The Royals announced today they have acquired pitcher Randy Dobnak from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations. The move comes just days after the team acquired pitcher Connor Seabold from the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league pitcher Denis Samudio and cash considerations. Both players will be added to the 40-man roster, and to make room for them, the Royals transferred pitchers Carlos Estévez and Cole Ragans to the 60-day Injured List. Estévez has already been out for more than 60 days, while the move means Ragans will be out until at least July 7.
Dobnak had an impressive stretch his rookie year, with a 1.59 ERA in 28.1 innings with the Minnesota Twins, but has struggled since then. He has a career 4.86 ERA in 140.2 innings with just 5.4 strikeouts-per-nine-innings, and has pitched just six MLB games since 2021. He had a 4.24 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A this year, but had an “upward mobility” clause in his minor league contract that required the Mariners to offer him to other teams to be placed on another 40-man roster. Dobnak has options remaining and has been assigned to Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals acquired Seabold on Tuesday and he made his team debut that evening against the Nationals. The 30- year old is out of options, and is pitching for his third team this year. He has pitched in parts of five seasons with the Red Sox, Rockies, Rays, Braves, Tigers, and Blue Jays, and has a 7.25 ERA in 139 innings. He has been better this year, however, with a 4.05 ERA in 20 innings after his outing with the Royals. Samudio is a 21-year-old pitching at Low-A Columbia, where he had a 4.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings. He was not ranked on top Royals prospect lists for Baseball America or MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs listed him in “honorable mention”, noting he can throw 95 mph.
The Royals’ pitching staff has been hard with injuries lately. Ragans was shut down after experiencing discomfort this week, and is getting a second opinion on an MRI, according to Anne Rogers. Bubic had a setback after one rehab start, but he had a clean MRI last week, according to Joel Goldberg. Seth Lugo missed his start on Monday after being placed on the 7-day concussion Injured List, but he is expected to return for his start on Friday. Reliever Nick Mears has been out since late May with a shoulder impingement, but could begin a rehab assignment soon. Estévez has been throwing and could return in July.
The moves this week just highlight how important it is to have organizational pitching depth. The Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers have a 5.74 team ERA, second-worst in the International League, with the most walks in the league. The Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals have a 6.15 ERA, worst in the Texas League. The acquisitions of Dobnak and Seabold may not move the needle much at the big league level, but they underscore how thin the Royals’ pitching depth has become. With multiple members of the major league staff sidelined and few obvious internal alternatives emerging from the upper minors, Kansas City is being forced to scour the trade market for reinforcements.
The hottest topic in baseball is whether it’s OK for MLB players to have Bible verses written on their rainbow-inspired hats when the team is celebrating Pride Night.
Appearing as a guest on “The Will Cain Show” on Wednesday, former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens suggested players should be able to vote whether they wear the special hats.
Some Giants pitchers recently wrote biblical verses on Pride Night hats, and Roger Clemens weighed in Wednesday. AP
“I think if you took a vote amongst the players if they were wanting to wear this or that, it would have been a different outcome of what would have been said,” Clemens said. “Alter our uniforms all the time with numbers or somebody that’s passed away. I know that one time in Boston, Larry Bird retired, … they put 33 on in a silver marker on the hat so I could honor Larry Bird.”
“I did it for my Mom and my grandmother. I mean, they were the reason why I was there, and I love it that these guys show that the blessings the Lord has given them. To be out there on that field. That’s the way it was for me.”
ROGER CLEMENS TO MLB: LET PLAYERS WEAR BIBLE VERSES
"I love it that these guys show the blessings that the Lord has given them to be out there on that field." pic.twitter.com/SypudpL3ZT
Clemens is correct; modified uniforms have always existed in baseball. The Angels’ uniform this season features a patch that says “GA” honoring Garret Anderson, who passed away in April. During last year’s World Series, Dodgers and Blue Jays players wore modified hats that featured the number “51” in honor of Alex Vesia, who was away from the Dodgers in what was later revealed as a sudden loss of his newborn daughter.
On Monday, MLB issued a warning to Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker after they altered their Pride Night hats and added Bible verses.
Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen was the first pitcher to enter a game this year with a Pride Night hat with a Bible verse written on it.
