Yankees pitcher Yovanny Cruz (96) throws against the Blue Jays in his MLB debut.
Yovanny Cruz’s latest call-up was deadly serious.
With the Yankees still searching for solutions to solidify their bullpen, Cruz received his second call-up of the season Tuesday — though the righty reliever initially thought he was being pranked.
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“Yeah, very grateful to be back. Obviously, it’s a great opportunity to be up here,” he told The Post through a translator. “I was just in my room last night, and I got the call — I thought it was the guys playing a joke on me. But obviously it was the manager telling me I was going to the big leagues again.”
For Cruz, 26, this will be another audition to stake a spot on the Yankees’ pitching staff after a promising couple of performances in the spring.
After being brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Cruz made his MLB debut May 20 against Toronto and pitched 2 ¹/₃ scoreless innings across two games. In a larger sample size in SWB, he produced a 3.18 ERA in 24 appearances. Cruz could prove to be an asset for the Pinstripes with his ability to top 100 mph.
The next step is his command.
Yankees pitcher Yovanny Cruz (96) throws against the Blue Jays in his MLB debut. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
“It’s something that gave me a little bit of trouble last year, and I think commanding the strike zone has improved much more this year,” he said.
Aside from his rapid fastball, Cruz is also armed with a slider that can reach 90 mph. At the same time, he’s walked 4.1 batters per nine innings in Triple-A and knows he will have to clean things up in the big leagues.
Cruz thought his latest Yankees call-up was a joke — it wasn’t. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Besides the velo, to be effective up here, you just gotta be able to use all of your pitches and command very well the strike zone,” he said.
Cruz’s most recent call-up coincided with Yerry De los Santos being optioned back to Triple-A and comes as the Yankees have lost five consecutive games.
Though the bullpen is considered a relative strength, the Yankees could be in the market for relief help ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline.
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Cruz spent eight years in the minors and played in the Cubs, Padres and Red Sox organizations before getting his shot with the Yankees. He would certainly love to stick around and provide general manager Brian Cashman with an internal solution.
“Seeing how close-knit the group is here, definitely feels like a family, like a team,” he said.
Imagine how upset Kirk Herbstreit would be if he were a Mets fan?
The ESPN college football analyst went off on his beloved Reds and the state of Major League Baseball in posts on X after Cincinnati blew a 3-0 lead to the Brewers on Monday night and eventually lost 5-3 to Milwaukee for their 44th loss of the season.
It was enough for Herbstreit, an Ohio native, to explode in response to one Reds fan who was railing on the franchise’s current state as well.
ESPN sportscaster Kirk Herbstreit is seen on the field before the 2026 CFP National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images
“Bro. After 13 STRAIGHT years of this bulls–t you need to realize you’re pissin into the wind,” he wrote on the platform. “It will not change. The Reds baseball season is mid February to early to mid May. Thats it. This season was over weeks ago. I feel bad for you with all these tweets. Go watch some soccer. Get some preseason football magazines. Go on a summer trip. Anything but deal with this nonsense on a daily basis. It’s over. Time to move on.”
It’s easy to understand Herbstreit’s demeanor toward the team.
The Reds are sitting in the basement of NL Central and are 5.0 games back of a wild card spot in the National League.
Cincinnati has made the postseason just twice in the last 12 seasons, including last year, but has not made it past the wild card round in either of those appearances.
But Herbstreit didn’t stop there in his anger.
Elly De La Cruz #44 of the during the Cincinnati Reds looks on game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, June 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“THANK YOU!!!!! Where did the athletic ability go?” Herbstreit asked in a post, responding to comments made by former Yankees catcher Jorge Posada. “Clutch hitting in the 8th and 9th inning? Starting pitching that goes 8 or 9 innings? Base stealing-hell just good base running and SPEED?!? Sac bunts-moving runners over late in a game?
“Where’s Tony Gwynn? Rod Carew? Wade Boggs? Ichiro? Those guys wouldn’t exist in today’s ridiculous HR or K ‘launch angle’ game! The game has been dying with the youth of America for YEARS and now is losing the core fanbase as well with this ridiculous product we’ve had to digest for the last 7-10 years. Bring back Small Ball and athleticism…this s–t dreadful!!!”
The 4-time NBA MVP provided the Lakers with their 17th NBA championship – second behind the Boston Celtics – in 2020 during the COVID-19-impacted season. He also reached several individual milestones, including becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer.
In return, the Lakers catered to James by drafting his son, Bronny James, in 2024 and appointing JJ Redick as head coach.
