The Mets continue a four-game series against the Phillies at Citi Field on Friday night at 7:15.
Mets Notes
Francisco Lindor enters play on Friday with 299 career home runs
A.J. Ewing is hitting .362/.424/.569 with three homers and three doubles in 66 plate appearances over his last 16 games
Zac Thornton was terrific in his last start, allowing two runs in seven innings against the Yankees in the Bronx while giving up five hits, walking one, and striking out four
Today's Lineups
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Sep 17, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Jared Young (29) receives medical attention after an injury at first base during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Meet the Mets
The Mets were shut out by Aaron Nola and the Phillies 3-0 at Citi Field, spoiling a strong outing by Nolan McLean. Nola took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Mets threatened in the later innings, but could not score against the Phillies’ bullpen. But of greater concern than the score of the game was a horrific collision in the sixth inning between Nolan McLean and Jared Young that resulted in Young being carted off the field.
Ironically, before the harrowing events of last night, Will Sammon of The Athletic wrote a piece about how Jared Young is making a bit for the everyday first base job with his strong play this season.
Cameron Weston, a right-handed reliever whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Orioles earlier this month, was called up from Triple-A yesterday. Xzavion Curry, who started on Wednesday night, was optioned to Triple-A.
“He’s just been doing it for such a long time where people don’t know him as anything else but the voice of the Mets,” Pete Alonso said of Howie Rose in his return to Citi Field. On Sunday, Rose will call the last game of his storied career as his broadcasting accomplishments are celebrated at Citi Field.
Howie Rose spoke to Ian O’Connor of The Athletic about his childhood, inspiration to become a broadcaster, battle with cancer, his favorite calls, and more in an extensive interview well worth a read. “I never dreamed of being Curt Gowdy or Pat Summerall or any of the national guys,” he said. He only wanted to call games for New York.
The Mets chose to keep their catchers at the trading deadline this year. It will be interesting to see what they do this offseason, writes Will Sammon of The Athletic.
“It was his 300th. I gotta give him props,” said Mets owner Steve Cohen in response to a video that’s been going around of him applauding Pete Alonso’s home run the other night.
“On Tuesday night at Citi Field, the 2026 Mets season reached either a rather humiliating new low or a moment of catharsis, depending upon your point of view,” writes Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs about Pete Alonso’s 300th home run, calling the response from the crowd “unorthodox,” but “understandable.”
The Astros moved into first place in the AL West, as Yordan Alvarez blasted his 40th home run of the season.
The White Sox are also back in first place, thanks to a strong night from Munetaka Murakami in their 3-1 victory over the Tigers.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com built his 2026 All-Debut Team, made up exclusively of not just rookies, but rookies who made their debuts this season. Carson Benge is his starting right fielder.
Mario Delgado Genzor of Baseball Prospectus did a deep dive into the AL MVP race, which will be won by someone not named Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge for the first time in a decade.
It has been the tale of two seasons for Fernando Tatis Jr., due at least in part to a change in his batting stance. But there is a lesson about statistics to be learned here too, writes Ben Clemens of FanGraphs.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Vasilis Drimalitis previewed the final home series of the season between the Mets and Phillies.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on September 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees squandered a chance to sweep the Twins Wednesday, dropping a 13-inning gut punch that diminished their chances of catching up to the Rays in the AL East. They’ll head to Phoenix this weekend for a three-game set against the Diamondbacks, who’ve dropped consecutive series and are hanging by a thread in the NL Wild Card race. With a four-game set against the Rays looming next week, this series against Arizona will be crucial in determining if the Yankees control their own destiny heading into the season’s final week. Let’s take a look at the likely starting pitching matchups.
Friday: Gerrit Cole vs. Eduardo Rodriguez(9:40 pm ET)
Tonight at Chase Field, all eyes will be on Gerrit Cole. Aside from the importance of the game on its own merits, it will be a crucial opportunity for the longtime Yankees ace to show whether he can still be counted upon as a frontline starter this postseason. After posting an exemplary 3.11 ERA in his first 16 starts back from Tommy John surgery, he’s stumbled in his last four, allowing 15 runs in 22.2 innings. Most concerning has been his battle with the long ball, having allowed seven in his last two starts. With Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón firing on all cylinders, a strong outing tonight will help reassure the Yankees that Cole’s recent struggles are just a blip and that he belongs squarely in their playoff rotation.
Cole will face a fellow veteran hurler who’s in the midst of a career year. At the age of 33, Eduardo Rodríguez made his first All-Star team this year and has been a rock for the D-Backs, going 15-6 with a 2.62 ERA that quietly ranks fourth in the NL. Opponents are hitting below the Mendoza line against his heater and are slugging just .335 against his changeup, his top complementary pitch. The latter weapon has been particularly effective against righties, against whom the southpaw has fared batter this year than his fellow lefties. Rodríguez labored his last time out, allowing six runs in 5.1 innings, though only three were earned as the D-Backs committed two costly errors in the fifth.
