The Los Angeles Dodgers boast several veterans on the roster, but Santiago Espinal became an unexpected addition after cracking the Opening Day roster.
The infielder played a key depth role for the Dodgers early in the 2026 season with a number of position players sidelined. Espinal was designated for assignment (for the second time) in June in order to make space for Tommy Edman, who missed the first 2.5 months of the season as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery.
Santiago Espinal cracked the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster after a hot performance during spring training. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Espinal elected free agency and made a brief stint with the Texas Rangers’ minor league affiliate before the organization released him at the end of July.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was assigned to Triple-A Reno.
Since Espinal’s tenure with the Dodgers ended earlier this summer, the infielder hasn’t made a major league appearance. He played in 36 games for LA, hitting .268 with one home run, seven RBIs and a OPS of .651 across 60 plate appearances for the Dodgers.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
“(He has fit in) seamlessly,” manager Dave Roberts said at camp. “It’d be hard to imagine him not being on the team.”
Santiago Espinal played a key depth role for the Dodgers early in 2026. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
Espinal’s versatility played well with the Dodgers, especially with utility man Kiké Hernandez sidelined to start the season. The veteran is also proven talent as he was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022.
Now, Espinal will look to get back to full form with the Diamondbacks, who could still call the infielder up in late season move.
The San Jose Sharks have had a multitude of players wear the number 42 throughout their history, but it currently belongs to Luca Cagnoni who has a major battle ahead of him this coming fall.
Cagnoni is one of the few members of the San Jose Barracuda expected to put up a fight for a roster spot when training camp comes around next month. The Sharks' fourth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, Cagnoni likely fell down the board due to his size, as he's just 5-foot-9.
Cagnoni's game has always been defined by his ability to move the puck and put up points from the blue line, whether it was with the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks, the Barracuda, or even during his short stints with the Sharks. If he does make the Sharks roster, he'd almost immediately become a favorite to get some opportunities to quarterback the power play, but he'd likely not be more than a third-pairing defenseman in five-on-five play.
To this point in his professional career, Cagnoni has played 131 games for the Barracuda and recorded 95 points (24 goals and 71 assists). Meanwhile, during his nine NHL games, he's failed to score a goal but has picked up a pair of assists.
At just 21 years of age, Cagnoni's hockey career is still in its infancy. He has plenty of time to carve out a role for himself and establish himself as an NHL regular, now we'll just have to wait and see if this is the year he grabs the brass ring and forces his way into Mike Grier and Ryan Warsofsky's immediate plans.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Jacob deGrom reached 2,000 career strikeouts in the second-fewest games and innings pitched in major league history when the Texas Rangers right-hander fanned the first two batters against the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
DeGrom struck out Daylen Lile and Abimelec Ortiz, both chasing strike three on sliders below the zone. He received a standing ovation and acknowledged the applause by tapping his cap over his heart.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner made his 272nd career start and went into the game having pitched 1,660 1/3 innings since his big league debut with the New York Mets in 2014.
Hall of Famer Randy Johnson got his 2,000th strikeout in his 262nd appearance for the fewest games, ahead of Clayton Kershaw’s 277. Chris Sale holds the record for fewest innings at 1,626.
At 38, deGrom is the ninth active player and 95th in history to reach the milestone. He is the fourth this season, following Kevin Gausman, Sonny Gray and Aaron Nola.
As part of the ruling, which came after five hours of deliberation and two weeks of testimony in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Spears was awarded $9.25 million in damages.
In March 2023, the newspaper reported that Spears, a walk-on that season for the top-ranked Crimson Tide, was in the passenger seat of former Alabama star and current Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller's car during the deadly shooting of Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa. It was later revealed that the passenger in the car was a team manager, not Spears.
Spears filed a lawsuit against the outlet for defamation and “false light” invasion of privacy, claiming it caused him emotional distress for linking his name to a high-profile murder. The Times later issued a correction and added an editor’s note following Spears’ lawsuit.
According to the Times, it’s the first defamation lawsuit the newspaper had lost in the United States over one of its articles in more than 50 years.
