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Clarke Schmidt's seven no-hit innings headline takeaways from Yankees' 9-0 win over Orioles

The Yankees rebounded from Friday's series-opening loss to the Baltimore Orioles with Saturday's dominant 9-0 win in which right-hander Clarke Schmidt's seven no-hit innings set the tone for a breakthrough that New York needed.

Takeaways

  1. How much better can Schmidt get? After 7.2 scoreless IP in this past Monday's 1-0 11-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Schmidt delivered a no-hit encore. Schmidt (4-3, 2.84 ERA), who threw a career-high 103 pitches (70 strikes), fanned five and walked two before manager Aaron Boone pulled him for right-hander JT Brubaker. The reliever's first batter in the eighth inning, former Yankee Gary Sánchez, broke up the combined no-hit bid by singling a 95 mph sinker up the middle and into center field on a 3-2 count. Regardless, Schmidt continues to trend up as he delivered his career-best outing.
  2. Four home runs, starting with Trent Grisham turning on Zach Eflin's 2-2 curveball at 78 mph and over the short porch for his 15th long ball of the season, were more than enough to support Schmidt. J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice added a solo shot apiece in the second and third innings to push the Yankees' 3-0 lead ahead before Anthony Volpe's fifth-inning leadoff blast buried the Orioles (33-43), 7-0.
  3. Volpe's ninth home run of the season was an exclamation point and came in an afternoon where he broke free from his 0-for-24 slump. Volpe's 3-for-4 day brings his slash line to .236/.308/.424 with 41 RBI through 75 games and figures to serve a much-needed confidence boost as he looks to build in the summer months of his third season.
  4. The Yankees (44-32) are 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays (43-34), who won Saturday's 8-3 game against the Detroit Tigers (48-30), for first place in the American League East Division. New York has a chance to take the three-game set from the Orioles and win its first series since June 10-12's sweep of the Kansas City Royals.

Who's the MVP?

Schmidt, who got all the run support that he needed with Grisham's first-inning home run before his dominant start.

Highlights

What's next

The rubber game between the Yankees and Orioles is set for Sunday at 11:35 a.m.

Right-handers Will Warren (4-4, 4.83 ERA) and Dean Kremer (6-7, 4.80 ERA) are in line to start.

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Mets recall Tyler Zuber, Chris Devenski from Triple-A Syracuse

The Mets recalled Triple-A Syracuse right-handed relievers Tyler Zuber and Chris Devenski before Saturday's game at the Philadelphia Phillies.

In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned right-handers Blade Tidwell and Justin Garza to Triple-A Syracuse.

In 23.2 IP over 21 Triple-A games this season with Syracuse, Zuber, 30, has allowed 16 runs (all earned) on 27 hits (three home runs) while striking out 21 and walking 11.

The 34-year-old Garza, meanwhile has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 20 hits (six home runs) while striking out 15 and walking four in 22.2 IP over 20 games this season for Triple-A Syracuse.

Originally, the Mets acquired Zuber in a July 30, 2024, trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for right-handed pitcher Paul Gervase.

Zuber's 2024 season with the Mets saw him log 16 games for Triple-A Syracuse, where he allowed 23 runs (22 earned) on 28 hits (two home runs) while striking out 18 and walking 15 in 16 IP.

He appeared in two games with the Rays last season, allowing one run on three hits (one home run) while striking out four and walking two over 3.1 IP.

Zuber's career started as a sixth-round pick by the Kansas City Royals at No. 180 overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. He spent most of the 2020-21 seasons in the big leagues with the Royals before the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers Oct. 26, 2022.

The Cleveland Guardians signed Zuber on a minor league contract Jan. 31, 2024, and invited him to spring training. The Rays signed him to a minor league contract May 14, 2024,

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Two Quebecers Interested In Joining The Canadiens

Now that the playoffs are over and the Stanley Cup has been awarded, NHL general managers are planning for the next season and preparing for both the draft and free agency. Some are rushing to sign their pending UFA and RFA before they hit the market or can be signed to offer sheets. So far, Montreal Canadiens' GM Kent Hughes has signed prospect Vinzenz Rohrer to an entry-level contract (ELC), but he has not put pen to paper with any of his pending free agents.

Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak are set to hit the market. Armia has already said he’d like to return, while Dvorak preferred not to touch on the subject at his exit interview, but Montreal appears to be set to give the kids a chance. Still, could the Canadiens be active come July 1? If there are, a couple of Quebecers who would like to receive a call.

