Victor Eklund giving Islanders every reason to keep him on roster

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows New York Islanders right wing Victor Eklund (73) skates with the puck during training camp

When the Islanders’ prospects reported to Northwell Health Ice Center two weeks ago Friday, Victor Eklund’s chances of making the NHL roster depended on doing everything right.

He checked every box. He stood out at every opportunity. And while Mathew Barzal’s injury didn’t hurt his chances, the Islanders would be hard-pressed to send him away now, no matter what.

While nothing is official yet, the 19-year-old Eklund’s presence in the lineup for Saturday’s preseason finale/dress rehearsal tells you all you need to know. Unless something changes in the final hours, he will be on this team. He deserves to be on this team.

“My expectation is that I work as hard as I can,” Eklund said after his first practice of rookie camp. “Give myself a shot at the team this year. Whatever happens, I want to make sure I’m giving 100 percent.”

Victor Eklund skates with the puck during an Islanders training camp practice at the Northwell Health Ice Center on Sept. 17, 2026 in East Meadow, N.Y. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Check, check and check.

Eklund hadn’t yet spoken to general manager Mathieu Darche before Saturday’s 4-1 preseason loss to the Devils at UBS Arena.

“I’m still trying to work as hard as I can,” he said. “Just do my thing out there in the game and hopefully it goes well.”

Bo Horvat, though, seemed to tip the Islanders’ hand.

“He’s been great. He’s getting better and better as the camp’s gone on,” Horvat said. “I think he’s gonna start getting more comfortable as the games go on too.”

The best news the Islanders have had over the past few weeks is that every single one of the prospects they view as integral to their future put forth terrific training camps.

Cal Ritchie put in a summer of hard work, and looked the part, making the Islanders believe he is ready to be the second-line center on Wednesday night in Toronto and for as long as it takes for Barzal to return.

Kashawn Aitcheson and Cole Eiserman both stuck with the NHL group through the last round of cuts, looking more like players who could be called up at some point soon than guys who need a year of AHL seasoning.

Victor Eklund carries the puck while being chased by Cole Beaudoin during the Rangers’ preseason loss to the Islanders on Sept. 22, 2026. Getty Images

Eiserman looked highly engaged and showed huge improvement away from the puck. Aitcheson was noticeable in every game, a physical force in the making.

And Eklund, the one with the most pressure and the most to prove, looked in command with the puck on his stick, was in the right places when it wasn’t and was ready for the physicality of an NHL training camp.

He was undeniable. A spot on the third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman appears to be his for now. And if he keeps it up, that may soon be a spot in the top six.

This Islanders roster will face an uphill climb to compete this season. The star power of Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer, plus Pete DeBoer’s system overhaul, will need to paper over a lot of flaws in a group that doesn’t have much offensive firepower.

This is the waiting game that Darche chose to play this summer, giving the kids a year to bake while being ready to pounce with a war chest of dollars in 2027.

Eklund won’t change that, but he can give credence to it. The Islanders are banking on him to be part of a core that includes Ritchie, Aitcheson, Eiserman and, of course, Matthew Schaefer — who at 19 has graduated from prospect to superstar.

They don’t know exactly what Eklund will be yet. But all signs look good.

“Obviously he’s not the biggest guy but he makes up for it in his compete,” Horvat said. “His ability to do whatever it takes to stay not only in the lineup but wherever it takes to win.

“He’s gonna be a really good player for a long time here. We’re excited to have him.”

Dodgers' Blake Treinen likely to miss playoffs after sustaining injury in bullpen

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen throws during the second inning.
Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen delivers against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 16. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen is likely out for the postseason, after injuring his right shoulder warming up in the bullpen Saturday.

“I don’t know if it was a complete blowout, but really unfortunate,” manager Dave Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers plan to put Treinen on the injured list Sunday, Roberts said. And he’ll undergo imaging to diagnose the injury.

Read more:Blake Snell delivers 'best-case scenario' as Dodgers defeat Giants for win No. 99

“It just popped up,” Roberts said.

