Worldwide Sports News

July 28, 2026

Are there further changes in store for these Seattle Mariners? Notes from an LL staff discussion

Jul 27, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Luke Raley (20) attempts to catch a batted ball by the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

This past Sunday morning before the Mariners finally rose to the occasion and won one (1) game against their direct divisional competition the Texas Rangers, the LL Slack channel sprang to life with an impromptu and lively discussion on what further changes could be in store shortly if the Mariners continue losing games. What follows below is an abridged version with occasional notes and commentary by me in italics. Give it a read and let us know what we missed in the comments or give us your hot takes on what needs to change and/or what will change in the near future for the Mariners.

Evan James, 9:56 AM: I would advise everyone to enjoy today’s game, and tomorrow’s. I think change is afoot if they get swept, likely even if not.

(Evan then posted a link to part of the score from Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”)

Eric Sanford: Are you thinking front office change? Firing Dan? Trading starters?

Evan: Dan. It maybe deserves more nuance than that, but it starts there. I don’t like it this way, and I didn’t want it this way, but it sure does feel like time. You, as a fan, are immortal. You will outlive coaches, players, owners, general managers, competitive windows. You have a future, always, as long as there are still jerseys to sell. Nothing changes for you. (I haven’t seen “The Odyssey” yet but I’m assuming Evan is referencing it here, that’s my best guess)

John Trupin: I don’t think they fire Dan a week after firing one hitting coach. Not to say it couldn’t happen, but I think that doesn’t really showcase any meaning in firing Magallenes if it gets five days of impact time.

Evan: Respectfully, if they go 0-4 against Texas this series…I can feel it in the air, in my bones. (What about 1-3? Guess we’re about to find out!)

Zach Gottschalk: I feel like Dan gets to the end of the season. At least until September.

John: The (Adam) Jude interview with Jerry really emphasized that they’d felt the old school, contact-heavy, data-lite approach they’d leaned into last year and this year was worth riding given how good the bats were last year. And that Papparella is quite a lot more like DeHart in being a big data guy.

Evan: They are not firing Dan in September. It will be sooner if it comes. I don’t like this, I am not happy I feel this way or I feel the need to communicate it, but this is where we are.

Ryan Blake: Fire Dipoto is the train I’m on. (bah gawd that’s ryan blake’s music!!!! ryan, that man has a family!!!)

Zach Mason: I don’t know what to do with Ryan being wrong. It’s a new feeling.

Ryan: If we’re going to fire anybody? I’d prefer the FO (front office). Dan’s fine in my opinion.

Evan: Whether or not that’s correct (firing Dipoto), they’re not doing it. The minor leagues continue to be far too competent to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Ryan: To be fair, so has the majors, and nobody is okay with that. I also frankly hated Dipoto’s quotes on Magallanes and am heated about it.

Evan: I agree with you on that, buts there’s a hierarchy, even to failure. Dominoes have to fall in order.

Ryan: I guess I just don’t think this season is anybody’s fault necessarily and the team is mostly unlucky, but the strategy of aiming just above the middle over and over and over means sometimes you get this result. I think i’m onto “let’s try for real now.”

ZAM: I have been frustrated by that approach in the past, but I think this is the year they actually pushed some chips in. This was finally the roster that they built to try for more than 54%.

Ryan: True.

ZAM: I really don’t have a lot of blame for this disaster. When the biggest under-performers are the heart of the team and the guys with the most reliable track records, what are you supposed to do?

Ryan: I guess if the team were to fire Wilson, I’d have some pretty choice words for the FO. Firing magallanes is useless and desperate and if I’m to believe “there are consequences to our results” then I’m not looking at Magallanes getting canned as any sort of consequence. I don’t know. It’s been 10 years. They fired Servais to shake things up, maybe it’s time for a new FO. Since 2022, the Mariners are:
– 7th in W% (54%)
– 7th in RD (54% pythag)
– 9th in Total WAR (51% WAR wins)
– 10th in Batter WAR
– 5th in Batting
– 18th in Fielding
– 19th in Base Running
– 9th in Pitcher WAR
– 3rd in SP
– 17th in RP

ZAM: This is the fifth season of the post-rebuilding era. I really don’t have complaints about the 2022, 2023, or 2025 teams, and I don’t blame the FO for the 2026 team’s problems.

Evan: If you’re ownership, even with the performance of the team, attendance is slightly up, and they’ve migrated to a new distribution platform for video streaming. All other sales are still solid. This year is a reset competitively, but not in any way on the business side. Things could be better, but they are not bad. You want someone who can make a more competitively consistent product perhaps, but you value the cost effectiveness of the minor league system and the budget above all else.

John: Attendance is up a lot, but that’s majorly from last year’s success. And the investments they’ve made in the roster are long term. I agree on this year being most to blame on the most important players, who were huge contributors last year and are in their 20’s and under contract for years, reeking of sewage. And Ryan, you put together that great piece on Naylor, the biggest culprit assuming he’s largely healthy seemed to be a godawful approach at the plate. To me, that’s plausibly a coaching issue.

Evan: I do wonder what they make of Julio/Cal internally. And I don’t mean in any super negative way but so much as, what are the revisited projections for these guys looking like? Is the defense coming back for Julio? Is Cal going to be something substantial again?

Eric: It’s really insane that every position player outside Randy and maybe Young and Colt have all under-performed to a point where they can’t keep a lead in a terrible division and the even the rotation that has the potential to be best in baseball has also severely under-performed. Oh, and the bullpen has regressed but that seems to happen every other season regardless. Like how can so many talented guys all play like such ass for such a prolonged period?

