LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 7: (L-R) Shohei Ohtani #17, Roki Sasaki #11, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers sit in the dugout in the ninth inning during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers scratched Shohei Ohtani from his scheduled start on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to irritation in his left knee, an ailment that has plagued him off and on for the last month. Ohtani will still be the designated hitter this weekend, but won’t travel to Philadelphia to take part in All-Star Game festivities.
Ohtani left a game in which he was the designated hitter on June 10 in Pittsburgh, but made his pitching start the next day on June 11. He has a 4.38 ERA in his four starts since, but has lasted at least six innings each time out with a 3.32 xERA, 26.2-percent strikeout rate, and 7.5-percent walk rate. That’s compared to a 0.74 ERA, 2.45 xERA, 28.8-percent strikeout rate and 7.7-percent walk rate in his first 10 starts.
At the plate Ohtani has homered twice this week but so far through seven July games has just six hits in 27 at-bats, hitting .222/.323/.444.
In a press release the Dodgers said Ohtani will undergo “interventions” in his left knee beginning after Sunday’s game. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday at Dodger Stadium Ohtani would get fluid drained from his left knee. Ohtani will also receive a pain-killing injection in his knee, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and others.
“He’s been managing this quite well, the knee,” Roberts told reporters Friday, as shown on SportsNet LA. “If there’s a chance that we could be proactive and get it drained, and do whatever we need to do to try to manage it, along with the rest for the All-Star break, we were gonna do that.”
Dave Roberts said the treatment Shohei Ohtani will receive won’t impact his pitching plan in the second half. He will get his knee drained on Sunday.
How the Dodgers manage Ohtani’s rest and playing time while he navigates being a full-time two-way player for the first time since 2023 is one of the keys to the season. He hasn’t been the designated hitter in four of his 10 pitching starts, and has also had full days off — no hitting or pitching — in five other games (May 14 vs. Giants, June 4 at Diamondbacks, June 12 at White Sox, June 19 vs. Orioles for the birth of his second child, and July 4 vs. Padres).
Even with the occasional built-in rest, Ohtani has batted 395 times this season and faced 340 batters as a pitcher. He’s been directly involved in 735 total plate appearances this season, 28.7 percent more than the next-most, Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. Through 94 Dodgers games this season, that’s roughly 7.82 plate appearances per game on average that Ohtani is a part of. For context, last season Ohtani was stretched out to four innings pitching by August 6. Beginning with that game, he faced 125 batters as a pitcher and batted 210 times over the Dodgers’ final 48 games, averaging 6.98 plate appearances per game.
Ohtani has started each of the last five All-Star Games, and was voted this year to start again at designated hitter after earning the most fan votes in the National League. Cardinals catcher and designated hitter Ivan Herrera was named on Friday to replace Ohtani on the NL All-Star roster. Roberts as manager of the National League gets to set the starting lineup, but it’s a no-brainer that Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber, who received the most All-Star votes at the position by players (554 votes for Schwarber, 536 for Ohtani), will likely start at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
The man behind one of the strangest LeBron James scoops is trying his hand at another one.
Jonathan Gotschall, the former Caroline’s Cupcakes owner whose bakery drew national attention in 2014 for calling James’ return to Cleveland, is now floating another wild rumor.
In a post from POKÉ Fresh Ohio, which he now owns, Gotschall claimed James is not only coming back to Cleveland but also bringing son Bronny James and Draymond Green with him.
“Hey guys. I’ve got it on good authority that not only is LeBron coming back to Cleveland, but he’s bringing Bronny and Draymond with him!” Gotschall wrote. “If you don’t believe me, you can Google ‘Caroline’s Cupcakes + LeBron’ to check my credentials. This ain’t my first rodeo. IYKYK.”
Jonathan Gotschall, the former Caroline’s Cupcakes owner whose bakery drew national attention in 2014 for calling James’ return to Cleveland, is now floating another wild LeBron rumor.
