Kyle Harrison outduels Skenes, but exits early in Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers
Aug 5, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Kyle Harrison (52) looks in for the sign during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The highly-anticipated return of Kyle Harrison to the Milwaukee Brewers rotation went as well as anyone could have imagined. Through five innings, Harrison blew the doors off the Pirates hitters, allowing just one hit, a single, and striking out 10, including each of the last eight batters he faced.

And then, as Harrison went out to warm up for the 6th, everything came to a screeching halt. Harrison was clearly in some discomfort as he called for the athletic trainer and ultimately exited the game after five innings and just 69 pitches.

Shortly thereafter, the Brewers announced that Harrison exited the game with cramping in both calves.

“Thought I could manage go out for the 6th, but threw those warm up pitches and the body was telling me it’s locking up” Kyle Harrison said.

That brings a welcome sigh of relief for the Brewers after Harrison was just activated from the IL after missing nearly a month with a forearm issue.

On the offensive side, the Brewers missed a golden opportunity in the first inning against Paul Skenes. Brice Turang drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a deep flyout from Jackson Chourio. With the infield drawn in and one out, Garrett Mitchell struck out looking on a ball that was clearly off the plate, but Mitchell opted not to challenge, despite arguing the call. William Contreras then grounded out softly to Skenes to end it.

But the Brewers were able to get to Skenes eventually. In the 4th inning, Mitchell started the rally with a one out walk, then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error from Endy Rodriguez. Contreras walked to set up runners at the corners for the embattled Christian Yelich. Yelich delivered with an RBI double to right to put the Brewers on the board.

“That was really special…happy for him. He had two really good at-bats, ran the bases unbelievably. Yeah it was big, it was huge.” Pat Murphy said.

They weren’t done though, as Andrew Vaughn promptly followed with a 2 RBI single that shot through the drawn in infield on the right side. That put the Brewers up 3-0 as they got the crooked number on Skenes. Skenes had to throw 34 pitches to get through that 4th inning.

Skenes was chased after five innings, allowing three runs with four walks. The Pirates went to their bullpen with trade deadline addition Lake Bachar for the 6th and Contreras greeted him rudely with a solo homer into the Brewers bullpen.

The middle of the order combo of Yelich and Contreras has drawn a lot of heat lately, Yelich especially. But both were able to come through in big moments with some big hits. Murphy asked the fans to support Yelich through his struggles and remember what he’s done for the organization. The fans responded with ovations for him in each of his at-bats.

“It was cool to see the support from the fans tonight. It obviously hasn’t been the greatest last couple of months for me, but definitely appreciate that tonight.” Yelich said.

Kyle Harrison gets the win in his return to the mound. The fact that it was just muscle cramps that forced his exit is good news for the Brewers. Yelich and Contreras coming through to plate some runs also is a good sign. The Brewers will look to secure the series victory on Thursday afternoon as Dustin May makes his Brewers debut.

Devon Levi's Role In Future Goaltending Negotiations

It was the fall of 2025, in Rochester, New York, where Devon Levi was trying to prove something nobody in Buffalo particularly wanted proven.

He was told plenty about where he stood in the only NHL organization he'd ever known when he had been sent down before the season even started. The Sabres already had Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen locked in as their guy. They'd claimed Colten Ellis off waivers from St. Louis, and Ellis went and had a .903 save percentage in a third-string role, which only made things worse for Levi. A goaltender twice named the top goalie in the NCAA, a world juniors silver medalist, a player who'd once looked like Buffalo's answer in net, spent the entire 2025-26 season in the American Hockey League with no real pathway back.

He stayed there the whole year. He kept playing, and on July 1, 2026, his five-year tenure in Western New York ended with a phone call that sent him and a  2028 7th-round pick to Edmonton in exchange for a 3rd-round pick. 

The Oilers had been burned by goaltending before. Talbot, then a carousel of names, then Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard carrying the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals before the wheels came off. Last year they traded Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, a swap that was supposed to end the conversation. It didn't. Jarry struggled in Edmonton the way Skinner had struggled everywhere else, and by July the Oilers were right back where they always seem to end up, staring at a crease with more questions than answers.

So they bought two more. Frederik Andersen arrived hours after the Levi trade, a reigning Stanley Cup champion at 36 years old on a one-year, $1 million deal, a clear stopgap rather than a plan. Jarry stayed put, still signed for two more seasons at $5.375 million, his price locked in regardless of how this year goes. And Levi slid in on a contract that runs out at the exact moment everything else about this roster is supposed to change.

Levi hits restricted free agency in the summer of 2027. Jarry becomes extension-eligible that same summer. And roughly $26 million in cap space opens up for Edmonton at that same moment, the biggest single-year jump the organization has had in years. The Oilers essentially have three separate clocks, all set to strike at once, and all waiting on Levi to decide what the outcome will be.

Oilers' Cap Ranking Shows a Familiar PatternOilers' Cap Ranking Shows a Familiar PatternWhile superstar bargains like Leon Draisaitl provide elite surplus value, pricey depth commitments continue to anchor Edmonton’s cap efficiency, preventing the roster from ranking higher than other NHL teams.

If he plays well, Edmonton walks into 2027 with a cheap, controllable goaltender on an entry-adjacent deal, room to extend him before the market resets, and the rest of that cap space free to spend on the roster around him. Jarry's extension conversation shifts from who the guy is to how the depth behind him is built. If Levi struggles, or simply doesn't get the runway to prove anything, Jarry becomes the goaltender Edmonton has to commit real term to, even though they hoped to spend that money elsewhere. Especially considering Andersen's one-year deal expires and there's no obvious answer waiting behind it.

Goaltending analyst Kevin Woodley has watched Levi's tape closely enough to know what separates this version of him from the one Buffalo gave up on. Woodley has said Levi's is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, with excellent footwork. It's more of a matter of reining in his aggression. That adjustment is more mental than physical, and could be the whole competition this fall.

3 Rush Decisions The Oilers Need To Avoid Making This Season3 Rush Decisions The Oilers Need To Avoid Making This SeasonPanic signings and premature extensions could derail Edmonton's game plan this season. From goaltending battles to Savoie’s contract, the Oilers must avoid these three rush decisions.

