An assortment of the Knicks’ most famous fans traveled to Rocket Arena for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals for an up-close look at a Knicks sweep on Monday.
The Cavaliers didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet, however. Self-proclaimed Knicks “superfan” and rapper Fat Joe told ESPN the team scotched the courtside tickets he bought — with the Cavs telling The Post they were enforcing rules against re-selling first-row seats.
Kylie Jenner and actor Timothée Chalamet attend Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Getty Images
That didn’t keep the star power too far away.
Timothee Chalamet — with girlfriend Kylie Jenner in tow — reprised his usual Madison Square Garden role, and took selfies with fans.
Actor Tracy Morgan attends Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Getty Images
Fat Joe did find his way into the building, as did actor Tracy Morgan. Garden sideline staple Ben Stiller didn’t miss the action, either.
Director Spike Lee made the trip, sharing a moment with Knicks assistant Rick Brunson before tip-off.
Filmmaker and actor Spike Lee attends Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Getty Images
And what would a Knicks playoff game be without the alumni? Stephon Marbury hyped up a plane full of Knicks fans en route to Cleveland while John Starks, a guard on the 1999 squad that went to the Finals, watched this team do the same. Franchise icons Patrick Ewing and Walt “Clyde” Frazier were on hand to dole out the MVP trophy to Jalen Brunson.
Not that it was a full-on takeover. A game after Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift showed out — and the Chiefs star chugged a beer —rapper Machine Gun Kelly rooted on the home team wearing a Guardians hat.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Enrique Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Emmet Sheehan is the starter to open this homestand that’ll see the Dodgers host the Rockies and Phillies.—Kiké Hernández makes his 2026 season debut.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 25: Byron Buxton (25) of the Minnesota Twins slides safely at second base ahead of the tag by Chase Meidroth (10) of the Chicago White Sox in the fifth inning during an MLB game on May 25, 2026 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Fresh off the Twins first sweep in Boston in nearly a century and back in playoff position, the Twins came into Chicago looking to keep the momentum going in a battle of two (somewhat surprising) playoff spot holders. Unfortunately, the bats didn’t hold up their after yet another strong performance from Minnesota’s makeshift pitching staff.
Things were looking good to start the game. Newly minted third baseman Brooks Lee connected on his 6th homer of the season in the top of the first, putting the Twins up 1-0 on the fourth pitch of the game. Since bunting a ball into his own face, Lee is now hitting .272/.327/.442 with six home runs and 24 RBI and a 116 wRC+. The numbers aren’t anything to write home about and the expected numbers are still anticipating some regression, but Lee is looking like a real contributor after his first two seasons of well below-average performance.
Unfortunately for the Twins, there wasn’t much notable on offense from there. The Twins had a decent scoring chance in the second inning with runners on first and second and two outs, but an over-aggressive send from Ramon Borrego had Orlando Arcia out at home by a country mile. Arcia even dodged the initial tag, but the process took him far away from home plate and he wasn’t able to get back it before he was tagged. There were never really other scoring opportunities after that, with Minnesota only getting multiple baserunners once from there.
On the other side, Zebby Matthews turned in his third straight quality start since being recalled two weeks ago. It wasn’t perfect, but similar to Lee, Zebby turning into a strong contributor is a huge boon to this team that is short on high-end pitchers. International sensation Munetaka Murakami hit a ball a mile in the air which found the right field bleachers, but who among us hasn’t given up a home run to the AL home run leader?
Matthews also gave up a two run shot to catcher Drew Romo in the second inning to give the Sox their ultimate 3-1 lead, but Zebby really settled in from there. After the second inning, Matthews only allowed a single baserunner, and even the single hit he surrendered deflected off the glove of second baseman Luke Keaschall. He and newly-minted reliever Simeon Woods Richardson kept the Twins in the game, but got nothing to show for it with the bats asleep at the wheel.
The Twins still have three more chances to beat the South Siders this week, but it was a disappointing showing for the bats after all the positive momentum the past week. Back at it tomorrow!
