Dodgers activate Tommy Edman, designate Santiago Espinal for assignment

Apr 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Edman (25) takes live batting practice prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman was activated off the 60-day injured list on Tuesday after missing the first 73 games of the season following right ankle surgery in November. They get back a multi-positional player who started 32 of 33 postseason games in his first two years with Los Angeles.

To make room on both the active and 40-man rosters, infielder Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment.

The Dodgers were methodical with Edman’s rehabilitation from surgery, hoping to finally put behind them the injury that has plagued the switch-hitting utility player since 2024, even before the St. Louis Cardinals traded him to Los Angeles.

As Edman said of his expected rehab during Dodgers fan fest in January, “I want to make sure I’m a full go, and don’t have to worry about [the ankle] again the rest of the year.”

Edman had a busy three weeks on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Oklahoma City, playing 14 of 18 games for the Comets. He hit .275/.351/.392 with a 94 wRC+ in 57 plate appearances, with a home run, triple, double, and stolen base. Edman fared better batting left-handed while on rehab, hitting .300/.378/.450 in 45 plate appearances while he had two hits in 11 at-bats batting right-handed in Triple-A.

During his seven-year career, Edman’s splits have gone the other way, hitting .273/.314/.495 with a 118 wRC+ batting righty against left-handed pitching, and .254/.313/.373 with a 90 wRC+ batting left-handed.

With Oklahoma City, Edman started five games at second base, made two starts each at third base, left field, and center field, and also started three times as designated hitter. He’s expected to play multiple positions now that he’s back with the Dodgers, and will start on Wednesday afternoon against Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan.

Espinal hit .268/.276/.375 in 36 games and 60 plate appearances with the Dodgers, with seven starts at third base, four starts at second base, and one at designated hitter. Espinal was previously designated for assignment this season on May 25, but returned within a few days after injuries to both Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández.

Edman’s history against left-handed pitching made Espinal’s role redundant.

“Espy’s been great for us, but the fit right now with our ballclub, it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,” manager Dave Roberts said after Monday night’s game.

Now with both Edman and Alex Freeland active, the Dodgers have two switch-hitters — Freeland is stronger batting left-handed — with plenty of versatility. Freeland can play all over the infield, and Edman can add outfield as well to his infield duties.

Espinal’s second Dodgers tenure ended with a four-game hit streak, with five singles in his last eight at-bats.

Steve Gelbs stops by the show to talk state of the Mets, plus a chat with prospect Jonathan Santucci |The Mets Pod

Joe DeMayo and guest co-host Steve Gelbs drop the latest episode of The Mets Pod, as the Mets continue their step forward and step back moves. 

Steve and Joe cover the shaky starting rotation, including ups and downs from Freddy Peralta, an injury to Christian Scott, the return of Kodai Senga, and the improvement of Sean Manaea. 

The guys also talk Bo Bichette getting hot, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing's effect on the clubhouse, and when to expect Francisco Lindor back on the field. Later, Joe goes Down on the Farm for an exclusive interview with rising Mets pitching prospect Jonathan Santucci, and then the show goes into the Mailbag to answer questions about Mark Vientos, Luis Robert Jr, trade deadline options, and Steve's all-time favorite celebrity interviews during Mets games.

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

MLB Invites Rutgers’ Peyton Bonds to Combine

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 10, 2026: Peyton Bonds #25 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights bats during the third inning against the UCLA Bruins at Bainton Field on April 10, 2026 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Rutgers Outfielder Peyton Bonds has received an invite to the 2026 MLB Combine, where he will get the chance to show his athletic ability in front of scouts from every team in the MLB, according to a post by Richie O’Leary of The Knight Report.

Bonds has been with the Scarlet Knights since 2025, after transferring in from Campbell, where he played for just one year in 2024, when he was named to the CAA all-freshman team.

In his second season with the team in 2026, Bonds played in 36 games, posting a .352 average. He finished the season with 50 hits, six home runs, 29 RBI’s, and 13 stolen bases. In the field, Bonds recorded 80 put-outs and 1 assist.

The combine itself is set to take place over three days, June 23- June 26, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The MLB Draft will take place on July 11-13. Bonds has the potential to be one of the highest Rutgers draft picks in recent memory, thanks to his skill and possibly his well-known last name. As of right now, Rutgers has had 72 total players drafted to the MLB, with a good chance at making it 73 with Bonds.