Edmonton might create a narrative where Levi looks like the goaltender who dominated junior and college hockey before Buffalo's crease got too crowded to let him prove it, and Stan Bowman solved a decade-long problem for the cost of a third-round pick and a one-year, sub-million-dollar contract. Or, he's simply the seventh or eighth goaltending reset of the past decade, and one more name on a very long list.

Either way, the answer isn't going to come from Andersen, whose contract runs out regardless, or from Jarry, whose price is already locked in no matter what happens this season. It's going to come from the 24-year-old who spent last year in Rochester proving very little to an organization that had already stopped watching, now getting one contract year in Edmonton to prove everything at once.

Dillon Brooks contract extension details: Suns lock in NBA 'villain'

Dillon Brooks will be bothering the NBA on behalf of the Phoenix Suns for years to come.

The veteran has signed a contract extension with the Suns, he confirmed to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Republic confirmed Brooks' deal is a three-year, $73 million extension that ties him to Phoenix through the 2029-30 season.

"Villain is here to stay," Brooks told The Republic. "Championship is all on my mind."

ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the news, via Brooks' Klutch Sports agent.

The forward joined the Suns last offseason as part of the massive trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Phoenix, which is led by five-time All-Star Devin Booker, also got Jalen Green in the deal.

Brooks played in 56 games last season for the Suns, averaging a career-high 20.2 points with 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per outing. Phoenix was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The former Oregon standout was drafted by the Rockets in the second round of the 2017 draft. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night, where he spent six seasons.

Brooks landed back in Houston in 2023 as part of a five-team trade. He played two seasons there.

Brooks has developed a reputation as an antagonist in the NBA because of his gritty style of play and bold expression of his competitive nature. During the Thunder's playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers in May, he sat courtside to troll LeBron James.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dillon Brooks contract extension details: Suns lock in NBA 'villain'

Extra Unfortunate: Nationals 10, Phillies 4

Aug 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There is no sugarcoating it: this was a deeply unpleasant game. It didn’t look that way for most of it. Early on there was a charming, cheering, homer clanging off the foul pole from a most unlikely hitter, and later on the Phillies looked like they were in position for a walk-off thriller. But it got bitter, fast, and ended in a fashion that was drawn out and miserable, putting you to bed like a glass of warm, curdled milk.

Andrew Painter hit the first batter, CJ Abrams, who then stole second. Abimelec Ortiz singled to right, putting runners on the corners, none away. He got the next two out, but a liner from Keibert Ruiz darted past the outstretched glove of new Keystone State keystone man Luis Arraez, scoring one. A nice play from Painter finished the inning with a 1-3 putout.

The Phillies soon tied it on a homer from the least likely batter: Luis Arraez, who had hit just four homers this season, sent a sinker sailing to right field, where it bounced off the foul pole. Arraez is attempting the audacious feat of setting a new speedrun record for becoming beloved in Philadelphia; he might just do it. The Phillies scored another on a sacrifice fly from Justin Crawford.

Though he had pitched solidly through four (3 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) Painter was pulled prior to the fifth with left hamstring tightness. An injury would be terribly timed for the team, and deeply unfortunate for a young player who’s faced his share of adversity this season; it is to be hoped that his hamstring ailment will prove to be minor. Tim Mayza took over, and navigated through the inning without incident.

Orion Kerkering was up next, and did the same. The Phillies offense remained largely quiet in the sixth, though Bryce Harper made it to base via walk and then got himself caught in a pickle.

Brooks Raley made his Phillies debut in the seventh. A pop-up, a strikeout, and he was one out away from making his debut a clean one. The Nationals called in Brady House to pinch-hit, and he took a sweeper to the house, tying the game with a homer to right. The next batter, Jacob Young, sent one and the same direction, though fortunately not quite as far; the ball bounced off the wall, and Young arrived at second. He didn’t stay long, as Abrams knocked one through the left side of the infield to score him, and to give the Washingtons the lead. Raley struck out a National to end the frame, but the Phillies were behind the 8 ball. They had allowed as many runs as they had hits on the night.

The comeback attempt began with Alec Bohm working a walk, and Brandon Marsh knocking a little dribbler into center, with the ball bouncing perfectly off the mound and past a National glove to land safely in the grass. J.T. Realmuto had a rough at-bat, spending the team’s second challenge on a fastball that just caught the outside of the zone, then taking strike three on a slider well outside of it. A frustrating moment, but one that did not linger: Bryson Stott slapped a single to center soon after, and the game was tied. A pinch-hitting Derek Hill flew out, Kyle Schwarber was hit by a pitch, and soon Trea Turner came to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. It was about a year between grand slams before Hill treated the Phillies to one earlier in the week; it was to be hoped that Turner would make the wait for the next much shorter. Sadly, it was not to be, as he flew out.

Jonathan Bowlan took the eighth. Big Bad John, as his entrance music refers to him, lived up to the nickname, putting a trio of opponents down in order. The Nationals pitchers who took the eighth, Tom Cosgrove and Orlando Ribalta, don’t have nicknames that are nearly as imposing, but accomplished the same feat.

With the game tied at three, Jhoan Duran and his dramatic entrance made their appearance. Like Christmas morning, his appearance is expected, yet no less welcome for it. He quickly got two outs, then allowed a single to Young, and another, this once bouncing off his glove, to Abrams. Fortunately, the next Nat grounded into a 4-3 putout, giving the Phillies the chance for walk-off glory.

But they wouldn’t grab it in the ninth. Stott made it to base via the free pass, but no other damage was done.

Thus we went to extras, with José Alvarado on the mound. Andrew Pinckney, a pinch-runner making his MLB debut, was the designated runner. His debut was not without error: he slipped as he prepared to advance on a fly ball, and failed to reach third, and as such denied the Nationals an advantage. But they would threaten anyway, loading the bases on a hit by pitch and walk. Alvarado then walked in the run for the Nationals, before closing the inning with the next batter.

The Nationals brought in pitcher Clayton Beeter, facing the top of the lineup. Hill was the designated runner, though he was not content to stay at second, stealing third as soon as he could. Schwarber battled across nine pitches before succumbing to the punch-out. Turner lined one out to right, where Dylan Crews made a stunning diving catch to record the out; Hill scored, but it was hard not to feel disappointed by what could’ve been. Harper walked, but made the third out trying to steal second. Worse still, his right hand got tangled up under him as he slid, and he appeared to be in some pain, though it didn’t stop him from continuing to play.

