UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Victor Wembanyama will be in action for Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite giving Naz Reid a tracheotomy with his razor-sharp elbows.
The San Antonio Spurs star center avoided a suspension after being ejected in the first half of Game 4 for throwing a nasty elbow that would even make Ludacris blush.
With Wemby in the mix, San Antonio is favored by double digits, and my Timberwolves vs. Spurs predictions aren't anticipating a blip in his production tonight.
I explain further with my NBA picks for Tuesday, May 12.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, with the game airing on NBC.
Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 5 prediction
Who will win Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 5?
Spurs: The Timberwolves made the most of Wembanyama’s absence in the second half of Game 4 and knotted this series at 2-2.
No other player in the NBA impacts his team’s fortunes like the lanky Frenchman. His presence in the paint allows this San Antonio defense to push everything to the outside and cheat the passing lanes, knowing Wembanyama is behind them.
Minnesota won’t go down easy, but in the end, the Spurs get the win at home. San Antonio is 12-3 SU when laying -10 or more at home, but just 6-8-1 ATS in those outings.
Timberwolves vs Spurs best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 12.5 rebounds (-125)
Before getting the boot in Game 4, Victor Wembanyama had four boards on 9.0 potential rebounds in just 12 minutes. That opening effort put him on pace for another 15+ rebounding performance.
In the three games prior, Wembanyama snatched up 15 rebounds in each outing on almost 22 rebounding chances per game. Wemby has plucked at least 13 boards in a dozen of his previous 15 games prior to the Game 4 ejection.
With the series swinging back to San Antonio, Minnesota’s shooting could take a dip. That means more rebounding chances for Wembanyama, who is projected for as many as 15+ boards again.
San Antonio showed a lot of fight after Wembanyama got tossed in Game 4. The San Antonio Spurs were able to go small and got excellent efforts from De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper.
That gives this team something to take back to San Antonio, where its 7-footer will patrol the paint and push Minnesota to the outside. The Timberwolves haven’t been great from beyond the arc in the series, shooting just 35% from deep.
Those misses turn into long rebounds, which feed the San Antonio transition offense.
Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP
Spurs moneyline
Victor Wembanyama Over 12.5 rebounds
Ayo Dosunmu Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Shootout at the Alamo
Game script says the Timberwolves trail big and need to hit some triples to close the gap.
With Victor Wembanyama back on the floor, Minnesota gets pushed to the perimeter, where Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu do the heavy lifting.
The Spurs counter, as Wemby and Fox both shoot considerably better from beyond the arc at home.
Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP
Victor Wembanyama Over 2.5 threes
De’Aaron Fox Over 1.5 threes
Anthony Edwards Over 2.5 threes
Ayo Dosunmu Over 1.5 threes
Timberwolves vs Spurs bonus bet: Ayo Dosunmu Over 1.5 threes (+110)
The Minnesota Timberwolves shot nine of their 27 total 3-point attempts in the first quarter of Game 4. But when Wembanyama got bounced, the T-Wolves bailed on the outside shooting and attacked the unprotected rim.
Minnesota had shot 30 and 40 3PAs in the two games prior, so with Wembanyama clear of a suspension, expect the T-Wolves to get pushed back out to the perimeter in Game 5.
Dosunmu went 1 for 4 from 3-point range in Game 4, which was a stark decline from his 3-for-8 effort from outside in Game 3. He missed Game 1 due to injury and was limited to only 10 minutes in Game 2, shooting 0 for 1 from distance.
In Round 1, Dosunmu averaged 2.4 triples on 4.4 3PAs and knocked down 1.8 makes from long range at a 44% clip during the regular season. His 3-point prop for Game 5 is offering great value on the Over 1.5, considering game script and projections at 1.8 3PMs.
Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)
Timberwolves vs Spurs betting trend to know
The San Antonio Spurs have gone Over their team total in 27 of their last 45 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Spurs.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 5
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Tuesday, May 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Timberwolves vs Spurs latest injuries
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after dunking the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.
Mark Williams. The acquisition came moments after the Phoenix Suns drafted Khaman Maluach, leaving many people confused. It was obvious Phoenix already had a deal lined up with the Charlotte Hornets before the draft even started. Then the Duke center falls into their lap at 10, and the Suns still execute the trade to acquire another Duke center anyway. A team that had almost no depth at center suddenly had plenty of it. They also had a built-in succession plan.
The question with Williams was always the same. Can he stay healthy? Because if he can, the skill set is there for him to be a quality starting center in the NBA. He rim runs. He has strong hands. He provides rim deterrence. The wingspan is massive. Above all else, he runs. The motor is real.
That’s what made this season important. The Suns essentially got a test drive. They acquired him on a $6.3 million contract with a team option, one they ultimately picked up, and now they have a clearer picture of what he is heading into restricted free agency.
So now comes the next phase of the Mark Williams conversation. Do you bring him back? And if you do, how much are you willing to pay?
I’ll start by acknowledging that Mark Williams had a good year for the Phoenix Suns. He exceeded expectations relative to games played, appearing in 60 contests and blowing past his previous career high by 15 games. When called upon, the production was there. He averaged 11.7 points on 64.4% shooting, adding 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
Part of me still wonders what it could have looked like if the Suns leaned into him more offensively. It felt like whenever they involved him, the results were positive. Too often, the team drifted back toward perimeter-heavy basketball, and Williams’ overall numbers suffered because of it.
As the season wore on, the injuries piled up. We never saw him in the postseason, and that matters when discussing his value on the open market. Through the first 50 games of the year, Williams played in 45, and his value was climbing. Then the back half of the season reminded everyone what the risk is with him. Injuries are part of the equation. If you’re making the argument to keep Mark Williams, that has to be part of the conversation.
So why should the Phoenix Suns retain Mark Williams? I think it starts with the organization’s timeline. You have a young center in Khaman Maluach who will be 20 years old next season. The flashes are there, still, there’s a lot of development left in front of him. If you have the opportunity to build a buffer and support system around that development, it should be a priority. That’s where Williams comes in.