Much of the case centered around the Times’ use of anonymous sourcing for its original story and its process for verifying the information it received. The Birmingham, Alabama attorney representing the newspaper described the incorrect reporting as “an honest mistake.”
Former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, who played for the Crimson Tide from 2020-23, and his childhood friend, Michael Lynn Davis, were ultimately charged with capital murder in connection to Harris’ death. Davis was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Spears’ father, Christian, a longtime college athletics administrator who was most recently the athletic director at Marshall, told Patch that the family was grateful for the verdict.
"Our goal was a simple retraction from The New York Times," Christian Spears said to Patch. "Instead, the Times defended its inaccurate article and continued to distort facts rather than acknowledge the harm they caused, acting as if its power made it untouchable. The Alabama jury made it clear to the New York Times that they were wrong to do what they did."
Kai Spears spent the past two seasons at Marshall, having transferred from Alabama after the 2023-24 season. He's currently a senior at West Liberty University in West Virginia, one of the top programs nationally at the Division II level.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 21: Jackson Chourio #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring off a three-run home run hit by William Contreras in the second inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to host the Atlanta Braves for a pair of (oddly timed) games this weekend before taking them on in MLB’s Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday night. The Brewers are in possession of the best record in baseball, will be looking for their 80th win of the season this weekend. On the other side, the Braves sit atop the NL East with the third-best record in the National League, behind only Milwaukee and the Dodgers.
After Cooper Pratt returned this week, the lone position player left on Milwaukee’s IL is outfielder Sal Frelick, who could be back this weekend. On the pitching side, the Brewers are without relievers Abner Uribe (late August), JoJo Romero (late August), Rob Zastryzny (TBD), Joel Kuhnel (late August), Brian Fitzpatrick (out for season), and Angel Zerpa (out for season). Starters Quinn Priester and Brandon Woodruff are also out for the year.
Atlanta is without pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach (September at earliest), Robert Suarez (TBD), Spencer Strider (TBD), Hurston Waldrep (TBD), Reynaldo López (late August), Joe Jiménez (September), and Joey Wentz (out for season). They currently have no position players on the IL.
Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang, and Joey Ortiz have led the Brewer offense over the last few weeks. Bauers leads the team with 22 homers, while Ortiz is now hitting .252/.317/.381 for the season after an absolutely dismal first two months. Mitchell is hitting .261/.356/.421, and Turang is hitting .262/.356/.439 with 16 homers. Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn have also been consistent pieces offensively, with William Contreras, Gary Sánchez, Christian Yelich, David Hamilton, Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara, and Jonathan Ornelas all in the mix. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .253/.337/.397 (.734 OPS ranks seventh), with 642 runs (fourth), 119 homers (last), and 129 steals (third).
Matt Olson and Wisconsin native Drake Baldwin lead the Atlanta offense, as Olson has slugged 36 homers and 31 doubles, and Baldwin has 21 homers as he’s hitting .272/.354/.449. Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubón, Dominic Smith, Lane Thomas, and Mike Yastrzemski are among the other regulars on offense. Ha-Seong Kim, Jim Jarvis, and Sean Murphy round things out. As a team, the Braves are hitting .246/.310/.413 (.723 OPS ranks 14th), with 608 runs (seventh), 167 homers (tied for fourth), and 62 steals (25th).
Aaron Ashby leads the Milwaukee bullpen with 59 appearances (71 innings) this year, with Trevor Megill closing things out, as he has a 2.39 ERA and 23 saves. With Uribe injured, Chad Patrick and DL Hall have also worked as high-leverage arms, with Antonio Senzatela, Bryse Wilson, and Grant Anderson rounding things out. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.46 team ERA (second), including a 3.53 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.37 bullpen ERA (third). They’ve struck out 1,245 batters (second) over 1,144 1/3 innings.