Last season, Treinen was in the public eye after paying tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk by having his name written on his hat after Kirk was assassinated.
The San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 20th overall selection.
Kesselring, 26, is currently set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027, if he only signs a one-year contract with the Sharks. The Florence, South Carolina native spent just one season with the Sabres, which certainly didn’t go the way either side had planned. In 34 games, he had just two points, both of which were assists, 50 penalty minutes, and just 25 hits.
“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” Sharks General Manager Mike Grier said in the official press release. “He is a responsible player in the defensive zone with a well rounded offensive game, and will be a good upgrade for us patrolling the blueline. We’re happy to have him a part of the organization.”
Known mainly for his defensive play during college and early in his professional career, Kesselring established himself as a solid two-way presence in Utah. In 82 games with the then Utah Hockey Club, he set career highs in goals (7), assists (22), points (29), penalty minutes (89), takeaways (22), and time on ice (17:41). Looking back at 2024-25, Kesselring had one of the hardest shots in the NHL. His 103.77 miles per hour rocket against the Colorado Avalanche was the third-fastest shot in the entire league that season, trailing just Tage Thompson and Gustav Forsling, both of whom were over 105 MPH.
Although his skating speed fell off a bit in Buffalo under Lindy Ruff, Kesselring was also pretty quick during his only season in Salt Lake City. He had a max skating speed of 22.39 MPH, which placed him in the 77th percentile.
In San Jose, it seems likely that Kesselring will slot onto the second or third defensive pairing, assuming the Sharks are able to add another right-handed defenseman to play top-pairing minutes. He should be a good complement for a young, offensive-minded defenseman like Luca Cagnoni or Sam Dickinson, as he’ll provide a steady safety net alongside them.
Kesselring can provide some offense, but he shouldn’t be used primarily as a puckmover or on the power play. He mainly thrives in 5-on-5 play, focusing on the defensive end of the ice. Historically, he hasn’t gotten much usage on the penalty kill, but he could be an interesting candidate for the Sharks in that regard as well.
The Sharks have started to address their holes on the blue line. While they still have quite a bit more to get done before the season starts in September, the defense looks considerably better than it did just 24 hours ago.
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 10: George Kirby #68 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Orioles Park at Camden Yards on June 10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight the Mariners will play their sixth game against the Orioles in the last ten days. I will be filing a complaint. Also filing a complaint: George Kirby, who has received six runs of support in his past eight outings against the O’s – not per game; combined.
Lineups:
News:
Sadly, emergency call-up Curtis Washington Jr. wasn’t able to get in the game last night. He’s been optioned back to Everett, with INF/OF Connor Joe recalled to take his place.
Tonight’s game information:
Game time: 6:40 PT
TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink, and Ryan Rowland-Smith as sideline reporter
Radio: 710 Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Shannon Drayer
Feb 21, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) controls the ball against the Pacific Tigers in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images
One thing that hasn’t been talked about at all during this offseason is any of wing Tyon Grant-Foster’s offseason workouts with NBA franchises.
The reason for that is he wasn’t cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel. That has now been authorized by the NBA, per DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. Grant-Foster has had to jump through a lot of hoops in his career, starting with going into cardiac arrest twice.
The first was in November of 2021 in the DePaul Blue Demons’ season opener, and the second was months later in 2022 during an offseason pickup game back in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. The now 26-year-old had two heart surgeries, had a defibrillator implanted, and was forced to be away from basketball for 18 months.
Grant-Foster also had to gain eligibility from the NCAA to suit up for coach Mark Few’s program in the Pacific Northwest before the start of the 2025-26 season. Those court cases put a lot of stress on his life at the time.
NEWS: Tyon Grant-Foster has been cleared to play by the NBA's fitness-to-play panel, a source tells DraftExpress.
Grant-Foster had a defibrillator implanted after twice undergoing cardiac arrest before returning to play at Grand Canyon and then Gonzaga. pic.twitter.com/rlOixBtMhs
He’s late to the offseason workout game with NBA franchises. The 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner on June 23 through June 24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, but Grant-Foster wasn’t going to hear his name called anyway.
