Week two of these daily questions gets under way, with the (vague) theme this week being rosters, expectations and reality checks. Arizona enters 2026 coming off a sub-.500 season, and signed just one of MLB Trade RumorsTop 50 Free Agents. And that was Merrill Kelly, who was here for most of the season anyway. They did add significant veteran presence, in the shapes of Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana, and made some smaller moves intended to address the bullpen, a significant problem last year. But was it enough? Or is this simply lip service, effectively re-arranging the dugout chairs on a mediocre baseball team?
Is Arizona actually trying to contend, or are they just pretending?
Obviously, it’s rare for any team to come out and admit they don’t have a chance. Though nobody would blame the Colorado Rockies front-office for throwing their hands in the air and ‘fessing up. But given the team only missed out on the playoffs by three games last year, despite some major injuries, it’s not as if the Diamondbacks need to be rebuilt from the ground up. However, there is also massive uncertainty regarding the 2027 season, so perhaps it makes sense to make no big movies until a new CBA is agreed. Tell us what you think lies behind the team’s mindset, as we head into spring training…
Won’t be in the comments immediately, since as mentioned yesterday, we’re off to the RenFair, where wifi has yet to be invented. 🙂 But I’ll check back when we return from the Middle Ages!
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Big 12 Conference announced Sunday it fined Oklahoma State $50,000 following an investigation into inappropriate chants referencing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormons, during a men's basketball game against BYU last week.
“The Big 12 Conference will not tolerate any behavior that targets or demeans others,” the conference said in a statement.
BYU coach Kevin Young said after a 99-92 loss at Oklahoma State on Wednesday night that he heard “F--- The Mormons” chants coming out of the student section. BYU is the flagship school for the religion.
"The reference to religion did not meet our standards and expectations,” the university said in a statement. “Oklahoma State respects the Big 12’s decision and will not appeal the fine.”
It was at least the fourth time in a year that BYU teams had been the target of anti-Mormon chants.
The Big 12 fined Colorado $50,000 in September after football fans directed expletives and religious slurs at Mormons during a game against the Cougars in Boulder.
Similar incidents occurred at an Arizona men's basketball game last season and a Cincinnati football game in November. Neither school was fined.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) — Alijah Arenas scored 11 of his 24 points in the final four minutes, including the go-ahead basket with 0.7 seconds left, to help USC beat Penn State 77-75 on Sunday.
Freddie Dilione V made a layup for Penn State that tied it at 75-all with 12 seconds remaining. After USC called timeout to move the ball into the front court, Arenas took the inbounds pass, worked his way to the right block and kissed a layup high off the glass to cap the scoring.
Kam Woods had 13 points, a season-high nine assists, five rebounds and four steals for USC (18-6, 7-6 Big Ten). Ezra Ausar added 13 points and Jacob Cofie had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Dilione led Penn State (10-14, 1-12) with 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Josh Reed made 8 of 11 from the field and finished with 17 points while Ivan Juric scored 13 and Dominick Stewart added 11 points.
The Nittany Lions have lost 10 of their last 11 games.
Penn State scored 10 consecutive points before Woods made a layup that trimmed USC's deficit to 40-36 at halftime. The Nittany Lions opened the second half with a 10-2 run that culminated with a fast-break dunk by Dilione that gave Penn State its biggest lead of the game at 50-38 with 17:23 left in the game.
The Nittany Lions went 0 for 8 from the field in a span of more than 8 1/2 minutes in the second half as USC used a 22-5 run to take a six-point lead with six minutes remaining.
England clung on to beat Nepal by four runs in a nerve-jangling last-ball thriller in Mumbai on Sunday and avoid one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, a former MVP, and the first baseman who helped end a 108-year World Series drought are joining NBC Sports. How’s that for an All-Star lineup?
Recently retired stars Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto, and Anthony Rizzo will provide their insight as MLB makes its return to NBC and Peacock for the 2026 season. The trio will serve as pregame analysts for the Wild Card round of the MLB playoffs this fall and will also appear on select Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts during the regular season alongside hosts Bob Costas and Ahmed Fareed.
Beyond being three of the most recognizable players of their generation, Kershaw, Votto, and Rizzo have combined for 20 All-Star selections. They’ll draw on that experience to deliver informed analysis and fresh perspectives throughout NBC Sports’ MLB coverage.