Gotschall told The Post that it’s “still a rumor,” but still posted the rumor publicly.
More than a decade ago, Gotschall scooped the entire NBA world days before James penned a letter announcing his return to Cleveland after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
“Just texting with a friend who is directly tied in with LeBron and his camp, and he swears on his life #TheReturn to Cleveland is a done deal,” Gotschall wrote on Facebook on July 5, 2014, five days before the official announcement. “Per his sources, calls have already been made to other current Cavaliers to spread the news. If this is true, and like anything on the internet, take that with a grain of salt … are you ready to get out your old jersey and welcome LeBron home?!?”
The Washington Post picked up on the rumor two days later, joking that while ice cream wasn’t on the menu at the sweet shop, “scoops are.”
Now, Gotschall is laying his reputation on the line once again, hoping lightning can strike twice.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls on January 26, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A return to Cleveland would mark James’ third stint with the Cavaliers, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003 and the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2016.
It would also place him on a far different Cleveland roster than the one he rejoined in 2014, with the Cavaliers now built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and likely returnee James Harden.
The Bronny and Draymond elements would make the rumor even more complicated.
The St. Louis Blues announced on Friday night that they have signed Oskar Sundqvist to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract will pay $850,000 NHL and $300,000 AHL.
The 32-year-old was an unrestricted free agent who played in 52 games for the Blues last season and had 17 points (five goals, 12 assists).
Sundqvist has spent two separate stints with the Blues, appearing in 432 games with 141 points (52 goals, 89 assists) and 180 penalty minutes.
Sundqvist also played in 25 Stanley Cup playoff games with the Blues in 2019, helping the Blues win their first Cup.
He's made St. Louis his home and was not inclined once again to leave, but now will have to fight for his spot to make the NHL roster for the 2026-27 season.
Overall, the Boden, Sweden, native has played in 545 NHL regular-season games, including stints with the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins and Blues, posting 181 points (67 goals, 114 assists).
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Apr 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) is congratulated by guard Tyler Herro (14) after making a basket during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The NBA Summer League is currently taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, where rookies and NBA stars are taking in the action around town. Former Kentucky Wildcats are sprinkled in the rosters, while some are in town for the weekend, and a couple of them got into an altercation.
According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro got into a physical altercation on Friday morning, during which Adebayo struck Herro.
The incident occurred on a practice court at a Las Vegas hotel this morning, beginning when Adebayo approached Herro about comments on social media in which the former Wildcats guard criticized Adebayo’s play.
The altercation occurred at a practice court in a Las Vegas hotel this morning, sources said — starting when Adebayo approached Herro about comments the guard made critiquing the center on social media after their seven-year run in Miami ended. https://t.co/0SZv8VT462
According to multiple sources who witnessed the incident and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, Adebayo walked onto the courts and Herro said something to him. Adebayo approached Herro and, without hesitation, punched him. Herro’s AAU coach confronted Adebayo, and Herro yelled at his former teammate while being escorted out by security personnel. Both players left the scene on their own.
The two former Wildcats and Heat teammates had a solid friendship and chemistry in Miami.
In a past interview, Herro asked Adebayo which teammate would always have his back in a fight, and his response was:
“I’m going to say Tyler (Herro) just because we got the longest relationship,” Adebayo said.
Here’s to hoping these former Cats can get back to being on good terms.
The Knicks played their 2026 NBA Summer League opener against the Nets on Friday night in Las Vegas, but aside from Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Nickel, many of New York's players did not play up to snuff.
Dadiet, who is entering his third year in the league, finished the night with 20 points on 6 of 16 shooting, seven rebounds and one steal in 21 minutes on the floor. But it was his first half performance that kept the score close. The Frenchman scored nine of his points on 3 of 7 shooting through the first two quarters.