The other departing veterans from the Gonzaga Bulldogs, forward Graham Ike and wing Jalen Warley, will also most likely go undrafted and presumably start their professional basketball careers on the G League route. Grant-Foster looks to be following a similar path.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 6: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 6, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tara Walton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So, that was annoying. Last night, the Orioles kept us up late just to get one total hit after the first inning, going quietly into the Seattle night.
You joining us for another round?
Look, it’s possible that George Kirby makes for an easier target for O’s hitters. After debuting in 2022, the Rye, NY native and first-rounder posted three consecutive sub-4 ERA seasons, but 2025 and 2026 haven’t been as good. He dealt with shoulder inflammation in 2025, but nothing announced this year. His fastball continues to be a very effective pitch, but something is the matter with his curveball, which has a negative run value for the first time ever, and an expected .336 BA against.
Kirby faced Baltimore in the last series, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings with three walks and a season-high 10 strikeouts. Gunnar loves hitting off of him: he’s .444 in 18 trips to the plate. Pete Alonso is 4-for-8 against the righty. Taylor Ward has hit three career homers off him.
It’ll be a nicer game to stay up late for if Kyle Bradish can keep building back to his pre-Tommy John form. Statcast data suggests his pitches are not quite back: his slider has a career-worst -7 run value, whereas in his ridiculous 2023 it was a +12, behind only his +16 curveball (that’s ridiculous).
Earlier this season, Bradish had a successful May, the ERA trending down in consecutive starts, but in June he’s allowed five runs in two straight starts. That included a clunker against this Mariners lineup, where he got homered on by Cole Young, Luke Raley, and Dominic Canzone in just four innings.
There are multiple players from the glory years of the Detroit Red Wings who currently work for the organization, led by former captain Steve Yzerman, who has served as the club's general manager since April of 2019.
Former Grind Line teammates Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby both remain with the organization. Draper serves as the club's assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting, while Maltby works as a professional scout.
Dan Cleary, who won the Stanley Cup with the club in 2008, is the Director of Player Development, while former defenseman Niklas Kronwall is an advisor to Yzerman while overseeing the tracking and development of European prospects.
And of course, there is former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who is vice president of hockey operations.
But he'll also be taking on a new challenge as the Senior Advisor for the Swedish national team, a role that isn't expected to impact his work with Detroit.
Ny sportslig ledning i Tre Kronor 🇸🇪 Nicklas Lidström, Tommy Boustedt och Jack Han förstärker organisationen kring herrlandslaget. ✅ Senior Advisor (Lidström) ✅ Player Personnel Manager (Boustedt) ✅ Analytiker (Han) Läs mer https://t.co/X9Yy4TZ0t5#TreKronorpic.twitter.com/PQkDjHVEba
"I am really looking forward to returning to the national team activities," Lidstrom said via The Swedish Ice Hockey Association. "For Tre Kronor, it is crucial to have a continuous and strong dialogue with both players and NHL clubs, not least based on the demands and conditions that prevail around the major tournaments. Being able to contribute to that work feels both inspiring and meaningful."
During his playing career, which was spent entirely with the Red Wings, Lidstrom captured the Norris Trophy seven times as the NHL's top defenseman, and also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during Detroit's 2002 Stanley Cup championship run.
When Yzerman hung up the skates in 2006, Lidstrom was chosen as the Red Wings' next captain. He wore the "C" for the remainder of his career before retiring in 2012, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
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Tom Blundell hit New Zealand’s first fifty of the series and Glenn Phillips posted an unbeaten 49 as the tourists fought back against England on an intriguing opening day of the second Test at the Oval on Wednesday.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Harrison Barnes #40 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Free agency won’t start until June 30th, but as soon as the Finals ended, teams have been able to negotiate with their own free agents. It’s an exclusive window that, on paper, allows incumbent franchises the opportunity to lock up guys they want to keep around before they get on the market.
In some years, the period is extremely important, as a team might have key pieces whose contracts expire. It’s not the case for the Spurs this offseason. In fact, it wouldn’t be a major shock if they don’t actually bring anyone back.
Let’s take a look at San Antonio’s free agents, how they performed in the regular season, and whether it seems likely that they’ll return.
Harrison Barnes | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 39 percent from beyond the arc
Barnes was a starter for part of the season, and he looked like a solid placeholder. He didn’t make many mistakes, could play without the ball, and hit enough threes that the fact that opponents often left him open or parked their centers on him wasn’t a major problem. He ended the season as a bench piece, and the numbers suggest that he could be a solid backup who does a little bit of everything without compromising the team in any way. But the splits show a different picture.
