NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Jhoan Duran #59 and J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after defeating the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 26, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday was quite the bust day, wasn’t it? Lots of news, lots of great baseball being played. It was a great day for baseball. Right?
The Detroit Tigers evened up their four-game home series with the Houston Astros on Friday night with an 8-0 blowout victory over the visitors. Keider Montero tossed seven innings of shutout ball and the offense rallied behind home runs by Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith.
Climbing the mound for the Motor City Kitties on Saturday afternoon looking to take the series lead is left-hander Framber Valdez, who has had a strong June after a rough May. The 32-year-old has allowed just one run in three of his four starts this month and posted a 2.45 ERA and a 4.01 FIP over that stretch with two wins and a loss to show for.
One of those gems he threw came against the Astros the last time he saw them, surrendering an unearned run on six hits and three walks while striking out six in a no-decision at Daikin Park that Detroit ultimately lost, 4-2.
For Houston, right-hander Kai-Wei Teng will make his 10th start of the season as he comes off his second-best outing so far. The 27-year-old held the Cleveland Guardians to just one run over six innings of work on four hits and a walk while striking out four to earn his fourth win in a 4-2 final at home.
However, his prior start against the Tigers was not a pretty one. The native of Taiwan coughed up five runs on six hits (three home runs) and three walks while striking out a whopping nine — and hitting a pair of batters — to earn his sixth loss in a 9-3 final in Houston.
Here is a look at how the two match up on Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Detroit Tigers (35-47) vs. Houston Astros (40-44)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m. Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:The Crawfish Boxes Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 83: LHP Framber Valdez (4-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. RHP Kai-Wei Teng (4-6, 4.03 ERA)
Luka Doncic (77) will be back next season with the Lakers, but LeBron James’ future remains up in the air. Getty Images
There’s no better free agent on the market than James, who pretty much single-handedly carried the Lakers past the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Of all the stars on the team, it was the 41-year-old whose body was healthy come playoff time. While Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined with injuries, James led the team to a 3-0 series lead over Houston. He’s still a superstar. He still has unparalleled durability.
How many playoff games has James missed over his 23-year tenure in the NBA?
Zero.
It’s shocking. But James is as reliable as they come, even as the oldest player in the league.
James embodies a lot of things the Lakers lack on their current roster, headlined by Doncic and Reaves.
He’s a big body. He has championship experience. He can impact things on the defensive end. And above all else, he can be counted on during the postseason, something invaluable to a franchise that has won 17 championships and considers anything short of a title as a failure.
Now that Austin Reaves (15) is back in the fold, the Lakers need to turn their attention to LeBron James. Getty Images
As for James, he’s not going to find a better situation than the Lakers.
He wants a chance to win his fifth title. There was proof in concept of how successful the trio of James, Doncic and Reaves could be in March, when they went 15-2 and looked like one of the NBA’s best teams. Who knows how far they could’ve gone during the postseason had they all remained healthy.
He doesn’t want to leave his family. He wants to be able to attend as many of his 11-year-old daughter’s volleyball games as possible. He wants to play alongside his son, Bronny, who has a partially guaranteed contract with the Lakers next season.
And during his free time he wants to play golf, his latest obsession since turning 40. That pretty much eliminates Cleveland, which is a frozen tundra for much of the year.
It’s hard to imagine he’d want to start over with new teammates and a new coach in the sunset of his career, even though as you may have read in this column, him teaming up with Steph Curry on the Warriors would be thrilling and him returning to the Cavaliers would put a neat bow on his illustrious career. James cares about narratives. He has been with the Lakers for eight seasons, the longest consecutive stretch he has been with any franchise. A new start at this point seems unlikely.
Things might not be all sunsets and rainbows between James and the Lakers. He may have felt disrespected as they’ve shifted to making Doncic their priority. He may have been stunned when he was asked to be the team’s third option, knowing that he could be No. 1 or No. 2 on many teams around the league. Things may be a bit stilted between a franchise that’s firmly focused on its future instead of James, who has been the sun for two decades.
