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Como beats Napoli on penalties to advance to Coppa Italia semifinals

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Como advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years after beating Italian champion Napoli in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.

Stanislav Lobotka's sudden death spot kick was saved by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to spark wild celebrations on the field in Naples as Cesc Fabregas' team won 7-6 in the shootout.

The game had ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Martin Baturina fired Como ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Antonio Vergara leveled just after the break.

Napoli came close to a winner when Amir Rrahmani saw a header cleared off the line in the second half.

Romelu Lukaku failed to score for Napoli earlier in the shootout and Maximo Perrone also missed for Como.

Napoli is a six-time winner of the Coppa Italia, most recently in 2020.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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2026 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Preview: Ketel Marte, Jazz Chisholm Jr. lead a deep group

A position often considered weak, second base has built up some legitimate depth.

The top tier consists of two elite yet injury-prone options in Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Each (predictably) missed some time last year which allowed Brice Turang to lead the position in a breakout season. Otherwise, even an aging Jose Altuve remains highly productive while Nico Hoerner has proven his consistency.

Past that group, veterans Ozzie Albie, Brandon Lowe and Gleyber Torres offer different types of profiles along with youngsters Jackson Holliday, Luke Keaschall and Ceddanne Rafaela who could be ready to take a step forward.

Marcus Semien has a chance to rejuvenate his career after landing with the Mets and Jorge Polanco may just be their clean-up hitter. Matt McLain is another year removed from injury and don’t forget about Xavier Edwards, Bryson Stott, or José Caballero for stolen bases. There are a lot of options at this position and each fits a different archetype.

Below you’ll find what the Rotoworld staff forecasts for second base heading into spring drafts, along with profiles and projections for all the top options. More fantasy baseball draft prep content is on the way in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Other position previews:

⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

⚾ 2026 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings

** Rotoworld staff consensus rankings **

PlayerPouliotSamulskiSchianoShortMontanezBissellShoveinCrawfordConsensus Avg
Jazz Chisholm Jr.212111231.63
Ketel Marte121222311.75
Brice Turang333333122.63
Luke Keaschall495474555.38
Jose Altuve644766765.75
Nico Hoerner1066645496.25
Jackson Holliday57105571547.25
Ceddanne Rafaela88159998119.63
Xavier Edwards712121112136710
Ozzie Albies25578812121010.88
Brandon Lowe191381211814811.63
Jorge Polanco91111131410181312.38
Bryson Stott121413141314101513.13
Matt McLain131014161911171714.63
Luis Garcia Jr.141718151715131415.38
Gleyber Torres16169181819191616.38
Marcus Semien251516171518161216.75
Brendan Donovan151817202025211819.25
Tommy Edman112519192520252521.13
Otto Lopez182525252516112020.63
Jose Caballero25202525251792521.38
Brett Baty172520251625252522.25
Lenyn Sosa201925252525251922.88
Jeff McNeil252525252525202524.38

Editor’s Note: Projections and dollar values courtesy of Matthew Pouliot; player rankings are based on consensus.

⚾ 2026 Second Base Projections and Previews

1) Ketel Marte — Arizona Diamondbacks

2026 Outlook: There’s never been a productivity concern with Marte, just an availability one. He’s taken at least one trip to the injured list in six of the last seven seasons and missed a combined 64 games over the past two years. On the other hand, no second baseman has come close to his .913 OPS over that same two-year span. Just last season, the only qualified players with a higher OPS were Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, George Springer, Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and Juan Soto. That is the definition of elite company. Marte’s value takes a hit in rotisserie formats because stolen bases aren’t part of his game, but he has every chance to be one of the most valuable hitters in the league… if he manages to stay healthy.

2026 projection: (Mixed $22): 520 AB, 93 R, 31 HR, 88 RBI, 4 SB, 29 2B, 2 3B, .283/.375/.525

2) Jazz Chisholm Jr. — New York Yankees

*also third base-eligible

2026 Outlook: It took a little longer than most fantasy enthusiasts might have hoped, but Chisholm finally reached the 30-30 mark for the first time in his career last season. The boost from Yankee Stadium was real, but the juicy production was backed by legitimate thump, including a 91st-percentile barrel rate. He remains a valuable source of speed and he should provide plenty of counting stats in the Yankees’ lineup. The batting average risk and injury history will keep him out of first-round consideration, but he profiles as a strong pick second-round target while carrying second base and third base eligibility.

2026 projection: (Mixed $17) 498 AB, 75 R, 30 HR, 74 RBI, 30 SB, 18 2B, 2 3B, .239/.314/.464

3) Brice Turang - Milwaukee Brewers

2026 Outlook: In a shock, Turang was the top overall second baseman in 5x5 leagues last season. Even more shocking, his ascent came as his stolen base total tumbled from 50 in 2024 to just 24 in 2025. Rather than a profile driven by speed, Turang found his groove as a run-producer. His 97 runs scored led all second basemen, 81 RBI trailed only Brandon Lowe at the position, and 18 home runs more than doubled his previous career-high. He also put up a .288 batting average, good for top-20 among all qualified batters. This may not have been a total fluke either. For the first two years of Turang’s career, he had some of the worst power metrics in the league. Last season, his average bat jumped up from 66.2 mph to 70.7 mph. With that, he more than tripled his total barrels and raised his career max exit velocity by nearly three full ticks from 108.3 mph to 111.2 mph. To give more confidence these gains could be sticky, the three months in which Turang had his fastest average bat speed were the final three of the year. There was a moderate tradeoff in hunting for more power as his strikeout rate went up and contact rate down, but neither dramatically enough to outweigh the additional damage he was able to create. Turang is a consensus top-five second baseman heading into 2026.

2026 projection: (Mixed $14) 569 AB, 83 R, 21 HR, 72 RBI, 28 SB, 26 2B, 3 3B, .255/.324/.422

4) Jose Altuve - Houston Astros

*also outfield-eligible

2026 Outlook: Is this the end for Altuve as an elite player? His .771 OPS was his lowest in a full season since 2013 and his .265 batting average was a stark break from his career norms. The speed also seems to be evaporating – which is not a shock for a 35-year-old – as he stole only 10 bases on 16 tries in 2025. On the other hand, Altuve still managed 26 home runs which tied for the fourth-most among second base eligible players despite power metrics that look more like that of a slap hitter. A failed experiment in the outfield has led to eligibility there this coming season, which is nice for his fantasy value too. Through it all, he graded out as a top-five second baseman last year and it’s hard to doubt that he can’t do so again. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt.