Dylan Lee has anchored the Braves bullpen with a team-high 60 appearances, pitching to a strong 2.02 ERA over 58 frames. Raisel Iglesias has a 3.09 ERA and leads the squad with 26 saves, while Didier Fuentes (2.60 ERA over 55 1/3 IP), Dylan Dodd (2.27 ERA over 39 2/3 IP), and former Brewer favorite Brent Suter (2.25 ERA over 8 IP since being acquired at the deadline) also figure prominently. Ray Kerr (0.00 ERA over 2 1/3 IP) and Victor Mederos (3.68 ERA over 22 IP) round things out. As a staff, the Braves have a 3.64 team ERA (fifth), including a 3.75 starter ERA (seventh) and a 3.49 bullpen ERA (fourth). They’ve struck out 1,092 batters (11th) over 1,137 innings.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, August 21 @ 3:10 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (12-5, 1.75 ERA, 2.14 FIP) vs. LHP Chris Sale (12-8, 2.16 ERA, 2.30 FIP)
Miz will go head-to-head with yet another ace in Friday’s series opener, as he gets the start opposite Chris Sale. The big right-hander is 12-5 this season and remains atop the majors in ERA (1.75), FIP (2.14), strikeouts (210), and WHIP (0.748). He turned in six solid frames to pick up the win over the Dodgers in his last outing, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Misiorowski took a loss against the Braves back in June, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, striking out seven across six innings.
Sale, 37, is in his 16th MLB season and third with the Braves, and he’s still just as dominant as ever. After winning the NL Cy Young with Atlanta in 2024, he’s been arguably even better this year, with a 2.16 ERA, 2.30 FIP, and 160 strikeouts across 129 innings. He took a tough loss in his last outing against the D-backs, allowing just one run on five hits and no walks while striking out nine as Atlanta lost 2-0. Sale has made six career starts against Milwaukee, with a 2-0 record, 1.62 ERA, and 52 strikeouts over 39 innings. That includes 5 2/3 innings back in June, when he allowed a pair of unearned runs and struck out seven.
Henderson continues to impress as a major leaguer. His ERA is down to 2.70 to go along with a 3.39 FIP and 75 strikeouts across 63 1/3 innings, and he was fantastic in his last outing against the Dodgers. He went a career-high seven frames on a career-high 93 pitches, allowing one run on three hits and a walk, striking out six. This marks Henderson’s first career start against Atlanta.
Pérez, 35, is another long-time lefty veteran, as he’s in his 15th season with his seventh team. He’s made 24 appearances (20 starts) for Atlanta this year, with an 8-7 record, 3.15 ERA, 4.15 FIP, and 83 strikeouts over 111 1/3 innings. Pérez got roughed up a bit against the Twins in his last outing, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks, striking out three over five frames. Pérez has made six career appearances (five starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-3 record, 7.24 ERA, and 21 strikeouts over 32 1/3 innings, though that lone victory came this year, as he went six frames with one run allowed and five strikeouts.
Sunday, August 23 @ 6:10 p.m. (MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA): LHP Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.86 ERA, 3.36 FIP) vs. RHP Tyler Mahle (4-10, 4.53 ERA, 4.13 FIP)
Drohan will get the start for the Brewers in Sunday’s showcase, and it’s been a solid year for the left-hander. Across 25 appearances (14 starts), Drohan is 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 99 strikeouts over 100 1/3 innings. He went 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the Dodgers, allowing three runs and striking out five in a no-decision. His last appearance, though, came from the bullpen, as he tossed two scoreless innings with one strikeout in Milwaukee’s 22-0 blowout win over the Mariners on Tuesday night. This marks Drohan’s first career appearance against Atlanta.
Mahle, 31, was acquired by the Braves at the trade deadline in a deal with the Giants. Another veteran, Mahle is in his 10th season with his fifth team. While he had a 5.13 ERA and 4.36 FIP with the Giants across 18 starts, he’s been great with Atlanta, pitching to a 1.45 ERA, 2.93 FIP, and 19 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings in three starts this month. A familiar opponent for Milwaukee, Mahle has made 10 career starts against the Brewers, with a 2-3 record, 4.73 ERA, and 66 strikeouts across 51 1/3 innings. He dominated the Crew in his second-to-last start with the Giants in late July, though, pitching six scoreless innings with three strikeouts as he allowed just three hits and two walks to earn the win.