Bonds’ deep ties to the MLB are well-documented. His father, Bobby Bonds II, played in the MLB for 11 years. His grandfather, Bobby Bonds, is a three-time MLB All-Star. However, the biggest star of the Bonds family was his uncle, Barry Bonds, MLB’s all-time leader in home runs

Nashville Predators acquire center Ross Colton in trade with Colorado Avalanche

The Nashville Predators have acquired center Ross Colton from the Colorado Avalanche for two third-round picks, the team announced on Tuesday, June 16.

In the trade, the Predators acquire Colton and goaltender Isak Posch for Nashville's third-round pick in 2026, Colorado's third-round pick in 2027 (which was previously acquired by Nashville), and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

This is Chris MacFarland's first trade since being hired as the Predators' president of hockey operations and general manager.

Colton, 29, scored nine goals and 15 assists in 73 games as a mostly third-line center for the Avalanche last season. Over six seasons, Colton has 89 goals and 87 assists in 404 games for the Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colton is in the final year of a four-year, $16 million deal he signed with Colorado in 2023. He will earn $4 million in 2026-27 and has a modified no-trade clause.

According to Puck Pedia, the Predators have more than $27 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season.

A 6-foot, 197-pound center, Colton brings a balanced approach up the middle. He's not flashy on offense, but he's an excellent possession player and wins face-offs. Barring other moves, Colton should join Ryan O'Reilly, Matthew Wood, and Fedor Svechkov as the team's top centers entering next season.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators acquire center Ross Colton in trade with Avalanche

The NBA Draft prospects who have worked out for the Spurs

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Allen Graves #22 of the Santa Clara Broncos celebrates a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2025-26 season ended disappointingly for the San Antonio Spurs. Despite outperforming expectations and making it all the way to the NBA Finals, San Antonio has to feel it came up short after losing to the New York Knicks 4-1. The time for licking wounds should be brief, though, especially for the front office. The NBA Draft is a mere week away, and the Spurs have a real chance to add young players who can help them win a championship in the future.

San Antonio’s front office has been busy during the postseason, hosting draft prospects for workouts. The Spurs own four picks in the draft: #20, #35, #42, and #44. The front office has brought in players who are considered to go in the late-first to early-second round range. If there is any smoke of them moving up in the draft (and so far there hasn’t been), we could see some higher-profile players work out for the team this week, leading up to the draft.

For now, let’s take a look at the guys who have reportedly worked out for the Spurs so far. The list of players stems from HoopsHype’s draft workout tracker.

Allen Graves, 6’8” PF/C, Santa Clara

22.6 minutes, 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 51.2% shooting, 41.3% three, 75% free throw

Graves is this draft’s riser after a productive freshman season at Santa Clara. He’s a big forward with excellent defensive instincts who shot the ball well from three in college. Graves isn’t the most athletic or physically imposing player, but he makes up for it with smart positional defense and aggression on the defensive end. Offensively, he profiles as a connective playmaker and pick-and-pop threat.

San Antonio needs a player like Graves – a big four who can defend, pass, and shoot the ball. He’s not a perfect fit, as he lacks the physicality, interior finishing, and rebounding ability that Victor Wembanyama’s ideal front-court partner would bring to the table. It’s hard to see him coming out of school and filling a substantial role for the Spurs immediately, but he’d give them another look in their front court as a stretch big.

Chris Cenac Jr., 6’10” PF/C, Houston

24.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 48.5% shooting, 33.3% three, 62.1% free throw

You’ll start to see a trend in the players the Spurs have worked out. They are big forwards or small-ball centers with high defensive potential. Cenac Jr. was a highly regarded high-school prospect (something Brian Wright and the Spurs’ front office have valued recently) who didn’t have the best freshman season at Houston. He’s a project big man who, on the high end, could be a lockdown defender who shoots the ball from three and plays well as a cutter on offense. On the low end, he could be a weak stretch forward who doesn’t figure out an offensive role and struggles to find a spot in the NBA.

Selecting Cenac Jr. means that the Spurs believe in that upside. In theory, he could be an ideal fit alongside Wembanyama, with his athleticism, rebounding, and potential floor spacing. Again, this is another player who likely won’t be a high-level contributor in year one.