Redick and LeBron co-hosted a podcast before Redick was hired.
James decided to move on from Los Angeles, and thanked the team with a heartfelt post on social media, Tuesday, June 30, writing, "Truly a honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint."
When it comes to what teams James will consider ahead of his 24th NBA season, the superstar has reportedly told his agent to talk with teams around the league and learn what everyone’s interests are so he can make an informed decision, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Golden State was rumored to have strong interest in signing James as a free agent and working out a trade to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards to join Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. But ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported that the Wizards were not interested in trading Davis and were not listening to offers.
If Davis is not available, the Warriors could potentially keep Jimmy Butler, who would still need time to recover from the ACL tear in his right knee.
James has spoken highly of Curry when the pair played in the 2024 Olympics together for Team USA and won a gold medal.
Will Cavaliers welcome LeBron James home?
James is also said to be interested in a potential reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs could welcome home the star that brought the team its first NBA title in 2016 when he returned to the franchise for his second stint.
James was drafted by the Cavaliers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He spent the first seven years of his career in Cleveland, winning two MVP awards. His second stint started with the 2014-15 season, spending four years with the team.
In a potential third stint, he would be joining a team that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2026, has Donovan Mitchell under contract for next season and intends to re-sign James Harden.
Will LeBron James take his talents back to Miami Heat?
Much like with Cleveland, there’s a potential for James to land with his other former team.
James won back-to-back titles in Miami in the middle of his four-year stint from 2010-2014 after forming a super team with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade as a member of the Heat.
If James decided to head to South Beach, he would form a new threat in the Eastern Conference alongside Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 28: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 28, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers have open roster spots to fill, and ideally those players will be centers or wings.
These are two areas the Lakers need to improve on to help elevate Luka Dončić. He wants a big to play off of and good wings give him players he can pass to that can shoot from the perimeter and apply pressure on the rim.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is a player who fits the latter profile. According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, the 6’8 wing plans to meet with the Lakers.
Free agent wing Kelly Oubre Jr. plans to meet with the 76ers, Pacers, Blazers and Lakers among others, sources tell @YahooSports.
While landing a player like Jalen Duren is difficult for the Lakers since he’s a restricted free agent, Oubre Jr. doesn’t have that roadblock. He is an unrestricted free agent, so if his reported meeting with the Lakers goes well, he can easily join the team.
Oubre Jr. was a productive player for the Sixers this past season, averaging 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds per game and shot a career-best 36% from 3-point range.
While his numbers are solid, Oubre Jr. did have some breakout games. He scored 20-plus points on nine occasions. His most explosive game during the regular season came against the Grizzlies. In that contest, he had 30 points and 12 rebounds.
In the playoffs, Oubre Jr. had a strong series against the Knicks. He averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 42.9% from 3-point range.
Health could be a concern. He played a career-low 50 games this season and had some key injuries, including a sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his left elbow and a left knee LCL sprain.
If he can stay healthy, though, he could be a quality player for the purple and gold. He made $8.3 million last year and this is a tough market, so we’ll see what kind of deal he signs and whether it’s with the Lakers.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 03: Cole Wilcox #43 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on May 03, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners attempted to prop up their flagging bullpen today, trading out lefty Josh Simpson for righty Cole Wilcox.
With the Mariners past the Oops! All Lefties Guardians lineup, there’s no need for an extra lefty in the ‘pen, but Simpson didn’t make a strong argument to stay, providing the bottom bread in the disaster sandwich that was the Mariners’ meltdown eighth inning in one of the most unpleasant games I’ve recapped yet this season. For Simpson, the issue remains command. Wilcox hasn’t been the picture of pinpoint command – or he has, if that picture was drawn by someone who’d consumed ten double espressos while riding a Gravitron – but the thing Wilcox does bring is an ability to work multiple innings, something that’s useful for the bullpen-impoverished Mariners, down a man due to the fluctuating piggyback strategy.
Wilcox is carrying a rough-looking ERA of over five in Triple-A, but his peripherals are good: his FIP and xERA are both about half that, and he’s striking out over a third of batters faced while keeping his walks in check. It’s the walks that were the pain point for Wilcox in his first go-round with the big-league club in April, when he flashed solid strikeout stuff but also walked almost as many hitters as he struck out. That issue has calmed down significantly in his time at the notoriously hitter-friendly PCL, where he’s also collected a pair of saves.
