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Royals’ Tyler Tolbert ties MLB record with hits in 12 straight plate appearances

NEW YORK — Tyler Tolbert grinned and said he’d give himself until midnight before turning the page on one of the most historic stretches a batter ever has enjoyed.

His place in the record books probably will last a lot longer.

The Kansas City Royals outfielder, typically a defensive specialist and pinch runner, tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances, reaching the mark with an infield single against the New York Mets for his fifth hit in a wild 16-12 comeback win.

Batting ninth, the right fielder hit a two-run homer in the second inning and singled in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. Tolbert’s last three hits were infield hits.

Tolbert matched the record set by Chicago’s Johnny Kling in 1902 and equaled by Walt Dropo of the Detroit Tigers in 1952. The bat Tolbert used will be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

“I’m truly lost for words, honestly,” Tolbert said. “I don’t know. It hasn’t really hit me, to be honest.”

With a chance to break the record, Tolbert finally was retired in the ninth on a fly ball to right against A.J. Minter to finish 5 for 6.

“He’s a good pitcher and broke the streak,” Tolbert said. “All I can do is just smile. I’m just grateful for the journey and opportunity.”

The remnants of the announced crowd of 32,734 gave Tolbert an ovation, and his teammates applauded while gathering on the top step of their dugout. Following the game, the Royals celebrated Tolbert with a Champagne toast in the visiting locker room.

“It’s nice — I guess everybody’s kind of in tune, knowing what was happening,” Tolbert said. “I appreciated the fans supporting me and cheering me on, trying to get the next one. When I was on deck, they were like, ‘Go for another one. Go for another one.’

“More importantly, just my teammates man, they were locked in,” Tolbert added. “Just awesome. Look in the dugout and everybody’s smiling. Brings a smile to my face, too.”

Tolbert, listed at 5-foot-10, was selected by the Royals in the 13th round of the 2019 draft and stole at least 48 bases in every minor league season from 2021 through 2025 before debuting in the bigs on March 31, 2025.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of him, the way he competes,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “His effort, energy, attitude — he lifts everybody up everyday. And for him to have those individual accolades are really special. The way the guys celebrated him right there was really cool.”

Tolbert was a career .247 hitter with one homer, seven RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 91 big league games, when he went 2 for 2 against Philadelphia before being lifted for a pinch hitter. He then started at shortstop and went 5 for 5 with a homer, his first of the season.

“He’s a sparkplug,” teammate Nick Loftin said “I’m happy that he’s able to find some success and consistent (at-bats). Now he’s going to Cooperstown.”

Tolbert is the first player with consecutive five-hit games since Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, who pulled off the feat Aug, 22-23, 1970.

“It’s always good to see your hard work pay off,” Tolbert said, “But like I said, back to work. That’s just my mindset.”

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Five Blues Prospects Who Will Be Competing For An NHL Roster Spot In Training Camp

The St. Louis Blues have plenty of depth in their prospect. The one knock they’ve received from analysts around the NHL is that it lacks a true superstar or franchise-altering prospect.

The criticism is fair, but the Blues have plenty of prospects with NHL projections, and several have become NHL regulars. Since the 2020 NHL draft, the Blues have watched Jake Neighbours (2020), Zach Bolduc (2021), Jimmy Snuggerud (2022), and Dalibor Dvorsky (2023) become NHL regulars.

In the 2025-26 season, the Blues saw Snuggerud and Dvorsky become not only full-time NHL players but also important pieces of the team’s success. 

Heading towards the 2026-27 season, there are five Blues prospects who can compete for a roster spot out of training camp. Whether they make the Day 1 roster or their performance puts them on the radar to earn a call-up as the season goes along, a strong training camp and pre-season performance will go a long way.

Otto Stenberg, LW

Otto Stenberg earned his first call-up to the NHL this past season and showed plenty of traits that could help him start next season in the NHL. 

The 21-year-old didn’t light it up offensively, scoring three goals and 10 points in 32 games, but he demonstrated his high compete level, battling for pucks and mixing it up physically despite boasting just a 5-foot-11, 188-pound frame.

Stenberg has all the traits of a reliable two-way middle-six winger. If he can improve his production, there could be a role on the second line, but for now, Stenberg has shown that he could be a difference maker on the third line very soon.

Stenberg isn’t a lock to make the opening night roster after the additions of Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish, as well as the extension for Jonatan Berggren, but a strong camp could turn heads. 

Maddox Dagenais Brings Size To A Blues Prospect That Needs It In The Center Ice PositionMaddox Dagenais Brings Size To A Blues Prospect That Needs It In The Center Ice PositionWith the 16th overall pick, the St. Louis Blues selected 6-foot-4 power forward Maddox Dagenais, adding a play style the Blues need in the NHL and in their prospect pool.

Theo Lindstein, D

Theo Lindstein’s season was fairly similar to Stenberg’s. Lindstein played fewer games than Stenberg but looked very comfortable in his action. In 17 games, Lindstein was stapled to veteran defenseman Colton Parayko’s left side, scoring two goals and four points while averaging 15:46 of ice time. 

The 21-year-old is also not a lock to make the roster despite his strong performance last season. With the trade for Brandon Carlo, the right side of the defense is set. On the left, Philip Broberg and Cam Fowler are likely to fill in the top four roles, leaving Lindstein and Tyler Tucker to battle it out for the final spot on the third pairing.

Lindstein plays a solid all-around game, but Tucker brings a 6-foot-1, 204-pound frame and a level of physicality that Lindstein doesn’t offer. 

