Posts

Posted on

Celtics Wyc Grousbeck says 'you can’t stay in the second apron' just as team is about to go deep into it

Sacramento Kings v Boston Celtics

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 10: Owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden on January 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Wyc Grousbeck and his family may have just sold the Boston Celtics to Bill Chisholm and his investors for a record $6.1 billion. Grousbeck will remain as team governor and work with the new owners through 2028.

That has raised one big question: The Boston Celtics are about to get historically expensive, are Chisholm and his team going to pay up to keep a championship team together? Next season, the Celtics' payroll is expected to be around $230 million — they have $225 million on the books without re-signing Al Horford or Luke Kornet, both free agents — and that would bring a luxury tax bill of around $270 million, or a total of $500 million to keep this contending roster together? Will the new owners pay that?

The question isn't the money, it's the second apron basketball penalties that will keep Boston from living above the tax line, Grousbeck said during a recent WEEI appearance.

"It's not the luxury tax bill, it's the basketball penalties. The new CBA was designed by the league to stop teams from going crazy. They decided that it's not good enough to go after the wallets because the fans can be like, 'Hey find someone who can afford to spend $500 million dollars a year or whatever it is, like the English Premier League...

"The basketball penalties mean that it's even more of a premium now to have your basketball general manager be brilliant and lucky. Because you have to navigate because you can't stay in the second apron, nobody will, I predict, for the next 40 years of the CBA, no one is going to stay in the second apron more than two years."

Grousbeck speaks the truth. What are those restrictions? Second apron teams cannot:

• Aggregate salaries in trades, they can only send out one player (plus picks)
• Take back more salary than they send out in a trade,
• Send cash in trades
• Use the midlevel exception
• Make a sign-and-trade deal
• Cannot sign anyone on the buyout market who made more than the mid-level exception
• Cannot trade its ts first-round draft pick seven years into the future (2032 for Boston this summer). If a team is over the second apron for two of the following four years after that (or three of five), then said pick drops to the end of the first round (regardless of where the team falls in the standings).

The second apron restrictions make team building nearly impossible, and it's one of the reasons the Clippers and Warriors — two teams with ownership more than willing to spend to win — dropped below that apron this season.

Grousbeck went out of his way in the interview to praise Brad Stevens, but how the Celtics executive is going to get this team below that tax line is not easy to envision. Next season Jayson Tatum will make $54.1 million as his new max deal kicks in, Jaylen Brown will make $53.1 million, Jrue Holiday is at $32.4 million, Kristaps Porzingis at $30.7 million and Derrick White at $28.1 million. There will be no easy cuts.

Just don't expect the Celtics to spend that freely. The second apron is not a hard cap, but for the foreseeable future, it's going to act like one.

Posted on

Rockies’ Thairo Estrada breaks wrist when hit by Kumar Rocker pitch and will miss 4 to 8 weeks

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Colorado’s Thairo Estrada broke his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Texas’ Kumar Rocker and will be out four to eight weeks, manager Bud Black said Friday.

Estrada, injured on a 97.1 mph sinker leading off Thursday’s game, was expected to be the Rockies’ second baseman when they open at Tampa Bay on March 28.

The 29-year-old spent the past four seasons with San Francisco and hit .217 with nine homers and 47 RBIs last year, when he was sidelined by a sprained left wrist between June 27 and July 9 and again between July 25 and Aug. 19. He was assigned outright to Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 30 and on Oct. 1 elected to become a free agent.

Estrada has a .251 average with 48 homers, 195 RBIs and 52 stolen bases in 469 games over parts of six seasons with the New York Yankees (2019-20) and the Giants (2021-24).

Posted on

Carlos Carrasco lands major league contract with Yankees following strong showing in spring training

TAMPA, Fla. — Carlos Carrasco’s impressive spring performance has earned the right-hander a major league contract with New York and a spot in the Yankees’ rotation.

The Yankees announced on Saturday they had signed Carrasco to a one-year contract.

Carrasco, 38, signed a minor league deal with the Yankees on Feb. 5 and could have opted out of the deal on Saturday. Instead, the right-hander’s 1.69 ERA in five spring training games, including four starts, earned him his new deal with New York.