But the Lakers need James. And he needs them.
He averaged 20.9 points on 51.5% shooting, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season. He’s still him.
And of all of the destinations that would make sense for him, the Lakers could pay him the most. They have about $50 million in cap space. They could offer James, say, something in the ballpark of $25 million to $35 million and still have room to build out their roster.
Yes, James would have to take a significant pay cut from the $52.6 million he made last season. Yes, he still plays like a maximum contract player. But he’s not going to command that type of money anywhere he’d want to go.
As currently constructed, the Warriors could only pay him the $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Cavaliers have even less money on their books, something in the ballpark of around $4 million unless they make some major moves, according to ESPN.
James and the Lakers both need to just rip the Band-Aid off. They’re not going to do better than each other. The sooner they work out a deal, the quicker general manager Rob Pelinka will be able to build out a competitive roster around the team’s stars.
If they drag their feet, it’s only going to hinder both of them. It could mean the Lakers are forced to act as though James isn’t returning, and they could potentially have even less money to offer him later in the summer. It could mean that James gets fed up and takes his talents elsewhere. It could mean both parties are worse off.
The bottom line is this might not be the perfect marriage. But it’s the one that makes the most sense.
The Lakers are better with James.
And for what he prioritizes, he’s not going to find a better situation.
Veteran of 2019 champions in first game for Oakland Ballers
‘The hitter didn’t know what was coming’
The former England cricketer Liam Plunkett swapped his cricket colours for a baseball glove, playing his first game for the Oakland Ballers and even claiming a strikeout.
The 41-year-old was part of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning side – his final international appearance – taking three wickets in the tied final against New Zealand as England emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins on boundary count. He moved to the United States, where his wife is from, and has played Major League Cricket for the San Francisco Unicorns.
Big Blue Nation was ecstatic when Malachi Moreno announced his withdrawal from the NBA Draft and his subsequent decision to come back to Kentucky Basketball for his sophomore season.
It was a big decision, giving Kentucky a formidable player in their frontcourt and a player Mark Pope thinks could be among the best centers in the country.
“One day we got some of the feedback, and we were like it might be in our best favor to go back and really improve this next year and become, like Pope said, the best center in America,” Moreno recently said when discussing the NBA Draft process.
“Become the best All-American center in the country. I think next year is my year.”
Malachi Moreno says it was a "difficult decision" to come out of the NBA draft, but he came back to Kentucky to be the best big man in country and get better for next year #BBN@FOX56Newspic.twitter.com/bfAu1jDwSx
Moreno added that it was a difficult decision. Fans may not realize how happy they are that Moreno is coming back. But this is a player who aspires to be a professional basketball player and may have thought he had a realistic chance at making that dream a reality this year.
That’s not to say he’s not happy to be at Kentucky, but rather that he still has dreams of playing in the NBA.
A member of the SEC’s All-Freshman Team in 2025-26, Moreno averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in his Freshman season. Moreno shot 58.2% from the floor and 69.8% from the free-throw line.
Moreno’s most memorable moment was his buzzer-beater against LSU in mid-January that likely saved the Wildcats’ season early on in SEC play.
The Hens continue to beat up on the Red Sox, thumping them for their fourth straight and a series vicotry on Friday night. Carl Edwards Jr. handled a bulk role with ease, and the big bats did damage in this one.
Max Anderson sparked a two-out rally in the top of the first with an opposite field double. Eduardo Valencia singled him in, and Gage Workman and Corey Julks followed with a single and a walk, loading the bases for Jace Jung. Jung unloaded them with a grand slam to right center field.
Brenan Hanifee was the opener, and he allowed a run in the first. Edwards then dealt five innings of socreless ball, allowing just two hits and a walk.
Valencia cracked a solo shot in the third for his 13th on the year. In the top of the fifth, Max Clark singled and then stole second base. A wild pitch got him to third, and after Anderson walked, Valencia plated Clark with a sacrifice fly. Workman doubled in Anderson, and it was 8-1 Hens.
