Travis Johnson, a four-star class of 2026 wide receiver from Chesapeake, Virginia, announced he has committed to Michigan football on July 4.
Mets add pitchers Paul Blackburn and Dedniel Núñez to long injured list
NEW YORK — Already running low on pitching, the New York Mets added starter Paul Blackburn and reliever Dedniel Núñez to a crowded injured list Thursday in their latest flurry of roster moves.
Núñez has a right elbow sprain and could require Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. Blackburn was given medication for a right shoulder impingement and won’t throw for three to five days.
“Hopefully that calms the discomfort there a little bit and we’ll get him going, so that’s relatively good news,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “As far as the rotation goes — one day at a time. Got to get through today and see where we’re at for tomorrow and then for the weekend.”
Blackburn (0-3, 7.71 ERA) had been lined up to pitch in the Subway Series this weekend against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Now, the Mets are undecided for Friday and Sunday — with Frankie Montas scheduled Saturday to make his third start this season since returning from a lat strain.
“I think every option is on the table and we’re discussing all of them,” Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said. “We’re going to evaluate everything. We’ll get through it. I do think we have options to get through this, and this is more of a short-term need than a longer-term need.”
Five of New York’s top eight starting pitchers are on the injured list, though left-hander Sean Manaea and right-hander Kodai Senga appear to be on the mend.
Stearns said he’d prefer not to call up one of the team’s highest-rated prospects, such as Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean, for a spot start.
“I also understand this is a unique circumstance and I can’t take anything off the table right now,” Stearns said. “But my preference would be to figure out a way to do it without doing that.”
Manaea (oblique, elbow) and Senga (right hamstring strain) are both nearing a return, though neither is quite ready to rejoin the tattered rotation. Mendoza said it’s possible one or both could come off the injured list during the last weekend before the All-Star break, July 12-13 in Kansas City.
They are among 12 Mets pitchers on the IL, including fellow starters Tylor Megill (elbow sprain) and Griffin Canning, who is out for the season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon last week.
With the pitching staff ravaged recently following a terrific start, New York had lost 14 of 18 heading into Thursday night’s game against Milwaukee.
“We feel good about where Senga is in his process. We feel good about where Sean is, getting back. And so, clearly this weekend we’ve got some decisions to make. Then we have an off day and we get into next week and it becomes a little cleaner,” Stearns said.
Senga threw a bullpen Wednesday and was running and going through fielding practice Thursday. The goal is for him to make a rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Saturday or Sunday, according to Mendoza.
Manaea has been sidelined since spring training with a right oblique strain, and his most recent rehab outing was pushed back because of elbow discomfort attributed to a bone chip. But he received a cortisone shot and threw 60 pitches over three innings Wednesday evening for Binghamton against Hartford.
Assuming he feels good, Manaea is expected to make one more minor league start next Tuesday and then perhaps pitch for the Mets on July 13 at Kansas City in the final game before the All-Star break.
“It is a possibility,” Mendoza said. “Ideally, yes. But again, we’re going to take it one day at a time, one outing at a time.”
New York recalled right-handers Austin Warren and Justin Hagenman from Triple-A Syracuse, and selected the contract of right-hander Rico Garcia. All three were in the bullpen for Thursday night’s series finale versus the Brewers.
Right-hander Blade Tidwell was optioned to Syracuse after throwing 4 1/3 innings in relief Wednesday night to earn his first major league victory in the second game of a split doubleheader.
Blackburn was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Monday.
With the bullpen taxed so heavily lately, the Mets put him back on the mound following an 89-minute rain delay Saturday in Pittsburgh — and Mendoza acknowledged he thinks that led to the pitcher’s injury.
When the game resumed, Blackburn gave up five consecutive singles to start the bottom of the second inning before he was removed.
“Obviously, we knew we were asking a lot. But the whole time we were asking feedback from him. He kept throwing, and we knew and he knew that we were only going to ask him for another 35 pitches, right?” Mendoza said.
“But yeah, I think it has something to do with it. You hate to see it, but it’s where we were at at the time. And again, the back and forth with him, with the trainers, and we just felt like even though it was an hour and a half — you know, it wasn’t an easy decision. And here we are now.”
Núñez (0-0, 4.66 ERA) also landed on the 15-day IL as the Mets wait for multiple doctors to review imaging before a plan for the right-hander is determined.
Yankees place Clarke Schmidt on 15-day IL, still awaiting MRI on forearm
The Yankees will be without another valuable rotation arm for an indefinite period, as they placed right-hander Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day injured list Friday due to forearm tightness.