2026 projection: (Mixed $8): 565 AB, 80 R, 23 HR, 76 RBI, 15 SB, 25 2B, 1 3B, .262/.325/.432

5) Luke Keaschall - Minnesota Twins

2026 Outlook: Keaschall broke on the scene like a mad-man with five stolen bases, three doubles, and more than twice as many walks than strikeouts during his first week as a big leaguer last April. Then, a fractured forearm knocked him out of action for over three months. He returned in early August and was still impressive, closing the season with a .795 OPS, four home runs, nine steals, and more excellent plate discipline over his final 42 games. He figures to hit near the top of the Twins’ lineup next season and could ride his contact-oriented approach with tremendous plate discipline to a high batting average, high on-base percentage, and sit near the league lead in stolen bases.

2026 projection: (Mixed $9) 545 AB, 78 R, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 31 SB, 31 2B, 2 3B, .264/.347/.411

6) Nico Hoerner - Chicago Cubs

2026 Outlook: Hoerner is a throwback type of player. Almost no one makes more contact than him and his other elite, carrying traits are speed and defense. That makes for a very steady player that’s easy to project. He’ll have a high batting average that can sneak near .300, something like 30 stolen bases and plenty of runs scored without any meaningful power production. He’s sat between the third and sixth most valuable second baseman by earned value three years running and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fall in that same range again.

2026 projection: (Mixed $5) 528 AB, 73 R, 8 HR, 59 RBI, 26 SB, 24 2B, 3 3B, .284/.344/.386

7) Ozzie Albies - Atlanta Braves

2026 Outlook: One of the game’s most productive second baseman since he debuted nine years ago, Albies carried a poor 2024 into a much worse 2025. This two-season downturn raises legitimate questions as to whether or not he can bounce back near his previous heights. Age shouldn’t be a concern yet since he’s still 29 years old, but there are troubling signs. Albies’ batted ball quality has drifted from solid to poor over the last three years and the Braves have responded to such by moving him down in their lineup. Runs and RBI used to be a staple of his fantasy value and he will get fewer of them hitting lower in the order. Possibly notable, he had a .272 batting average in the second half with nine homers and seven steals. That made him the third most valuable 2B after the break, so maybe there’s still value here.

2026 projection: (Mixed $—) 499 AB, 62 R, 15 HR, 63 RBI, 10 SB, 24 2B, 1 3B, .248/.307/.391

8) Brandon Lowe - Pittsburgh Pirates

2026 Outlook: Lowe’s 31 home runs tied with Jazz Chisholm Jr. to lead all second base-eligible players last season. It’s the second time he’s crossed the 30-homer threshold and coincidentally, those are the only times Lowe’s played more than 130 games in a single season. Funny how that works. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance to be atop the position power-wise. It is worth noting that his new home at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is one of the most difficult places for a left-handed hitter to homer out of whereas Steinbrenner Field – the Rays’ home field last year – was quite hitter-friendly.

2026 projection: (Mixed $2) 503 AB, 70 R, 25 HR, 75 RBI, 5 SB, 26 2B, 1 3B, .249/.3170.453

9) Gleyber Torres - Detroit Tigers

2026 Outlook: Torres is what he is at this point in his career: a 20-homer bat who will steal a handful of bases and get on base a ton without a particularly high batting average. It’s not an exciting profile production wise, but everything under the hood still looks so good. Few players in the league make better swing decisions and his contact rate is quite high. Yet, his bat speed and raw power just aren’t where they were once perceived to be and his all-fields approach severely knocks down his power projection, especially in a home park like Comerica in Detroit. This is a quality real-life player, just not an exciting one in fantasy anymore. He’ll be much more valuable in OBP and points-based leagues though.

2026 projection: (Mixed $2) 564 AB, 85 R, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 5 SB, 26 2B, 1 3B, .264/.351/.410

10) Jackson Holliday - Baltimore Orioles

2026 Outlook: One of the more difficult players to project, Holliday still has the shine of a former number one overall prospect without yet producing as a big leaguer or showing the underlying skills to make us believe a jump to stardom is imminent. A near 20-20 season in 2025 came with a lowly .690 OPS, poor bat speed, and a below-average zone-contact rate. The clearest path for him to take a step forward would happen if he found a way to pull a much higher share of his fly balls. He was in the 15th percentile of such last year and that severely capped how many home runs his middling power could produce in Camden Yards which is much, much friendlier to right field compared to left. Growth there along with natural physical projection entering his age-22 season could make him a 30 homer threat overnight. Otherwise, taking him at his ADP near pick 130 requires a bit of a leap of faith.

2026 projections: (Mixed $8) 593 AB, 92 R, 22 HR, 71 RBI, 13 SB, 28 2B, 2 3B, .263/.339/.428

Syndication: Detroit Free Press
2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 Rankings: Judge and Ohtani at the top; Skenes and Skubal in Top 10
Michael Harris II, Sal Stewart and Luis Robert Jr. are on the rise in our 5x5 player rankings for 2026.

11) Jorge Polanco - New York Mets

2026 Outlook: For the first shock of the Mets’ offseason, they signed Polanco in mid-December with the expectation that he’d replace Pete Alonso as their primary first baseman. Polanco has appeared in exactly one game at first as a pro, but reportedly got work there with the Mariners’ coaches last year and the Mets have given every indication he can not only handle that position defensively, but possibly even excel. Gaining eligibility there will be great for his fantasy profile. Joining a lineup with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Bo Bichette in it won’t hurt either. There's a decent chance Polanco hits clean-up behind those three stars and with that, 30 home runs and 100 RBI are in play should he stay healthy. That’s always been the hold up with him though as he’s played over 120 games just twice in the last five seasons.