Matt Seelinger spun two good innings out of the pen, while Tanner Rainey closed it out.
The Hens tacked on five more runs in the top of the eighth to complete the rout. Two-out walks to Andrew Navigato and then Clark set the stage, and Trei Cruz singled in Navigato. Anderson singled in Clark, and Valencia crushed a three-run shot to left center field to make it 13-1.
The Mud Hens score five times in the 8th on RBI singles from Trei Cruz and Max Anderson, and a 3-run bomb from Eduardo Valencia. pic.twitter.com/6RkSUF8mKI
Coming Up Next: It’s a 4:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday as the Hens push toward a sweep.
Latest Tigers medical update includes Jackson Jobe throwing to hitters on Saturday.
Not included on update: No. 3 prospect Josue Briceño has progressed to facing live pitching in his rehab from right wrist surgery, according to A.J. Hinch. pic.twitter.com/J2C27SulNH
Kenny Serwa was sharp, and Andrew Jenkins landed the big blow in this one as the SeaWolves bullied the Ponies on Friday.
The SeaWolves also stole six bases in this one, three of them by Peyton Graham, who now has a hilarious 42 stolen bases on the year. Right from the jump, Seth Stphenson walked and Graham singled. Graham stole second, and a balk scored Stephenson. A ground out from Thayron Liranzo brought in Graham for a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Max Burt led off with a walk and stole second base. He eventually scored on a ground out to make it 3-0 SeaWolves.
Serwa had it from there. The right-hander walked three over 5.2 innings of work, but Binghamton couldn’t square him up, notching just two hits while striking out four times.
Yoniel Curet and Tanner Kohlhepp took over from Serwa and were solid, with Kohlhepp earning his fourth save. Andrew Jenkins bashed a three-run shot in the eighth off former Tigers’ relief prospect Max Green to end Binghamton’s hopes of a comeback.
Old friend Max Green was one out away from 5 scoreless innings of relief, but Andrew Jenkins smashes a 3-run homer to left to put Erie up 6-0. @ZachSurdenik on the call. pic.twitter.com/IqxdJHwhFE
Cale Wetwiska got a nice rehab outing in on Friday, but with Edian Espinal and Jordan Yost getting a day off, the offense didn’t quite have the juice to overcome a messy fourth inning.
Wetwiska is still building up his innings, but he gave the Flying Tigers 2.1 scoreless frames in this one. He only punched out one, but he looked at full strength and came out firing 97 mph repeatedly in the first inning.
The Flying Tigers opened the scoring when Jude Warwick and Beau Ankeney singled with Jesus Pinto already on first. He scored on Ankeney’s knock for a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, Antonio Florida walked three of the first four hitters in the bottom of the fourth. A Jude Warwick throwing error at shortstop prolonged the inning, and the Tortugas put up four runs to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
In the top of the sixth, the Flying Tigers did make a little push. Ankeney singled with one out, and after Carson Rucker struck out, Zach MacDonald walked, and a swinging bunt from Nick Dumesnil was thrown away by the Tortugas catcher, scoring two runs to make it 4-3 Daytona.
That was as close as they’d get, as Pedro Garcia allowed a solo shot in the eighth.
Ankeney: 2-4, R, RBI, K
Dumesnil: 2-4, RBI, K
Warwick: 2-5, 2 K, SB
Wetwiska: 2.1 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, K
Coming Up Next: Daytona leads 3-1 in the series. It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Saturday night.
The Tigers struck first with three runs in the first, as Steven Madero had a sacrifice fly and then Jose Dickson came through with a two-run double. Unfortunately, Paul Wilson leaked two runs in the second inning. Martin Tamara singled in Josue Quinonez in the third to make it a 4-2 Tigers lead, but they couldn’t tack on more runs.
Ryan Hall fired 1.2 innings of scoreless ball as he builds up after spending the first half on the injured list. Frenny Grant allowed three runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Blue Jays walked this one off.