The concern level is justifiably high for Schmidt, whose start against the Blue Jays on Thursday was unexpectedly cut short after only three innings.
He allowed three runs on four hits across 55 pitches, and said after the game he's been dealing with soreness in his arm since his June 4 outing against the Guardians. He's scheduled to undergo an MRI sometime Friday.
“Earlier on in the game it felt okay,” Schmidt told reporters. “As the game progressed, it sort of tightened up a little bit on me. I felt like the whole night I was kind of guarding it a little bit on the breaking balls, really not ripping them or trying to get a lot behind them....
"Any time you’re getting an MRI on your forearm, or whatever the body part is, you’re not feeling happy about it. I’m praying everything is going to be clean and minor. We’ll see what happens.”
In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled relievers Scott Effross and Jayvien Sandridge from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for their weekend Subway Series with the Mets.
While the beginning to Schmidt's season was delayed a few weeks due to rotator cuff tendinitis, he's produced numbers reflective of a new and improved pitcher. As one of the Yankees' most reliable starters, the 29-year-old has logged a 3.32 ERA across 14 starts, and he wrapped up June with a laudable 1.95 ERA across five outings.
While the severity of Schmidt's forearm issue remains unclear, he's experienced a gut-wrenching injury before. He underwent Tommy John surgery back in May 2017, a month prior to being drafted in the first round by the Yankees out of South Carolina.
Aaron Judge draws 23rd intentional walk, matches Mickey Mantle’s 1957 Yankees record
TORONTO — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge drew his 23rd intentional walk of the season in the eighth inning Thursday night against Toronto, matching Mickey Mantle’s 1957 team record.
Baseball began tracking intentional walks in 1955.
Judge matched Albert Pujols (2010) as the only player to receive 23 free passes before the All-Star break.
Toronto led 6-5 when former Yankee Chad Green intentionally walked Judge with two outs and the bases empty. It was Judge’s fifth intentional walk of the series, the most ever by a Yankee in a single series.
Judge has 91 career intentional walks.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Could Kadri Reunite With The Maple Leafs? Will The Sabres Match An Offer Sheet For Byram?
It's been six years since the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche.
The expensive addition of John Tavares in 2018 and Kadri's then-average annual value of $4.5 million made the latter an expensive third-line center. His frequent suspensions for undisciplined play in the post-season hastened his departure.
Kadri went on to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 before heading to the Calgary Flames later that summer. He matured along the way, playing a more disciplined style without sacrificing his effectiveness as an agitating point producer.
Now 34, Kadri is a core player for the Flames. However, their retooling process made him the subject of trade speculation last summer. It reached the point where Kadri told reporters last fall to “pump the brakes” on the trade chatter, insisting that he loved living and playing in Calgary.
A year later, the speculation has resurfaced, as Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun suggested a possible reunion for Kadri with the Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs still need a top-six forward following the departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this week. Koshan wondered if Leafs GM Brad Treliving would make a pitch for Kadri.
While admitting there is nothing to suggest such a deal could happen, Koshan cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn't let his no-movement clause stand in the way of a return to Toronto. However, he also noted that the one-time Leaf hasn't requested a trade, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.
It's unlikely that the Flames are interested in moving Kadri. He was their leading scorer last season with 35 goals and 67 points, and his presence is crucial to their playoff contention hopes this season.
Even if the Flames were open to trading Kadri, they would want at least a good young NHL forward as part of the return, something the Leafs lack among their limited trade assets.
Turning to Buffalo, Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram remains a fixture in the rumor mill. The 24-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights, prompting conjecture that he could be traded or become a candidate for an offer sheet.
However, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams told reporters on Wednesday he would match any offer sheet for Byram. Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News speculated a trade could still take place, pointing out the Sabres need to replace top-six right winger JJ Peterka, who was shipped to the Utah Mammoth last week.
Harrington also corrected a TSN report earlier this week claiming Byram was a year away from UFA eligibility. He is, in fact, two years away.
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Poor hitting has Braves fending off trade deadline questions after series loss to Angels
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves don’t want to hear they are running out of time to prove they can still compete for a playoff spot.
Continued offensive woes are making a case Atlanta could be sellers instead of buyers at the trade deadline.
Atlanta came within two outs of its second shutout loss in losing two of three games to the Los Angeles Angels. The Braves dodged what would have been their fourth shutout loss in their last seven games when Jurickson Profar hit a ninth-inning homer, but it was far too little to save the listless offense Thursday night in a 5-1 loss to the Angels.