How to Watch & Listen
Friday, August 14: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Saturday, August 15: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Sunday, August 16 (MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA): Nationally televised on ESPN/ESPN App; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
This will be a fun series between two of baseball’s best teams, capped off with a showdown in Williamsport on Sunday. Give me the Crew to win two of three.
Admit it, Mets fans. You have at least considered the possibility, unlikely as it may seem, as the Mets have ripped off 11 wins in 15 games after a trade deadline sell-off.
They have won four of their last five series and have injected a bit of life into what had been a miserable season.
It will take an enormous run to even be in contention in mid-September. The Mets still trail the Padres by 10 games for the third and final NL wild-card spot, and six other teams are ahead of them.
To reach 83 wins, the number of victories the final wild-card team secured a year ago, the Mets would need to go 25-9. That’s a .735 winning percentage, an extraordinarily tall order.
Let’s take a look at the schedule the rest of the way.
The Mets have the seventh-most difficult remaining strength of schedule, their opponents owning a combined .520 winning percentage.
It includes 12 games against division leaders (White Sox and Rays on the road, Brewers and Astros at home).
There is also the Subway Series against the Yankees in The Bronx, and four more with the contending Phillies at Citi Field. Of the 34 games left, 18 are on the road, where the Mets are seven games under .500.
The good news: The Mets have performed better of late against quality teams.
Since the All-Star break, they have taken series from the Phillies, Padres and NL East-leading Braves.
There are soft spots coming up at Citi Field against the last-place Giants (Sept. 4-6) and under-.500 Orioles and Pete Alonso (Sept. 14-16).
To reach 84 wins, the number of victories the final wild-card team secured a year ago, the Mets would need to go 26-8. Steve Kaye/NY Post Design
Plus, the Mets close the year out against two teams, the Rangers and Nationals, who are under .500 as well.
Since interim manager Andy Green took over June 26, replacing Carlos Mendoza, the Mets have played better baseball.
They are 24-23 in that span, as young players like Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Carson Benge, Nate Lavender and A.J. Ewing have emerged and journeyman types like Daniel Duarte, Jared Young and Jefry Yan have produced.
“Guys are playing good baseball,” Green said recently. “In almost all the games, we’ve found ourselves down at some point [and] the mentality has flipped from ‘Here we go again’ to ‘Here we go again, this is what we do.’ I think there’s a big distinction between those two things and your expectations. I think your play follows that.”
The bottom line is the Mets have to keep winning, and really can’t afford many slipups. They need this 11-4 stretch to be a sign of the final six weeks to come.
The odds are incredibly slim. Their chances of reaching the postseason are 0.1 percent, according to FanGraphs. Hey, it’s better than zero, right?
“I feel like we’re playing loose,’’ Scott said. “There’s an influx of energy with a lot of new guys. We’re having fun and not putting too much pressure on ourselves. And winning is more fun.”
MEts merch shop
47 Brand logo cap
1986 eco tote bag
Mets fiber beach towel
14-ounce sculpted relief mug
Customizable jersey
Color block logo backpack
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
Kodai Senga celebrates with catcher Luis Torrens after picking up a save in the Mets’ win over the Nationals. Robert Sabo for New York Post
BROOKLYN, NY - AUGUST 13: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets takes photos before the game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Libertyon August 13, 2026 at Barclays Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For whatever it means to the Brooklyn Nets, oddsmakers and pundits don’t project win totals based on morale or culture-building. FanDuel pegged the Nets at 24.5 games this season — one season after they won 20 in 2025-26.
Brooklyn added three-time All-Star Julius Randle and clearly improved this offseason, but the Eastern Conference only got stronger following the Knicks first championship in 53 years.
LeBron James joined a loaded 76ers team with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia, Kawhi Leonard is headed to the Toronto Raptors. Still pending. Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa are all new additions for the Washington Wizards. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers just added Peyton Watson!
Other changes include Tyrese Haliburton’s (torn Achilles tendon) return to the Indiana Pacers and Giannis Antetokounmpo heading to the Miami Heat.
It won’t be easy. How many games do Nets fans think they’ll win? Out of 117 votes…
Thanks to everybody who voted and/or participated.