John: As a team this year, they are 7th-highest in swing rate at pitches out of the zone, 8th-highest in contact on those pitches. They’re 16th in in-zone swing rate by contrast, and LAST in in-zone contact rate! Perhaps the most important thing if you’re trying to be a “go the other way, hit line drives” kind of offense. And they have no power to show for it.

Eric: Injuries are an obvious excuse, but for everyone consistently sucking farts through garden hoses?

John: So I do think there’s something they’ve been failing on and it’s why I felt going away from their more power focused philosophy of the 2021-2024 era was flawed given their park. But, yes I think you can lay that at Dipoto and the FO’s feet ultimately for leaning into it by their hiring.

Evan: Respectfully, I think the injury argument has been nonsense for a while.

ZAM: The mariners have not had bad injury luck this season.

Evan: We’re missing two important guys, one in the bullpen and another who was supposed to be injured all year anyways. That’s not abnormal 110 games in.

John: It genuinely feels watching this team like they have softer bats than other teams. (you’ve heard of juiced balls, how ‘bout squishy bats?!)

Isabelle Minasian: Ryan or someone else, has their defensive positioning changed at all this season? The flip side of none of their contact going for hits has been that it feels like more bloops are getting through against them. (No one has answered this yet, discuss in comments!)

(At this point, we all got derailed by the actual baseball game, but Ryan got back into it an hour later)

Ryan: I guess my thing is, what would have changed since last year when they had the second best offense in the majors? Like the offense being down isn’t a huge concern for me. It’s the whole snatching up one dimensional players who limit the ceiling of the team and then when they struggle on that dimension provide nothing else. The defense being awful, the B side of the bullpen being bad again, and the vs LHP lineup being awful are really my concern, and that’s something they’ve never really addressed? I guess the question is always “what should they have done differently?” and I don’t know. But if actions have consequences, why do those consequences apply to assistant hitting coaches and not Edgar (gasp!) or Perry Hill (you hold your tongue, sir!) or Dipoto (/awkward silence). I think if there’s going to be change, I’d like to see a full scale clean house type thing. but i still expect them to win the West so all may be forgiven soon and we can do this whole thing again next year.

John: I’d agree it’s not exactly fair to pin things on the Assistant Hitting Coaches. I felt we expected a bad defense and we’ve gotten it, and that it was contingent on an offense that would make it inconsequential as they did last year. Last year the B side of the bullpen was bad, but to me that stemmed from throwing over 100 more innings than the year before due to all the SP injuries, and the most they’d thrown since 2021 by a considerable margin. I’ll grant they should’ve shored up more, and I said the same headed into this year. To me, we’ve heard and seen some positives from the hitting approaches this year: Randy has specifically said his work with Edgar has improved his plan with two-strikes especially. Cole Young has said similar things. The approaches from Naylor and Cal by contrast have been dogwater. I actually mostly like what Julio’s been doing, though his power is inconsistent. Canzone has certainly improved/maintained last year’s improvements. I don’t know. I do think if you could actually get Dipoto to be open on the subject I wonder if they’re pissed they missed or overlooked Donovan having a multi-year serious lower body issue.

(Around this time, John astutely pointed out “‘We didn’t know what ACLs were’ is not to be overlooked as a Buhner all-timer” on the broadcast.)

And that’s about where the discussion ended as we all went about our day, befuddled as these fellows were about the Mariners win on Sunday and what it could mean for the rest of the season.

Did we miss your favorite target of blame or theory for the failures thus far by the 2026 Mariners? Let’s hear about it in the comments!

July 28, 2026

Should Trea Turner switch positions after the season?

Jun 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) catches a pop fly hit by New York Mets first baseman Jared Young (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images

Earlier today, I wrote about what Trea Turner might look like as a center fielder, a possible position he could play should the team decide to make a switch after the season is over. There is evidence that the team should make the move with Turner, but will they. That’s open to debate.

What do you think?

My idea was for him to return to his roots in center field where he roamed in 2016, but even going to left field, if they didn’t want to move on from Justin Crawford just yet, would certainly not be a bad idea. It would lead to a domino effect of transactions of course, but one thing that should be at the forefront – getting a new shortstop.

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

July 28, 2026

Dusty Baker's peers expect him to become the first Black manager in the Hall of Fame

Grand marshal Dusty Baker looks on during the drivers meeting prior to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28. — Dusty Baker, above during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway last month, is the only manager in MLB history to lead five different teams to the postseason. (James Gilbert / Getty Images)

Dusty Baker could sense a portion of his life as he entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Plaque Gallery on Saturday night. He couldn’t help but notice that some of his contemporaries from when he played with the Braves and Dodgers were walking slower, in some cases with the help of a cane or an assistant.

“I’m glad to see everybody,” said Baker, 77. “But you know, we’re getting old. I see guys in walkers who used to run fast, (and) their kids that are grown. You kind of see your life flash before your eyes.”

A record 60 Baseball Hall of Famers were in Cooperstown as Jeff Kent, Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were inducted Sunday. Baker traveled with the San Francisco Giants’ contingent to celebrate Kent, who credits Baker with helping transform him into the National League MVP, All-Star and eventually a Hall of Famer.

As much as Baker tried to keep his focus on Kent, however, many kept telling him that this visit was a prelude to his induction next summer. They reminded him that he’s expected to be on the Hall’s Era Committee ballot in December.

If Baker receives at least 12 votes from the 16-member committee, he’ll become the first Black manager elected into the Hall.

“I know the history,” Baker said. “I was fortunate enough to be around Hank (Aaron) in the beginning.”

Baker grew up idolizing Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947, 26 months before Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker was born in Riverside.