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw completed his 18th and final season in 2025 by winning his third World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, Kershaw posted a 223-96 career record for a .699 winning percentage – third best in MLB history (minimum 100 decisions). A left-hander, he recorded more than 3,000 career strikeouts, was an 11-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner and National League Most Valuable Player in 2014, a year in which he pitched a no-hitter. In addition, the Dallas native led the NL in earned run average five times and in wins and strikeouts three times. In 2012, Kershaw earned MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award, which is regarded as MLB’s most prestigious individual honor for a player who exhibits exemplary community service, for his charitable work, which included building an orphanage with his wife, Ellen, in Africa.
Joey Votto
Votto spent 17 years with the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he was a six-time All-Star, the 2010 NL Most Valuable Player and 2011 Gold Glove first baseman. Known for his power and patience, the left-handed hitter compiled a .294 career batting average and blasted 356 career home runs while leading the NL in on-base percentage seven times. He helped the Reds reach the Postseason four times in his career. Votto, a native of Toronto, also turned in numerous memorable interviews and mic’d up moments as a player, becoming a fan favorite across the game.
Anthony Rizzo
Rizzo is a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove-winning first baseman who is perhaps best known for catching the final out of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, breaking the team’s 108-year championship drought. Rizzo also hit .360 in that World Series. In 2016, Rizzo was awarded the Platinum Glove as the NL’s best overall defensive player. Over 14 seasons with the Padres, Cubs and Yankees, the lefty slugger hit 303 home runs and had four seasons with at least 100 RBIs. A survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the Florida native was the 2017 recipient of the Clemente Award for the work of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which benefits cancer research and families affected by the disease.
From an MLB Opening Day doubleheader on March 26 to the Wild Card round of the playoffs, NBC Sports’ 2026 schedule delivers wall-to-wall coverage.
D.J. Short
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When does MLB on NBC coverage begin?
MLB on NBC coverage will begin with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26, as Paul Skenes and the Pirates will take on Juan Soto and the Mets before the World Series champion Dodgers will raise their banner leading into a primetime matchup against Ketel Marte and the Diamondbacks.
As part of a three-year media rights agreement, MLB will be presented across NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Sunday Night Baseball will debut on March 29 with a matchup between two 2025 first-place teams, as the Mariners host the Guardians. The 18-game MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule begins May 3, with the defending AL champion Toronto Blue Jays visiting the Twins in Minnesota. On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.
Viewers can also look forward to a weekly Sunday whip-around show, a Labor Day special, the MLB Draft, the All-Star Futures Game, as well as highlights, short-form content, and documentaries.
Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
Feb 7, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) goes up for a shot between Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) and forward Cooper Flagg (32) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Coming off a road win versus the Dallas Mavericks, the Spurs traveled home for a rematch. Luke Kornet made his return from injury, so the Spurs were at full strength. After leading 39-32 at the end of the first quarter, the Spurs kept the pace high and outscored the Mavs 42-35 in the second to lead 81-67 at halftime. The 81 points at halftime was the Spurs’ highest scoring half since March 2022. The lead just kept growing, with the Spurs taking a 23-point lead into the fourth quarter. Thanks to a career performance from Stephon Castle and five other Spurs scoring in double figures, the Spurs ultimately won 138-125.
Stephon Castle dropped a historic triple-double: Career-high 40 points (15-19 FG, 3-5 3PT), 12 assists, and 12 rebounds to go along with three steals and a block. This is the third 40-point triple-double in Spurs history, with David Robinson providing the other two. This is also the first 40-point triple-double with 75% FG since Wilt Chamberlain. Steph started hot, scoring in double figures in each of the first two quarters on perfect shooting. Then, he fanned the flame and cemented his historic performance in the fourth. The former ROTY has always showcased his talent each game, but this performance puts his potential into another stratosphere!
ST3PH! Living up to his first name, Steph splashes home one of his three threes!
Devin Vassell dropped 17 points, six assists, four rebounds, and a block. Dev shook off the rust and looked like his usual self. His ability to create shots for himself is a real game-changer for this team. Besides the scoring, he is also gelling well in the offense by dishing out six assists. Look for him to continue fulfilling his role to the fullest.
