Baltimore designated hitter Pete Alonso reacts in frustration after what appeared to be a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning was ruled fouled after a review in the Orioles' loss to the Yankees.
BALTIMORE — The Yankees certainly seem to have caught a break against the Orioles.
Pete Alonso, along with all of his teammates in the Orioles dugout, was sure he’d hit a dramatic, go-ahead homer in the bottom of the seventh of a tie game Wednesday night against the Yankees at Camden Yards.
In near Carlton Fisk-fashion after crushing a pitch from lefty Brent Headrick, Alonso watched the ball as he walked down the first base line.
The ball seemingly sailed over the left field foul pole.
He flipped his bat away, convinced he’d just hit his 30th homer of the season — and second of the night.
Instead, home plate umpire Ryan Wills called the ball foul, much to Alonso’s disgust.
After a lengthy replay delay, the call stood and to make matters worse for Baltimore, the Yankees scratched out two runs in the eighth en route to a 5-3 win.
Pete Alonso rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning of the Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Orioles on August 19, 2026, in Baltimore. AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough
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A livid Alonso, who’d homered in the third inning off Will Warren, was forced to continue the at-bat.
He eventually went down swinging to keep the game tied.
As he walked back to the dugout, Alonso had words with Wills, but remained in the game.
The Peyton Watson saga has reached its conclusion.
The Denver Nuggets are trading the 23-year-old wing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a multi-team deal that sends Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers, and a 2031 Cleveland first-round pick and 2032 Kings second-rounder back to Denver, two people with direct knowledge of the transaction confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The people spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss terms of the deal.
Watson, a restricted free agent, will sign a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavs.
The Clippers are also sending a 2027 second-round pick to Cleveland, acquiring Strus via a trade exception. The Cavaliers are then flipping that second rounder and Tre Mann, who they acquired via trade last week for Dennis Schröder, to the Washington Wizards for Cam Whitmore while Julian Reese heads to the Nuggets. The Schröder deal will also be part of this transaction, per ESPN.
Watson is coming off a breakout season in 2024-25 in which he started 40 games in the prolonged absences of Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Already known for his defense, the Long Beach Poly High School alum emerged as a versatile, athletic wing on the offensive end of the floor as he averaged 14.6 points, shooting 49.1% from the floor and 41.1% from long range, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals − all career-highs − and 1.1 blocks per game.
The trade puts an end to months of speculation regarding Watson's future with the Nuggets as he was heavily linked to teams with cap space in need of length and athleticism, such as the Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers, among others.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
(Editor’s note: Welcome, Jake Brahney, to the CTC writing team!)
OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called ‘two in a row’. If we win again tomorrow, it’s called a ‘winning streak’. It has happened before.
The Guardians entered Wednesday night looking for back to back wins for the first time since July 21st. They would need to do so well shy of full strength, as Chase DeLauter and Jo Adell were out of the lineup nursing injuries, and David Fry (fresh in from Columbus for injured Rhys Hoskins) just got back to Cleveland today. Unfortunate that 3 of our “best” options vs Lefties aren’t in the lineup, but that’s baseball, Suzyn…
A shorthanded lineup vs a LHP making his debut; what could go wrong?!
In any event, fans were treated to a Big Lefty Headliner of a Pitching Matchup tonight, as Cleveland’s Rookie All Star Parker Messick faced off against a former Guardian prospect making his MLB debut; Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. To those familiar with Cleveland’s Farm System (or at least “Guards Twitter”), Wilkinson is hardly a new name. A 10th round pick in the ‘23 Draft, “Tugboat” had made waves in MiLB going from JUCO to dominating A/A+ ball in just a year. After a somewhat down 2025 (and knowing that Wilkinson would be Rule 5 eligible this upcoming Winter), the Guardians traded him and a Compensatory Draft pick to the Giants for Captain Clutch and Catching Savant, Patrick Bailey.