Through 1953 National League Rookie of the Year Jim Gilliam, who spent three seasons with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, Baker met several Negro League greats.

Gilliam once took Baker to eat lunch at Negro League legend Cool Papa Bell’s home in St. Louis. He also spent time with Satchel Paige and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe. Because of his friendship with Aaron, his Braves mentor, and his time with the Dodgers, he met Hall of Famer Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe, who spent time in the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Bell, Paige and Campanella were all inducted into the Hall. Paige was the first Negro Leaguer inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971, five years after Ted Williams used his induction speech to advocate for Negro Leaguers.

“Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else, but to be better than someone else,” Williams said on July 25, 1966. “This is the nature of man and the name of the game, and I’ve always been a very lucky guy to have worn a baseball uniform, to have struck out or hit a tape-measure home run.

“And I hope that someday the names of Satchell Page and Josh Gibson in some way can be added as a symbol of the great Negro players that are not here, only because they were not given a chance.”

Robinson became the first Black player elected into the Hall by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America in 1962. Negro Leaguers weren’t considered for the Hall until Paige was elected into the 1971 class. A year later, Gibson was inducted. Rube Foster, who in building a reputation as “the father of Black baseball” held many roles in his career, was the first Negro Leaguer to be inducted as a pioneer or executive.

Baker first visited the Hall of Fame to play an exhibition in 1974. He made his third trip to Cooperstown this weekend, which marked his first visit for an induction weekend.

Exactly 60 years after Williams’ induction speech on the steps of the Hall of Fame, Baker walked into the Hall and was greeted by the loud roars of another Boston Red Sox legend, David Ortiz. Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back.

A few seconds later, Dave Winfield joined the trio for a picture before Baker and his wife began to mingle with other Hall of Famers and guests.

Later that night at a party the Giants held in Kent’s honor, Kent paid tribute to his family, Baker and a few teammates during a short speech.

Then Kent predicted that Baker will return next year to take his place among baseball’s immortals. Baker won a World Series title and three pennants as a manager while leading a record five teams to the playoffs over 26 seasons as a manager.

He’s eighth on baseball’s all-time managerial wins list with 2,183 as the only Black manager in baseball history with 2,000 victories.

While sipping on his coffee and munching on extra crispy bacon and blueberry pancakes Sunday morning, Baker sat at the Otesaga Resort where the Hall of Famers stay during induction weekend. He looked out at Otsego Lake while several Hall of Famers stopped to say hello.

Chipper Jones stopped by and said, “You dusting off that chair for next year, Dusty?”

Baker laughed and shook his head before calling Chipper by his first name, Larry.

“There ain’t no guarantees, so why am I going to look forward if there ain’t no guarantees?” Baker said. “I’m serious. People think I’m kidding when I’m saying that. When Bill Belichick did not get in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame anybody has a chance to not get in the Hall of Fame.

“Am I right? That’s how I look at it. I was shocked. They can talk about Deflategate, they can talk about the media. What about the other six (Super Bowls) he won?”

Nonetheless, Baker appreciates what it would mean for a Black manager to finally be elected to the Hall.

“But most of my life had been full of ‘First Black Guy stories, Black man stories’ from the time I was in high school,” he said. “The two blacks at my high school were me and my brother in my last year of high school.

“That’s some of the reasons I went into the wine business. There’s not many Blacks in the wine business. One reason why I started but stopped in the energy business was because there’s not many Blacks in the energy business.”

There have been 354 inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 23 of them as managers.

Baker will likely be the first Black manager next summer.

“I was taught pride from my mom and dad in culture about being Black,” he said. “My mom was really big (on Black history) because she was a Black Studies teacher, so we had books that I read. …

“I’m hoping I can motivate other young brothers and sisters to achieve some things that don’t seem achievable. It’s a little bit disheartening when I see regression of Black coaches, Black players, Blacks in baseball.”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

July 28, 2026

GUARDIANS AT REDS: Burns vs. Cecconi, discussion

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 26: Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians cannot catch a throw as Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays advances on a wild pitch during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on July 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

A little manatee baseball this afternoon.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/rXVUiXsD9H
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 28, 2026

Here’s the Reds lineup:

Let's play two!

Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/ECTmTlbc8t
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 28, 2026

Let’s go, Guardians!

July 28, 2026

MLB Strikeout Props & Pitcher Best Bets for Today, July 28

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It's a tough day to be a pitcher, with tons of wind, heavy workloads, and bad matchups. It's a bump to offensive MLB player props, and I'm looking to fade some arms today.

Anthony Kay's leash is always a question, and getting to five punchouts is tough on 85 pitches. Luis Castillo's stuff has been declining for years, and a matchup with the Dodgers isn't helping his comeback. Finally, the Twins are overusing Taj Bradley, and he's coming off a 109-pitch outing in his last start.

These are my favorite pitcher strikeout and pitcher props for Tuesday, July 28.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Player	Pick	Odds
Anthony Kay	Under 4.5 strikeouts	+100
Luis Castillo	Under 4.5 strikeouts	+103
Taj Bradley	Under 17.5 outs	+130

Strikeout prop: Anthony Kay Under 4.5 strikeouts (+100)

Anthony Kay looks like he might be slowing down in his first MLB season since 2023. His last five outings have lasted 79, 83, 92, 48, and 73 pitches, and over that stretch, he's cleared this number just once with 17 strikeouts across 22 innings.

Kay likely needs to reach 18 outs to get to five punchouts, and that is something he's done only once over his last 10 starts. The matchup against the New York Yankees always brings some risk, as New York has been a Top-3 strikeout offense all season, but 16-mph winds blowing out to right field aren't going to help Kay stay on the mound.

