Worldwide Sports News

PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s next stop could be Citi Field but perhaps not to rejoin the Mets roster just yet.

After the shortstop played in a rehab game for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, manager Carlos Mendoza indicated there is a possibility Lindor will play in a simulated game before the Mets open their series against the Cubs on Monday — serving the purpose of giving Lindor back-to-back “games” given the minor league schedule is dark.

The earliest Lindor would likely play for the Mets is Wednesday — he would receive a day off after the back-to-back outings.

Mendoza was encouraged that Lindor, who is rehabbing a right calf strain that has kept him sidelined since April 22, played a full game for Syracuse. Lindor played a rehab game for Double-A Binghamton on Friday before receiving a day off Saturday.

“He’s getting close,” Mendoza said before the Mets lost 6-2 to the Phillies on Sunday night.

Mendoza gave Luis Torrens a second straight start at catcher with Francisco Alvarez as the DH, allowing the Mets to play their best defensive option behind the plate while keeping Alvarez’s higher-upside bat in play. Torrens went 1-for-3 with a strikeout while Alvarez was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Luke Weaver has a 20-inning scoreless streak over his previous 18 appearances. Over that stretch, he allowed 10 hits with four walks and 25 strikeouts.

Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Monday’s game at Citi Field. The Yonkers native and Fordham alum — a longtime Mets fan — has been the voice of the NBA Finals for the past two decades.

Sunday was the 62nd anniversary of Jim Bunning’s Father’s Day perfect game for the Phillies against the Mets at Shea Stadium.

Austin Wells was behind the plate for the Yankees for the first time Sunday since hitting the injured list with cervical headaches.

The catcher went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, but both Wells and manager Aaron Boone are confident that his ability to work on his approach at the plate while on a rehab stint with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will be beneficial.

The Yankees hoped the time in the minors might serve as something of a “reset” for Wells, according to Boone.

Wells has continued to wear a one-piece face mask, which resembles a hockey goaltender’s mask, instead of the more traditional two-piece mask he’d worn throughout his career.

He made the switch shortly before being sidelined and used it in the minors.

While rehabbing, Wells said he took “one or two” foul balls off the helmet and noticed an improvement from his previous headgear.

He also hasn’t experienced any more headaches, which he hopes are behind him.

The Yankees certainly could use more offense from the catcher position, since Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ali Sánchez have mostly struggled.

Escarra was optioned to SWB after Saturday’s game, as the Yankees preferred to keep the righty-hitting Sánchez around with several left-handed pitchers lined up to face them in the coming week — including Framber Valdez and Tarik Skubal in Detroit.

Boone added that Sánchez and his wife are expecting, which could lead to Sánchez landing on the paternity list and a return of Escarra.

“Ali has earned some opportunities,’’ said Boone, who’s been impressed with Sánchez’s work on defense, as well.

Gerrit Cole, originally scheduled to start Sunday, was pushed back to Monday in Detroit, as the Yankees looked to give their rotation a break in the middle of a 16-day stretch without an off day.

Cole has made five starts since returning from Tommy John surgery and said he feels good and the extra day was the team’s suggestion.

“It’s not that big a deal,” Cole said, adding it didn’t impact his preparation between starts.

The Yankees felt that with Cole, along with Carlos Rodón, coming back from elbow surgeries, and young pitchers like Cam Schlittler and Will Warren in the rotation, a break was beneficial.

The transition of Carlos Lagrange to the bullpen — at least for now — continued Sunday, with the right-hander tossing a scoreless inning for SWB. He hit 100 mph twice in the outing as the Yankees prepare him to pitch as a reliever for the rest of this season.

The Yankees have said they want him to be able to pitch on back-to-back days before bringing him to The Bronx, which he still hasn’t done, but it’s becoming clearer that Lagrange will likely be part of a new-look bullpen with the Yankees fairly soon.

Trent Grisham has been doing on-field agility drills, and Boone said he’s “encouraged” by how the center fielder is recovering from a right hamstring strain.

“Maybe a little surprised he’s moving as well as he is,” Boone said.

Without Grisham, they used José Caballero in center after some pinch-hitting moves in the bottom of the sixth, and he was slow to get to Spencer Steer’s grounder up the middle and then threw wildly, which allowed Steer to get to third.

David Peterson struggled again during the Mets' loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, and manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged they'll need to have conversations about the starting rotation.

New York lost the rubber match of its three-game road set Sunday, 6-2, with the left-hander allowing four earned runs in four innings.

"Right out of the gate, there were a couple of walks that ended up hurting him," Mendoza lamented, referring to Peterson issuing free passes to Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber in the bottom of the first. 

