NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won’t make his next scheduled start on the mound because of left knee irritation and isn’t expected back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation for a while.
Ohtani, however, still didn’t feel 100% while playing catch this weekend, so he and the Dodgers decided not to even test the knee with a bullpen session.
The four-time MVP hasn’t pitched since July 3, and it’s unclear when he might return to the mound.
“I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday before his team’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”
Roberts reiterated that Ohtani feels no pain in the knee when hitting. The slugger was in the starting lineup for Sunday’s opener, batting leadoff as the designated hitter, and Roberts said he’d wait to see about playing Ohtani in the nightcap, too.
“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get in a good spot,” Roberts said. “As he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque on landing on that leg. That kind of gets it upset. So I think that hitting doesn’t do that. So I think that for us, we’re trying to give it as much time as possible.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game on March 31, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James’s free agency continues as he decided not to reveal any decision at his scheduled events at Fanatics Fest this weekend.
“That’s the goal, that’s the plan,” Harden said when asked by ESPN Brazil if he could envision a trio of himself, Donovan Mitchell, and LeBron. “Hopefully, we’ll see [that] in the next few days.”
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“I hope he comes to Cleveland,” Harden said in a separate interview about James this weekend. “It’s a perfect storybook finish. He’s at home for his last year. But you know, he’s going to decide. He’s smart enough. I don’t think anybody’s pitches are going to move him.”
Harden comes across as quite confident in both clips that James could be returning to Cleveland. In many ways, it felt reminiscent of how head coach Kenny Atkinson and Mitchell have handled questions about LeBron in the last week.
That said, the Cavs are hardly the only team that seems confident about LeBron signing with them. Gilbert Arenas mentioned at a live recording of his podcast that he talked about the possibility of James signing with the Miami Heat with Giannis Antetokounmpo, saying, “They’re thinking in Miami that they’re getting him.”
Additionally, the Philadelphia 76ers are pulling out all the stops to let James know they would love to add him to their team. It’s been reported that Sixers owner, Josh Harris had a “brief, friendly conversation” with LeBron during Fanatics Fest this weekend.
We’ll see how this plays out. LeBron is reportedly getting much closer to a decision. Whether or not we get an announcement of that in the coming days remains to be seen.
Jul 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) waits to take batting practice following the postpoment of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Two games on the docket on Sunday. First game of the split doubleheader has Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, with a bullpen game coming for the nightcap.
Get ready for Orel Hershiser on your television calling Dodgers games on two different networks today.
Mets interim manager Andy Green is waiting to see how he came out of that game feeling, but the team still anticipates Robert Jr. will rejoin them for the three-game set with the Brewers.
Robert has been sidelined since late-April due to a back injury.
When he is ready to return, Green said on Saturday that the team will work all of their outfielders into the mix down the stretch of the regular season.
Robert, of course, could also be moved to a contender if he proves that he is back fully healthy before the Aug. 3 trade deadline hits.
What’s next for Holmes
Rain delayed Clay Holmes’ return to game action with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday night, but the right-hander was still able to successfully complete a 45-pitch bullpen session.
Green said that Holmes came through the session feeling good and strong.
The hope is that he woke up this morning feeling the same way, and if he did, he’ll throw a side and then attempt to pitch in a game again on his normal turn in the rotation.
Green indicated on Saturday that Holmes would need to work up to the five-inning mark before they can begin the conversation on when he’ll be set to return to the majors.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined since May 15 with a fractured fibula.
Like Robert, he could potentially be used as an assert ahead of the deadline, but SNY’s Chelsea Janes recently indicated that there’s mutual interest on an extension.
Talks between the two sides are expected to pick up this week.
Austin Warren on the mend
Warren has begun throwing after his forearm tightness scare.
Green said that the righty remains without a timeline for a potential return, but the team is still expecting his absence won’t be too terribly long.
Warren was officially placed on the 15-day IL just over a week ago.
Though there was some initial concern, testing revealed that there was no structural damage, which should allow him to avoid another long-term surgery.
While he struggled in his last two outings before landing on the sidelines, getting Warren back would be a nice boost for a Mets bullpen set to lose key pieces ahead of the deadline.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani during the sixth inning of Friday's game against the New York Yankees. Ohtani was in the lineup at DH Sunday. (Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
He was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday against the Phillies, after promising initial reports on his recovery from an injection in his left knee. But after seeing his knee’s response to playing catch, the team decided to give him more time.