The Yankees also chased him after just four innings in their last meeting in June, when Kay finished with only two strikeouts. The stuff can play, but the inconsistency and leash remain the biggest concerns.

Covers projections have Kay at 4.31 strikeouts, making the break-even price around -130.

Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Chicago Sports Network, YES

Strikeout prop: Luis Castillo Under 4.5 strikeouts (+103)

Luis Castillo is coming off a 101-pitch game where he went seven innings but still managed only three strikeouts. It was the sixth straight start for the right-hander to go Under this total. His K% is down from last year, marking the third straight season his K% has dropped. His four-seam velocity has also been on the decline since 2022.

A road date, where his K/9 numbers are worse since 2024, vs. a legit Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, is not a great spot to expect Castillo to get back to his glory years, and why the projections are showing this fair price of -115/-120.

Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet Los Angeles, Mariners.TV

Pitcher outs prop: Taj Bradley Under 17.5 outs (+130)

The Minnesota Twins starter is coming off a 109-pitch outing in his last start and sits just 30 innings away from his career high. The Kansas City Royals offense is much weaker without Bobby Witt, but the workload could still impact Taj Bradley's efficiency today.

Minnesota is one of the warmer parks on the slate with temperatures around 88 degrees at first pitch, which only adds to the fatigue angle. Bradley might not get hit hard, but longer innings could become an issue, especially for a pitcher who already struggles with command, with 46 walks over 114 innings.

This is a big price for a pitcher coming off a massive workload with career highs approaching. With Minnesota sitting just a game out of the Wild Card race, the Twins will need to balance winning now with managing Bradley's usage.

Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Twins.TV, Royals.TV

Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record

Prop picks: 5-6, -1.23 units

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

July 28, 2026

Texas Rangers put themselves in good position as only AL West team with a winning record

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have put themselves in a good position in the AL West just by having a winning record.

Texas (54-52) is the only team in the division not under .500 with about one-third of the regular season remaining, and now less than a week before the trade deadline. The Rangers have a two-game lead over in-state nemesis Houston (53-55) and are 2 1/2 games in front of reigning division champion Seattle (52-55) after taking three of four against the Mariners.

“Every win matters, but I think the ones right before the deadline, there’s always a little more stress ... especially in a situation where you could go either way,” said Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson, who homered twice in the series-ending 7-3 win over Seattle. “But I think we put ourselves in a good spot, and we’ve got to continue to play like that.”

The Mariners, who last year won their first AL West title since 2001, have lost 11 of 16 games. They led for only three innings during the four games in Texas, all after a four-run seventh inning on the way to a 6-4 win, the first time in 46 games this season the Rangers lost when leading after six.

“I think we looked at the series as if we split it, it was a failure, with where the AL West is and the AL wild card is,” Texas first baseman Jake Burger said. “I think we showed what type of team we can be.”

The Rangers won their only World Series title in 2023 after getting into the playoffs as a wild card, but last won the West in 2016. They missed the playoffs the past two seasons, when only the AL West champion made the postseason — which could very well happen again this year.

Houston (53-55) won seven of the previous eight AL West titles before last season. The Astros had been in third place for a month before a four-run rally in the ninth inning gave them their sixth win in seven games, 6-4 over the last-place Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game series.

Head-to-head in the West

Texas already has clinched its season series — and potential tiebreaker — against the Mariners, up 7-3 with a three-game series left at Seattle in early September.

The Mariners still have five games to play against Houston, but have that season series in hand by a 7-1 margin.

As for the Lone Star State rivals, the Astros are 6-4 against the Rangers. They wrap up their season series with three games in Houston, after Texas plays three games at AL-best Tampa Bay.

“There are guys in there that are doing whatever they can to make that second-half push, because they know what it means when you get there,” first-year Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “Whatever we do, we’re focused on winning to try to get in. ... It’s go-time.”

Staying on top despite injuries

The Rangers have stayed in first place even with two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager missing the past 20 games because of lower back inflammation. He also was out for 19 games earlier this season because of his back, and missed another 12 following a concussion.

Third baseman Josh Jung is sidelined by a left calf strain. Both of the team’s opening-day catchers, Danny Jansen (right forearm strain) and Kyle Higashioka (right flexor strain), also are on the IL.

Seager had consecutive days of live batting practice and could begin a short minor league rehab assignment. There also are questions about whether the Rangers might consider trading the 32-year-old shortstop, who is in the fifth season of his $325 million, 10-year contract.

Veteran left-hander Jordan Montgomery, part of the Rangers’ World Series title after being a trade-deadline acquisition that summer, is close to making his season debut, maybe in the finale at Tampa Bay. He left in free agency after the 2023 season for a deal in Arizona, then missed all of 2025 after a second elbow reconstruction surgery. He re-signed with the Rangers at the start of spring training.

July 28, 2026

Giants' Casey Schmitt leaves game vs. Brewers in 2nd inning due to apparent leg injury

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt left the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom of the second inning due to a left knee injury.

Schmitt appeared to hurt his left leg after rounding first base following a single to right field. He showed discomfort and was grasping at his lower left leg after the play.

Schmitt was able to walk off the field on his own power, limping with a trainer at his side as he left the game. Schmitt was replaced by backup Christian Koss and the Giants went on to beat the Brewers 3-0.

“Scary moment there for him,” manager Tony Vitello said after the game. “He’s a unique personality, but he’s definitely got a level of toughness to him. And you go out there and he was really struggling just to kind of even move around there with (head trainer Dave Groeschner) checking on him.”