The key becomes the contract, and this is where Phoenix has leverage. Williams is a restricted free agent, meaning he can test the open market and see what teams are willing to offer. The Suns then decide whether they want to match. At the same time, Phoenix can use the threat of matching to push for a sign-and-trade if another team values Williams higher than they do.
Let’s use the Brooklyn Nets as an example. Say Brooklyn offers Williams three years, $60 million. Personally, I think that’s above where his value should land, and I’d imagine Phoenix feels similarly. At that point, the Suns have two options. Option one: let him walk. He heads to Brooklyn and earns $20 million a season. Option two: force the conversation into sign-and-trade territory. Phoenix tells Brooklyn that if they want Williams, they need to work with the Suns. Otherwise, Phoenix threatens to match the deal.
It becomes a high-stakes game of chicken. If multiple teams are bidding, Phoenix gains leverage. If only one team is truly interested, that leverage starts to disappear.
That being said, with his qualifying offer at $9.6 million, I think the Phoenix Suns would be smart to offer Mark Williams a three-year, $36 million deal, with the final season as a team option. It gives Williams security over the next couple of years and gives him runway to position himself for a bigger payday later if the health and availability continue trending in the right direction. It also gives Phoenix two more years, with the option for a third, to continue developing Khaman Maluach. That’s the priority here. If Maluach starts accelerating faster than expected, you can always move off Williams later, and that contract would be attractive to another team.
My guess is the Suns probably come in higher than that. Something closer to three years, $48 million, around $16 million annually. Hopefully, they build in that team option. Even at that number, I don’t know if I’d be upset. It might be a slight overpay. But if you’re viewing this through the lens of the next few seasons, it becomes a tradable contract if needed.
The goal for Phoenix right now is continuity and development, and bringing back Williams supports both. You still have to be financially responsible in how you approach it. At the same time, retaining him should be a priority. He’s a good player and an ideal bridge option before eventually passing the baton to Khaman Maluach when the time comes.
For those reasons, I think you keep Mark Williams.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 9: The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As basketball fans, we know that there is no rest for the weary. Sure, the Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But life and the playoffs go on. Here are the games for today, May 11, 2026.
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers — 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers — 10:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Laker fans cheer during a slam dunk by LeBron James. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
It’s true that the arena feels more like a stage than a furnace. ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke commented on it just before tipoff of Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers.
“Is this building remarkably quiet for a playoff game?” she asked Dave Pasch. She wasn’t wrong. But she wasn’t entirely right either.
A Lakers game doesn’t behave like other NBA arenas. It’s not meant to be a college-like atmosphere, or have a PA announcer yelling at the crowd what to do every second of the game.
Lakers fans cheering at Game 2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
Former Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss always envisioned a Lakers game as a theatrical experience.
He wanted fans to experience a “show.” He added a live band, the Laker girls, and courtside celebrities. He dimmed the crowd lights low and put a spotlight on the court. He mixed basketball with Hollywood glamour, music and performance. He wanted you to feel like you were in “the hottest night club” in town.
It was a must-see event, and fans flocked to be seen.
And that is still the vibe to this very day.
Bad Bunny sitting courtside at a Lakers game. Getty ImagesMatthew Stafford and Kelly Hall watching a Lakers game. Getty Images
In OKC, the experience is engineered. A voice booms through the speakers, directing every emotional beat. “Stand up!” “Get Loud!” Chant “De-fense” on cue.
The arena is much smaller, the ceiling lower, the acoustics sharper. The sound has nowhere to go but down. Yes, it’s louder, and an exceptional atmosphere, but it’s also a lot different than LA for a reason.
In Houston, at the Toyota Center, they leaned on volume too—sometimes artificially.
The in-house sound system is the loudest we’ve ever heard. It’s constantly blasting music that rattles your chest and hurts your ear drums. But turn that music off and you’ll notice a half-empty arena for a playoff game with at least 40% of the fans in attendance wearing purple and gold.
When the Lakers go on a run, and the music stops playing, guess which fanbase you hear?
Once again the Toyota Center is half-empty at tipoff. The red you see are empty seats with t-shirts on them. For those in attendance, there’s a lot of purple and gold pic.twitter.com/oqppXrH33F
At a Lakers game, there is no conductor commanding the crowd or music to drown out everyone.
Lakers fans operate on instinct. They recognize matchups before they unfold. They sense momentum shifts like a change in the wind. When the moment demands it, the building responds organically. Not because it was told, but because it knows it has to.
Lakers fans watch a game from the sidelines. William Navarro-Imagn Images
During several sequences in Game 3, the referees didn’t blow the whistle on obvious fouls committed by the Thunder.
ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke commented on the atmosphere just before tipoff of Game 3 between the Thunder and Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
They knew the history of one of the worst officiated games ever seen in Game 2. “Refs you suck!” The sellout crowd chanted in unison. Minutes later, after Rui Hachimura drained a corner three, they chanted “Rui! Rui! Rui!”
That nuance doesn’t always translate on television.
It’s Leonard DiCaprio, Will Ferrell, and Noah Wyle.
Emmy Award-winning actor Noah Wyle with his wife Sara Wells clapping at a Lakers game. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Some celebrities are diehards. Some are guests. Some are there because a studio handed them a seat hours before tipoff to promote their new movie, show, or album. The result can feel detached through a screen.
But that’s only a fraction of the room.
Beyond the floor is a different audience.
Season-ticket holders who have been through every era of Lakers basketball. They know the playoffs are not a fashion show but a war of attrition. Fans will save for months just to sit in the upper bowl and cheer for four quarters. Tourists from all over the world come for the experience of seeing LeBron James and the Lakers in action.
But the Lakers are just one experience in a city that never stops moving.
Flea sticking out his tongue next to Melody Ehsani at a Lakers game. Getty Images
On any given night you can see the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers a few miles away. LAFC and LA Galaxy are kicking off down the street. There’s concerts, movie premieres, live shows. It’s a constant competition for attention.
