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Mets' bullpen implodes to waste Frankie Montas' gem in loss to Braves

The Mets lost to the Braves, 7-4, on Tuesday night at a sweltering Citi Field, blowing a late 3-0 lead.

Here are the takeaways...

- The Mets' offense was quiet again early, failing to get a hit over the first three innings while striking out four times against Spencer Strider. The Mets' only runner across the first three frames was Juan Soto, who drew a two-out walk in the first.

But New York broke through in the fourth inning.

Soto drew a one-out walk and stole second, and Pete Alonso smoked a single to center that was hit too hard for Soto to score. After a Starling Marte walk loaded the bases, Jeff McNeil lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Soto and make it 1-0. Following a Luis Torrens walk that reloaded the bases, Brett Baty stayed back on a flat slider and flicked a two-run single to right field to make it 3-0 Mets.

- The Mets' bullpen gifted the Braves a go-ahead rally in the sixth inning. Huascar Brazoban started things by walking the bases loaded and allowing a sacrifice fly. He was relieved by Jose Castillo, who gave up a run-scoring infield single before drilling Michael Harris II with a pitch and allowing a game-tying single to Nick Allen.

Reed Garrett replaced Castillo and got Ronald Acuña Jr. to strike out for the second out. But with the bases loaded and a 1-2 count to Matt Olson, Garrett threw a fastball that caught too much plate -- with Olson drilling a two-run single to make it 5-3, Braves.

- Richard Lovelady pitched a perfect seventh inning in what was his Mets debut, but allowed two runs in the seventh -- allowing Atlanta to increase the lead to 7-3.

- Down by four in the ninth inning, the Mets got hits from McNeiland Jared Young with one out. Baty struck out looking after getting ahead 3-1 against Raisel Iglesias, but Ronny Mauricio delivered a run-scoring double to make it 7-4 and bring Francisco Lindor up as the tying run. However, Lindor grounded out to second base to end the game.

- Making his season debut (and Mets debut) after missing the first half of the season due to a lat strain, Frankie Montas came out throwing hard -- and kept it that way for the duration of his outing.

The right-hander's fastball sat at 97 mph in the first inning, topping out at 98, in an inning where he froze Acuña.on a fastball to start things. Montas then allowed a one-out walk and bloop hit before escaping by inducing a double play off the bat of Austin Riley.

Following a 1-2-3 second inning, Montas allowed a scratch single to Nick Allen and walked Acuña to find some trouble in the third, but he got Olson to fly out and struck out Marcell Ozuna swinging on a 98 mph fastball off the plate away to get out of the frame unscathed.

Montas was sharp the rest of the way, working around a one-out walk in the fourth and a one-out single in the fifth. He punctuated his outing by striking out Acuña swinging and getting Olson to fly out to end the fifth inning and his night.

Overall, Montas tossed 5.0 scoreless frames, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out five.

Montas' fastball was especially impressive, with 46 of them registering 94.8 mph or faster. It had life and precision all game.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets continue their series against the Braves on Wednesday at Citi Field at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Clay Holmes gets the start for New York against Didier Fuentes for Atlanta.

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Former Devils Defenseman Signs With KHL Club

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman Daniil Misyul is heading overseas, as he has signed a one-year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL.

Misyul, 24, was traded by the Devils at the 2025 NHL trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Marc McLaughlin. Now, the former Devils blueliner is on the move again after signing this KHL deal.

Before being traded to the Bruins, Misyul made his NHL debut for the Devils this season on Oct. 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During it, the 6-foot-3 defenseman recorded one hit, one block, and a minus-1 rating. This would be his lone NHL appearance with the Devils. 

Misyul appeared in 47 games this season with the Devils' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he recorded eight assists, 33 penalty minutes, and a minus-8 rating. This was after he had four goals, 14 points, and a plus-1 rating in 44 games with the Comets during the 2023-24 season.

Misyul was selected by the Devils with the 70th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. 

Report: Devils Made Push For Jonathan ToewsReport: Devils Made Push For Jonathan ToewsOne of the main areas that the New Jersey Devils are looking to improve this summer is their forward group. It is understandable, as they need more offensive production throughout their lineup. 