This is a sponsored post. Check out the latest lines, futures, and player props by visiting FanDuel.
Doncic welcomed the team to his home country and shared pictures of their first day on the overseas trip via social media Thursday.
Luka Doncic shared pictures of a Lakers team dinner during their minicamp in Slovenia this summer.
“First supper,” Doncic wrote in a caption on his Instagram Story.
Doncic has spared no expense to bring his teammates to Slovenia, where the squad is working out, playing pickup games, golfing and exploring Ljubljana. The Lakers star chartered a flight to get the team to Slovenia and back.
Luka Doncic is officially the leading man in Los Angeles after LeBron James informed the Lakers he would not return for the 2026-27 season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Lakers’ front office made a flurry of signings this summer to address key holes on the roster, such as an A-list center. General manager Rob Pelinka successfully acquired Doncic’s top priority of the offseason by signing Walker Kessler to a $130 million deal.
General manager Rob Pelinka overhauled the Lakers’ roster based on Luka Doncic’s request for specific types of teammates. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
James’ departure officially placed Doncic in the leading role of Hollywood’s Lakers, and his first act as captain of the ship is the minicamp in Slovenia. Over the four days, the team will get to know one another and learn how to jell with each other on the court — an important aspect of a championship team.
Doncic has handled the ongoing Lakers drama with poise, and he’ll have to retain that characteristic once the season begins as LA will look to him to put on a strong performance.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
There are 94 pitchers in major league history with 2,000 strikeouts. Jacob deGrom got there faster than 93 of them.
The Texas Rangers right-hander needed eight pitches Thursday night to reach the moment. He struck out Abimelec Ortiz on a slider Thursday night for No. 2,000, two batters into a game against the Washington Nationals. He reached 2,000 Ks in 1,661 career innings. Only Chris Sale, at 1,626 innings in 2019, needed fewer.
DeGrom passed Yu Darvish (1,697⅓ innings), Pedro Martinez, who got there in 1,711⅓ innings, and Randy Johnson, who needed 1,733⅓, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. If you measure it by games, it is nearly as lopsided. Thursday was deGrom's 272nd big league appearance, all of them starts. Johnson needed 262 games to hit 2,000 strikeouts. Nobody else has done it in fewer than 277.
Sale was 30 at the time he reached 2,000 strikeouts and Clayton Kershaw was 29. DeGrom just turned 38 in June.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner in 2018-19 had a late start. DeGrom was a shortstop the first two years of college and drafted after converting to pitching in 2010. He was a ninth-round pick who blew out his elbow six starts into his professional career. He had Tommy John in 2010 and missed all of 2011. He didn't make it to the majors until a month before his 26th birthday.
He has also been saddled with injuries in MLB. He made 31 or more starts in each season from 2017 through 2019 and pitched to a 2.53 ERA across 622⅓ innings. He made 32 starts in 2018 alone. Then came the injuries, and the Tommy John surgery in June 2023, 13 years after the first one. He made just 35 starts total from 2021-24.
When he was healthy, his strikeout rate was among the tops in the game. His strikeout percentage is 30.5 for his career.
This season has been deGrom's messiest of any "healthy stretch." He entered Thursday night's game at 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA and a 98 ERA+. Both are career worsts. The fastball still averages better than 97 mph.
He's had a left hip and glute issue nagging him since the All-Star break, and it is why manager Skip Schumaker pulled him after five innings and 88 pitches against Baltimore on Aug. 8, a night deGrom still struck out nine and gave up one run. Five days later he left his start in Anaheim after just two innings with what the Rangers labeled triceps fatigue. He had an MRI that came back clean and he threw two bullpens to gear up for this night.
DeGrom gave a vintage performance Thursday night. He gave up one hit and held the Nationals scoreless over six innings. He struck out 10, the 64th game of his career he has recorded double-digit strikeouts. The Rangers won 2-0.
Howie Rose does introductions before the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins during Opening Day on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Citi Field in Queens, NY. (Robert Sabo)
Legendary Mets broadcaster Howie Rose will retire at the end of the club’s home schedule this season.