Both Turner and Schwarber came around to score in the inning thanks to two infield singles.

The skipper also felt that Peterson "was inconsistent with the two-seamer execution, and [the Phillies] got him."

Philadelphia's 2-0 lead ballooned to 5-0 the very next inning, when Schwarber tomahawked a slider which hung up and inside for a three-run homer.

"[Peterson] tried to go inside, but didn't get inside enough," Mendoza said of the game's most impactful moment.

Peterson reflected on that at-bat, stating "I made a good pitch to Schwarber, it was where I wanted it to go, but gotta tip the cap."

The southpaw did battle back after digging the early hole, at one point retiring eight straight Phillies batters.

"I felt like myself, pounding the zone, getting the ball on the ground, getting some strikeouts and whiffs," Peterson explained postgame.

When asked whether he expects to get the starting nod for his next turn in the rotation, Peterson replied, "My job, regardless of the role, is to put good work in and be ready when I'm given the ball."

"I'll get back home, talk to [Mendoza] about the plan going forward and go from there," he concluded.

From Mendoza's perspective, especially with Christian Scott and Clay Holmes still out injured, the Mets have no other choice but to band together and find ways to win, regardless of what the starting rotation looks like.

"There's no other way to look around it. These are the guys that we're counting on, and we need to help them."

However, the manager did concede that the current results on the mound aren't cutting it, and a shakeup could be in the works.

"We have no off-days, so people need to step up. We'll have conversations. We expect more out of them."

The Yankees stole six bases Sunday, the most they’d swiped in a game since 2013.

But it was one they didn’t get that bothered Anthony Volpe most in a 4-1 loss to the Reds at the Stadium.

After walking to open the bottom of the third, Volpe was picked off first by right-hander Chase Burns.

Volpe was originally called safe on the play, but Cincinnati challenged the call and it was overturned.

Even before the ruling, Volpe argued with first base umpire Brian O’Nora that first baseman Sal Stewart blocked his path back to the base with his foot.

“I had nowhere to go,” Volpe said of the play. “In spring training, at shortstop receiving throws [to second base], we try to be spot on with that rule. It’s not from us. The league tells us.”

Volpe’s argument fell on deaf ears.

“He told me he didn’t want to watch [the replay] on the screen,” Volpe said. “He said the throw took him there. It’s up to him.”

To make matters worse, Ben Rice followed with a home run to give the Yankees a one-run lead.

“It’s a huge play in the game,” Volpe said. “It took a run off the board.”

The rule, Volpe added, also exists to help prevent injuries.

“You don’t want to mess up your shoulder sliding back into first,” the shortstop said.

Boone sympathized with Volpe but was not surprised by the outcome.

“By the letter of the law, he’s blocking the base,” Boone said. “Are you really gonna get that call very often? Probably not.”

The Yankees were still able to capitalize on Burns being slow to home plate to steal six bases — despite Burns having a good pickoff move. But their lack of hitting with runners in scoring position meant that none of those swipes led to a run.

The six stolen bases came from just three players, as Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each swiped a pair.

Only José Caballero was thrown out — and that’s because he overslid second base in the second inning and shortstop Edwin Arroyo kept the tag on him.

The Yankees have stolen 80 bases this year, their most through 76 games since 2002.

But it wasn’t enough Sunday.

“As an infielder, you’ve got to be locked in on that rule,” Volpe said.

PHILADELPHIA — David Peterson barely gave his team a chance Sunday night, becoming the latest Mets starting pitcher to bury the team early.

Over the past week it’s a list that also included Kodai Senga and Freddy Peralta, both of whom also got knocked around early, creating a significant deficit. It’s getting too repetitive for the Mets.

On this night, Peterson surrendered five runs over the first two innings, sending the Mets to a 6-2 loss to the Phillies. The loss was their second straight, completing a 2-4 road trip.

“It’s very tough to give up the lead right away,” Juan Soto said of the team’s starting pitching woes. “But it’s part of the game. We have just got to be better. We have got to play better baseball and go out there and execute.”

There isn’t much to like about the team, save for a bullpen that consistently gives the Mets a chance in close games. The Mets (34-43) just aren’t playing enough of them.

“The record is the record,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “For us, [starting pitching] is where it starts. Our job as a coaching staff is to help these guys get through it.”

In just his latest clunker, Peterson lasted only four innings and allowed five runs (one unearned) on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over four innings. In three appearances this month the lefty owns a 12.15 ERA. His ERA for the season is 6.09.