In the 11th, with two runners on, Derek Hill came running towards center to play a long fly ball. As he leapt, he hit his head against the wall. Thankfully, he was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power. Bryan De La Cruz replaced him, with the Phillies now down by two. They were down by three once Miles Mikolas bunted a runner in from third. Caleb Killian was pulled with one out and two runners on. Chase Shugart came in, and surrendered a grounder up the third base line to put the visitors up by five; they were up by six soon after.

The Phillies could not score in their half of the 11th, and this bitter affair came to a bitter end.

The Phillies are 61-54. They’ll conclude the series against the Nationals tomorrow at 6:05.

Cubs Minor League Wrap: Cabrera, Milner, Palencia all rehab for Iowa

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 16: Edward Cabrera #30 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on June 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

He may no longer be a Cub, but first baseman Jonathon Long was named International League Player of the Month. Long hit .371/.446/.652 in July for Iowa.

Good news from the I-Cubs and Smokies, but the Pelicans got no-hit.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs defeated Indianapolis (Pirates), 5-3 in ten innings.

There were three major league pitchers rehabbing in this game in Indianapolis. Edward Cabrera started and dominated Indy over four innings. He allowed just one unearned run on one hit. Cabrera struck out eight and walked no one. He threw 55 pitches and 41 of them were strikes.

Hoby Milner came up next and got through the fifth inning unscratched, but then faced the first two batters of the sixth and the both reached, one on an error and one on walk. The runner who reached on a walk came around to score after Milner was relieved by Collin Snider, so Milner’s final line was one unearned run on one hit and one walk over 1+ innings. He struck out two.

Daniel Palencia came on to pitch the seventh inning and gave up the lead. Palencia’s finished with a line of one run on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Jordan Wicks came on to finish off the seventh inning with no further damage and then went the rest of the way for the win. Wicks’ threw 3.1 scoreless innings and gave up just one hit. He struck out three and walked two.

Catcher Owen Ayers doubled home the automatic runner in the top of the tenth and then later scored a second run in the tenth on an error. Ayers went 2 for 5 with two RBI and the one run.

Center fielder Chas McCormick went 2 for 4.

Here’s a strikeout by Cabrera.

RBI single for Hayden Cantrelle, who went 1 for 3 with a walk.

A great catch by shortstop Ben Cowles.

Ayers’ RBI double in the tenth.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies swept a doubleheader from the Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) , 4-0 and 4-1.

Dawson Netz and Tyler Ras combined on a seven-inning one-hitter in game one. Netz pitched the first five innings and gave up one hit. He struck out four, walked two and hit one batter.

Ras pitched the final two innings and retired all six batters he faced. He struck out four of them.

First baseman Miguel Useche hit a solo home run in the second inning. Useche went 2 for 3.

Third baseman Dom Krupinski hit his first two home runs in affiliated ball in game one. They were both solo shots, one in the fourth inning and one in the seventh. Krupinski went 2 for 3. It was Krupinski’s first game in Double-A.

Useche’s home run.

Krupinski’s first home run.

Krupinski makes it two.

Tyler Schlaffer kept the Lookouts scoreless over the first four innings of game two on two hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Grayson Moore threw the fifth and sixth innings, retired all six batters he faced, and got the win. Moore struck out three.

Catcher Miguel Useche hit his second home run of the day in game two. It came with the bases empty in the fifth inning and was his third with the Smokies and tenth overall. Useche went 1 for 3 with a walk.

DH Andy Garriola was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Useche’s home run in game two.

South Bend Cubs

South Bend and Cedar Rapids were tied 1-1 in the third inning when the rains came. They’ll finish this game tomorrow (Thursday) and then play a seven-inning nightcap.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were swept in a doubleheader by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), losing the continuation of yesterday’s suspended game 3-1 and were no-hit in game two, 5-0.

Anhur Garcia pitched the first 2.2 innings of this game yesterday before the rains came. He kept the game scoreless on two hits. Garcia struck out one and did not walk anyone.

David Bracho took the mound when play resumed today and took the loss. Bracho surrendered three runs on four hits over 3.1 innings. Bracho struck out four and walked no one.

Right fielder Caden Sorrell was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored in the second-round pick’s first professional game.

Sorrell’s first pro hit.

Emilio Ramos started game two, gave up five runs over 2.2 innings and took the loss. Ramos walked four and struck out two.

The Pelicans were no-hit in game two. They only had three baserunners in the seven-inning contest: two walks and a dropped third strike.

Mets endure back-and-forth game, defeat Guardians in extras

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 5: Jefry Yan #84 of the New York Mets prepares to pitch in the sixth inning during his Major League debut against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 5, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mets are in the midst of a lost season, in genuine competition to be the worst team in all of baseball this year. The Guardians are a team that is in a playoff hunt. You would not necessarily know that to be the case based on how the first two games in this series have gone. The Mets won the opener last night, and tonight they withstood a back-and-forth affair to ultimately come out on top in extra innings with a 6-5 victory.

The Mets got the scoring started in the top of the third when Brett Baty led off the frame with an opposite field homer off Tanner Bibee. Jorge Polanco, who entered the game in the midst of a gruesome 0-for-26 stretch, followed that shot with a line drive shot to right field of his own, making it a 2-0 ballgame. The Mets would add to their lead just one inning later; Carson Benge hit a one-out grounder that third baseman Angel Genao (making his major league debut) threw past first base and into the stands, allowing the runner to go to second. Jared Young—who had been robbed of an extra-base hit in his first at-bat on a terrific running catch by Petey Halpin in center field—lined another ball to the right field corner. Benge came around to score on the double, and the Mets now led 3-0.

Christian Scott, meanwhile, held the Guardians off the board in the first three innings without much trouble, but he faltered in the bottom of the fourth. A leadoff walk was followed by a double to quickly put runners on second and third with nobody out, and Travis Bazzana proceeded to line a single to left to bring home Cleveland’s first run of the night. The Guardians still had runners on first and third with nobody out, but Scott hunkered down, inducing a ground ball to first for out number one and then striking out the next two batters to get out of the inning with just the one run scoring.