He gets a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues and $180,000 while in the minors, and can earn $2.5 million in performance bonuses for starts: $150,000 each for 12, 14, 16 and 18, $250,000 each for 20, 22, 24 and 26, and $450,000 each for 28 and 30.

Carrasco was 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA in 21 starts for Cleveland last season. In 15 seasons, Carrasco has a 110-103 record and 4.14 ERA. He led the American League in wins in 2017, when he was 18-6 with Cleveland.

The Yankees moved right-hander Gerrit Cole to the 60-day injured list as he faces season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Another injury also created the opening for Carrasco. General manager Brian Cashman said right-hander Clarke Schmidt will open the season on the injured list. Schmidt is recovering from back stiffness and a sore right shoulder.

Also, the team reassigned right-handers Colten Brewer and Geoff Hartlieb, left-hander Rob Zastryzny, outfielder Ismael Munguia and infielder-outfielder Andrew Velazquez to minor league camp.

Posted on

Phillies add hard-throwing reliever, finalize Opening Day pitching staff

Phillies add hard-throwing reliever, finalize Opening Day pitching staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Tyler Phillips made it all the way to the end of camp with the Phillies but was designated for assignment on Sunday afternoon to clear a roster spot for waiver claim Carlos Hernandez, a high-velocity right-hander formerly with the Royals.

Hernandez will be in the Phillies’ Opening Day bullpen. He’s a burly, 6-foot-4, 255-pound right-hander from Venezuela entering his age-28 season. He started 11 games for Kansas City in 2021 but has pitched mostly in relief since, appearing frequently in high-leverage spots in the second half of 2024. He had a 3.30 ERA in 30 innings last season, though he walked 16 and that’s been a career-long issue. Hernandez has walked a batter every two innings in the majors.

The Phillies will take a chance; really, it’s not much of a gamble. Teams can do worse with the final reliever in their bullpen. Hernandez’ fastball averaged just over 98 mph last season.

Earlier in the day, the Phillies optioned pitcher Michael Mercado to Triple A Lehigh Valley, likely meaning that Matt Strahm (left shoulder) will be ready for Opening Day.

This is the eight-man bullpen: Jordan Romano, Strahm, Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Jose Ruiz, Joe Ross and Hernandez.

The Phillies’ five starters to begin the season will be Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker. Ranger Suarez (back stiffness) will begin the season on the injured list, manager Rob Thomson said in an in-game interview during Sunday’s spring training game.

Walker’s first turn in the rotation will be in the Phillies’ sixth game of the season. Wheeler will pitch Games 1 and 5. The Phillies have to early off-days that would’ve given Wheeler too much rest otherwise.

The Phillies’ spring training finale is Monday afternoon in Clearwater against the Rays. They have 27 healthy players left on their spring training roster, with the only remaining battle between Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy for the final bench spot. The Phils could also do what they did with Hernandez, bringing in a player let go by another organization, if they find a bench fit better than Clemens or Kennedy over the next 72 hours.

Posted on

Jets Host The Sabres In An Afternoon Matinee

The Winnipeg Jets concluded their three-game road trip on the West Coast with a 2-1-0 record, beating the Seattle Kraken and the Edmonton Oilers in overtime and will return home to take on the Buffalo Sabres. 

Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) knocks down Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) as he skates with the puck during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets reached impressive milestones on Thursday against the Oilers, with Hellebuyck reaching 40 wins and the Jets getting to the 100-point mark on the same night as the Washington Capitals. 

The Jets are in second place in the NHL, trailing the Capitals by two points. More importantly, they hold an eight-point lead on the Dallas Stars for the Division and Conference lead. 

The Sabres are on the opposite end of the standings, sitting in 29th place in the NHL. Although they roster quite a bit of young talent, they haven't found ways to translate it into complete hockey, and it's why it's become another wasted season. 

The talent on their roster includes Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and JJ Peterka, who are all capable of taking over games if the Jets don't come out with the correct intensity. 