OKC doesn’t have that problem. The Thunder are the main event in town. They are the only event in town.
So yes, Lakers fans can arrive late and leave early. Traffic will do that to you. They’ll take photos because everything in L.A. is a backdrop. And yes, they’ll even bet against their own team. But they’re also one of the largest and well-represented fanbases in the world.
The Lakers playoff atmosphere might not be the loudest in the NBA.
But it might be the most misunderstood.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 10: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees dives back to first base against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are dealing with their fair share of injuries these days, but most of them are cases that they have known about for a while and are currently rehabbing or working their way back. There were no new concerns… until Monday.
Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reported that infielder José Caballero, who had been solid as a fill-in for injured shortstop Anthony Volpe, hurt the middle finger on his right hand while sliding back to base on Sunday.
Per the insider, Caballero has received treatment, but feels enough discomfort to warrant an MRI, which is definitely not what the team wanted to hear. There is a chance the finger is not fractured, and the infielder himself believes that’s not the case, but we know better than trusting players on their own physical ailments.
After the conclusion of Monday’s game, Caballero is expected to return to New York to see a hand specialist as well as Dr. Christopher Ahmad, the Yankees’ physician, to get a look at the injury. Bombers’ manager Aaron Boone told Phillips that “there’s definitely some concern” over Caballero’s finger.
Aaron Boone said "there's definitely some concern" over José Caballero's finger. He's gonna go back to NY to see a hand specialist and Dr. Ahmad after tonight's game. #Yankeeshttps://t.co/BymUichwJO
Caballero had a rough start to his season, but has improved considerably in recent weeks. He is slashing a solid .259/.320/.400 with four home runs, 18 runs scored, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and a 104 wRC+. He’s already at 1.1 fWAR, fourth on the team among position players behind Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Ben Rice.
Caballero had been so good that the Yankees recently optioned starting shortstop Anthony Volpe to the minor leagues after his own rehab stint was up. If the former needs a trip to the injured list, the latter will almost certainly be back on the major league roster.
Max Schuemann is playing shortstop for the Yankees on Monday’s opener against the Baltimore Orioles in Caballero’s absence.
As the Montreal Canadiens push for a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres, all eyes will be on goaltender Jakub Dobes.
My Sabres vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks expect Buffalo to throw everything they have offensively to stay alive, but Dobes is primed to meet the moment and stand tall on Tuesday, May 12.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & goal scorer pick.
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4 prediction
Who will win Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4?
Buffalo Sabres: This has the makings of a back-and-forth series, and I’m anticipating a pushback from Buffalo in Game 4.
The Sabres have only scored three times on Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes across the past two games despite recording an impressive 6.94 expected goals, and Dobes’ .947 save percentage during the two-game stretch is set to dip.
Sabres vs Canadiens best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 25.5 saves (-110)
The Montreal Canadiens have received elite goaltending from Jakub Dobes, with a .947 save percentage and 3.94 goals saved above expected over the past two games, and he sports a .918 SV% with 0.591 GSAx per 60 minutes in the postseason.
Buffalo converted at a 49.2% rate during the regular season and 46.6% mark in Round 1. So with an added emphasis on funneling pucks to the net, in addition to a slight statistical correction in converting attempts into shots, Dobes is set to be busy again in Game 4.
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4 same-game parlay
Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov collected an assist in Games 1 and 3, and he’s been on the ice for five goals and 4.37 expected goals through three games. He’s a key puck distributor on the No. 1 power-play unit and has averaged 5:04 per night with the man advantage this postseason.
Additionally, while Demidov has been held to just three shots during Round 2, he’s registered 14 attempts (21.4%). I’m anticipating him converting attempts to shots at a higher rate in Game 4 after hitting the net 17 times on 43 attempts in Round 1 (39.5%) and at a 45.0% rate during the regular season.
Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Lane Hutson has recorded two or more shots in six of 10 postseason games while quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and pacing the Habs in offensive zone starts at 5-on-5.
Sabres vs Canadiens SGP
Ivan Demidov Over 0.5 assists
Ivan Demidov Over 1.5 shots
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4 goal scorer pick
Alex Tuch (+225)
Buffalo veteran Alex Tuch has been a force for the Sabres despite looking for his first goal of the series. Tuch has paced the club with 1.63 expected goals and 10 scoring chances, while his five high-danger scoring chances rank second. Plus, the go-to winger continues to skate on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, and he scored four times across six Round 1 games.
The Montreal Canadiens have won 17 of their last 25 games (+8.45 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
CBC, ESPN
Sabres vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Feb 27, 2026; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; A detail view of Toronto Blue Jays spring training hat during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
So a day with actual Jays’ news. Barger to IL, Lauer to anywhere else. Pinango back and Yariel back on the 40-man and the 26-man all at the same time.
De’Aaron Fox has been listed as questionable for Game 5 on May 12 against the Minnesota Timberwolves with left ankle soreness. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center with the series knotted at 2-2.
The left ankle soreness is a new concern for Fox, who hasn’t missed a game since March 25. He played 37 minutes in Game 4 on Sunday, finishing with 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Spurs’ 114-109 loss. He only shot 8-for-23 and 1-for-7 from 3-point range.
Fox’s role, the player who can get into the paint and create when Wembanyama draws extra defensive attention, has been critical to San Antonio’s success this postseason. Over four second-round games, he has averaged 16.8 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals. In the first round against Portland, he put up 21 points and nine assists in the clincher, then went for 28 in Game 4 to help set up the close.
He has helped keep the Spurs offense moving when Wembanyama is being schemed against and San Antonio relies on him.
With the series tied and home court back on their side, the Spurs have a chance to reclaim control in Game 5. Doing it without Fox would put enormous pressure on Wembanyama and a supporting cast that has been inconsistent.
If Fox cannot play, Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson would likely see increased playing time. Harper posted 24 points on 72.7% shooting in Game 4 and has emerged as a reliable secondary creator. Johnson finished with just four points in 17 minutes.