2026 projection: (Mixed $5) 545 AB, 74 R, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 6 SB, 28 2B, 1 3B, .255/.328/.442

12) Xavier Edwards - Miami Marlins

*also shortstop-eligible

2026 Outlook: After a rollicking close to the 2024 season, Edwards came out of the gate with a .263/.337/.291 slash line and just four stolen bases over the first six weeks last year. At that point, he was placed on the injured list with a back strain and replaced at shortstop by Otto López. When Edwards came back, he was installed as the Marlins’ second baseman and closed the season with a .292 batting average and 16 stolen bases over his final 97 games. That’s not quite the level of production we saw to conclude 2024, but one that was good enough to be among the top-10 second basemen by year's end. He profiles to be in that same range once again.

2026 projection: (Mixed $7) 580 AB, 77 R, 6 HR, 61 RBI, 30 SB, 24 2B, 6 3B, .291/.347/.384

13) Bryson Stott - Philadelphia Phillies

2026 Outlook: Speed and defense will always keep Stott’s floor relatively high. His production at the plate also trended up last season, but more so because the Phillies have begun to hide him a bit more from left-handed pitchers rather than any true skill improvements. He did seem to make an adjustment to be a bit more passive at the plate. This allowed him to drop his chase rate and work deeper counts. However, pitchers responded by simply throwing more pitches in the zone, unafraid of the damage Stott could do. He’s a good bet to be a near league-average hitter who will hit 10 to 15 home runs and steal around 30 bases with a middling batting average in a touch less than a true full-time role.

2026 projection: (Mixed $3) 502 AB, 68 R, 14 HR, 64 RBI, 25 SB, 24 2B, 3 3B, .263/.330/.406

14) Matt McLain - Cincinnati Reds

2026 Outlook: Evaluating McLain is a “beauty in the eye of the beholder” situation. He had a phenomenal 89-game sample in 2023 with 16 homers, 14 stolen bases, and an .864 OPS as a 23-year-old. It felt like he was one of the game’s ascending stars before a left labrum tear in spring training the following year forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. He returned last year, but was statistically one of the worst hitters in the league with a .643 OPS over 147 games. Funny enough, his profile as a hitter wasn’t extremely different in these two vastly different stretches production wise. His contact rates and the quality of his swing decisions were nearly identical. His batted ball quality dropped some, just not enough to constitute how much less damage he did. Perhaps another year removed from serious shoulder surgery helps that power come back and makes McLain a diamond in the rough after pick 200.

2026 projection: (Mixed $3) 525 AB, 77 R, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 17 SB, 24 2B, 2 3B, .248/.328/.415

15) Ceddanne Rafaela - Boston Red Sox

*also outfield and shortstop-eligible

2026 Outlook: Players like Rafaela are so fun to watch. Defensively, he’s one of the game’s best centerfielders and routinely makes catches that seem impossible on contact. Yet, he found himself pushed to second base for 24 games last year because of the Red Sox’s logjam in the outfield. He was formidable there, but significantly less valuable in a real-life sense. Especially because he’s an agent of chaos at the plate. He steps in the box without much of a plan besides wanting to do damage and take war hacks. In doing so, he chased pitches out of the zone at one of the highest rates in the league. That approach led to an extreme feast or famine profile. For example, he put up a .647 OPS over the first two months of the season, then caught fire with an .861 OPS through June and July before faltering to a .622 OPS in August and September. That all led to a poor 91 wRC+ by season’s end and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll ever become a more consistent hitter. Yet, 20 homers and 30 stolen bases are well within reach and that alone could make him a highly valuable second base eligible player.

2026 projection: (Mixed $6) 527 AB, 75 R, 17 HR, 72 RBI, 21 SB, 30 2B, 4 3B, .260/.312/.429

16) Marcus Semien - New York Mets

2026 Outlook: Is a career revival possible for Semien? After a five-year run as one of the game’s best second basemen, age began to catch up with him in 2024 as his .699 OPS was a ten-year low (2020 notwithstanding). Then, he was even worse last season and it’s fair to ask whether or not he could ever be a plus hitter again. That being said, an abysmal first 56 games with a .173 batting average and shockingly low .485 OPS destroyed his full-season line past the point of no return. In his final 71 games, Semien slashed .270/.338/.464 with 14 home runs before a foul ball fractured his foot and ended his season in late-August. That looked more like the Semien of old and maybe a trade from the Rangers to the Mets could help him get back on track.

2026 projection: (Mixed $1) 533 AB, 75 R, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 11 SB, 22 2B, 2 3B, .236/.311/.398

17) Brendan Donovan - Seattle Mariners

*also outfield-eligible

2026 Outlook: The Mariners swung a trade for Donovan late in the offseason that will likely increase his fantasy value. Without much power or speed, Donovan’s greatest assets as a player are his great hit tool and on-base ability. With the Mariners, there’s a decent chance he hits lead-off ahead of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena which would help him score more runs than he ever has. It’s also possible he hits behind that quartet in the meat of the order, which could drive up his RBI total. Again, it’s still not a sexy profile without many homers or stolen bases to speak of, but he’ll be productive elsewhere.

2026 projection: (Mixed $2) 553 AB, 82 R, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 4 SB, 31 2B, 1 3B, .284/.355/.420

18) Luis García Jr. - Washington Nationals

2026 Outlook: A popular breakout pick last year after a strong 2024, García flopped hard. He couldn’t keep his on-base percentage above .300 and played more like a replacement-level player than a starting caliber one. That’s called his role into question a bit as the Nationals front office underwent a regime change and there are rumblings he will get time at first base this coming season because of his inconsistent and mostly poor defense at second. Extra versatility and eligibility help his profile because it’s hard to project how productive he’ll be with a career .709 OPS. Yet, he still makes tons of contact, has slightly above average power, and is a willing base stealer. So, a 20-20 season is in play. He may lose his green light though with a shifting organizational philosophy and a poor track record of efficiency on the base paths.

2026 projection: (Mixed $3) 494 AB, 62 R, 18 HR, 70 RBI, 11 SB, 27 2B, 1 3B, .281/.319/.449

19) Tommy Edman - Los Angeles Dodgers

*also outfield-eligible

2026 Outlook: Edman has continued to trend in the wrong direction over the last year. A legendary run during the 2024 postseason gave way to a dreadful 2025 campaign that was overshadowed by a nagging ankle injury. The Dodgers didn’t acquire anyone to challenge him for playing time at second base heading into the season, but that same ankle injury hasn’t gone away and there are murmurs that he will miss Opening Day as we enter camp. Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas will both get a chance to siphon off reps at second given the uncertainty surrounding Edman. Those two aren’t much competition for a healthy Edman though.