The team will celebrate Rose with a special retirement ceremony before the last game of the season at Citi Field against the Phillies on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The Mets will recognize Rose’s career and his impact on the organization.
Howie Rose does introductions before the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins during Opening Day on April 7, 2023, at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Rose has been part of Mets baseball for close to four decades.
The first 15,000 fans will receive a “Put it in the books” notebook and scorecard.
Fans hold up a sign for Howie Rose before a game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 2026, at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The phrase was his signature sign-off after a Mets victory.
“For generations of Mets fans, Howie Rose has been more than a broadcaster, he has been the soundtrack of summer and the voice behind some of the most memorable moments in our history,” owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “His love for baseball and this organization has come through in every call, creating a connection with Mets fans that few broadcasters ever achieve. Howie’s impact extends far beyond the booth.
“He is part of the fabric of this franchise, and we are proud to celebrate an extraordinary career while thanking him for everything he has meant to the Mets. We wish Howie and his family nothing but the best in this next chapter.”
Rose, 72, grew up a Mets fan in Queens and started calling games for the team in 1987.
He has been their lead play-by-play voice on the radio since 2006.
Kade Anderson of the Seattle Mariners pitches for the American League Team during the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Mariners are calling up one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
Seattle is promoting left-hander Kade Anderson to make his major league debut Saturday against the Cubs at T-Mobile Park, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday.
Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, has dominated the minor leagues during his first professional season.
Kade Anderson of the Arkansas Travelers pitches during the game between the Wichita Wind Surge and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
The 22-year-old southpaw owns a 1.06 ERA across 93⅓ innings in 18 starts for Double-A Arkansas.
He’s punched out 135 batters while issuing just 13 walks and allowing 47 hits, holding a 10-1 record with a 0.64 WHIP.
Anderson currently stands as the game’s top pitching prospect, along with being the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Baseball America and FanGraphs both also have Anderson as the top arm on their prospect lists.
The Mariners had recently begun openly discussing the possibility of Anderson joining their rotation for the final stretch.
“We’re not going to put Kade in the bullpen,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said earlier this month. “He’s the best starting pitcher in the minor leagues.”
Kade Anderson of the Seattle Mariners pitches for the American League Team during the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Anderson emerged as one of college baseball’s biggest stars during his final season at LSU when he struck out 180 batters in 119 innings before helping the Tigers win the College World Series and earning Most Outstanding Player honors.
His debut will come on the national stage, with Saturday’s game scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Fox.
The Mariners, who are 60-68 heading into the weekend series against the Cubs, are hoping Anderson can provide a boost with their playoff hopes currently on life support.
Although Seattle is just three games back of the third and final American League wild-card spot, five teams standing between them and the final playoff berth.
Kade Anderson, the left-hander making a mockery of Class AA hitters all season, will be called up to start their Saturday, Aug. 22 game in Seattle against the Chicago Cubs, ESPN first reported.
Anderson, 22, was the third overall pick in the 2025 draft out of LSU, and in his first full professional season has proven almost untouchable. He’s struck out 135 in 93⅓ innings while compiling a 10-1 record and 1.06 ERA in 18 starts.
He will be joining one of the deepest and best rotations in baseball, though one that’s collectively not reached expectations this season. That goes for the team as well: With All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh going from a 60-homer campaign to batting .156 with just 13 homers, the Mariners are 60-68 one year after reaching Game 7 of the ALCS.
Yet they’re still just 4.5 games out of first place in the West and 3 games out of an AL wild card spot. But time is slipping away: They absorbed a 22-0 beatdown at Milwaukee on Tuesday and lost two of three games there.
Anderson can probably help.
“I’m really focused on myself, being patient through this process. I feel like my time will come when it comes,” Anderson told USA TODAY Sports last month at the Futures Game in Philadelphia. “I don’t want to play this game for this season.
An outfielder's brutal gaffe with two outs in the ninth costs the Reds the game.
The Reds were handed one of their most brutal losses of the season on Thursday.
With Cincinnati holding a 5-4 lead over the Cardinals with two outs in the ninth inning, St. Louis shortstop J.J. Wetherholt lofted a ball to left-center field, which appeared to be an easy out for center fielder Dane Myers to track down.