San Antonio enters Game5 has heavy favorites. The series winner advances to the Western Conference Finals to face the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder–Los Angeles Lakers series.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19, 2026: Gavin Kilen #5 of the San Francisco Giants bats during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Cincinnati Reds at Scottsdale Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
It’s time for another massive roundup covering the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates and all their weekend games, starting on Friday. That’s a whole lot of baseball to get to, so let’s get to it!
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
The big news on the farm is, of course, that San Francisco traded catcher Patrick Bailey, which brought 2 very valuable assets to the Minor League system: the No. 29 pick in July’s draft, and LHP Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. Tugboat is more than just a great name for a very large man: he’s also a very strong pitching prospect who has been dominating the Eastern League this year. The 23-year old, who was taken in the 10th round of the 2023 draft out of Central Arizona College, has a 1.59 ERA and a 2.58 FIP in 6 starts this year, with 36 strikeouts against 9 walks in 28.1 innings. He has a low-mid 90s fastball, tons of deception, and some great command. Welcome to the system, Tugboat!
Joining Wilkinson in Richmond is RHP Ben Peterson, who was promoted from High-A Eugene. Richmond RHP Logan Martin was placed on the Injured List.
In sadder news, the Giants released a pair of players: Richmond RHP Cameron Pferrer and LHP Dylan Carmouche.
And in happier news, Richmond LHP Joe Whitman (No. 26 CPL) was named Pitcher of the Week in the Eastern League, while High-A Eugene shortstop Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) was named Player of the Week in the Northwest League!
AAA Sacramento (20-17)
Friday: Sacramento River Cats lost to the Reno Aces 2-1 [box score] Saturday: Sacramento River Cats lost to the Reno Aces 4-2 [box score] Sunday: Sacramento River Cats beat the Reno Aces 9-7 [box score]
With Bryce Eldridge (No. 1 CPL) and Jesús Rodríguez (No. 16 CPL) in the big show, the most notable part of Sacramento’s roster right now is the rehabbing players. A trio of Major Leaguers are rehabbing with the River Cats right now, and they all showed good things over the weekend.
Catcher Daniel Susac (No. 20 CPL) is the most notable of the 3, simply because of the shocking Patrick Bailey trade on Saturday, which sets Susac up to to play a huge role in the Majors going forward. He played twice over the weekend — once at catcher and once at designated hitter — and went 4-7 with a hit by pitch and a strikeout. Tony Vitello said a few days ago that Susac won’t join the Giants for their series against the Dodgers (a 4-game set that begins tonight) but it certainly seems like he’s close to returning, and splitting catching duties with Rodríguez.
Harrison Bader played all 3 games, starting twice in center field and once at designated hitter, before getting activated ahead of Monday’s game. After going just 1-7 with 2 strikeouts on Friday and Saturday, the right-hander exploded on Sunday when he reached base in all 4 plate appearances, with a solo home run, 2 walks drawn, a hit by pitch, and a stolen base.
Bader had just a .338 OPS and a -9 wRC+ with the Giants before landing on the IL, so the hope is that his time in Sacramento got his bat back on track. The Giants could certainly use an offensive boost at the position, as Drew Gilbert hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire in Bader’s absence (Gilbert has a .634 OPS and an 80 wRC+).
There wasn’t much notable offense to speak of beyond the rehabbing pair. Third baseman Buddy Kennedy and first baseman/third baseman Jake Holton continued looking like decent AAA depth in their debut seasons in the organization. Kennedy hit 2-8 with a 2-run home run and a strikeout, and now has a .918 OPS and a 144 wRC+; Holton went 2-10 with a solo home run, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts, which gives him a .739 OPS and a 107 wRC+ in his 1st season of AAA ball.
Outfielder Grant McCray, who played all 3 grassy positions over the weekend, has fallen back into a slump following a brief hot stretch. The lefty went 1-13 with 3 strikeouts over the weekend, which moved his batting average back to the interstate, whole lowering his OPS to .647 and his wRC+ to 79.
The 3rd rehabbing player was on the mound, as LHP Erik Miller opened Sunday’s game with a scoreless inning, giving up a hit and striking out a batter. Miller expressed optimism that his IL stint would be short, and that’s great news to anyone who has watched the Giants bullpen lately.
As for the prospects pitching, Sacramento used a trio of notable starters, with 3 very different results: bad, good, and in between.
The bad belonged to RHP Carson Seymour, who “started” Sunday’s game after Miller’s rehab inning. Seymour made it through 5 innings, but it was a bit of a mess. He allowed 8 hits (which included a homer and 2 doubles), hit a batter, and gave up 5 runs. He only walked 1 hitter, which is good, but he also only struck out 2.
It’s been a disappointing season for Seymour, a 27-year old who made his MLB debut last year. While he’s done a good job limiting walks, Seymour has only struck out 27 batters in 33 innings, and just doesn’t appear to have the electric stuff he has at times shown in the past. On the whole, it’s a 5.18 ERA, a 5.08 FIP, and perhaps a tenuous hold on his roster spot.
The OK start belonged to RHP Blade Tidwell (No. 9 CPL) on Saturday. Tidwell is back to getting stretched out in the Minors after some time in the Major League bullpen, and he showed some really nice things. The power righty struck out 5 batters in just 3.2 innings, while allowing 3 hits (which included a home run to rehabbing Carlos Santana), 1 walk, 2 runs, and 1 earned run. It will be interesting to see what Tidwell’s role is the next time he’s called into Major League duty.
And the best start belonged to LHP Carson Whisenhunt (No. 8 CPL) who had an awesome showing on Friday, pitching 5 innings while allowing just 4 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run, with 8 strikeouts. Whisenhunt’s season has been up and down, but he’s been pretty darned good lately: in his last 3 starts, the 25-year old has pitched 16 innings and ceded just 10 hits, 4 walks, and 4 runs, while striking out 21 batters. With that, Whisenhunt has lowered his ERA to 4.25 and his FIP to 3.51, and has now increased his year-over-year strikeout rate in AAA from 7.9 to 10.8. Highly encouraging stuff!