When the conversation turns from Cy Young to MVP, you’ve entered rarified air. If the season ended today, Cam Schlittler’s 2026 would rank second in Yankees history in WHIP (0.904) and eighth in ERA (1.95). He’s already seventh in strikeouts (228) and could easily crack the top three with two more representative outings. The last time Schlittler allowed more than a run in one of his starts was on August 3rd. He allowed no runs and one hit in his last outing as he ran roughshod over the Mets. At this point in the season, Schlittler is as close to a sure thing as it gets.
He’s lined up to face Brandon Pfaadt. A hero of the D-Backs’ run to the World Series in 2023, Pfaadt has struggled to establish himself in the intervening years. After spending some time in the bullpen and in the minors this year, he rejoined the rotation on June 30 and has been lights out ever since, going 7-2 with a 2.83 ERA over 12 starts. That ERA was as low as 2.38 before his last outing, a six-run implosion in which he allowed 10 hits to the Rangers in 6.1 innings. Pfaadt doesn’t get many strikeouts but also walks few, relying on soft contact generated by his six-pitch mix to work through lineups.
Thursday: Will Warren vs. Corbin Burnes (4:10 pm ET)
Will Warren may have nine lives. In mid-August, it looked like his days in the rotation were numbered with Rodón scheduled to return from injury. Instead, with Fried and Ryan Weathers landing on the shelf, the 27-year-old got a reprieve. He’s made the most of it, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last five outings (four starts) while allowing just two home runs. While he’s unlikely to crack the playoff rotation barring injury, Warren has helped reassert himself as a valuable asset in the bullpen this postseason and in the rotation going forward.
The D-Backs are scheduled to hand the ball to Corbin Burnes. After signing a six-year megadeal with Arizona before the 2025 season, he made only 11 starts before missing a year-plus to Tommy John surgery. Burnes has made just two outings since his return and has looked rusty. His last time out, the former Cy Young Award winner allowed five runs in 4.2 innings to the Marlins. He threw just 75 pitches in that start as he continues to ramp up, and it’s unclear if he’ll be permitted to shoulder a full starter’s workload this time out.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves greets Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros at second base in the first inning during the 2026 96th MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves enjoyed an off day Thursday before heading to the Lone Star State for a weekend series with the Houston Astros. The Braves enter play with a four-game lead in the NL East and are coming off a series loss to the Chicago Cubs. The Astros also lead their division and enter play with a 77-76 record.
Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, and Martín Pérez are each penciled in to start. They will face off against Peter Lambert, Hayden Wesneski, and Hunter Brown. The series gets underway tonight at 8:10 ET.
The Washington Nationals reinstated right-hander Josiah Gray from the 60-day injured list. Once he makes it into a game, it will be his first MLB appearance since April 2024.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 16: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians hits an RBI double during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 16, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians were off yesterday and the White Sox beat the Tigers on one swing to take the division lead back.
They did pitch Grant Taylor for like 35 pitches, so, hopefully that helps the Tigers in future games.
The Rangers lost to the Red Sox, so the Guardians are two games up on both the Blue Jays and Rangers for the third wildcard spot.
Sep 17, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The NL West continues to run through Los Angeles, as the Dodgers clinched their 13th division title over the last 14 seasons with an 8-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
The Dodgers secured their 93rd win— matching their regular season total from last year— thanks in large part to a huge game from Kyle Tucker. Tucker launched his second home run of the four-game set in Cincinnati and collected four hits in five at-bats, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. For what has undoubtedly been a disappointing first year with his new team, Tucker gave fans a prelude for what they can potentially see from him in October.
Tucker spoke with David Vassegh of SportsNet LA while celebrating their division-clinching win about settling for a double in his final at-bat, noting he wouldn’t have made it safely to third base in his cycle pursuit.
“I tried my best. I don’t think I was going to get there. I probably would’ve been thrown out halfway, but it’s all good.”
Tucker also spoke about the challenges and hurdles he faced repeatedly this season, expressing gratitude for his teammates continuing to stick with him throughout the highs and lows.
“This group is awesome. Everyone supports each other through the ups and downs. We all know where we want to be at the end of the year, and we all just try to help each other out to get there. This is a great group to play with, to play behind, so everyone is super supportive. Everyone knows what we gotta get done.”
With only nine games left for the Dodgers in the regular season, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman gave an optimistic update on Shohei Ohtani, noting that they expect him to return from the injured list before their season finale, per Jack Harris of the California Post.
“He’s doing well,” Friedman said, as the team celebrated another National League West title around him at Great American Ball Park. “He’s progressing well.”
“I expect him back in the regular season,” Friedman declared.
Two months ago, Tarik Skubal was still the ace of a Detroit Tigers team on a downward trajectory. On Thursday, Skubal was celebrating the opportunity to pitch in the postseason for a third consecutive season, this time for the reigning two-time World Series champions.
