much of a joy it is and blessing to be here in this situation. So just learn and follow in their footsteps.”

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New Jersey Devils Select Alexander Command With 12th Overall Pick In 2026 NHL Draft

The New Jersey Devils selected Alexander Command with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Command is a center that comes from Örebro in Sweden. 

For Sunny Mehta's first draft as a general manager in the National Hockey League, it is no surprise that he selected an analytical darling. 

The Devils are going to be a team that's analytically driven under Mehta, and Command fits that mold as someone who will impact the game whether the puck is on his stick or not. He is a strong prospect in all three zones, which is the type of player that Mehta will be searching for over the course of his tenure. 

If Command were to reach the NHL and become a full-time player, he could slot in as the third guy behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the middle. In the long term, the Devils need that. He could also become a winger at the NHL level, which would likely see him in the middle six. 

The scouting report suggests that Command is incredibly fast, has some size as a 6'1", 187 lbs forward, and can play a strong two-way game down the center of the ice. It is an incredibly fitting profile for a player selected by the Devils in 2026. 

When the selection was announced, Command was surprised. The New Jersey Devils may have gone off the board to some people, including Command himself, but Mehta clearly has a system on how he and his scouts make selections. 

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Dodgers on Deck: Saturday, June 27 at Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 18, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images) | Getty Images

One night after facing Walker Buehler, who got the final three outs to close out the Dodgers championship in 2024 at Yankee Stadium in New York, the Dodgers will turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who got the final eight outs to close out the Dodgers championship in 2025 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, facing the Padres in the middle game of the series at Petco Park in San Diego.

Yamamoto has a 2.01 ERA in his three June starts with this game to close out his month, during which he has 17 strikeouts and only two walks in 22 1/3 innings, which included a stretch of 45 consecutive batters retired. Yamamoto struck out eight Padres and allowed only one run in seven innings in a tough-luck loss at San Diego on May 18, part of a stretch during which the right-hander allowed seven total runs over his last six starts.

Right-hander Randy Vásquez starts for the Padres.

Saturday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers at Padres
  • Ballpark: Petco Park, San Diego
  • Time: 5:40 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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Rangers select defenseman Alberts Smits with No. 5 pick in 2026 NHL Draft to fill need in retool

Alberts Smits, left, wearing a blue New York Rangers jersey, stands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, at the NHL draft.
Alberts Smits, left, stands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, after being drafted by the New York Rangers during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y.

One of the more NHL-ready prospects available in this year’s draft is a Ranger. 

The Blueshirts selected Alberts Šmits with the No. 5 pick in the NHL draft Friday night, adding the left-handed defenseman to a defensive prospect pool that is in need of some shoring up during this retool. 

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“It’s kind of a relief that the Rangers took me,” Šmits said on a Zoom call after he heard his name called in Buffalo. “I’m really happy to go to New York.” 

Equipped with two first-round picks as Friday began, the Rangers ended up trading the No. 26 selection to Vegas — as well as one of their four third-rounders (No. 92) plus a top-10 protected first-rounder in 2028 — in exchange for young sharpshooter Pavel Dorofeyev. 

Hanging on to the fifth-overall pick and still landing Dorofeyev certainly was a win for the organization. Signing the 25-year-old Russian to a seven-year, $77 million contract put a bow on the deal. 

Alberts Smits, left, stands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, after being drafted by the New York Rangers during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

That fifth-overall pick was an important asset to utilize and the Rangers came away with a prospect who is believed to be the most NHL-ready defenseman available in this draft class. 

The 18-year-old Šmits spent the last season playing professionally in Finland’s Liiga and for Munich in Germany’s DEL. Going up against grown men in Europe’s top professional leagues, the 6-foot-3 Latvian is said to have the build and defensive prowess to make the jump to the NHL. 

It’s likely that Šmits will sign his entry-level contract sometime soon and report to New York for this upcoming training camp. 

“Alberts is very competitive,” Rangers director of player personnel and director of amateur scouting John Lilley said on Zoom. “He’s a very good two-way defenseman, defends very hard, good shot, offensively moves the puck. He just has a very well-rounded game. In terms of when he’s ready to play, that’ll take care of itself. That’s not up to me. That’s something that Dru and [head coach Mike Sullivan] will figure out as we move forward, but we think he’s an excellent prospect and just thrilled to get him. 

Šmits played a ton of hockey in 2025-26, participating in his first full pro season, the Olympics, World Juniors and World Championship. 

Alberts Smits of Latvia in action during the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Switzerland game between Latvia and Finland at Swiss Life Arena on May 21, 2026 in Zurich, Zurich. Getty Images

At the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics this past February, Šmits made waves as the youngest player and lone draft-eligible prospect to compete in the tournament. He recorded two assists in four games for Latvia. 

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury, who served as assistant GM for Team USA at the Olympics, likely had a front-row seat to Šmits’ performance in Italy. 

With Jukirit in the Finnish Liiga last season, Šmits posted 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in 38 games while averaging around 20 minutes per game. 

“I’m a two-way defenseman,” Šmits said when asked to describe his game. “I’m trying to take care of the D-zone first. And then I also can create some offense and help the forwards in the offensive zone and create some offensive plays and try to create some chances for scoring.” 

The maturity in Šmits’ game may put him on a faster track to the NHL level than some of the other prospects taken around him. There’s a hard-nosed edge to his game that the Rangers clearly covet on their back end. 

Šmits, who is inspired by Detroit’s Moritz Seider, said he visited New York City last week. 

“I loved it there,” he said. “It’s a great city.” 

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Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after a hit in the second inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park on June 23, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Los Angeles Dodgers (52-29) at San Diego Padres (42-37), June 26, 2026, 6:45 p.m. PST

Watch: Apple TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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