RHP Trent Harris (No. 29 CPL) made 2 appearances out of the bullpen and was great, throwing 3 shutout innings and allowing just 2 hits, while striking out 4. He could definitely play his way into the bullpen’s plans in the 2nd half of the season, as could RHP Marques Johnson, who needed just 16 pitches to throw 2 perfect innings on Saturday, with 2 strikeouts. Johnson has been great at everything this year except suppressing walks (he’s issued 13 in 14.2 innings), so it was nice seeing him throw 13 of 16 pitches for strikes.
AA Richmond (25-7)
Friday: Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks 9-6 [box score] Saturday: Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Akron RubberDucks 12-5 [box score] Sunday: Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks 6-0 [box score]
Whisenhunt isn’t the only high draft pick southpaw who is starting to come into his own. Over on the other side of the country, LHP Joe Whitman (No. 26 CPL) is quietly starting to shown some real signs of development after a disappointing 2025.
Whitman, the compensation round pick the Giants got when they lost Carlos Rodón in free agency, started on Sunday and dominated the Ducks with 5 shutout innings. The 24-year old Kent State alum gave up just 3 hits on the day — all singles — and walked 1 batter, while striking out 8. That’s one of the best starts this season, not just for Whitman but for the entire farm!
The biggest issue for Whitman in his career has been allowing hits, but lately he’s started to make significant improvements on that front. This 5-inning, 3-hit outing came after last week’s 6-inning, 1-hit showing, and just like that, the southpaw has dipped to a very respectable 26 hits allowed in 33.1 innings. That’s a massive improvement over last season, when he gave up 129 hits in 117.1 innings.
I would argue that the hits are the biggest improvement Whitman has made, but it’s certainly not the only improvement. Year over year, his strikeouts per 9 innings has jumped from 9.5 to 11.6 and his walks per 9 have lowered, from 3.6 to 3.0. Those numbers rank 5th and 10th, respectively, out of the 51 Eastern League pitchers with at least 20 innings thrown this year, while his FIP (2.99) is all the way up to 3rd. The ERA is lagging a bit behind, at 4.05.
Whitman was a top-10 prospect in our CPL a year ago before stagnating in AA last year, so it’s great to see him excelling. If he keeps this up, he could be in Sacramento’s rotation for the 2nd half of the season.
That was the standout pitching performance, though LHP Cesar Perdomo certainly had a start worth mentioning on Friday. The 24-year old had a funny game, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 runs in just 4.2 innings … but struck out 9 Akron batters. Hot and cold! It’s been a pretty solid AA debut for the Venezuelan, who has a 3.81 ERA and a 3.09 FIP through 6 games. He’s walking a few too many batters (12 in 26 innings), but has 29 strikeouts, has allowed just 19 hits, and hasn’t given up a home run.
RHP Mitch White pitched 2 perfect innings with 4 strikeouts to earn the save on Friday. White, a 26-year old who who is making his professional debut after the Giants signed him out of indy ball, has started his career with 18 strikeouts against 5 walks in 13.2 innings, and has a 2.63 ERA and a 4.29 FIP.
No hitter had a superstar weekend, but plenty had good outings. Most notably, third baseman Parks Harber (No. 17 CPL) smashed his 1st AA home run, as part of a weekend where he went 3-9 with a double, a walk, and 2 strikeouts.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 9, 2026
Harber missed about a month while rehabbing a hamstring injury sustained during Spring Training, but is wasting no time getting up to speed. While there are still signs of rust — most notably the 30.6% strikeout rate — Harber is rocking an .888 OPS and a 132 wRC+. His 2-run shot on Saturday may have been his 1st homer at the level, but he already has 8 doubles in just 13 games.
Second baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 31 CPL) had his best game of the year on Friday, when he hit 3-4 with a 2-run home run and a double, though he also committed an error. The 22-year old switch-hitter followed that up by hitting 2-4 with a strikeout on Saturday, though he went 0-3 with 3 strikeouts and a hit by pitch on Sunday.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 9, 2026
Velasquez isn’t making a ton of noise this year, at a level he’s been at since late 2024, but it’s still been a nice year, as he has a .775 OPS and a 110 wRC+. Most notably, Velasquez has really cranked up the power: during his stint with Richmond in 2024, he had just a .061 isolated slugging percentage, and that mark was only .059 last season. This year it’s all the way up at .141. If that can maintain, that will be huge.
The only other player to homer was catcher Adrián Sugastey, who went 2-3 with a 2-run blast and a sacrifice bunt in the only game he played over the weekend. Like Velasquez, the 23-year old Sugastey is trying to shine in his 3rd year with the Squirrels. And while his numbers still aren’t particularly good, he’s improved virtually all of them for the 2nd year running. In his 3 stints with Richmond, his average has gone from .210 to .231 to .283; his on-base percentage from .241 to .284 to .302; his isolated slugging percentage from .094 to .111 to .167; and his wRC+ from 55 to 84 to 92.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 10, 2026
Decent weekends for center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL) and left fielder Scott Bandura. Davidson hit 4-12 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 0 strikeouts, while Bandura went 4-11 with 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, 1 sacrifice fly, and 3 stolen bases. The 23-year old Davidson now has an .809 OPS and a 109 wRC+, while the 24-year old Bandura has a .932 OPS and a 146 wRC+, with 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) May 10, 2026
High-A Eugene (25-8)
Friday: Eugene Emeralds lost to the Vancouver Canadians 4-2 [box score] Saturday Game 1: Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians 7-5 (7 innings) [box score] Saturday Game 2: Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians 5-1 (7 innings) [box score] Sunday: Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians 13-8 [box score]
The Giants 1st-round pick last year — and the 1st draft pick ever by Buster Posey — began his debut full season with a flurry back in early April. And then he started slumping in a big way. And now he has started bouncing back in an even bigger way.