Schmitt will undergo an MRI and it is not yet known whether he’ll be added to the injury list. Regardless, Vitello doesn’t expect Schmitt to be back right away.

“At this point, (he is) probably going to miss some significant time,” Vitello said. “But based off what we see tomorrow, be interesting what (Groeschner) has, hoping it’s as limited an amount of time as possible.”

Schmitt adds to San Francisco’s growing injury list as the team was already without third baseman Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) and outfielders Jung Hoo Lee (right elbow soreness), and Victor Bericoto (left oblique strain).

Vitello commented that with Schmitt’s injury, rather than rush starter Chapman back, they’ll look to another player to fill in at third base.

Schmitt is hitting .271 with 21 home runs and 55 RBIs, all career bests. Schmitt signed a one-year, $810,000 contract this past year.

July 28, 2026

LeBron, The East, and Where The Pistons Are Left Standing

DETROIT, MI - MAY 17: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round Two Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s been one week since LeBron James made The Decision, Episode IV, announcing he would be taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The old me — a simple man conditioned to look at the NBA one way and the bad-to-terrible Pistons another — would be jazzed for news like this. I love counterculture, moves that stray from the expected and represent something fresh and new.

LeBron with the Cavs for one last ride? Booooooring. LeBron back in Miami? Better, but still boring. It was the Warriors with Steph Curry or the Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards that struck me as the most interesting destinations. The 76ers felt like a longshot, a crazy/weird/fun outcome that would never happen.

Until it did.

The thing about the old days is that none of those blockbuster moves mattered in relation to the Pistons.

The last Earth-shaking move that impacted the Pistons was the Celtics building the Original Big 3 with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Everything since then has had zero impact on Detroit, since Detroit had zero impact on the NBA for so long.

Well, that’s not the case anymore.

The Pistons are coming off a 60-win season and were a game away from their first conference finals since they lost to those Celtics in 2008. With the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron, the 76ers are one of many teams in the Eastern Conference that pushed their chips to the middle of the table.

Depending on your POV, Detroit should have been one of those teams too. I was very open in wanting that big move. Instead, they reportedly swung and missed on several stars and shifted focus to making the roster fit better around Cade Cunningham.

They didn’t bring back the band, but they spun their own version of mid-80s Van Halen, replacing David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar.

—

Admittedly, I don’t think the 76ers are going to win the title this year.

Is that a hot take? I don’t think so.

Taking a ton of high-usage stars as they’re doing and trying to mash them together is going to take a season to iron out. LeBron will fit flawlessly, because that’s just how he is, but Joel Embiid is a black hole. For several reasons, his health at the top of the list, I’m not convinced he’s a player you can win with as a pillar.

I’m interested to see how he adjusts and stays on the floor.

Brown, too, wanted a bigger role in his departure from the Celtics. Now, he’s gone from presumed co-star to third- or maybe even fourth-wheel. I’m more interested in seeing how that dynamic unfolds — and how much shade he throws at teammates and coaches during late-night Twitch streams — as the season plays out.

I think Philly’s year is next year. Maybe LeBron agrees. After all, he did sign a two-year deal. It took two years in Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles to get to the mountaintop. He knows how this goes.

Still, that doesn’t change the fact that the East is now a Beast. The Knicks are the champs, No. 1 in my book until proven otherwise. The Cavs struck out on LeBron and the Celtics swapped Brown for the remnants of Paul George, but both remain formidable.

The Heat and Raptors are rising with additions of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard.

The Pacers are in a similar spot with the return of Tyrese Haliburton.

Even the Hawks, who I was bullish on going into the playoffs but cooled on this summer, are better.

Hell, the Magic didn’t really improve, but I also don’t think they can be worse. The ultimate wildcard in all of this is the Wizards. With No. 1 pick A.J. Dybantsa flanked by fading stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, they could grab the sixth seed or miss the play-in tournament entirely.

The point is, the East is different. It might be the deepest it’s ever been.

—

The Pistons are still good, but their offseason moves don’t seem like ones that will elevate their ceiling. Rather, it feels like they’ve raised their floor.

They didn’t build the addition; they renovated the house.

Let’s ignore the Jalen Duren Situation, because I’m just so god damn tired of it, and pretend he’s back. The Pistons are betting on another jump from Duren and Ausar Thompson. If those two improve — and I’m extremely confident both, specifically Ausar, will — that raises the ceiling.

If someone like Ron Holland finally emerges and graduates from Hustle Man to Bonafide Playoff Guy, then you’re really cooking with oil when you factor in the added shooting of John Collins and Isaiah Joe.

The problem is the Pistons have a lot of ifs. The entire premise of making a leap and winning the East is predicated on a convoluted series of “if this, then that” statements. They’re banking on internal development while the rest of the East bet on external additions.

It’s the same path Oklahoma City took when they lost to the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals in 2024. The difference is the Thunder saw their deficiencies — needing more shooting + perimeter defense — and addressed them by trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso.

The deal worked out for both sides. OKC got the role player they coveted, and it lifted them to a title. The Bulls still sink, but they’ve gotten two extremely productive seasons out of Giddey — who is shooting it better and averaging damn near a triple-double.

—

Building a title contender is not linear. There is no road map.

The Pistons appear done making moves for now, but the real test for Trajan Langdon and the front office comes in February, when they’ve seen 40+ games from this roster and can measure it against the rest of the East.

Every season, conferences shift in ways we don’t expect. Someone will have an Orlando-like collapse. Another will make a Pistons-like leap and emerge out of nowhere. Father Time will finally clip someone else. By the trade deadline, Langdon won’t just know how the core has developed — he’ll know exactly where it stands relative to his peers.