Skubal hopes that the celebrations from Thursday were the first of many more to come as the march for the three-peat is officially in motion, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times.
“First of many,” he said. “… This is checking a box, and once we get to postseason baseball and doing all that stuff, I think it’s going to be a ton of fun.”
Skubal also reflected on the resiliency of this year’s Dodgers, noting their ability to bounce back after a rough month of August with a current record of 11-5 in the month of September, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“I think there was no panic from this group,” Skubal said. “I think that’s why in big moments, pressure doesn’t really get to these guys.”
They’re the second-winningest franchise in the NBA with 17 championships. They have a top-four player in the league in Luka Dončić. They’re located in one of the premier cities in the league in Los Angeles.
But a curious pattern has repeated itself this offseason.
Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
The league’s top available players didn’t show interest in Los Angeles.
After eight years with the Lakers, LeBron James chose to leave in free agency. Jonathan Kuminga took his talents to Minnesota. Klay Thompson decided to go to Miami. Bruce Brown decided to sign with the Knicks.
The Lakers weren’t at the top of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s list of top destinations when it became clear the Bucks were going to trade him. Peyton Watson, who was a restricted free agent, opted for a sign-and-trade deal with the Cavaliers, where he could earn much more money than with the Lakers.
Sure, the Lakers were hamstrung monetarily after re-signing Austin Reaves to a four-year, $180 million deal, the richest contract for a player who went undrafted in NBA history.
And they emptied their treasure trove for Walker Kessler, whom they acquired via a sign-and-trade from Utah on a four-year, $130 million deal, including giving up first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
They also largely emptied their pockets on Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams and Jaden Hardy.
But money only tells part of the story.
Miami Heat’s newest signing Klay Thompson speaks during an NBA basketball press conference in Miami, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
James chose to sign a veteran-minimum deal with the 76ers (two years, $8 million) instead of potentially earning much more in Los Angeles, with some estimates placing him in the ballpark of earning $25 million per year with the Lakers after single-handedly leading them past the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Kuminga opted to sign a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Timberwolves even though the Lakers had initially offered him a two-year deal worth $20 million.
Thompson, who went to high school in Southern California, grew up a Lakers fan and whose father is a radio analyst for the Lakers, chose to sign with the Heat on a two-year, $13 million deal.
Most recently, Brown signed an Exhibit 9 training camp contract with the Knicks.
Sure, the Lakers have 16 players on standard guaranteed contracts, as well as three two-way contracts. They’re going to need to shed players before Opening Night.
But availability and money are only pieces of this story.
There’s a larger question to be raised.
Why aren’t players clamoring to join the Lakers, as they have in past seasons?
Why wasn’t Los Angeles at the top of Antetokounmpo’s list? Imagine him playing alongside Dončić. Why did Kuminga take less money to join the Timberwolves? His athleticism and perimeter defense could’ve really helped the Lakers.
Jonathan Kuminga of the Minnesota Timberwolves is introduced to the media by President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly and radio play-by-play announcer Alan Horton on Sept. 10, 2026, at Target Center in Minneapolis. NBAE via Getty Images
What’s happening here?
As for James, he clearly felt undervalued by the Lakers toward the end of his tenure with the team. He also felt as though he had his best chance to win his fifth ring in Philly.
Still, his decision to leave Los Angeles and move across the country from his family sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. Nearly every team clamored to acquire the 41-year-old — who’s arguably the greatest player of all time — at a bargain price.
It all makes you wonder …
Did the Lakers’ treatment of James at the end of his career give other players’ pause, especially considering the team’s past history of revering their superstars? Did the team’s transition from James to Dončić make other players want to see how things play out before buying in? Did the Lakers being sold twice in 14 months make other players feel iffy about coming to Los Angeles? Did the Buss family drama impact things?
There was a lot going on around the Lakers this offseason.
Maybe players simply wanted to join an organization where they stood to make more money down the line. Maybe they just didn’t feel comfortable joining the Lakers, who are clearly undergoing multiple major transitions.
Either way, it makes sense that eyebrows are raised a bit here.
The Lakers have long been one of the NBA’s top destinations.
Mar 18, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Duop Reath
Center, 6’9”, 245 pounds, 30 years old, 4th season
Was writing a player preview about Duop Reath on my bingo card when we originally scheduled our Player Preview series here at Bright Side of the Sun? Nope. But like champions, we adjust. The Phoenix Suns have signed Reath, and therefore we need to give you an introduction to who he is, what he’s done, and what he could potentially become as a member of this team.
He’s ultimately been brought in to compete for a role at the back end of the center rotation following the injury to Mark Williams. How much he actually plays, or whether he ultimately sticks on the roster, remains to be seen.
But what do we know about him? What has he done in the past? What does the scouting report look like? And what could he potentially bring to the Phoenix Suns? We’ll break all of that down in this Player Preview.