2026 projection: (Mixed $5) 522 AB, 75 R, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 20 SB, 23 2B, 2 3B, .247/.303/.414

20) Brett Baty - New York Mets

*also third base-eligible

2026 Outlook: Baty entered last season as a bit of an afterthought for fantasy managers after the emergence of Mark Vientos in 2024, but the former top prospect ended up being the more productive player while showing maturity and growth defensively. The 26-year-old put himself back in the fantasy conversation with a strong month of May, but he really took off in the second half, slashing .291/.353/.477 with nine homers over 55 games while seeing time between second and third base. His improved selectivity at the plate showed up in a major jump in barrel percentage. Baty always flashed good power in the minors, so it’s very possible things are beginning to click for him. He’ll enter spring training as a bit of a question mark after the addition of Bo Bichette at third base, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for at-bats between first base, the DH spot, and left field. If the playing time is indeed there, he’ll be mixed league relevant as a multi-positional eligible player.

2026 projection: (Mixed $2) 474 AB, 67 R, 21 HR, 69 RBI, 6 SB, 25 2B, 1 3B, .262/.328/.451

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Anthony Santander out 5-6 months as Blue Jays face deluge of injuries to start spring training

Anthony Santander hitting a baseball during the 2025 ALDS.
Anthony Santander in action during the 2025 ALDS against the Yankees.

The outset of Spring Training is not treating the defending American League champions kindly.

Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander is expected to undergo surgery for the labrum in his left shoulder and miss the next five to six months, manager John Schneider told reporters in Dunedin, Fla., on Tuesday.

On top of that, Schneider said right-handed pitcher Bowden Francis will miss the entire season with ulnar collateral ligament surgery.

Fellow righty Shane Bieber is expected to start the regular season on the injured list with right forearm fatigue.

Santander, 31, was one of the big prizes of the Blue Jays’ 2025 offseason when he inked a five-year, $92.5 million contract.

But thanks to a left shoulder issue, Santander was limited to just 54 games and hit .175/.271/.294 with just six home runs.

He contributed three hits over five playoff games but was removed from the Blue Jays’ roster during the American League Championship Series when a back injury forced him off the field.

A 2024 All-Star with the Orioles, Santander, at his best, is one of the better switch-hitters in the game. During his final three-year stretch (2022-24) with Baltimore, he clubbed 105 home runs with a 124 OPS+ and averaged over 153 games per season.

Anthony Santander in action during the 2025 ALDS against the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

As for the pitching side, Francis emerged on the scene in 2024 with a 3.30 ERA over 103 2/3 innings as both a starter and reliever.

Notably, he had two starts in which he lost no-hitters in the ninth inning.

But 2025 proved not to bear the same success, as he held a 6.05 ERA before landing on the IL in June with a shoulder impingement. He did not pitch in the World Series run.

Anthony Santander is expected to miss five to six months after surgery. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

Bieber, who opted into his $16 million deal for 2026, made 11 starts for Toronto down the stretch after a trade from the Guardians, including four during the playoffs.

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JJ Redick says Lakers didn’t get LeBron James the ball enough in fourth quarter vs. OKC

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 9: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After an embarrassing beatdown in Oklahoma City earlier this season, Monday felt like a big step forward for the Lakers. However, at the same time, it felt like a big missed opportunity.

The Lakers found a formula in the third quarter that let them not only get back into the game, but take control of the contest. The team simply went to a bully ball approach that saw LeBron James pick on the smallest Thunder defenders, force his way to the basket and either finish at the rim or create an open look.

However, once the fourth quarter came around, the Lakers didn’t, or couldn’t, go back to that. The result was the Lakers struggling to find consistent offense and when they did, the shots weren’t falling. The Thunder, meanwhile, did convert on their chances and, in a make-or-miss league, that was enough to win.

After the game, head coach JJ Redick said the inability to get LeBron the ball in the fourth proved costly.

“Down the stretch at times to start the fourth, I didn’t think we did a good job of getting LeBron the ball,” Redick said. “Some of that was we called plays and we didn’t execute. Some of that was just not having just the recognition. Him playing against smaller players was how we got back in the game and we didn’t do a good job of getting him the ball.”

Oklahoma City wasn’t going to simply allow LeBron to keep punishing them without adjusting, which they did. As a result, it wasn’t quite as simple as LeBron getting a switch and being on an island to punish a defender.

Still, the Lakers made a difficult task impossible through no fault of their own. After scoring 10 points on four shots from the field and the line along with three assists in the third quarter, LeBron attempted just three shots in the final four minutes of the game, making two of them.

While the Lakers can come away from Monday’s game encouraged, they also have the overwhelming feeling of an opportunity missed as well.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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NBA clarifies controversial calls at end of Cavs win over Nuggets

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 9: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to referee Zach Zarba #15 during the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on February 9, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ thrilling last-minute victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night had two controversial calls. According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute report, both were called correctly on the floor.

First, the referees didn’t call a foul on James Harden’s three-pointer to tie the game with 33 seconds left. Tim Hardaway Jr. took away Harden’s landing space on the jumper, which usually is called a defensive foul.

The foul didn’t come, and that was supposedly the correct call.

The Last Two Minute Report states: “Harden (CLE) abnormally extends his leg as he returns to the floor to create the marginal lower body contact with Hardaway Jr. (DEN).”

I’m not sure if I agree with that one. Harden does extend his legs out when he’s shooting, but Hardaway is landing exactly where Harden took off from.

Moving on, the NBA also agrees that Donovan Mitchell was fouled by Jamal Murray on his drive with less than a second left. These two free throws led to the Cleveland victory.

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The Last Two Minute Report states: “Murray (DEN) is late to the spot and turns into Mitchell (CLE), initiating illegal body contact.”

Murray was late to the spot, but that’s a tough foul in that moment. A no-call would’ve been acceptable given the situation.

The NBA did confirm that there was one missed call in the final two minutes.

Jaylon Tyson should’ve been whistled for a three-second violation on a late Nikola Jokic turnover. From the replay, it’s clear that Tyson was camped out in the lane, and you can hear someone on the court yelling out that it should’ve been a three-second violation.