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Canadiens: A Big Name Interested In Montreal

La Presse’s Guillaume Lefrancois attended the Beauchemin-Fleury-Beauvillier-Aube-Kubel golf classic on Friday, and according to his article in the Quebec newspaper, both Anthony Beauvillier and Nicholas Aube-Kubel would like to wear the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge.

Beauvillier knows Hughes from his agent days, as he is a Quartexx client, and he has a lot of respect for the Canadiens’ GM, calling him a great hockey mind who sees things differently. He adds that he has always believed in what he’s doing and the deals he has been making.

The 28-year-old was a first-round pick for the New York Islanders at the 2015 draft and spent seven seasons on Long Island before being part of the package that brought Bo Horvat to town. Since then, he has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals.

Beauvillier is coming off a one-year deal he signed with the Penguins, which had a $1.25 million cap hit. He felt the Capitals might want to bring him back in his exit interview, but there hasn’t been any discussion since. The 5-foot-11 and 180-pound left winger has never put up more than 40 points in a season, a feat he achieved once when he split his time between New York and Vancouver in 2022-23. This past season, he picked up 25 points in 81 games and landed 139 hits, which would have ranked fifth on the Canadiens.

If Hughes were to make an offer to Beauvillier, he would certainly listen, but it would be for little more than a depth forward, and it would be surprising given his frame. The Habs want to get bigger, and the needs they have to address up front are more in the top-six than the bottom-six. I would be surprised if such an offer were to be made, but you never know.

As for Aube-Kubel, he was born in Alberta but moved to Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, when he was just two years old, and would also like to join the Tricolore. A 6-foot and 213-pound right winger, he has spent most of his season in the AHL.

He started the year in Buffalo with the Sabres, but suffered a knee injury. He was put on waivers in January and remained unclaimed, leading to his eventual assignment to the Rochester Americans. He was traded to the New York Rangers in March, and he played three games with the big club and three with its AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

It was a challenging year for him, and in 22 NHL games, he could only muster two points and 19 penalty minutes. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Hughes would be tempted to add the right winger to his NHL roster, as he would be nothing more than a depth player, perhaps the kind of player who could replace Michael Pezzetta, who is, in all likelihood, done in Montreal.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Lefty Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Cubs next week in St. Louis

CHICAGO — Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday.

Counsell wasn't sure when Imanaga would be slotted into Chicago's rotation but said before the Cubs' game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old “is gonna make his next start in the big leagues."

Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie last season, is coming back from a left hamstring strain. He got hurt covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on May 4.

Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for the Cubs this season. His return is expected to provide a lift to the NL Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4 1/2 games in front of Milwaukee and St. Louis.

Imanaga tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday night. He struck out eight and walked two.

“Everything went great,” Counsell said. “Did what we hoped he would do. He's in a position to be ready. So he's going to join us in St. Louis and we'll figure out the next steps.”

Before the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday.

Imanaga signed a $53 million, four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024. He often dazzled in 29 starts last season, making the NL All-Star team and finishing fourth in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year.

Also Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated lefty Génesis Cabrera for assignment.

Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15.

Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the Mets.

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Rafael Devers relishes first Giants home run in bounce-back win vs. Red Sox

Rafael Devers relishes first Giants home run in bounce-back win vs. Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Ever since being traded to the Giants last weekend, Rafael Devers has been greeted with loud, prolonged ovations at Oracle Park nearly every time he strolls to the plate.

Facing his former Boston teammates on Saturday, the two-time Silver Slugger gave the home fans something to really cheer about in San Francisco’s 3-2 win over the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon.

After grounding out in his first at-bat, the 28-year-old slugger smashed an 0-1 fastball from Boston starter Brayan Bello into the left field stands, Devers’ first home run with the Orange and Black.

“Really happy that I was able to contribute to the win,” Devers said through interpreter Edwin Higueros. “Hopefully I will continue to contribute, give my 100 percent and hopefully we get some more wins.”

Devers made history with his 16th home run of the season. He is the seventh player in MLB history to hit his first 200 home runs with one team then have their first home run with a new team come against their former team.

It was a moment that Giants fans have eagerly been anticipating since the trade that went down on Father’s Day.

They had to wait a bit for it to happen.

Devers was just 3-for-16 (.187) with one RBI during his first four games with the Giants, although it did little to slow the groundswell of support that has been growing for Devers over the past week.