Wilcox was my Pile Pick this spring training but his command issues caused Alex Hoppe to leapfrog him in the pecking order. Hoppe had his own struggles, however, and was optioned down to Triple-A three days ago. With Hoppe ineligible to be recalled from Triple-A for at least another week, Wilcox has some runway for another audition to the big-league club as they continue to search for consistency in the bullpen. And as a fun bonus, Wilcox has brought along a good luck charm this time that he keeps in his locker: a bobblehead of former Georgia teammate Emerson Hancock given away at Foley Field this May – a reminder from one Bulldog to another that the path to a big-league career doesn’t always run smoothly.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers now have lots of money and lots of holes to fill heading into free agency without LeBron James on the roster. While it might be the right time to move on from him, it’s a lot of production to replace.
The team is going to replace him in the aggregate and will need a number of new faces to come in and help do so. Reports have already come out about them looking at Quentin Grimes or Sandro Mamukelashvili, but another name the team could target is Tobias Harris.
On Tuesday afternoon, Dave McMenamin of ESPN appeared on SportsCenter and reported that the team has discussed Harris as a forward option.
The Lakers Are Interested In Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes, And Dean Wade. Per, @mcten
“Lakers have mulled over internally are Tobias Harris from the Detroit Pistons, Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers, who was a teammate of Luka's in Dallas in the past, and also Dean… pic.twitter.com/Mi2f9paJKi
Earlier this season, McMenamin reported Harris as a name the team had considered as a potential free agent signing. So, this isn’t the first time he’s been linked to the Lakers for this offseason.
Harris is certainly a polarizing player. In Philadelphia, he was a lightning rod for the team’s shortcomings. However, his time in Detroit has been far better and, in the playoffs last season, he was one of the few players for the Pistons who showed up.
Last season, he averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 36.8% from the 3-point line. Generally speaking, those are a tick below his career marks in each category, though he has been a career 36.6% shooter from range.
In the postseason, his numbers jumped to 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 42.5% shooting overall and 29.2% from range.
If Harris is seen as a replacement for Rui Hachimura, who certainly has suitors across the league, then it’s clear that he’s a notable downgrade. If he’s seen as another wing to add to the roster along with Rui and others, then he makes more sense.
But there are a lot of moving pieces the Lakers are going to have to juggle in the opening hours and days of free agency.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 30: Noah Cameron #65 of the Kansas City Royals smiles prior to making his MLB debut during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 30, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jac Caglianone is back in the lineup, but he’s only at DH, so Salvador Perez is batting sixth at first base. Nick Loftin is back, too, so at least the Royals have their second-string 3B in there again. The Royals already lost to this starter last week, and after a brilliant stretch where Noah Cameron was one of the best pitchers in baseball for a few weeks, he’s gone back to looking pretty meh again. Fingers crossed this game goes better than last time.
May 31, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tanner Gordon (29) pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Tonight, they will even things up in Game 2 of a four-game stand with the Fish. As a reminder, the Rockies were swept in Miami to open the 2026 season, losing each game by one run.
given that it’s the final day of June, it’s worth noting that the Rockies are 11-14 overall this month, holding a 4-4 series record. Their eight series wins match last season’s total. In addition, the eight series wins pre-All-Star are their most since winning 10 first-half series in 2023. In 2025, a season in which the Rockies were historically bad, they only won two series pre-All-Star break (both on the road).
Starting for the Marlins is Eury Pérez. This will be his 14th start for the Marlins in 2026. He has made three previous starts against the Rockies, owning a 1-1 record with a 3.31 ERA (6 ER/16.1 IP), 10 hits (2 home runs), four walks, and 17 strikeouts. Pérez last faced Colorado in his first start of the season on March 28 where he yielded three earned runs on five hits (2 home runs) with one walk and eight strikeouts over 7.0 innings in Miami’s 4-3 victory.
In 2026, the righty has a 4.41 ERA in 67.1 IP. He’s struck out 73, walked 28, and given up 12 home runs. Pérez has a 1.22 WHIP.
Taking the mound for the Rockies will be RHP Tanner Gordon. This will be his third start (10th appearance) of 2026. His last start came on May 31 against the San Francisco Giants. That game was 19-6 Rockies loss during which Gordon allowed four runs on six hits across three innings in what was his first loss of the season.
Currently, he has an ERA of 6.37 in 35.1 IP. He’s struck out 35 while giving up eight walks and six home runs with a 1.57 WHIP. Gordon’s 5.1% walk percentage ranks in the 94th percentile among MLB pitchers.