As for Nickel, the forward scored nine points on 3 of 6 shooting in 12 minutes on the floor. He also came down with four rebounds in the first half. Nickel finished with 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including 6-for-10 from three.
Mohamed Diawara, the other notable Knick participating in this year’s summer league, and entering his second season with the Knicks, scored just five points on 1 of 7 shooting in his 13 minutes on the floor. He was a minus-19 at halftime, and it didn't get much better.
For the game, Diawara scored just seven points on 1 of 9 shooting with six rebounds. He was a minus-39 on the floor in his 23 minutes.
Liam Robbins (four points, four rebounds, one assist in 16 minutes), Dillon Jones (six points, three rebounds, four assists, three steals in 23 minutes) and Jaden Akins (two points, two assists in 21 minutes) round up what the starting five did on Friday.
On the Nets side, it was much better.
Brooklyn's star rookie from last season, Egor Demin, dominated the first half, scoring 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting. Danny Wolf, entering his second season, did not score a point, but came down with five rebounds in his 12 minutes on the floor, for a plus-12.
Nets 2026 first-round pick Mikel Brown Jr., scored four points on 1 of 4 shooting, but the No. 6 overall pick would have a monster second half. The rookie guard finished with 20 points on 6 of 12 shooting, three assists, one rebound, and two steals in his 22 minutes.
Demin finished with 20 points, thre rebounds, two assists in 22 minutes while Wolf (nine points, eight rebounds, three assists in 21 minutes), Chaney Johnson (11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, four steals in 23 minutes) and Drake Powell (one point, three rebounds in 21 minutes) round out Brooklyn's starting five.
Jul 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nelson Velazquez (38) walks off the field during a weather delay in the fourth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin the last homestand prior to the All-Star Game break with the Atlanta Braves coming to town. You would think that the stadium would be rocking tonight with the news of JJ Wetherholt and the St. Louis Cardinals coming to an agreement on a long-term extension. The Cardinals will hand the ball to Kyle Leahy while the Braves will put the formidable Chris Sale on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15pm central time at Busch Stadium and the TV broadcast will be handled by Apple TV.
UPDATE: Game in a rain delay. Apple TV says that game will restart around 10:45pm central time.
Today's game is now in a delay due to rain in the St. Louis area.
LeBron James’ free agency may come down to something much simpler than cap math, roster gymnastics or the loudest recruiting pitch.
Familiarity.
LeBron James’ free agency may hinge on familiarity as Cavaliers and Heat lead Polymarket odds for his next team. Best Image / BACKGRID
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, familiarity is expected to play a major role in James’ upcoming decision, with many around the league now viewing the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat as the two teams to watch.
That tracks with where the betting market’s are moving, too.
Basketball Player and Team AlUla Co-Owner, Lebron James looks on in the E1 Owners Suite during the E1 Series Dubrovnik GP Getty Images
At the time of this article’s publication, Polymarket’s latest list Cleveland as the favorite at 45%, with Miami right behind at 31%, surging12 points, Golden State has fallen to 15%, down 11 points, while Philadelphia has climbed to 11%. Minnesota sits well behind at 2%.
In other words, the LeBron sweepstakes may be turning into a race between the two places that know him best.
Cleveland is obvious. James could return home for a third stint with the Cavaliers, close his career where it all began and join a team where his history with the city, franchise and ownership still carries enormous weight. Donovan Mitchell’s presence also gives Cleveland a ready-made star, not just a nostalgia pitch.
Miami offers a different kind of familiarity. James won two championships with the Heat, has long praised the franchise’s structure and culture under Pat Riley. It is also reported that the Heat are willing to bring Bronny James into the picture on a two-way contract, which would add another layer to an already emotion-filled decision.
Miami Heat’s LeBron James holds the the Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy after Game 7 of the NBA basketball finals against the San Antonio Spurs AP
James’s agent, Rich Paul framed the decision around “complete happiness,” not money, market size or even loyalty to Los Angeles.