Justin Carbonneau, RW

Prior to the moves the Blues made, it looked like there was an avenue for Justin Carbonneau to compete for a roster spot, but that has likely changed. 

The 19-year-old is almost guaranteed to start the season in the AHL, but with a strong training camp and AHL campaign, Carbonneau could work his way up the depth chart and serve as one of the top call-up candidates. 

Carbonneau is a powerful skater who mixes it up physically whenever the opportunity arises. Offensively, Carbonneau has developed into a high-end goal scorer, as in his most recent QMJHL season, he notched 51 goals in 60 games. His balanced offensive game and his physical approach should help him adapt to the AHL rather quickly. 

What Recently Acquired Connor McMichael Will Bring To The St. Louis Blues What Recently Acquired Connor McMichael Will Bring To The St. Louis Blues What will the recently acquired 25-year-old center/winger Connor McMichael bring to the St. Louis Blues?

Adam Jiricek, D

Adam Jiricek will also follow a similar path to Carbonneau. Prior to the Carlo trade, there was a path for Jiricek to compete for a roster spot, but that ship has likely sailed.

The 20-year-old will start the season in the AHL as he continues to develop his game. Jiricek has shown that he is a true, two-way defenseman. In the OHL, Jiricek showcased his offensive game, scoring 19 goals and 59 points in 55 games. With Czechia at the world juniors, Jiricek was a shutdown defenseman who scored timely goals. 

With his 6-foot-2 frame, solid skating, puck-moving abilities, and offensive instincts, Jiricek should thrive early in the AHL season and truly put his name on coach Jim Montgomery’s radar. 

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, LW/C

You’d be hard-pressed to find a player more deserving of regular NHL action than Aleksanteri Kaskimaki. 

Kaskimaki is a hard-working, two-way forward with the versatility to play on the wing or as a center. Last season, Kaskimaki skated on the top line, scoring 20 goals and 44 points in 64 games.

Kaskimaki may not be a first-line forward in the NHL, but he can be an effective bottom-six player on a successful team. With the fourth line projected to look like Ross Johnston, Pius Suter, and Alexey Toropchenko, Kaskimaki has an uphill battle to make the NHL roster on Day 1.

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Today in White Sox History: July 8

On this day 98 years ago, Bill Hunnefield led a 20-hit attack on Washington. | (Banty Red Tobacco & Ale Co.)

1928
The White Sox pounded out 20 hits in a 13-7 win at Washington, which remains tied for 71st-most in club history. Everyone in the lineup had at least one safety except for catcher Buck Crouse, who at least walked once in the game. Leadoff man Bill Hunnefield led the way with four hits, going 4-for-6 with three runs scored, including a double and triple. The White Sox hit no homers as a team, but stole four bases. Ted Lyons went the distance for the win, improving to 8-7 on the season.

With the win, the White Sox pulled even with the Senators in the standings, at 34-43 and tied for fifth in the American League.

1941
Edgar Smith became the first White Sox pitcher to win an All-Star Game. He got the decision in the AL’s 7-5 win, even though he gave up two runs in two innings. This was the game where Ted Williams hit a three-run home run in the last of the ninth to win it in Detroit. Smith was joined on the team by Luke Appling (SS) and Thornton Lee (P).

1943
White Sox pitcher Orval Grove almost got himself a no-hitter — and against the Yankees, to boot. Joe Gordon’s bloop double with two outs in the ninth spoiled it, but Grove did win the game, 1-0, at Comiskey Park. It ran his record to 7-0; he’d finish the year 15-9, with a 2.75 ERA.

1947
White Sox shortstop Luke Appling played a key role in the AL’s 2-1 All-Star Game win, held across town at Wrigley Field. Appling, 40, had been named to his seventh and final All-Star Game as a sub. With the AL trailing, 1-0, Appling pinch-hit for Washington’s Buddy Lewis to lead off the sixth inning and singled off of Harry Brecheen. Ted Williams singled Appling to third, and Ol’ Aches and Pains ambled home with the tying run when Joe DiMaggio grounded into a double play.

The next inning, pinch-hitter Stan Spence singled in Bobby Doerr for the AL’s eventual game-winner. The other White Sox representative that year was Rudy York (1B).

1950
With two singles as the leadoff man in an 11-5 doubleheader nightcap loss to the St. Louis Browns, White Sox shortstop Chico Carrasquel began a 24-game hit streak. The rookie slashed .359/.433/.478 throughout his run, during which the White Sox went 7-17 in their last poor season before a historic, 17-year run of winning seasons. Chico finished the season with 2.8 WAR and ended up third in Rookie of the Year and 12th in MVP voting.

Carrasquel’s 24 straight games with a hit qualified as the third-longest in White Sox history in 1950, and remains sixth all-time in franchise annals.

1958
White Sox ace Early Wynn got the win in the All-Star Game in Baltimore, as the American League defeated the NL, 4-3. Wynn entered the game in the sixth inning with the score tied, 3-3, and pitched a perfect inning. In the bottom half of that inning, the AL scored the eventual winning run on a single by the Yankees Gil McDougald, scoring Frank Malzone of the Red Sox.

In addition to Wynn, the Sox representatives were Luis Aparicio (SS), Nellie Fox (2B), Sherm Lollar (C) and Billy Pierce (P), with Fox and Aparicio named starters. 

1982
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Jerry Hairston hit a high, 1-0 fastball into the first row of the right field stands at Comiskey Park for a sayonara home run win over the Tigers, 3-2. The pinch-hitting specialist hadn’t played at all in five days, and with 30 career homers over 2,023 plate appearances and 14 years wasn’t considered much of a longball threat. The win improved the rising White Sox to 43-36.