Tarris Reed, 6’10” PF/C, UConn

27.3 minutes, 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 60.7% shooting, 61.7% free throw

Reed Jr. is the opposite of Graves and Cenac Jr. He’s a bruising big man who thrives on contact, but isn’t a very versatile player. Reed Jr. is going to make his bread and butter by dominating physically and athletically in the paint. He’s strong, has good footwork, and a great touch around the basket. Reed Jr. should be ready to physically play and compete on the glass in his first season, but don’t expect him to be a player who dominates offensively.

San Antonio could take a flyer on Reed Jr. in the second round to add some front-court depth and some needed physicality in the paint. Like Luke Kornet, don’t expect the big man to provide much in terms of floor spacing. He’d give the Spurs a more athletic, physical option behind Wembanyama and Kornet.

Zuby Ejiofor, 6’8” PF, St. John’s

30 minutes, 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 53.6% shooting, 30.5% three, 71.8% free throw

If you’re looking for your enforcer next to Wembanyama, Ejiofor could be that guy. He’s a versatile defender with an extremely high motor who is as strong as an ox. His offensive role in the NBA is questionable, as he was used mostly as a post scorer and playmaker at St. John’s, while his jump shot is still developing. As a second-round pick, Ejiofor would be a fun bet for a Spurs team that needs to add more physical defenders in its front court.

Alex Karaban, 6’7” Wing, UConn

34.3 minutes, 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 46.4% shooting, 37.4% three, 85.1% free throw

It feels like Karaban has been linked to the Spurs for the last three draft cycles. His upside is clear: he’s a proven wing who shot over 37% from three in his four seasons at UConn. He won two championships and played in three National Championship games in his college career, so he’d obviously impacted winning. He’s a dream of an off-ball player, who thrives on hitting threes off movement and is typically in the right position defensively. Just don’t ask him to create his own shot or be a lockdown wing defender.

Guys like Karaban are valuable in the NBA. San Antonio could always use more wing shooters. It’s hard to find an immediate spot for him in the rotation right now, but he’d add great depth and could be a contributor in the near future.

Felix Okpara, 6’10” C, Tennessee

26.9 minutes, 8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 59.7% shooting, 63.5% free throw

We are now solidly in two-way contract territory. Okpara has an NBA body at center, is extremely athletic, and defends with a motor. That combination typically finds you a spot in the league at some point. His offensive output is limited as he projects as mainly a rim runner at the next level. San Antonio has been lacking a solid two-way big man since Dominick Barlow. Okpara could give them some solid tools to develop in one of their three two-way slots.

Wyatt Fricks, 6’9” PF, Marshall

29.2 minutes, 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 55.2% shooting, 34.7% three, 68% free throw

It was hard to find much on Fricks. He looks like a stretch four who hit a good number of threes at the Portsmouth Invitational and had success blocking shots in college. He could be someone the Spurs look at for a Summer League invite.

Michael Ajayi, 6’7” SF/PF, Butler

33.6 minutes, 16.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 45.5% shooting, 26.1% three, 65.3% free throw

Ajayi is a good wing athlete who defended well in college. He’s got a high motor on both ends, but doesn’t shoot the ball well enough as an undersized player. San Antonio could take a flyer on him in the Summer League.

MJ Collins, 6’3” Guard, Utah State

30.8 minutes, 17.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 48.7% shooting, 36.1% three, 81% free throw

Collins can fill it up as a scoring guard, but 1.6 assists for a smaller guard who isn’t a great defender puts him in a niche that typically doesn’t make it in the NBA. This could be another Summer League target for the Spurs.

Tre Donaldson, 6’3” Guard, Miami

34 minutes, 16.4 points, 5.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 45.4% shooting, 35.9% three, 76.6% free throw

Donaldson had the reputation of a defensive guard until his senior season at Miami, where he had the best offensive season of his career on a Hurricanes squad that won a game in the NCAA Tournament this year. He’s likely to go undrafted because of his size and scoring questions, but San Antonio could give him a look as an undrafted free agent.

Barry Dunning Jr., 6’6” Wing, Pittsburg

31.7 minutes, 12.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 46.6% shooting, 34.5% three, 71.6% free throw

Dunning Jr. is a former Alabama high-school star turned college basketball journeyman. He’s got good size and athleticism on the wing, and has intriguing pedigree for a potentially undrafted player.

William Kyle III, 6’9” Forward, Syracuse

28.1 minutes, 8.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 66.1% shooting, 49.1% free throw

Kyle III put up impressive numbers in his Senior season at Syracuse. He’s a pogo stick on the basketball court. Some of his jumps are out of this world.