That may explain why Cleveland and Miami appear to be separating from the pack.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James holds the the Larry OâBrien NBA Championship Trophy after defeating Golden State Warriors San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
And connections Curry and Green have developed into two important off-the-court relationships for James. The rumor mill was kicked into high gear when Green and James were seen golfing together this week
That is what makes this decision different from James’ earlier free agency choices.
This is not 2010, when he was chasing his first title. It is not 2014, when he was returning home to fulfill a promise. It is not 2018, when Los Angeles offered a blend of basketball, business and family life.
LeBron James acknowledges the crowd’s reaction as he takes the stage USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
This is Year 24.
James is 41, still productive and still capable of helping a contender, but the decision now seems less about conquering a new market and more about finding the right emotional landing spot.
That word was happiness.
Sidery’s report suggests familiarity may be how James defines it.
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Victor Wembanyama is the definition of a no-brainer max extension for the Spurs — and the two sides have agreed to just that, a five-year, $252 million extension, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
However, the key for the Spurs is that Wembanyama agreed to no escalators, Charania reports, and that could save the Spurs more than $50 million over the course of this deal. What the sides have agreed to is the 25% of the salary cap max. However, Wembanyama, a First-Team All-NBA selection and reigning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, would very likely qualify for a Rose rule 30% max contract, estimated to start at $53.5 million and be worth more than $300 million over the course of the five-year contract.
Essentially, Wemby left $50 million on the table to help the Spurs build out the roster around him. Wembanyama hinted about this on social media.
The impact of the current CBA and the punitive tax apron system has become a hot topic around the NBA. The Knicks just won a title in part because Jalen Brunson took $113 million off the max he could have asked for, giving the Knicks' front office some room to bring in other players. Celtics president Brad Stevens said that trading away Jaylen Brown was, in part, because of the challenges of building out their roster with two supermax players (Brown and Jayson Tatum).
Wembanyama and the Spurs worked together to secure a healthy payday for Wembanyama, averaging a little more than $50 million per season, while retaining some flexibility, Charania reports.
Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots a game last season, finished third in MVP voting and was unanimously voted the Defensive Player of the Year. It's become evident that very soon — maybe by next season — he will be the best player walking the face of the earth, and other teams have to plan how to handle him, not just in a specific game but for how they build their rosters.
Getting that player on any kind of discount is a steal for the Spurs and generous of Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama is staying in San Antonio, and he left money on the table to do it.
The Spurs announced Friday, July 10 that they signed the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a multiyear contract extension. The team didn't disclose terms, but ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wembanyama chose the standard 25% maximum, projected at roughly $252 million over five years, and passed on supermax escalator language that would have pushed the deal to about $303 million had he made an All-NBA team or won MVP or Defensive Player of the Year next season.
He almost certainly would have.
According to Charania, the Spurs offered the full supermax and worked through multiple frameworks with Wembanyama's camp before he settled on the smaller structure, a sacrifice meant to give San Antonio room to build a sustained contender around him.
Wembanyama clearly learned something from the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson, the Knicks star who beat the Spurs to win the 2026 NBA championship, has been celebrated for signing below his max in 2024. That allowed New York to keep a deep roster that went on to win the franchise's first title in 53 years.
A month later, Wembanyama followed the same game plan.
The 22-year old is coming off a season that made the supermax a formality had he wanted it. He became the youngest Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history and the first unanimous winner since the award began in 1982-83, made an All-NBA FIrst Team, and averaged career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds with a league-leading 3.08 blocks. He led the league in blocks for a third straight season, something only two other players have done, and became the seventh player in league history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
During the postseason, he averaged 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and a playoff-best 3.55 blocks over 22 games. Only Elgin Baylor had previously reached the Finals in his first playoff appearance while earning first team All-NBA honors in the same season.