So far, it would appear that everyone is happy with the trade, as Bailey has shown his value behind the dish and at many times, at it, while Wilkinson has gone from AA to an MLB debut in just 3 months.
And how did that debut go?
I would call it “effectively wild”. Wilkinson struggled getting ahead in counts, but when he did get the Guardians to swing, he induced a lot of weak contact, often jamming guys inside and getting infield popups as a result. Tugboat left after 2 successful innings, facing 7 batters and giving up 1 hit. He was far from the story in game as many pumped him up to be beforehand.
Meanwhile, if Wilkinson is a Tugboat, Messick is an Aircraft Carrier. Through 3 innings he had 5 strikeouts on 9 swings and misses. He was cruising early, and it looked like another night where he might just need 1.
Unfortunately, the Guardians lack of focus this season reared its ugly head in the 4th. Devers lead off the inning with a double that could’ve been a single had Halpin picked up the ball cleanly (or not taken his time getting it in). Add in a Wild pitch that Hedges couldn’t get in front of, and the Giants had a man on 3rd without much doing. Messick was able to induce weak outs, however, with 2 outs, Rocchio couldn’t come up with one in the hole and the Giants took a cheap 1-0 lead. A quick double and fly out ended the threat at just 1, thanks in part to some great defense (or at least the threat of it) from Steven Kwan.
So the Guardians were trailing even though they had a great pitcher on the mound. Stop if you’ve heard this before. Would they do anything about it? Would the offense pick up the defense?
Well, in the bottom of the 4th, Cleveland started a 2 out rally when Angel Martinez squeaked under a glove and Bazzana rocked a double down the line in right. Bazz maybe hit it a little too hard (not a criticism, just an unfortunate happening) as the ball bounced right back to the RF, holding Martinez at 3rd. It was up to Angel Genao, who would hit a laser to LF but was caught on a dive by Victor Bericoto. A 2 run catch keeps the lead for San Fran after 4.
The deeper we went into the game, the more important that catch would be. The Guardians would threaten again in the 7th, thanks to a 2-out error by Adames, but couldn’t take advantage. With 2 on and 2 out and a 2-0 count, Brayan Rocchio popped one up on the infield and the Guardians would head to the 8th down 1-0.
They would “threaten” one more time (threaten like a toddler with a knife is technically a threat, maybe more to themself but by definition, it’s a threat) in the 8th. To everyone’s surprise, Houser stayed in to start the 8th, quickly walking Steven Kwan. Next pitch was a pass ball and just like that, all we needed were productive outs or hits from Jose/Lowe/Martinez…. I’m sure you know how this story ends. All 3 would strike out and the Guardians would continue their struggles to even make contact with men in scoring position.
Like so many other games over the past few months, the pitching did everything they could to keep the Guardians in the game, but the offense just couldn’t string together anything meaningful. Adrian Houser fit the mold of a classic 2026 Guard Killer, throwing 5 shutout innings out of the bullpen, earning himself the Win. Messick was the tough luck Loser tonight, going 6.2 IP with a career high 10 strikeouts on just 6 hits and 0 walks.
The Guardians will go for the series Win tomorrow afternoon (1:10 PM) when Gavin Williams takes the mound vs Landen Roupp.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 29: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 29, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 130-112. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally made their big move of the offseason. After a month and a half of speculation, the Cavs now have an answer at small forward: Peyton Watson.
The soon-to-be 24-year-old, 6’8” wing is coming off the best season of his career with the Denver Nuggets. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 54 contests. Those 14.6 points per game were six and a half more than he averaged the year before. That jump is mostly due to his growth as a shooter.
Watson connected on 41.1% of his 3.6 three-point attempts last regular season and 36.8% of them in the playoffs. This included converting 52% of his three-point looks from the corner (97th percentile).