STUDS
Zebby Matthews: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 6 K, 2 HR
Reliever Simeon Woods Richardson: 2 IP, H, BB, K
Brooks Lee: solo dong
DUDS
Bats with RISP: 1-7 with the 1 hit resulting in an out at home
Middle of the lineup (Martin, Bell, Clemens): combined 0-12, 2 K
The Diamondbacks won the opening game of their series in San Francisco this afternoon. The win moved them into sole possession of the third wild-card in the National League, and was their eighth victory in the last nine games. It was, looking at the final result, quite comfortable. After Ketel Marte’s single drove in a pair in the sixth to complete the scoring, the team’s Win Probability was never less than 92.6%. But, sheesh. This was a win only its mother could love, with the D-backs sloppy on both offense and defense, capped off with a “Not seen that before” moment from Marte. On the other hand, if you can have so much room for improvement, and still get the W, maybe that’s a good thing?
Largely devoid of blame in the above is Merrill Kelly, who posted his fourth quality start in a row. As mentioned in the preview, these haven’t exactly come against the strongest of opponents. Still, he’s got it done as a good pitcher should. Today, he gave Arizona seven innings of two-run ball, on four hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. Kelly is 5-0 against teams currently below .500, and 0-3 facing teams above .500. The only real static came in the bottom of the fourth inning. It began after the Diamondbacks ran out of challenges, Gabriel Moreno wasting our second, after Nolan Arenado had blown one in the second inning. The batter ended up walking.
This was followed by a pair of doubles over the head of Corbin Carroll, which might have been outs: the first in particular was in and out of his glove. [These weren’t our only misplays either. The first batter in the game for San Francisco singled in front of Ryan Waldschmidt, after he had initially broken back on the ball.] They scored a pair of runs, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. I am also under strict instructions to tell you that Rafael Devers is now Mrs. SnakePit’s most hated player for his “disgusting” chewing and spitting habits, which almost provoked a Roman moment in SnakePit Towers. Googling tells me it’s not tobacco… But Mrs. S is far from convinced.
Anyway. That was it for the Giants offense, though they had their chances, as our bullpen wobbled but held. Jonathan Loaisiga gave up a lead-off double, then retired the next three batters in the eighth. Then Brandyn Garcia triggered indigestion in the ninth by hitting the first batter he faced, then going 3-0 on the next. A much needed double-play calmed the nerves, and he got the final out to move Arizona back to five above .500, tying our season high set on April 18 at 13-8. We haven’t been beyond that since the end of 2024, so it’d be nice if the team can keep up its momentum here.
The offense was good enough. Though it felt like there were any number of wasted opportunities across the course of the game. Gabriel Moreno got Arizona on the board in the third inning, with his third home-run of the season (above). The D-backs had a chance to add on there, getting one-out singles from Tommy Troy, Marte and Carroll. But Geraldo Perdomo struck out without taking the bat off his shoulder, and Nolan Arenado fouled out. Fortunately, the Giants were playing just as sloppily as the Diamondbacks, and a pair of defensive mistakes by them opened the door to a three-run fifth inning, giving Arizona a lead they’d not relinquish.
It began with Troy reaching second on a wild throw from Willy Adames. Marte then blooped a pitch just in front of left-fielder Casey Schmitt, who opted to ignore the ball as it went past him. Somehow, this was scored an RBI double, but Marte will take it. Perdomo then singled Ketel home, and after an Arenado ground-out moved Perdomo into scoring position, Adrian Del Castillo made it 4-2 to Arizona. Marte then got another hit in the sixth, driving in Moreno, who’d walked, and Jose Fernandez, who had doubled. And Marte wasn’t done either, getting his fourth hit of the game… while still making the out at first.
This came in the seventh, on our most annoying (yet, I’ll admit it, amusing enough – albeit, only because we won anyway) gaffe of the season. Troy walked, and Marte sent a fly-ball down the first-base line. It clanked out of the right fielder’s glove, and Marte hared round first, intending to reach second. Unfortunately, he met Troy, who was still intent on returning to first-base (above). While both realized their error, ending up on first and second, the Giants appealed, and on review, Marte was ruled to have passed Troy and so was out. It was reminiscent of this play back in 2018, when Deven Marrero was robbed of what would have been his only HR with us, for a similar base-running mistake.
In the end, it proved irrelevant – mostly because of the Giants going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, otherwise it would likely have been a lot more nervewracking. But we got there. Marte finished the day with four more hits. He now has a nine-game hitting streak where he is 21-for-37 – that’s an average of .568 – with three home-runs and 15 RBI. He got help today from Carroll’s two hits, while Del Castillo, Moreno and Troy each chipped in with a hit and a walk. The only starter not to reach base this afternoon was Ryan Waldschmidt, who had a rough 0-for-5 day with a trio of strikeouts.