I recommend you start with understanding his journey to the NBA.
Reath averaged 13.3 minutes per game over 146 games with the Blazers between 2023 and 2026. He scored 6.2 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and .4 blocks. He shot 42% from the three-point arc during the 2025-26 season in Portland.
Reath last played for the Blazers on January 18, 2026. On January 29 it was announced that Reath had a stress fracture in his foot and that he had undergone successful surgery. Reath was traded on February 1st to the Atlanta Hawks along with two future second-round picks for Vit Krejci. Atlanta made the trade knowing that Reath would miss the rest of the season. They waived the big Australian four days later. Reath has not played since.
Aside from the competition he brings to the back end of the roster, Reath possesses something that immediately makes him interesting for the Suns. He can stretch the floor. Last season, Reath shot 41.8% from beyond the arc, although the volume wasn’t really there. He went 23-of-55 from deep for the season. For his career, he’s a 35.7% three point shooter, which is ultimately where one of his biggest offensive strengths lies.
If the Suns want a backup big who can stretch the floor when called upon, Reath can fulfill that role. And if you put him in the right corner, he can make you pay. Reath is a career 48.2% three point shooter from that area of the floor.
That ability gives Phoenix another option at center and a different offensive skill set to work with, depending on what a matchup requires.
Another thing Reath brings is the potential to provide mentorship, especially for Khaman Maluach. Maluach is stepping into an increased role this season, with a lot more responsibility being placed on his shoulders to produce with the opportunity in front of him.
Reath may only be around for a short period of time if he ultimately doesn’t make the roster, but there is still value in having him around Maluach during training camp. Reath has experienced a tumultuous basketball journey of his own, and he was born in Sudan, not far from where Maluach was born in South Sudan. That shared background and experience could create a natural kinship between the two. And perhaps that opens the door for some mentorship along the way, with Reath helping Maluach prepare for what lies ahead.
What Needs to Improve
While his ability to stretch the floor is a positive, there is plenty of opportunity throughout the rest of Reath’s game.
He isn’t a great rebounder on either end of the floor. He isn’t a great finisher, nor is he particularly effective defending on the perimeter. Where he does shine defensively is with his rim protection and ability to provide help defense. That creates a challenge if Reath ultimately becomes the third member of the Suns’ center rotation. Phoenix already has Oso Ighodaro, who isn’t necessarily a great rebounder himself, especially on the defensive end. Some of that is understandable because Oso is a switchable big who frequently gets pulled away from the paint.
Still, if you’re subbing Oso out and replacing him with Reath, the rebounding deficiency doesn’t disappear. It could become even more glaring.
Final Word
I love that the Suns brought Reath in to create competition for that third-string center role. It’s a smart way to operate, especially when it doesn’t cost you anything. There could be some ancillary benefits along the way, as I mentioned with the potential mentorship of Khaman Maluach. He gives Phoenix another body, another shooting profile, and another player who can push the final roster spots during camp. Maybe that turns into a roster spot, maybe it becomes a G League opportunity, and maybe it ends there. Either way, Reath gives the Suns something they needed: competition without commitment.
Ultimately, though, I don’t think Reath makes the team. Could he end up on a two-way contract? The opportunity exists because this is his fourth season, the final year he would be eligible for that type of deal. I’d much rather keep CJ Huntley on a two-way contract, focus on developing him, and provide Reath with an opportunity to play in the G League if that path presents itself.
I love his journey. I love his story. And I love how the Suns are approaching this. I simply don’t think Reath is going to have much of an impact on the Phoenix Suns this season. He is this year’s Jared Butler.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Nate Ament #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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
In many ways, I feel like I know exactly what to expect from Nate Ament this season, but in many others, I have no freaking idea. Conventional wisdom tells you that he’ll spend a lot of the season with the Herd—certainly at the start of the year—but also, lottery picks generally do not play much in the G League. Something has to give. Ament is a unique case because he was picked at that spot based much more on potential than the raw production he showed in college. You’re looking a year or two down the road with him and wondering what he can be when his body fills out. That leaves me… confused.
Ament had an interesting Summer League. It started really slow, with the 19-year-old failing to reach double digits until the fourth game, when he broke out against the Hornets for 23 points on 7/13 shooting. This was followed by an almost game against the Sixers, where he tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, but nine of those points came in the opening quarter, only for almost everything to rim out for the rest of the game (or an and-one getting reversed into a charge that seemed… very questionable).
@Bucks fans, be excited @NateAment has added muscle, tightened the handle, and hasn't missed. The Bucks have a real steal on their hands.
I got some exclusive clips from Nate's private offseason workouts with NBA trainer Zachary Gonzalez.