The veteran forward started the season well before going ice-cold from beyond the arc and not being able to get to the bucket after closeouts. Just as the Spurs were finding their identity as a young, athletic team that applied rim pressure, Barnes looked like he had aged five years in a month. He lost his starting spot, and while he regained his touch from deep eventually, he never seemed like a dangerous weapon. Combine his lack of offensive presence with middling defense, and it’s no surprise he fell out of the rotation as the playoffs progressed.
Likelihood of returning: Medium
Barnes didn’t play in a few playoff games and got negligible minutes in others. He’s still just 34 and a good enough shooter to potentially get an offer with guaranteed playing time from someone else. There are two reasons why the Spurs might try to keep him.
First, he has been incredibly generous with the San Antonio community, with multiple donations and appearances in charitable events, which means he has the character the franchise has always coveted. And second, replacing a still useful player won’t be easy with the tools the front office will have available to them.
If he takes a pay cut and is fine with limited but consistent minutes in the regular season, a compromise seems possible.
Kelly Olynyk | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 8.6 minutes a game.
There was a moment in the summer, right after Olynyk was acquired in exchange for Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, when there were reasons to be optimistic about his addition. The veteran big man had clear weaknesses, mainly as a rim protector, but his passing and decent outside shooting made him a good match to share the floor with Jeremy Sochan.
As Sochan lost favor with the coaching staff, however, it was unclear how Olynyk fit. He wasn’t nimble enough to be a power forward next to Wembanyama or Kornet, and as a sole big man, his lack of athleticism made him a sieve on defense.
In the end, Olynyk played under 10 minutes a game and suited up for just 42 games. The Spurs didn’t use his expiring contract at the trade deadline, and now he’ll enter unrestricted free agency with a very limited market.
Likelihood of returning: Low
The Spurs were smart to kick the tires on a big man with a skill set the others lacked, but it became clear Olynyk didn’t fit their guard-oriented, rim-pressure-heavy attack and had a bad year as a shooter, which was the weapon that might have kept him useful. At age 35, his NBA career might be over unless some team wants a good locker room guy to fill their roster. It seems unlikely that the team will be San Antonio.
Jordan McLaughlin | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 2 points, 0.9 assists, 42 percent three-point shooting on 6.4 minutes a game.
McLaughlin was a throw-in in the De’Aaron Fox trade who somehow managed to make a big enough impact in his short time with the franchise in 2024/25 to earn a fully guaranteed minimum deal with the team the following offseason. With a crowded backcourt, San Antonio seemed comfortable bringing in a journeyman who would not cause issues if he didn’t get minutes and who, in case of emergency, could handle the ball, guard with intensity, and shoot the three when open.
In that tiny role, he delivered. The Spurs didn’t rely on him heavily at all, but when he was on the floor, he did what was expected of him.
Likelihood of returning: Medium
The Spurs will need a guard with McLaughlin’s profile, so why not just bring the veteran back? At age 30, he’s likely a finished product and might regress, but since he’ll only play in the regular season when someone else is hurt, or the game is out of reach, it won’t matter.
At the same time, maybe bringing in a more dynamic, multipositional option could be a smarter move. Plus, maybe there’s actually someone willing to play McLaughlin, which is something the Spurs can’t promise to do.
Lindy Waters III | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 2.4 points, 0.7 rebounds, 34 percent on three-pointers in 6.4 minutes a game.
Can you really be disappointed with a guy on a partially guaranteed minimum contract that stuck around? If it’s possible, Lindy Waters III would fit the bill. Waters arrived as a shooting specialist, and while he was rarely on the court for long enough to develop a rhythm, he shot a career-low from beyond the arc. Considering shooting is his one NBA skill, it’s safe to say he wasn’t good even for the small role the Spurs had in mind for him.
Likelihood of returning: Low
Small-ish wings who can shoot decently are not hard to find in the NBA. Unless Waters was more important in the locker room than anyone has reported, it seems unlikely he’ll get another chance with the Spurs.
Mason Plumlee | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats (only with Spurs): 0.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists in just six games.