“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”
It was clear enough from catch play that Ohtani’s start would have to be pushed back and that Ohtani did not feel the need to test it by throwing off a mound, Roberts said.
“Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”
That left a wide range of timeline possibilities, from days to weeks. Roberts did, however, rule out shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the season.
“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.
To fill Ohtani’s spot in the rotation this week, the Dodgers moved right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start to Monday. Before the rainout bumped the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Sheehan was scheduled to start Saturday.
For Sunday’s doubleheader, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in the first game. The bullpen, and potentially multiple innings from the 27th man, will cover the nightcap.
“Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Roberts said of the MLB-leading Dodgers. “Could [Ohtani] probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”
Ohtani, who went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in Friday’s 2-1 win, was set to DH and hit leadoff in Sunday’s first game.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees talks to the media during MLB All-Star Week at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What’s better than one game between the Yankees and Dodgers? Two Yankees-Dodgers games, of course. That’s what we’re set for today thanks to last night’s storm, which postponed what was set to be an interesting matchup between Ryan Weathers and Emmett Sheehan. Ironically, Weathers was prevented from pitching because—you know what, no. Forget that one.
Anyway, because of the postponement, what was set to be a national TV matchup in the evening between two superstar pitchers is now going to be the afternoon docket! Rather unfortunate for the folks who have tickets for the nightcap, but such is life. Cam Schlittler will make his first start of the second half opposite reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
There isn’t really much that needs to be said about either pitcher here. Both were named All-Stars this season, though neither participated in the actual Midsummer Classic. Both have been remarkably consistent from start to start, though Yamamoto’s final appearance of the first half saw him run out of steam in the sixth inning against the Diamondbacks.
Schlittler’s last start at Yankee Stadium was on June 30th; three turns in the rotation plus the All-Star Break ago. That game was the second of his two blowup starts this season: both at home and both against AL Central foes. There will be no stouter test than the Dodgers, the league’s best offense by wRC+ (114). Cam’s already earned a reputation as a big-game pitcher. Let’s see how he fares today.
This afternoon’s starting nine is slightly adjusted from the lineup which was slated for last night’s game against Emmet Sheehan. Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Jasson Domínguez will still be at the top, with Cody Bellinger hitting cleanup. Midseason MVP Max Schuemann will play right field and bat fifth ahead of Jazz Chisholm Jr. Anthony Volpe draws back into the lineup, with Ryan McMahon at the hot corner. Ali Sánchez will handle the catching for the front half of this twin bill.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 12:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SportsNet LA
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, Dodgers Radio AM 570, KTNQ 1020
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026 Summer League is in the books for the Phoenix Suns. They leave Las Vegas with a 3-2 record, a number that will disappear into the desert haze long before anyone cares to remember it. What should stick with you is the feeling.
This organization arrived in Las Vegas with one mission: develop the young core. Mission accomplished? Never. But on the right track? Indeed. The Suns put their future under the brightest lights they could find, and those young players didn’t blink. They attacked, they flashed, and they gave fans something tangible to hold onto as the franchise continues building toward what comes next.
Which brings us to one final Summer League tradition, the Second Annual Bright Side Baller of the Summer League.
Sure, it’s a little ridiculous. We’re handing out imaginary awards for games that don’t count. Then again, that’s part of the fun. Around here, we do it after every game. The Bright Side community votes on who they believe was the best player that night. I make the graphic, we celebrate the performance, and it becomes another bookmark in the archive. A snapshot of who owned that moment before the basketball calendar swept everyone into the next one.
Last season, the voting (like the performances that garnered votes) was inconsistent. Nobody truly separated from the pack. Oso Ighodaro eventually claimed the Summer League crown with two Bright Side Baller awards, edging out Koby Brea and Ryan Dunn, who each collected one. It was a team searching for standout moments, and finding them in different places every night.
This year? There wasn’t a debate. Khaman Maluach owned Summer League. In the four games he played, he walked away with the Bright Side Baller award every single time. Four games, four wins, and one closed case.
The leap went far beyond the box score, although the box score certainly did its part in feeding the excitement.
MIN
PTS
REB
AST
BLK
STL
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
NETRTG
REB%
27.4
19.5
12.8
1.0
2.0
1.2
113.8
88.8
+25.0
22.4%
Those numbers make it easy to dream about what Maluach could become. They grab your attention immediately. But the statistics only tell part of the story. The real takeaway came from everything that never finds its way onto a stat sheet. His aggression on both ends of the floor. His communication as the anchor of the defense. His leadership. His energy. His passion. Every game, every possession, every timeout, it poured out of him.