If this same roster — flaws and all — is the group heading into the playoffs in April, then it’s time to rethink how we view Langdon’s patient approach.

Until then, I’m willing to let it play out.

July 28, 2026

Curtis Mead leaves game after being hit on wrist by a pitch in his Red Sox debut

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Curtis Mead left his first game with the Boston Red Sox after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch against the Athletics.

Mead struck out looking in the first at-bat of his Boston debut and was struck on the wrist by A’s starter Jack Perkins in the fourth. Mead tried to shake off the pain, but left the game after being checked by an athletic trainer.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said X-rays were negative, but Mead will undergo more tests.

“Looks like we dodged a bullet, maybe,” Tracy told reporters after Boston’s 4-2 win over the A’s.

The Red Sox acquired Mead in a trade that sent left-hander Connelly Early to Washington.

Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.

July 28, 2026

Former Maple Leafs Goaltender Michael Hutchinson Officially Retired From NHL

Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Michael Hutchinson has officially retired from the NHL as of Monday at the age of 36. An announcement by the Winnipeg Jets, one of Hutchinson's former teams, revealed his retirement first.

Along with the Maple Leafs and Jets, Hutchinson also featured in the crease for the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings. He played a total of 154 NHL games across appearances in 11 different campaigns, playing his final game in the league with Detroit in 2023-24.

As for his time with the Maple Leafs, that's where Hutchinson saw the most action in his career following his early stint with the Jets.

Hutchinson, a Barrie, Ont., native, featured in parts of four years with Toronto, making 30 appearances along the way, 25 of which were starts. In that span, he earned a 10-15-2 record, averaged an .898 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average, as well as three shutouts.

His time with the Maple Leafs was divided into two separate tenures. Hutchinson was first acquired by Toronto in December 2018 from Florida in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round draft pick.

‘It Fits His Bill’: Zach Hyman Not Surprised To See Former Maple Leafs Goalie Jack Campbell Transition To Wellness CoachFormer Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman explains why Jack Campbell is uniquely built for his new calling as a mental wellness coach.

After two seasons with the Leafs, he was traded to the Avalanche in return for Calle Rosen. Hutchinson stepped up for Colorado in the 2019-20 playoffs, when he made four appearances, won two games, and posted a .910 SP with a 2.75 GAA.

Once that campaign was complete, he re-joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent for 2020-21 and played another two seasons in Toronto.

Reunited: Frederik Andersen Joins Zach Hyman And Mike Babcock Oilers as Ex-Maple Leafs Connection Grows in EdmontonZach Hyman and Connor McDavid break down the addition of former Maple Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen and why his championship pedigree is the missing piece for Edmonton’s goalie tandem.

Hutchinson's busiest campaign with the Leafs was in 2019-20, when he played 15 games, finishing with an .886 SP and a 3.66 GAA.

The goaltender also played multiple seasons for the Toronto Marlies, appearing in 57 regular-season games and two playoff games over those four years with the Maple Leafs organization.

See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source

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 below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

July 28, 2026

Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez leaves game with hand injury

PITTSBURGH — Pirates rookie outfielder Esmeryln Valdez was removed from Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win against Arizona after being hit in the left hand by a pitch.

Valdez, who has 14 homers in limited playing time this season, took a 92 mph fastball from Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly that smacked into the area around his left wrist.

The 22-year-old Valdez, who entered with 24 RBIs in July, winced in pain while being tended to by medical staff. He walked slowly toward the Pittsburgh dugout and was replaced by Jared Triolo.

Pirates manager Don Kelly had no immediate update on Valdez’s status following the game. Valdez was in the clubhouse afterward but was not made available to reporters.

“I know it’s an uncertain time for him,” Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “We’re praying that he gets the best news possible.”

Valdez’s emergence has helped the Pirates stay in playoff contention despite injuries to outfielder Oneil Cruz, shortstop Konnor Griffin and first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Valdez is one of six players since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920 to have at least 14 home runs and 36 RBIs in his first 37 games.

“He’s been playing great in right field — it’s not just the home runs,” Lowe said. “He’s taking really mature at-bats. He’s been fantastic for us.”

July 28, 2026

Top seven NBA free agents still available: Where things stand with DeMar DeRozan, Jonathan Kuminga, more

LeBron James is (finally) off the board, but there are other big names out there. So where do things stand with the other top free agents still available around the NBA?

Let's break down where things are with the top seven free agents — and the biggest names — still on the board.

1) Jalen Duren (restricted)

Detroit and restricted free agent Jalen Duren have made modest progress (at best) toward a deal and, according to all reports as well as league sources, the sides remain well apart on a new contract for the All-NBA center. There also is little urgency to get a deal done soon, something ESPN’s Shams Charania spoke about on NBA Today (hat tip Hoopshype).

"It seems both sides are dug in on their positioning. The Pistons have a level, a threshold that they have for Jalen Duren. Jalen Duren clearly wants more than that. And so they are, I mean technically there's not really a level of urgency quite yet. We're still late July. We haven't even hit August yet. This will go into August, well into August potentially. Would not surprise anyone involved in these negotiations if it does even go till September. The deadline is really media day. So we'll see when Jalen Duren and his reps and the Pistons can find some common ground here."

Duren, while eligible for a 30% of the cap max, reportedly is seeking a contract at least at the 25% max – the same five-year, $251 million deal that Victor Wembanyama just signed. However, rather than a contract that is slightly above a $50 million-a-year average, the Pistons reportedly started with an offer more in the mid-$30 million-a-year range (five years, $180 million ballpark). Duren's only leverage is the threat of playing for the $9.5 million qualifying offer and becoming a free agent next offseason.