Harry Brook said Tuesday it would be a “great honour” to succeed Ben Stokes as England’s Test captain even if that meant he was responsible for leading the side in all three international formats.
Just eight days after trading for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat have agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Tim Hardaway Jr., ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer previously reported Hardaway was among the players to receive “priority” interest from the Heat this offseason.
The 34-year-old guard spent last season with the Nuggets, but has bounced around the league between the Knicks, Hawks, Mavericks and Pistons.
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot as Drake Powell of the Brooklyn Nets and Nolan Traore of the Brooklyn Nets defend in the first half at the Barclays Center. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
After spending three years at Michigan and scoring 13 points per game or more in each, the Knicks took a chance on Hardaway in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Hardaway’s first stint in New York was a mixed bag, as he displayed brilliance from beyond the arc but struggled to be consistent. He averaged nearly 11 points per game over his first two seasons with the Knicks.
He then joined the Hawks for two years before returning to the Knicks for a second stint from 2017-19, where he saw increased minutes despite poor efficiency.
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the New York Knicks reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2019. Getty Images
Hardaway then spent the next five years with the Mavericks and Luka Doncic from 2019-24, and he averaged between 14 and 17 points per game each season while becoming a solid 3-point shooter.
Following one season with the Pistons, Hardaway averaged 13.5 points per game with the Nuggets last season, though he started just six games.
Hardaway brings much-needed shooting to a forward-heavy team with Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis and Andrew Wiggins.
After losing to the Hornets in the play-in round, the Heat continue to make moves this offseason in hopes of competing with the Eastern Conference’s best.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 28: Isaac Paredes #15 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Christian Walker #8 after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on June 28, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (42-45) will play the middle game of their three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins (41-45) tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Mike Burrows (3-8, 5.48 ERA) will make his team-leading 16th start of the season tonight opposite the Twins and their ace RHP Joe Ryan (5-4, 3.18 ERA).
ABOUT BURROWS: RHP Mike Burrows is coming off a strong start his last time out on June 24 at TOR, in which he worked 6.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits and one walk.
Burrows has been a durable starter in his first season in Houston, as he leads the Astros in starts (15) and innings (85.1).
He joined the club from the Pirates this offseason as part of a three-team, six-player trade in which the Astros sent OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Rays, while the Rays sent IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pirates.
ASTROS-TWINS: Tonight is the 100th regular season game between the Astros and Twins in their franchise histories, with Houston owning the all-time advantage with a 52-47 record. There are several connections between the two clubs including both team’s catchers, with C Victor Caratini spending his last two seasons (2024-25) in Houston and C Christian Vázquez spending his last three years (2023-25) in Minnesota.
THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 22-14 since May 21, which is the best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
Winning Percentage since May 21, AL
1. Astros 22-14 (.611)
2. White Sox 19-15 (.559)
3. Mariners 19-16 (.543)
RECENT ‘STROS: The Astros have won five of seven, six of nine, and are 9-4 in their last 13 games. The Astros 15-11 record in June ties as the best in the AL, along with their rival Rangers.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Astros have won five consecutive series dating back to June 12, posting a 11-5 record in those games. The last time the Astros won five straight series was from June 20July 6 of last season (went 12-3 in that stretch).
WINNING THE CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 9-5 in one-run games and 18-10 in two-run games. Each of the Astros last six wins and 11 of their last 12 victories have come by two-or-fewer runs.
PEN PALS: Since May 15 the Astros are 25-17 thanks in part to their bullpen, which has posted the lowest ERA in the AL in that span at 2.62 (45ER/154.2P). They’ve been led by their lefties since that date with LHP Josh Hader (0.75 ERA), LHP Bryan King (2.25 ERA) and LHP Steven Okert (2.29 ERA) all posting low ERAs.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros lead the AL in 1st inning runs with 60 runs scored in their 87 games. Overall, the Astros rank fifth in the American League in runs scored (391), with their opponent tonight, the Twins, leading the AL in runs (417).
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have placed IF Jeremy Peña on the 10-day IL with a left calf strain and have recalled IF Raynel Delgado from Triple A Sugar Land.
OUT ON ASSIGNMENT: The Astros have several players out on minor league rehab assignments and are adding to that group today.
OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (right hamstring strain) will begin a minor league rehab assignment tonight for Triple A Sugar Land in their series opener at OKC.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (right elbow surgery) began his minor league rehab assignment today for the FCL Astros, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings.