The top pick in the 2023 draft owns a career average of 23.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.46 blocks. He won a silver medal with France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs’ number one priority this summer was always going to be to tie down their franchise player for the foreseeable future, and as expected, they’re doing just that with Victor Wembanyama. After some extra time and rumors suggesting he was taking a discount, he is signing a maximum contract extension worth $252 million (25% of the salary cap) across five years. Where the discount comes in is he’s also waiving the escalators that would allow it to turn into a super max contract worth $303 million (30% of the salary cap) if he earns All-NBA honors or wins MVP or Defensive Player of the Year in the 2026-27 season.
The contract kicks in next summer and lasts through the 2031-32 season (which feels weird to type), with a player option for 2031-32.
BREAKING: San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has signed a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NwbTiIkurd
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Spurs offered Wemby multiple scenarios and layouts, including the super max, but this discount was Wemby’s decision. The Tim Duncan-esque sacrifice allows the Spurs future flexibility, giving them better odds of keeping their young core together when it’s time for players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to start looking at their extensions.
Wembanyama decided on the 25% maximum instead of the 30% supermax escalators to $303M, after he and the Spurs went through multiple frameworks. A major decision for the All-NBA star and Defensive Player of the Year entering his fourth season.
San Antonio worked in close partnership with Wembanyama and his representatives, offering the full super max and different variations of extensions. But Wembanyama ultimately chose a contract sacrifice rooted in giving him and the organization increased ability to build a sustained title contender around him.
The Spurs drafted Wembanyama after winning the ultimate lottery jackpot in 2023. He was only their third ever no. 1 pick, joining Spurs legends David Robinson and Duncan. He soon joined them as their third ever Rookie of the Year (with Castle joining the club a year later) after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks, making first team All-Defense and appearing in what is for now a career-high 71 games. Although his second season was cut short by deep vein thrombosis, he was still named an All-Star and led the league in blocks despite only appearing in 46 games. While the Spurs appeared on the way the play-in at worst before his diagnosis, they broke through in almost the biggest way imaginable in his third season.
They far exceeded expectations by winning 62 games and finishing second in the West. Wemby posted career highs in points (25), rebounds (11.5) and field goal percentage (51.2%) while making the All-Star team, winning Defensive Player of the Year, coming in third in MVP voting, making the All-NBA and All-Defense First Teams and again leading the league in blocks. But more importantly, they not only busted their six-year playoff drought, but they made it all the way to the Finals, including beating the defending champion Thunder in a dramatic seven-game series despite not having homecourt advantage in the Conference Finals, where Wemby was named MVP.
Although the Spurs ultimately fell short of a championship, blowing four double-digit leads to the well-rested Knicks while looking exhausted down the stretch of games, the season could only be considered a success. For his part, Wemby posted historical numbers while on the floor in the playoffs, including a plus/minus of +196 (+8.91 per game) while tying LeBron James (2009) and Kawhi Leonard (2017) for the highest Estimated Plus-Minus of a single playoff run with +9.4. (Whether or not those staggering numbers say more about the Wemby or the performance of the Spurs’ bench is debatable, but there’s no doubt his play on the court is what lifted them so high.)
Finally, he continued to show he will likely be the block king of the NBA before all is said and done. Not only did he set a single-game playoff record with 12 blocks in Game 1 of the second round against the Timberwolves (which he probably won’t try again since it sapped his energy on the other end and they ended up losing), but he surpassed Dikembe Mutombo’s record of 69 blocks in a player’s ever first playoff run, recording 78 by the end of the Finals for a whopping 3.5 per game.
The crazy thing is, after all that, he’s still just 22 years old and has plenty of room to grow and improve. Beyond just staying healthy — he missed 18 games this season, mostly due to a calf strain, and only met the 65-game minimum for awards thanks to the Spurs making the In-Season Tournament Finals — there’s still some areas he could be better, such as three-point shooting (he shot a league average of just under 35% on 5.5 attempts but was inconsistent), shot selection and overall decision making with the ball in his hands. (While his turnovers have gone down each season, 2.4 is still high for a non-point guard.)