Scott would unfortunately find himself in trouble once again just an inning later, loading the bases on two singles and a walk with nobody out. He struck out Jo Adell for the first out, but Nathaniel Lowe then hit a single to right to bring two runs home and tie the game. Scott did manage to get the next two outs to keep the Guardians from taking the lead, and that would prove to be the end of his night. His final line—5 innings, 6 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 3 earned runs—belies a so-so outing, but it is worth noting that he was throwing with some increased velocity.

Meanwhile, the Mets came right back and re-took the lead in the top of the sixth, as Benge hit a two-out solo shot to right field—his second homer in the series—to give the Mets a 4-3 lead and end Bibee’s night. Young greeted new pitcher Erik Sabrowski with a triple to left field—his second extra-base hit of the evening—but Francisco Alvarez then struck out to end the inning with just the one run having scored. Thus, the Mets had a very slim lead to work with, and it was in the hands of their new-look bullpen to try to hold it.

Jefry Yan was the guy out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth. The 29-year-old rookie lefty was making his major league debut, and he quickly introduced his signature strikeout celebration after punching out the leadoff hitter. He then loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, but struck out his second batter—and had another jumping celebration—and then induced a groundout to end the inning and secure the lead for the Mets. Unfortunately, the same did not end up being true the following inning. Dedniel Núñez came on for his first major league outing in over a year in the seventh, and the first batter he faced reached base when Young could not cleanly field a grounder at first base. He came close to getting out of the inning after getting the next two outs via strikeout and groundout, but three straight singles followed—the second an RBI single off the bat of Patrick Bailey, and the third an RBI single by Genao, who made up for his earlier error by getting four hits at the plate in his major league debut. The two runs against Núñez—who struck out Steven Kwan to end the inning—were unearned, but nevertheless, the Guardians now led 5-4.

The Mets could not capitalize on a leadoff double from A.J. Ewing in the top of the eighth. Chayce McDermott came on for his Mets debut, and the former Dodgers pitcher tossed a scoreless inning (working around an ugly error in left field from Christian Pache, who came on as a defensive replacement and proceeded to drop a fairly routine fly ball with two outs). The Guardians then brought on closer Cade Smith to try to close things out in the top of the ninth. Young led off the frame with a walk, but Smith then got Alvarez to pop out and struck out pinch hitter Luis Robert Jr. to bring the Mets to their final out. Polanco then hit his second extra-base hit of the night, this one a double to put runners on second and third. Marcus Semien followed that by walking to load the bases and bring Ewing up to the plate. The speedy rookie his a grounder up the middle, and shortstop Brayan Rocchio couldn’t field it cleanly on the run. That error brought allowed Young to score from third, making it a 5-5 ballgame. Lindor struck out with the bases loaded to keep it tied, and McDermott—coming out for a second inning of work—worked around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning to send the game to extras.

The Mets quickly took the lead in the top of the tenth, as Bo Bichette greeted new pitcher Matt Festa by lining a single to right to score the ghost runner from second. Bichette did get thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double, and Festa rebounded by striking out the next two batters. Thus, new pitcher Daniel Duarte came on to try to hold the one-run lead (notably, Devin Williams appeared to be unavailable tonight despite the save opportunity). Kwan bizarrely tried to bunt to lead off the inning and popped out to third base. Duarte then issued a one-out walk to put runners on first and second, but he then got the final two outs—via a pop-out and groundout—to end the game and give the Mets the victory.

The Amazins will now go for the unlikely sweep tomorrow afternoon.

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Daniel Duarte, +44% WPA
Big Mets loser: Dedniel Núñez, -40% WPA
Mets pitchers: +19% WPA
Mets hitters: +31% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: A.J. Ewing reaching on fielding error in the ninth, +30.5% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Patrick Bailey RBI single in the seventh, -24.6% WPA

Please Make It Stop

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 05: Angel Genao #17 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a single for his first career base hit during the third inning of his major league debut against the New York Mets at Progressive Field on August 05, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Guardians are in the easy part of their schedule but that doesn’t matter when you leave 15 runners on base. When that happens, you lose 6-5 to the Mets.

Bibee was fine. 5 2/3 innings, 10 strikeouts. Really hurt by the long ball, giving up 3 (three) homers tonight. One to Jorge Polanco (.445 OPS). 4 runs, 3 earned, which brings us to the main topic(s) of tonight’s recap — Angel Genao and the Guardians defense.

Genao was as good as you could expect in his MLB debut, going 4/5 with 4 singles and the (then-) go-ahead RBI in the 7th. He got his first of four consecutive hits on the first pitch he saw in his first MLB at-bat.

Genao made a fielding error in the 4th that the Mets immediately took advantage of, driving in the runner who reached on error to make it 3-0 Mets.

The Guardians tried their best to come back tying the game by the 5th, then giving the lead away in the 6th, and then taking it right back in the 7th.

The Guardians were up 5-4 going into the 9th but, of course, Cade Smith couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. With the bases loaded and two outs, he managed to induce a weak groundball to short, but Rocchio couldn’t come up with the ball. The Mets tied the game there, sending it to extras.

For a reason I truly will never be able to understand, the Guardians brought in Matt Festa for the 10th… which went exactly as expected. He immediately gave up the go-ahead run on a Bo Bichette RBI-single. Bichette who, for what it’s worth, was thrown out advancing to second by Jo Adell. Festa retired the next two Mets.

To the bottom of the 10th. Steven Kwan hit over .400 in July. He bunted to lead off the inning. The ball lifted up into the air and was caught by Mets 3B Bo Bichette. DeLauter walked. Adell popped out, and Lowe groundout out. That was the ballgame.

Foster Griffin will make his Guardians debut in an effort to salvage what has been an entirely humiliating series so far against the bottom-feeder Mets. Of course, it’ll be McLean on the mound for New York opposite Griffin.

Suns secure Dillon Brooks on a team-friendly 3 year, $73 million extension

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns acquired Dillon Brooks as part of the Kevin Durant trade, and on the surface, many of us viewed him primarily as salary filler. Then we witnessed the profound effect he had on the culture and direction of the team last season.