Photo Credit:  © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Dylan Harper’s fit with Spurs, NBA comparisons, family history

Two years ago, the Basketball Gods bestowed a once-in-a-generation gift upon the San Antonio Spurs, giving them the top pick in the NBA Draft the year that Victor Wembanyama was going pro. Last season, the Spurs picked fourth and selected Stephon Castle, who went on to be the Rookie of the Year.

The Basketball Gods were not done blessing the Spurs — they landed the No. 2 pick in this year's draft and are widely expected to select Dylan Harper, the 6'6" point guard out of Rutgers. (There is a very slim chance they trade the pick, but it would need to be for an established superstar, and that does not appear close to happening.)

How will Harper fit with the Spurs? Who does his game remind scouts of? Let's break it all down.

Harper’s fit in San Antonio

Outside his camp, there was speculation that Dylan Harper was not thrilled about going to San Antonio because it already has a roster deep with quality guards. This is a team that traded for De'Aaron Fox at the last trade deadline to pair with Wembanyama, and a year ago drafted combo guard Castle to be part of their future backcourt. He went on to average 14.7 points and 4.1 assists per game, winning Rookie of the Year.

When asked about it by ESPN, Harper said he was excited to play with Wembanyama and Castle.

"I mean, that would definitely be great and I would definitely be blessed to have that opportunity just because they're two young players, young stars, and the rest of the team from top to bottom is really good so when you get to play with better players and the best of the best, it just brings out your best game."

Where does Harper fit in with all that talent?

From San Antonio's perspective, this is an easy call — always take the best player on the board, and Harper is the clear second-best player in this draft. Teams that make picks based on positional need end up saying things like "We don't need Luka Doncic, we have Fox" or "We don't need Michael Jordan, we have Clyde Drexler." Take the best player, figure it out, and, if necessary, make a trade later. The Spurs are nothing if not the most patient organization in the league.

Harper is a combo guard in the Castle mold, and a lot of scouts think Harper will be better at it. Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4 assists a game shooting an impressive 48% from the floor last season, and he demonstrated a fantastic feel for the game. Harper is not a classically explosive player, but his ability to get to the rim and finish or dish to the open man should pair beautifully with Wemby, as well as with players on the wing such as Devin Vassell. If Harper and Wembanyama start to show a real chemistry — and they are on the same age timeline — then the Spurs can lean into that and adjust as needed.

One thing to watch: None of Harper, Fox or Castle are great outside shooters. Whichever one of them develops that shot — especially a catch-and-shoot look — is going to have a huge advantage in getting minutes this season and into the future.

Dylan Harper’s NBA Comparison

Ask people around the league about Harper comparisons and two names come up.

Cade Cunningham. The Detroit Pistons' point guard, who made a leap to All-NBA this season, is another tall player for the position who is not an explosive athlete but can get to the rim and get to his spots on the floor, then knock down the shot. Some scouts made note of how Harper struggled at points at Rutgers when teams packed the paint, and think that goes away with the better floor spacing in the NBA (especially compared to Rutgers). Like Cunningham, Harper can play some off the ball and makes tough shots.

James Harden. Harper isn't as strong or quite as athletic as the former MVP, but his ability to get to his spot, make tough shots and bend the defense to his will is similar. The one thing Harper has over Harden? He tries hard defensively. Harper is no elite defender, but the effort is there and he's not an easy target on that end.

Dylan Harper’s father, brother

Dylan Harper enters the NBA with an impressive basketball pedigree. His father is Ron Harper Sr., the No. 8 pick in the 1986 NBA Draft who went on to play 15 seasons in the league and win five championships, four with the Jordan-era Chicago Bulls and one with the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. Don't forget about his mother, Maria, who played college ball at New Orleans and is a basketball coach to this day — she is the one who taught Dylan the game.

Dylan's older brother, Ron Harper Jr., also played at Rutgers and has bounced between the G-League and the NBA the past three years, playing in 11 NBA games (this past season he played a game for the Pistons). Dylan also has a younger sister, Mia, who is still in high school.

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NBA offseason trade tracker: Kristaps Porzingis headed to Atlanta

While the 2024-25 season did not officially end until Oklahoma City took care of Indiana in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, the news cycle has already moved on to the 2025-26 season. Houston acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns hours before Game 7, and there have already been three more deals in the two days since the NBA Finals concluded.