Jun 13, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Robert Suarez (75) pitches against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves bullpen took another hit as right-hander Robert Suarez has been placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. The move is retroactive to June 23. In addition, fellow righty Hurston Waldrep was recalled to Atlanta, and Carlos Carrasco has elected free agency.
The #Braves today placed RHP Robert Suarez on the 15-day injured list, backdated to June 23, with right elbow inflammation, and recalled RHP Hurston Waldrep to Atlanta. The club also outrighted RHP Carlos Carrasco to Triple-A Gwinnett, and he elected free agency.
Suarez has been a huge asset to the bullpen this season. Through 31 games, he’s posted a 0.56 ERA and recorded 26 strikeouts.
Waldrep appeared in Friday night’s contest, and though not his best stuff, he was able to work out of a jam. He ended the night with two scoreless innings, recording four walks and three strikeouts.
With Suarez sidelined, the Braves will look to the rest of the bullpen to pick up the slack until one of their most dependable relievers returns.
More Braves News:
The four-game losing streak has been snapped after Friday’s 3-1 defeat of the San Francisco Giants.
Briggs McKenzie and Alex Lodise each had productive days on the farm. More in the minor league recap.
Grant McAuley caught up with prospect Eric Hartman to discuss his season in the minors.
MLB News:
The Boston Red Sox have placed shortstop Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day injured list with a bone stress reaction. Mayer has reportedly been dealing with the issue for two months.
After a 34-47 start, the New York Mets have fired manager Carlos Mendoza. Andy Green will serve as the interim manager for the remainder of the season.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 8-3 at Indianapolis Indians
2B Marco Luciano 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K RF Yanquiel Fernández 1-5, RBI, 2 K CF Garrett Martin 1-5, K 1B Tyler Hardman 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. 2-5, 2B, 4 RBI, K – five-run seventh cinched the game, highlighted by his three-run double 3B Jonathan Ornelas 1-4, K C Payton Henry 2-4, K LF Duke Ellis 2-4, 2 K SB – make that 33 stolen bases already this year SS Owen Cobb 1-4, K, two throwing errors
Elmer Rodríguez 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 6 BB, 4 K – whew, 90 pitches and just 46 strikes, Rodríguez’s control has seemed pretty off this year Zach Messinger 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K Yordanny Cruz 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K – good to see back-to-back solid outings from Cruz Bradley Hanner 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K Carson Coleman 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Double-A Somerset Patriots: Postponed at New Hampshire Fisher Cats, makeup scheduled part of doubleheader today
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:W, 13-3 at Bowling Green Hot Rods
3B Kaeden Kent 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB SS Core Jackson 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K C Eric Genther 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K 1B Kyle West 2-5, K LF Wilson Rodriguez 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, 3 K, SF 2B Roderick Arias 4-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, K, CS – sweet, sweet swing on the homer DH Enmanuel Tejeda 1-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K CF Camden Troyer 0-5, 3 K RF Robbie Burnett 2-4
Rory Fox 8 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR (win) – one of the best pro outings from the 2025 sixth-rounder Hansel Rincon 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Wilson Rodriguez RIPS his 8th homer of the year to make it 5-0 'Gades in the third… take a look at these numbers:
CF Brando Mayea 1-4, RBI, 2 K 3B Hans Montero 0-4, RBI, BB, 2 K LF Luis Puello 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 K SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 0-3, BB, K DH Engelth Urena 0-3, BB 2B Luis Escudero 0-2, 2 BB, K 1B David McCann 2-4, 2B, K C Ediel Rivera 1-4, 2 SB RF Gabriel Lara 0-3, BB, K