Treinen, 38, is the longest-tenured Dodgers pitcher on the roster. He spent over two months on the IL earlier this season with inflammation in his right elbow. But in 36 appearances this season, he posted a 3.64 ERA.

Treinen has a history of shoulder injuries and underwent right shoulder labrum and rotator cuff repair surgery after the 2022 season.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Blake Treinen injures shoulder, likely out for season

The Los Angeles Dodgers just took a major blow to their bullpen days before the postseason.

Blake Treinen was warming up during the seventh inning of their eventual 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, Sept. 26 before he abruptly stopped. Brock Stewart entered the game instead, and Spectrum SportsNet cameras spotted Dodgers bullpen coach Josh Bard wrapping his arms around Treinen before the 38-year-old reliever walked to the dugout with a member of the training staff.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game that Treinen's shoulder flared up. He'll undergo further imaging, but the Dodgers believe his season is over.

"I don't know if it was a complete blowout, but really unfortunate," he said. "... Obviously, it's an IL, his season's over. ... That was what landed him on the IL before, so it just unfortunately showed its head again."

Treinen has been a key high-leverage arm for the Dodgers since signing with the team ahead of the 2020 season, but injuries have also maligned much of his time in LA. He missed much of the 2022 season with a right arm injury and was placed back on the IL after just one appearance in September with right shoulder tightness. He underwent surgery that offseason and did not pitch again until May 2024, but went down again three months later with left hip discomfort. Treinen missed more than three months again in 2025 with right forearm tightness and was out from June 20-Sept. 2 with right elbow inflammation.

Since his return on Sept. 6, Treinen posted a 4.05 ERA with six strikeouts and three walks in seven games.

Despite the injury history Treinen always seemed to deliver and be at his best in October. He's been a crucial part of each of the Dodgers' three World Series runs this decade, and without him Roberts will need to look for that production elsewhere. Expect Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott and Brock Stewart to get more mound time in high-leverage situations, while Edwin Díaz might see increased usage before Roberts might have expected.

Treinen is set to hit free agency this offseason.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake Treinen injures shoulder, likely out for season

Austin Wells’ season went from lifeless to surging right when Yankees needed it

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon running in a baseball game, Image 2 shows New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) celebrates after scoring on his solo home run during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium
Austin Wells

At least for offensive reasons, Austin Wells had been approaching unplayable territory, and even GM Brian Cashman acknowledged in July the catching position had grown into “an issue, clearly.” 

From the start of the season to Aug. 2 — a stretch of four-plus months only interrupted by a June stint on the injured list — the Yankees’ starting catcher owned the worst average (.161) and OPS (.537) in baseball among the 240 hitters who took as many at-bats as he did. 

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And since the Aug. 3 trade deadline, when the Yankees essentially committed to Wells playing full time as he began to show signs of life, he has been the most played catcher in the sport, squatting for 42 of 47 games and catching 5,779 pitches, both tops in that span. 

“That’s awesome,” said Wells, whose rare days of rest are about to evaporate. 

Starting Tuesday, Wells in all likelihood will be the everyday Yankees catcher for the postseason. If Ali Sánchez catches for one meaningful inning, either something has gone wrong for the Yankees or a game has turned sideways. 

After Game 162 on Sunday and beginning when the Red Sox visit The Bronx for Game 1 of the wild-card round, Wells will take a knee behind the plate for a maximum of 22 postseason games, and he feels ready for the challenge. 

Austin Wells scores on his solo home run during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Rays on Sept. 24, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“I feel solid [physically]. It comes and goes — you take a foul ball to the face, you make a couple of throws in a couple of games, your arm starts hanging a little bit,” Wells said this week. “But this is how I want it. This is where I want to be.” 

It would have been difficult to envision this is where Wells would be a few months ago. 

A prospect known for his bat who had been OK offensively — roughly league average — in his first three seasons while showing off a defensive acumen that was far better than expected. If this season the Yankees expected a jump, what they saw instead was a nosedive. 