Even in the finale against the Spurs when he sat in street clothes, you could still feel his fingerprints all over the game. He was on the bench barking at teammates, celebrating every big play, jawing with the opposition, completely invested in every possession like a man who couldn’t stand being separated from the action.
If there was one word that defined Khaman Maluach throughout this entire Summer League, it was “engaged”. He wasn’t there to survive the experience. He was there to consume it, to drag everyone around him into the fight, and to leave Las Vegas looking like someone who knows exactly where he’s headed.
Summer League is its own ecosystem. It’s a place where elite young talent gets to stretch its legs, where future role players become stars for a week, and confidence grows with every possession. The biggest fish find themselves swimming in a much smaller pond. That was Khaman Maluach in the summer of 2026. He rose above everyone around him. He imposed his will on games. More importantly, he looked like he expected to. There was never a sense that he was hoping things would work out. He carried himself like someone who believed he belonged at the center of the conversation.
Now comes October, and the pond gets a whole lot bigger. Maluach returns to being the young guy, another name on the depth chart, another player fighting for minutes in a league that doesn’t hand out opportunities because of a strong week in Las Vegas. Every possession has to be earned and every minute has to be taken.
The difference is that Summer League gave us something real to believe in. He looks ready for the next step. Not because he dominated a handful of exhibition games, but because his approach changed. His mind seems to be catching up to the incredible physical tools he has always possessed. The game is slowing down and the confidence is becoming authentic.
The Suns know there will be opportunities. Mark Williams isn’t going to carry the load for all 82 games, and every season has a way of creating minutes for players who prove they’re ready. That’s what changed in Las Vegas. Before Summer League, Maluach’s potential lived almost entirely in his physical gifts. Now it’s supported by confidence, communication, and a growing understanding of the game. October will present a much tougher challenge than July ever could, but for the first time, it feels like we’re waiting for an opportunity rather than wondering if one will ever come.
The ace of the moment, Sean Burke. | David Richard-Imagn Images
Who would’ve thunk last fall watching Trey Yeasavage mow through AL hitters that just a few long months later, we’d be saying things like “Yeah he’s good, but Sean Burke might wind up getting some Cy Young votes, has the advantage.”
Obviously I’m being rather liberal with the royal “we” there, because I might really be the only one saying it, but I think it’s true. Burke is making his first start of the second half after catching fire going into the All-Star break, and if he can maintain anything like his season-long pace of a 3.41 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning, he’ll almost certainly garner some down-ballot votes.
It’s hard to understate how red-hot Burke is. After spinning seven stellar innings against the Athletics just before the break, his totals from his last six starts work out to six earned runs over 32 innings, looking every bit a starter who might not need an opener any longer. He touched 99 mph last week. 99! From Sean Burke! You just can’t fake that stuff, and if he can keep up anything like that while maintaining a good feel for his breaking balls, the Sox are going to be in very very good shape.
It seems in fact we may be in for a replay of last summer, when Shane Smith grabbed our attention while Burke quietly became the most consistent pitcher on the staff from late May-on. I strongly suspect Davis Martin will continue to make it a conversation, but if the Sox wind up playing in October this year, I also suspect Burke will be the one starting Game 1.
I also just noticed that this is happening over on the AL rookie leaderboard, sorted by WRC+.
There’s really a non-zero chance that this team winds up with two Top 3 Cy Young finishers and all but sweeping the top of the Rookie of the Year voting. There’s also a non-zero chance they do that and still wind up missing the playoffs, because the White Sox are still the White Sox. Still, it becomes harder to argue almost every day that this isn’t simply a talented ball club, and if their lineup can find some middle ground between Friday’s slugfest and yesterday’s neutering, they’ll be pretty well set for the series. That would also put them back to a season-high six games above breakeven heading into a tough series down in Arlington, Texas.
Here’s what Toronto manager John Schneider is using to match up against Burke this morning:
There is one more piece of reporting to report heading into today’s game. Clay Holmes may not be the ace we’re hoping for, but he won’t be expensive, and a veteran arm to solidify the staff just to get them to the playoffs might be the best move they can make, given the state of the trade market.