The Braves were shut out by the Angels 4-0 on Tuesday night in the series opener.
The Braves (39-47) are fourth place in the NL East.
Manager Brian Snitker hoped the return of Profar from an 80-game drug suspension would spark the struggling offense, and Profar hit homers in back-to-back games. That wasn’t enough to save Atlanta from its first home series loss to the Angels since 2005.
“So hopefully that will be an added thing for us,” Snitker said of Profar’s return as the starting left fielder and No. 5 hitter. “If we get some guys going around him.”
The Braves were limited to three hits, all singles, in seven innings by Angels right-hander José Soriano, who didn’t allow a baserunner to reach second base. Matt Olson had one of the hits, a first-inning single to right field that extended his streak of reaching base safely to 33 games.
While Olson has boosted his batting average from .234 on May 27 to .267, others continue to struggle. Michael Harris is hitting .215 and Ozzie Albies is at .224 after each was held without a hit.
Those struggles add to speculation it may be time for the Braves to shake up the lineup at the trade deadline.
“Nobody wants to hear that,” Olson said. “We’re in here competing every day. We still have playoffs on our mind and I understand there’s going to be some outside noise when you have a record like we do but we still feel like we’ve got a good unit in here. We’re just not playing as well as we want to.”
The Braves also are burdened by a depleted rotation.
Bryce Elder (2-6) gave up four runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings for his third consecutive loss. The Braves trailed 3-0 after two innings.
“That’s on me,” Elder said.
“It’s tough to get the offense on a roll when you’re always coming from behind.”
Elder’s poor outing came one day after right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach landed on the 15-day injured list with a fractured right elbow on Wednesday. The rotation previously lost Chris Sale (broken rib), AJ Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery) and Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery) to injuries.
What Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele can provide to Knicks' bench this season
The Knicks entered free agency with limited avenues to improve the roster. But even with meager resources, they made two deals on the margins to add offensive versatility to their lineup.
New York agreed to a deal with guard Jordan Clarkson on the first day, and Day 2 saw the club agree on a two-year, $12 million contract with Guerschon Yabusele with a player option in the final year. The Knicks now have more shot creation and can trot out lineups with more perimeter shooting that defenses have to respect.
The two free-agent additions add scoring punch and depth to what was a limited Knicks bench. Last season, they were dead last in bench points per game (21.7) and second-to-last in the category during the playoffs.
Clarkson’s never been an uber-efficient scorer, but he’s been a consistent shot creator over 11 NBA seasons. A former Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson has never averaged fewer than 15.0 points in the last seven seasons, despite being a full-time starter in just one of those years.
Clarkson is comfortable with the ball in his hands. He shot 36 percent on 114 pull-up three-point attempts last season, per NBA Stats. As we saw during the playoffs, the Knicks lacked perimeter shot creation outside of Jalen Brunson. The 33-year-old Clarkson is capable of being a consistent pick-and-roll ball-handler that the Knicks can go to when Brunson sits.
He’s not a very good finisher at the rim -- shooting just 58.4 percent in the restricted area over the last two seasons, according to NBA Stats -- but Clarkson’s able to get into the paint, which could provide good returns for New York’s other players.
Clarkson has also improved as a passer. He’s not a natural point guard by any stretch, but he’s averaged 4.5 assists over the last three seasons after not having averaged more than 3.5 assists in any of his first eight seasons.
Shooting upgrade
Yabusele is essentially taking Precious Achiuwa’s place on the Knicks' roster. At 6-foot-8, Achiuwa was often too small to play center, but it was also difficult to play him as a power forward, as he shot just 27.8 percent on 36 three-point attempts last season.
Yabusele’s ability to stretch the floor is one of his standout skills. The fourth-year forward connected on 104 of 274 three-pointers (38 percent) with the 76ers last season. As a stretch four, Yabusele will allow the Knicks to have size in the frontcourt, while simultaneously being able to field five-out lineups with shooters at every position.
That would be useful for Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who both saw crowds of defenders in the paint. But Yabusele’s more than just a spot-up shooter -- the Frenchman shot 71 percent in the restricted area last year.
Despite carrying a 260-pound frame, Yabusele is like a freight train, attacking on drives. He also runs the floor very well. With a full head of steam, there are not many players willing to get in front of Yabusele.
Defense second
Adding both players will not improve New York’s defense. In Clarkson’s case, the defensive end will be a concern. Much like Brunson, teams will look to force him to switch on to their best offensive players. However, the Knicks have to live with Clarkson’s weaknesses at that price point.