The Jets and Sabres met one time this season, which was a game that was finished in overtime. Adam Lowry scored the game-winner that night, ending a four-game skid. The Jets enter tonight's game with more confidence than they did in their previous meeting, but they could be entering the game playing better hockey.

They've squeaked by wins recently due to inconsistent defensive play and streaky offence. If they can begin to sure those aspects up, they'll get back to their dominant selves. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Posted on

Rockies trade OF Nolan Jones to the Guardians for INF/OF Tyler Freeman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Colorado Rockies traded outfielder Nolan Jones to the Cleveland Guardians for Tyler Freeman on Saturday.

The addition of Freeman provides increased flexibility for Colorado after it lost Thairo Estrada to a broken right wrist. The 25-year-old Freeman has made big league starts at second base, third, shortstop and center field.

The 26-year-old Jones returns to Cleveland after he made his big league debut with the Guardians in 2022. The second-round pick in the 2016 amateur draft was traded to the Rockies in November 2022 for infielder Juan Brito.

Jones is looking to bounce back after he was limited to 79 games last year because of a back issue. He hit .227 with three homers and 28 RBIs.

Jones had a big year in 2023, batting .297 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 20 steals in 106 games. He finished fourth in balloting for NL Rookie of the Year.

Freeman was Cleveland’s opening-day starter in center in 2024. He hit .209 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 118 games for the AL Central champions.

He was selected by Cleveland in the second round of the 2017 draft.

The Rockies visit Tampa Bay for their opener on Friday, and the Guardians are at Kansas City on Thursday for opening day.

Posted on

Juventus sack manager Thiago Motta and bring in Igor Tudor as replacement

  • Former Bologna coach leaves after just nine months
  • Axe follows heavy defeats by Atalanta and Fiorentina

Juventus have sacked Thiago Motta as manager and appointed Igor Tudor as his replacement. The decision comes after Motta guided the club to consecutive heavy defeats in Serie A, losing 4-0 at home to Atalanta and 3-0 at Fiorentina.

Those losses left Juve fifth in the table, 12 points behind the leaders, Inter. The 42-year-old’s side were also surprisingly knocked out of the Champions League in the playoff round by PSV Eindhoven in February. Less than a week later, they exited the Coppa Italia, knocked out by Empoli after a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Grizzlies center Brandon Clarke out for season with sprained knee

Memphis Grizzlies backup center Brandon Clarke is out for the season due to a "high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee," the team announced.

The injury happened against Portland last Wednesday as Clarke defended Scoot Henderson on a drive to the basket.

This is a tough blow for Clarke and the Grizzlies.

This was another unfortunate fluke injury for Clarke, who had missed almost all of last season with a torn Achilles. It ended a solid bounce-back season in which he averaged 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a game while playing quality defense.

For the Grizzlies, they lose a key part of their frontcourt rotation. Clarke was rock solid off the bench and an anchor anchor Memphis' second unit. Clarke also started 14 games this season when Jaren Jackson Jr. was out. Memphis feels much thinner up front now heading into the playoffs.

The Grizzlies have dropped three straight and slid back to fifth in the West but are still within a game of the Denver Nuggets at No. 3 (with the now-healthy Lakers in fourth). Memphis is just three games back of No. 2 seed Houston. However, the Grizzlies need to look over their shoulders because a hot Warriors team is now just two games behind them with 11 games left to play.

Posted on

Sharks End Tough Stretch Against Bruins

San Jose Sharks defenseman Luca Cagnoni (42), left wing William Eklund (72) and center Will Smith (2) wait for teammate center Macklin Celebrini (71) to celebrate during the second period against the Boston Bruins at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

When the San Jose Sharks beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 on Saturday, a streak of 14 straight losses dating back to the 16-17 NHL season ended.

Before Saturday, San Jose last defeated the Bruins on March 15, 2016. The Sharks won the game 3-2 and got goals from Joonas Donskoi, Melker Karlsson, and Brent Burns. 

Sharks rookie Luca Cagnoni achieved his first NHL point on William Eklund's game-opening goal. Macklin Celebrini fed the Sharks winger alone in front for the primary assist.

The Sharks are 2-2 in their last four games and have shown fight despite being eliminated from playoff contention. 