Fans continued to cheer his every move, elevating him to a fan favorite position that up to this point had been focused primarily on Jung Hoo Lee.

Seeing Devers finally get that much-anticipated home run surely made fans fall even deeper in love with the Giants’ newcomer, who has been welcomed in the Bay with open arms.

“They certainly have,” manager Bob Melvin said. “That’s kind of typical him, can just let it travel and catch it late and block it out to left field. He’s done it so many times in Boston, and this park kind of plays that way to lefties as well.

“To get that one of his back, feel good about that. Now (he) can kind of settle in and do his thing.”

Devers has tried to downplay the scuttle about facing his former team so soon after the trade. He was humble after Saturday’s game, too, insisting that homering against the Red Sox was not a huge thing for him indivually.

“Nothing more special than any other home run that I hit,” Devers said. “(Bello is) my brother out there but we know that once we cross that line we’re competing with each other. Whoever wins wins, and it was us this time.”

Devers said he has relished how the fans in San Francisco have treated him since the trade went down.

“I appreciate it very much but as we know San Francisco and Boston have the greatest fans both,” Devers said. “Now that I’m on this side I really do appreciate how they have received me.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle addresses abuse allegations made against him

Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle addresses abuse allegations made against him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants reliever Sean Hjelle addressed accusations of abuse made by his wife on social media, saying he’s still in the process of trying to figure the situation out.

Hjelle didn’t get into specifics and said he plans to release an official statement on the matter in the coming weeks.

“I feel confident in saying that I will have one eventually,” Hjelle said following San Francisco’s 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Oracle Park. “I don’t have an exact timeline on that but I would like to actually get with the people that are handling the situation with me and for me before I make an actual statement.”

Caroline Hjelle’s post on TikTok on Friday included a caption that read: “When my MLB husband abandons us on Mothers Day a week after this (video was taken) once I finally found about his affairs and stopped putting up with his abuse, so I’ve been raising two boys alone.”

According to Hjelle, the couple have not been together for awhile and have been in the process of divorcing for about a year. Clerical and legal procedures have held matters up.

“We reached an agreement in mediation this offseason,” Hjelle said. “In the state of Virginia we had to wait a full year of separation, which was filed last May. So the official divorce decree has been delayed because of me starting in Sacramento, and per the terms of the agreement there were some nuances and what not.

“So that part has actually been delayed. But for all intents and purposes the divorce is a signature away from being officially finalized.”

The Giants released a statement earlier Saturday acknowledging that Major League Baseball has begun investigating the incident.

Hjelle hadn’t spoken publicly about it until Saturday and wants to wait until he gathers more information before making any further comments.

“I would like to talk with my agent, my lawyer,” Hjelle said. “This has been something that’s been going on for over a year now in terms of our relationship and our divorce and our separation and everything. But I don’t have any official comment right now.

“I just want to talk to the appropriate people, figure out what the steps are (and) just kind of take it in stride.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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'It's part of who I am': Negotiations ongoing between Aaron Ekblad, Panthers as defenseman reiterates desire to stay

It’s no secret that Aaron Ekblad wants to remain with the Florida Panthers.

The former first overall pick has spent his entire NHL career with the team that drafted him.

Now he’s helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups after reaching the championship series in three straight seasons.

If there was ever a great time to be a member of the Panthers, this is it.

“It's an elite program, it's the best organization in the league,” Ekblad said during Florida’s exit meetings. “We do everything the best, and we're still on an upward trajectory after winning two Stanley Cups in a row and (appearing in) three Stanley Cup Finals in a row, so it's incredible. I'm so proud of that, because I've been here for it.”

When July 1 arrives, Ekblad will be an unrestricted free agent.

He’s not the only Panthers player considered integral to the team’s success who will be hitting the open market.

Forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand are also UFAs.

Now, it’s certainly worth noting that all three have made it very clear that they would like to remain with the Panthers.

But if all three decide they want to cash in with the highest contract this summer, odds are they won’t be getting that kind of money from Florida.

Over the past several years, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been able to sign several of the team’s key players – Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling are just some – to team friendly term deals that allow more financial flexibility for signing additional players that keep the team's depth as such a strength. 

It’s arguable that each of those aforementioned players could have gotten more money by signing elsewhere.