That three-point shooting is coupled with being an outstanding defender for his position. Watson does a great job of using his size and athleticism to effectively guard one through four. This should make him an incredibly good fit in a frontcourt anchored by Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
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The Cavs had to pay a premium for getting Watson to come to Cleveland.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Cavs will be sending out Max Strus, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, Tre Mann, cash, and a second-round pick to complete the deal. This will end up being a three-team deal with the first-rounder going to Denver and Strus reuniting with Darius Garland on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Watson is also signing for a four-year, $88 million deal in Cleveland, which includes a player option.
Strus spent three years with the Cavs and was a starting small forward for most of that time. He played a large role both on and off the court. Strus averaged 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 132 games with the Cavs over the last three seasons.
Cleveland doesn’t own their 2027, 2029, and now 2031 first-round picks. They also still owe a pick swap for their 2028 first as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade with the Utah Jazz.
The Cavs have been looking for a permanent answer at starting forward for years. They thought they had something with De’Andre Hunter when they traded for him in 2025, before dealing him the following season. We’ll see if Watson ends up being the long-term solution.
It didn’t work out that way, at least this time around.
Skenes lasted just 4 1/3 innings and 81 pitches on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts, though Pittsburgh did secure a 4-3 win over the Tigers at PNC Park.
Paul Skenes walks off of the field after being removed from the game in the fifth inning of the Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Tigers at PNC Park on Aug. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Skenes did throw 21 pitches at 97 mph or harder, which was better than the 96.5 mph high-water mark he hit in his last outing — a 65-pitch effort — against the Marlins on Aug. 11.
The right-hander was originally slated to pitch Sunday against the Red Sox, but was instead pushed back to face Detroit in the middle of the week. Manager Don Kelly clarified that Skenes was not dealing with an injury but was intended to give him a “few more days to recover.”
Skenes did last 15 more pitches this start, but the four free passes he issued matched a season high.
“I think there’s been a lot of good,” Skenes said, according to MLB.com. “I think there’s some stuff, the walks. It’s frustrating. Nobody wants to go out there and walk anybody. Nobody’s trying to. … Felt good. Just a little out of sync, I guess, kind of the whole outing, which probably makes sense a little bit with the longer rotation. But nice to be back.”
Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner in 2024 and 2025, respectively, has a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 139 innings this season. That stands in contrast to his first two seasons, in which he recorded a 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
Infielder Brandon Lowe said sky-high expectations had people far too worried about Skenes’ results in 2026. If Skenes finishes the year, he should break the 200-strikeout threshold again after he notched 216 last season.
“I think the world’s been spoiled on who Paul Skenes really is,” Lowe said, according to the Associated Press. “He had probably the best starting stretch to a career ever.
Paul Skenes pitches in the third inning of the Pirates’ win over the Tigers. Getty Images
“And now he’s not the greatest pitcher on the face of the planet for a few months, and people were worried and freaking out a bit.”
Skenes added that getting things on track will come down to making sure he’s taking a look at “objective” things.
“Just objective numbers, watching the game, execution, all that stuff,” he said. “Not anything from the outside.”
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 2: Tre Mann #23 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 2, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards are acquiring Tre Mann, a 2027 second-rounder from the Clippers and cash for Cam Whitmore, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
As part of the deal, the Cavaliers are sending Tre Mann, the 2027 second-rounder from the Clippers and cash to the Washington Wizards for Cam Whitmore, sources said. The Wizards also are sending Julian Reese to the Nuggets, who will waive Reese off his two-way deal.
The Wizards also are sending Julian Reese to the Nuggets, who will waive Reese off his two-way deal, according to ESPN’s report.
The Athletic’s Joshua Robbins reported the following regarding the 2027 second-round pick that Washington acquired:
The terms on the Wizards' incoming 2027 second-round pick via the Clippers are convoluted. The Wizards' will receive the second-most favorable of the following second-round picks: (a) the more favorable of Golden State and Phoenix, (b) the most favorable of Houston, Indiana,…
The Wizards now own three second-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft:
• More Favorable: BKN/DAL
• Less Favorable: GSW/PHX
• 2nd Most Favorable: (a) the more favorable of GSW/PHX, (b) the most favorable of HOU, IND, MIA, and OKC and (c) PHI.