2008
During a strange, back-and-forth game, A.J. Pierzynski drove home two runs in the 11th inning on a single sacrifice fly.

With the bases loaded in extra innings, Pierzynski ripped a long drove into right-center that Royals center fielder Joey Gathright tracked down. But a collision with right fielder Mark Teahen forced Gathright to the ground, scoring both Joe Crede from third and Alexei Ramírez at second base. Orlando Cabrera also moved from first to third on the fly.

Kansas City rallied for two runs in its half, but two innings later Cabrera gave the first-place White Sox the lead for good, 8-7, with an RBI double.

2016
In a game at home against Atlanta, the White Sox pulled off their third triple play of the season. That hadn’t happened in Major League Baseball since 1979. 

It happened in the third inning of an 11-8 loss. Shortstop Tim Anderson fielded a Freddie Freeman ground ball, tagged out lead runner Chase d’Arnaud before stepping on second base to force out former White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham and then threw to first baseman José Abreu to retire Freeman. 

Both the Red Sox and A’s accomplished the feat of three triple plays during the 1979 season, according to the Society for American Baseball Research’s triple play database.

The White Sox had turned a triple play on April 22 against the Rangers, and completed a second triple play on May 18 against the Astros.

 

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Bob Myers makes impassioned plea for LeBron James to join 76ers

From 2015-18, the rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers was at its peak.

LeBron James and the Cavaliers historically pulled off a incredible comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals after facing a 3-1 series deficit, ultimately winning the title in a Game 7 thriller.

Bob Myers served as the general manager for the Golden State Warriors for nearly a decade. NBAE via Getty Images

Throughout that period of Warriors and Cleveland basketball for four straight postseasons, Bob Myers was the general manager of Golden State.

Myers was the architect behind the Warriors dynasty, drafting players like Draymond Green and recruiting superstars like Kevin Durant. He also hired head coach Steve Kerr, who remains in the position to this day.

In 2026, Myers oversees operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.

LeBron James has yet to make a decision on where he will go next in free agency. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

After facing James as an opponent for years, Myers has made a pitch to welcome him to Philadelphia.

“If he was here, I’d say I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important,” Myers said on the Game Over podcast with Rich Paul and Max Kellerman.

“What I would just say is, if it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philadelphia.”

Just about every team in the league would welcome James with open arms, including the Sixers. The organization is considered a favorite to land the veteran, but his free agency remains the biggest mystery of the summer.

At 41 years old, the four-time NBA champions remains a hot commodity on the free agent market.

Ultimately, James will make the final decision on where he goes next, but that won’t stop teams from making public pitches for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

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Lakers reportedly eyeing Jonathan Kuminga for final roster spot

The Lakers have remade their roster this offseason, adding players they see as better fits around Luka Doncic's style. Los Angeles overpaid but got its center in Walker Kessler (now he just has to stay healthy), re-signed Austin Reaves to be the secondary shot creator next to Doncic, and added a good two-way wing in Quentin Grimes.

Los Ángeles has one open roster spot and are considering filling it with wing Jonathan Kuminga, reports Broderick Turner at The Los Angeles Times.

Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Lakers are after, according to people with knowledge of the situation who said L.A. is looking at a two-year, $20-million deal for Kuminga, the sort of athletic wing player the Lakers need to start at small forward.

The Cavaliers also have expressed interest in Kuminga, but they need the LeBron James situation to play out — Cleveland may be the frontrunner — before moving on to Kuminga.

Kuminga checks a lot of boxes for the Lakers: Good size at 6'7", a plus defender on the perimeter, and he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season, shooting 33.3% from 3-point range. However, he has been better with the ball in his hands as a shot creator than he has been working off the ball, and he struggled to fit into Steve Kerr's ball-and-player movement system with the Warriors, which led to clashes with the coach.

How well would Kuminga adapt to being the No. 3 option and having to work primarily off the ball and knocking down 3s for the Lakers?

It's currently envisioned that the veteran, more steady Grimes will start at the three, but the Lakers have a lot of decisions to make at training camp.

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Canadiens Make Top Three In NHL Power Rankings

Now that most of the big (relatively speaking) names are off the free agency board, Bleacher Report has released its latest NHL Power Rankings, and some may be surprised to find the Montreal Canadiens in third place. The only teams ahead of the Habs are the Stanley Cup Champions Carolina Hurricanes and perennial contenders Colorado Avalanche.

While the article acknowledges that it might not have looked like Montreal has been very busy this offseason, it goes on to praise the two impact signings Kent Hughes has made: the contract extensions of Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes. It adds that the two players are vital to their core and that signing extensions early to keep offer sheets at bay is huge. There’s little doubt that Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek would agree.

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The fact that the Sainte-Flanelle failed to sign a free agent in what was a largely underwhelming crop of players shouldn’t be seen as a failure on the part of the Canadiens, even if Hughes has failed to make an impact signing on the free market since his arrival at the helm.

Even if it’s not a very exciting approach, betting on organic growth has served the Habs well since the start of the Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Martin St-Louis era in Montreal. One of the best examples of that, without a doubt, is the progress in Nick Suzuki’s game. Not only has the pivot established himself as a real first-line center, putting an end to years of debate amongst pundits, but he’s improved across the board. In the last five years, his point production has gone from 61 to 66 to 77 to 89 to 101, and he’s also gained respect across all markets as a top defensive forward, as evidenced by his Frank J. Selke win.