All in all, the Cavs don’t have much to complain about here, especially after they got the win.

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Rays announce Promotional Schedule for 2026

The Rays have announced the promotional schedule for the 2026 season. Each item will be made available to the first 10,000 fans in attendance.

As is tradition: The first is a schedule magnet presented by Orlando Health at the Rays Home Opener at Tropicana Field (April 6) against the Chicago Cubs.

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Bobblehead giveaways will include the following:

  • a Junior Caminero City Connect Bobblehead presented by Orlando Health (May 30 vs. Los Angeles Angels)
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  • a Jonathan Aranda Devil Rays Bobblehead presented by RIPA (May 16 vs. Miami Marlins)
  • Chandler Simpson Bobblelegs (June 27 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks)
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  • Flappy Boi Bobble (August 15 vs. Baltimore Orioles)

Other notable giveaways include:

  • a Jersey Jacket presented by Spectrum (June 20 vs. Washington Nationals)
  • a Devil Rays Retro Snapback hat presented by Dream Finders Homes (July 25 vs. Cleveland Guardians) – sponsored by the principal owner’s company
  • a Tropicana Field Tour Tee presented by Morgan Automotive Group (April 25 vs. Minnesota Twins)
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  • a Tropicana Field Light-Up Replica presented by Tropicana (May 2 vs. San Francisco Giants) sure to bring nostalgia for the giveaways of old

There will also be giveaways associated with Longo’s Legacy Weekend including:

  • an Evan Longoria Snapback hat presented by Union Home Mortgage (July 11 vs. Seattle Mariners)
  • an Evan Longoria Bobblecard presented by DEX Imaging (July 12 vs. Seattle Mariners)
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Finally, there is my personal top-three:

3. Rays Hockey Jersey presented by the Florida Department of Transportation (September 12 vs. Houston Astros) – honoring the legacy of the Thunder Dome no doubt

2. Raymond Shoulder Plush (July 26 vs. Cleveland Guardians) – like your own personal Raymond parrot

1. Devil Rays Windbreaker presented by Orlando Health (August 29 vs. San Diego Padres) – 10/10 would wear to a boat parade

Still to be released is a City Connect button up, and there are always surprises in-store for the season, as well as various theme nights throughout the year, some of which include bobbleheads, hats, or shirts.

These include a Yandy Diaz Mandalorian Bobblehead on May 4th for the nerds, an incredible Juneteenth City Connect Jersey on June 19th, and a Harry Potter hat on July 31st my eldest child would love.

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Bucks Reacts Survey: Giannis stays, Thomas arrives

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Cam Thomas #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 9, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Now that we’re several days past the NBA’s trade deadline, we’re starting to get your reactions on the Bucks’ moves and perhaps the most notable non-move in recent memory. We’ll have more on Milwaukee’s path moving forward with a belated edition of the Tuesday Tracker tomorrow, but for starters, let’s talk about the highest profile Buck and the high profile edition alongside him.

First off is Giannis. It became clearer and clearer as the deadline neared that he wouldn’t be going anywhere, and 32 minutes exactly after it passed, he tweeted out one message: “legends don’t chase. They attract.” He also included the famous meme from Wolf Of Wall Street, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character tells his company he wouldn’t be leaving. Bobby Portis also mentioned that Giannis texted him simply a deer emoji and a 100 emoji. Bodes pretty well for his future with the Bucks, no? So do you think he’ll put pen to paper when he becomes extension-eligible on October 1?

Then we have the Bucks’ signing of former Nets leading scorer Cam Thomas, which I wrote more about here. It’s a minimum contract, so there’s no financial reason not to fill that fifteenth spot, and why not with someone who is, for all his warts, an absolute bucket? Longtime NBA fans know is drawbacks, though: he’s a bit of a ball-stop, he doesn’t play defense, he gets those points by taking a lot of shot attempts (probably too many). He made a 13-minute debut in Orlando last night, and we’ll see more of him soon, but generally speaking, do you like that the Bucks brought him in?

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Blue Jays injuries: How much time will Anthony Santander, Shane Bieber miss?

The defending American League champions have been rocked by injury before spring training even begins.

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Anthony Santander will undergo left labral surgery Feb. 11 in Dallas and miss the next five to six months, manager John Schneider said on a video call on the eve of spring training. Additionally, right-hander Shane Bieber has been slowed by forearm fatigue and will not be ready for the start of the season.

And finally, right-hander Bowden Francis, who started 14 games last season, will undergo UCL reconstruction surgery and miss the entire season, Schneider said.

Santander, 31, was limited to just 54 regular season games in 2025, the first year of a five-year, $92.5 million contract, due to a left shoulder subluxation. He returned in time to play in five playoff games, but a back injury forced his removal from the ALCS roster, ending his season.

His loss will put additional pressure on a bevy of Blue Jays − infielder/outfielder Addison Barger, utilityman Davis Schneider and newcomer Kazuma Okamoto, an infielder, will all bear some of that burden.

"We built this team planned for setbacks. Different guys will have to step up," general manager Ross Atkins said. "That versatility we have and the depth we have, hopefully, we’ll be able to do that again."

Bieber, who returned from Tommy John surgery late last season, had an offseason MRI that revealed only fatigue, Schneider said. Given his ramp-up, slow playing Bieber's progression made sense this spring, though it will leave a void initially.

"We're going to make sure he's in a very, very strong position to help us win as many games as possible," Atkins said.

The Blue Jays acquired Bieber at the trade deadline before he'd made his season debut. He made his season debut Aug. 22, started seven regular season games and four more in the postseason before giving up Will Smith's go-ahead home run in the 11th inning of the Blue Jays' Game 7 World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He picked up his player option for 2025, fueling speculation that his health was still shy of optimal.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they invested heavily in pitching this offseason, signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract and Cody Ponce − returning from Japan − to a three-year, $30 million deal. They'll join Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage atop the opening-day rotation, though Yesavage may face innings limits this season after unexpectedly pitching into November as a rookie.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Santander, Shane Bieber injury news, Blue Jays status

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Mets moving Juan Soto to left field for 2026 season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 17: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets in defensive position in right field in the second inning during a game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on September 17, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While speaking to the press today, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns announced that the team is moving Juan Soto to left field for the 2026 season. The move doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as the 27-year-old was the worst defender in the big leagues in right field last year according by OAA at Statcast.