Robert McCray V, 6’4” Guard, Florida State

28.9 minutes, 16.3 points, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 45.8% shooting, 35.5% three, 71.3% free throw

McCray is a hard-nosed guard with a lot of burst and athleticism. He passed the ball well in his Senior season at FSU. He’s another undrafted flyer.

Floyd Mayweather faces theft charge after allegedly using bad check to buy $200,000 watch

  • Boxer could face 20 years in jail if found guilty

  • Mayweather’s attorney has not commented

Floyd Mayweather is facing two felony charges over allegations he used a bad check to buy a $200,000 watch in 2024.

The charges are for theft and intent to defraud. The theft charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in jail if someone is found guilty, although sentences of that length for the offense are rare.

Continue reading...

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (43-26) vs. Cleveland Guardians (39-33)

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt takes batting practice during spring training workouts Monday, February 17, 2025, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A lot has happened in the last couple of days! Coming off of a series win over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Brewers have a brand new shortstop to debut as they welcome the Cleveland Guardians to town.

Cooper Pratt is, of course, in the starting lineup tonight, and Luis Rengifo has been designated for assignment. Pratt will bat eighth, and with a glimpse into what the Brewer infield might look like in the coming weeks, David Hamilton will start alongside him at third base. If I had to guess, Hamilton and Joey Ortiz will move into a platoon situation at third base, but we’ll see how often Pratt and Ortiz are in the lineup together and, when they are, who will play where.

In Milwaukee’s lineup alongside Pratt and Hamilton this evening we will see Christian Yelich at designated hitter, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and Jake Bauers in the outfield, William Contreras behind the plate, and Brice Turang and Andrew Vaughn on the right side of the infield, so tonight is a win for the “get Bauers and Vaughn into the lineup no matter what” folks. Cleveland’s lineup is notably absent their biggest weapon, as the typically ultra-durable José Ramírez was placed on the injured list on Sunday with a broken hamate bone. Old Friend Rhys Hoskins gets the start at first base, while a former Brewer farmhand, David Fry, will start in right field and bat cleanup. (Fry, who was a 2024 All-Star, was drafted by the Brewers in 2018 and sent to Cleveland in 2021 for J.C. Mejía. A rare front-office miss.)

On the mound for the Brewers is the lefty Robert Gasser, who is making his fifth start of the season. He got beat up a bit his last time out, but that game was on the moon in Las Vegas, so I’m willing to give it a pass; I actually thought Gasser did a pretty solid job against the Athletics until they broke through with two homers in the fifth inning. In his previous outing in a real ballpark, Gasser had his best outing of the season: on June 3 in San Francisco, he held the Giants to one run on five hits in five innings.

The Guardians counter with the right-handed Slade Cecconi, who has had mixed results this season. Cecconi sports a 4.83 ERA in 72 2/3 innings, but his FIP is significantly better at 4.28. He’s also been much better lately; Cecconi has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts, a span in which he’s gone 2-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 37 innings. Cecconi isn’t a hard thrower (he sits at about 93 mph with his fastball), and he doesn’t strike out a whole lot of batters, so hopefully the Brewers will be able to take advantage tonight.

A couple of injury notes: Brandon Woodruff is headed to the Quad Cities to start for the Timber Rattlers tonight and is slated to throw about 85 pitches. Additionally, Logan Henderson, who hasn’t pitched since May 22 because of a back strain, is throwing bullpens. The news isn’t as good on Quinn Priester: he’s got a meeting scheduled to determine the next step in recovery for his thoracic outlet syndrome. (The vibes aren’t good here.)

First pitch tonight is at 6:40 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.

Texas Rangers lineup for June 16, 2026

Jun 15, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Josh Smith (8) pinch hits against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers lineup for June 16, 2026 against the Minnesota Twins: starting pitchers are Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and Zebby Matthews for the Twins.

Texas looks to even the series against the Twins. Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran are both starting.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Jung — 3B

Langford — LF

Nimmo — RF

Duran — SS

Burger — 1B

Smith — 2B

Osuna — CF

Diaz — C

7:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -132 favorites.

Should the Reds try to keep Eugenio Suárez beyond this year?