The same would likely be true for Ekblad, if he chooses to test the open market, but the question will ultimately be whether he is willing to take less dollars to stay where he wants to be, or cash in on what could be the 29-year-old’s last big contract.

“It’s part of who I am at this point,” Ekblad said of being a member of the Panthers. “I've spent 11 years here, and that's more than I've spent in any home or city in my life, so it's home, and I expect it to be home.”

How that plays out for Ekblad and the Panthers remains to be seen, but it shouldn’t be too long until we find out how everything plays out.

Discussions between the two sides are ongoing.

One thing is certain at this point, and that’s how happy Ekblad will be if he ends up staying with Florida.

Is that happiness worth more than the almighty dollar? We shall see.

“Conversations have been had, you know, obviously nothing material yet, but they'll be working on it,” he said. “Things like to seem to come down to the last minute here.”

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) celebrates scoring against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

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Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22

Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and No. 31 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Lynden Lakovic

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Team: Moose Jaw

Scouting report

An excellent skater for a big body, Lakovic offers a dangerous package in transition. He’s imposing off the rush because he can separate and score with a smooth stride and plus shot.

Despite missing over a quarter of the 2024-25 campaign with a lower-body injury, the 18-year-old still led the Warriors in goals (27), points (58) and shots (183). Those numbers came in 47 games — 21 fewer than some of his teammates — on a rebuilding team.

“He has got that size,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And he’s really appealing because he can skate, he has got really good top-end speed, a good pull-away gear. Teams like that appeal about him because when he uses that speed to pull away and get the opportunity, he has got a good touch around the net, where he can finish.”

Lakovic is the 14th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He’ll need to round out his game as he develops and prove he can grind for his offense, as well.

“He’s just one of the big guys that needs a little more time, but he could end up being, out of this draft class, better than some of the players that get taken ahead of him,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “I don’t know that he realizes what his top end is.”

EliteProspects.com has Lakovic pegged as the 14th-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 23.

“This is what our opinion is, that he has a pretty high ceiling,” Marr said. “Down the road, he may be one of these guys that when you do a re-draft, he could go a little higher.”

Lynden Lakovic
(Nick Pettigrew/Moose Jaw Warriors)

Fit with Flyers

Lakovic could intrigue the Flyers if he’s within their reach at No. 22. Not many 6-foot-4 wingers can move like him and there’s scoring potential to go along with it.

If the Flyers were to draft him, they’d add to a good mix of left winger prospects that includes Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin and Denver Barkey.

While it’s very difficult to read how wingers with size and finesse will translate to the pro level, Lakovic seems to have middle-six upside.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?

• Reschny’s performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers’ eye in first round

• Flyers could have three shots at ‘dynamic, explosive skater’ on the wing

• Finding another Foerster? Flyers may have one if they draft Bear in first round

• Martone would offer Flyers ‘pretty complete package’ if he’s there at No. 6

• Flyers’ future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch’

• ‘That’s how tight it is’ — Eklund could interest Flyers among international prospects

• A center with ‘really, really strong’ upside could be first-round sleeper for Flyers

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2025 NHL Draft: 10 Players Who Won't Go Undrafted Again

Every year, good prospects go undrafted, and they have two choices: feel sorry for themselves or prove people wrong and force a team to call their names next NHL draft.

While not every player has the latter mindset, the players here embraced it ahead of the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles.

Petteri Rimpinen, G, 19, Kiekko-Espoo (Fin.)

An incredible performance at the WJC, helping the Finns to an unexpected silver medal, put Rimpinen on the radar for the 2025 draft. He played 40 Liiga games and posted the league’s second-best save percentage.

Jamiro Reber, C, 18, HV71 (Swe.)

After flashing bits of skill last year, Reber was solid in the Swedish League this season. His speed and motor meshed perfectly with some slick playmaking and a nose for the net.

Topias Hynninen, C, 19, Jukurit (Fin.)

Hynninen was Jukurit’s second-highest regular-season scorer and then went off for 10 points in five games in the relegation playoffs, carrying a massive load offensively. He’s a solid two-way forward who brings more offensive creation than he’s given credit for.

Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveDraft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveThe Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions abo...

Julius Sumpf, C, 20, Moncton (QMJHL)

Sumpf is a tactician who is better than the sum of his parts. The QMJHLer constantly moves around when he doesn’t have the puck to find space and generate scoring chances. He connects plays well and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the game with the puck on his stick.