On Saturday, in the 1st game of a doubleheader, the lefty shortstop had about as good of a day as you can have in a 7-inning game: he went 3-4, with all 3 of his hits being extra-base knocks: a pair of doubles and a 3-run home run, all as part of a day in which he knocked in 5 of the team’s 7 runs.
In all, the recently-turned 22-year old hit 9-15 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 1 walk, and 0 strikeouts on the weekend, with the only negative play being when he was caught stealing. What a dynamic string of games! Not only that, but Kilen played shortstop in all 4 games, including both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Kilen had been having really good at-bats coming into the weekend, but it was still very nice to see the power play, as his big game on Saturday broke a streak of 9 straight games without an extra-base hit. On the year, he’s up to an .876 OPS and a 138 wRC+, with just a 16.1% strikeout rate, and the Giants have to be utterly thrilled with all of that. It’s extremely early days, but he’s looking like a fantastic draft selection.
The 2nd draft pick Buster Posey made has had a slightly rockier season, but you wouldn’t know it based on the weekend, as right fielder/center fielder Trevor Cohen (No. 15 CPL) had a delightful string of games as well. The 3rd-round pick hit 6-15 over the quartet of games, with 2 doubles, 2 walks, 1 strikeout, 1 stolen base, and 1 caught stealing. The 22-year old lefty has really started to find his swing lately, and has a 6-game hitting streak with just 1 strikeout. You can certainly see Posey’s affinity for contact in these recent draftees: the Rutgers product has a .732 OPS and a 110 wRC+, with just a 15.8% strikeout rate (and a matching 15.8% walk rate). He’s also up to 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts.
Left fielder Carlos Gutierrez (No. 18 CPL) had a hilarious game during the double-header: despite being a contact maven, he didn’t put the ball in play at all, as he drew walks in all 3 of his plate appearances, and then proceeded to steal a pair of bases. That’s one way to offense, and a way that is completely foreign to the Major League Giants!
Gutierrez did have an 0-4 on Friday, but he followed up Saturday’s walk excursion by hitting 1-3 with 2 walks on Sunday, bringing his walk rate up to 16.2%, which isn’t tremendously out of the ordinary, as it was 12.6% is Low-A a year ago. His batting average, however, has tumbled from .351 to .209 (though his strikeout rate is still very low) … so even though he’s walking a lot and has had an uptick in power, he has just a .716 OPS and a 103 wRC+ in his High-A debut. Super fun player, still!
A quartet of Emeralds hitters joined Kilen with home run trots: left fielder/right fielder Lisbel Diaz (No. 32 CPL) hit 4-10 with a solo blast, a walk, a strikeout, and a caught stealing, moving his OPS to .681 and his wRC+ to 78; first baseman Jakob Christian (No. 40 CPL) went 2-8 with a solo shot, 2 walks, a hit by pitch, and 3 strikeouts, and is sitting on a 1.279 OPS and a 245 wRC+ through 8 games; third baseman Walker Martin hit just 2-12 with 4 strikeouts and his 11th error of the season, but blasted a 3-run home run, and now has a .707 OPS and a 98 wRC+; and infielder Zander Darby went 3-12 with a 2-run dinger, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, and a caught stealing while playing first, second, and third base, moving his OPS to .894 and his wRC+ to 143.
Diaz’s season in particular has been a touch funny: the 20-year old has the speed and defense to make you think he might be a light hitter, yet he has 5 home runs and a .191 isolated slugging, marks that rank among the top on the team, all while sporting just a 19.2% strikeout rate. Yet despite that, he only has a .225 batting average and a 4.0% walk rate, and that has resulted in poor numbers overall.
It was definitely a series where the hitting was more interesting than the pitching, but there was a standout performance on the mound, from someone it was great to see excel: LHP Luis De La Torre (No. 14 CPL). LDLT started Friday’s game and absolutely shined in 4 innings, giving up just 1 hit, 3 walks, and 1 unearned run, while striking out 7 batters.
It’s been a little bit of a troubling season for De La Torre after his breakout 2025, as the strikeouts and ground balls have been way down, and the walks have been way up, so it was nice seeing him dominate a lineup, even if there were still a lot of walks. Those 7 Ks are what we’ve grown accustomed to for the 22-year old, who had 109 strikeouts in just 74.1 innings last year, between the ACL and Low-A. Hopefully this is the start of him finding his groove in the Northwest League, as he entered the game with just 14 strikeouts in 15 innings.
The other notable starters didn’t have such good days, as LHP Jacob Bresnahan (No. 11 CPL) gave up 2 hits, 5 walks, and 2 earned runs in 3.2 innings in his 3rd start of the year, though he struck out 6. The strikeouts are definitely playing to the level for Bresnahan, who has 16 punchouts in just 11.2 innings. And RHP Yunior Marte (No. 25 CPL) allowed 4 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs in 4 innings, with 4 strikeouts. The 22-year old, who came to the Giants in the Mike Yastrzemski trade, has been pretty dynamic this year, with a 2.25 ERA and a 3.71 FIP. He only has 26 strikeouts in 28 innings, but has only allowed 16 hits all year.
A pair of relievers had great games: RHPs Ryan Vanderhei and Liam Simon. Vanderhei retired all 7 batters he faced, with 4 strikeouts, marking his 3rd straight scoreless appearance. The 2023 10th-round pick has had a dynamic year in relief, with a 2.00 ERA, a 3.21 FIP, and 11.5 strikeouts per 9 innings, against just 3.0 walks. As for Simon, he struck out 2 batters in a no-hit inning, while issuing 1 walk, as he finally appears to be shaking off the injury rust. Simon could not find the strike zone to save his soul after returning from Tommy John, as he walked 31 batters in 27.2 innings last year … then started this season with 9 walks in 4 innings over 4 appearances. But since then? He’s pitched in 5 games and allowed just 2 walks in 5 innings, while striking out 10 and only allowing 1 hit. You love to see it!