Henry Lalane 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K (win) – the huge left-hander has had a couple lost years, but maybe at last he’s putting it back together. Very good look at him below from Baseball America Jose Martinez 1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K Pedro Rodriguez 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (save)
#Yankees lefthander Henry Lalane turned in the best start of his career on Friday. He allowed one hit (an infield dribbler), struck out 12 and walked nobody. Check out every whiff and K-finisher right here. pic.twitter.com/g96hZx0I9p
Florida Complex League Yankees:L, 7-5 vs. FCL Phillies
3B Richard Matic 1-4, BB, CS, fielding error CF Wilberson De Pena 0-5 DH Queni Pineda 1-3, HR, RBI, BB, 2 K 2B Leni Done 1-4, 2 K LF Jose Castro 0-1, BB, K, SB RF Francisco Vilorio 1-4, 2 RBI, K SS Dexters Peralta 2-4, 3B, RBI, K C Justin Capellan 1-3, K 1B Christofer Reyes 0-4, 3 K
Dominican Summer League Yankees:L, 13-10 vs. DSL Rockies
LF Isaias Castillo 3-6, 2B, RBI, K, SB, CS SS Stiven Marinez 1-4, RBI, SB CF Yostin Pena 1-5, RBI, BB, 3 SB, throwing error 2B Juan Torres 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, K C Juan Martinez 3-5, BB, SB DH Cesar Lopez 3-4, 2 RBI, SF 3B Alfred Ciriaco 1-3, RBI, BB RF Eliezer Adames 0-4, BB, K, three fielding errors 1B Jose Peralta 1-3, RBI, 2 BB
Victor De Leon 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 2 K (loss) Freddy Lopez 1.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 K Brandon Rodriguez 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR Jose Vargas 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K Emanuel Vargas 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Dominican Summer League Bombers:W, 6-1 (7) at DSL Marlins
DH Mani Cedeno 0-4, 2 K SS Germayhoni Beltre 0-2, 2 RBI, BB, SF 2B Carlos Bello 1-4, 2B, K RF David Carrera 1-4, 2B, RBI, K 1B Poly Ojeda 1-3, RBI, BB, SB C Jesus Guerrero 0-2, 2 BB, K CF Alfiery Matos 1-4, RBI LF Sebastian Pinto 1-2, BB, CS 3B Adrian Feliz 1-2, RBI, SB
Jose Sanchez 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K Higor Requena 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K (win)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers covers during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this week, we asked Cleveland Cavaliers fans to grade the James Harden-for-Darius Garland swap after we’ve seen how the Harden-led Cavs looked in the playoffs. Back in February, fans gave the trade an A grade. This time around, they weren’t as generous.
The survey was pretty split as to what grade to give Harden. The consensus was a C. Only 10% gave the grade an A, which is 52% lower than it was in February.
Understandably, opinions on the Harden trade have soured.
The Cavs saw a wide-open Eastern Conference back in the winter and pushed their chips in with a win-now move. That deal allowed the Cavs to advance further in the playoffs than they have at any point with this core. But it didn’t solve the fundamental issues at the top of the roster as seen in their one-sided loss at the hands of the New York Knicks.
This fall, the Cavs will be entering a new season in a much less wide-open conference. The Indiana Pacers should be a factor again with the return of Tyrese Haliburton. The Miami Heat have entered the fray after the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. And young teams like the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets should be better next season.
This new reality is reflected in the odds.
According to FanDuel, Cleveland has the sixth-best odds to win the Eastern Conference at +1500. They have the 11th-highest odds to win the NBA Finals at +4000.
We’ll see how the roster looks by the time training camp opens up in a few months. There’s a good chance it looks drastically different. However, at this point, it’s understandable to be more down on this trade. The Cavs sacrificed some of their long-term stability for a win-now move, and are currently not in a fantastic position to win now as presently constructed.
CINCINNATI - 1963: Thomas Hawkins #19 of the Cincinnati Royals poses for a portrait circa 1963 in Cincinnati, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1963 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photo Library/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA hasn’t always been what it is today. In the earliest days, it was kind of cobbled together, and some guys turned down contracts because they had better offers from other employers.