While Soto has spent the majority of his major league career in right field, he’s no stranger to playing left. He’s logged 4,000.2 innings at the position over 460 appearances, but it’s worth noting that his most recent significant playing time there came in 2023 with the Padres. Soto played just six games in left for the Yankees in 2024 and didn’t play any position other than right field in his first season with the Mets last year.

The Mets’ decision to move Soto is very likely motivated primarily by the team’s desire to maximize the value that they’re getting out of him as opposed to moving him specifically for their other outfield options. Luis Robert Jr. has played center field exclusively in his major league career, and he’s one of the better defenders in the sport at the position. And Carson Benge, who figures to be the team’s right fielder on Opening Day barring a horrendous showing in spring training, has spent some time in both corners while primarily playing center in his minor league career.

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Paul Skenes leads 14 Pirates players to represent organization at 2026 World Baseball Classic

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the 2026 Olympic Winter  Games commence in Milan-Cortina, we are a month away from the world’s best baseball players taking center stage.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place in North America this March, leading into the regular season at the end of the month. 

20 teams will compete in the WBC to earn the title as best in the world, concluding at LoanDepot Park in Miami on March 17.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be well represented with eight players from the organization set to compete.

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes will lead Team USA’s rotation, alongside AL Cy Young Tarik Skubal. The two young pitchers give the USA a leg up on the competition against talented lineups from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. 

The most represented team is the Dominican, as center fielder Oneil Cruz, closer Dennis Santana, and bullpen signee Gregory Soto will all play for their country.

Two starting infielders who will be called on in various ways to help the Pirates’ lineup are playing internationally. First baseman Spencer Horwitz will suit up for Team Israel and Nick Gonzales for Team Mexico. 

Reliever Kyle Nicolas will play for Team Italy, the country currently hosting the Olympics. 

One Pirate who has yet to make his MLB debut, but is on the 40-man roster, is going to compete. Right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly was added to the team to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft and is a member of Team Netherlands.  

Japan defeated the United States in the 2023 championship game, and Shohei Ohtani was named MVP. Ohtani will not pitch in this year’s tournament. 

The teams are separated into four polls in San Juan (A), Houston (B), Tokyo (C), and Miami (D). 

Pirates minor league players Pietro Albanez (Mexico), Emmanuel Chapman (Cuba), Po-Yu Chen (Chinese Taipei), Alessandro Ercolani (Italy), Oddanier Mosqueda (Venezuela), and Jose La Sosa (Italy) will also participate in the 2026 WBC.

The World Baseball Classic begins on March 5 and commences with the championship game at the home of the Marlins on March 17.

Pool A:

  • Canada
  • Columbia 
  • Cuba
  • Panama
  • Puerto Rico

Pool B:

  • Brazil
  • Great Britain 
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • United States of America 

Pool C: 

  • Australia
  • Chinese Taipei
  • Czechia
  • Japan
  • Korea

Pool D:

  • Dominican Republic
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • Venezuela
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Despite LeBron’s comments, Redick downplays loss to Thunder

LOS ANGELES — Regardless of what came beforehand or what’ll come afterwards — and the Lakers didn’t have much time to dwell on Monday’s loss to the Thunder since they host the Spurs Tuesday night — a matchup against the defending NBA champions will always be a measuring stick game in their quest to contend for a title. 

Their blowout victory and narrow defeat in back-to-back games to the Thunder last April showed they had what it took to compete with, and beat, anyone when they’re focused because of their high-end talent.

The blowout defeat earlier this season in November in Oklahoma City, with the Lakers missing LeBron James but the Thunder being without Jalen Williams, showed the Lakers, at the time, they lacked the requisite physicality and energy to compete with a team on the Thunder’s level.

“We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can.” Lebron James said in reference to the Lakers loss to OKC. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

What lesson came from Monday’s defeat, which came with the Lakers being without Luka Doncic but the Thunder being without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

“That’s a championship team right there,” James said. “We’re not.”

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A strong statement from James, especially considering he was asked what he saw the biggest gaps were between his team and the Thunder.

He elaborated on his sentiments.

“We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can,” James said. “That’s why they won the championship.”

The Lakers had the energy to take an eight-point lead in the third against the Thunder after trailing by as many as 14 points in the second.

But not enough to grab crucial late rebounds, with the Thunder scoring 11 second-chance points off four offensive rebounds in the fourth.

Or stick with their basic defensive principles.

Or execute their offense as desired in the ways that helped them stay in the game, and at one point have an advantage, in the first place.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrate a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP

“When you play the best teams, and Oklahoma City is clearly the best team, you have to have a really high level of effort, and you have to have a really high level of execution; it’s got to be both,” coach JJ Redick said. “For the most part, our effort was fantastic, and then key stretches of the game, our execution wasn’t great. A lot of that for me was just our defensively, our basic shell principles. To start the fourth, I didn’t think we did a good job of getting LeBron the ball. Some of that was we called plays and we didn’t execute. Some of that was just not having the recognition.”

Maybe the Thunder’s physicality eventually wore the Lakers down. Multiple Lakers players were visibly exhausted in the locker room after Monday’s game.

When fatigue factors in, the true character of a team can show.

And what Monday showed is there are gaps – even small ones that they’ve narrowed since the fall – that separate the Lakers from being a true contender.

“Obviously we have a little ways to go, but we’re on the right track,” Marcus Smart said. “The way we fought, our sense of urgency, all the way up to the last five minutes, we were playing great basketball on both ends of the floor. A good measuring stick for us. I think we’re in the right spot. We just gotta clean up some things. I think we’ll be all right.”

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Reese Olson out for the 2026 season after shoulder surgery

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 24: Reese Olson #45 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park on July 24, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Alright, this we did see coming. After two years of shoulder trouble, and seven months removed from his last start, it was clear that if Reese Olson was still having issues, it was time for surgical intervention.

The Detroit Tigers have announced that the right-hander underwent right labral repair surgery on his right shoulder on February 2, and will miss the 2026 season. He and Jackson Jobe, whose recovery from 2025 Tommy John surgery will keep him out until at least the second half of the season, have both been moved to the 60-day injured list. Those moves open 40-man roster spots for Framber Valdez, whose deal is now official, and Justin Verlander, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Tigers earlier today.