Click here for details, at Fangraphs.com Memorialized: Ketel Marte, +23% Well remembered: Del Castillo, +13%; Moreno, +11%
Best forgotten: Nolan Arenado, -11%
Thanks to all who showed up in the Gameday Thread on this Memorial Day. 330 comments is very respectable, I’d say. I’m declaring Comment of the Thread a tie between MikeMono and AZNailgal520:
We will be back tomorrow at the same park, to face the Giants again. It will be a 6:45 pm first pitch, the only night game of the series, with the mound being taken by Arizona staff ace Eduardo Rodriguez. And, yeah, it does still feel funny writing that, thank you for asking…
Stephon Marbury fires up a plane filled with Knicks plans.
Knicks Nation took to the skies on Monday.
A social media video circulated hours before the Knicks took on the Cavaliers for Game 4, showing former Knicks player Stephon Marbury leading an unidentified flight to Cleveland in a “Go New York, Go New York, Go!” chant.
“After the game. After the game, not before the game, we go crazy,” Marbury told the flight over the PA system.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!
WOW. @StarburyMarbury gets an entire plane full of Knicks fans on their way to Cleveland ready to invade Rocket Arena.
That’s when the New York native broke into the famous Knicks chant, which passengers on the plane fully took part in.
In another video on social media, Marbury was seen hosting Knicks trivia for the other passengers and giving away a special edition pair of Knicks-themed glasses to the winner.
Stephon Marbury arriving for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. UrbanxDivinity / BACKGRID
Marbury played five seasons for the Knicks and the team made one postseason appearance in that time.
He averaged 18.2 points per game during his days in the orange and blue and started 282 regular-season games for the organization.
From the flight that Marbury was on headed to Cleveland, it appears that the Knicks will be well represented during Game 4.
Stephon Marbury fires up a plane filled with Knicks plans. ESPNNewYork/X
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“It means the world to me as a born and bred New Yorker, living and dying with every shot,” Archer Batravil told The Post after making the trip to Cleveland from Miami for Game 4. “It’s been [27] years since 1999. I’m ready for the revenge game against the Spurs.”
The Knicks entered Monday’s contest having won 10 straight postseason games and having beaten their opponents by an average of 22.5 points.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning at Sutter Health Park on April 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Memorial Day everyone! The A’s are back at home and return to the friendly confines of Sutter Health Park still in first place in their division after a 4-3 road trip. Now the team will go head-to-head against the team that won the AL West last year and are hot on our heels this season in the Seattle Mariners. Tonight marks the opening of this three-game series that could have huge implications down the line at the end of the year.
Scheduled to get the ball tonight for the home team is veteran Aaron Civale. The right-hander has had a great season overall but got hit hard his last time on the mound. He surrendered five earned runs to the Angels in an eventual A’s win, getting bailed out by the offense down in Anaheim. He’ll carry a 3.31 ERA into tonight’s contest, a number he’ll be looking to lower and get closer to 3.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup looks for the series opener:
The A’s will welcome Brent Rooker back to the starting lineup after the DH got the series finale off yesterday. He’ll slide back into his usual cleanup spot behind Carlos Cortes, Nick Kurtz, and Shea Langeliers (who is back behind the plate tonight), with Tyler Soderstrom’s left-handed bat right behind him.
The back half of the lineup gets a little shuffle as center fielder Henry Bolte rises up to the sixth spot in the batting order. Jeff McNeil and Zack Gelof follow at second and third base, respectively, while Darell Hernaiz also returns to the starting lineup batting ninth after getting a breather yesterday as well.
For Seattle, they’re sending their own veteran to the mound in Luis Castillo. The 10-year vet has been a reliable arm atop the Mariners’ starting rotation for years now but is perhaps beginning to show signs of falling off. The righty is having by far his worst statistical season to date as he’s consistently gotten hit hard in all of his outings. That, plus the Mariners’ deep and young rotation options, caused the M’s to reconsider his stance as one of the team’s five starting pitchers but they’re planning to stick with him for a little while longer. The A’s could push up that decision up with a big showing on offense against Castillo.
The A’s maintain a 2.5 game lead over the Mariners in the AL West. One win guarantees us remaining there through the series but the team should be aiming higher for a series win or possible sweep. One game at a time though. Let’s go A’s!
Nolan McLean had been dominant to begin his big-league career.
The Mets' young right-hander appears to have officially hit his first rough patch at the highest level, though, as he’s been extremely ineffective each of his last two times out.