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 3: Eugenio Suárez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds blows bubbles with his gum in the infield against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on July 3, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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

There have been precious few updates regarding the back problem that send Ke’Bryan Hayes to the injured list after he last played on May 20th. We know it’s both a chronic problem and that the Cincinnati Reds placed him just on the 10-day IL instead of the 60-day, but he’s nearing a month on the shelf already and the latest update on Reds.com slated him with a ‘TBD’ return date that was last updated on May 22nd.

That’s the unknown with Hayes. The knowns, of course, are that he hasn’t hit in a half-decade, is on the cusp of being 30 years old, and has dealt with this very same back problem time after time for years. In other words, much like it did at the time the Reds oddly chose to trade for him and his long-term contract, none of that screams should be the team’s everyday 3B going forward.

While it remains to be seen whether the contract there keeps him around for another shot or if he’s designated for assignment before it’s over (a la Mike Moustakas, Jeimer Candelario, Shogo Akiyama, et al), it’s pretty clear the Reds need to plan accordingly.

What we also know is that Nathaniel Lowe is slated to be a free agent again at season’s end, removing another corner infielder from the current mix for the 2027 season. We also know that TJ Friedl, earning $3.8 million in his first trip through arbitration this year, seems like a pretty obvious non-tender candidate given that he hit so poorly that he was optioned to AAA Louisville.

In Hayes, Lowe, and Friedl, that’s a trio of players who were expected to be regulars in 2026 that the 2027 club likely won’t have, for their own reasons. Now, you can pencil in Edwin Arroyo as a replacement on the position player side as he continues to evolve into a big leaguer, and in theory he could be in the mix at 3B. Sal Stewart could presumably be the everyday 3B, but that would take Spencer Steer out of the turbid OF mix as he’d be needed at 1B everyday with that mix. The DH options in that scenario would likely be just rotating through the rest of the down-roster guys, with none of them obvious bat-first guys who deserve to be hitting even on their ‘days off.’

To me, it seems pretty clear that beyond the 2026 season, the way this current Reds roster is constructed still has a glaring need for a big bat somewhere. The versatility of Steer and Stewart means that bat could come at 1B, 3B, or even in a corner OF spot, which gives the front office flexibility in who they choose to pursue.

But what if there’s already someone on the roster right now who profiles like a pretty perfect fit there?

What if there’s a guy who can play 3B, some 1B in a pinch, or serve as the regular DH who’s deeply familiar with the way the Cincinnati Reds work? Heck, he may even be a guy who has only ever signed contracts with the Reds in his entire big league career!

What if he’s coming off the first real injury of his career, one that cost him a month and sapped a little bit of his production? What if that made locking him up for another year ASAP the absolute bargain of the century?

What if last night, when Eugenio Suárez clubbed two homers – one a grand slam – should serve as the perfect reminder that the Reds, right now, have an absolute masher in the heart of the lineup, a guy who would be a great piece of a 2027 lineup that will have Elly De La Cruz once again in his dwindling time with the Reds before he reaches free agency?

What say you…should the Cincinnati Reds try to keep Eugenio Suárez beyond this season?

Let us know!

Devils Rumors: Shopping Jacob Markstrom, Other Teams Targeting Simon Nemec

The Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions as of Sunday, but the off-season rumor mill took no time to get moving. The New Jersey Devils are involved. 

Over the last couple of days, Kevin Weekes of ESPN and NHL Network speculated about two players currently on the New Jersey Devils. 

Over the weekend, Weekes reported that the New Jersey Devils are shopping goaltender Jacob Markstrom. 

After signing him to a contract extension during the 2025-26 season, which is worth $12 million over 2 years (cap hit of $6 million each year), they are already trying to move off of him.  

For one, Markstrom wasn't good enough in 2025-26. He was supposed to be a stopgap at the position for the Devils during his tenure, but he has not lived up to it. 

Markstrom took over as the starting goalie for Sweden in the Olympics, but his NHL numbers left a lot to be desired. His 3.07 goals against average and .883 save percentage were simply not good enough. 

Not only would the Devils be upgrading at the position if they moved on from Markstrom, but they would also free up all of that cap space, which they desperately need. 

Weekes also reported that teams are calling about defenseman Simon Nemec. This is an entirely different situation, because Nemec still has a long NHL future ahead of him. He could even be a star. 

Nemec was the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but his transition to the NHL hasn't gone the way he had hoped. The Devils didn't unleash him once he reached the NHL, and his usage has been questionable at best. 