Mann is a 25-year-old shooting guard who averaged 5.5 points on 32.3% 3PT with Charlotte last season. The 6-foot-4 guard is owed $8 million during the 2026-27 season and then has an $8M team option for 2027-28.
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s vice president of basketball operations when they selected Mann with the No. 18 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
This trade gives the Wizards another depth guard option behind Trae Young, Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington.
Whitmore missed most of last season with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder. Washington acquired the 22-year-old forward from the Houston Rockets in July 2025 for two second-round picks.
Reese spent last season on a two-way contract. The Maryland product started 10 games for Washington in a brief stint that included a 26-point, 17-rebound showing against the Utah Jazz.
The Wizards’ roster remains at 14 standard contracts — NBA teams can have a maximum of 15 standard deals by opening night — but now has an open two-way spot after this deal.
G: Young | Johnson | Carrington | Mann W: Dybantsa | George | Coulibaly | Riley F: Davis | Champagnie | Middleton C: Sarr | Ayton | Vukcevic
Two-way: Watkins | Okpara
Washington is sending out Whitmore’s $5.5 million salary for Mann’s $8 million salary, which brings in an additional $2.5 million against the cap in 2026-27. The Wizards are now $8.4 million below the luxury tax with one more roster spot to fill.
Aug 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As I searched for pictures of Aaron Nola to use for this recap, I found a picture of a rhinoceros instead. It turns out that there’s a zoo in France that has a rhino named Nola; I choose to believe that this is not coincidental, and that somewhere out there is a Francophone cheering group for Nola: “Courbe de l’articulation! Courbe de l’articulation!”, they cry as he unleashes the knuckle curve on hapless opponents. At any rate, Nola was as tough as a rhino’s horn tonight.
After a quiet first, the Phillies got rolling in the second. Luis Arraez singled to lead off the inning, and after the next two Phillies made outs, Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford singled to load the bases. That brought up Garrett Stubbs, who grounded to short. He sprinted to first with the copious amount of enthusiasm he brings to every endeavor; the result was the umpire flinging his arms wide in that signal beloved by baserunners everywhere, and the Phillies leading 1-0. The next Phillies runs would come in more bombastic fashion: Arraez sent a ball flying into the right field seats for a two-run homer in the bottom of the third.
Meanwhile, Aaron Nola kept mowing down Marlins. Through five innings the Fish had two hits, and five of them had struck out at Nola’s hand, four on the knuckle curve. It couldn’t last forever: in the top of the sixth Javier Sanoja slapped a sinker over the left field wall; a textbook line-drive homer. But the solo shots won’t kill you, and this one was a survivable blow. What happened afterward was a little more worrying, as Nola allowed singles to the next two batters. Sequencing is a quiet but mighty force in baseball, and here it was the difference between a manageable solo shot and a tied game. Nola steadied himself, broke out the knuckle curve, and gave the next two Marlins bright red Ks to wear, Hester Prynnes for the national pastime. Nola pitched through the seventh, finishing, fittingly, by making a Fish flail at a knuckle curve.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kyle Schwarber singled and Trea Turner doubled. Schwarber headed home, but center fielder Jakob Marsee flung the ball homeward like an angler throwing a lure into the water; after a relay from the shortstop, Schwarber was called out at home. The Phillies challenged, and the replay showed that Miami backstop Joe Mack may have whiffed on his tag attempt. After a lengthy review, the umpires ruled that Schwarber had indeed made it home safely. Don Mattingly smiled serenely in the dugout as Citizens Bank Park erupted in cheers.
