WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Jackson Kent #45 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
When Jackson Kent makes his Major League Baseball debut sometime this week he’ll join an exclusive club of former Arizona players to make the big leagues. But he’ll also be in a class by himself.
The Washington Nationals are promoting the former UA left-handed pitcher and are expected to insert him into their starting rotation. He will become the 96th ex-Wildcat to make the majors, per the school’s baseball media guide, but first to do so after being recruited to the UA by Chip Hale.
The 23-year-old Kent spent three seasons at Arizona, from 2022-24, but was not eligible his first year after originally signing with UW-Milwaukee. That school would not let him out of his national letter of intent, thus forcing him to sit out that season.
Kent appeared in 33 games for the Wildcats with 19 starts, spending the bulk of the 2024 season as their Friday night starter. He finished with a 3-4 record and 4.61 ERA, striking out 122 batters in 127 innings.
The Nats drafted him in the 4th round in 2024, signing him for $625,000. He’s made 44 starts in the minor leagues, going 16-14 with a 4.22 ERA, and since getting moved to Triple-A Rochester in May had gone 8-3 with a 4.38 ERA in 13 starts.
Kent will become the second UA player to make their MLB debut this season, joining catcher Daniel Susac with the San Francisco Giants.
By the time the Braves left town Sunday, they had experienced what the Yankees hope their postseason foes will have to feel, provided that their lineup can hang on just enough to get there.
“We came in here and faced three No. 1s, really, three aces,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said Sunday.
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Max Fried, Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler started the three games and combined to hold what had been one of the majors’ highest-scoring lineups to just three runs on 12 hits and two walks across 20 ¹/₃ innings with 27 strikeouts.
And that, even with the mounting worries about their scuffling lineup, is what the Yankees are banking on not only to reach October but to use as a roadmap for a deep run when they get there.
The Yankees rotation has been best in show all season, entering Monday with a major league-leading 13.4 fWAR. And that is despite missing Cole for the first two months as he finished off his Tommy John rehab, then missing Fried for another two-plus months with a left elbow bone bruise.
But they have taken it to another level of late — coinciding with Fried’s return from the injured list to join Cole, Schlittler, Ryan Weathers and Will Warren as Carlos Rodón now works his way back again — allowing one or no runs in nine of their past 12 starts and 12 of their past 17 (and two or fewer runs in 10 of 12 and 13 of 17).
Cam Schlittler Jason Szenes for the New York Post
At a time when their lineup is struggling mightily to push runs across, the Yankees starters are the biggest reason why this stretch has not destroyed them, even if they waste the occasional gem like Schlittler’s seven innings of one-run ball Sunday.
“It’s tough, but that’s the reality of where we are right now,” manager Aaron Boone said. “But also, it’s a big reason why I have the highest of hopes for our club still. Because I feel like the guy that takes the ball every day [gives us a strong chance to win] — and we have the ability to close out games, and I still fully believe that we are going to continue to get better offensively.
“But obviously we need to be the team we hope and expect.”
Max Fried AP Photo/Melissa Tamez
Assuming the Yankees can keep the trio healthy, when is the last time they have entered the postseason with a top three as good as Schlittler (2.21 ERA), Cole (3.35) and Fried (2.88)? That is the current AL Cy Young favorite, a recent AL Cy Young winner and a lefty who has the seventh-lowest ERA (2.86) in the majors since the start of 2025 among pitchers who have thrown at least 250 innings in that span.
Their best trio of starters entering a postseason under Boone may have been 2022, when they rolled out Cole, Luis Severino and Nestor Cortes. Before that, the last time they had at least three starters with a 3.65 ERA or lower across 100-plus innings during the regular season (which Schlittler, Fried and Cole are on track to do) was 1998, when David Cone, Orlando Hernández and David Wells fronted the rotation.
Gerrit Cole IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In between, they led with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte on the way to their last title in 2009; Mike Mussina, Pettitte, Roger Clemens and Wells on the way to the World Series in 2003; Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina and Wells in 2002; Clemens, Pettitte and Mussina on the way to the World Series in 2001; and Clemens, Pettitte and Hernández on the way to titles in 1999 and 2000.
Of course, terrific regular seasons from Schlittler, Fried and Cole will mean little unless they can make them mean something in the postseason like those trios from the glory days.
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For now, though, the rotation’s success continues to give the Yankees hope for October, especially because their recent run of dominance has come against teams mostly in playoff position and some of the best lineups in the game.