Below is a "tracker" of the trades that have occurred thus far, and given how things have gone, there will likely be more to add before the NBA Draft on Wednesday. Also, many of these deals will not become official until the new league year begins on July 6. Buckle up.

Tuesday, June 24

New Orleans acquires: Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, 40th overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Washington acquires: CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, future second-round pick

First-year Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars reportedly completed his first significant transaction on Tuesday, sending McCollum, Olynyk and the 40th overall pick to Washington. While CJ is entering the final season of his current contract, Poole has two years and nearly $66 million remaining on his deal. With Dejounte Murray still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in January, Poole should not lack opportunities to play on the ball in New Orleans. His second season in Washington was better than his first, and the hope in New Orleans is that Poole can build on that progress next season. The Bey acquisition may not impact fantasy basketball much, as he's coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season.

McCollum's addition gives the Wizards another "adult in the room" alongside Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton. All three have struggled with injuries in recent years, with none hitting the 60 games played mark in 2024-25. Heading into a contract year, McCollum can provide reliable middle-round value in standard leagues. That said, veterans don't come without risk in rebuilding situations, as some teams are all too willing to pull the plug and "tank." Olynyk's path to fantasy relevance is not as straightforward as McCollum's, but experienced managers have certainly seen him make waves, especially late in the year when playing for rebuilding teams.

Atlanta acquires: Kristaps Porzingis

Boston acquires: Georges Niang, future second-round pick

Brooklyn acquires: Terance Mann, 22nd overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Less than 24 hours after reportedly trading Holiday, the Celtics reportedly bid farewell to Porzingis as part of a three-team trade. Given that he's entering the final season of his contract, KP's exit is unsurprising. Going to Atlanta offers some intrigue, as a lineup of Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu would have the length and defensive ability needed to compensate for Young's deficiencies on that end of the floor. However, Porzingis has played 60 games or more only once since tearing his ACL during the 2017-18 season. Add in the illness that limited his effectiveness down the stretch this season, and fantasy managers will have to exercise caution. Also, the Hawks still hold a trade exception worth $25 million due to the Dejounte Murray trade, so they could be extremely active this summer.

The Celtics add a solid veteran in Niang, who grew up in the Boston area and played his high school basketball at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. While his fantasy impact has been limited for most of his career, "The Minivan" may have more consistent opportunities in Boston next season, especially if Stevens isn't done making moves. The reported trades of Porzingis and Holiday have gotten the Celtics below the second apron.

As for Brooklyn, adding another first-round pick to their coffers is what sparks significant intrigue. The Nets now have five first-round picks in Wednesday's draft, which likely means that lead executive Sean Marks is not finished making moves. The draft may "begin" with Philadelphia at the third pick, but the Nets hold the cards that will significantly impact how things play out at Barclays Center. Adding Mann gives Brooklyn a versatile wing, but he's yet to pan out as a reliable fantasy option. Whether or not that changes with the Nets depends on what other moves the team makes this summer.

Monday, June 23

Portland acquires: Jrue Holiday

Boston acquires: Anfernee Simons, two second-round picks

After losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon during the second round of the playoffs and the franchise facing a hefty luxury tax bill, the Celtics have begun to break things up. How far lead executive Brad Stevens will go is unknown at this point, but he's traded two key rotation players in the two days since the season concluded. Late Monday night, it was Holiday who was on the move, with Boston sending him to Portland. Interestingly, the Trail Blazers acquired him from Milwaukee as part of the Damian Lillard trade a few years ago, ultimately moving the veteran guard to Boston.

Unlike two years ago, Holiday's fit with Portland is better now, especially after the team's improved play during the second half of the season. According to reports, the plan is to retain Holiday, as he can provide defense and steady leadership to the young group. For Portland, the trade also frees up more opportunities for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, even with Holiday expected to occupy a place in the starting lineup. It's time for Portland to truly learn what it has in Henderson and Sharpe, and whether those two can be key cogs in a rotation with playoff ambitions.

Boston's decision to trade Holiday saves the franchise some money in the short term, and there's the potential for them to save more next summer. Simons, a more than capable perimeter scorer who will fill a need in Boston with Tatum out, is heading into the final season of his current contract. The Celtics can sign him to an extension this summer, but they can also wait until 2026, just in case things don't work out. With Boston making another significant move on Tuesday, Simons should have a solid fantasy ceiling next season. The trades also increase Payton Pritchard's value, as he's coming off the best season of his NBA career.