Low-A San Jose (19-14)
Friday: San Jose Giants beat the Fresno Grizzlies 4-3 [box score] Saturday: San Jose Giants lost to the Fresno Grizzlies 8-7 [box score] Sunday: San Jose Giants lost to the Fresno Grizzlies 8-2 [box score]
A pretty uninteresting group of games for the Baby Giants, who really didn’t have standout performers on either side of the ball. Like Sacramento, however, San Jose had a few players rehabbing. Most notably, Major League RHP Jason Foley began his rehab assignment on Sunday, though it didn’t go great. Foley made it through just 0.2 innings while ceding 2 hits and a walk which, combined with some rough defense, resulted in 4 runs, though just 1 earned run. He also struck out a batter. The start of rehab assignments is just about getting on the field and getting used to playing again, so nothing to read into the poor results.
LHP Nick Margevicius, who has MLB experience but was signed to a Minor League deal, also is beginning a rehab assignment, as he started Saturday’s game, which was his 2nd outing during his rehab (the 1st came in the ACL). He got ripped up, allowing 8 hits, 6 runs, and 5 earned runs in 3.1 innings, with just 1 strikeout. So it goes.
The best pitching performance belonged to RHP Cody Delvecchio, last year’s 12th-round draft pick out of UCLA. The 22-year old was awesome on Sunday, striking out 7 batters in 4 innings, while giving up 5 hits, 0 walks, and 1 run. All of Delvecchio’s hits were singles, and he threw 43 of 64 pitches for strikes. The Giants are surely quite pleased with his 28-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22 innings this year, though the rookie has just a 4.09 ERA and a 5.01 FIP, the result of having given up 3 home runs already this year.
Shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL) had a great day on Friday, when he hit 2-3, drew a walk, and stole 2 bases. The rest of the weekend didn’t go so well, as he had Saturday off and had an 0-4 on Sunday, but my goodness what a season he’s having. It’s now a .977 OPS and a 144 wRC+ for Level, who has 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts and just a 15.7% strikeout rate, to make no mention of the quality defense. If he and Kilen keep this up, I’m guessing we see double promotions sometime in July.
Third baseman Dario Reynoso had an up-and-down performance, hitting 3-11 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, and 2 stolen bases, but also 5 strikeouts. He has a .989 OPS and a 152 wRC+. Left fielder Jose Astudillo hit 2-7 with a walk and stole 3 bases (his 1st 3 of the year), and now has an .808 OPS and 123 wRC+ through 7 games, after getting a late start to the season. He’s only struck out 1 time this year.
Friday: ACL Giants lost to the ACL Mariners 2-1 (7 innings) [box score] Saturday: ACL Giants lost to the ACL Rockies 6-1 (7 innings) [box score]
A very boring set of games down in the desert. That included mild-mannered weekends for the pair of stars on the ACL Giants team, as shortstop Josuar González (No. 2 CPL) hit 1-4 with a double and 2 strikeouts, while shortstop/third baseman Luis Hernández (No. 6 CPL) went 2-8 with a double and 3 strikeouts. The future is incredibly bright thanks in large part to those 2, but they weren’t enough to lead the Giants to success in these games.
Left fielder/right fielder Oliver Tejada had the best weekend among the hitters, as he went 2-4 with a walk and a hit by pitch, though he also committed an error. Otherwise, it was slim pickings: outside of those 3 players, the team managed just 3 hits in the 2 games.
The pitching wasn’t too much better. RHP Brayan Narvaez, a 21-year old from Venezueala, had a nice game on Friday, tossing 2 no-hit innings with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts in his 2nd game. This is Narvaez’s 1st year stateside after 3 seasons in the DSL, so he’s hoping to run with the opportunity.
RHP Luke Mensik, an 18-year old taken in the 17th round a season ago, struck out 5 batters in 4 innings on Saturday, though he gave up 3 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs. Always exciting to see High School pitchers in the ACL, though it hasn’t been the smoothest start to his career for Mensik through 2 games.
Home run tracker
5 — Lisbel Diaz — [High-A] 5 — Zander Darby — [High-A] 4 — Buddy Kennedy — [AAA] 4 — Gavin Kilen x2 — [High-A] 4 — Walker Martin — [High-A] 3 — Harrison Bader — [1 in MLB; 2 in AAA] 3 — Jake Holton — [AAA] 2 — Diego Velasquez — [AA] 2 — Adrián Sugastey — [AA] 1 — Parks Harber — [AA] 1 — Jakob Christian — [High-A]
It's been a trying season for Senators goalie Linus Ullmark.
First, from a performance perspective, his season got off to a sluggish start, and that's putting it mildly. Then, shortly after Christmas, after feelings of panic set in during a game in Toronto, Ullmark sought help for his mental health from the NHL player assistance program.
While he was away from the team, he also had to shoot down some ugly social media rumours. But things got better after the Olympics, and Ullmark finished the season strongly.
Steve Warne talks with Drake Batherson about his hopes for a contract extension this summer.
Ironically, after the goaltending position took so much of the blame during the regular season, it was Ullmark who was Ottawa's best player in the playoffs.
After all he'd been through this year, Ullmark was thrilled he was able to be at his best at the most important time of the year.
"That was very nice," Ullmark said his final media availability. "You know, it was the first real time in this whole season where I felt like myself again, and I could do what I thoroughly enjoy to do. It didn't feel like a chore. It didn't feel exhausting. It felt motivational and inspirational.
"And truth be told, it felt weird as well because you've been battling so hard the whole season, trying to find a groove and trying to find a way of performing. And now you do it at the top of your game, and you're still losing. So it was a little bit of a surreal feeling."
Before heading into his offseason, Ullmark also recorded a special message to the fans who supported him through it all this season, the good and the bad. He published it on his Instagram on Monday morning. It featured a montage of big highlight reel saves and fans going wild.
However, the highlights were oddly paired with a rock song called The Enforcer by the Canadian band, Monster Truck. The song is a tribute to NHL enforcers, but more importantly, it was the Toronto Maple Leafs' goal song for two years.