No one made $100,000 a year before Wilt Chamberlain did so in 1965 (Bill Russell immediately asked Boston to pay him $100,001).
Transportation was not what it is today, either. No one flew charter, and the planes in the 1950s and 1960s were not all up to date, and even if they were, they were not what they are today. Nothing was computerized, for instance, and weather reporting was not what we expect today.
Winston-Salem native Tommy Hawkins, who started his career with the Minneapolis Lakers, underscores that with this story of a flight gone wrong. He tells the story calmly, but it’s hard not to think of Buddy Holly’s last trip.
In this case, they were fortunate enough to land in a cornfield rather than crash in one, but modern-day NBA players have no idea what their predecessors went through to build the league into a global powerhouse.
This is a move that was expected well before their season ended, now it's about to become official.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are declining Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million team option for next season and signing him to a new three-year, $75 million contract, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. He adds there is a "mutual option" — maybe both a player and a team option, maybe an agent's phrasing for a partial guarantee — on the final season.
This is a win-win deal. Hartenstein gets more money over the long term and gains security in this new contract. The Thunder get to keep a key center for them — especially when trying to defend Victor Wembanyama — and shave $3.5 million in salary next year (or more, depending upon the structure of the contract), which matters for a team currently over the second apron and trying to trim salary.
Hartenstein averaged 9.2 points and 9.4 rebounds a game last season, despite missing nearly half the year due to injuries. However, his greater impact was on the defensive end, where he served as the more physical big-man defender compared to the more mobile Chet Holmgren. In the Western Conference Finals, Hartenstein became the primary defender on Victor Wembanyama and did a respectable job on a next-to-impossible task.
For the Thunder, Hartenstein taking a little haircut this year helps as the franchise works to get under the second apron (in a year when the max contract extensions for Chet Holmgren and Andrew Wiggins kick in). Already this offseason, the team has traded Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins without taking back any salary, and now Hartenstein has done his part. If the Thunder are trying to shed more salary, that could mean the end of Luguentz Dort ($17.7 million) and/or Kenrich Williams ($7.2 million) era in Oklahoma City.
England veteran says Samoan ‘immature – but a good kid’
Academy player ‘a rabbit in the headlights in London’
Jamie George has criticised his Saracens teammate Totoa Auvaa’s “unacceptable” behaviour during the nightclub incident that led to the cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped by England but insisted he was “a good kid”.
The England international and former captain described the 21-year-old Samoan back-row as “a rabbit in the headlights in London” and said the academy player “doesn’t know right from wrong”.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 22: New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) talks with New York Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake (77) during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the New York Yankees on Monday June 22, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Yankees came into Boston on the heels of a solid series win in Detroit, looking primed to bury their rivals, who entered in last place in the AL East. Instead, things are feeling a little June Swoony, with the Yankees’ offense looking like they miss Aaron Judge over the last week or so. The team’s starting rotation should be able to pick up the offense and keep them in it every night, but Will Warren and Cam Schlittler have faltered the last two nights. Now, it’s up to Gerrit Cole to try to keep this from turning into a three-game losing streak.
On the site today, get caught up on last night’s action with Andrew’s Rivalry Roundup, and check out Sam’s profile of an interesting player, right-hander Eric Reyzelman . Also, John analyzes José Caballero’s sudden struggles on the base paths, while Matt delivers his All-Birthday team for June, and Maximo compares Willson Contreras’ and Ben Rice’s similar journeys from backstops to hard-hitting first basemen.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Time: 1:10 p.m. EST
TV: ABC/ESPN App
Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Questions/Prompts:
1. What version of Gerrit Cole will we see this afternoon?
2. Were you surprised to see the Mets let go of Carlos Mendoza, or had the writing been on the wall?
The MLB Draft Combine is a time to show off on the biggest stage. It’s the last chance to make an impression on scouts. And for many players, it’s the final chance to make your name known in hopes of hearing it called on draft day.
From June 23-26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, plenty of athletes made the most of that opportunity.