Since July 6, Yankees starters have pitched to a 2.91 ERA in 29 games — the second-lowest ERA in that span (to the Tigers’ 2.50) and the highest fWAR (4.9 to the Tigers’ 3.9). During that stretch, they have faced the AL East-leading Rays, the Nationals (most runs scored in the majors), the NL West-leading Dodgers (No. 4 in runs), the Pirates (No. 3 in runs), the Phillies, the AL Central-leading White Sox (No. 8 in runs), the Cubs (No. 2 in runs), the Cardinals and the NL East-leading Braves (No. 6 in runs). Largely because of their pitching, they have gone 17-12 in that span, filled with tight, low-scoring games.
“At the moment, those guys got to be almost perfect for us to be in the ballgame,” Austin Wells said, “and they have been, which has been incredible.”
Mets prospect Mitch Voit has been on some tear since being promoted to Double-A.
Voit has quickly settled in as one of the main table-setters atop Binghamton's new-look lineup, earning himself back-to-back Eastern League Player of the Week honors.
New York's first-round pick in last year's draft has reached safely in all 11 games up at the new level thus far, and he's recorded a hit in all but two of those.
Easily his most impressive showing came on Thursday night, when he tied the Binghamton single-game franchise record for hits (five) and runs scored (five) in their 23-3 victory.
That effort helped him rack up an impressive .611 AVG, .682 OBP, .778 SLG, and 1.460 OPS.
Voit also doubled three times, swiped as many bases, drew four walks, drove in four runs, and scored nine of his own.
The 21-year-old already climbed up to the organization's fifth-ranked prospect on Joe DeMayo's midseason list, and he figures to only continue rising if he's able to keep this up the rest of the way.
As noted by DeMayo, the Mets helped Voit rework his swing last offseason, and thus far the results have followed.
San Diego Padres SP Casey Mize (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No question, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres could face one another in October. The Brewers come to town having won seven of their last 10 games. The Padres have an opportunity to take down one of the National League heavyweights in this three-game series.
Currently, the Brew Crew hold the best record in baseball (77-44) and lead the NL Central by five-and-a-half games over the Chicago Cubs. They’re expected to make the playoffs as either a division winner or a Wild Card berth holder. The Brewers hope to continue being baseball’s road warriors with a 33-22 record away from home.
The Padres are playing their best stretch of baseball (won 12 of their last 16 games) in 2026. It has put them in the chase for the final Wild-Card berth. However, the club faces a tremendous challenge ahead. If the Friars win this series, the national media must finally recognize them as a genuine postseason contender.
Both lineups can mash
Usually, pitching dominates a big series, but this three-game set could be highlighted by each team’s bats.
The Brewers have a quality lineup, especially at the top of the order. Brian Turang and Jackson Chourio have formed a lethal 1-2 punch. Turang is the prototypical leadoff hitter in today’s baseball; he can hit for power (27 doubles, three triples, and 16 home runs) and steal a base late in a close game. Chourio is in the midst of a hot streak (10-36 with 4 HRs) over the last 10 games.
Boasting a balanced attack, the team is currently hitting .253 with 109 home runs, 585 runs scored, and 117 stolen bases this season. While they continue to produce, the lineup is waiting for the return of Sal Frelick, who took a major step by beginning his minor league rehab assignment this past weekend.
We have discussed endlessly how the Padres offense has been MIA for most of the season. However, since the All-Star break, the lineup ranks among the top 10 in several key hitting categories, including team batting average, runs scored, and OPS. During this stretch, the lineup is hitting .272 and outscoring their opponents by 11 runs.
The Friars have five players (Manny Machado (23), Jackson Merrill (18), Ty France (16), Gavin Sheets (15), and Fernando Tatis Jr. (11) who have hit 10 or more home runs. The team is hitting .236 with 124 home runs and 497 runs scored for the season.
The series could come down to which pitching staff can quiet their opponent’s bats. Good news for the Padres: they will miss NL Cy Young Award favorite Jacob Misiorowski in this three-game set.
Taking the mound: Logan Henderson (MIL) vs Casey Mize (SD)
The Brewers will send Logan Henderson (6-1, 2.70 ERA) out to the mound, as he has won three consecutive starts. However, the 2026 season did not start that way; Henderson failed to make the Opening Day roster. His Triple-A numbers (2-0, 1.50 ERA) were outstanding, but a back injury prevented him from being called up.