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Yankees' Marcus Stroman roughed up in latest rehab start for Double-A Somerset

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman's rehab start for Double-A Somerset did not go the way he wanted as the right-hander surrendered five runs on 10 hits and two walks on Tuesday night.

Stroman, in what might be his final tune-up before he returns to the Yanks' starting rotation after spending time on the shelf with left knee inflammation, went just 3.2 innings, throwing 65 pitches (41 strikes). He had just one strikeout, with four ground outs to two fly outs, pitching in terribly hot conditions as the game time temperature was 98 degrees.

Stroman began the first and second innings the same -- allowing the leadoff hitter to reach before getting the second batter to ground into a double play. But in each inning, he allowed traffic, surrendering a two-out run in the first.

Unfortunately, things didn't go his way in the third as the Erie SeaWolves tagged him for single, single, double, double, single to score four runs. He did get his third double play to end the inning.

The righty faced three batters in the fourth, getting a ground out and a strikeout before allowing a ground-rule double -- his fourth extra-base hit allowed -- ending his night.

The 34-year-old fared much better in his previous outing last Wednesday, when he retired the first 10 batters he faced with four strikeouts on his way to allowing two earned runs on two hits in 3.1 innings.

Stroman tossed 3.1 innings in his first rehab outing on June 11, allowing a run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts.

Stroman made three starts in early April before landing on the IL, and he was not effective before getting injured. He allowed 12 runs on 12 hits and seven walks with just seven strikeouts in 9.1 innings, good for an 11.57 ERA.

In his debut season in The Bronx in 2024, the righty pitched to a 4.31 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 154.2 innings over 30 outings (29 starts). He had 113 strikeouts to 60 walks

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Former Penguins Forward Signs With New Team

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Scott Wilson is on the move, as he has signed a two-year contract with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL.

Wilson appeared in 60 games split between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa during the 2024-25 season, where he posted 13 goals, 17 assists, and a plus-14 rating. This was Wilson's third straight season in the KHL, and he will now be staying in the league after landing this two-year deal with Sibir Novosibirsk. 

Wilson was selected by the Penguins with the 209th overall pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he spent his first four NHL seasons from 2014-15 to 2017-18 with the Penguins, where he recorded 13 goals, 32 points, 218 hits, and a minus-2 rating in 106 games. He also had six points in 23 playoff games during his time with the Penguins and also won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2017. 

In 193 career NHL games split between the Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres, Wilson posted 20 goals, 31 assists, and 365 hits. His last appearance in the NHL was during the 2019-20 season with the Sabres, where he recorded one goal, one assist, and a plus-1 rating in six games. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Release 2025-26 Preseason SchedulePittsburgh Penguins Release 2025-26 Preseason ScheduleWith the off-season here, the Pittsburgh Penguins have released their 2025-26 preseason schedule. The Metropolitan Division club will play seven games this preseason, with three at home and four on the road. 

Photo Credit: © Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

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Report: Celtics, Hawks, Nets finalizing three-team trade that sends Porzingis to Atlanta

When looking for ways to trim their payroll, Boston's ultimate goal was to find a team willing to take on Kristaps Porzingis, with all his potential and his $30.7 million contract. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.

The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a three-team trade that shakes out like this (and was broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic):

Atlanta receives: Kristaps Porzingis, a second-round pick
Brooklyn receives: Terance Mann, the No. 22 pick in this draft (the Lakers' pick, which belonged to Atlanta)
Boston receives: Georges Niang, second-round pick

Porzingis brings size, outside shooting and a defensive presence, all of which the Hawks could use — he also brings a huge injury risk. Porzingis has reached playing in 65 games once in the last 10 seasons, and his injuries often have carried over to the playoffs (he missed Finals games even during the Celtics' 2024 title run). Last season, he averaged 19.5 points a game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range, plus 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He has a game that would complement Trae Young (who is recovering from his own massive injury).

It's a roll of the dice by the Hawks, but the price was so low it was worth the risk. The more interesting question is whether the Hawks will extend Porzingis (multiple years at close to $35 million per year) or risk letting him walk after one season? The answer may reveal something
about the new front office and its plans in Atlanta.