Middy Magician! Dev takes the handoff from Luke Kornet and dribbles into a pull-up midrange jumper!
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 16 points and 11 rebounds to go along with three blocks and a dime. Vic did not have his best shooting night, but he did the dirty work on both ends for easy swats and buckets. (Although some might have been easy for Vic and not for average-sized NBA players.) He caught lobs from several different Spurs and was more than happy to take a backseat offensively.
W3MBY! Vic drains the open three from the wing, thanks to the Carter Bryant screen!
SPURS BASKETBALL! After Carter completely locks down Caleb Martin, the Spurs run out in transition, and the ball movement ends up in Vic’s hands for the easy slam!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 15 points (7-13 FG), five assists, and two rebounds. D-Fox struggled at first, but ended up draining buckets when the offense stalled. Just like Vic, he took a backseat offensively, but still managed to dish out some dimes. His unselfishness and willingness to be part of this offense, no matter who has the hot hand, show his adaptability to put the team in the best position to win.
FOX TO THE ALIEN! On the fastbreak, D-Fox catches the ball at the free-throw line and immediately lobs it up to Wemby, who throws it down with one hand!
Dylan Harper dropped 11 points (5-8 FG), five assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block. Of the three star guards, Dyl played the least amount of minutes (23), but still filled the stat sheet. He got to the cup and showed off his elite finishing ability alongside his playmaking and defensive highlights. The rookie is a little more than halfway through the season and has already shown multiple glimpses of his potential.
HARP3R! Dyl knocks down the three from the wing off the Castle dime!
Carter Bryant dropped 11 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. In just 17 minutes, CB’s impact on both ends fueled the Spurs’ momentum, especially in the second quarter. He wowed with an alley-oop jam, drained three threes, and most of all, locked down multiple defenders. Throughout the season, he would get little spurts of action, but his playing time has gradually increased. With this added playing time, his confidence grows each game. This performance is just the appetizer for Spurs fans.
GET UP! On the fastbreak, Steph lobs it up for CB who throws it down with force!
Keldon Johnson dropped eight points (3-5 FG) and four rebounds in 16 minutes. KJ struggled taking care of the ball with four turnovers, but still managed to get tough buckets in the paint. He provided offense when the shot clock was dwindling, and also grabbed boards. Look for him to have more playing time next game, with a side of 6MOTY energy.
TOUGH BUCKET. KJ battles his way into the paint and throws up a contested shot over P.J. Washington for the deuce!
Luke Kornet dropped six points (3-3 FG), four rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes. Luke made the most of his playing time and did the dirty work for his teammates with screens. He continues to be a solid backup center for a team that desperately lacked one the last three seasons.
Johnny on the spot! Luke cleans up the missed D-Fox shot with a tip slam!
What more could one say about Stephon Castle? His performance was otherworldly, and allowed key players to take backseats. It is one thing to accomplish a triple-double; it is another to accomplish a high-scoring triple-double, but on this efficiency? His name being mentioned in the same breath as Wilt is an accomplishment in itself. As this team moves to 36-16, look for them to focus back on a pair of playoff teams out west this upcoming week.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs travel to Los Angeles for their fourth matchup with the Lakers this season on Tuesday at 9:30 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.
When the Los Angeles Lakers played the Golden State Warriors on Saturday without Luka Dončić and Steph Curry, the most interesting drama happened off the court.
Both teams’ general managers spoke to reporters before the Lakers’ 105–99 win. And with California’s NBA darlings both on the verge of major change, a lot of eyebrow-raising things came out of those conversations.
Where do we begin?
Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. talks to the media before the game against the Lakers on Feb 7. NBAE via Getty Images
First of all, Warriors’ GM Mike Dunleavy claimed Draymond Green wasn’t involved in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Draymond was not being shopped or talked about in deals,” he said.
The problem?
That assertion was contradicted by Green himself Saturday morning on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” when he said Dunleavy reached out to him before the trade deadline to say that he or Jimmy Butler would have to be included in a deal to match salaries.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said Dunleavy reached out to him before the trade deadline to say that he or Jimmy Butler would have to be included in a deal to match salaries. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“What is said to me in that moment was there’s a chance I may get traded for Giannis because he didn’t rule it out,” Green said on his podcast. “He didn’t say, ‘We’re not putting you in a deal.’ So I took that as, all right, it’ll probably be me.”