Defense is not Yabusele’s best skill either. With 76ers centers Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond out for large portions of last season, Yabusele was forced to play more center than expected. With the Knicks, expect him to man the four position almost exclusively. That should mitigate Yabusele’s limitations as a rim protector or a lateral defender.
Neither of these signings broke the bank or were home runs, but it was important for the Knicks to find a way to add depth. For large chunks of the playoffs, they fully trusted only seven players in the rotation. Now, new head coach Mike Brown will have more options and versatility to mix and match different lineups throughout the regular season and playoffs.
ICYMI in Mets Land: David Peterson bounces back; Kodai Senga nears rehab assignment
Here's what happened in Mets Land on Thursday, in case you missed it...
- The Mets won their first series in three weeks, outlasting the Brewers, 3-2, behind a bounceback outing from David Peterson
- The nail-biting victory could've gone south in the ninth inning if not for clutch defense from Luis Torrens behind the plate
- Peterson delivered much-needed length, allowing just two runs (one earned) over 6.2 innings to lower his season ERA to 3.18
- Nolan McLean's most recent start for Triple-A Syracuse was terrific, as he struck out a career-high 10 batters in five innings
- Kodai Senga is very close to starting a rehab assignment, as he's expected to pitch for Double-A Binghamton this weekend
- Paul Blackburn (shoulder impingement) and Dedniel Núñez(elbow sprain) are the latest pitchers to land on the injured list
- Jonah Tong received Eastern League Pitcher of the Month honors with a 0.93 ERA across five Double-A starts in June
- David Stearns isn't inclined to promote one of their top prospects for a spot start in this weekend's Subway Series
- The Mets are signing reliever Zach Pop, recently designated for assignment by the Mariners after four appearances
- WATCH: Carlos Mendoza recaps the win over the Brewers, calling Peterson's lengthy performance "huge"
- WATCH: The evolution of Francisco Lindor becoming the Mets' team leader
Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt goes on injured list and heads for scan of forearm
NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt was placed on the 15-day injured list because of right forearm soreness on Friday, one day after his start at Toronto was cut short following three innings.
A 29-year-old right-hander, Schmidt was set to have an MRI on Friday.
New York also recalled right-hander Scott Effross and left-hander Jayvien Sandridge from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Right-hander Clayton Beeter had been optioned to the RailRiders after replacing Schmidt on Thursday night and taking the loss in the 8-5 defeat as the Yankees were swept in a four-game series and dropped out of the AL East lead.
Schmidt allowed three runs, four hits that included George Springer’s two-run homer and two walks. He said he’s been dealing with soreness in his arm since his June 4 outing against Cleveland.
“Earlier on in the game it felt OK,” Schmidt said. “As the game progressed it sort of tightened up a little bit on me. I felt like the whole night I was kind of guarding it a little bit on the breaking balls, really not ripping them or trying to get a lot behind them.”
Schmidt, who had Tommy John surgery in May 2017, is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts. He left a June 21 start against Baltimore after throwing a career-high 103 pitches in seven hitless innings, part of a streak of 28 1/3 scoreless innings.
“Any time you’re getting an MRI on your forearm, or whatever the body part is, you’re not feeling happy about it,” Schmidt said. “I’m praying everything is going to be clean and minor. We’ll see what happens.”
Season 7 XP Path Live Now In NHL 25
The Season 7 XP Path is officially live in NHL 25.
The reward cards are 91 overall Henrik Lundqvist, Erik Karlsson, Nicklas Backstrom, Ryan Suter, and 98 overall P.K. Subban.
Subban can be acquired by reaching level 40 or 325,000 XP on the XP Path, previous paths required players to reach level 50 to acquire the highest rated reward.
This XP Path is available for 35 days.
Multiple packs, choice packs, and players can be acquired throughout the XP Path.
You can trade in five Season 7 XP Collectibles for one XP Token which can be used to upgrade one of the five 91 overall players mentioned above.
100 collectibles total can be acquired throughout the path and can be used in sets to acquire packs.
Check out Tuesday's and Wednesday's HUT Content.
For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.
Where Did These Former Flyers End Up in NHL Free Agency?
Between their additions and subtractions, the Philadelphia Flyers have been well-represented in NHL free agency this year.
Big money additions like Christian Dvorak and Dan Vladar should help the Flyers improve in the short term, while defensemen Noah Juulsen and Dennis Gilbert will serve the purpose of ensuring there is competition for the team's young blueliners.