When we were talking about Duren's extension in the middle of last regular season, he looked like a lock for the max, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game while playing elite defense in the paint. However, after a rough playoffs where he averaged 10.2 points per game and disappeared for stretches, how much was on the table shrank. Still, expect the sides to find a deal.

2 and 3) James Harden and Draymond Green

We're combining these two future Hall of Famers because they are in the same situation: Both opted out of their current deals to give their teams more flexibility to chase LeBron James and other free agents. Both are going to re-sign with their teams on deals that are a little less next season than the money they opted out of, but with the security of more money over multiple years. The only question is the final numbers, but Shams Charania reported at ESPN to expect both deals to get done within a week.

Cleveland is currently about $35.5 million below the second apron with 13 roster spots filled. They can sign Harden to the rest of that, but they are trying to use their nearly $8 million in mid-level exception to lure Jonathan Kuminga to Cleveland, which would cut into what Harden gets paid next season.

4) Jonathan Kuminga

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers are the two primary suitors for the 23-year-old free agent wing, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

The challenge is how to make it work financially for either team. Kuminga initially wanted a contract in the ballpark of the $23.4 million team option the Hawks did not pick up for him. However, based on reports, now his goal appears to have dropped below $20 million a season (but more than the $15 million mid-level exception).

That large a salary with the Lakers or Cavaliers could only happen via a sign-and-trade, which gets complex. The Lakers reportedly have offered a sign-and-trade involving Jarred Vanderbilt and draft assets, but he makes $12.4 million next season, well below what Kuminga wants to make, and any sign-and-trade has to be for at least three years (if Kuminga is taking less than he wants, he will want a short deal so he can get back on the market). The Lakers reportedly offered two years, $10 million, but Kuminga believes he's worth more.

Cleveland is even more complex because not only are they offering roughly the same thing financially — they could sign-and-trade Max Strus at $16 million or Dennis Schroder at $14.7 million — but they are a team flirting with the second apron and still must pay Harden. They are not going much higher.

One other part of this: Atlanta has 17 players on the books and is $4.9 million below the luxury tax line without Kuminga on the books. Which means, whatever players they take back in a sign-and-trade puts them into the tax and will give them 18 players on the roster, necessitating more trades to get back below the number. Atlanta is only doing that if it thinks the draft compensation is worth it.

5) DeMar DeRozan

Three teams that got mentioned in the LeBron James sweepstakes but missed out — Miami, Denver and Cleveland — are the teams expressing interest in DeRozan, ESPN’s Charania said on NBA Today.

DeRozan had been linked to the Heat before, and Miami has about $8 million of its mid-level exception remaining, but Miami is reportedly prioritizing Klay Thompson if (when?) he gets bought out in Dallas. Cleveland also has more than a minimum contract to offer, but they are also talking to Atlanta about a Kuminga sign-and-trade. Denver is currently the only team in the league over the second apron and can only offer a minimum contract.

DeRozan, 36, can still get a bucket and averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists per game in Sacramento last season.

6) Peyton Watson (restricted)

Watson's situation is a lot like Jalen Duren's, hung up in restricted free agency with the two sides far apart on a number, although unlike Detroit, Denver will at least entertain the idea of a sign-and-trade (the Bucks, Hawks and Clippers are reportedly interested).

Denver's offer to Watson has to be described as low-ball. This is from the well-connected and respected Tony Jones at The Athletic.

The Nuggets have offered Watson, a restricted free agent, $70 million over five seasons, according to league sources who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because the deal is not final... The Nuggets' payroll is in the second apron because they decided to match Oklahoma City's offer sheet for Jones. Denver is attempting to move a contract or two to get back under the second apron and clear enough money to retain Watson, the league sources said.

That is a $14 million-a-year average, below even the mid-level exception. This comes one year after the Nuggets gave Christian Braun five years, $125 million — then Watson essentially took over Braun's role on the Nuggets last season and outplayed him. Watson wants a number in the ballpark of Braun, and the Nuggets need his athleticism and two-way play.

Just from an outside perspective, it's far more likely Watson would accept and play for his $6.5 million qualifying offer and become a free agent next season than it is Duren would do that. That said, like Duren, there is not real pressure here to get a deal done right now and this could drag out up closer to the start of Nuggets training camp.

7) Bennedict Mathurin (restricted)

Another, much less discussed restricted free agent, Mathurin's rights belong to the LA Clippers (he came over in the Ivica Zubac trade last season).

The Clippers want to re-sign Mathurin, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the 26 games he played for them last season after the trade. The problem is everything with the Clippers — including the Kawhi Leonard trade — appears to be on hold while the league office and its hired law firm finish up the Aspiration investigation around Leonard.

While the Clippers are standing still, the New Orleans Pelicans and another unnamed team "have shown interest" in Mathurin, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line. This would almost have to be a sign-and-trade with New Orleans because it can't offer more than the $6 million taxpayer midlevel exception right now (unless it makes other moves to shed salary first).

Mathurin could play for his $8.8 million qualifying offer, but it sounds like one way or another — with the Clippers or someone else — his payday is coming. Just not all that quickly. Again, like with Duren and Watson, until we get close to the start of training camp, there is no real pressure to do a deal.

July 28, 2026

Cubs designate struggling Jameson Taillon for assignment

ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs designated right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon for assignment before the start of a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Andrew Wantz from Triple-A Iowa.

In his last start, Taillon allowed seven earned runs, with three home runs in four innings, in an 8-7 loss to Pittsburgh. That outing raised his ERA to 5.92 on the season.