The latest came on Monday afternoon, when McLean allowed runs in three straight innings and was pulled after failing to complete the top of the fourth in a series-opening loss to the Reds.
His once stellar ERA has quickly risen to 4.40 through 11 starts on the the season after allowing 16 runs (13 earned) on 13 hits and four walks over that two-outing span.
McLean and Carlos Mendoza explained postgame Monday that the struggles have been a combination of things.
“He’s having a hard time landing the secondary pitches,” the skipper said. “There’s a ton of movement side-to-side and not so much depth, and he’s getting into bad counts -- it comes down to execution.”
“It’s just bad pitching, honestly,” McLean added. “Getting behind in counts, not landing my off-speed pitches, and I’ve been hitting guys with two strikes -- I haven’t been pitching my best and I gotta be better.”
McLean felt that he did too much mound work this week trying to work through the issue, which led to him losing his legs after striking out the first three hitters he faced in order on Monday.
The 24-year-old right-hander will now use this as a learning point moving forward, trying to find that balance as he works to get things right ahead of his next turn out against the Marlins.
Mendoza and the Mets are confident that he'll be able to do just that.
“He’s a competitor,” Mendoza emphasized. “He’s not happy, but he’s going to keep going -- this is a guy who isn’t going to back down, he’s going to show up tomorrow, put his head down and get back to work -- he’s going to get back on track.”
For the first time in 27 years, the New York Knicks are going to the NBA Finals.
Jalen Brunson and Co. extended their playoff winning streak to 11 games on Monday, completing a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference Finals.
All but one of the Knicks’ wins have been by double digits, with an average margin of victory of 23.7 points.
The Knicks pulled their starters with 7:47 remaining and a 35-point lead as their large contingent of fans loudly chanted “Knicks in four!” New York fans easily outnumbered Cleveland fans as die-hard celebrity fans director Spike Lee, comedian Tracy Morgan and actor Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, made the trip.
“Our guys played great. You’re in the conference finals and score 65 points off of offensive rebounds and fast break points. I don’t know if I’ve seen that at this point of the year. We wanted to push the pace,” coach Mike Brown said.
Karl Anthony-Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby scored 17 and the New York Knicks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 Monday night to complete a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference finals and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
The series was uncompetitive after Cleveland blew a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit in Game 1, with New York rolling to easy victories in Game 2 (109-93) and Game 3 (121-108).
It’s been a long time coming for the Knicks, who were largely uncompetitive throughout their 27 seasons between Finals appearances. From 2001 through 2022, the team missed the playoffs in 16 of 21 seasons and won just eight total postseason games.
Everything changed when the team signed Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022. Over the past four seasons, he’s made the All-NBA Second Team three times. Brunson led the Knicks to the second round in his first two seasons before an East Finals loss in 2025 and now an NBA Finals berth.
The Knicks will await the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, which is tied 2-2. The NBA Finals will begin on Wednesday, June 3, regardless of when that series ends, and the Western champs will have home-court advantage.
New York lost to San Antonio 4-1 in its last Finals appearance in 1999. The team last won a championship in 1973.
A.J. Minter #33 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
By now, A.J. Minter has become familiar with surgeries and recoveries. In 2024, it was for his hip. Before that, it was Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome procedures at Texas A&M. But this one — surgery to repair a torn lat last May and the yearlong recovery that followed — has been a “weird one,” even by Minter’s standards.
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It felt easy at first. Then, a rough patch followed. Minter didn’t want to rush the recovery process, and just when it seemed earlier this month that he was on the verge of finally returning, the Mets removed him from his rehab assignment due to hip discomfort.
Minter described the setback as “super minimum,” but after resuming and making his latest minor league appearance Sunday, his return could happen as early as Tuesday or Wednesday — though it’ll arrive with a lingering velocity question he’ll need to answer.
“It’s been a difficult one for sure,” Minter told The Post of his recovery before the Mets opened a series against the Reds. “Obviously, I would love to [have] been back sooner, but just kinda taking me a little bit to get back. But I do feel like I’m in a good space physically, mentally.”
A.J. Minter of the Mets pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Saturday, April 26, 2025. MLB Photos via Getty Images
It could be a different version of the 32-year-old — at least to start. He might not have the same velocity. His fastball averaged 94.5 mph in 2024 and 2025, but during his most recent appearance for Triple-A Syracuse, Minter maxed out at just 93.7 mph and hit only 90.7 on May 20.