But, what about the subtractions?
Arguably the biggest loss so far has been winger Jakob Pelletier, who was controversially not tendered a qualifying offer, only to accept a three-year, $2.23 million contract with Tampa Bay merely hours into Day 2 of free agency.
Acquired by the Flyers in the Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee trade with Calgary, Pelletier now figures to assume a bottom-six role for the Lightning next season, replacing former Flyer Cam Atkinson.
Also leaving the Flyers organization is former prospect Olle Lycksell, who could never quite grab ahold of an NHL roster spot permanently.
NHL Free Agency: Flyers Won and Lost on Day 1The Philadelphia Flyers were the one team that won as much as it lost on Day 1 of NHL Free Agency.
After 44 points in 43 AHL games this season, Lycksell has latched on with the Ottawa Senators, taking a one-year, two-way contract worth league minimum ($775k).
Former Flyers defenseman Ronnie Attard, who was traded to Edmonton for Ben Gleason in November, signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche for league minimum as well.
Speaking of Gleason, he ($800k), and AHL teammate and former Flyers goalie Cal Petersen ($775k) landed cheap one-year deals with the Minnesota Wild organization.
Ditto for ex-Flyers forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
Louie Belpedio, who was actually quite decent in limited action for the Flyers two seasons ago, has ultimately left the organization, getting some security with a two-year, league minimum deal with the Metropolitan Division rival Washington Capitals.
It would have been good for Belpedio to stick around with the Flyers organization longer, but the 29-year-old is ultimately making way for prospects like Oliver Bonk and, eventually, Spencer Gill in the AHL.
Among the former Flyers sticking with their current teams, Nick Cousins and Hayden Hodgson have both re-upped with the Senators, with the former landing a one-year deal and the latter two.
Flyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL DebutJust one day into on-ice activities at development camp, the hype around top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone is already growing.
Oh, and Claude Giroux will be joining them and Lycksell in Ottawa for another year, too.
After receiving his qualifying offer, Frost will be with the Flames a little longer, signing a two-year, $8.75 million contract with a $4.375 million annual cap hit.
Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov ended up setting the free agent market ablaze with his eye-watering seven-year contract extension that carries an annual cap hit of $8.5 million, and he's not even their No. 1 defender. That's Zach Werenski.
Although the Flyers did land Vladar, it would have been nice to see Alex Lyon return to Philly; the formerly undrafted netminder landed a two-year deal worth $3 million with Buffalo, with his $1.5 million cap hit coming in at less than half of Vladar's $3.275 million.
James van Riemsdyk, still kicking it at age 36, signed a one-year deal with the bumbling Detroit Red Wings for $1 million.
And, because so many were asking and wondering, Tony DeAngelo is, in fact, sticking around in the NHL after a strange and brief KHL stint last season. The enigmatic rearguard will remain in the division for the Flyers to face on a one-year, $1.75 million pact with the New York Islanders.
The Flyers won't be missing too many of these players now, no, but Lyon and Giroux would have been fun stories, especially given the team's positional needs. Better luck next time?
"Try To Be A Leader And Try To Set The Tone For The Other Guys Here": Aiden Celebrini Discusses His Third Vancouver Canucks Development Camp
The Vancouver Canucks 2025 Development Camp has officially concluded. This year's week-long camp featured the entire 2025 draft class, as well as prospects who have taken part in the past. One of the players who hit the ice this week was 2023 draft prospect Aiden Celebrini, who was attending his third development camp since joining the Canucks.
Celebrini was one of three prospects from Vancouver's 2023 class to attend this year's camp. The right-shot defender was joined by Vilmer Alriksson and Matthew Perkins, who were also participating in their third development camp. In speaking with the media, Celebrini explained how excited he was to come to this year's camp and how these training sessions have helped him develop into the player he is today.
"Coming in for the third time, this is, this is one of the highlights of my summer, said Celebrini. "Just getting that opportunity to work with the big team and better your game and ready your game for that NHL level, I think this camp again just primed me in a lot of ways, to take that next step in my development. Feeling really excited about this second half of the year and this next season."