His linemates have also experienced similar growth; Cole Caufield’s production has improved from 43 points to 64 (projected over 82 games since he put up 36 points in 46 games because of a shoulder injury), then to 65, 70, and 88. This past year, he even scored 51 goals, becoming the first Hab to reach the 50-goal mark since Stephane Richer. Caufield’s growth isn’t just about the numbers, though; it’s about the fact that he’s become a much more threatening player from everywhere in the offensive zone. The league cannot just worry about taking away the one-timer from the flank option; the sniper has other plays in his playbook.

As for Juraj Slafkovsky, he has gone from 51 points to 73 points, but he’s also started playing a much grittier game. He has accepted that he can best serve his team by bringing speed and physicality to the top line and retrieving the puck in deep and feeding it to his linemates. Even better, he’s wised up to the fact that once that’s done, his work isn’t over; he’s learned to then get to the busy areas and pick up the “garbage goals” on the doorstep, scoring 30 goals in a season for the first time in his career.

Lane Hutson has gone from a fantastic 66-point rookie season to an even more impressive 78-point sophomore year. The blueliner has doubled his goal production, going from six to 12 thanks to increased confidence in his own shot. He tested goaltenders over 30 more times this past season, and his shooting percentage has gone from 6.7% to 9.7%. With the work he has put in ahead of practices, working on his shot for ages with Adam Nicholas and Ivan Demidov, it’s hardly surprising.

Speaking of the young Russian, his first season in the NHL was a resounding success, and he did so while playing alongside two players who aren’t top-six players on a Cup-contending team. If Montreal can get some reinforcement on its second line ahead of the season, Demidov’s production could explode. Even if they don’t, having a year of NHL hockey under his belt will only make him more effective, and that should result in increased production as well.

Given how young the Canadiens are and the upward trajectory of their best players, it’s hardly surprising that the Habs brass feels content to bet on their continued progression. Besides, while the salary cap is forecast to rise in the foreseeable future, that growth won’t last forever, and sooner or later, teams throwing big contracts to free agents will run out of cap space. The Canadiens will be right there with both cap space and money to spend, since Hughes has managed to sign his core to team-friendly deals and has even found a way not to pay Kirby Dach $4 million, even if that was the qualifying offer he was due. 

By then, the Habs are also hoping that their winning record and culture will have made Montreal a destination of choice for free agents. Make no mistake, the Canadiens are not inactive; they’re just playing the long game, and the rest of the league knows it, even if it’s not always evident to fans.

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How the Lakers can create cap space for Jonathan Kuminga or another free agent

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks boxes out during the game against the New York Knicks during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After their free-agent spending spree, the Lakers are effectively out of spending power.

They’re currently projected to be only $1.9 million below the cap before re-signing Austin Reaves, signing Collin Sexton with the room mid-level exception and signing Kevon Looney to a veteran-minimum deal. That’s not even enough for a minimum contract.

That hasn’t stopped the Lakers from pursuing Jonathan Kuminga in free agency, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.

Slater reported that the Lakers have been “subtly improving their offer in recent days while reiterating to Kuminga his importance to what the Lakers are building around [Luka] Dončić, a likely starting role and what the opportunity could do for his career.” However, Kuminga and his agent believe “there are still avenues to better deals as the offseason dominoes continue to fall.

Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Timeslater reported that the Lakers have offered Kuminga a two-year, $20 million deal. That allows us to connect some dots.

How the Lakers can create more cap space

The Lakers’ easiest path to creating more cap space would be salary-dumping Jarred Vanderbilt or waiving him and stretching the dead cap hit from his remaining contract over the next half-decade.

If the Lakers managed to dump Vanderbilt’s $12.4 million contract into another team’s cap space or a salary-cap exception, they’d have plenty of spending power to offer Kuminga a $10 million annual salary.

A waive-and-stretch would get them in that ballpark as well.

Vanderbilt has a $13.3 million player option next year, so the Lakers would have to stretch the remaining $25.7 million on his contract on their books evenly over the next five years. That comes out to a dead cap hit of roughly $5.1 million, giving the Lakers another $7.3 million in spending power this offseason.

Combine that with the $1.9 million that they currently project to have, and they’d be up to nearly $9.2 million in cap space. That would allow them to offer Kuminga a two-year, $18.8 million deal.

The Lakers could create even more cap space by dumping Dalton Knecht for a minimum contract, or moving the recently acquired Jaden Hardy for someone earning less. If they need to manufacture a bit more cap space for Kuminga or another free agent, President of Basketball Operation Rob Pelinka has outs.

The question is how he can sweeten any offer.

The Lakers have already traded away all of their first-round draft capital through 2033 aside from a 2032 pick swap and all of but one of their own second-rounders. They did acquire two second-rounders from the Washington Wizards (2031 and 2032) in the Deandre Ayton trade, but those three picks are the only tradable picks that they have in either round.

Perhaps a team would be willing to take a free flier on Knecht, whom the Lakers selected with the 17th overall pick two years ago. He hit 37.6% of his three-point attempts as a rookie, but his shooting percentage plunged last year, and his playing time went right along with it.

There’s always a chance that the Lakers have slightly more cap space than estimated, too. They haven’t made any of their signings official yet, and contract reports tend to round up generously in favor of agents at this time of year.

But after sign-and-trading for Walker Kessler and signing Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, the Lakers are more or less out of cap space and exceptions. With only one open roster spot left, the Lakers will need to create more spending power to entice Kuminga or another free-agent target.