So, the Warriors not only missed out on acquiring Antetokounmpo — whom the Bucks decided not to trade despite Golden State opening up its treasure chest of first picks — but the organization is also trying to mop up the fallout that came out of those talks.
Other interesting things that came out of his availability? Dunleavy expressed optimism that Kristaps Porzingis — whom the Warriors acquired in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield — will be healthy even though he has only played in 17 games this season because of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and left Achilles tendonitis.
GM Rob Pelinka made it clear the Lakers are looking toward their future, when they’ll have three first-round picks and a heap of expiring contracts this summer. Getty Images
“We feel good about it,” Dunleavy said, before adding, in essence, that they had nothing to lose by taking that gamble. “We’re sending out a player in a similar boat who struggled to stay on the floor.”
In other words, at least the Kuminga saga has finally come to an end.
Dunleavy also made it clear that the Warriors are still open to putting everything on the line this summer to give Steph Curry another chance at winning a title, calling this a “win-now” window.
As for this current roster? Dunleavy didn’t pull any punches.
LA’s LeBron James is doing things on the court previously considered undoable for a 41-year-old. NBAE via Getty Images
“It was pointed out to me today that over [the] last calendar year, we had the fourth-best record in the NBA from when Jimmy got traded to when Jimmy got hurt,” Dunleavy said, referencing Butler suffering a torn ACL last month. “Despite the idea that we’re not in the mix, we’re fading, all of this stuff, the reality is up until Jimmy got hurt, we were pretty good. And I think we were trending in the right direction. Now we’ve had to pivot a little bit. I think adding Kristaps can help. But this group is kinda what it is.”
Not a shining endorsement of the Warriors’ roster. But if Porzingis can get and stay healthy, Golden State could make the playoffs. And if Butler weren’t injured, they could’ve really competed. But for now, the Warriors will look ahead, when they’ll once again try to use their stash of draft capital to make a big splash.
“We’ve got the goods to make deals,’ Dunleavy said.
Dunleavy said the Warriors are putting everything on the line to give Steph Curry another chance at winning a title. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
On the other side of Crypto.com Arena, Lakers’ president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka also spoke to reporters following the trade deadline. He addressed whether the Lakers were aggressive enough in pursuing deals, considering they have 26-year-old Luka Dončić playing at an MVP-level, Austin Reaves looking like an All-Star, and LeBron James doing things at 41 years old that were previously considered undoable.
Pelinka, whose only move before Thursday’s deadline was to deal Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick for Luke Kennard, made it clear the Lakers are looking toward their future, when they’ll have three first-round picks and a heap of expiring contracts this summer.
“One form of being aggressive is saying no to moves,” he said.
In other words, change is going to come. A lot of change. For him, too.
“When Mark [Walter] bought the team, Jeanie [Buss] and I did a really deep dive with him on sort of the areas he wants to grow and move into and get aggressive,” he acknowledged.
Both organizations are at a turning point.
The Lakers are trying to build around Dončić while he’s in his prime. And the Warriors are trying to stay relevant while 37-year-old Curry still looks like Curry. Neither team is a true contender this season. But both teams believe this summer, they can make the tweaks necessary to put their teams atop the league.
So, while the basketball was fun Saturday (six Lakers players scored in double-digits, led by James’ 20-point, 10-assist and seven-rebound performance), the real intriguing stuff happened behind the scenes. We got a glimpse into how the two of the most important franchises in the league are thinking.
And it’s clear that this summer is going to be monumental.
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Usually, I run just one sleuthing photo a day on the weekends during the offseason but I came across this one recently and it was too good to pass up. So let’s do a bit of baseball sleuthing as we wait for today’s Super Bowl to begin.
Here we have brothers Joe and Phil Niekro posing at Wrigley Field. The scoreboard is visible, just barely, and only the NL side.
Joe Niekro pitched for the Cubs in 1967 and 1968, and for a few weeks in 1969 before he was traded to the Padres. So that does narrow things down, a bit. The Joe Niekro trade happened before the Braves visited Wrigley Field in 1969, so that year is eliminated.