It’s a tough blow to Olson, whose early promise in 2024 has been derailed for two seasons. Hopefully, he can finally get this all resolved and return fully healthy and ready to go in 2027. For now, Scott Harris and the Tigers have added ample reinforcements to make up for his absence.

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There's a new sheriff in town for the Giants, and his name is Tony Vitello

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Tony Vitello was more nervous Tuesday talking about a Waymo trip he planned to take in a driverless car this spring than he was for his first day on the job as manager of the San Francisco Giants.

Vitello, in his first spring-training press conference, rambled, philosophized, cajoled, and turned the first day of the Giants’ camp into a businessmen’s meet-and-greet. He didn’t give out name-tags, but required everyone to wear their official spring training jerseys with their names on the back.

“You want to set a vibe,’’ Vitello said, “for what you want your team to be.’’

It’s a new era in San Franciso, where the Giants took the biggest gamble in all of baseball this winter with the hiring of Vitello, a wildly successful college coach at Tennessee, but the first to transition directly from a college to MLB manager in baseball history.

“The one thing I will say without hopefully sounding too preachy,’’ Vitello said, “is college coaches deserve a lot of credit.’’

The biggest challenge Vitello immediately faces is his lack of familiarity with his own team. He coached two of the Giants’ players at Tennessee: outfielder Drew Gilbert and pitcher Blade Tidwell. He recruited, albeit unsuccessfully, two Giants to be on his college team: Sam Hentges when he was at Arkansas and first baseman Bryce Eldridge at Tennessee.

But, for the rest, well, there was a reason he traveled to meet Jung Hoo Lee in South Korea, Willy Adames in the Dominican Republic, and moved into his spring-training home three weeks ago to meet early arrivals and players who live in the Phoenix area.

“It’s a little different when you don’t have the recruiting background as far as relationships go,’’ Vitello said. “I just wanted to let everyone know where I was coming from. … I think there’s decisions and conversations that come with any role, so by now at least everybody hopefully knows my name.’’

While Vitello claims he rambled during his introductory speech with the team, arriving about 20 minutes late for his first spring training press conference, his boss, Buster Posey, and the Giants’ players disagreed.

Nothing personal against former manager Bob Melvin, who was fired after the season − just two months after his option was exercised − but the Giants raved about the energy and passion exhibited by Vitello.

“It was inspiring, pretty amped up in a good way,’’ Giants reliever Ryan Walker told USA TODAY Sports. “Bo-Mel was like chill. He’s at one level. He would introduce himself, tell us what the goal for the season is, and that kind of stuff. It was all in a chill-like voice.

“Then, you get Vitello, who’s more energetic. He’s coming from college so he’s got this louder voice, bringing more energy to the meeting.’’

More from Bob Nightengale: Dusty Baker has some advice for MLB's historic class of newbie managers

It was no different than back in 2014, Hentges says, when Vitello recruited him out of high school in Shoreview, Minnesota Hentges was drafted by Cleveland in the fourth round and turned pro. Still, he kept in touch with Vitello over the years, and when it was time for him to decide where he wanted to pitch after missing last season with shoulder surgery, Vitello was the difference-maker.

“We haven’t been super, super tight,’’ Hentges said, “but I kept tabs with him. So, I was super excited, and obviously it’s super cool to see him again. He gave me a little jab about finally coming to join him, but I told him that he did all right for himself the last 10 years without me.

“Guys in here who have played for him at Tennessee keep raving about him. He’s got a great baseball mind, (is) a great motivator, and I’ve heard he’s a great leader. A big, big energy guy. I know it’s a different situation going straight from college to the big leagues, but I think he’s fully capable of it.’’

Giants All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman says he has spent quality time with Vitello the last few weeks working out in Phoenix, exchanging ideas and thoughts to help the Giants get back to the postseason for the first time in five years. The Giants won 107 games in 2021, interrupting the Dodgers’ NL West division title dynasty, but haven’t produced a winning record since, and are now on their third manager in four years.

“We have high hopes for this team,’’ said Posey, president of baseball operations, who could have brought back future Hall of Fame manager Bruce Bochy, but instead took the gamble with Vitello. Bochy was hired as a special advisor, joining Dusty Baker.

Certainly, one spring training morning is not going to validate Posey’s bold move to hire Vitello, but being with him in the back fields, watching how he interacted and worked with players, only cemented his decision.

“The first time I got to see him (coaching players) was when we were in Korea and he started working with some high schoolers,’’ Posey said, “and I just saw a switch come on. I saw it today in the meeting when he’s addressing the pitchers. What I’ve learned about him is that he’s really good about turning that switch on when he needs to carry himself very confidently.

“He talked a lot about mentality and mindset, which I’m a big believer in as well. It’s hard to glean too much from the first day of pitchers and catchers, but we’re off to a good start.’’

The players immediately embraced the idea of wearing their spring-training uniforms with their names across the back. It was a professional look, straight out of the pages of Hall of Fame managers Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.

You look like a professional ballplayer, you play like one.

“Putting on your jersey and going out there was like putting on a Superman cape,’’ Walker said. “You got out there with a certain composure and a certain mindset.’’

It was Vitello saying, “There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Tony Vitello.’’

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello looks on during a Spring Training workout at Scottsdale Stadium.

“He loves the game and he’s passionate about teaching,’’ Posey said. “I think that’s why he had a successful career in the college ranks, and why I think he’ll be successful here as well because those two things will take you a long ways as a coach. I think the guys will feel quickly that he’ll be in the trenches with them. And he’ll care about them. But if he needs to push them, he’ll push them as well. …

“I think Tony’s authentic, and for me if you’re true to yourself and authentic, I think people will buy into it.’’

You don’t need to convince Chapman, a nine-year veteran, who already is a Vitello believer.

“From all of my interactions with him,’’ Chapman said, “I’m super excited to have him in charge. I feel like he’s going to do a great job for us. I feel like he’s got a really good baseball mind. You can tell he’s smart and is intense and competitive. I think he’s going to be a good fit for us.’’

And yes, even without a single day of professional experience.

“I mean, whether you’re playing at the highest level in college or the major leagues or the minor leagues,’’ Chapman said, “winning baseball looks the same. It’s pitching, defense, knowing how to run the bases and then managing personalities and managing guys. So, he has a lot of experience doing that.