Charlie Cerrato, LW, 20, Penn State (Big Ten)

In his freshman year, Cerrato was a top-20 scorer in college hockey, and he was a driving force on one of the NCAA’s most impressive teams. Cerrato possesses excellent speed and rush-attacking abilities.

Luke Mistelbacher (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

Luke Mistelbacher, RW, 19, Swift Current (WHL)

With a great shot and an understanding of how to get open in the offensive zone, Mistelbacher exploded offensively this year. He needs to clean up his skating, but his finishing and offensive skills are tantalizing. He signed a tryout deal with AHL Iowa for a taste of the pros after his WHL season ended.

Tomas Galvas, D, 19, Liberec (Cze.)

With a supremely skilled offensive game, Galvas is a player who was quite highly regarded last year but was passed over due to concerns with his own-zone play. His defensive game has improved somewhat, but it remains a work in progress. His offense, however, outweighs the worry.

Daniil Ustinkov, D, 18, Kusnacht (Sui.2)

Ustinkov plays an understated game as a defensive blueliner with solid passing on the breakout. His skating is his foundation, and he leverages it to defend in all situations.

Daniel Nieminen, D, 19 Pelicans (Fin.)

Nieminen uses his skating all over the ice and has played well against men in the Liiga. He defends with his feet, evades pressure and is comfortable carrying the puck up ice. His passing is an asset in the offensive zone.

Cole Davis, LW, 19, Windsor (OHL)

There is a lot for NHL coaches to like about Davis’ game in the OHL. He brings physicality, invites contact, crashes the net, disrupts play on the forecheck and can get under an opponent’s skin.

This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top-100 prospects heading into the 2025 NHL draft.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

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Yankees' Luis Gil faces live batters, looks 'really good' in 'important' return step

Yankees right-hander Luis Gil faced live batters before Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Baltimore Orioles and "looked really good" in what was an "important" step for the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year's road to a 2025 season debut, New York manager Aaron Boone said.

"I think he was 95, 96 (mph)," Boone said of Gil's fastball velocity. "It looked every bit of that. Just the metrics on the four-seam was really good, too.

"And I thought he was in control of himself, too. So, free and easy. I thought he executed some really good changeups."

Gil has been on the 60-day injured list since March 24 with a right lat strain.

"It's important," Boone said of Gil facing live batters. "Fortunately, after the setback, it's been a slow buildup, but it's gone well, it feels like, every step of the way. So, that's been encouraging.

"And now, we start to build. Now we start to build lives, pitch counts and then eventually, now, getting into rehab games. So, definitely another important box to check."

While Boone does not yet know the number of live batting practices that Gil will have as he ramps up his rehab, an end-of-July target is "reasonable."

"I think, right now, it's a little slower buildup than that," Boone said of late July. "But yes, that's reasonable. I mean, the biggest thing is when do you get him to 75, 80 pitches. And I know we'll be methodical with that and careful with that.

"I don't know the schedule yet. I haven't looked that far ahead of how they have it built to when the date is. I would assume they have it built now, but it can be adjusted, too, along the way."

Gil, 27, was 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 151.2 IP over 29 regular-season starts for the Yankees' 2024 campaign.

"It is still a ways off, but yes, obviously, what he could bring would definitely be a good shot in the arm and kind of maybe one of those trade-deadline adds," Boone said.

"Obviously coming off of a really special season last year where he was so important for us, and I just think went through a lot of really good growth moments, too -- like, for winning the Rookie of the Year and having an outstanding year, he had some struggles along the way, too, and kind of navigated those, I think grew from those things.

"And now going through an injury, too, where not necessarily a major injury or surgical injury but certainly an injury that cost him enough time -- those things that can be learning things, too, for a young player."

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NBA Trade, Free Agency Rumors Roundup: Chris Paul returns to LA or Phoenix? Bobby Portis staying in Milwaukee

Look around the rest of the NBC Sports NBA page and you can read all the big free agent stories of the day, like LeBron James and James Harden staying with their respective Los Angeles teams. Here is a roundup of other news worth noting, less than 24 hours from the start of free agency.

Chris Paul returns to LA or Phoenix?

The vibe for a while has been that Chris Paul would love to play another year in the NBA, his 21st season, and at age 40, but it has to be closer to his family in Los Angeles. Marc Stein summed it up well recently at The Stein Line:

"Chris Paul would be another Mavericks target at $5.7 million [the taxpayer mid-level exception], but there is a growing belief that Paul, after starting all 82 games last season in San Antonio as a 40-year-old newcomer to the Spurs, is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles."