That would still leave 18 possible dates, as the Braves played nine games at Wrigley in both 1967 and 1968.
I didn’t have to look at a single box score to figure this out, though I did have to check league schedules. Here’s how this one went.
First, the style of road uniform Phil Niekro is wearing wasn’t worn by the Braves before 1968. So that eliminates 1967.
Now, we can’t see much of the board but here’s a portion that we can see, enlarged:
It’s blurry and pixellated but that doesn’t matter. If you are familiar with the Wrigley Field board and how games are designated, it’s 100 percent clear that the white squares in the games above and below the Cubs score line (and that one was in the middle in the 1960s) read NO GAME.
Thus, the Cubs and Braves were the only NL game being played on the day this photo was taken.
So, as I said, I didn’t have to look at a single box score to figure this one out, just the daily schedules. The only day that year that the Cubs and Braves played at Wrigley and were the only NL game was Thursday, April 25, 1968.
In those days, photographers didn’t cover every single game as they do now, and especially not on a chilly April weekday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The reason this photo was taken is very likely the fact that the brothers had pitched against each other in the series opener, Tuesday, April 23. It was the first time the Niekros had faced each other at Wrigley; it had happened once previously in Atlanta, July 4, 1967.
Joe was the winner that day, allowing four runs in eight innings. The Cubs scored five off Phil in three innings and won 10-4. The reason this photo had to wait until Thursday the 25th was that the Wednesday, April 24 game had been postponed because it was 39 degrees and snowing that day in Chicago.
The Cubs won the April 25 game 5-2. Fergie Jenkins threw a complete game and Ron Santo homered twice in front of just 4,399 on another chilly day, with a temperature around 50.
The Joe Niekro trade was one of the worst in Cubs history. Joe had thrown a complete-game shutout in his first 1969 start against the Expos, but then posted a 6.97 ERA in his next three starts, not getting out of the fifth inning in any of them. In a fit of pique, Leo Durocher wanted him traded and GM John Holland obliged him.
Yes, the Cubs got Dick Selma in the deal, and Selma was competent for the Cubs, not to mention fun with his bullpen antics. Selma was traded (with Oscar Gamble) to the Phillies after 1969 for Johnny Callison, another bad trade. Callison didn’t do much for the Cubs and Selma had an outstanding year for Philly in 1970 as a multi-inning reliever, posting 22 saves and 5.2 bWAR in 73 games and 134.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Niekro went on to pitch 19 more seasons for the Tigers, Astros, Braves, Yankees and Twins. He was a teammate of his brother’s in Atlanta in 1973 and 1974, finished in the top three of Cy Young voting in 1979 and 1980 and got a World Series ring with the Twins in 1987. He had 221 career wins and was one of the better starters of his time.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander is out for the NBA All-Star Game next weekend in Los Angeles due to an abdominal strain (he has already missed two games and the Thunder lost both).
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Sunday that Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun would replace Gilgeous-Alexander on the World Team in the All-Star Game (part of a USA vs. World format, more on that below).
Sengun was one of the most obvious snubs when the coaches picked the reserves. In his fifth NBA season, Sengu is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and a career-high 6.3 assists per game.
Sengun joins a stacked World Team roster that already includes Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama at the five.
All-Star Game format
This year, the NBA All-Star Game returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock — and it falls right in the middle of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which are already underway. That was a perfect setup for the first-of-its-kind All-Star Game format, a USA vs. World showdown that fans and players have been asking for.
The 24 All-Star players have been divided into three teams, two USA teams — USA Stripes and USA Stars — and one World Team. Those three teams will compete in a round-robin tournament of four 12-minute games, each team playing at least two games.
At the end of the round-robin, the two top teams will play a championship game (the fourth 12-minute game of the day) for the title. (If there is a tie, it comes down to point differential.)
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, an earlier time than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Every moment of All-Star Weekend — the Rising Stars challenge on Friday. (Feb. 13), All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest (Feb. 14), as well as the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15 — will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, a time earlier than in previous years, leading into more coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game airs on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game airs on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
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As we conclude our Northwestern baseball 2026 position previews, it’s time to take a look at a relatively experienced outfield group featuring two returning starters and a couple of interesting newcomers. What can the Wildcats’ outfielders offer in 2026?