Plumlee arrived late in the season to occupy the roster spot left vacant after Sochan was waived. He took a while to get into shape and ended up playing just 47 total minutes wearing Silver and Black in the regular season. The most memorable moment in his stint with the Spurs was probably a hard foul on Jared McCain, as Mitch Johnson preferred to go small rather than play Plumlee when the team needed a backup center.
Likelihood of returning: Low
Plumlee, 36, has been declining for a while and might be done as an NBA player. It’s hard to come up with any scenario in which a return to San Antonio makes sense.
Bismack Biyombo | Unrestricted free agent
2025/26 stats: 0.9 points, one rebound, 0.3 stocks in 5.6 minutes a game.
Biyombo sat in free agency for the better part of the last year before the Spurs added him when Victor Wembanyama was out. They played him 19 minutes a game and, unsurprisingly, he wasn’t good, as the agility and athleticism that made him a solid defensive center with decent finishing ability had disappeared by then.
This year, he was even worse, but the difference is that he didn’t actually play much and was mostly around to provide veteran leadership.
Likelihood of returning: Medium (but should be low)
Biyombo shouldn’t be in the NBA at this point. He can’t move well enough to defend the pick and roll, and his shot-blocking is gone. He was never a good offensive player, but his lack of range and horrendous free-throw shooting make him a liability. There are no basketball reasons for him to be on the Spurs next season.
That said, the Spurs will need to fill out the bottom of their roster with players who have no expectations to get playing time and who seem like good locker room presences. Wembanyama appears to like Biyombo, so he might get a spot. If it happens, hopefully, there will be quality depth ahead of him, because he should only see the floor in garbage time.
But the multipart doc will go deeper than just the 2026 NBA Finals run, Stiller said.
The confirmation from Stiller comes after Page Six reported last week that Stiller was indeed making a Knicks program for HBO.
Ben Stiller filming Jalen Brunson’s June 7, 2026 press conference at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“It’s kind of gonna be about all eras of the Knicks,” Stiller said on the show. “And this team, obviously, there’s a culmination here of something that has been going on for a long time. So, it’s super exciting. And it’s great to have all this access to your team, which is great. And we’re probably going to be shooting a little bit more during next season.”
He said the program, which does not have a set number of episodes yet, all came together recently, and it will be worked on over the next year. A release date is not yet clear. Stiller said that owner James Dolan gave the green light and access for the project.
Madison Square Garden is home to the newest NBA champions. Jason Szenes for NY Post
Stiller took to X to share the news on his personal account.
“Couldn’t be more excited to make this doc with @a24 and @hbo about the NY KNICKS!!!!!!” he wrote.
Stiller, a fixture on Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden and courtside on the road, was seen filming the Knicks’ playoff run from his phone, and he shared some of the snippets to social media as New York won its first NBA title in 53 years.
Stiller added that the project still does not have a title, but at the very least, it is happening.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Sutter Health Park on May 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s have split the first two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s set up tonight’s rubber match, with one team getting a series win in Sacramento. The Athletics dropped back below .500 with last night’s loss so a win this evening would get them back to even, and depending on how Seattle does tonight the A’s could be within a half-game of first place in the AL West. Can the A’s get back in the win column on Pride Night at Sutter Health Park?
Before tonight’s contest, the A’s announced a minor roster move, activating tonight’s starting pitcher Aaron Civale while optioning righty Luis Morales:
The move doesn’t have major implications but does remove an option from the bullpen for Mark Kotsay. Morales didn’t make an appearance during his brief callup and now he’ll return to Las Vegas and continue trying to fix things down there.
Back to the game at hand. As said above, Civale is the Athletics’ starting pitcher tonight. The veteran right-hander spent just over three weeks on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis in his pitching arm. Everyone held their breath when that was the diagnosis but it seems that the A’s are getting the best-case scenario with Civale’s shoulder. With that short of a layoff he didn’t need more than the one rehab start he made. In that appearance he looked awesome, firing 4 1/3 perfect innings with seven strikeouts against Triple-A hitters. Looks good to go. He got hit hard in his last two appearances before landing on the IL so the hope is that the shoulder was the cause of those rough outings and he can get back to the pitcher he’s been for the majority of the year.