“There is obviously going to be a learning curve in some areas. You can’t fully know how to run a major league clubhouse unless you’ve been in one. But I think it’s not something foreign to him. He’s a baseball guy, you know? He’s done things at a high level, so I think the transition will be smooth.’’

The Giants are confident Vitello can make the transition, even giving him the largest contract in history for a first-year manager, paying him $3.5 million annually for three years. If it works, the Giants could be trend-setters. If it fails, well, maybe there was a reason this has never happened before in MLB history.

But ... why hasn’t anyone ever hired a manager directly from the college ranks before?

“I’m assuming like all of the things that have been written,’’ Posey said, “it’s 162 games versus 60. You’re dealing with players that are making a lot of money. I do think that there used to be a bigger gap between college and professional baseball. Now, I think that gap has shrunk some.’’

If the Giants win, and Vitello gets strong reviews, could it open the door for other collegiate coaches?

“We’ll see,’’ Posey said. “I hope I’m not hiring a manager for 20 years.’’

And for Vitello, well, the two words he lives by are risk and challenge, whether it’s the risk and challenge of managing the Giants, or the risk and challenge of taking that first autonomous Waymo ride.

“We’re in the Waymo capital of the world, which is kind of creepy,’’ Vitello said. “I think I maybe got to do it just for the experience. I’ll probably jump in one at some point. Maybe I’ll take a video and document it.

“But I think I’m going to make sure it’s a very short ride.’’

And long ride as manager of the Giants.

Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Giants manager Tony Vitello officially begins college to MLB jump

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PECOTA projects 88.4 wins, 2nd place NL East finish for the 2026 Mets

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 23: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets bats in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 23, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Baseball Prospectus has released its PECOTA projections for 2026. PECOTA projects the 2026 Mets to win 88.4 games and come in second place in the National League East, and it puts the Mets’ chances of making the playoffs at 78.3% with a 28.5% chance of winning the division and a 49.8% chance of finishing with an NL Wild Card berth.

As for the rest of the NL East, PECOTA taps the Braves as the likeliest division winners, projecting Atlanta for 92.2 wins and over 90% playoff odds. The top three teams in the NL East are once again tightly packed with the Phillies projected for 85.1 wins with 58.9% playoff odds. Not surprisingly, there is a large gap between those top three teams and the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, who are projected for 75.2 and 65.6 wins, respectively.

Taking a deeper dive into what PECOTA likes and doesn’t like about the 2026 Mets, the short answer is that the lineup is headlined by two very good players in Juan Soto (156 DRC+, 5.7 WARP projection—behind only Shohei Ohtani for all hitters) and Francisco Lindor (121 DRC+, 3.7 WARP projection). Going further down the depth chart, PECOTA predicts a bounce back season from Marcus Semien offensively (101 DRC+) and projects above average offensive production from all of Bo Bichette, Francisco Alvarez, Jorge Polanco, and even Mark Vientos. PECOTA also notably thinks Luis Robert Jr. will have a fully healthy season, penciling him in for 535 plate appearances of roughly average output with the bat, which would put him at 2 WARP and would represent a huge upgrade over what the Mets got out of the center field position last year.

On the other hand, PECOTA projects only 14.8 WARP from the Mets’ pitching staff—ten wins less than what it projects from their position players. Though it is quite bullish on the Mets’ bullpen and thinks Devin Williams projects similarly to Edwin Díaz in 2026, PECOTA is not enamored with Nolan McLean, despite his prospect ranking and big league success last year. McLean is projected to throw just 150 innings and put up a 100 DRA- and less than 2 WARP—pretty pedestrian numbers for what the Mets are hoping is a top of the rotation starter. McLean is probably the most obvious candidate to overperform his PECOTA projections. PECOTA does think Freddy Peralta (91 DRA-, 2.8 WARP projection) will have a very Freddy Peralta season—the exact boon to the rotation the Mets hoped for when they traded for him. And it is also intriguingly optimistic about Sean Manaea (90 DRA-, 1.3 WARP projection), but has him down for only 80 innings. PECOTA is less optimistic about the rest of the Mets’ rotation, which it projects as below average outside of Jonah Tong, who PECOTA thinks will make 11 starts with a 91 DRA-.

Both the Mets and the Atlanta Braves had disappointing finishes in 2025. The Mets turned over a significant chunk of their roster in response while the Braves are trusting their core and more or less running it back in 2026—an approach the other major competitor in the division in the Philadelphia Phillies is also taking this season. PECOTA projects a bounce back for both the Mets and the Braves, but a much more significant one for Atlanta, whose position player core outside of the shortstop position PECOTA likes quite a bit, expecting a regression to the mean for many of the Braves’ key players.

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Another incomprehensible LeBron James streak comes to an end

Another milestone streak is ending for LeBron James.

James, the 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers icon, will miss his 18th game of the 2025-26 regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 10, officially making him ineligible for individual awards and All-NBA honors.

This snaps a streak that is practically incomprehensible, of 21 consecutive appearances on All-NBA teams.

Put another way: this will mark the first time since the 2004 offseason — three years before the release of the first-ever iPhone — that the All-NBA teams will not feature James.

The Lakers are set to host the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, and the team is listing James as being out with left foot arthritis.

James had previously indicated that he would not be playing the back ends of back-to-back games for the rest of the season, needing to manage the strain on his body.

Tuesday’s game is the second leg of a back-to-back, after Los Angeles dropped a game Monday, Feb. 9, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James had missed the first 14 games of the season with a right sciatica nerve issue, eventually making his debut Nov. 18 in a game against the Utah Jazz.

The time sidelined with the sciatica issue cast doubt on his ability to reach the minimum threshold of 65 games for postseason award eligibility, especially because of James’ approach to back-to-backs.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.

James ranks first all-time in All-NBA selections, which is six more than the three players tied for second-most: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. James’ 13 first-team selections are two more than the players with the second-most first-team selections, Bryant and Karl Malone.

Even if James were eligible for postseason awards, however, it would’ve been a stretch for him to make the lists; James is averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, which is unprecedented for someone his age, but may be insufficient for All-NBA nods.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James injury update ends remarkable NBA streak