Peterson walked Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber to begin his night before striking out Bryce Harper on a full-count pitch at his ankles. But Peterson still paid for the walks: Alec Bohm hit a grounder that went for an infield single, with Brett Baty’s errant throw bringing in the first run. Edmundo Sosa’s ensuing slow grounder to Bo Bichette went for an infield single, extending the Phillies lead to 2-0.

“I wasn’t too pleased with walking the two guys, but after that I felt I made an adjustment, challenged them in the zone, got some ground balls and weak contact,” Peterson said. “Kind of the way I finished, I felt like myself.”

Bryson Stott and Turner singled in succession to start the second before Schwarber launched a three-run homer that buried the Mets in a 5-0 hole. It was the fourth homer of the series for Schwaber, who blasted three in the Phillies’ 15-3 victory a night earlier. Schwarber has 29 homers only 77 games into the Phillies’ schedule.

“We obviously have not put ourselves in a situation we want to be in, but it’s not for lack of effort or lack of commitment,” Peterson said. “I think it’s just 1-26 getting the job done. At the end of the day, do we come away with the win or loss, and that is something that we all need to focus on, whether it’s pretty or not.”

Carson Benge’s homer against Zack Wheeler in the third cut the Phillies lead to 5-1. The homer was the rookie Benge’s ninth this season. The inning concluded with Soto thrown out at second base by plenty attempting to stretch a single into a double.

Harper hit a line drive into the right field seats leading off the fifth against Austin Warren to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead. A night earlier, Harper hit for the cycle for the first time in his career.

A.J. Ewing’s RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth cut the Mets deficit to 6-2. Ewing was the final batter faced by Wheeler, who left to a standing ovation. Wheeler loaded the bases on walks to Benge, Soto and Jared Young. The inning concluded with Marcus Semien striking out against Jonathan Bowlen.

“[Wheeler] is a really good pitcher, and the reason he’s really good is he’s able to limit damage,” Mendoza said. “In order to beat guys like that, not only do you have to create traffic, but you have got to hit. Against arms like that, they get the lead, and it’s going to be hard.”

The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in what is the first of five out of six series to be played against NL Central foes heading into the All-Star break. While any series could technically “make or break” a season, this stretch of 21 games (18 of them against the division) over the next 21 days just feels more important.

Milwaukee is fresh off a disappointing series loss in Atlanta, as the Brewers lost the first two games by one run each before the offense exploded for nine runs in a win on Sunday. On the other side, the Reds are coming off a 4-2 week in which they took two of three from both New York teams — they outscored the Mets 26-12 at home to begin the week before outscoring the Yankees 14-8 in the Bronx over the weekend. Cincinnati sits in last place in the division, 9.5 games behind the first place Crew.

The Brewers are currently without pitchers Brandon Woodruff (expected to return for the series opener — more on him below), Logan Henderson (early July return), Jared Koenig (late June/early July), Coleman Crow (July), DL Hall (late July), Rob Zastryzny (late June/early July), Brian Fitzpatrick (TBD), Carlos Rodriguez (TBD), Angel Zerpa (out for season), and Quinn Priester (out for season). Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is the lone position player on the IL, and he’s reportedly close to a rehab assignment after a setback in the last few weeks.

The Reds are without position players Elly De La Cruz (expected to return either Monday or Tuesday) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (TBD), as well as pitchers Pierce Johnson (expected to return on Monday), Brandon Williamson (second half), Emilio Pagán (late June/July), Hunter Greene (July), and Graham Ashcraft (second half).

Jake Bauers leads the Brewer offense with 13 homers this year, with Brice Turang (11 homers) and Jackson Chourio (10 homers) right behind him. Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and William Contreras lead the regulars in batting average, as Chourio is hitting .301, Vaughn is hitting .352, and Contreras is hitting .299 after a 4-for-5 day on Sunday. Gary Sánchez, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton also play key roles offensively, with Joey Ortiz and Blake Perkins rounding things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .256/.340/.394 (.734 OPS ranks ninth), with 68 homers (tied for 27th), 397 runs (third), and 75 steals (fourth).

Rookie Sal Stewart leads the Cincy offense with 14 homers this season, with JJ Bleday (13 homers), De La Cruz (12 homers), and Spencer Steer (12 homers) not far behind him. Speaking of De La Cruz, his return will be big for a Reds’ offense that has scuffled over the last month or so, as he’s hitting .280/.346/.509 and is always a threat to steal bags. Nathaniel Lowe, Matt McLain, Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Stephenson, and Dane Myers are the other regulars for the Reds, with Noelvi Marte, Blake Dunn, Will Benson, Edwin Arroyo, and Jose Trevino serving as depth. As a team, the Reds are hitting .229/.311/.395 (.706 OPS ranks 21st), with 96 homers (11th), 325 runs (22nd), and 59 steals (11th).