Jonathan Bowlan took over after Nola. He does have a curveball, but deploys it quite sparingly (just eight times this season); perhaps that’s for the best, as just about any curve would struggle to fill the shoes (tunnel?) of Nola’s tonight. He navigated through the seventh without allowing the Marlins to narrow the lead, thanks in part to an excellent catch by Marsh in foul territory.
With the Phillies up by a couple, the sequence that would follow was obvious to all: Jhoan Duran would emerge from the dugout with the traditional fanfare, he would bedevil the Marlins with his blazing heater, and would allow no more than perhaps a stray hit or two as he slammed the door. And that is exactly what happened. I take great pride, valued TGP reader, in writing each and every one of these recaps from scratch, but in truth I could copy-paste the Duran sections and nobody would notice. He is as predictable as a Christmas Story coming on TV every holiday season.
The Phillies are 70-58. They’ll return to action at 6:40 on Friday, as a series against the Cardinals begins.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 9: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz celebrates during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Goodness gracious, talk about a schedule. With a slew of opponents that will likely compete for lottery balls instead of wins, and two challenging opponents who can provide a measuring stick for an upstart roster.
The Utah Jazz open the 2026-27 regular season in the same way I open the front door to the local Taco Bell establishment. My eyes wide, determined, focused. Mouth agape and salivating.
The Jazz open their season in October against the Memphis Grizzlies — a plastic cup overflowing with ice-cold Mountain Dew Baja Blast.
The home opener against the New Orleans Pelicans — a Doritos Locos Taco, nacho cheese.
A revenge game against Walker Kessler and the Los Angeles Lakers — the immortal Crunchwrap Supreme.
Another refreshing meeting with our old friend Memphis — take a refill and bask in the Blast.
Along strides the big one. The reigning Western Conference champions and keepers of the beast, Victor Wembanyama. If I weren’t doing a Taco Bell theme, I’d call this matchup the whole enchilada; the ultimate test to determine whether Utah’s young core has the chest hair to compete with the band of killers who assassinated Oklahoma City last spring. Seeing as this is a measuring-stick game with little expectation of victory, San Antonio takes the shape of the Build-Your-Own Cravings Box — enjoy as you see fit.
I’ll divide these matchups into two categories: the sure-thing wins and the aptitude tests.
The sure-thing opponents (Memphis, New Orleans) offer Utah’s youngsters (Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson) adequate space to get their sea legs beneath them while simultaneously building chemistry with the stabilizing veterans (e.g., Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic).
A first impression is everything for a team like Utah. Young players need a confident foundation, and these early games against lottery teams should provide that in spades if the Jazz are, in fact, the team we expect them to be in ‘26-’27.
Then you have the aptitude tests. The early assessments (or pre-tests, if you will) of Utah’s ability to play with the best teams in the league. And though Los Angeles is far from even being the best team in the Western Conference, they should be fired up at the chance to host Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and the man I still see gracing Utah’s public transportation in the form of a UCCU advertisement, Walker Kessler.
For the reasons I’ve already shared, San Antonio is the ultimate measure of where the Utah Jazz stand at the beginning of the year.
Now fully healthy (knock on wood) and loaded with a chamber full of Darryn Peterson-shaped slugs, the Utah Jazz have rediscovered their appetite for winning basketball games, and the schedule-drafting elves have tailored an ideal path for this young, hungry roster. Momentum is everything in the game of basketball, and pumping your young core full of optimism at the dawn of the season would be absolutely ideal for Will Hardy’s squad.
Despite numerous reasons to believe the Utah Jazz could disrupt the status quo at the top of the NBA standings, this is a team rather unfamiliar with competing for wins. By nature, this team is an unknown commodity — a question mark that sparks optimism but poses uncertainty.
The regular season is not defined by its first five games, of course. The Utah Jazz will have to play a full 82-game season, and will certainly face stretches of tribulation in equal measure to their streaks of triumph. But it never hurts to open the year on a hot streak, and Utah’s early schedule provides the perfect kindling to spark a spicy wildfire.