Development camps can be intimating for some players. Prospects want to make a strong impression as for many, it is their first time working with an NHL organization. According to Celebrini, it is also important for players to enjoy themselves, while trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
"Hockey's fun. Try to have fun with it. I mean, it's always a blessing to be able to put on that Canucks jersey and learn from these legends of the game. So I think it's just take no day for granted. I know I'm putting everything I can into into developing my game and definitely taking my process seriously and kind of asking everything from myself every single day, but at the same time, you got to have fun with it because if you don't enjoy the process, then you're just spinning your wheels... "You're not getting judged. That's not what this is for. Just take this opportunity to better your game. Like, I know, probably heard it all week this week, but be a sponge, doesn't make the message any less important. Just be a sponge. Just be selfish with it. Take as much as you can out of it and use this to just take that next step."
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As one of the returning players, one of Celebrini's goals for this development camp was to be a leader. This meant helping players adjust both on and off the ice. As Celebrini explained, he knows exactly how some of the new prospects are feeling, as he experienced the same situation back in 2023.
"Obviously, being an older guy, getting to experience what it's like coming back and seeing kind of the nerves of some of the younger guys that I had a few years ago. Going from one year of juniors to two years of college. Haven't really gotten to experience that very much. So that was really cool for me. I thought try to be a leader and try to set the tone for the other guys here."
As Celebrini mentioned, the Canucks development staff is filled with former NHL players who are ready to help the next generation. This includes Daniel and Henrik Sedin, whom the 20-year-old defenceman watched while growing up in BC. Like many who grew up cheering for Vancouver, Celebrini views the Hall of Famers as role models not just for their on-ice work, but the type of people they are off the ice.
"Like I said in that video last year, I had a lot of friends and family ask me about it. I mean, they're machines. At least they didn't pass me this year. But, yeah, I really look up to those guys. Not only their incredible careers, but how they approach life after their careers. You look at them, they're the most incredible human beings, and they're just, they're perfect, you know. You look at them, Grouse Grind, on the ice, they look like they can still play, and it just shows like how much care and attention, they put into their lives. They're incredible role models."
Celebrini was also able to give a scouting report on fellow Canucks defensive prospect Tom Willander, who signed his entry-level contract after the season ended. Over the past two seasons, Celebrini and Willander have played at Boston University and have become very close off the ice. According to Celebrini, fans in Vancouver should start to get excited, as he believes Willander has a bright future in the NHL.
"I couldn't be happier for him. He's going to be a fan favourite, for sure. He's a fun guy, fun personality, and obviously a really talented hockey player. He's very smooth, very sound defensively, and you like that nice, Swedish stride. Yeah, he's a lot of fun. And gonna miss him out there with me, but hopefully I'm there with him soon."
In the end, Celebrini is an intriguing prospect whom the Canucks are hoping will turn into a draft-day steal. He is headed back to the NCAA next year and is projected to play a key role on Boston University's blue line. A standout at this year's development camp, Celebrini's on-ice play and leadership qualities could pave the way for a successful career at the pro level.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Ohtani, Judge and the Bat Brand Owned by Ex-MLB Star Céspedes
As the torpedo bat craze stormed Major League Baseball to start the 2025 season, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge were both asked about making the switch. “I’m very satisfied with my current bat,” Ohtani told the Japanese press after an April walk-off home run.
“What I did the past couple of seasons speaks for itself,” Judge said the morning after the Yankees hit a franchise-record nine home runs, including three by the captain himself. “Why try to change something if you have something that’s working?”
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Turns out the sport’s two reigning MVPs and biggest stars use the same bat brand owned by Yoenis Céspedes, who spent nine seasons in MLB and knows a bit about hitting dingers, as a two-time Home Run Derby champion.
“2012 me would’ve just laughed,” Céspedes said in an interview when asked about being an entrepreneur after just defecting from Cuba. “I was focused on helping the A’s win. Owning a bat company? Then buying another one? A glove company too? That would’ve sounded crazy, but it is a beautiful thing. It means everything to me now.”
Chandler doesn’t have the name recognition of MLB’s official bat brands, Victus and Marucci, or Louisville Slugger, which was the official provider between 1997 and 2024. But MLB players know Chandler.
“Our business is really skewed towards the professional athlete, and that is inherent in the DNA of Chandler Bats,” Ben Chase, Chandler Bats CEO, said in a phone interview. More than 60% of their business is from people who get paid to play baseball, Chase said, adding that the company prides itself on meeting the customization needs of players when it comes to knobs, weights, cup depths and cup diameters.
Chandler’s MLB player market share was 10.4% on opening day, according to Bat Digest. It ranked fourth behind Victus (27.8%), Marucci (20.4%) and Louisville Slugger (15.2%).