As I’ve written about previously, Ament’s path to minutes at the NBA level will come through finding his niche and keeping his game simple. Right now, his best attribute is probably his catch-and-shoot ability; he shot nearly 40% from deep in Vegas. If he can force defenders to respect him, it will open up his ability to pump fake, drive the closeout, and make the next play. Of course, Ament does struggle to break guys down off the dribble—and I don’t know if that will ever be a strength of his—but he can drive hard left, body the defender, reverse pivot, and shoot a turnaround over his left shoulder. The Virginia native did this move repeatedly in college, and I think it will work at the next level against smaller defenders (of which there will be a good number, given his positional size at 6’10”).
The other part is the defence. It was bad at Summer League—much worse than I expected. That said, it felt like a lot of those struggles came down to over-aggressiveness and poor positioning. With the right training, this is a guy who should be able to iron out those flaws and become a plus on that end. His frame will naturally give him a lot of latitude to recover and contest shots. But yes, it goes without saying that Ament will not touch an NBA floor until he fixes that part of his game. Overall, I can’t wait to see what they do with Ament this year. Will it be mostly G League, or will he get “gifted” minutes because the franchise is prioritising development over wins this season?
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies looks on prior to the game between the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, September 10, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jonathan Pensiero/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The journey to the Rockies rotation has been anything but an easy path for Ryan Feltner.
Since the Rockies signed the Ohio State righty on June 13, 2018, the Rockies organization has placed Feltner on the injured list 10 times, ranging from the 7-day IL to 60-day. The result has been a career line that shows improvement, especially in 2024, but also limited time on the roster. After an injury-plagued 2025, Feltner has rebounded to have a fairly healthy year this season.
Season
G/GS
W-L
IP
ERA
BB
SO
WHIP
rWAR
2021
2/2
0-1
6.1
11.37
5
6
2.21
-0.3
2022
20/19
4-9
97.1
5.83
25
84
1.41
-0.1
2023
10/10
2-4
43.1
5.82
28
38
1.68
0
2024
30/30
3-10
162.1
4.49
52
138
1.34
1.3
2025
6/6
0-2
30.1
4.75
12
25
1.48
0.6
2026
24/22
6-10
116.2
5.63
50
88
1.53
0.9
Totals
92/89
15-36
456.1
5.31
182
379
1.46
2.4
In the era of increased pitching injuries, an average pitcher will make 25-30 starts in a relatively healthy season. If the best kind of ability is availability, Feltner — who turned 30 earlier this month — will hit that range for the second time in his career with one more appearance this season. Even though he’s played more in 2026, his ERA is also the highest it’s been since 2023. All things considered, Feltner hasn’t played consistently enough, or effectively enough, to be a staple in the rotation moving forward.
But what if the rotation isn’t where Feltner belongs?
Perhaps Feltner would have more longevity, consistency and success as a reliever for the Rockies.
While Feltner, Colorado’s fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft, has only come out of the bullpen twice this year, both performances were impressive. Most recently, Feltner relieved Kyle Freeland on Sept. 15 to earn the Rockies lone victory against the Padres. He threw five scoreless innings, giving up only three runs and one walk with five strikeouts. His other relief appearance came against Atlanta on Aug. 30 when he gave up one unearned run (zero earned) across four innings on five hits, two walks and six strikeouts.
At the same time, Feltner has put up some good numbers as a starter, recording five quality starts this season. He’s also never pitched more than six innings in an outing, and has posted four starts when he pitched four innings or fewer. His ERA has ballooned, though, and if you subtract the scoreless relief innings, the 6.10 mark is the highest he’s posted since his rookie year.
Split
W
L
ERA
G
GS
CG
SHO
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
SO
AVG
WHIP
GO/AO
Starter 2026
5
9
6.10
22
22
0
0
0
107.2
120
79
73
20
1
47
77
.282
1.55
1.01
Reliever 2026
1
1
0.00
2
0
0
0
0
9
8
1
0
0
0
3
11
.242
1.22
0.56
Entering this season, Feltner and Chase Dollander battled for a rotation spot, with the runner-up headed to the bullpen. At that time, Feltner edged out Dollander for the rotation. Dollander pitched the first month of the season in relief, only to return to the rotation before hitting the IL with a season-ending elbow injury in mid-May that required internal brace surgery.
When it comes to Feltner’s health, he’s been the victim of some serious bad luck.
Feltner had a September taste of MLB action when he was called up in 2021, but really vied for a spot in the rotation since 2022. That season, he didn’t face any significant injuries, but struggled to find success in moving up and down from the Rockies to the Isotopes.
In 2023, the freak skull fracture happened on a come-backer, but Feltner proved incredible resolve to return toward the end of the season, only to face shoulder inflammation in his throwing arm. In 2024, Feltner was healthy and it showed. He put up the best ERA of his career, the most appearances, the most innings pitched, and most strikeouts.
Feltner then backtracked last year. He posted a 0.6 rWAR, making him the team’s second-best starting pitcher, but he only made six starts. Back and shoulder injuries even limited his Triple-A time, where he only made seven appearances.