Since the Bruins' streak against the Sharks is over, the longest active win streak against one team is the Nashville Predators over the Sharks (13 games).

Latest On THN's San Jose Sharks site

Sharks Avoid Injury Scare Against Bruins

Sharks Sign 2022 2nd-Round Pick To ELC

Sharks' Luca Cagnoni Can't Believe He's In NHL

Stay updated with the most interesting Sharks stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller

Posted on

Report: Steph to join Warriors in Miami, status vs. Heat uncertain

Report: Steph to join Warriors in Miami, status vs. Heat uncertain originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors won’t be without Steph Curry for long.

Curry will join the Warriors in Miami, with his status for Tuesday’s matchup against the Heat dependent on treatment response for his pelvic bruise over the next two days, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday, citing sources.

Curry exited the Warriors’ 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday after suffering a pelvic contusion in the third quarter. An MRI on Friday revealed that Curry sustained no structural damage, with the Warriors announcing the superstar point guard would be re-evaluated Monday.

It appears there’s optimism Curry could be available Tuesday after Golden State struggled without the two-time NBA MVP in a 124-115 loss to the Atlanta Hawks Saturday.

Golden State is in the midst of a crucial six-game road trip as the Warriors cling to the Western Conference’s No. 6 playoff seed in a jam-packed postseason race.

The Warriors have been able to tread water without Curry during the 2024-25 NBA season, posting a 7-4 record when the superstar guard isn’t active.

However, it’s clear how critical Curry is to the Warriors’ pursuit of avoiding the NBA Play-In Tournament, and with little room for error it seems Golden State will do everything possible to get its franchise cornerstone back on the court as soon as possible.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

How the Knicks can solve their recent offensive woes

The Washington Wizards' defense was the perfect remedy for a struggling Knicks offense. After scoring 105 or fewer points in three of the last four games, New York (44-26) was able to find an offensive rhythm in a 122-103 win against the lowly Wizards on Saturday.

Despite the victory, New York’s offense has hit a rough patch this season. In the last 15 games, the Knicks are ranked 25th in offensive efficiency, scoring 109.7 points per 100 possessions. Once the top-ranked offense earlier in the season, the Knicks have dropped to fifth in the category. A part of the recent slide can be attributed to the absence of Jalen Brunson, who has missed the last eight games due to an ankle injury. But some of New York’s nadir in the category happened with the All-Star point guard in the lineup.

The three-point line has recently proven to be a significant concern for New York. The Knicks are struggling to get up threes, ranking 21st in attempts per 100 possessions. When the Knicks are able to hoist shots from deep regularly, they are not converting. New York is 24th in three-point percentage (34.6 percent) during this time span. The corner three has been a weapon for Knicks teams under the Tom Thibodeau era. The club is shooting a league-worst 30.2 percent on corner threes during this span of games.

Where the Knicks miss Brunson the most is his ability to drive in the paint and kick out to open shooters. New York’s other core players, such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, often drive into the teeth of the defense with blinders on. They are primarily looking to score rather than set up teammates. Per NBA Stats, the Knicks have the third-lowest rate in assists on drives in the last 15 games.

One of New York’s weaknesses this season and last has been a lack of secondary creation from a perimeter player. Even when Brunson returns, some teams have discovered ways to slow down the Knicks' offense effectively. Strategies such as having a center guard Josh Hart, while putting a wing on Towns, have been effective. Also, teams trapping Brunson in the pick-and-roll has worked at times too.

Ways to solve the scoring woes

The easiest solution for the Knicks is to shoot better. Several players have been in slumps. Cam Payne is shooting just 30.3 percent over the last 20 games after a hot start earlier in the season. Hart has cooled down considerably and is often reluctant to shoot now.

One strategy that has worked for the Knicks is turning defense into offense. During this offensive stupor, the Knicks’ defense has ranked 10th, much better than earlier this season. New York has found scoring opportunities in transition off of misses and forcing opponents into turnovers.

Also, the team is going to need internal improvements in playmaking. Bridges has stepped into a bigger role amid Brunson’s absence. He’s averaging 5.0 assists in eight games without Brunson in the lineup. Though Bridges has shown an effective pull-up shooting game out of the pick-and-roll, he’s lagged as a passer and playmaker for most of the season.