The playoffs also showed he has a little more maturing to do, as he let his emotions get the better of him a few times over physical play, which led to him elbowing Naz Reid in the neck for a flagrant 2 and ejection in round 2. He only barely avoided suspension thanks to being a first-time offender. He also got a flagrant 1 in Game 4 of the Finals for elbowing Kart-Anthony Towns in the chin, and he could have been suspended had the Spurs forced a Game 6 after the refs missed a Zaza closeout on a Jalen Brunson three in Game 5. Had it been reviewed by the league and upgraded to a flagrant after the fact, it would have been his 4th flagrant point of the playoffs, which is an automatic suspension.
Finally, he (rightfully) faced backlash for retreating to the locker room and not shaking hands after the Finals were over, which was not a good look and set a poor example. Regardless, every young player has their growing pains that make them stronger, and this was certainly a learning experience for Wemby and the entirety of the Spurs’ young core that will hopefully pay off down the line. Today’s mindful sacrifice for the future of his team is certainly a big step.
Wemby isn’t the only current player the Spurs have business to attend to. They have until October 31 to exercise Castle’s 4th-year rookie option and Harper and Carter Bryant’s third-year options (but odds are slim they’ll take that long). Other in-house business the Spurs already took care of was re-signing Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes, as well as signing their first round picks (Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed) to standard contracts and second round picks (Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown) to two-ways. They also added veteran forward Tobias Harris, which leaves two roster spots left to be filled (but only one required).
Welcome to San Antonio for the extended future, Wemby! (And thanks for finally getting it done! I’ve only had this written and waiting in the wings since Monday morning when the moratorium period ended, although some unexpected edits were required.)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11 during the second quarter of NBA Finals Game 4 on June 10, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama is getting paid — but is helping out his team in a big way.
It is the third-highest rookie extension in NBA history, according to the Worldwide Leader.
However, he took the extension at 25 percent of the salary cap instead of 30 percent escalators, which could help San Antonio build around him.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second quarter of NBA Finals Game 4 on June 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, Wembanyama will make $43.5 million in the first year instead of $52.5 million he could have with the 30 percent escalators.
Of note, Stephon Castle is eligible for an extension next summer.
The deal for Wembanyama comes after the big man recorded career highs in points (25) and rebounds (11.5) per game as the Spurs made a run into the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Knicks in five games.
For the third straight year, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman also led the league in blocks per game (3.1) and came away with the Defensive Player of the Year.
England men’s cricketers have been advised to avoid drinking alcohol on the day before and after matches under new behaviour guidelines, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported Friday.
Former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Aaron Rome is taking on a new but familiar role as an assistant coach with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL.
Rome, who played in the NHL for eight seasons and three as a Canuck, spent last season as the head coach of the Wheat Kings’ U-17 AAA team. Previously, he has also taken on a role with the Wheat Kings as a skills coach (2017–18 to 2018–19), while also serving as an assistant coach in 2016–17. In his first season as an assistant coach for Brandon, the Wheat Kings put together a record of 31–31–7–3, putting them at fourth in the WHL’s East Division.
As a player, Rome spent a total of five full seasons playing in the WHL. He began his WHL career with the Saskatoon Blades (1998–99 to 2000–01), before moving on to the Kootenay Ice (now Wenatchee Wild) for two seasons. He spent nearly three seasons with the Swift Current Broncos following that, before heading to the Moose Jaw Warriors for the back-half of his final WHL season in 2003–04.
After NHL stints with the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets, Rome headed to Vancouver for three seasons. This, of course, included the Canucks’ 2011 Stanley Cup run, during which Rome was suspended for four games of the Stanley Cup Final after a hit on Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton.