The Lakers’ lack of tradable draft picks could impact their ability to outright salary-dump Vanderbilt. They’d have to determine whether signing Kuminga would justify giving up the 2032 first-round swap rights or any of their tradable second-round picks. If not, a waive-and-stretch would be their most likely path forward.

Either way, the Lakers do have a feasible path to offering Kuminga or another free agent somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. Anything beyond that would likely require moving one or both of Hardy and Knecht. And anything north of $20 million is a pipe dream.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

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Celtics Summer League roster is out, and 7 players headline it

BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics have finalized their Summer League roster, and it’s loaded with young talent. Here’s the full list of 16 players that will appear on the team:

  1. Hugo Gonzalez (SG/SF)
  2. Chris Cenac (C/PF)
  3. Dillon Mitchell (SF)
  4. Amari Williams (C)
  5. John Tonje (SG/SF)
  6. Curtis Jones (SG)
  7. Tucker DeVries (SF)
  8. Milos Uzan (PG)
  9. Alondes Williams (SG/PG)
  10. Caleb Grill (SG)
  11. Kyle Mangas (SG)
  12. Hank Morgan (SG)
  13. Mo Amini (SF)
  14. Nick Pringle (PF/C)
  15. Day Day Thomas (PG)
  16. Chauncey Wiggins (SF/PF)

7 notable Summer League Celtics players to watch

All 16 rostered players will get at least some run at Summer League, but there are 7 players I’m most eager to watch.

Hugo Gonzalez: Hugo Gonzalez is, to me, the most notable player in the field. The 20-year-old had a good rookie season with the Celtics, and he’s looked really solid playing with the Spanish national team this month. Gonzalez averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game as a rookie, and was one of the NBA’s plus-minus darlings. Gonzalez never spent a second in the G-League.

Everybody knows that the Celtics did not want to trade Gonzalez this offseason to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. How that decision ages remains to be seen, but every scout I’ve talked to around the NBA has gushed about what they’ve seen from Gonzalez so far. I’m excited to see how he looks at Summer League, especially when compared to last summer.

Chris Cenac: Chris Cenac is the Celtics’ highest-profile rookie; the 19-year-old forward is coming off of his freshman year at Houston and was selected 27th in the draft last month. He’s a highly-recruited 7-foot center who was one of the top interior prospects in his recruiting class, and he’ll take one of the Celtics 15 roster spots this year.

While Brad Stevens indicated he did not necessarily expect Cenac to play much next season, we’ve already seen his last two first-round picks (Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman) become impactful rotation players in their first two seasons. Just how raw is Cenac? And how does he hold up defensively? Summer league should shed some light on where he’s at in his career.

Dillon Mitchell: Dillon Mitchell is the Celtics’ other drafted rookie; the 22-year-old, drafted 40th overall, is coming off of a standout season at St. John’s. Mitchell is a super-athlete who is a good finisher, rebounder, and defender, though his inconsistent shot hurt his draft stock.

My big question is: just how good of a defender is he in this context? And, how can he fit in offensively despite effectively being unable to shoot? Mitchell is likely to end up on a two-way contract with the Celtics this season, so he’s one of the players I’m most interested in

Amari Williams: Williams was the Celtics’ 46th overall pick last season and was on a two-way contract for most of the year. He finished the year on a standard deal (mostly due to the Celtics working to stay under the luxury tax line) but did have some stellar moments with the parent club.

Williams will again be on a two-way contract with the Celtics this season, as the Celtics look to continue developing him into a center of the future. He’s currently behind Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, and Luka Garza in the depth chart, but showed he could be impactful in spots last year.

John Tonje: John Tonje was on a two-way contract with the Celtics last year (acquired in the midseason trade that sent Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz). While he hasn’t agreed to a two-way contract with Boston next season, he remains in the mix and could return in the same role. Tonje is a bucket-getter who looks to carve out a role in the NBA after an elite season at Wisconsin. He didn’t get much run in Boston, but scored a career-high 13 points in the season finale last year.

Tucker DeVries: Tucker DeVries is on an Exhibit 10 contract, so he’ll be joining the Celtics for training camp (and potentially competing for a two-way contract). DeVries is an undrafted rookie out of West Virginia who is 24 years old and a proven sharpshooter. He’s a polished offensive player with a high basketball IQ that could ultimately (one day) end up being a Sam Hauser replacement.

Milos Uzan: Milos Uzan is also on an Exhibit 10 contract, so, like DeVries, he’ll be joining the Celtics for training camp when Summer League is over. Uzan is a 22-year-old point guard out of Houston, where he was teammates with Cenac. He’s a poised point guard who is known for steady decision-making and veteran leadership.

Another Summer League note: Hank Morgan returns for his second consecutive Summer League with the Celtics. Morgan, who laced up for the Maine Celtics, was the G-League’s only former Division III player last year.

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It might escape notice, but Dean Wade has much to offer

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 15: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is introduced before the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown is here, the splashiest acquisition in a very splashy Sixers offseason orchestrated by new personnel chief Mike Gansey.

Anfernee Simons, a willing and much-needed bench scorer, is also here. Same for Ariel Hukporti, an intriguing big man coming off a title run with the Knicks.

Hey, and LeBron James might end up here, too. Never say never, right?

Against that backdrop, Dean Wade has fairly tiptoed into town, lunchpail in hand and valuable toolkit in his back pocket. 

Signed to a reported four-year, $39 million free-agent contract, Wade is the ultimate 3-and-D guy, a sturdily built 6-foot-9 forward who can make open triples and guard all five positions. Whether he starts, or (in the event of a LeBron signing) comes off the bench, those are two very useful skills to possess.