Live Más, Los Jazz.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
The Los Angeles Clippers are adding a new face to a roster still stuck in NBA limbo — and Charles Barkley will presumably approve of the aesthetics.
The Clippers acquired veteran small forward Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday as part of a sprawling three-team trade centered around restricted free agent Peyton Watson, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Watson will head from the Denver Nuggets to Cleveland and sign a four-year, $88 million contract that includes a player option and trade kicker. Denver receives an unprotected 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick and a 2032 Sacramento Kings second-rounder in the deal.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are sending a 2027 second-round pick previously acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers to Cleveland and absorbing Strus’ $16.6 million salary for the upcoming season through a trade exception. Cleveland will subsequently send Tre Mann and that 2027 second-rounder to the Washington Wizards.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Max Strus plays in Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
For Los Angeles, Strus brings proven shooting, postseason experience and, apparently, the Charles Barkley seal of approval.
During the NBA Playoffs, Barkley memorably called Strus “a pretty man” on “Inside the NBA,” joking that he couldn’t look the Cavaliers wing directly in the eye because he was too attractive.
Now Strus is bringing those movie-star looks to Hollywood.
Strus gives the Clippers an established perimeter threat capable of stretching defenses and playing off the ball. Strus shot 40.2% from 3-point range during the regular season averaging over 11 points per game. More importantly, Los Angeles was willing to take on a salary Denver wanted no part of as the Nuggets navigated Watson’s restricted free agency.
Watson emerged as one of the most coveted players remaining on the market after a breakout 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He also erupted for four 30-point games after failing to record one during his first three NBA seasons.
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Denver. AP
His defensive résumé may be even more intriguing. Since entering the NBA in 2022-23, Watson ranks second in field-goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender among players who have challenged at least 2,000 shots.
That combination attracted interest from several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Clippers. But Denver maintained leverage because Watson was a restricted free agent and could match any offer sheet.
Instead, the Nuggets turned Watson into a future unprotected first-round pick rather than commit $88 million to retain him.
After reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season before being swept by the New York Knicks, the Cavaliers have continued reshaping their roster around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and James Harden. Cleveland coveted a reunion with LeBron James earlier this offseason, but the NBA’s all-time leading scorer ultimately signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Watson became the next swing.
To make it work financially, Cleveland needed to shed salary, making Strus expendable and opening the door for the Clippers.
Strus arrives in Los Angeles at one of the strangest moments in franchise history.
The NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer circumvented salary-cap rules by allegedly funneling money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard is entering its 11th month. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors on June 30 in a blockbuster package that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-rounders to Los Angeles.
That deal, however, remains on hold pending the completion of the league’s investigation into Ballmer, Leonard and the Clippers.
So while the Clippers wait for the NBA to determine the fate of one blockbuster, they managed to complete another piece of business Wednesday.
They got Max Strus.
A reliable shooter. A playoff-tested veteran. And, if Barkley is to be believed, perhaps the prettiest trade acquisition of the NBA offseason.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Roki Sasaki faces Kyle Freeland as the Dodgers look to sweep the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday.
The Diamondbacks still don’t have many answers for the Ketel Marte situation.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen joined “Arizona Sports 98.7’s Wolf & Luke Show” on Wednesday and said he was set to meet with the star second baseman on Thursday, but didn’t divulge much more.
“I don’t have a lot of details. I know everybody is itching for details. I don’t have a lot that I can really share at this point in time. He’s obviously flying back here for an MRI tomorrow.” Hazen said.
“We are fully committed to helping in any way that we can figure out how this gets better and moves forward. … We have been that way since day one, and we always have been.”
General manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before Game Three of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Getty Images
Hazen added that he couldn’t say if Marte would play again in 2026, saying “there’s a lot of variables,” but that he’ “hopeful” the All-Star can get back on the field.
“I just love for him and care for him, he’ll be OK,” Lovullo said after the game.
Arizona then placed him on the restricted list — a designation for players away from the team without a reason and without pay.
Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images
ESPN reported at the time that Marte was dealing with a “personal situation.”
It’s the second straight season Marte has ended up on the restricted list after landing there in 2025 when he returned to the Dominican Republic and missed three games.
“Look, players go through things. It’s a long season. Things happen,” Hazen said. “We deal with stuff that you never hear about … There’s no playbook. There’s no blueprint.”
BALTIMORE — Though their recent surge may help the Mets avoid going down as perhaps the most disappointing team in franchise history, Pete Alonso is a few hours south, having another season in which he’s been among the league’s best hitters.
And after a sluggish start with the Orioles, the first baseman has his new team in wild-card contention, and he is on the verge of another 30-homer season.
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With a trip back to Citi Field less than a month away, Alonso said Wednesday he’s not seeking revenge on his former team, which didn’t want him back on a multiyear deal.
“Honestly, for me, nothing is spiteful,’’ Alonso said before hitting his 29th homer of the season, a solo shot, in the third inning of Baltimore’s 5-3 loss to the Yankees. He also appeared to hit another solo shot in the seventh inning, but it was ruled foul, which sparked controversy.
“During the free agent process, the Orioles were the front-runners the entire time. For me to be in a place where they see me here not for the short term but a long-term period of time, [and] not just a valuable piece from a production standpoint but a cornerstone of the franchise, I want to make good on their belief in me. I do that by playing well and helping win ballgames. It’s as simple as that.”
The Mets’ plan to replace Alonso and Brandon Nimmo with Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien in the infield, and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield, proved to be a disastrous miscalculation.
Orioles DH Pete Alonso runs home to score a run during the sixth inning of a game against the Rays earlier this season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The team has stunningly gotten better following the trades of valuable pieces like Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver and other members of the bullpen.
Alonso has kept an eye on his former team and said he’s pleased Sean Manaea is pitching better, and Francisco Lindor is healthy and doing well.
But the series against his old team is too far away for him to give it much thought, especially as the Orioles try to get to the playoffs.
“We play the New York Yankees today in a huge divisional battle,’’ Alonso said. “Obviously, [the series versus the Mets] is not at the top of my priority list right now. I want to focus on today and every team we’re playing. I know it’s coming down the road pretty soon, but we have business to take care of every single day.”
Rays’ Chandler Simpson dives back safely to first ahead of the pickoff throw to the Orioles’ Pete Alonso. AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Since the end of April, few have done that better than Alonso — just three players have an OPS higher than Alonso’s .915 over his past 96 games. He credits the improvement to getting comfortable in his new surroundings, as well as adapting to fatherhood.
“It’s a big change,’’ Alonso said. “Now, things are firing on all cylinders.”
The Orioles opened Wednesday a game out of the final AL wild-card spot.
“It’s a really exciting time,’’ Alonso said. “Any team where you’re only a game out of a playoff spot deep into August, a lot of people will take it. We haven’t played our best baseball collectively, but I feel as we’ve gained some momentum moving along in the second half, our best baseball is ahead of us. … We’ve done a really good job being resilient, not just individually, but as a group. I’m really proud of how the team has fought and faced adversity. It’s been really fun to be a part of.”
Edwin Díaz got some good news Wednesday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The imaging Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz underwent in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning revealed a “best-case scenario,” manager Dave Roberts said before the series finale against the Rockies.
“There were no findings, so that was good,” Roberts said. “MRI was clean. It doesn’t change the fact that he had this sensation in his neck. But I think to keep working on it, give it some rest as far as throwing the baseball.”
Díaz officially went on the IL for “neck inflammation,” but early theories on the injury, before he went to a specialist on Wednesday, suggested the issue could be related to the area around the trapezius, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Roberts said Wednesday that the results suggested the injury was more muscular, rather than nerve related.
“I think he’d been feeling the tightness in his neck,” Roberts said. “But I think where it went to the other night, he hadn’t felt that sensation. So that’s what really checked him up.”