Brooklyn now has five first-round picks (16.7% of all the first-rounders): Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27. Keep an eye on them as the Nets have been looking to trade up.

Boston saves money. A lot of money. If anyone wondered what being over the second apron looks like, it is this. Between this trade and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics have saved $180 million in salary and luxury tax payments (it's only about $27 million in actual salary, but because of the second apron and repeater tax, the savings are exponential). The Celtics are now under the dreaded second apron. Perhaps Boston would have acted differently this offseason if Jayson Tatum had not torn his Achilles and the Celtics had made a deeper playoff run, but this is the new reality for Celtics fans. Boston is also getting calls from other teams asking about Jaylen Brown.

Niang is also a solid rotational pickup, the kind of player Celtics fans will love.

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Sean Manaea’s return to injury-depleted Mets rotation delayed by elbow issue

NEW YORK — Mets pitcher Sean Manaea complained of elbow discomfort following his most recent minor league rehab outing, and his return to New York’s injury-depleted rotation will be delayed.

Manaea had an MRI on Monday that showed loose bodies in his left elbow. He received a cortisone shot and was shut down from throwing for two to three days.

“They’re telling me that he should be fine for the rest of the year. But again, we’ll see what happens there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday.

New York’s top starter last season, Manaea has been sidelined since spring training by a right oblique strain. After a gradual progression, the left-hander pitched well for 5 1/3 innings last Friday at Triple-A Syracuse and was expected to come off the 60-day injured list in early July after making one more rehab start this week.

Instead, he was returned from his rehab assignment Tuesday and won’t pitch in the minors again until at least next week.

“After what just developed here after the last outing, we’ve got to take it one outing at a time,” Mendoza said.

The skidding Mets had been counting on Manaea’s impending return to help replenish a rotation minus ace Kodai Senga (right hamstring strain) and fellow right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow sprain). They are among nine Mets pitchers on the injured list.

The team did get a starter back Tuesday, when veteran right-hander Frankie Montas was reinstated from the 60-day IL to start against Atlanta in his Mets debut.

Right-handed reliever Chris Devenski was optioned to Triple-A following Monday night’s loss to the Braves, and designated hitter Jesse Winker (right oblique strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

The goal is for Winker to begin a minor league rehab assignment by the end of this weekend, Mendoza said. He’s been out since getting hurt on May 4.

The 32-year-old Montas, sidelined all season by a right lat strain, signed a two-year, $34 million contract as a free agent in December. He was roughed up consistently in six minor league rehab appearances, compiling a 12.05 ERA.

New York had lost nine of 10 heading into Tuesday night, dropping the Mets 1 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East.

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Nets acquire Terance Mann, No. 22 overall pick as part of Kristaps Porzingis deal

The Nets continue to collect draft picks as they were one of three teams involved in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks.

According to multiple reports, the Boston Celtics are sending Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks. Atlanta is sending guard Terance Mann and the Hawks' No. 22 overall pick to the Nets, while Georges Niang and a second-round pick go to the Celtics.

The move helps Boston get out of the second apron, as the Celtics look to retool after the injury to Jason Tatum. For Brooklyn, they get a capable bench guard in Mann.

Mann, who is a Brooklyn native, still has three years and $47 million left on his contract. In 67 games between the Hawks and Clippers last season, the 28-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game across an average of 21.1 minutes on the court. The former second-round pick was drafted by the Clippers in 2019 and spent parts of six seasons in Los Angeles. In that time, Mann averaged 8.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

But the biggest aspect of this trade for the Nets is the first-round pick they are getting from Atlanta. Brooklyn now has a whopping five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, which takes place Wednesday night.

With the No. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27 overall picks in Wednesday's draft, all eyes are on the Nets and what they plan to do with them in any potential deals.

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Ranger Suarez dazzles yet again but outdueled by Phillies' nemesis

Ranger Suarez dazzles yet again but outdueled by Phillies' nemesis originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

HOUSTON — Two of the best and most battle-tested lefties in baseball hooked up Tuesday night for the sort of pitchers’ duel any fan can enjoy, a tight game between a pair of first-place teams that was scoreless until the bottom of the eighth.