And two things that might escape notice, given everything else that is going on. Or might go on, in the weeks and months ahead.

During a Zoom call with reporters Tuesday, he called defense “a thankless job,” and that is inarguable. Nobody in the Association wants to crouch in a stance, hike up their shorts and joust with the breathtakingly skilled guys headed their way. But Wade, an undrafted free agent signed out of Kansas State by Cleveland in 2019 (where Gansey was an executive at the time), discovered early on that that was his ticket to playing time.

Never mind that Wade had been a scorer in college. Never mind, he said, that he was “never really known as a defender” at that point in his career. He learned to become one. And he has learned to like it.

“I think the most appealing part of defense is … when people iso one on one,” he said. “It is head-up – just who’s better, and I’ve got to play with that little chip on my shoulder. I love that competitive spirit, where it’s just whose will’s going to kind of outlast whose.”

By his second season he was getting regular time, and that remained the case during the duration of his seven-year stay in Cleveland. He averaged a modest 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds over that time, but shot nearly 37 percent from three and just generally proved to be a useful piece to the puzzle.

Along the way he crossed paths with former Sixer Georges Niang, a Cavalier in 2023-24 and part of 2024-25. And Niang – “maybe the funniest human I’ve ever met,” Wade said – told him a little something about Philadelphia. How, yes, the town’s athletic supporters can be tough, but are ultimately, “the best fans in the world, as long as you’re playing the right way.”

Suffice it to say that Wade will endeavor to do just that, while continuing to keep a low profile – something that comes naturally to him.

He hails from the farming community of St. John, Kansas (pop. 1,200). His dad, Jay, played football at Kansas State and Western Illinois, while his mom, Trish, played basketball and volleyball at Barton Community College and Florida Southern.

She would later win three state championships in 17 seasons as the volleyball coach at St. John-Hudson, while coaching her daughter Teresa, among others. (Trish, who also coached track at her children’s alma mater, now heads the volleyball squad at Nickerson High School.)

So it’s not hard to see where Dean got his athletic ability. Also his competitiveness.

“When I was younger, I hated losing,” he said. “I was the worst loser – like, my parents would beat me in a card game, and I would lose my mind.”

One of the fringe benefits to having a mom in coaching is that she had the key to the high school gym, which according to Dean was just two doors down from the family home.

“I lived in the gym,” he said.

He would ultimately lead his school to three state championships. Still, pro basketball seemed a long way off.

“Even thinking about the NBA when I was growing up was never a real thought in my mind,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a cool dream, but I never really thought I would have the opportunity to play.’”

But he never felt overmatched in AAU competition, and his family fostered his dream.

“Especially my sister,” he said. “She kicked that self-doubt right out of me before I could.”

Kansas State would ultimately unearth him, and he became a two-time All-Big 12 performer while averaging 12 points a game on .498/.386/.711 shooting over four seasons. And before he knew it, the NBA became a distinct possibility.

“Even when I was (on) a two-way (contract as a rookie),” he said, “I was like, ‘Man, I feel like I could still play in this league – compete at the highest level in this league.’ I never had any doubt in my mind.”

Not by then. And not anymore. Now he comes sneaking into town, carrying a mindset and a skillset that could prove very useful. And never mind that nobody else might notice.

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LeBron James’ new free agency pursuit is the saddest dating show

The most infamous moment in LeBron James’ career remains “The Decision,” in which the then-25-year-old turned picking a new team into an overblown one-hour TV special that will never be repeated. Now, we’re getting the modern equivalent of it — and it’s sad as hell.

Rather than just picking a team and moving on, the entire LeBron courtship has turned into fuel for Rich Paul’s podcast, and that fire was given more oxygen on Tuesday when Sixers president Bob Myers went on the show to make a public pitch to LeBron, rather than talking to him in private.

It’s one thing to watch the greatest basketball player on the planet self-produce his own free agency broadcast, but it’s on a whole other level to see an NBA executive fawn over LeBron like the contestant on a dating show. It’s all so sad, and so transparent — because Rob Myers doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Rich Paul’s podcast, but understands it’s the cost of doing business when it comes to trying to land LeBron.

Frustrating, execs like Myers understand that James legitimately does give them a better chance of winning. At this point in his career the 41-year-old has become the ultimate glue guy who can functionally fit into any lineup and be a factor, which is an incredible proposition for a team like the Sixers who now have Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey — but critically miss the connective piece that could really push them over the top.

Now we need to wait and see if any other NBA general managers follow suit. Will more line up to appear next to Rich Paul and make their pitch? I hope not, but in this era … yeah, it’s going to happen.

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Twins put All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton on 10-day IL with lingering hip injury

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins placed Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list after the center fielder aggravated a hip injury that has lingered through much of the season.

Buxton, who was voted an American League starter for the All-Star Game, will be sidelined through the break. The 32-year-old Buxton, who has battled injury problems his entire career, is headed to the IL for the first time this season.

Buxton missed five games in May when he originally suffered the right hip impingement. He sat out four more games after he tweaked the same spot. He returned to the lineup against the Yankees in New York, but left after making an awkward slide while attempting to steal second.

“We dealt with the hip earlier in the year, gave it some time and it calmed down, and then gave it some time again, and it reaggravated,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “I just think with where we’re at in the schedule, how he’s feeling, knowing that he was going to be down a few days, it was probably the best-case scenario for everybody.”