Roberts said he didn’t know exactly how long Díaz would be shut down from throwing, but he estimated that it probably would be only a couple of days.
The bullpen shuffle continued Wednesday, when the Dodgers activated right-hander Brock Stewart (right shoulder discomfort) from the 15-day IL. In a corresponding move, they designated right-hander Jonathan Hernández for assignment.
Before the Mets beat the Padres 4-2 at Citi Field to complete a series victory, interim manager Andy Green indicated Polanco plans to undergo season-ending surgery for the ailment.
Green said Polanco, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $40 million, will likely enter spring training in a baseball progression.
“He’s battled this all year, something he’s had to deal with prior to the season,” Green said. “It’s gotten to the point he just can’t get freedom from the pain. He has gone out there grinding and tried to. He’s wanted to post for this team and it’s at a point now where surgery is actually his best option.”
Polanco, 31, owned a .431 OPS over 37 games this season.
Signed to play first base as Pete Alonso’s replacement, he appeared in only two games at the position.
Jorge Polanco was placed on the injured list Wednesday with left ankle bursitis and will undergo season-ending surgery. AP
Polanco’s first IL stint lasted three months (he originally was sidelined by a bone bruise in his wrist, but the persistent ankle issues prolonged his absence).
“He’s been an unbelievable teammate in the clubhouse and I know he’s felt the burden of producing for the team, city and for the fans,” Green said. “I know that has been heavy on him at times and just my observation from seeing him hit and watching him produce, it has affected him mechanically — the ability to load on that back foot the way he typically does. I don’t think he’s wanting to make excuses, so I am not sure he will even say that.”
Austin Warren threw a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts in his return from a right forearm strain. Warren had last pitched July 7.
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Jared Young finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and has an .887 OPS over his last 35 games.
Utility man Eric Wagaman was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take Polanco’s roster spot.
The Mets also recalled RHP Chayce McDermott and optioned RHP Jack Weisenburger.
The veteran forward’s NHL career appears to be over, at least for now, as Aube-Kubel has agreed to terms with Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League through May 2027, according to Jeremy Garrett of Hockey News Hub.
For Colorado Avalanche fans, Aube-Kubel will always be remembered as a member of the 2022 Stanley Cup championship team — and, perhaps fittingly, for one particularly unforgettable moment during the celebration when he accidentally dropped the Cup, causing damage to hockey’s most iconic trophy.
Jokes aside, Aube-Kubel played an important role in helping the Avalanche reach the mountaintop
Another angle of Nicolas Aube-Kubel tripping and denting the Stanley Cup ESPN pic.twitter.com/dmpojGsUGb
Originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Aube-Kubel spent his first several professional seasons in the American Hockey League before establishing himself as an NHL regular.
He ultimately appeared in 310 regular-season NHL games with the Flyers, Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild, recording 32 goals and 50 assists for 82 points.
His time in Colorado came during what was arguably the best statistical season of his NHL career.
The 2021-22 season was also the best offensive year of Aube-Kubel’s NHL career. He put up 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 67 games, setting career highs in both categories during Colorado’s championship season.
Then came the postseason.
Aube-Kubel appeared in 14 games during Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, contributing one assist as the Avalanche eventually defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to capture the franchise’s third championship.
In total, Aube-Kubel played 30 career playoff games, recording two goals and one assist for three points.
The numbers may not jump off the page, but Aube-Kubel’s career was never about being a superstar. He carved out a role through physicality, competitiveness and an ability to contribute in a bottom-six role — eventually reaching the highest possible stage in hockey.
And now, after 310 NHL games and a Stanley Cup championship on his résumé, Aube-Kubel appears ready to begin a new chapter overseas.
His NHL career may be coming to an end, but Avalanche fans will always have the memories of 2022 — including the unforgettable image of Aube-Kubel lifting the Stanley Cup before, well, dropping it.