It's been no secret around the league that the Clippers have some interest in reuniting with CP3 as a backup guard, whether the sides are on the same page is another question. The Lakers have a lot of priorities that fall in line ahead of backup point guard, they are not a likely landing spot.

Phoenix is a team to watch if Tyus Jones leaves town in free agency, Stein added. The Suns are stacked with combo guards but not pure floor-general point guards.

Bobby Portis staying in Milwaukee

Bobby Portis isn't the best player on the Bucks, but he is their heart and soul. The fan favorite. If he had wanted to leave in free agency there would have been interest, but that was never likely.

Portis is not going anywhere.

Rapid fire round (bullet points):

• Portland buying out DeAndre Ayton. Portland has decided to take the financial hit and just buy out the final year of DeAndre Ayton's $35.6 million contract. That frees up more minutes for Donovan Clingan and first-round pick Yang Hansen of China.

Ayton is now an unrestricted free agent, and there will be interest in the big man, just for a lot less money than his last contract. Still, for teams that were thinking of Clint Capela as a fallback, Ayton looks like a much better option.

• Teams lining up for Santi Aldama. Among the big men expected to be on the move this summer is Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies. Here is what Zach Lowe said on his podcast:

"Santi Aldama has full mid-level deals, I think, waiting for him. At least that's the scuttlebutt I've heard, that he is sought after enough by a team like Detroit, for instance, with the full mid-level. There's a lot of teams with the full mid-level. He's an interesting kind of combination of skills, and I think they're going to have to pay to retain him. And when you have full mid-level deals, if you do in the open market, your incumbent team might have to pay a little bit more than that using your bird rights to do it, and then they'd have the salary cap room exception on top of that."

• Don't expect Austin Reaves to leave Lakers. The headline "Austin Reaves rejects Lakers max contract offer" is both accurate and wildly misleading. Reaves rejected the four-year, $89.2 million offer, which was the maximum the Lakers could offer this summer (140% of his current contract, way below market value), but did so only because the $22.3 million per year offer is well below what he will be offered next summer. Reaves is expected to earn over $ 30 million per season with his next contract, and teams will likely line up to pay it.

Reaves wants that deal to be with the Lakers, and the Lakers want it as well. However, Los Angeles just can't offer it until next offseason. Whether that deal happens or not depends on several variables and how the next season plays out, but it's clear that both sides want to make it work. There is no ill will, this is just business.

• Kelly Oubre picks up option with 76ers. Kelly Oubre will be back in Philadelphia next season after picking up his $8.4 million player option. This was both expected and welcomed by both sides.

• The Thunder lock up Ajay Mitchell with a new contract. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news and explained this one.

• Orlando declines option on Mo Wagner. Franz Wagner is a cornerstone of what the Orlando Magic are building, but his brother, Mo Wagner, did not have his $11 million option picked up by the team for next season. The smart money is on the two sides working out a new, smaller contract going forward.

• Duncan Robinson declines $19.9 million option. Duncan Robinson did the Miami Heat a favor, declining his $19.9 million early termination option, making himself a free agent. This was a win for the Heat because it moved them about $5 million below the luxury tax line. The Heat and Robinson will work together on what's next, whether that involves staying with the Heat or a sign-and-trade deal elsewhere.

• No trade market for Jordan Clarkson. The Utah Jazz already traded Collin Sexton to free up their backcourt, but they are also testing the market for Jordan Clarkson. And finding no interest, reports Andy Larson at the Salt Lake Tribune. Clarkson averaged 16.2 points a game last season, shot 36.2% from 3, and is on an expiring $14.3 million contract. There should be some interest around the league.

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Ian McLauchlan, Scotland and British & Irish Lions ‘Mighty Mouse’, dies at 83

  • ‘Mighty Mouse’ led his country 19 times, winning 43 caps

  • Part of successful Lions tours in 1971 and 1974

The former Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop Ian McLauchlan has died at the age of 83. The Ayrshire-born McLauchlan, who was known throughout the rugby world as Mighty Mouse, won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining the side 19 times.

McLauchlan’s legacy was cemented on the victorious Lions tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974, being one of only five players to feature in all eight Test matches.