But as Myers drifted toward the ball while calling off left fielder TJ Friedl, the ball deflected off his glove and rolled back to the warning track, allowing the Cardinals to score two runs and regain the lead.
After throwing the misplayed ball back into the infield, Myers appeared dumbfounded while crouching in the outfield.
The Cardinals’ offense then exploded with another four runs in top half of the ninth before the Reds responded by putting four across in the bottom half.
Myers owned up to the blunder while speaking to reporters. PNC
Cincinnati’s comeback attempts were ultimately foiled after Matt McLain hit a hard line drive to St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker with the bases loaded to end the game, with the Cardinals sealing the 10-9 victory.
Myers owned up to the blunder while speaking to reporters, saying that he and Friedl had talked about plays in the gap beforehand.
“Shaded over a good bit. We had talked before the play. Anything in that gap with how we were shaded was supposed to be mine,” Myers said, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “So, I know the sun may have been tough.
Myers appeared dumbfounded while crouching in the outfield after throwing the ball back into the infield. PNC
“Pretty loud for the last out of a game. I called him off and just didn’t make the play.”
Reds skipper Terry Francona likened Myers’ game-altering error to a simple baseball mistake.
“TJ looked like he was fighting the sun and I was kind of glad that Myers called him off,” Francona said. “Just didn’t look it into his glove. Just glanced off.”
Thursday’s loss gives the Reds a 61-67 record, and they sit seven games out of the final National League wild-card spot with just over a month left in the regular season.
New York Yankees Aaron Judge watch the Yankees in the dugout when the New York Yankees played the Seattle Mariners Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.
BALTIMORE — Although the Yankees were due to play a key game at Camden Yards on Thursday night, the most important swings of the day may have come in The Bronx, where Aaron Judge started hitting off a tee.
“It went well,’’ the manager said before the Yankees topped the Orioles 6-1. “It will be good to see him [Friday] when we get home.”
Initially restricted to limited activity, Judge had moved on to playing catch and, more recently, swinging in a pool.
But if there’s any real chance of Judge getting healthy and performing up to his normal standards before the end of the season, the Yankees will have to keep an eye on the calendar.
Aaron Judge watches from the dugout during the Yankees’ loss to the Mariners on Aug. 13, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He’s already been sidelined for nearly three months and will need time to get back into playing shape when he’s completely healthy.
Another injured outfielder, Cody Bellinger, played his first minor league rehab game Thursday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after being out with a hamstring strain since suffering the injury July 25. He served as the DH and went 1-for-3.
Bellinger will likely need more than one rehab game before his return, but the Yankees haven’t ruled out a potential return this weekend at the Stadium against Toronto.
Without Bellinger, the Yankees have been forced to play Spencer Jones and Heliot Ramos more than they would like.
Boone said Giancarlo Stanton has continued his running program as he works to get back from the calf injuries that have kept him from playing since April.
Ryan McMahon didn’t play Thursday after suffering an injury to his left thumb while sliding into second base during Wednesday’s win.
The third baseman said he expected to get another scan of the injury Friday in The Bronx, but as of Thursday, no IL stint was deemed necessary, and initial X-rays showed nothing was broken.
José Caballero started at third base in McMahon’s place.
Yankees Merch Shop
WinCraft insulated can coolers
Team Effort driver head cover
47 Brand adjustable cap
Customizable jersey
Logo fleece blanket
14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
Since the Yankees were unable to pick up a catcher at the trade deadline, Mitch Garver likely is their best option if they decide to replace Ali Sánchez as Austin Wells’ backup.
Garver, released by the Mariners earlier this month, signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, and Boone said the veteran right-handed hitter has made “good strides” after working with the organization’s catching group in Tampa, Fla.
He’s been with SWB for a week, but Boone said “nothing’s imminent” in terms of Garver potentially being called up to The Bronx.
Right-hander Ben Hess, the Yankees’ fourth-best pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was placed on the 60-day IL.
Hess, 23, was the first-round pick in 2024 and was limited to 56 ²/₃ innings at Double-A this season.