He hopes that will change once he returns to an MLB environment. Manager Carlos Mendoza agreed and cited an example of how that was the case for Minter in spring training last year, though he also admitted that it could take time.
“He’s still gonna be able to compete with whatever he’s got,” Mendoza said. “The 91 [mph], 92, he’s got weapons to get righties and lefties. I’m not worried about it, but it’ll be something that I’m pretty sure it’ll be a topic, but like I said, I think he’s more than capable of competing with what he has right now.”
Compared to an invisible lineup and woeful starting pitching, the Mets bullpen hasn’t been a glaring concern, as the team collected the ninth-best ERA in the majors (3.46) entering Monday’s game.
But Minter, who recorded a 1.59 ERA across 12 minor league appearances this season, would serve as another lefty alongside Brooks Raley and demoted starter Sean Manaea.
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Minter has tried to avoid getting caught up in the velocity. He just wants to make hitters work and earn everything. And when that happens, when Minter makes a return that Mendoza said the lefty “can’t wait” for, it’ll cap a grueling journey back to the Mets bullpen that’s now more than a year in the making.
“Whether I’m throwing 92 or 97, I feel like I’m just gonna go out there and just attack the strike zone and see what happens,” Minter said.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 23: Eric Lauer #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles on the field prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots a free throw in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren was among the 15 names listed on an All-NBA Team. He just barely made the cusp, receiving exactly the 15th-most votes at 87.
The lanky challenger at the rim is also coming off an NBA All-Star and All-Defensive First Team appearance for the first time in his career.
A global media panel of 100 voters selected the 2025-26 Kia All-NBA Team.
He’s on the chase for a second-straight NBA championship against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, tied at two games each. Holmgren became only the fourth Zag to win an NBA title last summer (Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison in 2009 and 2010, Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf in 2012, and San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye in 2014).
Through 69 starts for the Thunder, the 7-1 talent averaged 17.1 points on a shooting split of 55.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent on three-pointers, and 79.2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.9 rebounds per game rank tied for No. 11 in the NBA, while his 1.9 blocks per game are tied for No. 2. Most importantly, the world’s up-and-coming basketball star listed a defensive rating of 104.1.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Gregg Popovich has been around the San Antonio Spurs all season, talking to players at practices, offering advice, and being the wise elder statesman that he is.
However, he is no longer the coach, so he had not entered the team's locker room postgame all season long... until after Game 3. That ugly loss changed things and Popovich lit a fire under the team, De'Aaron Fox told the Showtime crew in NBC after the Spurs bounced back in Game 3. “Pop's been around throughout the course of the season, but that was the first time he walked into the locker room. And it was like, 'Nah, that BS. That's not how we play basketball.' And obviously he had some choice words for us. That was the first time all season he came into the locker room right after the game and told us how he felt — and everybody felt that. Mitch (Johnson, Spurs coach), B-Wright (Brian Wright, Spurs GM) was in there, all the players down to the staff. And that was the first time I seen that. Everybody was in there, trainers, everybody’s in there. We close the doors, we don’t let anybody know what’s going on in there. We open that door, we see Pop come in, and it’s like, ‘Awwww.'”
The Spurs and Thunder are tied 2-2, but it feels like San Antonio has the momentum as the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for a critical Game 5 on Tuesday night, which tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET and you can watch on NBC or stream on Peacock.
The Chicago Blackhawks should be looking to add some proven NHL talent to their roster this summer. When looking at potential trading partners, the Colorado Avalanche stand out.
The Avalanche are entering the summer with limited cap space and may need to move out at least one player. Due to this, the Blackhawks should consider targeting these two Avalanche forwards if they become available this off-season.
Ross Colton
The Blackhawks moved on from valuable veteran talent this season, like Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno. Because of this, they could use an experienced forward who could be a good mentor for their younger players as they continue their rebuild.
With this, a player like Ross Colton could be a nice pickup for the Blackhawks. The 29-year-old forward is a former Stanley Cup champion who plays multiple positions and works in all situations. He is a potential trade candidate to watch due to his $4 million salary until the end of next season, so he could be a player worth bringing in. If he performed well in Chicago next season, he would also give the Blackhawks a valuable trading asset at next year's deadline.
Jack Drury
If the Blackhawks want to improve their bottom six this off-season, a solid all-around center like Jack Drury could grab their attention. The 2018 second-round pick is a pending restricted free agent who could be worth taking a chance on.