2025-26 was a career year for the young Slovakian defender. He had 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 68 games played. His defensive game is still a work in progress, which is normal for a 22-year-old with under 200 NHL games played. 

The prize for trading Markstrom is freed-up cap space and the potential for better goaltending from elsewhere. The prize for Nemec could be high-end help at forward, specifically a goal-scoring winger, which is something the Devils also need. 

Dougie Hamilton has been in trade rumors since last fall, but it hasn't come up in a while. Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Jonathan Kovacevic, and Jonas Siegenthaler are the NHL defencemen currently under contract. 

If another team were to acquire Nemec, they would need to sign him, as he is a restricted free agent. He is likely to get a nice contract with his upside as the main point of emphasis. 

As for goaltending, potentially without Markstrom, Jake Allen is signed to a long-term deal. They also have Nico Daws and the potential to make a trade for someone else that they think can help them. 

Reporting on Nemec and Markstrom isn't the only New Jersey Devils nugget from Kevin Weekes over the last week. He also noted that talks are ongoing between the team and captain Nico Hischier. He speculated that they will come to a medium-term contract in the $11-13 million range. 

It is incredibly important for the Devils to sign Hischier unless they are bringing in another center of equal or better value. Hischier is a premier two-way player who impacts the game in all three zones. 

Paired with Jack Hughes, who is a dynamic offense-focused center, Hischier is a perfect complement. Getting him extended, as he is entering the last year of his current deal with a cap hit of $7.25 million, is the most important task of the entire offseason. 

One thing is for certain: Sunny Mehta is wasting no time when it comes to trying to make the roster better. 

Image

Visit The Hockey News New Jersey Devils team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

Cubs roster move: Daniel Palencia to IL, Gavin Hollowell recalled

You might remember that during Monday’s game, Craig Counsell went out to the mound with the trainer to talk with Daniel Palencia. Palencia ultimately stayed in the game, striking out three Rockies.

Evidently the team found an issue, because today Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

To replace Palencia on the active roster, the Cubs recalled right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa.

Here’s hoping this is nothing serious with Palencia. The Cubs haven’t had many save opportunities anyway so far this year. I’d guess the Cubs would go with closer-by-committee if there are any coming up.

Palencia is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA (5 ER/16.2 IP) with three saves in 19 relief appearances with the Cubs this season.

Hollowell made one relief appearance with the Cubs this season, tossing 1.2 innings and allowing two runs on two hits. With Iowa this season, he is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA (7 ER/17.1 IP) in 15 relief appearances.

As always, we await developments.

Predators Acquire Ross Colton From Avalanche

The Nashville Predators have announced that they've acquired forward Ross Colton and goalie Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche.

The Predators are sending back their own 3rd round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, as well as Colorado’s 3rd round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and goalie Magnus Chrona. Colorado's pick was previously acquired in another deal.

This is the first move that Chris MacFarland has made as general manager of the Predators. And it's a move to bring a player that he bought to the Avalanche to his new team.

Colton, 29 scored nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 73 games last season. He is known as a bit of a sparkplug who uses his body to energize his teammates. He had 159 hits last season, which was third on the Avalanche.

In a statement released by the Predators, MacFarland had this to say:

“We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix,” MacFarland said. “Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.”

As for Posch, he is an AHL goalie who played the last two seasons with the Colorado Eagles. In the 2025-26 season, he had a record of 15-8-4. 

MacFarland also commented on the acquisition of Posch.

“Isak Posch is a talented young netminder who was selected to play in the AHL All-Star game this past year,” MacFarland said. “He is a big goaltender who will add to our already impressive goalie depth.”

Colorado Avalanche Trade Ross Colton To The Nashville Predators For Draft Picks

The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Ross Colton (no salary retention) and goaltender Isak Posch to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (Predators), a 2027 third-round pick (Avalanche), and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

Ross Colton has been a name this entire season, especially at the trade deadline, as a player the Avalanche might want to move off for salary cap reasons, and now they have successfully done so without having to give up any draft picks or valuable prospects.

Moving off his $4 million cap hit now frees up just under $7 million for the Avalanche to re-sign some key free agents this summer.

Isak Posch was a young goaltender prospect who played pretty well with the AHL Colorado Eagles, finishing with a 15-8-7 record, a .891% save percentage, and a 2.78 goals-against average.