Buxton is hitting .271 with a team-leading .904 OPS in 75 games this season. His 25 home runs are tied for third-most in the American League. He was voted in as an All-Star starter in 2022, when he homered in the AL’s 3-2 victory. He was named as a reserve last season.

The Twins recalled outfielder Alan Roden from Triple-A St. Paul to fill Buxton’s roster spot.

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Yankees vs. Rays prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for July 8

The Yankees (50-41) and Rays (53-36) continue their four-game series Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. They have split the first two games with the Rays getting the win last night 6-4.

 

The scoring came early last night with the Yankees jumping out to a 3-2 lead after three innings thanks to Ben Rice’s 26th bomb of the season. Tampa Bay erased the deficit, however, with a four-run fourth, getting an RBI double from Richie Palacios before back-to-back homers by Hunter Feduccia and Yandy Díaz. Rookie left-hander Ian Seymour struck out 12 Yankees in 5.1 innings, continuing a troubling trend for New York's offense, which fanned 17 times on the night for the second consecutive game. Let that sink in…34 strikeouts in 68 ABs over the last 18 innings.

 

Wednesday's pitching matchup features a couple of All-Stars: Gerrit Cole for New York against Shane McClanahan for Tampa Bay. Cole takes the mound with a record of 3-3 and a 4.01 ERA, while McClanahan is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA. The Yankees’ ace has gradually rounded into form since returning in May from Tommy John surgery last season. In his last start on July 3, Cole struck out seven and allowed just two runs over five innings in a 5-2 win over the Twins. McClanahan, meanwhile, tossed six shutout innings on July 1 against Kansas City, allowing just three hits with no walks while striking out four in a 4-0 Rays’ victory.

 

The key storyline tonight as it has been the past few weeks revolves around the Yankees offense. Can they snap out of a funk that has seen them score 66 runs in their last 20 games? Currently four games behind the Rays, scoring runs and winning what is a crucial game tonight will not come easy against a Tampa team that is now 32-13 at Tropicana Field this season. The Rays’ win last night was their 32nd in 45 home games this season.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Rays

 

  • Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Tropicana Field
  • City: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Prime Video, Rays.TV

 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

 

The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Rays

The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: New York Yankees (-101), Tampa Bay Rays (-120)
  • Spread: Yankees -1.5 (+176), Rays +1.5 (-215)
  • Total: 7.0 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Yankees vs. Rays for July 8

  • Yankees: Gerrit Cole
    Season Totals: 42.2 IP, 3-3, 4.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 41K, 10 BB
  • Rays: Shane McClanahan
    Season Totals: 79.2 IP, 7-5, 3.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 77K, 28 BB

 

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Yankees vs. Rays

  • Ben Rice has hit safely in 3 straight games (5-12) with 1 HR in each of his last 2 games
  • Paul Goldschmidt is without a hit in his last 9 games (0-30)
  • Cody Bellinger picked up a hit last night and is now 3-33 over his last 8 games
  • Bellinger has struck out 5 times in his last 8 trips to the plate
  • Cedric Mullins is 11-33 with 1HR in his career against Gerrit Cole
  • Amed Rosario is 3-6 in his career against Shane McClanahan
  • Yandy Diaz went 2-4 last night to snap a 1-19 stretch
  • Richie Palacios is 7-14 over his last 5 games

 

 

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

 

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees vs. Rays

 

  • The Yankees are 41-50 on the Run Line this season
  • The Rays are 54-35 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 39 times in Tampa’s 89 games this season (39-46-4)
  • The OVER has cashed 41 times in the Yankees’ 91 games this season (41-46-4)

 

Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Rays

 

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

 

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Rays:

 

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 7.0

 

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
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Bucks Reacts Survey: Does Horst need to cull the guard room?

DETROIT, MI - MAY 17: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense on Caris LeVert #8 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Round Two Game Seven 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

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

As the dust begins to settle on free agency (and the Giannis trade), we can at least begin to evaluate how the roster is shaking out; when you do that, one thing stands out: there are a lot of guards on the team right now. I mean, not even counting Gary Trent Jr. and that whole clusterf**k of a situation, I can count a total of 6/15 guys who operate at either guard spot (excluding Ousmane Dieng and Caris LeVert, who also need the rock):

  • Ryan Rollins
  • Kevin Porter Jr.
  • Kasparas Jakucionis
  • Tyler Herro
  • Brayden Burries
  • AJ Green

If you add two-ways in Kam Jones and Cormac Ryan, that number of guards reaches eight.

This is not ideal for a range of reasons. There is the obvious concern about not having enough minutes to go around while also keeping one eye on developing key future players like Jakucionis and Burries. In addition, you need to consider the mental impact of players not feeling comfortable in their roles on a game-to-game basis, and their performance suffering as a result. For example, if Burries is never sure when he’ll sub in because he plays 20 minutes one night and 10 the next, how can he be expected to perform?

I understand that on some level, talent is talent, and rebuilding teams really just need to acquire as much talent as possible, position be damned, but there are tradeoffs to that line of thinking. Therefore, my Brew Hoop brethren, I’ll put it to you: is it a good idea to start the season with this many guards, or does Jon Horst need to make some moves to balance this roster out?

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Astros Prospect Report: July 7th

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 28: Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros swings the bat in the ninth inning during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 28, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (41-46) won 6-5 (BOX SCORE)

McCullers started for Sugar Land and went 4 innings allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, while walking 3 and striking out 4. The offense got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Meyers 2 run home run. After Rodriguez allowed a run in the 5th, Sugar Land rallied in the 6th for 3 runs to tie it on a Whitcomb RBI single, Meyers walk and Spence hit by pitch. In the 7th, Sugar Land took the lead on a Pena RBI double. Blanco tossed 2 scoreless innings in relief before the game was called due to lightning as Sugar Land won 6-5.