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What we learned as Rafael Devers' first Giants home run powers win over Red Sox

What we learned as Rafael Devers' first Giants home run powers win over Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – It took a few days but it finally happened. Rafael Devers notched his first home run with the Giants, a solo blast in the third inning that helped pace the Orange and Black to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

It was the only hit Devers had but it was a pivotal blow on an afternoon where offense was scarce for both teams.

Heliot Ramos also went deep to even the series between the two teams.

Devers has been welcomed with open arms since the Father’s Day trade landed his powerful bat in the Bay. The slugger had put together some strong at-bats but hadn’t been able to really get into one until Saturday when he hit a two-run drive off Red Sox starter and former teammate Brayan Bello.

Devers’ homer came two batters after Andrew Knizner reached base on an error.

The Giants didn’t do much else offensively but made the scoring stand up with a solid day from their bullpen.

After starter Landen Roupp pitched six strong innings, manager Bob Melvin used three relievers to mop things up.

Randy Rodriguez and Tyler Rogers each threw a scoreless inning before closer Camilo Doval pitched in and out of a jam in the ninth.

Here are the takeaways from Saturday’s win:

Devers Drives It

Of course Devers’ first home with the Giants came against his former ballclub. It was straight out of a Hollywood movie script.

Six days after being acquired from Boston in a deal that included Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, Devers gave Giants fans what they had been eagerly waiting for since his arrival with an opposite-field home run.

It was Devers’ second extra-base hit and second RBI in five games with the Orange and Black. Predictably, he received a standing ovation from the Oracle Park crowd as he crossed home plate.

Roupp Rebounds Nicely

Nearly two weeks after his worst outing of his career Roupp bounced back with one of his best stats of the season.

The Giants’ right-hander pitched six scoreless innings and allowed only three hits – the fewest Roupp has given up in any of his 15 starts this season. He has six strikeouts and three walks before giving way to reliever Randy Rodriguez.

It was exactly the type of game that the Giants needed from Roupp after he gave up six runs and retired only five batters in an 11-5 loss to the Dodgers on June 8.

Dicey Day For Doval

The days of Torture are back whenever the Giants’ close takes the mound. Saturday was just the latest chapter in Doval’s roller-coaster season.

Doval gave up three consecutive hits to open the ninth, allowing the Red Sox to score a pair of runs and avoid being shut out.

Just when things looked like they were going to go the wrong way, Doval gathered himself and recorded three consecutive groundouts to earn his 12th save of the season.

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Canadiens: A Potential Right-Shot Defenseman Target

According to Frank Seravalli, the Calgary Flames and right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson have begun discussing a contract extension, and the parties are far apart in terms of money. The 28-year-old right-shot defenseman is about to enter the final year of his six-year pact with a team-friendly $4.55 cap hit.

The veteran was a second-round pick at the 2015 draft and has been a mainstay on the Flames’ blueline for the last seven years. From a primarily defensive defenseman, he has evolved into a two-way rearguard with an offensive upside. In 2021-22, he recorded a career-high 50 points in 82 games. The following season, he maintained his production with 49 points in 79 games, but his last two campaigns have been less productive with 39 and 31 points, respectively. This past season, he also posted a career-low minus-38.

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A real Swiss-knife on the blueline, the 6-foot-1 and 201-pound defenseman does it all for the Flames, averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice-time per game. He plays on the top pairing, the power play (spending an average of two minutes per game on the ice with the man-advantage), and the penalty kill.

Given the decline in production, it’s not surprising that the two sides are far apart from a monetary standpoint. Part of the decline could be down to his playing with a broken fibula in the last 12 games of the season. A stretch in which he put up four points while the Alberta outfit was desperately trying to qualify for the playoffs. They finished with the same amount of points as the St. Louis Blues, but the Missouri side had the tie-breaker and got to face the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

With David Savard’s retirement, the Montreal Canadiens could benefit from an experienced blueliner on the right side of defense, and acquiring Andersson could be a worthy avenue to explore for GM Kent Hughes.

The Habs have made significant progress this past season, qualifying for the playoffs, and it might just be time to add some impactful veterans to help the Tricolore’s young core. Hughes has already made three trades with the Flames since his appointment in 2022. He sent Tyler Toffoli their way in February 2022, acquiring Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became the 26th overall pick and was used to pick Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft. He also sent Michael McNiven their way for future considerations. Finally, in August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft, which will be the 16th overall, for future considerations.