Jackson Freeman, Junior, RF
After a big first-year season featuring 11 home runs and an OPS of .866, Freeman took a step back statistically in 2025, improving his batting average from .247 to .255 but dropping his OPS to .780 thanks to just six home runs in 52 games. However, fans shouldn’t be fooled by this perceived lack of progress — Freeman is a bona fide star who will be one of the Wildcats’ biggest assets in 2026.
Over the summer, Freeman took his talents to the Cape Cod League to play against the best summer baseball competition in the country. He more than held his own, hitting .259 in a league that is far less hitter-friendly than the Big Ten (for context, the worst team ERA out of 10 Cape squads was 4.92, a mark that would’ve been sixth-best in a 17-team B1G). In addition to his hitting prowess, Freeman showed off his capabilities in both right and center field, starting 38 games for the Chatham Anglers and committing just one error compared to five outfield assists.
Entering 2026, Freeman is expected to slot back into his role as the primary right fielder for the ‘Cats. Finding increased power will still need to be a focus, but in terms of efficiency, the California native projects to take a major step up this year.
Jack Lausch, Senior, CF
Welcome back, quarterback.
Lausch returns to the ‘Cats for his second season of baseball since abandoning his pursuits of being NU’s starting QB. A highly-touted baseball recruit coming out of high school, the Chicago native struggled to readjust at the plate early in 2025. However, he bounced back nicely toward the end of the year, finishing with a solid .268 batting average.
In 2026, Lausch should return to his role as the everyday center fielder for the ‘Cats. With a year of collegiate baseball under his belt, fans should expect Lausch to be a reliable player who can hit in the heart of the order if necessary.
Logan de Groot, Sophomore, LF
With the departure of Preston Knott, the ‘Cats have a big hole in left field, and de Groot is one of several options who could seek to fill it. The California native transferred to NU after a season with UCLA, during which he started four games as a designated hitter and batted .267 across 15 at-bats.
Over the summer, de Groot received regular playing time in the West Coast League, hitting .236. The sophomore saw a lot of time in right field with the WCL’s Bellingham Bells, but he likely has the versatility to play in left if necessary. It is certainly possible that Wildcat coach Ben Greenspan will opt to start a returner in left to begin the season, but de Groot is certainly a viable choice as well.
Griffin Mills, Junior
Mills made two starts in 21 appearances with the ‘Cats last year, picking up six hits in 19 at-bats total. The New Jersey native does have the ability to play all over the outfield, and he made one start as a left fielder against UIC last April. His 2024 batting numbers (.129 average in 62 at-bats) are certainly a cause for concern, but Mills has certainly developed his swing since then, so he’ll likely have a chance to compete for some time in the outfield with the loss of Knott.
Zach Carlson, Sophomore
Carlson appeared in 15 games and made seven starts (all as a designated hitter) last season, hitting .276 across 29 at-bats. It was certainly encouraging to see the Utah native get some looks in meaningful competition as a freshman. If Carlson can continue to grow as a hitter, he could be another legitimate option to get some playing time in the outfield.
Marty Kaplan, Senior
A career .212 hitter, Kaplan has seen his playing time slowly decrease since his first-year season in 2023, although he did make two starts as a DH in 2025. As a senior, Kaplan has the advantage of having been around the Wildcat baseball program for a long time, and he does have 12 career starts under his belt. If he can take a leap at the plate, he may get some chances for action as either a DH or left fielder in 2026.
Masai Marshall, Sophomore
Marshall did not play in 2025, but he was ranked as the No. 12 outfielder in the state of New York coming out of high school. He projects mainly as a depth piece for the ‘Cats, but with a year of NU experience under his belt, he’ll likely get the chance to play in his first game at some point in 2026.
Dominic DeLoreto, First-Year
Also listed as a pitcher, DeLoreto hails from Florida and should be a solid development piece for the Wildcats this year. He may not see action in 2026, but his versatility could allow him to be a key player for NU at some point in the future.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Marco Luciano #37 of the San Francisco Giants poses for a photo during the San Francisco Giants Photo Day at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday, February 20, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It took three trips over the waiver wire through claims by three different teams for former top San Francisco Giants prospect Marco Luciano to finally find a home. He was designated multiple times for so many assignments, but the baseball gods finally took mercy on Luciano and let him pass through waivers and land with the New York Yankee’s Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders.