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez has had a torrid first half to his season, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.031), OBP (.424), SLG (.607) and total bases (185). Additionally, he ranks tied for first in the AL in homers (25) and extra-base hits (41), while ranking second in batting average (.308), tied for second in hits (94), third in runs (58), fourth in walks (58), and tied for fifth in RBI (56).
ALL-STAR UPDATE: DH Yordan Alvarez has been named a finalists for the 2026 KONAMI eBaseball MLB All-Star Ballot with second-phase fan voting available now through Thursday, July 2 at 11 a.m. CT. Alvarez has been an All-Star three times thus far in his career.
Since 2017, the Astros 37 All-Star selections are tops in the AL in that span.
ROAD WARRIORS: With their win on Sunday in Detroit, the Astros completed a seven-game road trip with a 5-2 record after stops in Toronto (2-1) and Detroit (3-1). The Astros are 15-8 in their last three road trips combined and are 21-14 on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the 2026 season.
DOWN AT TRIPLE A: The Astros have several players performing great down at Triple A Sugar Land, including RHP Ethan Pecko and IF Cavan Biggio. In June, Pecko has gone 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA (2ER/24IP) in four games, while Biggio has hit .321 (26×81) with nine extra-base hits, a .476 OBP and a 1.032 OPS in 21 games in June.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1962 – At Colt Stadium, the Colt .45s defeat the Reds, 7-3, in a game shortened to just 7.0 innings due to heavy fog. RHP Bob Bruce goes the distance to improve to 6-1 on the season for the expansion Colt .45s.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, June 30, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: SCHN
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 8: President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics talks to Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during Day 1 of the 2021 Las Vegas Summer League on August 8, 2021 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With the draft in the rearview and the Celtics staring at the start of free agency and (hopefully) a conclusion to this Jaylen Brown trade saga, it’s been an eventful last two weeks in Boston. But for anybody who misses the squeaking of sneakers on the parquet, we’re also just a week away from actual basketball. The NBA Summer League starts on July 9th in Las Vegas with Boston playing on Friday and Sunday to kick off their exhibition schedule next week.
Frankly, it’ll be a nice break from all the drama.
At the draft, the Celtics selected Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th pick in the first round and on Night 2, went with Dillon Mitchell at #40. Both will be at The Strip for their first NBA action. Tatum’s friend from their Duke days, Amile Jefferson, will be the head coach.
Cenac was the fifth ranked high school player in 2025 before being coached hard as a system player under Kelvin Sampson at The University of Houston. As CelticsBlog’s Rich Jensen writes:
Chris didn’t choose a school that would give him star treatment. He went with a coach who promised only that he would make him a better player. College was not a reward for being one of the best of the best, it was just another stop on the road.
Many draft experts love the kid’s potential and a standout performance from Cenac would be a great way to start off his career in Boston.
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Chris Cenac Jr. smiles during the 2026 NBA Draft – Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams are also expected to suit up for the Summer Celtics. Williams recently inked a new deal with the team to return on a two-way contract and Joe Mazzulla just spent some time in Spain with Gonzalez as he preps for FIBA play. For the sophomores, Summer League is a good proving ground to show that last season’s success wasn’t a fluke and what new things they’ve been working on since the season ended.
However, if a resolution hasn’t been reached, all eyes might be on Jaylen Brown and Brad Stevens. Traditionally, players, coaches, and front office staff also attend the Vegas proceedings to support the team, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be tension in Thomas & Mack or Cox Pavilion. Back in 2018, Marcus Smart and his agent attended a few games while he was still negotiating with Danny Ainge on a new deal, even going as far as talking with brass of other teams. Could there be an awkward or encouraging moment between Stevens and Brown amid all the drama? If there is, well, let’s just hope that whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
MINNEAPOLIS , MN - APRIL 23: Bones Hyland (8) of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after cooking Spencer Jones (21) of the Denver Nuggets before hitting a three pointer during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 113-96 win at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Minnesota took a 2-1 best-of-seven series lead. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
On Tuesday, as the NBA’s Free Agency period opened, the Minnesota Timberwolves wasted no time making a move to fill out their roster.
As reported by Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Bones Hyland has agreed to return to the Timberwolves next season. The Wolves are signing Hyland to a one-year league minimum deal.
Hyland originally came to Minnesota in February of 2025, playing in just four games down the stretch of that season. Bones returned to the Wolves for the 2025-26 season, eventually earning a permanent rotation spot in December.