Chicago sent special assistant Nick Hostetler to watch New York Mets SP Clay Holmes during his rehab assignment, per @BNightengale
If you’re wondering why we’re up this early on a Sunday, I’d because today’s game is unfortunately only accessible via Peacock, though Len and DJ will be on the AM 1000 radio call as always. First pitch is at 11:15 a.m. CT, and we’ll see you there!
Jul 8, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Alan Rangel (57) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Phillies’ first series of the second half wraps up with an afternoon contest against the New York Mets. It will be a battle of rookie pitchers, with the Phillies giving the ball to Alan Rangel. The righthander is 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA.
Every season, each team will have a small handful of AHL players get an opportunity in the NHL. It's often to fill in for an injured player or because they've been impressing in the American League and deserve a look in the big league.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization, the situation is a little bit different than usual, considering their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, is coming off their second Calder Cup championship in franchise history.
Several players from that Marlies team deserve a regular chance with the Maple Leafs. However, GM John Chayka made a considerable splash on July 1, acquiring an abundance of players to fill the NHL roster for 2026-27.
The path up to the NHL within the organization for some of those Calder Cup winners isn't so clear now. But that doesn't mean a few can't see some action with the Maple Leafs.
This past year, four Marlies players received a notable opportunity with the Maple Leafs. Jacob Quillan, Dakota Mermis, Dennis Hildeby and Bo Groulx all featured in more than 10 NHL games in 2025-26.
Quillan played the most, appearing in 23 contests and scoring a goal and two assists. Next is Hildeby, who played 20 games in relief due to the absences of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, with most of his action coming from November through January.
Groulx was introduced to the Maple Leafs lineup later in the campaign, making his season debut on March 10 and playing 13 games for the club. Mermis was used as an injury replacement throughout the year, playing 11 games for the Leafs, all before Dec. 9.
With those numbers from this past year, how much action in the NHL can some of the Marlies' core players expect for this coming season?
For starters, it certainly won't be much playing time if the majority of the Maple Leafs roster remains healthy. Chayka's free agency haul blocks out some opportunity for the impressive AHL champions.
With the goaltending, Woll was shipped to the Philadelphia Flyers, and Hildeby to the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, future Hall of Famer Sergei Bobrovsky was added to the mix with a three-year contract.
Therefore, for Akhtyamov to get a stint in the NHL, he'd have to be patient for either an injury or a serious dip in performance from Stolarz or Bobrovsky. And to be fair, that's very possible.
Stolarz has had an injury-riddled career so far and has never played more than 34 games in a single season. Also, Bobrovsky is coming off the worst campaign of his lengthy NHL tenure and will be turning 38 before the next season's start. So to say Akhtyamov could get 15 to 20 games like Hildeby did last year isn't the biggest stretch of the imagination.
One thing that sticks out with the Maple Leafs' defense is Chris Tanev. The veteran blueliner didn't see a whole lot of action after suffering multiple injuries early in the year. As a result, he only featured in 11 contests for Toronto, so it'll be interesting to see how he carries himself in 2026-27 as a 36-year-old.
Add Tanev's return to the lineup with the additions of Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae to the back end this off-season. With that, there's still Troy Stecher, who was re-signed to a two-year deal, and even Philippe Myers is still a depth piece in the organization.
That leaves scraps for a player like 24-year-old defenseman William Villeneuve. Which is a shame because he finished second in the AHL's playoff scoring race with 23 points in 24 games. In another situation with another team, Villeneuve would potentially see at least 20 games based on that Calder Cup performance, and still at a relatively young age.
Not to mention, 20-year-old Ben Danford has made it clear multiple times that he's looking to crack the Maple Leafs' roster out of training camp this fall. That would certainly be a tall task considering the bodies ahead of him on the depth chart.
In terms of Toronto's forward group, Quillan and Groulx would be the obvious candidates to be the first in line for a call-up.
Quillan, 24, has shown great signs of growth in the American League this past year, almost reaching a point-per-game average in the regular season. He scored 14 goals and 36 points in 40 appearances with the Marlies. What helps his case even further is his NHL experience, as he spent over a quarter of the NHL regular season with the Leafs.
As for Groulx, he was a pleasant surprise with how quickly he produced offensively for the Maple Leafs when he was called up in March. In his first six games in the NHL, the 26-year-old scored three goals and five points.