As it stands, the Wheat Kings’ roster is currently set to include Ducks prospect Brady Turko, defencemen Ilari Kapanen and Josh McGregor, and forward Colin Grubb. Marty Murray is currently the club’s head coach and general manager.
Feb 26, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome (29) defends against the Dallas Stars attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Canucks 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27, 2026: Victor Bericoto #83 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Nate Furman #90 and Grant McCray #58 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
This afternoon, the San Francisco Giants announced that they placed Victor Bericoto on the 10-day IL “with an oblique strain” and taking his spot on the roster is 25-year old Grant McCray, in the majors for the first time in 2026.
McCray had surgery back in June to repair his left hamate bone and up to that point he’d been hitting just .237/.360/.370. He made just three starts since being activated, but he’s 4-for-8 with a homer, a double, a strikeout and a walk. He also stole 3 bases and didn’t get caught. McCray’s defense will come in handy. His bat remains the central question.
He’ll be taking Victor Bericoto’s roster spot. An oblique strain is a tough injury for a hitter and it’s a real shame to see such a young player have some quite positive momentum halted by the injury bug. Such is baseball, I suppose. Then again, it’s remarkable to consider how much these two players mirror each other. In 59 plate appearances, the 24-year old Bericoto had 15 strikeouts against just 1 walk but 4 homers and 3 doubles. In McCray’s debut age-23 season, he swatted 5 homers in 130 plate appearances and had 56 strikeouts against just 6 walks. Not exactly the same, but close enough in terms of those three true outcomes. Although, it’s absolutely worth mentioning that Bericoto’s line in a much smaller sample is much, much better than what McCray did in 2024: .293/.305/.552 vs. .202/.238/.379.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the outfield defense aligns late in games because McCray is an outstanding defender in center and right and with Jung Hoo Lee and Drew Gilbert on the roster (at least for now), his playing time seems a little fuzzy.
The bigger surprise is the return of Keaton Winn, who comes off the IL after being seemingly lost to the vagaries of Tony Vitello’s managing. But, nope. After hitting the IL on June 8th, he returned and rehabbed on July 3 and made 3 total appearances across the Giants minor leagues (who were playing home games in Northern California). He struck out 3 in three innings while walking 2 and allowing just a hit. He bumps Carson Whisenhunt back to the minors because, as Alex Pavlovic points out, “With the All-Star break, he wasn’t going to be in line to start for at least a week.”
Before Vitello used him three days in a row for reasons only understood by Tony Vitello, Winn had really settled into the season with a 2.40 ERA (3.21 FIP) in 30 IP. Replacing Ryan Walker’s putridness with Keaton Winn’s potential is the only logical move the team could make. Winn is probably a 20 on the 20-80 scale if they scored injury, but if he can rattle off 4-5 great appearances over the next couple of weeks then the Giants might be able to move the 28-year old for some prospects by the August 3rd MLB trade deadline. And at this point, the draft and the trade deadline are what this terrible, no good, very bad season is all about.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 12: A view of a tarp on the infield during a rain delay before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Seattle Mariners at Nationals Park on June 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are looking to end their first half on a high note this weekend in Washington, DC, when they face the upstart Nationals. Said Nats have been better than expected in their first full year with a new front office and skipper, which hadn’t been changed since their 2019 World Series-winning team fell apart. Ryan Weathers, Cam Schlittler, and Will Warren have a tough lineup facing them this weekend, and Weathers is slated to be the first to get a shot at them tonight. The Nats are sending out lefty Carson Palmquist as an opener with familiar starter Zack Littell likely to follow as the “bulk guy.”
However, we’ll have to wait a bit. The Nationals announced that there is “inclement weather” in the area and that first pitch—which had been scheduled for 6:45pm ET—was delayed. They put the news out there at 6:07pm ET and as of just a few minutes ago, the tarp was still on the field. Bummer.
The start of today’s game has been delayed due to inclement weather. We are monitoring the situation and will provide an update as more information becomes available.