In 15 starts, Taillon had a career-worst 5.92 ERA with a 2-6 record. He has allowed the National League’s most home runs this season with 25 on 76 hits.

Taillon, 34, went 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA in 15 starts this season with the Cubs. He is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract.

The 30-year-old Wantz has a 5.63 ERA in 48 innings this season in the minors. He has a 4.20 ERA in the majors across 120 innings.

Prior to being signed as a minor league free agent by the Cubs on June 6, Wantz was with the Tampa Bay organization. He made one relief appearance this season for the Rays.

In his big league career, Wantz is 5-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 92 appearances and four starts with the Los Angeles Angels (2021-2024) and Tampa Bay (2026). He was originally selected by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2018 draft out of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

July 28, 2026

Rangers Reacts Survey: Trade Corey Seager?

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 25: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers stretches before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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

The Texas Rangers are currently two games up in an underwhelming American League West race, would should have us talking about the team being buyers in the run up to Monday’s trade deadline.

Instead, however, there’s been more and more talk of late suggesting that the Rangers should be selling at least one key player — shortstop Corey Seager.

Despite MVP-caliber performance when he’s been on the field during his time with the Rangers, Seager’s history of injuries, his slow start to the 2026 season, and his contract — he’s owed $31.5 million per year from 2027-31, with 10/5 rights giving him full no-trade protection when the 2026 season ends — have prompted calls from some corners to move Seager now, in the middle of the pennant race, arguing the team is better without him and his contract than with him.

So we reluctantly offer up this week’s Rangers Reacts Survey question…should the Rangers trade Corey Seager before the trade deadline hits on Monday?

Cast your vote below…

July 28, 2026

Learn from Seth Lugo and trade Michael Wacha

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 20: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches in the first inning during a MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals on May 20, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last year, around the trade deadline, the Royals had a starting pitcher in his mid-30s on an expiring contract. Seth Lugo had a 3.03 ERA through his first 20 starts as the Royals approached the trade deadline under .500. Rather than trade him or extend him a Qualifying Offer at the end of the season, the Royals decided to sign him to a two-year, $46 million deal with a vesting option. Lugo had performance and injury issues after the signing, and has had mixed results this year. The extension looks like an overpay or an outright mistake right now.

Keeping Michael Wacha rather than trading him would be like walking into the same trap for a second year in a row.

Lugo has not been terrible this year. However, for a deal that could pay him up to $63 million, Lugo needs to be better than the 4.36 ERA he has put up. Even worse, he is trending in the wrong direction – his ERA-by-month has been 2.63, 4.59, 6.00, and 4.94. His peripheral numbers do not improve the story – he has an xERA of 5.42 and xFIP of 4.46. His strikeout rate is down for the seventh year in a row, part of that was moving to the rotation from the bullpen. His velocity has also been dropping over time, which is what happens to aging veterans.

Lugo has a vesting option for the third year that will pay him $20 million in 2028 if (a) he throws 335 innings over 2026 and 2027; or (b) he throws 190 innings in 2027. If he fails to reach those marks, the Royals still have a $17 million club option for 2028 with a $3 million buyout. I think you have to go into next year hoping Lugo is good enough to be a fourth starter, but that he does not hit the innings necessary to trigger the vesting option for 2028.

Enter Michael Wacha, he is a 35-year-old starting pitcher, the same as Lugo last year. The Royals have Wacha under control through next season for $14 million plus some incentives and there is a club option for 2028 at $14 million as well with a $1 million buyout. Wacha is having a nice season, which makes him attractive as a trade target in a market with not a lot of quality starting pitching. His value will never be higher. His 3.60 ERA is outperforming all of his peripheral numbers. If you are looking to next season objectively, you would expect him to take a step back from his 2026 level just due to aging and the low strikeout rate. Holding onto a pitcher who is likely to start moving toward the back-end of the rotation, even if he is still worth it on the contract, when you could get real prospects back for him is malpractice. Let’s do a little thought experiment to illustrate.

What if the Royals had traded Seth or let him walk after 2025? Some would say, “look at all the injuries this year and how much they have needed his innings,” but that is the wrong way to think about it. There were a lot of available free agents that would have been comparable to Lugo, including Dustin May, Erick Fedde, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser, Zach Littell, and Chris Bassitt. None of these are great options. But they are cheaper than Seth Lugo and capable of producing at last 80 percent of what Lugo has given them. And if you wanted to be more aggressive than that, you could sign a free agent like Michael King, a younger and better pitcher for not much more money per year with one additional guaranteed year. Any assertion that there will not be enough starters if Wacha is not on this team next year is just not true. And that is not even considering options on the trade market. How do you think the Royals ended up with Wacha and Lugo in the first place?

Michael Wacha is a fine pitcher. He is not irreplaceable.

Look at what pitching is available on the free agent market. Tarik Skubal may not be traded as Detroit has climbed back into the AL Central hunt. The Twins say they won’t trade Joe Ryan. The best long-term pitchers on the trade market may be Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano on the Angels, or short-term rentals like Kevin Gausman, not a guy you want starting in a playoff game.

It is conceivable that Wacha is the best starters available going into this final week before the deadline. Cash that chip in and I think someone like the Cubs might give you a Kevin Alcantara plus something or maybe even Jaxon Wiggins or Pedro Ramirez. I am not going to go team by team who might be interested and what they have, that is not the point of this article. There just seems like a lot of value to be gleaned in a trade for a pitcher who is realistically a third or fourth starter at best going forward. The Royals need to stop getting precious about having guys under team control and start flipping them when the value is there.