Unfortunately for those two, the additions of Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Jack Roslovic and Gavin McKenna hinder the chance of replicating the time they got with the Leafs in 2025-26. This time around, they would be lucky to see more than 10 games, barring a long-term injury to an NHL regular.
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TORONTO, ON - MAY 25: A general view of Rogers Centre during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jon Blacker/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We have an early game. Maybe it will be finished before the start of the World Cup game.
Let’s score more than one run today.
Yesterday I mentioned the 1-0 games are very rare. That was our first 1-0 game, win or loss, of the season, and they didn’t have a 1-0 game all of last year. We had two 1-0 losses in 2024. Our last 1-0 win was August 18th, 2024 and that was out only 1-0 win that year.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 17: Nicky Lopez #33 of the Texas Rangers hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for July 19, 2026 against the Atlanta Braves: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Grant Holmes for the Braves.
The Rangers come to the end of their brief three game road trip this afternoon, and will try to take the series against the Braves.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Langford — LF
Jung — 3B
Nimmo — RF
Burger — 1B
Duran — SS
Carter — CF
Lopez — 2B
Higashioka — C
12:35 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -121 favorites.
Hernandez enters Sunday with an elite Batters-Box rating, along with over 75% arsenal coverage against Gasser. The Marlins slugger has been crushing left handed pitching, posting a .759 SLG, 1.126 OPS, and .444 ISO, while producing a 51.2% hard hit rate and 16.3% barrel rate.
At home, Gasser has struggled against right handed hitters, allowing a 68.3% elevation rate and a 35.7% hard hit rate. Over his last 60 batters faced, opponents have elevated the baseball 74.5% of the time while posting a .355 xBA, .544 xSLG, and .343 xwOBA.
With how well Hernandez has been seeing the baseball, I'm fully expecting extra bases this afternoon, with a strong chance one leaves the yard.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BREW, MIAM
Home run pick: Yordan Alvarez (+209)
Give me the big fella, the highest rated hitter on the slate over at Batters-Box. He also owns 100% arsenal coverage against Brandon Young.
When Alvarez has earned an elite rating this season, he has left the yard 35% of the time across a 25 game sample. The Houston Astros slugger hasn't slowed down one bit, batting .385 with a .923 SLG, 1.390 OPS, and .538 ISO, while producing a 63.6% hard hit rate and 22.7% barrel rate over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching.
Meanwhile, the last 30 left-handed hitters Young has faced have generated a 57.1% hard hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and 76.2% elevation rate. They also own a .497 xBA, 1.127 xSLG, and .371 xwOBA.
Yeah...give me Yordan Alvarez to leave the yard this afternoon.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, MASN
Home run pick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (+375)
First of all...what is a Zebby? Somebody let me know.
Anywho, Pete Crow-Armstrong finds himself in a fantastic spot against Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews this afternoon. He enters Sunday with an elite rating and 100% arsenal coverage against Matthews.
Over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Crow-Armstrong owns a .667 SLG, 1.117 OPS, and .355 ISO, while producing nearly a 40% hard-hit rate and a 14.3% barrel rate.
Matthews has struggled against left-handed hitters in recent outings. Across the last 30 lefties he has faced, opponents have generated a 50% hard-hit rate, 16.7% barrel rate, and a 28% line drive rate. They also own an .852 xSLG and .390 xwOBA against him.
While his recent elevation rate has been a bit low, the quality of contact he's allowing suggests hitters are due to cash in with a long ball.
Time: 1:20 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MARQ, MNNT
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 81-283, +10.9 units
Today’s HR parlay
Heriberto Hernandez
Bet Now +6504
Yordan Alvarez
Pete Crow-Armstrong
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The Mavericks will match the Knicks' offer sheet to restricted free agent Moussa Cisse, his agents told Shams Charania of ESPN. Dallas could have waited until Monday but apparently just went now.
This isn't a surprise, considering how little this was going to cost. The offer sheet was for two years at the minimum ($2.2 million this season, $2.6 million for 2027-28), but that is reportedly only partially guaranteed for this season ($1.1 million, but he would have to be waived by Oct. 1, just after the start of training camp, or it's guaranteed for the season) and non-guaranteed for next season.
Cisse, a 6'11" center, showed promise last season, starting on an Exhibit 10 contract, then being converted to a two-way contract for the season. He was a regular part of the Mavericks' big man rotation for a stretch last season and averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in the 38 games he played.