From newly 17-year-old Rocco Maniscalco showcasing elite arm strength to Noah Wilson setting a new Combine record in the 30-yard dash, the next generation of talent did not disappoint at Chase Field.
Among the 140 high school players in attendance, here are six players who stood out with exceptional performances.
Genson Veras | OF | TNXL Academy
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound outfielder put on one of the most impressive power displays of the Combine during Day 2's batting practice. The son of former big league reliever Jose Veras launched three of the day’s 10 furthest home runs, highlighted by a 443-footer. He also produced elite exit velocities, becoming the only player to reach 114 mph on the day while recording three additional batted balls at 113 mph.
Maniscalco came in as the youngest prospect at Combine, but you would never know by the talent he displayed. The shortstop, who turned 17 in May after reclassifying to become draft-eligible, stole the spotlight with a 97 mph throw from shortstop – one of the strongest infield throws of the week. The switch-hitter also showed off offensive tools, barreling 22 balls at 100 mph or harder.
Dominic Santarelli | 1B/OF | St. Joseph Catholic Academy
Santarelli’s power was impossible to miss this week. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound first baseman and outfielder led all participants with a 110.9 average exit velocity – more than 4 mph better than the next closest player. He also reached up to 115.1 mph, the fifth-highest exit velocity of the Combine. His strength allows him to generate effortless power to all fields.
Ethan Wachsmann | RHP | Grandview HS
No pitcher threw harder than Wachsmann this week. The Colorado native touched 100 mph twice, making him the hardest thrower at this year’s Combine. He averaged 98.8 mph on his four-seam fastball, leading the pitching group once again. The Wake Forest commit also recorded the top three fastball spin rates on Day 1, further cementing his status as one of the premier arms in the class.
BRONX, NY - JUNE 17: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees stands by the batting cage before a game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 2026 in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
New York Post | Greg Joyce: Trent Grisham met the Yankees at Fenway Park Thursday to take the next step in his recovery from a hamstring strain. The center fielder took BP and did some fielding drills, a first step before a (likely brief) rehab stint to slated begin soon. Grisham, who’s been out since June 13, has been progressing at or ahead of schedule. “He’s doing really well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s been encouraging. He’ll probably hit the bases … a couple times this weekend while we’re here. But he’s getting close.” With Aaron Judge also on the IL, the Yankees have been shorthanded in Grisham’s absence, using youngsters Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones in the outfield as well as José Caballero and Max Schuemann, two utilitymen who have mostly played in the infield in the big leagues.
MLB.com | Mike Petriello: Paul Goldschmidt’s resurgence as one of the best hitters in baseball in his age-38 campaign is one of the biggest surprises of the season. Usually, this type of turnaround comes due to some combination of better hard-hit rate, higher bat speed, and fewer strikeouts. Goldschmidt’s got none of these. Instead, it appears he’s eschewed trying to be a successful all-around hitter for a more extreme approach, making both more very weak contact and more very hard contact. This may be a product of hunting heaters — Goldy’s posted an astonishing 12 run value against fastballs. He also has the widest platoon splits in baseball and has been facing the highest percentage of lefties of his entire career as Boone has been able to insert him into favorable matchups.
The veteran’s manager offers a more simplistic explanation. “Look, he’s just a Hall of Fame player,” said Boone. “Unbelievable hitter in his career. He’s in amazing shape. He’s incredibly prepared. And I think he just enjoys the game as much as you possibly can.”
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: For Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice, the Yankees’ two biggest breakout stars this season, this weekend’s series in Boston represents a homecoming. Both grew up in enemy territory not far from Fenway Park, with Schlittler a die-hard Sox fan and Rice a contrarian rooting for the Yankees. And, while the Red Sox spent time scouting Rice, they eschewed Schlittler, making the latter’s transition from Boston faithful to New York ace an easy one. Another key nugget from this profile: Rice wants in on the Home Run Derby, an event to which he should receive an invite given his 22 home runs rank third in the AL.