Here’s how the bats will line up behind their starting pitcher for the series finale:
The typical top of the lineup, with Kurtz and Langeliers (DH’ing tonight) batting back-to-back to start things. They’re followed by Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson, repeating the same top four as last night’s batting order.
With Langeliers DH’ing that means Jonah Heim will be catching Civale and he’s right in the middle of the order batting behind Wilson. Zack Gelof is back at third for the third consecutive night, leaving Max Muncy riding the bench. You can’t take Gelof out of the lineup when he’s riding a 20-game hit streak, and with a right-hander on the mound Kotsay is going with McNeil instead of Muncy tonight. Lawrence Butler is in right field versus the right-handed starter, and Henry Bolte will be patrolling center field this evening in Sacramento.
That lineup will be going up against Pittsburgh starter Braxton Ashcraft. The 26-year-old sophomore has been fantastic for the Pirates this season, his first as a full-time starter at the big league level. In 14 games he has a great 3.30 ERA thanks to his strikeout stuff. He’s also been stingy with the walks, issuing just 19 in 84 innings of work. The A’s will need to take advantage of any and every opportunity they get against the ascending Ashcraft.
Not much different from last night’s lineup, aside from two small changes. Former #1 overall pick Henry Davis is back behind the plate batting ninth, while veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna is in the DH role this evening.
It appears that a return of LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers is likely this offseason, but according to reports from ESPN Senior Writer Marc J. Spears, it appears a former Los Angeles hero and teammate of James could be coming with him and reuniting.
Spears said on ESPN’s NBA Today that he’s heard reports that James will be reuniting with the Lakers and it appears likely that Kevin Love will be joining forces with him.
“I’m hearing that he is likely coming back,” Spears said. “… And also I’m hearing that one of his old teammates from Cleveland, Kevin Love, could likely be joining the Lakers too.”
"I'm hearing that [LeBron's] likely coming back [to the Lakers]. … Kevin Love could likely be joining the Lakers too."@MarcJSpears gives some insight on what could be next for LeBron pic.twitter.com/EV1Qwqiixf
LeBron James on vacation, drinking a glass of wine. Getty Images
Spears doubled down on his reporting that he could see the two reuniting due to the close friendship they have from when they were teammates in Cleveland from 2014 to 2018.
When James and Love played together, the two were part of a big three in Cleveland that featured Kyrie Irving.
The trio went to four NBA Finals together and brought the Cavaliers their first title in franchise history in 2016, when they infamously overcame a 3-1 series deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
Before Love was appearing in the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers and the Miami Heat [2023], he was a local hero in Los Angeles.
Born in Santa Monica and attending college at UCLA in 2008, Los Angeles has always been home for Love.
Kevin Love playing in an NBA game with the Utah Jazz. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Love played only one year with UCLA before he was selected with the fifth overall pick of the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During his freshman year at UCLA, he was crowned the Pac-10 Player of the Year when he averaged 17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds per game, and had 23 double-doubles.
Love was joined by former MVP and 9-time All-Star, Russell Westbrook, who led the Bruins to their third straight Final Four of the NCAA March Madness tournament. The Bruins’ hopes for a National Title came to an end following a 78-63 loss to Memphis.
Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Braves got some bad news on Ronald Acuña Jr.’s hamstring injury.
The star outfielder is a “long way” getting back on the field, according to Atlanta beat writer Mark Bowman, who added that the “Braves will be more cautious than they were” last month when Acuña went down with a Grade 1 strain in the same hamstring in May.
When he hit the IL last month, Acuña missed nearly three weeks.
Ronald Acuna Jr. reacts after a successful ABS Challenge during the eighth inning of the Braves’ win over the Pirates on on June 5, 2026 in Atlanta. Getty Images
Braves manager Walt Weiss had previously suggested that the injury wouldn’t be long-term.
“Grade 1, so it’s not terrible, but enough where we had to IL him,” he said last week. “We’d be waiting around a while, playing shorthanded if we were waiting for it to heal. So we went ahead and put him on the IL.
“Like I said, I don’t think it’s as severe as the last one, but still going to need some time.”
The injury is just the latest in a long list of leg issues Acuña has dealt with throughout his career.
He played in just 144 regular season games in 2024 and 2025 combined after tearing his ACL in May 2024.