Following the promotion to the rotation, Hyland averaged 9.7 points per game across 57 games for the Timberwolves. Now, Hyland is set to return to Minnesota for his third different season with the organization
Bones has become a fan favorite in Minnesota, with his “skelly celly” celebration becoming a sensation at both Target Center and across the street at Target Field. Hyland has also flourished with newfound backcourt-mate Ayo Dosunmu, with the pairing being dubbed the Twin Turbos.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 5, 2026
Hyland and Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly have an obvious affection for each other, as Connelly drafted Bones back with the Denver Nuggets in 2021 and has not kept him with the Timberwolves for the second straight offseason.
I’m very appreciative of them,” Hyland said of Timberwolves leadership back in May. “Tim [Connelly] drafted me in Denver. Him just coming to get me; we have that bond already. I’m close with the staff that he has had with Denver and this front office staff [in Minnesota].”
“Also, Finchy, man,” Hyland continued. “Just giving me the opportunity to come out and play has been big for me. Just the trust he has in me. It’s been everything, I ain’t gonna lie.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 17: Brandon Sproat #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at American Family Field on June 17, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Brewers opened their series against the Reds last night with a late rally to take a 5-3 win. It was their fourth straight win against the Reds this season. The Brewers will try to extend that to five straight wins tonight.
Brandon Sproat starts game two for the Brewers. He’s pitched six innings in two of his last three starts, with his last one particularly impressive. Coming against this Reds’ team, he pitched six shutout innings with just one hit allowed and 10 strikeouts. This is his third career start against them.
For the Reds, Rhett Lowder gets the start. The Brewers also faced him in their last series and scored three runs off him in 5 2/3 innings. Overall, this season, Lowder has a 4.81 ERA and 4.67 FIP in 12 games over 58 innings.
Before tonight’s game, the Brewers made a roster move. They selected the contract of Garrett Stallings from Triple-A Nashville. Stallings was originally drafted by the Angels in 2019 and has been at the Triple-A level since 2024. This season, he has a 3.45 ERA and 3.29 FIP in 16 games (12 starts) over 62 2/3 innings. He also has 59 strikeouts and 22 walks. His first appearance will be his major league debut, and he offers a full complement of three options available as well.
In a corresponding move, they optioned Robert Gasser to the Rookie ACL Brewers following his start yesterday. They did not need to clear a 40-man spot since one was open following Luis Rengifo’s DFA and release. While this is not a surprising roster move, the destination is. There could be a few reasons for this. The Brewers are traveling to Arizona after this series for three games against the Diamondbacks. Gasser cannot be called up for 15 days unless it’s as a corresponding move for an injury. This could be some security if there is an injury concern on the pitching staff. It could also be for some extra work, as other pitchers have rehabbed in Arizona since it provides a more flexible environment, especially when pitching in games. He could also be used as the 27th man in Milwaukee’s doubleheader against St. Louis next week (there is no minimum day requirements in the case of a 27th man).
After three straight games against left-handed starters, the Brewers are back to their regular lineup with a righty on the mound. One change in the lineup is that Joey Ortiz is getting a start at shortstop following his go-ahead home run last night. Cooper Pratt and Andrew Vaughn will start this game on the bench.
First pitch is at 6:40 p.m., and the game will be on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds welcomed back closer Emilio Pagán prior to Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, getting back the would-be anchor of their bullpen after a roughly two month absence due to a serious hamstring injury. That good news, of course, was offset by more bad news on the injury front, as that’s just apparently how things are going to be for the Reds this year.
Dane Myers hit the IL after he hit the wall in fifth gear last night’s crushing 5-3 loss to the Beers, so Ivan Johnson will get his first day as a big leaguer after being called up for bench depth.
There’s a bit more good news today, however, as Eugenio Suarez is back in the lineup again after being plunked on the hand by Pittsburgh over the weekend in what, at the time, was scary enough to make us all wonder if it was broken. Good news!
Edwin Arroyo gets yet another start as the team’s 2B for the day during his hot streak, and Matt McLain will once again begin the game on the pine.
Brandon Sproat will start for Milwaukee, and with a 6.75 ERA at home (and 5.43 ERA overall) he’s one of the precious few Brewers having a bad season so far. Of course, he fired 6.0 IP of nearly perfect 1-hit ball (wiht 10 K against nary a walk) in his first start of the season against this Reds club, so maybe he just needs to face them a little bit more to make those overall numbers look a lot, lot rosier.
Rhett Lowder will toe the rubber for the Reds looking to get into a groove. That mustache, those locks need groovin’, after all.
First pitch is set for 7:40 PM ET. Lineups for both clubs are listed below.