With Brooks entering the final year of his contract, it became important for the Suns to work with him on an extension and ensure that he remained part of what they are building. That extension officially came through Wednesday evening, as Phoenix agreed to a three-year, $73 million deal with Brooks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

He will now remain with the Suns through 2030, allowing the organization to retain one of the pillars of its culture moving forward.

This is a fantastic deal for both Dillon Brooks and the Phoenix Suns. The 30-year-old Brooks was eligible for a much larger veteran extension, one that could begin at 140% of his current salary and include 8% annual raises. That placed the maximum value at approximately $125 million over four years, with an average annual value of $31.3 million. Instead, the Suns retained him on a far more manageable and team-friendly contract, one that carries an average annual value of roughly $24.3 million.

Two weeks ago, I wrote that the ideal contract for Dillon Brooks would be three years and $75 million. The Suns did even better than that.

It’s also a great signing because Phoenix has several young wing players developing within the organization, and they’ll now have Brooks as one of the veterans guiding them in the locker room. That kind of influence is nearly impossible to quantify. These young players possess size and physicality, and now they’ll learn from one of the NBA’s best irritants about how to become more effective on the defensive end. We saw Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie elevate their games while playing alongside Brooks last season. The same opportunity now exists for Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat, who are waiting in the wings.

This extension is about far more than keeping a productive rotation player. It’s a bet on identity. The Suns have spent the past year trying to establish a culture built on toughness, accountability, and competitiveness, and Brooks has been at the center of that effort. The contract preserves flexibility, rewards one of the team’s emotional leaders, and keeps an important veteran in place as the next generation develops. If Phoenix is serious about building something sustainable, this deal checks every box.

Royals 2, Twins 1: Noah’s Arc

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 05: Starting pitcher Noah Cameron #65 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This week, my young nephew is attending summer Vacation Bible School. In terms of biblical tales involving heroes, he could have gotten a similar education by flipping on the ballgame tonight and observing Noah Cameron’s mound arc sinking the Minnesota Twins.

The starting pitchers—Dean Kremer in his MN debut & Cameron for the Kansas City Royals—matched zeros for the first three innings in this contest. Kremer because he had solid stuff—Cameron because he is a corporeal being in the past month who throws with his left arm.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Twins built an exceedingly odd rally when Josh Bell walked, Kody Clemens hit into what looked to be a fielder’s choice until Bell deked out the KC infield by simply stopping on the way to 2B, and Royce Lewis bunted for a hit. Bases loaded…zero outs…time for the offense to break out, right?!

Somehow these batsmen made taking the lead anticlimactic: a Victor Caratini GIDP RBI followed by a Brooks Lee strikeout. 1-0 MN.

In B5, it was the Royals who’d dink-&-dunk their way (two singles & a walk) to bases loaded and one out. Kyle Isbel would sock a sac fly to tie the game, followed by a a 346-ft moonshot from Carter Jensen—into Austin Martin’s glove a few feet from the fence. Phew! 1-1 tie.

That would be it for the MN-debuting Kremer: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 88 pitches.

After Tommy Nance tossed a scoreless 6th, Michael Massey mashed an A.J. Minter meatball 422 feet over the RF fence to lead off B7. 2-1 KC.

Jeff Hoffman would make his Twins debut in B8 and set the Royals down 1-2-3 with 2 Ks.

Circling back to Cameron, his final line tonight: 8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

There would be no need for a B9. KC reliever Steven Cruz entered and retired the side on 16 pitches, 0 H, & 1 K.

Your Final: Kansas City Royals 2, Minnesota Twins 1.

After upper management patched some bullpen holes, it suddenly ceases to matter because Twins lumber-wielders couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat (maybe an ark?) right now.

0-for-August continues.

Zach’s Zealot
  • Kremer & Hoffman: Solid Twins Territory debuts.
Zach’s Zombie
  • The entire offense (again): This is getting ridiculous. Two hits & 9 K’s.
Egg-cellent Elocution
Who’s Got Next
  • One more with KC tomorrow night, followed by a trip across the border to Cheeseville over the weekend.

Mets rally in the ninth, find way to beat Guardians in extras, 6-5

The Mets let a three-run lead slip away before fighting back to beat the Cleveland Guardians, 6-5, in extra innings.

New York rallied in the ninth and tied the game at 5-5 thanks to Brayan Rocchio's fielding error on A.J. Ewing's hard grounder with the bases loaded. Bo Bichette then put the Mets back up with an RBI-single down the right field line in the 10th inning and Daniel Duarte found a way to close it down and get the save.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Defense was on display early by both teams. Carson Benge made a spectacular running catch in the right field corner to end the first inning, and then Guardians CF Petey Halpin smashed into the wall to rob Jared Young of extra bases in the top of the second inning. Bo Bichette stuck with the theme in the bottom of the second and made an over-the-shoulder grab in shallow left field for the third out

-- After four of the first six Mets batters struck out, Brett Baty and Jorge Polanco (who snapped an 0-for-26 streak) launched back-to-back home runs in the top of the third inning off Tanner Bibee, giving New York a 2-0 lead.

Young got his revenge in the fourth inning, ripping an RBI double to right field that extended the Mets' lead to 3-0.

-- Christian Scott looked strong early on, but let a 3-0 lead slip away, allowing three runs on six hits over just 5.0 innings. He struck out seven and walked two, earning a no-decision as he exited with the score tied.

The right-hander was dealing through the first three innings, allowing just one hit with a HBP. He ran into some trouble in the fourth inning with runners on second and third and no outs, but limited the damage to one run on Travis Bazzana's RBI single. Scott held onto the 3-1 lead by getting three straight outs, including back-to-back K's.

Scott found himself in another sticky situation in the fifth, loading the bases with no outs. Cleveland won the battle this time around as Nathaniel Lowe tied the game up at 3-3 with a one-out, two-run single. The righty got out of it with a strikeout and flyout, but it ended his night after 96 pitches.

-- Benge put the Mets back ahead, 4-3, with a solo home run for the second straight day. This time, Benge lifted it just over the outstretched arm of Adell in right field. Young then stayed hot and tripled on a shot that deflected off Steven Kwan's glove and took a roll, but he was left stranded on third base.