Note: Spence is hitting .300 in Triple-A.

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (37-44) lost 3-2 (BOX SCORE)

The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on a Bush 2 run home run. Nezuh got the start and pitched really well striking out 11 over 5.1 innings allowing just 1 run. Swanson came on for the 8th but allowed 2 runs as the RoughRiders took the lead. The offense was unable to score again as the Hooks fell 3-2.

Note: Nezuh has 80 K over 65.2 innings this season.

A+: Asheville Tourists (28-53) won 11-3 (BOX SCORE)

Rodriguez started for Asheville and allowed a 1 run before getting out of the first. Asheville got the offense going early scoring 3 runs in the 2nd inning on a Nunez RBI single, Garcia groundout and Nigh RBI double. In the third, Moss added a solo home run. The offense got 2 more runs on a Garcia solo home run and Ochoa sac fly. In the 5th, Nigh added 2 more runs on a 2 run single. The offense got another in the 6th on a wild pitch and another in the 7th on a Powell RBI single. The pen allowed a couple of runs but the offense did more than enough as Asheville won 11-3.

Note: Moss is hitting .404 for Asheville.

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (41-40) lost 10-9 (BOX SCORE)

Forcucci started for Fayetteville but struggled allowing 4 runs while retiring just 2 batters. The offense got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Flores solo home run. The offense got a run in the 5th on a wild pitch and a run in the 6th on a Salas RBI single. After the Warbirds took a 5-3 lead, Wakefield tied the game in the 7th on a 2 run triple. The Warbirds took the lead in the bottom of the inning but in the 9th, the Woodpeckers rallied for 3 runs on a Luciano sac fly and Flores 2 run single. Fraide allowed 3 runs over 6 innings in relief. The game went to extra innings and in the 11th, the Woodpeckers got a run on a Wakefield RBI groundout. Saunier got the bottom of the inning but allowed 2 runs as the Woodpeckers fell 10-9.

Note: Neyens has a .460 OBP this season.

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Josh Hendrickson – 7:05 CT

CC: Bryce Mayer – 6:35 CT

AV: Yeriel Santos – 5:35 CT

FV: TBD – 10:05 CT

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Trea Turner’s future at shortstop may be short

Jul 6, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws to first base after forcing out Kansas City Royals first baseman Salvador Perez (13) during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Trea Turner’s issues at shortstop have officially become too troubling to put off any longer.

In Monday’s get-away game in Kansas City, another Turner error, his 12th of the season, opened the floodgates to a 6-run Royals outburst in the first inning of what would eventually become a 15-1 boat-racing of the Phillies.

To be fair, Turner’s error prevented the inning from ending, but Sanchez was every bit as responsible for the deluge of runs scored by a heretofore anemic Kansas City offense. The Phils’ ace left-hander clearly didn’t have it on Monday, and the Royals took advantage.

It was additionally damaging to Sanchez in that all the runs were earned, despite the throwing error. Scoring rules dictate one cannot “assume a double play.” The runner was safe at first not on an error, but on a fielder’s choice. The error allowed the runners already on base to move up. So when those runners came in to score, they were all earned, as the scorers could never assume the third out would have been recorded.

I’m here to tell you, you CAN assume a double play. But let’s move on.

One year after having a rennassiance defensive season at short, Turner is once again one of the worst defenders in baseball. His -9 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) is last and in terms of Outs Above Average (OAA), his mark of -6 is 4th-worst among 17 qualified shortstops in MLB.

The time has come. However they want to go about it, the Phillies’ brass must sit Turner down and tell him a transition to the outfield is beginning now.

Turner is as fast as ever and should be able to make the transition, but it won’t be easy. It may be impossible for them to make the switch mid-season, although Bryce Harper worked out at first base once Rhys Hoskins got hurt and made the transition in the middle of the year. Why can’t Trea?

And it’s not just that Turner is committing errors. He’s failing to finish routine plays. His 22 ground ball double plays turned this year is tied for last among MLB shortstops, despite the Phillies leading the league in ground ball rate (45.2%). His 196 assists are tied for 6th-most, and yet, only 22 double plays.

A temporary double play combination of Edmundo Sosa and Bryson Stott would be an improvement, and Turner’s addition to the outfield would negate the need for the Phillies to trade for one over the next few weeks. As has been noted repeatedly, there is a dearth of quality right-handed hitting outfielders available.

On our latest Hittin’ Season podcast, we discussed the Turner situation and whether the transition can take place now, or must wait until later.

The great fear is that we will gaze in horror this October as Turner commits an error in a key situation in the postseason. Imagine Game 3 of the NLCS and Turner boots a grounder with runners on base that leads to a big inning and costs the Phils a playoff game. It’s a real worry.

Can the Phillies make the switch over the next few weeks? Can they re-make the roster on the fly with Turner in the outfield? How much better would the pitching staff be with the speedy Turner in the outfield and a solid double play combo of Sosa and Stott in the middle of the diamond? While Sosa is not built to play every day, one would think a platoon situation with Stott and some mixing and matching at second base could improve the Phils’ run prevention.

Either way, it’s time for these conversations to begin taking place. If it doesn’t happen this year, the Phillies almost certainly can’t go into 2027 with Turner penciled in as the starting shortstop.

So, why wait? Don’t wait to make an improvement if it can be made sooner rather than later.