Bridges’ recent increase in reps as a creator on offense could be an important development for the Knicks offense once Brunson returns.

New York’s offense has largely been a success this season, but this recent slide has highlighted some weaknesses, like the team’s overreliance on Brunson. But it does give the team an opportunity to put players in different positions and figure out different solutions.

Posted on

Recent NHL Run Putting Hurricanes Rookie Blueliner Scott Morrow's Talent, Growth On Display

Mar 11, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Scott Morrow (56) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Scott Morrow got his first taste of NHL action last season — playing the final two games of the regular season — but it hasn't been till recently where he's actually gotten to feel like a real NHL player.

Morrow, 22, is the latest defenseman who has been called upon by the Canes due to injuries in the regular lineup and he's been making the most of his time, becoming more and more noticeable every game.

"It’s the first time I've gotten to play more than two games in a row, so I've gotten into a little bit more of a rhythm and it's just been fun to be around the guys and feel like I'm contributing," Morrow told The Hockey News. "It's been fun."

After two callups earlier in the year where he played in limited minutes as the seventh defenseman, the UMass standout finally got the chance to play in a continuous stretch of games as a main piece of the Hurricanes' blueline.

"I mean, last spring was just a blur," Morrow said. "Like, I kind of got thrown in there at the end of the year and didn't really know what was going on and didn't know everybody and nobody knew me as much, so it was tough. And then the first time I was called up this year, both games I played in we went seven D, so it was a bit harder to get a rhythm when you're playing with a different guy.

"But now all the D-men that we have on our team know me a bit more and they're very good about talking to me and taking me under their wing and being positive and embracing me as part of the D-corp. So it's been really good and I can't give enough credit to the guys for helping me out."

Morrow has played in five of the Hurricanes' last six games, averaging nearly 16 minutes a night, and he's continually built his game in each.

In those games, the 2021 second-round pick has points in four, an active three-game point streak and also scored his first career goal as well.

"Super cool moment and I'm just glad it went in," Morrow said on his first goal. "It's a lot of pressure off of my shoulders. Now I don't have to feel like I'm waiting for it to happen. Now that I got my first one, I can play a bit more free."

Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Defenseman Scott Morrow Nets First Career NHL GoalCarolina Hurricanes Rookie Defenseman Scott Morrow Nets First Career NHL GoalLast night's game was one to remember for Scott Morrow, as the Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman registered his first career NHL goal in the team's 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

A strong offensive game is something Morrow is known for and something he's hopeful to be able to bring more at the NHL level.

"Part of it is just being in a rhythm," Morrow said about getting more comfortable trying to make plays at the NHL level. "Being comfortable with your D partner and knowing that he's got your back and kind of knowing who you're playing with too. Like if you're out there trying to jump up in the rush, you probably want to do it with guys who are looking for you. Luckily, we've got a lot of forwards who are really good at finding the late guy and getting me involved when I want to be up there. So just kind of adapting and learning who I'm playing with and them kind of seeing me and forwards covering for me, my D partner covering for me, and just kind of gelling together and getting some chemistry has been good."

Morrow has had the time to really develop that game at the professional level too as he started the season in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves.

"The coaches down there have done a great job and I have a lot of good players to play with down there," Morrow said. "It's a great environment to get better every day and playing a lot of games, you're going to get confidence naturally."

In 51 games with the Wolves, Morrow had 13 goals and 39 points which had him tied for first in goals and third in total scoring by rookie defensemen.

But even amongst all blueliners, Morrow still ranked fourth in goals and eighth in points.

"I think I started the year producing a good amount, but I think the second half of my year down there, you know, the last 20-25 games, compared to the first 20-25 games, I have been a lot more comfortable and produced more," Morrow said of his time in the AHL. "I think I've taken a lot of steps throughout the year and I definitely have learned a ton down there."

Even beyond the offensive contributions, a big part of the bill for an NHL defenseman is obviously defending. That and being able to transition the puck quickly and efficiently.