He is enjoying a breakout campaign. Henderson has struck out 62 batters in 50.0 innings. Opponents are hitting .201 against him in 10 starts. His success is limiting hard-hit balls, as Henderson’s rate is an astounding 34.6%.
Exciting night for Casey Mize (4-7, 3.40 ERA), who is making his first start as a Padre at Petco Park. You always want to make a good first impression, but that was not the case for Mize. He struggled against Arizona; the Diamondbacks roughed him up for eight runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings last week.
This was a rare occurrence for Mize in 2026. His statistical numbers show he pitches well enough to give his team a chance to win the contest. Mize has allowed only 76 hits in 90.0 innings pitched this season.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 27: Hunter Dobbins #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on July 27, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin a crucial 3-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night at Busch Stadium. Hunter Dobbins gets the start for the Cardinals while the Phillies will give the ball to Andrew Painter who’s returning from hamstring issues. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.
Seth Halvorsen of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images North America)
The team is calling up reliever Seth Halvorsen from triple-A, a source confirmed on Monday, adding the hard-throwing right-hander to its big-league roster less than a month after he was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
A 26-year-old with three seasons of MLB experience and a fastball that routinely tops 100 mph, Halvorsen got the promotion following six scoreless with triple-A Oklahoma City.
He returns to the majors for the first time since late June, when the Rockies placed him on the injured list with shoulder inflammation after he posted a 4.74 ERA in 21 outings to begin the season. In his career, he has a 4.31 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 71 innings.
Seth Halvorsen of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Halvorsen’s initially arrived in the organization last month via what was a minor transaction at the time, when the Dodgers sent a pair of prospects (pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek) to the Rockies two weeks before the trade deadline.
Since then, though, the former seventh-round draft pick has flashed impressive stuff at the triple-A level, striking out eight of the 25 batters he has faced.
And now, he joins a Dodgers bullpen that has been in need of reinforcements, especially with top right-handers such as Edwin Díaz and Evan Phillips both scuffling in their return from injuries, and several other veteran options, including Blake Treinen and Brock Stewart, both sidelined on the injured list.
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros continue their six-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series at Oracle Park.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0) will make his third start of the season since returning from Tommy John surgery, opposite RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0) and the Giants.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 40-28 since May 22, which is the second best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in SLG (.415), and OPS (.735), while ranking second in home runs (161), OBP (.321) and hits (983).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (171) and Yankees (167).
BIG WES: After missing 14 months with injury, RHP Hayden Wesneski has recorded consecutive winning decisions in two starts in his return to Major League action.
Logged a quality start last Tuesday vs. the Blue Jays (2ER/6IP), marking his longest start since tossing 6.0 innings on April 13, 2025 vs. LAA.
Earned the win in his season debut on July 29 at LAA (3ER/5.2IP)…this solid start to the season has continued a strong run for Wesneski, who was great in his rehab appearances, posting a 2.25 (5ER/20IP) combined ERA in five minor league rehab starts.
Has faced the Giants six times (3 starts) in his career, his second-most appearances vs. an opponent, trailing only the Reds (7g).
AYA IN ACTION: The Astros Nike RBI Softball Team recorded a 6-3 win today over the defending champion Detroit Nike RBI Softball Team in day one of the 2026 Nike RBI Softball World Series in Vero Beach, FL.
The team’s next game will be at 7:45 a.m. CT tomorrow vs. either Softball Beyond Borders Nike RBI or Roberto Clemente Nike RBI.
The Astros Nike RBI Softball Team, which has won five Nike RBI World Series Softball Championship, is making its 12th appearance in the Nike RBI Softball World Series.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros continue a six-game West Coast road-trip with the opener of three-game series at Oracle Park, the club’s first trip to the venue since a three-game series from June 10-12, 2024.
Houston has gone 23-15 (.605) on their last five road trips and are 29-21 (.580) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season.
Houston is 30-30 overall on the road in 2026.
YESTERDAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros dropped the rubber match of their series vs. the Padres with a 7-2 loss at Petco Park on Sunday Night Baseball.
CF Daulton Varsho belted a two-run homer in the second inning, his first home run as an Astro, to account for all of the club’s scoring.
LF Taylor Trammell (1×3) singled in front of Varsho’s homer to account for the club’s only other hit of the evening.
RHP Cristian Javier (4ER/5IP) was handed the losing decision, making his 2nd consecutive turn in the rotation.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have claimed OF Nelson Velázquez off waivers from the Cardinals…Velázquez, 27, has played in 34 games for the Cardinals this season and 228 career games at the Major League level, also appearing with Cubs (2022-23) and Royals (2023-24).