However, those deals were made when Brad Treliving was at the helm of the Alberta side; he has since moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs and been replaced by Craig Conroy, a former Canadiens’ draft pick in 1990 and a Flames alumnus. Since taking over, Conroy has pulled the trigger on a dozen deals, none of which were with the Canadiens. Last Summer, he traded Andrew Mangiapane away as he was about to enter the last year of his contract. The GM wanted more draft capital and cap flexibility. In March 2024, he also traded defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights in a deal. The left-shot defenseman who was about to command a raise, which he got days later, signed a new pact with the Knights.

In other words, if the financial gap between the two sides cannot be bridged, Conroy has been known to trade assets rather than let them hit the market. The Flames’ pick cupboard is not bare; they have seven selections in each of the subsequent three drafts, but it’s not exactly overflowing either. The Canadiens currently have 12 picks at the upcoming draft, nine in 2026 and seven in 2027. Montreal has two first-round picks and two second-round picks in next week's draft, which could be in play to fill one of their needs.

If Calgary moves Andersson, it won’t be for cheap; it took a first-round pick, a third-round one, and right-shot defenseman Daniil Miromanov for Vegas to acquire Hanifin back at the 2024 trade deadline.

If Conroy is still interested in future assets and prospects, there’s no doubt Hughes has got plenty to work with and could put together a very enticing package, but Montreal likely won’t be alone in the running. Right-shot defensemen are hard to come by on the market, and there will be plenty of other bidders.

Hughes has accustomed us to plenty of action around the drafts, acquiring Kirby Dach at his first one, Alex Newhook on the eve of his second one, and flipping picks to move up in the first round at the 2024 one. What does he have in store for us this time around? Time will tell…

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

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This Is What The Perfect Chicago Blackhawks Off-Season Would Look Like

The Chicago Blackhawks have a few directions they can go in over the summer. They could be realistic and understand that 2025-26 is another important development year for their young pros. They could also think pushing for a playoff spot in a deep Western Conference is the way to go. 

Having the perfect off-season would be Kyle Davidson continuing to look at the bigger picture, which he has been great at since taking over as the full-time General Manager. 

It starts with the buyout period. Although TJ Brodie is one of the nicest men you’d ever come across in the NHL, he was the 10th-best defenseman in the organization last season. In 2025-26, he’d be even lower than that. Having him on the roster doesn’t make any sense from a hockey standpoint. 

The Blackhawks must start the off-season by buying him out. It won’t clear much cap space, but there will be more room for young players to get a chance. He will also have an opportunity to go find work somewhere that won’t healthy-scratch him most of the time. 

After that move, the focus will solely turn to the 2025 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks will make the 3rd and 25th overall picks. First-round selections get way more attention and hype than the rest of the draft, and rightfully so. However, Stanley Cups can be won in the later rounds. 

Chicago needs to select a forward with the third overall pick. It is also likely a target throughout. Michael Misa will likely be off the board, so that leaves one of Porter Martone, James Hagens, Caleb Desnoyers, or Anton Frondell for Chicago to consider. If they keep the pick, they will be drafting a difference maker who can turn into a star. As long as they land one of those four, their perfect off-season quest doesn’t depend on one specific selection. 

After the draft is over, the focus will turn to free agency. Unless the Blackhawks are landing one of Mitch Marner or Nikolaj Ehlers, they probably aren’t going to make many impactful signings that move the needle in 2025-26.

It may not even keep it from being a perfect off-season if they made a move like that. Adding a star-level player like that with lucrative money does not fit the team’s current window. If anything, they are one year away from that being a good idea. 

Throughout all of this, making trades is Kyle Davidson’s best way of adding talent to the roster. On Saturday, Andre Burakovsky was acquired from the Seattle Kraken for Joe Veleno. That’s a middle-six forward coming to town to stabilize the forward group. 

It isn’t about competing for the playoffs. It is about getting the young players into good habits and getting them to produce at a high level. Where they fall in the standings as a result doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Not long after the season ended, the Hawks searched for a new head coach. They landed on Jeff Blashill, who has experience coaching at all levels across hockey. 

By the end of next season, he could be seen as the marquee addition to the team. As long as the young players, including the players they select in the first round of the draft, have what they need to develop for the long term, the offseason will be considered a win. 

To summarize, buying out TJ Brodie, making a strong selection at forward with the third overall pick, not getting themselves into a bad contract in free-agency, and a strong trade or two would make this a perfect off-season for Chicago. 

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