Three years earlier, Acuna tore his right ACL, which took him out for about a year.
Lower body injuries aren’t the only thing plaguing Acuña this year after having suffered a bone bruise in his left thumb in late May, though he opted to play through the ailment.
When on the field this season, Acuña hasn’t quite looked like his MVP-like self.
In 52 games, Acuña, a five-time All-Star, has hit .251/.373/.421 with seven home runs and 15 stolen bases.
Despite Acuña’s hamstring issues, the Braves remain the class of the National League East.
After Wednesday’s loss to the Giants, Atlanta sits at 46-26, seven games up on the Phillies for first-place in the division.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 12: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on June 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing in the series finale against the Athletics in the capital of California.
The Pirates are handing the ball to Braxton Ashcraft, who is looking for his first win in June. Ashcraft has made two starts so far this month, but lost to the Atlanta Braves on June 6 by giving up six runs in five innings. He was given a no decision in his last start against the Miami Marlins, where he pitched five innings and gave up two runs, but the Pirates could not hold on late to pull out a win.
Veteran right-hander Aaron Civale is pitching for the A’s. Civale has played for six teams in the last four years but has found a bit of a rhythm with the A’s this season. Civale is 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA, but has been on the injured list for the past couple of weeks due to shoulder tendinitis. Civale is back on the mound today for the first time since May 25 and is looking for his first win in over a month as he is brought back to the lineup to face the Pirates.
Going into the off day, the Pirates want to make sure they finish the series out strong.
The Warriors may not know who will be available when they’re on the clock next week, but general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made one thing clear Wednesday: Golden State believes it is in a strong position to add an impact player with the No. 11 overall pick.
Speaking during his annual pre-draft media availability, Dunleavy repeatedly praised the depth of the 2026 NBA Draft and expressed confidence that the Warriors can find a player capable of contributing immediately.
Mike Dunleavy says the Warriors expect to find a strong player at No. 11 and hints Golden State may keep its 2026 NBA draft pick. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
“I think we’ll get a really good player at 11,” Dunleavy said. “This is a really good draft to be in, especially at 11.”
Those comments are particularly notable given several prospects linked to Golden State in recent mock drafts, including Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines knocks the ball out of bounds during the second half of a game against the UConn Huskies in the National Championship Getty Images
Lendeborg, 24, appears to check many of the boxes Dunleavy outlined Wednesday. The former Michigan star led the Wolverines to a national championship while averaging 14.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. A consensus All-American, he has been praised for his versatility, defensive toughness and ability to impact winning.
Dunleavy specifically pushed back against concerns surrounding older prospects, noting that NIL and the transfer portal have fundamentally changed how teams evaluate draft age.
“We’re just in a different age where there’s more older guys that have stayed in the draft,” Dunleavy said. “Teams are much more open to drafting older players.”
That could benefit prospects like Lendeborg, who spent time at Arizona Western and UAB before transferring to Michigan. Despite being one of the oldest lottery candidates, some scouts view him as a late bloomer after he didn’t begin playing organized basketball until age 15.
Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) shoots a free throw in the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers during an Elite Eight IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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That said, Dunleavy pointed toward the need to get younger with team leaders Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all over the age of 35. Curry and Butler both missed over half the season due to injury
“Yeah, I mean, we obviously would prefer to get younger.” he said.
Dunleavy also emphasized that the Warriors are looking beyond positional fit.
“Frankly, we need everything,” he said. “We’ll take whoever we feel is the best player.”
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) with forward Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr against the Phoenix Suns IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
That philosophy aligns with a prospect such as Lendeborg, whose combination of rebounding, passing and defensive versatility. Evan Webeck of the California Post compared him to NBA veteran OG Anunoby.
The Warriors also hold the No. 54 pick and have found success drafting late-round contributors in recent years. But the focus remains on No. 11, the franchise’s highest draft selection since Jonathan Kuminga was taken seventh overall in 2021.
While Dunleavy reiterated that “everything is on the table” regarding trades, his comments strongly suggested Golden State expects to leave draft night with at least one new young piece.
“I feel pretty confident that we will draft a player,” Dunleavy said.
And if the Warriors are serious about finding someone who can help immediately while still fitting their long-term plans, prospects like Lendeborg may be exactly what they’re looking for.