-- Jefry Yan escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth in his team debut, striking out Chase DeLauter (with his patented celebration) and getting Adell to ground into a forceout. Dedniel Núñez made his return to a major league mound in the seventh inning, but it didn't go well. Young's fielding error led to Núñez allowing a game-tying RBI single to Patrick Bailey and the go-ahead RBI to Angel Genao (his fourth hit of the game) as Cleveland went up 5-4.

Game MVP: New York's bullpen

Yan, Núñez, Chayce McDermott, and Duarte combined to throw five strong innings of relief and keep the Mets in the game.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Guardians wrap up their series on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

Nolan McLean (7-7, 3.29 ERA) takes the mound for the first time this month, going against LHP Foster Griffin (12-3, 3.06 ERA).

 

Klay Thompson could opt to return to home, if Dallas doesn't work out

There's a chance that four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson sees his time with the Dallas Mavericks come to an end after two seasons.

Thompson, 36, joined the team in July 2024 as a result of a six-team trade, signing a three-year, $50 million contract after spending the first 13 seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors.

Last season, Thompson appeared in 69 games for the Mavericks and started eight. He averaged career-lows in multiple statistical categories including points (11.7), field goal percentage (39.3%), 3-point percentage (38.3%), free throw percentage (76.6%), rebounds (2.1), assists (1.4) and minutes played (21.7).

If indeed the 2026 season was Thompson's final season in Dallas, the aging sharpshooter and his agent will soon field calls from teams around the league ready for his services. He has one year left on his contract and the Mavericks owe him $17.5 million.

They could opt to put Thompson in trade negotiations, but given the season of career-lows he's coming off of, some could view it as a risk to trade for the 36-year-old and likely give up assets. The other option would be via buyout clause in which Thompson would become a free agent and choose his destination.

In that scenario, Thompson would have multiple potential landing spots including some familiar to him. USA TODAY Sports' NBA reporter Lorenzo Reyes wrote that two possible places for Thompson to land are the Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Either of the two would make complete sense.

Klay Thompson to Golden State Warriors?

Thompson began his career with the Warriors when he was drafted in 2011. He helped them to become one of the league's dynasties, while he became a five-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist and recognized as one of the best shooters in NBA history.

He and Stephen Curry formed the dynamic, sharp-shooting backcourt duo nicknamed the "Splash Brothers." And with Draymond Green as an enforcer, the big three would be back together again, albeit a lot older than their initial stint together. A reunion amongst them would be the full-circle moment that many want to see, maybe with the exception of rival opponents.

As Reyes wrote, "there would be no fit better for Thompson than Golden State. Coach Steve Kerr is still there. Stephen Curry is still there. Thompson knows the system intimately and the Warriors — who tied for 17th last season in 3-point percentage (35.6%) — could definitely use a shooter like him."

The Warriors might not be a championship contending team leaning on Curry and company. Adding Thompson may not move the needle in wins but nostalgia itself will provide enough energy to make due with however things played out.

Klay Thompson plays for the same franchise as his dad

The other possible landing spot for Thompson is another familiar place in La-La Land. The Lakers could be an intriguing destination if Thompson became available for multiple reasons.

The most obvious one is that Thompson was born in Los Angeles, has ties to the area and his dad, Mychal Thompson, played four seasons with the Lakers, helping them win back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. Before Thompson signed with the Mavericks in 2024, his pops was very vocal in his desire for his son to play for the same legendary franchise as him. And even voiced his disappointment when his son didn't choose the Lakers. If bought out, this could be a second chance to make things right and go back to the place he once called home growing up.

He'd also join a team with ball-dominant guards that command defensive attention in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The spacing on the floor that they would create would fair well for Thompson who would be the ultimate catch-and-shoot player.

Additionally, Reyes wrote, "Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will dominate ball-handling duties, and Thompson excels at slipping past defenders without the ball in his hands. Coach JJ Redick, who was a sharpshooter in his own right, also knows how to maximize a talented sniper like Thompson."

Reyes added that when Thompson signed with the Mavericks in July 2024, one of the main reasons he chose Dallas over his hometown LA was to play alongside Dončić.

Things in Dallas changed for Thompson once Doncic was traded to the Lakers in February 2025, now he has a chance to rejoin the Slovenian superstar. If Doncic needs another shooter, Thompson is the guy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Klay Thompson could opt to return to home, if Dallas doesn't work out

Cameron outduels Kremer for a Royals win

Aug 5, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Noah Cameron continued his recent run of success and decided to dominate the Twins for a second start in a row. That allowed the Royals to win 2-1 despite having some struggles at the plate of their own.

We had a good old-fashioned pitcher’s duel between maybe not the most likely of starters. Both Noah Cameron and Dean Kremer were very effective. Kremer saw the minimum through three innings thanks to a double play and Noah only saw one over in that time frame thanks to a single from Ryan Jeffers in the first inning. It was Kremer’s debut as a Minnesota Twin after he was acquired at the trade deadline. He availed himself well, matching his best start of the season back at the beginning of July by going 6 innings and only giving up 1 run.

Noah Cameron also gave up only 1 run, though his in part had to do with the defense behind him. In the 4th inning Josh Bell walked to lead off. Kody Clemens followed that with a groundball to second base that Michael Massey fielded in front of Bell who stopped and back-pedaled a bit. Massey decided to throw to first too late to get the out and Jac Caglianone couldn’t get the ball back to second in time, so they ended up with no outs. Then Royce Lewis bunted it well to the right side and got a single to load the bases. Cameron induced a double play, but the run from third scored and gave the Twins a 1-0 lead. A strikeout ended the inning.

The Royals first run came in the 5th which started out with back-to-back singles from Massey and Isaac Collins. Loftin tried to bunt them over but popped it a little too hard and the Twins were able to get the force at second leaving it first and third with one out. John Rave came up next and walked the bases loaded for Kyle Isbel. The Royals’ center fielder managed to left one deep enough to center to get the sac fly and the first run of the game for Kansas City. It would remain tied 1-1 into the 7th.