Earlier today, OF Michael Siani was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Additionally, the Yankees outrighted INF/OF Marco Luciano off the Major League roster and onto the roster of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Luciano used the be the Giants’ top prospect and was considered one of the best prospects in all of baseball, playing in the 2021 Futures Game as a 19-year-old. But his hitting never showed the promise displayed as a 17-year-old playing rookie ball and perhaps most important, couldn’t field at shortstop, something that everyone but Farhan Zaidi had long since acknowledged before 2024, when Luciano got an ill-fated chance at the position — and his injuries didn’t help.
His SF Giants career consisted of 41 games and 126 plate appearances, where he slashed .217/.286/.304 with 45 strikeouts and 11 walks. That’s not enough hitting for a middle infielder, let alone the LF/1B/DH hybrid Luciano has become. The Giants let him go in December to provide a spare roster spot that would allow them to participate in the Rule V draft, meaning they effectively traded him for backup catcher Andrew Susac.
Out of options but still only 24 years old, Luciano remained intriguing for MLB teams. Just not for their big-league rosters. The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Luciano Dec. 5, and he spent a few weeks on their roster before the Pirates made a one-for-three three-team trade, which meant they had to clear two spots on their 40-man roster. Operating on the principle of last-in, first-out, they ditched Luciano, who returned to the waiver wire.
Luciano spent three weeks in limbo after that, because the usual one-week limit for waiver claims doesn’t apply to the holiday season. The Baltimore Orioles claimed him Jan. 7, only to designate him for assignment him Jan. 15 in order to claim left-handed reliever Jose Suarez. One week later, the Yankees claimed Luciano. Five days after that, he got another DFA when the Yankees claimed reliever Don Hamel.
Essentially, all these teams wanted Luciano, as long as he didn’t have to be on the 40-man roster. It’s a brutal system for players who are out of options. Luciano had no idea where he was playing next season for two full months, while being a member of three different major-league teams on paper.
He lands with the Yankees, where he has a real opportunity thanks to the Yankees’ lefty-dominated lineup. They’ve got Paul Goldschmidt at first base/DH backing up lefty Ben Rice, but Goldschmidt is now 38 years old, though no less terrifying if he’s facing the Giants. If Luciano can hit outside the friendly Pacific Coast League, he’s a logical right-handed power options for the Yankees.
He’s probably content with simply leaving the waiver wire.
Gore died during “what was supposed to have been a simple procedure,” according to a post Saturday on social media from his wife, Britney. He was 34 years old.
“We are all heartbroken to hear the devastating news of the passing of Terrance Gore,” Moore said in a statement. “A beloved husband and father of three, he was deeply devoted to his beautiful family. We are all hurting for his wife Britney and their three children during this incredibly difficult time.
“Terrance brought a high level of excitement and anticipation to the game. He was unstoppable as a base stealer, and he inspired athletes throughout our country to pursue baseball. He was loved and respected by his very special teammates, who will continue to love his family during this time of sadness.”
Terrance Gore (4) with the Mets in 2022. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTFormer Royals GM Dayton Moore. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gore, a Georgia native, spent parts of eight seasons in the major leagues, mostly serving as a baserunning specialist, beginning with the Royals in 2014 and during their ’15 championship season. He later also earned World Series rings with the 2020 Dodgers and the 2021 Braves before appearing in 10 games for the Mets in 2022, finishing with 43 stolen bases in 52 attempts despite only 85 career plate appearances over in 112 big-league games.
“There have been very few players who can take over a baseball game,” Moore added in an interview with the Royals team website. “That’s exactly what he did. He became a fan favorite. He was beloved by his teammates. And he was just fearless and impactful on the bases but also off the field.
“Terrance was a natural fit for us and the type of player we looked for. We paid more attention to the guys who could flat out run than power because we knew developing the power tool might not fit within our timeline. We were heavily focused on speed at that point in the draft.”
D.J. Short