Ranger Suarez’ one and only mistake of the night came on his 98th pitch, an 84 mph full-count cutter to light-hitting Cooper Hummel, who entered the night with a .158 career batting average. Suarez wanted it up-and-in. It was over the middle, slightly away, and Hummel took it to the opposite field for a solo home run. That was the only offense from either side in a 1-0 Phillies loss.

“It’s just baseball,” Suarez said. “You can’t miss pitches at this level and I paid for it. I’m proud of it being a good start but you can’t miss pitches at this level.”

He deserved a better fate after tossing another absolute gem. Suarez allowed just four hits over 7⅔ innings and has a 2.08 ERA on the season. Of his last 61 innings, 54 have been scoreless and he’s gone 47 in a row without allowing multiple runs.

When he’s healthy, so many of Suarez’ starts look just like this one — quick outs, limited baserunners, impeccable defense. He started a double play to end the fourth inning when he caught a Jose Altuve liner back to the mound and tossed to first base. He made an even better snag on a line drive back to the mound the next inning by Cam Smith.

“It just seems like every night, there’s one or two plays that are Ranger Suarez plays,” manager Rob Thomson said.

The lefty snagged both without his own glove. Suarez, a Rawlings guy, used Cristopher Sanchez’ Wilson glove on Tuesday night because he forgot his own back home in Philly.

“Both plays were really tough and I got scared on both,” he said. “First play was coming to the crotch and the next one to the face. It was scary.”

Prior to the Hummel homer, Suarez had outdueled Framber Valdez, who the Phillies never hit. Valdez has faced the Phils five times, including twice in the 2022 World Series, and allowed five runs. These have been the lines:

• 5 IP, 0 R, 10 K
• 7 IP, 3 R
• 6⅓ IP, 1 R, 9 K
• 6 IP, 1 R, 9 K
• 7 IP, 0 R

The Phillies taxed him, particularly early, but couldn’t find the one hit they needed. They put two men on base with two outs in the first inning, had two on with nobody out in the second, a leadoff baserunner in the third, two on with one out in the fourth and again in the sixth.

“I thought our approach was pretty good,” Thomson said. “We weren’t getting out of the zone early and we had opportunities, it just didn’t happen. Valdez made pitches when he needed to.”

So did Suarez, just as he has for seven consecutive weeks. He has a 1.17 ERA in his last nine starts.

Suarez and Valdez will be the top two left-handed starting pitchers on the free-agent market this winter. Suarez turns 30 in August. Valdez turns 32 in November. Valdez has a better track record of durability but Suarez is pitching himself toward a $100 million contract, as well.

It’s been another stellar first half for a pitcher some thought might end up back in the bullpen, where the Phillies have less depth. Suffice it to say, that ain’t happening, but Suarez continues to say all the right things.

“That conversation was never brought up to me and I always wanted to be a starter this year,” Suarez said. “That’s my usual role and what I wanted to do but that being said, what I want is for this team to win. I’m open to do whatever it takes to help, if that’s relieving or whatever. I’m always open and willing to help this team.”

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Mets' Francisco Alvarez removed in first inning of game at Triple-A Syracuse due to dizziness

Francisco Alvarez's first game back with Triple-A Syracuse came to a premature end.

The catcher was removed after the top half of the first inning in Syracuse's game at the Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday night due to a heat/dizziness issue, SNY's Andy Martino reported. He was replaced by Jakson Reetz behind the plate for the home half of the first inning.

The game time temperature in Rochester was 90 degrees.

Alvarez saw one pitch in his fist at bat – a 91.2 mph sinker off the outside corner – which he hit rather weakly (72.6 mph off the bat) into a 4-3 double play.

In 35 games with the Mets, Alvarez posted a .236/.319/.333 slashline with three home runs and three doubles in 138 plate appearances. The 23-year-old was sent down to the minors on Sunday.

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The Rangers' Thought Process Behind Keeping Their 2026 First-Round Pick

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

There’s one major reason the New York Rangers decided to send their 2025 12th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins and keep their 2026 first-round pick. 

Part of the thinking for the Rangers in moving this year's pick is to potentially be able to use their 2026 first-rounder for a move at the trade deadline if they are in a position to contend according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

The Rangers had a choice as part of the conditions of a trade with the Vancouver Canucks involving J.T. Miller to either give up their 2025 or 2026 first-round pick. 

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has not spoken publicly since making this decision, so it’s unclear exactly where his head is at on this specific choice he made. 