Considering the 2025 season, it is impressive that Feltner has only had one IL stint this season. He’s been able to stay on the field to post the second-most appearances and innings in his career. But those starts haven’t translated to success as Feltner has gone 5-9 in his starts, while the Rockies have gone 8-14 when he starts.
Going from the rotation to the bullpen is a move most starters don’t want to make, but just look at Antonio Senzatela. The veteran pitcher went from one of the hardest-hit starters the last few seasons to a very solid reliever in 2026, as evidenced by his trade to the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently the best team in baseball.
On the other hand, it’s not like the Rockies are overflowing with starting pitching depth. If Feltner leaves the rotation, a solid arm needs to take his place to help the Rockies take the next step forward in their organizational progression toward being a winning baseball team.
As Purple Row’s Skyler Timmins wrote about earlier this week, both the already struggling rotation and bullpen have really dropped off in the tail end of the season. How to build better, more sustainable pitchers in Colorado — as well as determining who’s a starter and who’s a reliever — will be a major long-term project for Paul DePodesta & Co.
Feltner is making $2.5 million this season and has two more years of team control. It will be fascinating to see where he ends up.
The Bees jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back in a win on Thursday night. Charlie Condon hit his 26th homer, Tyler Freeman hit an RBI double and RBI single, and Nic Kent hit an RBI double and scored a run on a Jose Cordova sac fly to account for Albuquerque’s scoring. Chad Stevens went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Freeman finished with three hits. Eiberson Castellano took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
The Hartford Yard Goats season came to an end on Thursday night after Reading won Game 2 in the Eastern League Division Series. Considering the Fightin Phils won Game 1 on Wednesday 21-4, at least Hartford put up a good fight on Thursday. The Yard Goats got down 3-0 midway through the third, but rallied back. Braylen Wimmer hit a two-run double in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2.
In the eighth, Jared Thomas hit a solo homer to narrow the Reading lead.
Jose Quintana will pitch again for the Rockies this season. Being out since mid-May with a left elbow strain, Quintana is back thanks to hard work and a positive attitude. Quintana was originally scheduled to pitch Friday, but likely won’t anymore since he’ll probably only pitch a few innings and the bullpen was exhausted on Thursday in a 9-2 loss to the Padres.
It’s absolutely wild that Hideo Nomo threw a no-hitter 30 years ago on Sept. 17, 1996. After a two-hour rain delay. On a chilly fall night. When the Rockies were a decent team with the Blake Street Bombers. Relive the night with all the hype and details in Manny Randhawa’s piece.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 19: Maikel Garcia #11 of the Kansas City Royals at bat against the Athletics during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on August 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The The Star, Jaylon Thompson writes about Maikel Garcia’s goal for next season:
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia has one specific goal in mind heading into the 2027 campaign: Stay healthy.
…In total, Garcia missed 67 games due to injuries…
Garcia added more weight this offseason. However, the added strength caused unforeseen problems in his lower half. It caused the hamstring issues to persist as Garcia never really felt quite like himself.
At MLB.com, Anne Rogers… wait, a second:
Programming note: This week marked the end of my 2026 season ⚾️ A bit early, yes, but baby’s arrival is getting close! It’s safe to say year six on the Royals beat was unlike any other for me. Thanks as always for reading this year, through all the good and the bad.
Jensen is finishing his first full season in the Majors so strongly that he might be included on some Rookie of the Year ballots. After going 2-for-3 with a walk on Thursday, he has reached base in 20 consecutive games and has produced an RBI in his last seven contests.
With 24 homers, Jensen is tied with Bob Hamelin (1994) for the Royals’ rookie home run record. Eighteen of Jensen’s home runs have come from the leadoff spot, matching the club record shared by Johnny Damon (1998) and Alex Gordon (2011)…
Top thief?
Bobby Witt Jr. has led the American League in batting average, hits, doubles and triples all at some point during his five-year Major League career, and this season, he has a chance to add a stolen base crown. Witt has 42 steals and was tied for the AL lead before Tampa Bay’s Chandler Simpson passed him with a pair (44) on Thursday.
Picollo’s offseason quest to add pop to KC’s outfield corps produced Collins and Lane Thomas. Thomas is gone, dealt to Atlanta at the midsummer trade deadline, and Collins hasn’t produced enough to warrant a 2027 return. After going 0-for-2 against Houston Tuesday, he’s slashing .220/.326/.335 with six homers and 40 RBI in 135 games, and is hitting .133 this month, hardly the kind of numbers that inspire hopes of a big 2027. Yes, he walks a bit over 12% of the time, but that’s not enough for a club so lacking in big bats.
And although he’s under team control through the 2030 season, the Royals need the roster spot he’d occupy if they bring him back. Triple-A outfielders Carson Roccaforte and Gavin Cross are enjoying good seasons — through Tuesday in a campaign split between the Storm Chasers and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Roccaforte had 35 homers, 94 RBI, 30 steals, and was slashing .259/.341/.527 with an .868 OPS, and Cross had homered 17 times, driven in 52 runs, stolen 25 bases, and was slashing .248/.307/.437 with a .744 OPS in 114 games for Omaha. KC will have to find room for Roccaforte, Cross, or both, on next season’s 26-man roster — it’s time for each to get major league shots.