Drury would have the potential to be a nice replacement for Dickinson due to his solid defensive play and penalty-killing ability. Furthermore, at 26 years old, he is young enough that he could fit in well on a team on the rise like the Blackhawks.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager still had not resumed actual baseball activities Monday, the day that he could have been eligible to return from the injured list because of lower back inflammation.
Manager Skip Schumaker said the two-time World Series MVP went through some drills before the series opener against Houston but was “still probably a few days away” from batting practice or taking groundballs. Seager was mired in a career-worst 0-for-27 slump when put on the 10-day IL.
Seager wasn’t in the Rangers clubhouse when it was opened to reporters before the game.
Third baseman Josh Jung was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row since banging his left shoulder hard on a diving defensive play Saturday. An MRI on Monday showed no significant issues in his non-throwing shoulder.
Jung tore the labrum in that shoulder during a weightlifting session just before the start of spring training in February 2022, seven months before his big league debut. He said he hadn’t felt any pain in that shoulder since then, which is was what concerned him.
Jung took some swings off the tee and went through his usual defensive routine Monday.
“I had zero range of motion left when I tore my labrum the first time,” he said. “I couldn’t lift my arm. I have full range of motion, and strength has been pretty good.”
Seager’s scratch and slump
The Rangers scratched a planned live batting practice session for Seager on Saturday, a day after he had jogged on the field and hit in the cage.
“I don’t know if it’s a setback,” Schumaker said. “I just think it hasn’t recovered as fast as we hoped for it.”
The 32-year-old Seager started 42 of the Rangers’ first 43 games, and said before the IL stint that physically he felt “completely fine.” He was hitless over his last seven games while playing 24 in a row over 27 days after his only previous game off April 16.
“We were monitoring and talking with him every day. ... I don’t think that was part of the deal,” Schumaker said. “He’s trying to get out of the slump that he was in. So I think there’s a lot of swings, and a dive up the middle, and I think all of it just kind of caught up to him a little bit.”
Seager last played May 13 at home against Arizona. Texas then had an off day and Seager was getting an extended break not playing in the series opener at Houston on May 15 before waking up with back spasms.
“So ironic that it was literally on the off day in Houston, and then here we are,” Schumaker said.
Seager has seven homers and 20 RBIs while hitting .179 — that average ranked 165th out of 170 qualified MLB hitters going into Monday’s game. In the fifth season of a $325 million, 10-year deal, Seager has 28 hits, 22 walks and 50 strikeouts in 182 plate appearances.
Langford and Smith updates
Left fielder Wyatt Langford, out since April 22 because of a right forearm strain, took BP in the cage Monday. If he continues to progress without any issues, he could take live BP and run bases by Friday and potentially begin rehab games next weekend.
Second baseman Josh Smith, after being hospitalized to be treated for viral meningitis, could be back at the ballpark in the next couple of days, according to Schumaker.
Smith was recovering from a right glute strain when he started feeling ill and was hospitalized. He hasn’t be around the team in nearly two weeks.
DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Tanner Gordon will be looking to help the Rockies break a two-game losing streak and perform better than the last time he faced the Dodgers when he takes the mound for Colorado in the series-opening game in Los Angeles tonight.
After a solid 2026 debut, when he threw four scoreless innings against the Astros on April 15, Gordon has struggled. His second game came against the Dodgers when he gave up six runs on seven hits, including three homers, in four innings in a 12-3 loss on April 20 at Coors Field.
In seven starts, Gordon is 0-0 with a 6.59 ERA in 27.1 innings with 30 strikeouts, six walks and six homers. With Jose Quintana forced to leave Sunday’s game after 1.1 innings with elbow soreness and with him now headed to the IL, the Rockies could use a longer start from Gordon to give some relief to the bullpen.
The Rockies (20-34) are going through a rough May where they have put up a 6-16 record, including dropping five of their last six games. In their only showdowns with the Dodgers this season, Colorado split a four-game series against L.A. at Coors Field in April.
The Dodgers (33-20) are returning to Dodger Stadium after going 7-2 on their latest road trip against the Brewers, Padres and Angels. Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.93 ERA) will be on the mound for L.A. The 26-year-old RHP has given up nine home runs and 13 walks with 51 strikeouts in 45.2 innings in nine starts.
The Rockies faced Sheehan on April 18. In a 4-3 Rockies victory, Sheehan earned a no-decision when he surrendered two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