Velázquez owns a career .739 OPS vs. left-handed pitching in the Majors.
To make room for Velázquez on the 40-man roster, the Astros designated IF Shay Whitcomb for assignment.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 117 different lineups in their 119 games, repeating a lineup just twice on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 106 times.
VS. THE GIANTS: The Astros have a long history with the Giants, having played them 741 times, their second-most against a single opponent, trailing only the Reds (860g).
The Giants recorded a three-game sweep in the last series between the clubs from March 31-April 2, 2025, at Daikin Park.
This will mark the Astros’ first trip to Oracle Park since June 10-12, 2024 (Giants went 2-1).
The Astros have a pair of players who spent portions of their Major League careers with the Giants in LHP Steven Okert (2016-18) and OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (2021-25).
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.322), HR (35), and RBI (86).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.060), OBP (.435), SLG (.624), and TB (266).
In the AL, he ranks first in hits (137), extra-base hits (59), and runs (79), and second in walks (82).
MR. RELIABLE: LHP Steven Okert has recorded a 2.20 ERA (14ER/57.1IP) with 59 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 0.87 WHIP and a .189 opponent batting average in 57 appearances, including one start this season.
Among AL relievers, he ranks first in WHIP (0.81), second in appearances (56), second in H/9 (5.56), second in opponent batting average (.179), fifth in opponent OPS (.546) and seventh in ERA (2.06).
T-TIME: OF Taylor Trammell has been stellar since the club’s road trip to CWS and LAA in late July and has posted a 1.009 OPS (.404 OBP/.605 SLG) with 10 runs, one double, four home runs, eight RBI and seven walks in his last 11 games (since July 26 at CWS).
His 1.009 OPS since July 26 ranks third among AL players in that span (min. 45 PA).
THREES COMPANY: 2B Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game with 224 career games of 3+ hits, which is just one game of 3+ hits from tying Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (225) for the most in Astros franchise history.
Altuve has multiple hits in six of his last 11 games (since July 28 at LAA), batting .349 (15×43) with an .846 OPS in that span.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: 1B Christian Walker has not commited an error in his 113 games at first base this season, which is the longest errorless streak in the Majors this season.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 8:45 p.m. CT
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 09: Tyler O'Neill #9 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases following a two run home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on August 09, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles will face a familiar face tonight in Minnesota. Dean Kremer will make his second start for the Twins after spending over six seasons in Baltimore.
The outcome of tonight’s game feels significant. The offense let Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish down over the weekend but broke out for 10 runs on Sunday. The team can take another step forward with a strong performance this evening, but failing to hit Kremer would serve another blow to a struggling lineup.
Gunnar Henderson will look to breakout of a season-long slump in the leadoff spot. He’ll be followed by first baseman Pete Alonso and second baseman Jackson Holliday. Tyler O’Neill will bat cleanup and serve as the DH against the right-handed Kremer.
Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras will make up the outfield. Coby Mayo will look to build on a impressive stretch at third base, and Carlos Narváez will catch Trevor Rogers.
Rogers will look to best his old teammate, but there’s more on the line than just bragging rights. The Twins enter the series a half game above the Orioles in the race for the third wild card spot. The Orioles trail Texas by two games after dropping two out of three over the weekend.
You can read more about the series in Minnesota here.
An overwhelming success? No, that would be a bridge too far.
Especially when factoring in the holes remaining on their roster seven weeks before training camp starts and some of the details with certain decisions.
But considering what the Lakers’ goals and options were entering the summer, and what they have been able to accomplish with rebuilding the roster around franchise superstar guard Luka Doncic over the last 1 ½ months, the Lakers have delivered an offseason they should be proud of.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, on Monday, March 23, 2026. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Ziaire Williams (one year, $2.8 million) and Matisse Thybulle (one year, $3.3 million) were signings made to address the Lakers’ need for wings while clearly also having the upside to outperform their veteran’s minimum deals.
Cameron Carr (first round draft pick), Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million) and Jaden Hardy (acquired from the Wizards) could factor into the Lakers’ rotation for 2026-27 to varying degrees.
The Lakers addressed their biggest needs.
They got younger and more athletic. They improved their collective perimeter defense while also adding more bench scoring.
These moves came at a cost, though.
Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the first half of the Emirates NBA Cup game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 118-96. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
The Lakers lost one of their best players in James. They lost their best defender from 2025-26 in Smart. They lost a player in Ayton who could’ve been a strong reserve center behind Kessler. They lost one of the league’s best 3-point accuracy shooting pairings in Hachimura and Kennard.
A lot of experience and proven production have left the building.
And it was – and will be – worth it.
Because the Lakers chose a direction, firmly establishing themselves in the Doncic era by surrounding him with a better-fitting roster.
A roster with a foundation of room for growth and improvement, rather than year-to-year retooling and rentals.
And they aren’t done yet despite the significant roster reconstruction.
Quentin Grimes of the New York Knicks takes a shot in warmups before the start of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Kaseya Center on Friday, May 12, 2023, in Miami. (FR NY POST) Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
They could also add another big man to back up Kessler.
Neither move would be likely to close the gap between the Lakers and the top two teams in the Western Conference (Spurs and Thunder).
At the minimum, they’ll need to drop one player from their roster by the start of the regular season to be compliant with the league’s rules.
But even without another significant addition, president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka has built a roster that made this offseason successful.
Was the price for Kessler steep? Yes, but the two first-round pick swaps the Lakers sent the Jazz shouldn’t convey. And the pair of unprotected first-round picks were in line with Kessler’s market before he became a restricted free agent.
As for his pay: Kessler’s $30.1 million salary for 2026-27 will make him either the 10th- or 11th-highest paid center in the league next season – in line for a player with All-Defensive upside.
Similar could be said for Reaves, who could’ve signed a more lucrative contract with another team.
The criticisms for the long-term nature of the deals for Grimes and Mamukelashvili are fair. But that’s also the prime for locking up good players – players the Lakers believe in – for what could be the prime of their careers.
And despite the outside noise, the Lakers will still have ways to make moves beyond this summer to improve the roster.
The Lakers weren’t realistically going to be able to make enough moves this summer to become upper-tier NBA title contenders.
But their present and future appears brighter than it did when their 2025-26 season ended.
Which is why the last three months have been a success.
ST. LOUIS – With a tired bullpen and a need to string together some wins, Phillies manager Don Mattingly was looking for one thing from starting pitcher Andrew Painter on Monday night.
“We need a good one,” he said before the game.
Painter delivered.
In his third start since returning from Triple A, the 23-year-old right-hander carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning to help the Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-5, at Busch Stadium.
Pitching with a 3-0 lead, Painter retired the first batter in the sixth before allowing a walk, a double and a two-run single as the Cardinals made it a one-run game. Painter exited at 93 pitches and Alan Rangel got the final two outs of the inning to preserve the lead.
Painter (2-8) earned his second big-league win and first since his debut on March 31. It was the first time since May 18 that the Phillies won a game started by someone other than Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo or Aaron Nola.
Painter struck out six and walked three.
Rangel, the right-hander who has yo-yoed between Triple A and the majors this season, played a large role in the win.
He got eight outs after Painter left the game, a huge contribution that allowed Mattingly to rest some of his main bullpen guys.
The Phils led 6-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, thanks to an RBI double by Kyle Schwarber in the seventh and a two-run double by Edmundo Sosa in the top of the eighth. The Cardinals got to Rangel for five hits and three runs to make it a one-run game, but the right-hander stranded runners on second and third to get out of the inning with the lead.
A handful of Phillies relievers were clearly unavailable due to recent workload. Finally, after Rangel soaked up eight outs, Mattingly was able to get Jonathan Bowlan up in the bullpen. He got the final three outs and the save.
SAN ANTONIO,TX - JANUARY 21 : Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs gets congratulations from Patty Mills #8 during game against the Indiana Pacers at AT&T Center on January 21, 2018 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a Spurs reunion! Well, sort of. Two members of the 2014 Spurs Championship and longtime teammates are teaming up again, this time as player and coach over in France. ASVEL of the French LDLC and Euro League has announced it has signed Patty Mills for the 2026-27 season, and he will be coached by none other than his former Spurs teammate, Tony Parker, who is a 20% owner and head coach.
Welcome Patty Mills ! 🇦🇺
LDLC ASVEL est heureux de vous annoncer la signature du meneur australien Patty Mills pour la saison 2026-2027.