This is probably be a record for the shortest Friday Rumblings ever. I could put in an MLB section, but then I’d have to write about the Dodgers winning yet another NL West crown with their infinity payroll.
My last couple of weeks have included everything from replacing a hot water heater to a work mess to pink eye. And I know I’m missing items there, but if I spent time listing even more, well, no one wants to hear that. Suffice to say, it’s been a week. Or a couple of weeks.
Today’s OT will get finished up and moved to next week and we’ll have fun with it there.
We haven’t revisited Just Shapes and Beats yet this year. We’ve done all the boss levels, but there are still some fun ones to listen to. This is probably the most chill song in the game: “The Art of War” by Chipzel.
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 17: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds to clinch a 2026 postseason berth at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, September 17, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by David Jordan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Happy Friday, everyone! Lots of little news bites to keep you busy this morning while you’re pretending to do work, or just enjoying your coffee. We look at some of the Mets’ woes, from terrible offseason choices, to their fanbase missing Pete Alonso, to a new and rough-looking injury. We also check in on some injured superstars, as Shohei Ohtani is feeling a little closer to normal, while Aaron Judge was pulled from a game. Uh oh.
We’ll also see which MLB managers might want to start refreshing their resumes, update you on the WPBL postseason, and share the cutest first pitch ever.
HARRISBURG, PA - AUGUST 27: Ethan Anderson #22 of the Chesapeake Baysox looks on during the game between the Chesapeake Baysox and the Harrisburg Senators at FNB Field on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Casey Saussaman/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 5, Norfolk Tides 1
Norfolk and Charlotte entered the eighth inning with the game tied at one, but Alex Pham allowed four runs in the top of the eighth. Pham allowed a leadoff single, walked a batter, and allowed a go-ahead single to Korey Lee. Pham allowed another run-scoring base hit and walked another batter before recording the first out of the inning. Charlotte scored its fourth run on a fielder’s choice and capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Norfolk starter Jake Dykhoff limited the Knights to one run on two hits over five innings of work. Dykhoff, a former minor-league free agent, walked two and struck out three. Christian Herberholz tossed a pair of scoreless innings before Pham let the game slip away.
Yaramil Hiraldo struck out the side during a clean ninth inning.
Norfolk’s only offense came from another home run from Ethan Anderson. The switch hitter launched his first Triple-A home run on Wednesday night from the left side of the plate. Yesterday he went deep while batting right-handed. The Orioles selected Anderson in the second round of the 2024 draft.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox walks off the mound after being removed from the eighth inning of game one of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox have just nine games left in the regular season before an all-but-inevitable trip to battle the Yankees in New York for the Wild Card game.
Boston’s magic number sits at three entering play on Friday, so the ballclub still has business to take care of to ensure a return to the postseason. With that said, literally everyone has spent a month preparing for a playoff rematch after the series loss in New York in August (and last October).
We’ve gone in depth about the lineup and what the rotation should be for the best-of-three clash. OverTheMonster’s Bob Osgood provided a well-detailed outlook of the bullpen you should also read.
Now is a great time to emphasize how each bullpen could decide the fate of the series, though let’s focus on why the Red Sox should LOVE their depth of relievers heading into The Bronx.
Personally, I believe the Red Sox have been at their best in the postseason when there’s a true closer to turn to in the ninth along with depth starters to jump into the Swiss army knife, multi-inning role to battleize the group. Well, Aroldis Chapman remains as good as any closer in baseball and if he’s ready to go by the end of his rehab stint, getting Tanner Houck for multiple innings (as they did in the 2021 postseason) is fairly massive for Boston.
Not to mention the steady work of elite setup man Garrett Whitlock and the ever-awaited return of Garrett Crochet. The Red Sox, however, will have to be very mindful of when to deploy him. There’s a real chance given the pace of his ramp-up that Crochet may only throw once – two innings at absolute most – for the entire series. Chad Tracy will have a real decision to make when to fire off his “secret” weapon.
Like every facet of the roster, the Red Sox should feel worlds better about the state of the roster heading into this postseason compared to last year. Especially if the bullpen looks something like this:
LHP: Aroldis Chapman RHP: Garrett Whitlock RHP: Tyron Guerrero LHP: Erik Miller RHP Greg Weissert RHP Brayan Bello LHP Garrett Crochet RHP Tanner Houck
Given the rotation and bullpen firepower for Boston and New York, scoring really could be at a legitimate premium in the series. That’s pretty cliche when discussing playoff baseball, but the elite pitching on both sides cements that notion entering the likely seventh all-time playoff meeting between the Red Sox and Yankees.