It’s clear that he deemed having their 2026 first-round pick is more valuable than keeping the 12th overall pick whether they are competitive during the 2025-26 season or not. 

The Rangers Made The Right Decision To Give Away Their 2025 12th Overall Pick And Keep 2026 First-Round Pick The Rangers Made The Right Decision To Give Away Their 2025 12th Overall Pick And Keep 2026 First-Round Pick There’s a lot to sort out when analyzing the New York Rangers’ move to transfer their 12th overall pick in this year’s draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins and keep their 2026 first-round pick. 

It’s a move that may be frustrating for fans in the short term but could pay dividends for the Rangers in the long term.

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Mets have lineup fixes in sight — but pitching concerns run deeper

Over the past 24 hours, both Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns have publicly acknowledged the obvious: the bottom of the Mets order is not producing.

They’re right to identify the problem. But Stearns was also correct on Tuesday in suggesting that internal fixes were coming.

More vexing for the season’s long-term outlook is the state of the Mets’ pitching.

On the hitting side, the current active roster is probably not strong enough to shake off the recent trend of frequently recurring flat games. But a lengthier lineup by mid-summer is easy enough to imagine -- not tonight, not tomorrow, but soon enough to keep the Mets in contention to make the deep playoff run that until recently felt likely.

Mark Vientos should return from the injured list at the end of the week, and Francisco Alvarez is in Syracuse trying to get right. It’s not unreasonable to think that at least one of those dynamic young hitters will find himself over the next few months. Both have already proven that they can slug in the big leagues.

Jesse Winker, on the IL since May 5 with an oblique strain, will begin a rehab assignment next week. His return will help shore up the DH spot and further lengthen the lineup.

Beyond that, I expect the Mets to seek a center fielder at the trade deadline, with Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins and Boston’s Jarren Duran among those who might become available. Tyrone Taylor is a winning player, but another bat could push Jeff McNeil into the bottom third of the lineup, which is where he fits best.

It’s too early to say if the Mets will seek a third baseman. But let’s play fantasy baseball for a moment. If Arizona makes free-agent-to-be Eugenio Suarez available or Boston is willing to move Alex Bregman ($40 million this year, followed by an opt out or two more years at $40 million), the Mets could acquire one as a rental player and use Vientos at DH for the remainder of the year. Brett Baty’s swing would play at Fenway Park.

That is all speculative. Maybe the reality of tweaking the infield mix is more in the Jeimer Candelario category than the Bregman/Suarez lane. But the idea illustrates how many avenues, both internal and external, exist that could improve the offense beyond the continued excellence of Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor.

Jun 18, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (31) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Jun 18, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (31) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. / Nathan Ray Seebeck - Imagn Images

"We have some players who are getting healthy who I think will help there," Stearns said Tuesday. "I also think the players who have struggled in our lineup over the last month largely are better offensive players than we've seen so far. They themselves have demonstrated that over periods of this season.”

It’s not as easy to see how the Mets address a pitching staff that suddenly seems shaky and tired -- and which still leads baseball in staff earned run average, though likely not for long.

Most nights, the Mets simply aren’t able to match the ace-level opponents they have faced in recent series against Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Philadelphia. That makes it hard to end a losing streak, or kick off a winning one.

Tuesday brought the news that Sean Manaea will pitch for the remainder of the season with a "loose body" or floating bone fragment, in his elbow.

Manaea had a cortisone injection to address the discomfort, and the team still expects him to return shortly from the oblique injury that has delayed the start of his season. But Manaea is more hopeful than certain that the elbow issue will not impede him for the rest of the year.

Clay Holmes, moved into a starting role this year, has lately shown signs of fatigue. Tylor Megill struggled before injuring his elbow. The bullpen, asked to carry a heavy load, has seen its own share of injury and regression.

Looking for hope? David Peterson continues to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter, and Kodai Senga (hamstring) will return. The Mets continue to employ one of the best pitching coaches in the sport, Jeremy Hefner, and a POBO who has done this before -- including last year.

As the Mets try to find their way back to consistent winning, they are forced to do so with diminished pitching. They have prospects who might contribute in the future, but are not ready now. And just like at every trade deadline, most contending teams will be looking for impact pitchers.

It won’t be easy to find a way back toward enjoying the best pitching staff in the league.