Kremer exited after 6 innings and it was starting to look like the two would duel to a draw, but Noah Cameron just kept on going. He took care of the 7th with a foul-out followed by two strike outs after which his offense decided maybe he deserved to be in line for the win. Michael Massey was up to lead off in the bottom half of the 7th when AJ Minter took over from the Twins’ bullpen. Minter grooved a cutter middle middle and Massey deposited it near the fountains (maybe in) in right field. Royals up 2-1.

Despite being over 90 pitches, Cameron came out for the 8th inning as well. Trevor Larnach, Ryan Kreidler, and Austin Martin all went down swinging as Noah put the exclamation point on the end of a stellar day. He struck out the final five Twins he faced to end with a line of 8IP, 2H, BB, ER, 9K. That is an impressive start, and it was his third impressive outing in a row. Hopefully, this portends great things to come from the young St. Joe native.

Bobby Witt Jr. tried to give the Royals another insurance run in the bottom of the 8th, but his home run was robbed.

That set up Steven Cruz who was sent out to close this one for KC. No one reached base and he struck out Clemens to seal the victory. It was an uneventful 9th inning, which for this team has been a fairly rare thing for this team when protecting a lead. The Royals take the series and go for the sweep tomorrow. They are 10-8 since the break and playing reasonably good baseball minus the travesty of a series in Colorado.

Purple Row After Dark: 2026 Trade Deadline Reactions

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 03: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws on the field prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 03, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another MLB trade deadline has come and gone, setting the stage for a playoff run for some teams or a build towards the future for others.

This was a pivotal one for the Colorado Rockies’ new front office. Much was made about whether the Rockies would be more active than they have been historically, whether they would move all or most of the veteran pieces acquired in the offseason, and whether they would trade or build around some of their buzzy emerging stars.

The Purple Row team produced a number of pieces on those – and other – questions, grading the team’s overall day, considering players that could have been dealt (like Brennan Bernardino), and surveying readers’ feelings about Colorado’s moves.

Looking across MLB, the trade deadline is the fork in the road for all of the risers and fallers leaning into their fates.

Around the division, the San Francisco Giants positioned themselves as sellers, the San Diego Padres attacked a big weakness, the Diamondbacks held steady, and the Los Angeles Dodgers inevitably landed Tarik Skubal in the splashiest move of the deadline.

  • Back in our NL West preview before the season started, we examined the potential impact of Luis Arráez’ arrival on the Giants playoff hopes. PECOTA projections had San Francisco holding steady compared to 2025 when they finished 81-81, third in the division and within reach of the final NL Wild Card spot. With the addition of Arráez, it felt like the Giants could parlay his reliable offensive production into a run at the playoffs. They did not… At 48-66 as of this writing, San Francisco floundered this season and shipped Arráez off to the 61-53 Philadelphia Phillies.
  • The Padres are 59-55, third in the division, and are middle of the pack for pitching (a team ERA of 4.15 at this point in the season, good for 16th in MLB). They acquired pitchers Robbie Ray and Casey Mize to bolster their rotation.
  • We probably don’t need to beat a dead horse – or a potentially dead 2027 season – but the Dodgers scooped up star ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers sparking conversation around the league about their World Series chances and about potential salary cap implications.

Across the league, there were a few movers and shakers that stood out:

  • The Milwaukee Brewers, emerging as strong National League contenders, didn’t get quite as splashy as some expected, but added pitching help via Dustin May, JoJo Romero, and long-time Rockie Antonio Senzatela.
  • The AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays pushed their chips in on rental pitcher Freddy Peralta. They also made a move for Liam Hicks, a young catcher to build around with several controllable years left. Hicks poses both a near-future boost and a long-term solution.
  • The Boston Red Sox, riding a scorching 21-4 July (now at 24 victories in their last 28 games), looked to further jockey their way into the playoff picture by adding catcher and 2019 #1 overall pick Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles, along with relief pitcher Erik Miller and utility bat Eli White to try and flesh out their lineup around a solid core.
  • At the bottom of the league with a 43-70 record, the Los Angeles Angels are leaning into a rebuild. At the deadline, they dealt Logan O’Hoppe, Chase Silseth, Jo Adell, Kirby Yates, José Soriano, and others, offloading those veterans and replenishing their farm system with prospects.

With all of the trades in the rearview as teams head into the closing months of the season, we want your thoughts on the moves:

  • Which team’s trades (or lack thereof) surprised you the most?
  • Which trade that didn’t happen would you like to make happen?
  • Who do you think will have the biggest impact on their new squad?
  • Thinking ahead, what are your bold predictions for what this year’s trades will set up for the offseason?

Let us know below!


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The Padres’ frustrating, fabulous pitchers

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Adrian Morejon #50 and Randy Vasquez #98 of the San Diego Padres embrace before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on September 28, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Diego Padres made a splash at the trade deadline on Monday. They added two starting pitchers that will undoubtedly fix the “pitching chaos” issue that the team’s coaches and front office have had to address over the past couple of weeks. The additions of Casey Mize and Robbie Ray will help flesh out a rotation that has struggled mightily this season and recently consisted of two starters who haven’t actually been all that great themselves in Michael King and Walker Buehler.

Both Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta have begun rehab assignments in their attempt to return from injury. It is wise not to count on either of them for any help in a stretch run to secure a playoff spot for a team on the outside looking in.

Two other pitchers figure to be significant in the next 48 games of the regular season. The last starting spot has to be filled by someone. And the bullpen needs a dominant lefty to complement the force that is Mason Miller.

The Padres definitely have the lefty in Adrián Morejón. They might have their fifth starter too.

Enter Rándy Vásquez

Right-hander Rándy Vásquez wasn’t scouted and signed by the Padres. The New York Yankees did that in 2018. He was acquired as part of the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees in 2023, along with fellow pitchers King and Jhony Brito. 

Vásquez has great stuff. He has a seven-pitch mix that he has used to dominate at times. He has also had issues with consistency with his mechanics and an inability to be aggressive with his pitches. He nibbles around the outside of the plate and walks too many hitters. 

From the start of this season to mid-May, Vásquez was the best starter the Padres had. He pitched to a 2.68 ERA in 50.1 innings and nine starts. Then things fell apart, and over his next 33.2 innings he had a 7.75 ERA, ending up on the injured list with a right ankle contusion after being hit by a batted ball.