Will the Red Sox bullpen ultimately decide the series? You tell us.
All eyes were on Matvei Michkov as Philadelphia Flyers training camp opened up on Thursday morning, and the Russian phenom delivered in ways even we reporters didn't foresee in advance.
Much has been made of the language barrier between Michkov, 21, and his teammates and coaches, dating back to his rookie year in 2024-25 with John Tortorella.
Teammate Egor Zamula and Flyers skating coach Slava Kuznetsov served as the de facto translators for Michkov that year, and Ivan Fedotov, and briefly, Andrei Kuzmenko, were the only other Russian speakers on the roster at the time.
Last season, the Flyers had a new head coach with Rick Tocchet, Fedotov was traded in the offseason, and Egor Zamula was jettisoned in January. Michkov did have Nikita Grebenkin with him, but Grebenkin is equally inexperienced and can't be relied on as a mentor the same way Zamula was with all his experience in North America.
Heading into a very important third NHL season with the Flyers, the language barrier and English-speaking ability were outstanding question marks for Michkov, but the youngster surprisingly put those concerns to bed out of the gate.
Michkov was requested for media availability from the Group A skaters on Thursday, and we were informed that the 21-year-old would speak only in English and draw on Kuznetsov, who stood off to the side, when needed. A surprise, to be sure, but it ended up being the biggest bright spot of the day by far, and it didn't even happen on the ice.
Michkov acknowledged the difficulty of speaking English during his availability, but it didn't deter him from giving honest answers and showing off some of his personality.
"I feel good, good summer. I work all time. Work and fun, 50-50," Michkov said with a smile. "I feel really good right now, and I think me ready in season."
The Russian phenom revealed in a recent interview that he's shed 30 pounds from this time last year, coming into training camp 2025 at 205 pounds, but coming into this year at 176. Michkov already feels the difference.
"I think this is so good for me. You know, I feel right now lighter, lighter right now on ice, and more speed. Every skill, more speed, better speed. This is hard work, too," Michkov added. "I eat right now just good food, but no fast food. You know, no sugar, but no... little bit, maybe day off. I like chocolate, but day off, just day off!"
That personality, even in broken English, will connect Michkov with fans and doubters alike just by organically communicating through us in the media.
He's able to, more or less, say what he really thinks, and on his own terms.
Michkov cleared a major mental and social hurdle
Matvei Michkov celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn images)
You can tell that Michkov listens intently and seeks to understand, even when he knows he may not.
For example, I asked Michkov what his experience was like training with Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev in Russia this summer. He recognized the players' names and nodded his head to show he understood, and asked Kuznetsov what "experience" meant.
"This is a good experience for me. Thank you Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev, messaged me, and so good guys, so good players," Michkov answered. "Just NHL guys who from in Russia, and we work the same. Hands, skills, a little bit skating, and this is good for me, too."
Michkov concluded his interview acknowledging his progress from Year 1 with Tortorella and the Flyers to today.
"I know now a little bit better English. My first years so hard for me. I stay in Philly zero level English, second year a little bit better, now a little bit better more," Michkov assessed. "This is my first interview in English. This is hard for me, guys, sorry. I feel much better now. You know, I think Philly, this is my second home, and I feel the same. My first and second home, I feel the same, same good, so good. Thank you everybody for support and the atmosphere."
It was a long time coming for Michkov, who braved the cameras, the language barrier, and the uncertainty to try something new.
This was a social hurdle Michkov needed to clear on his own terms, and doing so would only benefit him on and off the ice. He can communicate with his coaches and teammates better and ask questions when needed.
As a reporter, I've been there, too, learning to ask questions and assert myself. It's still a work in progress, so I can empathize.
But you can always control your effort and what you do, and Michkov put forth his best effort Thursday on and off the ice, impressing teammates, coaches, and media all the same.
"I think that's a big step for him. We encourage him to come out. I don't think he needs a translator all the time. We want to take the safety net out under him and I think he did a hell of a job," Tocchet said of Michkov after practice concluded.
"Going up to coaches on his own and things like that, we got to create that culture for him. He doesn't need people around him to tell, I think he knows. And it's the only way to learn, and he wants it. He wants to learn that way, too. It's good for us."
Earlier in the day, during the skating portion to end the Group A session, Michkov appeared to ask Denver Barkey and Jack Studnicka to lead off the second lap, and he did so keeping pace with his peers the whole way, even after blowing a tire on a tight turn around one of the nets.
"It's just the first day," Tocchet said. "But you can tell he's lighter and he looks stronger skating, like the stride's longer. You watch the laps, when guys start getting tired, their stride is choppier, and his was still elongated. That's a good sign."
By all accounts, Michkov passed his first tests of Flyers training camp with flying colors.
Of course, with only four preseason games and a shorter training camp overall, it will be up to Michkov to keep it going into the season and make his progress count for something, but a major breakout for the Flyers seems likelier than ever after Day 1.