That didn't take away from Ullmark's message to his supporters, though. In a season where he was hit with some nasty social media dialogue, he injected some positivity on Monday.
Dear Ottawa fans,
Thank you so much, merci beaucoup, for all of your support this season. It's been a blessing.
You know, you guys are what drives us to do our best every single day. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the whole wide world playing hockey.
Our fans cheering, screaming at home games in our barn, that's what matters.
We play for each other, but we also play for the city of Ottawa, and for everyone that aspires to be Ottawa Senators in the future.
I love all of you guys. I love the support and the fire and the passion that you guys bring to our rink every night.
I hope you keep doing that. I hope that we can do you guys right and win it all in the near future.
Thank you.
As much as he appreciates the fans' support, Ullmark would probably appreciate a little more goaltending support as well. By his own admission, GM Steve Staios said last month that he didn't feel like he did a good enough job providing backup support behind Ullmark.
It will be interesting to see if the Senators go out and acquire a name-brand goalie to provide that support for Ullmark, who, despite his big contract, seems to be at his best with a medium workload.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
BOSTON, MA - MAY 10: Pitcher Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays points to a teammate after a nice fielding play during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 10, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mackenzie Blackwood was in the starters net at practice on Monday, May 11, hours before game time. But Avalanche coach Jared Bednar wasn't ready to announce his starting goalie.
Blackwood replaced Scott Wedgewood in Game 3 after giving up Minnesota's third goal early in the second period. He stopped 12 of 13 shots in his first appearance in the 2026 playoffs.
"Like I said at the start of the playoffs, we're probably going to need both guys," Bednar said Monday. "That's how we ran all year. We have confidence in both guys. Mackenzie's ready to play. He wants the net."
The Avalanche lead the second-round series 2-1 after the Wild beat the Avalanche in Game 3.
Here is the NHL bracket as the playoffs continue Monday night:
NHL game tonight (Monday, May 11)
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Colorado at Minnesota odds
Betting lines by BetMGM as of 6 p.m. ET on Monday, May 11
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 04: Alex Freeland #76 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — For the first time since April 4, the Dodgers have Mookie Betts back after he missed 32 games with a strained oblique. To make room on the active roster, Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Betts is batting second for the Dodgers on Friday night.
Betts played two rehab games with Oklahoma City, which was news in and of itself because he hadn’t previously played in the minors since 2015 despite a handful of other injured-list stints. Betts singled in each of his games with the Comets and also added a walk, and played 11 total innings at shortstop on Friday and Saturday.
Freeland in spring training won the heavy side of a platoon second base, which shifted into more regular playing time once Betts was injured, in total starting 31 of the Dodgers’ 40 games at second base, where he totaled three outs above average (tied for fifth in the majors) and three defensive runs saved (tied for eighth).
Freeland hit .235/.309/.337 with an 86 wRC+, two home runs, and four doubles, and the second-highest strikeout rate (28.6 percent) on the team.
This means more playing time at second base for Hyeseong Kim, an excellent defender in his own right who started 24 of the 32 games at shortstop with Betts on the injured list. Kim since returning from Triple-A in April hit .289/.353/.395 with a 114 wRC+, three doubles, a home run, and a triple.
“What it came down to is Hyeseong performed better. Alex did everything we asked as far as playing defense and being a pro, learning and taking good at-bats. The last 10 days has been really good as far as getting on base,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But at that point, given Hyeseong some runway given the way he’s performed since he’s been here, we felt that was fair.”
“It’s more overall infield coverage. Having Hyeseong and Alex on the roster at the same time then trying to play both sides as far as playing time, versus letting them both play an ample amount of time, that’s kind of how we looked at it,” Roberts said. “Espinal can give Max [Muncy] a day versus a left-handed pitcher, he can pop over to short or second base if we need him.
“Putting it all together, letting Alex go play every day [in Triple-A], letting Hyeseong get the lion’s share at second base, that’s what we thought was best.”
Record-breaking slugger Harjas Singh is one step closer towards making a long-awaited professional debut, earning a rookie contract with Cricket New South Wales for the 2026/27 season.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Harrison Bader #9 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park on April 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants are kicking off a road trip tonight when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. And, as expected, there are some reinforcements meeting them in Southern California. On Monday afternoon, a few hours before the start of their four-game set with their hated rivals, the Giants announced that center fielder Harrison Bader had been activated off of the 10-Day Injured List, while right-handed reliever Tristan Beck had been called up. To make space for that pair, right-hander Dylan Smith and catcher Logan Porter were optioned to AAA Sacramento.
Beck, who has a 5.40 ERA and a 3.15 FIP in AAA this year, is called up for the first time this season, after appearing in 31 Major League games a year ago. The move is primarily about getting a fresh arm after a taxing weekend series: during Saturday’s blowout loss, the Giants used five relievers (not counting infielder Christian Koss), who threw 119 pitches; during Sunday’s 12-inning affair, they called on six relief arms (including Smith) to throw 98 pitches. Now they at least get a rested arm up against a deadly Dodgers lineup.
As for Bader, he returns after six rehab games with Sacramento. Bader hit 4-18 during his rehab, with two home runs, three walks, five strikeouts, and one stolen base. The Giants are hoping that full health mixed with his time in AAA will fix Bader’s offense, as he hit just 6-52 with one home run, one double, two walks, and 17 strikeouts before landing on the IL. Watch out, Harrison: that kind of offense will get you shipped out to Cleveland, no matter how good your defense is!
Smith and Porter return to Sacramento after very brief stays with the Giants. Smith pitched in one game, and recorded two outs (while walking a batter), while Porter only appeared as a pinch runner. The Giants are back down to two catchers (Jesús Rodríguez and Eric Haase), though they might go back to three when Daniel Susac is done with his rehab.
COVERS INTEL: Minnesota is dead last in effective field goal rate among the remaining eight postseason teams (47.8 EFG%). That’s generated 86.0 rebounding chances per game in the conference semifinals — tied for second most in Round 2.