In return, Magnus Chrona is a 6-foot-6 goaltender whom the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. This past season with the Milwaukee Admirals, he had a down season compared to his previous seasons, finishing with a 9-11-6 record, a .894 SV%, and a 2.94 goals-against average.

T.J. Hughes’ Road To The Avalanche Starting Lineup Next SeasonT.J. Hughes’ Road To The Avalanche Starting Lineup Next SeasonAfter a dominant postseason run with the Eagles, the Hobey Baker finalist’s elite playmaking and versatility position him to challenge for a role with the Colorado Avalanche next season.
Image

Former Senator Vinny Prospal Joins The NHL Coaching Ranks

Former Senator Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal is back in the NHL.

13 years after his long 1108-game NHL career came to a close, Prospal returned to the league on Monday when the St. Louis Blues signed him to a multi-year contract to be one of Jim Montgomery's assistant coaches, starting this fall.

In a team press release, Montgomery spoke highly of the former Senator, who played in Ottawa from 1998 to 2001.

Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss how new NCAA eligibility rule may affect NHL scouts' draft evaluations.

“Vinny brings a creative offensive mind, honed by his success as a player on the power play and five-on-five," Montgomery said.

Over the past three seasons, Prospal has been learning the North American coaching ropes as an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, Buffalo's top farm club. Before that, he served three years as head coach of a pro team in Czechia, and did two years as an assistant coach of his national team.

Now 51, Prospal can look back on an outstanding NHL career, appearing in 1,108 games, 213 with Ottawa, and scoring 765 career points. He suited up for Czechia at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and twice won gold at the Worlds.

His arrival in Ottawa in March of 1998 was the end of a disappointing chapter for the Senators organization, which had nothing to do with Prospal. When the Sens drafted Quebec Junior phenom Alexandre Daigle in 1993, the entire hockey world thought they had acquired the game's next great superstar.

Daigle ended up being a good NHL player, but certainly not a great one. When they finally accepted that and moved on, the Senators dealt him to Philadelphia for Pat Falloon, who went second overall in the 1991 NHL Draft after Eric Lindros. Falloon never panned out either, and he played just 28 career games with the Sens.

But the Sens also got Prospal in that deal, and though he was merely a third-round pick by the Flyers, he was by far the best player in the deal.

In January of 2001, after his slow start to the season, Prospal was traded to Florida for a mid-round draft pick, which was a terrible decision in hindsight.

Prospal went on to play 818 more games in the NHL.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This story was first published at The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators site. Check out more from THN.com/Ottawa at the links below.

Jason York Shares A Wild Mike Babcock Story From Their Anaheim Days
Senators Reveal Their First-Round Draft Approach 
Former Senators Forward Retires From Hockey At 34
Senators Top Amateur Scout Weighs In On Yakemchuk's First Pro Season
LA Kings Get Their Man, And The Ex-Senators Coaching Drought Continues
Why Brady Tkachuk Is Poised For A Monster Bounce-Back Season

Guardians News: Angel Martinez on IL, Petey Halpin Called Up

Jun 13, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) kneels on the ground from an injury while at bat against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The Guardians announced that Angel Martinez has a non-displaced foot fracture, placed him on the IL and called up Petey Halpin.

Martinez was having a solid season with a 97 wRC+, 11 homers, 9 steals and 0.9 fWAR. His defense looked solid in the outfield, also. It’s a real shame because Martinez seemed to have a good shot at being the first Cleveland outfielder to it 20 home runs since Tris Speaker (ok, not that long, but it feels like it).

Halpin returning is an interesting choice, as one might have suspected that Kahlil Watson would get a look. Halpin has an 82 wRC+ at Columbus and Watson has a 126 wRC+ there. It may indicate some doubts about Watson’s glove in centerfield. Both Halpin and Watson have whiff and chase concerns. Halpin has consistently put up .770 OPS’s against RHP in Columbus, so I would guess, for now, he will platoon with Stuart Fairchild in center field while Steven Kwan moves back more of a strictly left field role. Halpin offers good speed and great defense, so there’s a solid floor there the Guardians are relying on for the time being. They may also be holding off on Watson’s debut to allow his family time to travel and making it a home debut for when they come off this road trip. We will see.

Typically, such injuries require 6-12 weeks of recovery time, so the Guardians can likely put Martinez on the 60-Day IL if they need a roster spot. I’d guess we probably won’t see Angel in the outfield until the end of August, which is a real bummer.