Still, fourth is a miracle. “Chandler bats, the brand, effectively went under, and we had to rebuild everything from the ground up,” Chase said. “What good is a bat that you can’t get out the door?”
Chandler Bats was founded in Norriton, Pa., in 2009, and Céspedes used the brand during his big league career. In 2017, Céspedes loaned the brand’s parent company, RxSport, $700,000, and then acquired all its assets, including Chandler, in July 2019 after RxSport filed for bankruptcy protection. “It was a very challenging time to get into the bat business,” Chase said, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, which cut the 2020 season and limited clubhouse access, and the 2021 MLB lockout, which also canceled the winter meetings.
Chandler shut down production in mid-2021 and trucked everything from Pennsylvania to its new home base, Port St. Lucie, Fla., where Céspedes lived and still does. “It was triage for a number of years,” Chase said.
Céspedes, who made an estimated $130 million in playing salary during his career, infused more capital into the business to spur its rebound. Chandler expanded with the acquisition of Emery Glove Co. in late 2021. The company has focused on reducing delivery times in its consumer business. What used to take six or seven weeks from the time of order for a full custom has now been whittled down to 30 days or less. (Chandler offers a “rush production” option for custom models on its website for $50 extra.) The company has same-day shipping for in-stock models.
The direct-to-consumer business is up 5x since 2021 through its website. Distribution also continues to increase through its network of retailers, including Better Baseball, Hit Over Hit, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Bases Loaded; meanwhile, the torpedo bat mania triggered April sales to surge more than 100% versus the prior year. Chase wouldn’t disclose annual revenue.
Céspedes says his favorite part of the business is testing new products and working with his team on custom models. “That’s where I get hands-on to make sure everything we produce is the best,” he said.
Judge has been aligned with Chandler since the beginning of his career, which has seen him hit 346 home runs and win two MVP Awards. The company sells a pair of Judge bats, the AJ99 and AJ99.2, both listed for $239 on the company website. “We’re honored to have that level of trust, even as the company has gone through so many different transitions and hardships, and we don’t take that lightly,” Chase said about the Judge relationship.
Chandler sent Ohtani some custom bats during the 2022 offseason for him to try. Ohtani was intrigued by what Judge was doing, which included an American League record 62 home runs in 2022, according to Chandler Bats rep Chuck Schupp, who previously had long stints at Marucci and Louisville Slugger. Ohtani tested them in Japan and broke them out in games during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
It’s proven a good fit, as Ohtani has since posted by far his two best seasons for OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage), and he’s on track for a third straight year over 1.000. The Japanese superstar also won his second and third MVP awards while swinging Chandler bats. The company does not sell an Ohtani model.
Baseball equipment manufacturers pay MLB players to wear their apparel, batting gloves, cleats, gloves and helmets, but bat deals are unique, as players are rarely paid to swing a bat.
“Bats are just a different animal,” Schupp said in a phone interview. “It’s such a custom product that players want to feel comfortable with. Part of this is player comfort, part of it is trust, and part of it is relationship.”
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Mets vs. Yankees: How to watch on SNY on July 4, 2025
The Mets open a three-game home series with the crosstown rival Yankees on Friday at 3:10 p.m. on SNY.
Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...
Mets Notes
- Juan Soto has reached base safely in 14 straight games and is slashing .300/.417/.660 across his last 50 at-bats
- Justin Hagenman, recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, is slated to make his first start (third appearance) this season
- Edwin Diaz recorded his 18th save of the season and lowered his ERA to a stellar 1.85 across 34 appearances
- Coming off back-to-back wins against the Brewers, the Mets are looking to win three straight for the first time since June 10-12
YANKEES | METS |
|---|---|
| Jasson Dominguez, LF | Brandon Nimmo, LF |
| Aaron Judge, RF | Francisco Lindor, SS |
| Cody Bellinger, CF | Juan Soto, RF |
| Giancarlo Stanton, DH | Pete Alonso, 1B |
| Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B | Jeff McNeil, 2B |
| Paul Goldschmidt, 1B | Luis Torrens, C |
| J.C. Escarra, C | Brett Baty, 3B |
| Anthony Volpe, SS | Ronny Mauricio, DH |
| DJ LeMahieu, 2B | Tyrone Taylor, CF |
What channel is SNY?
Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.
How can I stream the game?
The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.
In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone.
How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?
To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps:
- Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider.
- Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.
- Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY.
- Select the SNY Mets game you wish to view from the Multimedia Center.
How can I watch the game on the MLB App?
MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.
- Download the free MLB App.
- Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.
- Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”
- To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.
For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.
'Time Will Tell': Is Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Ready For The NHL Next Season?
One year ago, it was only the NHL or OHL for Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan. However, now, it'll be NHL or AHL for the 20-year-old.
Cowan is one of 48 players at Toronto's development camp this summer. He's one of two, however—along with London Knights teammate Landon Sim—who are remaining off the ice for the entire week.
"He's played over 100 games the last couple of seasons, so it was more just allow him to have a bit of recovery time," Maple Leafs assistant GM, player development, Hayley Wickenheiser, said on Thursday.
The fact that Toronto is giving their 2023 first-round (28th overall) pick all the opportunity to rest before Maple Leafs training camp is interesting, but not surprising. They're allowing him to stay off the ice, away from the nearly two-hour ice sessions (only behind the glass), to prepare for what comes later this summer.
"He's going to have a big few months here coming up and allow him to train, more importantly off the ice right now," Wickenheiser added, "put on some of the weight that he's lost through the season, and just get some rest."
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Cowan has accomplished everything at the junior level after winning the Memorial Cup with the Knights on June 1. His 39 points (13 goals and 26 assists) in 17 games led all OHL players in playoff points, and his three goals and four assists in five games at the Memorial Cup earned him the tournament's MVP honors.
"This time last year, I wasn’t as good as I am now," Cowan said on Thursday at Maple Leafs development camp. "Just being able to manage the puck better, I’ve learned that a lot this year, and obviously with the Knights organization, they helped me out a lot.
"I felt when games got bigger, I got better. Those are the games I love to play in, when there’s a lot of people watching and there’s high stakes."
'He Meant A Lot To Me': Easton Cowan On Mitch Marner Leaving Maple Leafs For Golden KnightsToronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has followed Mitch Marner's junior footsteps, winning a Memorial Cup with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, but he hasn't been in contact with the player yet since Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the Leafs.
Entering training camp last fall, one of the topics surrounding Cowan's game was the junior habits that he still possessed. There were moments when he looked timid, too, which ultimately led to Toronto returning him to London in October.
"I think he made a big jump this year," Wickenheiser affirmed.
"The intangibles he brings, he plays with a lot of passion, a lot of drive. But just in terms of the way he played and conducted himself as a leader and an impact player, especially in the Memorial Cup, produced, led the team, and the habits that he needs to play pro, we saw improve in the latter half of the year this year."
Cowan still needs to prove, though, that the pro habits have been expelled from his game. It's one thing to see it disappear against OHL talent. It's another to watch it vanish versus NHL competition.
Mitch Marner Reveals When He Knew He’d Test NHL Free Agency While Under Maple Leafs ContractMitch Marner is a Vegas Golden Knight, officially unveiled on Tuesday in an introductory news conference with the Vegas local media.
"In junior, you can get away with long shifts and lagging, not tracking back pucks, things like that, and we talk a lot with him about the things that will translate to being an everyday impactful pro player," said Wickenheiser.
"Cleaning up those areas of the ice, being able to play on the inside, to play with pace day in and day out, and just to be physically strong so that when he comes in, he can handle the grind that it is."
Cowan said that he'd ideally like to get his weight to 190 pounds by the end of this summer, adding that 187 could be the more achievable goal. "Add some more cornerweight on me and keep my speed," the forward said.
Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.
With Wickenheiser applauding Cowan for ridding the junior habits from his game in the latter half of his OHL season, it'll be up to him to prepare for what's next: a possible NHL position with the Maple Leafs.
"I have the chance to get a job, and that’s up to me to go out there and show what I can do and play my game," Cowan said. "Still a couple months away, so I’m going to take every day day-by-day and just keep getting better."
What Toronto does in the rest of the offseason will help in determining where Cowan could end up in training camp. If the Maple Leafs acquire another top-six forward, Cowan could be battling for a bottom-six spot.
That could already be the case, though, with players like newly-acquired Matias Maccelli—plus Max Domi, who's had success playing with Auston Matthews before—potentially getting an opportunity ahead of Cowan.
'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
If that's indeed the case, it'll be an uphill battle for the young forward. But, we've witnessed Cowan turn heads before, so it'd be unfair to say it's unattainable this time around.
"Time will tell. I guess that's the question that we all are asking ourselves," said Wickenheiser of Cowan making the NHL roster.
"But my money's on him that he will be fit enough and prepared enough, the experience to be able to step in and play will be — we'll see probably very quickly when (training) camp starts."
(Top photo of Cowan: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)