With Cisse on the roster, Dallas is up to a full 15 players with guaranteed contracts on the roster. Dallas is stacked with big men — Cisse joins Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Santi Aldama and just drafted Morez Johnson Jr. There are reports Dallas is open to trading Gafford and Washington.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 16: Jackson Kent #45 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Cacti Park at the Palm Beaches on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It has been better since a disastrous April, but Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell in the back of the rotation is not ideal. Both have ERA’s well over 5 for the season, and are just way too hittable. The pair have allowed a combined 45 home runs. After the trade deadline, I would like to see some new blood, specifically Jackson Kent.
Kent is one of the Nats most underrated prospects, and has the ability to be a number 4 starter for a long time. His combination of solid stuff, deception and control allows him to rack up the strikeouts in the minor leagues. Between AA and AAA, Kent has 90 strikeouts in 78.2 innings with a 3.78 ERA and 3.67 FIP.
jackson kent struck out 8 (including 5 of the first 6 batters he faced) in 5.0 innings of 2-hit, 1-run ball
his ranks in the system: BAA – 1st, .213 SO – 2nd, 90 WHIP – 2nd, 1.08 ERA – 4th, 3.78 pic.twitter.com/HU3ofiVjPn
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) July 18, 2026
He had a great outing the other day, allowing just one run and striking out 8 in five innings. Kent has had a very interesting season, especially in AAA. Since being promoted to Rochester, Kent has a mediocre 4.69 ERA, but his FIP sits at just 3.93 and his xERA is 3.31.
The thing with Kent is that most of his outings are stellar. He has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 7 of his 10 AAA starts, allowing one earned run or less in 6 of them. However, in the other three starts he allowed 7,6 and 5 earned runs. Blowup starts have been a problem for Kent in his career, and that will be one thing he has to solve if he wants to reach his full ceiling.
A reason for those blowup starts in my opinion is that Kent’s stuff is good, not great. He has to be pretty pinpoint with his command. To his credit, he usually is, but when he is not, things can spiral on him. His stuff is better than the likes of Mikolas and Littell though, with a 93-95 MPH heater from the left side to go with a nasty changeup and a pair of usable breaking balls.
In some ways, Kent reminds me of Jake Bennett, who the Nats traded this offseason and is now flourishing with the Red Sox. Both are left handers with big extension down the mound, good command and average stuff that plays up. Bennett’s game is more about soft contact, while Kent’s relies more on swing and miss. However, the two have a lot of similarities, and Kent could also have big league success like Bennett.
When August rolls around, I would love to see Kent get his shot. Despite an ERA that is not super impressive, all the underlying numbers suggest Kent is ready. He actually does a solid job of limiting hard contact for the most part, though when he does allow it, home runs come fairly often.
One stat evaluators look at a lot is K-BB%. It is a simple stat that is just your strikeout percentage minus your walk rate. Kent has always been great in that stat. This season he has a 28.4% K rate and just a 7.3% BB rate, which is a 21.1 K-BB%. That is higher than a lot of pitchers’ strikeout rates.
Kent is an interesting watch on the mound. A former high school football player, Kent is built like a linebacker. His delivery has a lot of flying arms and legs, but he manages to repeat it very well. Kent’s best pitch is his changeup, which does not pop on stuff models but plays super well off his fastball. That is his put away pitch, especially to right handed hitters.
23 year old Jackson Kent is a pitcher to watch!
In AA:
7 starts 30.2 IP 2.35 ERA 25.4 K-BB% 34.7 CSW% 16.2 SwStr%
This season Kent has seen his velocity go from the low-90’s to the mid-90’s, which has really helped him out. The increased juice on his heater has helped make the changeup even more deadly. In AAA, the changeup has a whiff rate of 42.9%.
Overall, this is just a way more interesting profile than a Mikolas or Littell. Kent has a chance to be a solid big league starter for a long time. Drafted in 2024, Kent is still a youngster at just 23 years of age. He does not have the flashy velocity of a Susana or Sykora, but if you can command the ball, you don’t need that, especially as a lefty.
When Kent gets to the big leagues, I could see them making some tweaks with him. The most obvious thing would be to throw a sinker to left handed hitters. Another thing could just be to work on his mental game to help avoid those blowup starts. He does not get a ton of headlines, but Jackson Kent has the ingredients to be a solid big league starter for a long time. I think the Nats should give him a shot sooner rather than later, ideally after the trade deadline.
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