The Brewer bullpen is led by Aaron Ashby, who just took his first loss after 10 wins on Saturday evening. Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill have also been effective, with Chad Patrick serving in a long-relief role. Joel Kuhnel, Drew Rom, and Craig Yoho serve as Milwaukee’s “B” bullpen as it stands. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.45 team ERA (third), including a 3.37 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.55 bullpen ERA (seventh). They’ve struck out 736 batters (first) over 670 2/3 innings.

Brock Burke and Sam Moll lead the Reds bullpen, as Burke has a 3.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 36 innings and Moll has a 3.19 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 31 innings. Tony Santillan has struggled to a 5.10 ERA, but Tejay Antone (2.75 ERA) and Caleb Ferguson (1.50 ERA) have both been effective. Zach Maxwell (9.90 ERA), Chris Paddack (6.04 ERA), and Chase Petty (4.41 ERA) have also struggled, and with Johnson expected to return, one of them seems like the most likely odd man out. As a staff, the Reds have a 4.58 team ERA (24th), including a 4.43 starter ERA (24th) and a 4.81 bullpen ERA (16th). They’ve struck out 597 batters (26th) over 678 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Monday, June 22 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP) vs. RHP Brady Singer (3-6, 5.32 ERA, 6.15 FIP)

Woodruff is slated to make his return in the series opener, as he’s missed nearly two months after a shoulder injury that became blatantly clear in his last start due to diminished velocity. For the season, he’s made six starts, totaling 30 innings with a 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP, and 25 strikeouts. In a pair of rehab appearances with the ACL Brewers and High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Big Woo totaled nine innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11. In 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Reds, Woodruff is 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 75 innings.

Singer, 29, has had a rough second season in Cincinnati after being acquired in the Jonathan India trade last offseason. After putting up a 14-12 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2025, he’s 3-6 with a 5.32 ERA and 6.15 FIP over 66 innings this season. He’s looked a bit better in his last two outings, though, allowing three runs on nine hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts over 11 innings in a win over the Mets and a no-decision against the Padres. Singer has made four career starts against Milwaukee — including three last season — with a 2-2 record, a 4.82 ERA, and 20 strikeouts across 18 2/3 innings.

Tuesday, June 23 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.94 ERA, 5.52 FIP) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (2-2, 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP)

Sproat has a 5.94 ERA and 5.52 FIP with 63 strikeouts across 63 2/3 innings this season, and he’s been about as inconsistent as those numbers indicate — he’s shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff, but he’s also struggled with homers and walks. His last start was a microcosm of his season, as he went three perfect innings before allowing a pair of walks and a pair of hits — including a grand slam — in the fourth inning against the Guardians. He struck out six but exited after just 63 pitches in that fourth, as he dealt with cramps (something that seems to be a larger issue among Milwaukee’s young pitching staff). Sproat’s only appearance against the Reds came last year in his MLB debut while with the Mets. He took the loss in that one, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over six frames.

Lodolo, who had the numbers of a top-of-the-rotation guy last season with a 3.33 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 156 strikeouts, has struggled mightily in eight starts thus far this year, with a 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP, and 32 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old lefty got roughed up big time against the Mets in his last appearance, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out just two over 4 2/3 innings. Lodolo has made six career appearances (five starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-1 record, 2.84 ERA, and 29 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.

Wednesday, June 24 @ 6:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP) vs. RHP Rhett Lowder (3-4, 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP)

Drohan has turned into a reliable five-inning guy for the Brewers over the last month, as he has a 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 47 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings this season. He took a no-decision in his last outing against the Guardians, going five frames with one run allowed on three hits and three walks, striking out three on 91 pitches. This marks Drohan’s first career start against Cincinnati.

Lowder, 24, is a former No. 7 overall pick who debuted at just 22 in 2024, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings that year. After missing all of 2025 due to injuries, he hasn’t looked quite the same in 2026 through 11 starts. He has a 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 42 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. He took the loss in his last appearance against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Lowder made his lone career start against Milwaukee back in August 2024. He took the loss, allowing one run on two hits and four walks with six strikeouts across four innings.

How to Watch & Listen

Monday, June 22: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Tuesday, June 23: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Wednesday, June 24: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

The Brewers hit a tough rut in Atlanta over the weekend, but this Reds team has been struggling after jumping out to a hot start. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three to wrap up the road trip.