In his past five games, Morrow has still managed to control a positive chance share (53.18 CF%) and expected goals percentage (53.79 xGF%) while also outscoring opponents 7-4 at even strength.

He's definitely been sheltered, with a majority of his starts coming in the offensive zone and away from tougher matchups, but he's still holding his own at the NHL level, which is big for a rookie blueliner regardless.

When I asked him what he felt had been the biggest areas of growth for himself since getting this recent stretch of games, Morrow pointed out adjusting to the game speed and puck pressure.

"You just don't have as much time with the puck whether you're breaking it out or having it on your stick in the neutral zone or offensive zone,' Morrow said. "You have to make plays quicker and you can't really get used to it unless you have reps. So just getting some more game reps has been good to speed up my decision making process."

While many are excited for Morrow's potential and want to see him in the lineup sooner rather than later, there's still areas of the game the rookie needs to grow in, especially with his gap control and defending.

"Just being tight to my guy defensively and having tight gaps is the biggest thing," Morrow said on the feedback he's been getting from the coaching staff. "Because at a level like this, in the NHL, anybody can score like that [*snaps*]. If you're not on your guy, bad things can happen. So you know, even being a stick length away isn't always good. You want to be in their kitchen. It's also easier to defend when you don't let them get the puck, rather than when you are a little bit off of them. If they get the puck, then you’ve got to work way harder. So just doing the early work and closing on guys, even without the puck, so that you know they can't make plays."

"Details are so important," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "Talent, you're not really teaching that. They're great players, but now it's, 'Can you turn the talent into being smarter? Getting the puck more?' Little things. At the end of the day, it's also just about learning the systems and feeling more comfortable so they can just go out and play."

Saturday's game against the Kings was a good example of the work Morrow still needs to do, but the recent stretch of games is still a good taste of what will eventually be on display night in and night out for the Hurricanes.

"It was really good for him to get some games and not just a game here and there," Brind'Amour said. "Like, putting a few together and showing that we can count on him. It's been good to really see what you've got and really give him a taste of playing regular minutes. It's been a good little run for him."

Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Posted on

George Foreman obituary

Boxing champion who won two world heavyweight titles, decades apart, and took on Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle

To be classed as a great heavyweight boxer it is often said that a fighter needs to duel with the best combatants of his time. George Foreman, who has died aged 76, unquestionably did that, having had epic world heavyweight title rivalries in the 1970s with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, beating the latter to win the world heavyweight title in 1973.

However, in some ways his more deserving claim to greatness was an astonishing comeback that saw him become the oldest world heavyweight champion two decades later.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Mets Notes: Dedniel Núñez optioned, five-man starting rotation tentatively in place

Prior to Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Miami Marlins, Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza provided a roster update while also mapping out the starting rotation to begin the season.

Reliever Dedniel Núñez, who suffered a strained flexor tendon in late July that ended his rookie season prematurely, has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

While Núñez proved himself as one of the Mets’ most valuable relievers in 2024 before the injury, posting a 2.31 ERA, Mendoza explained that the Mets need to build him up more before he’s ready to go in potential four- or five-out situations.

Mendoza said it would be “unfair” to Núñez to ask him to do that before he’s properly built up.

“We explained the whole situation with him and he understood, and once he’s ready to go, he’ll be back here,” Mendoza said, noting that the right-hander had an option.

With Núñez starting the season in Syracuse, Max Kranick and Huascar Brazoban are two options to take his spot in the bullpen.

Tylor Megill to start Game 2 of regular season, initial five-man rotation set

Mendoza announced that Tylor Megill will start the second game of the regular season for the Mets in Houston.

“Megill earned it. He came into camp on a mission,” Mendoza said. “He went out there and earned it. He did a lot of the things that we were asking, staring with throwing strikes and attacking hitters, and he did that. Stuff is elite, so yeah, he earned it.”

While the Mets will still need to see how all of their pitchers finish the spring health-wise, the current plan is to have Griffin Canning start the third game, followed by David Peterson and Kodai Senga. Clay Holmes has already been announced as the Opening Day starter.

That would also mean that Megill is on pace to start the Mets’ home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, April 4.