Champion NBA avec les San Antonio Spurs en 2014 et figure emblématique des Boomers, "FIBA Patty" apportera au collectif villeurbannais son… pic.twitter.com/o45BynHZ2M
37 years old (I honestly thought he was older by now), Mills was drafted at 55th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009 before joining the Spurs in 2012, eventually earning the spot of Parker’s back-up and playing a huge role off the bench in their 2014 championship run, averaging 10.2 points while shooting 56.5% from three-point range across the Finals. He ended up spending 10 seasons with the Spurs and was the leader of the team through the 2021-22 season before moving on as the Spurs began the youth movement. He journeyed around from there, with his last NBA appearance being with the Clippers in the 2024-25 season. (That’s another Spurs reunion we won’t talk about.) He is also the general manager of the University of Hawai’i basketball program.
Many Spurs fans believe/hope the Spurs will retire Mills’ #8 jersey someday (last worn by Kelly Olynyk last season), and it’s quite possible once his playing career comes to a end. Hopefully such an event will bring Patty back to San Antonio, but in the meantime, how about some highlights for old time’s sake?
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Connor Norby #1 of the Miami Marlins in action against the San Francisco Giants at loanDepot park on June 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have announced they are placing Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL with lumbar pain and have recalled infielder Connor Norby from Triple-A Albuquerque.
The Rockies announced today the following transactions:
-Placed INF/OF Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL (retroactive to Aug. 9) with lumbar pain. -Recalled INF Connor Norby (#35) from Triple-A- Albuquerque.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) August 10, 2026
Norby was drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his MLB debut on June 3, 2024. He appeared in nine games for the Orioles before being traded to the Miami Marlins at the 2024 deadline alongside Kyle Stowers for Trevor Rogers.
In 65 games this season for the Marlins, Norby is slashing .205/.313/.325 with 17 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. He also has six stolen bases in nine attempts.
He also settled in quickly with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. In 25 plate appearances, he has slashed .400/.520/.800 with a 1.320 OPS. This is, admittedly, a small sample size, but Norby’s ability to play multiple infield positions is consistent with the Rockies strategy of valuing utility players.
As for Tyler Freeman, this will be his second stint on the Injured List during the 2026 season. He was first place on the IL on May 25, 2026, and he returned to the Rockies roster on April 1.
He is slashing .247/.317/.314 in 288 plate appearances.
However, the defensive side of his game continues to lag, and he currently has -9 DRS in the outfield. The Colorado Rockies have announced they are placing Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL with (INJURY) and have recalled infielder Connor Norby from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Norby was drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his MLB debut on June 3, 2024. He appeared in nine games for the Orioles before being traded to the Miami Marlins at the 2024 deadline alongside Kyle Stowers for Trevor Rogers.
In 65 games this season for the Marlins, Norby is slashing .205/.313/.325 with 17 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. He also has six stolen bases in nine attempts.
He also settled in quickly with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. In 25 plate appearances, he has slashed .400/.520/.800 with a 1.320 OPS. This is, admittedly, a small sample size, but Norby’s ability to play multiple infield positions is consistent with the Rockies strategy of valuing utility players.
As for Tyler Freeman, this will be his second stint on the Injured List during the 2026 season. He was first placed there on May 25, 2026, and he returned to the Rockies roster on April 1; following that, he also spent time under concussion protocol.
Freeman is slashing .247/.317/.314 in 288 plate appearances.
However, the defensive side of his game continues to lag, and he currently has -9 DRS in the outfield.
Tyler Nickel looks on during the Knicks-Spurs Summer League game on July 11, 2026.
There is a bit more clarity surrounding Tyler Nickel’s Knicks future.
There is momentum toward the second-round pick joining the team this year rather than returning to college, a league source confirmed to The Post.
Nickel, whom the Knicks drafted with the No. 47 pick in June, is part of the 2022 class of college athletes who were granted a fifth year of eligibility — after a ruling from U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney late last month — if they’ve already exhausted their four years of eligibility.
Tyler Nickel looks on during the Knicks-Spurs Summer League game on July 11, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Nickel played four seasons of college basketball — one year at North Carolina, one year at Virginia Tech and then the past two seasons at Vanderbilt.
He could return to play one more season of college basketball.
Since the Knicks issued the required tender for unsigned second-round rookies ahead of the Aug. 5 deadline, they would retain his draft rights if he decided to pursue that route.
But he is leaning toward starting his pro career with the Knicks.
An NIL deal back in college would likely see him earn more money than he would make on a two-way deal with the Knicks.
It is not entirely clear if he is set to sign a two-way deal or a more lucrative standard contract with the Knicks, though the latter would prevent the team from signing a third center — a clear need on the roster — to a standard contract and remain under the second apron.