It would not be a stretch to say that the 16 days he spent on the IL were not because of the contusion. That was a handy excuse to spend some time working on his approach, both mechanically and mentally. A coaching staff that features head pitching coach Ruben Niebla has appeared to be challenged with trying to keep Vásquez locked in. The Jekyll and Hyde nature of his performances frustrated fans while keeping the coaches on their toes. Finding that sweet spot that makes him a consistent pitcher has not occurred so far.

After coming off the injured list on July 19, Vásquez has been working in whatever role the team has asked. He has started and been a bulk reliever while appearing in six games and two starts. Over that time, he has thrown 15.6 innings and allowed three earned runs, for a 1.73 ERA.

His season started by featuring increased velocity on his four-seam fastball, and then we saw that velocity drop as the season went on and his stuff deteriorated. 

Since returning from the IL, he has shown that 94-96 mph fastball and a sinker that sits 94-95 mph. After the offense spotted him six early runs in his start against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Vásquez threw 80 percent first-pitch strikes to the Snakes’ offense.

We have seen what Vásquez can do; the secret is to unlock some consistency with his performance. His start against Arizona gave the Padres their first quality start since Walker Buehler pitched on June 3. That needs to change for this team to be a playoff contender. 

Maybe Rándy Vásquez can help change that narrative. 

As a pre-arbitration player (free agent in 2031),  Vásquez is the only pitcher on the roster who can be counted on to return next year into the starting rotation. It’s a priority to keep working to keep him right.

Adrián Morejón

It is no secret that lefty reliever Adrián Morejón is a quiet assassin. What may not be as well known is that his path to get there makes his success all the more meaningful.

Morejón defected from Cuba in 2015, at the age of 16. He went to the Dominican Republic to train and was declared an international free agent in 2016. He signed with the Padres in July of that year and was given an $11 million bonus. After working his way up in the minor league system, Morejón was named to the All-Star Futures Game as a Double-A pitcher in 2019. Right after his appearance, the Padres promoted him to the major league team, and he made his debut as a major league pitcher. He missed some time during his debut season with a left forearm strain. 

He also missed most of 2020 with a shoulder injury, making his debut in August and pitching in nine games overall.

In 2021, he left a start in April with forearm tightness and subsequently had Tommy John surgery. After missing the rest of that season, and after his rehab stint in the minors in 2022, Morejón returned to the Padres in June but was again on the injured list with shoulder inflammation after only a couple of appearances. He returned that year, pitching only out of the bullpen and had a 4.24 ERA in 34 innings.

In 2023, Morejón sustained a left elbow sprain in spring training and missed most of the major league season while attempting to rehab the injury. He appeared in nine innings over eight appearances.

Finally healthy in 2024, Morejón pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. He established himself as a dominant lefty reliever with a 2.83 ERA in 63.2 innings with 71 strikeouts to 21 walks. He continued that trend last season, earning an All-Star nod and finishing with a 2.08 ERA in 73.2 innings pitched.

There was a discussion in the offseason about returning Morejón to the starting rotation, but it was quickly dismissed as being too risky, as well as depriving the bullpen of a dominant force.

Morejón has shown he can stay healthy and dominate as a high-leverage reliever in the Padres bullpen.

Highly desired by other teams at the recent trade deadline, Morejón expressed his desire to be a Padre after the deadline passed. He was quoted in an article by San Diego Union-Tribune writer Annie Heilbrunn on July 29.

“I know what’s going on for the trade deadline. I try not to think too much about that because it’s a little bit hard for me because I (have played) for 10 years with the Padres, so I don’t like if (a trade) happens. I prefer to stay here. I know it’s not my decision, but that’s why I try to pitch good, trying to help the team win.”

In a clubhouse interview on the Sunday before the trade deadline, Morejón made his feelings clear.

“Everybody knows that I want to stay here,” Morejón said through interpreter Pedro Gutierrez. “Even with free agency coming, they know I want to stay. This is the organization I’ve been a part of for more than 10 years. I’ve sacrificed a lot. I’m proud to be a member of the Padres. Hopefully that will continue.”

He has been used aggressively during the first two-thirds of this season by the team. He leads all Padres relievers with 60 innings pitched and has a 3.00 ERA. For the team to get where they want to go, Adrían Morejón is a key to their success. He could be the best lefty reliever in baseball right now. He definitely has the best ERA for all left-handers with his innings count. His ability to pitch more than one inning, as well as span his appearances over back-to-back games, makes him not only their best left-handed option but also highly flexible and reliable.

Despite his injury history, Morejon has found his role on the Padres and in baseball. Keeping him for the future should be a high priority for this team and the new owners. 

Red Sox down White Sox, clinch ninth consecutive series win

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 05: Starting pitcher Sonny Gray #54 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on August 05, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Red Sox are 30-5 in their last 35 games. It just keeps going.

Willson Contreras exited the contest early with an illness while Boston took care of business behind a fantastic night on the mound and a few timely swings at the plate with a 4-0 victory. 

Here’s three takeaways from Wednesday night’s win. 

SONNY BOUNCES BACK

Boston’s veteran had started an honestly scheduled regression over his past two starts with 12 earned runs allowed over 12 innings. Gray looked much more like himself in the style of someone who had been one of baseball’s more efficient starters since returning from the injured list of May. 

Gray spun the ball at his best against the American League Central leaders with six scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits and walked two batters with eight strikeouts en route to his 14th victory of the season, tied with Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez for the most in MLB. 

WILYER WON’T STOP SLUGGING
Abreu smashed his ninth home run since the All-Star break to drive the Red Sox offense. That mark leads the majors since in less than three weeks since the season resumed. The swing broke a tie with Washington’s CJ Abrams with eight long balls in that stretch. 

Abreu is the second Red Sox hitter to slug 20 homers on the season (stunning!), joining Willson Contreras with 23. 

BROADCAST PROPS

Major shoutout to NESN in the network’s third annual Women’s Celebration Game. Emma Tiedemann has done the play-by-play and each season and provided another strong call Wednesday night in an eventful night at Fenway Park.

Alanna Rizzo provided color commentary for the second straight season among an all-female broadcast crew for NESN, including Nicole Menner and The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.