It kept getting worse. He was hitting .200 at the end of April, .178 at the end of May, .155 at the end of June. 

Austi Wells rounds third base to score on Ryan McMahon’s double during the fifth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Orioles in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Sept. 25, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The team sees the turning point as the 15 days he spent on the IL in June with cervical headaches, time that allowed Wells to physically feel better, and to tweak his swing and generate more loft. 

In the 15 games preceding Cashman’s trade-deadline decision, Wells posted an .886 OPS, demonstrated far better plate discipline (seven walks and eight strikeouts), clubbed three home runs and showed the Yankees enough that the club did not overpay for a starting or a complementary catcher. 

The Red Sox, for instance, gave up plenty of prospect capital for Adley Rutschman (who could make those prospects well spent with a few swings in the wild-card series). Ryan Jeffers remained in Minnesota. 

The Yankees stuck with Wells and Sánchez, who has been a true backup. 

“You feel like he’s that threat again down there, and that’s massive,” manager Aaron Boone said earlier this month of Wells, who since that Aug. 3 moment of truth has posted a .785 OPS, proving the Yankees’ faith correct. 

“Feel like I’m seeing the ball well, trying to have good at-bats and turn the lineup over, get on base for the guys at the top,” Wells said Thursday. “Do whatever’s necessary to win the game.” 

This is where Wells was two years ago, when he started 12 of 14 (and played in all 14) postseason games in his first full season in the majors, which ended with the World Series loss to the Dodgers. 

This is where Wells was last year, when he started all seven of the Yankees’ games against Boston and Toronto. 

He has learned that the wear and tear of October can be ignored. If he plays every day, he has no time to think about the toll it is taking, which then becomes clear once the offseason starts and his body actually heals. 

“You just roll with it,” said Wells, who is among the select few Yankees (Cody Bellinger, and perhaps Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr.) who is expected to get everyday run in the playoffs. “Being behind the plate every day — that’s where I want to be.”

San Diego Padres will host the Chicago Cubs in National League Wild Card series

San Diego Padres will host the Chicago Cubs in National League Wild Card series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On September 4th, the Padres were a half game out of the final National League playoff spot and a full 6.0 games back of the Phillies for the fourth seed. There were real concerns about San Diego even making it to the postseason, let alone hosting the first round.

Then they went on a 17-and-4 rampage punctuated by Saturday night’s 10-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks that officially brings the NL Wild Card series to Petco Park.

After trading runs for the first few innings the DBacks had a 4-3 lead in the 4th inning. With two runners on Manny Machado went to the porch for a spell. Machado hit a laser into the Petco Porch in right field. His 30th homer of the season (giving him eight career 30-bomb campaigns, the same number as Hall of Famer and San Diego native Ted Williams) put the Padres on top 6-4 and kicked off a party in the East Village.

In the 5th inning Xander Bogaerts launched a solo homer to left field to make it 7-4 and San Diego put it away with another rally in the 6th. A pair of singles and a walk loaded with bases with two outs for Jake Cronenworth, who lined a single up the middle to plate two more and put it out of reach. San Diego not only makes a 3rd straight postseason appearance for the first time in franchise history, the Friars also win 90 games in three straight years for the first time ever.

Last year they had to go to Wrigley Field, where the Cubs ended their series in three games. This year the Padres will get a chance to return the favor. They’ll host the Cubbies in a best-of-three affair starting on Tuesday. Getting to play that series at home is not insignificant. San Diego has won 50 games at Petco Park this year, one of only five teams in Major League Baseball to get 50 wins at home.

There is one more regular season game to be played, on Sunday afternoon, and that one could have serious playoff implications. If the Diamondbacks win and the Phillies lose, Arizona will knock Philadelphia out of the final playoff spot and grab the 6th seed, then hold a celebration in the visitor’s clubhouse at Petco Park and head to Atlanta to face the Braves in the Wild Card round.

All four of the Wild Card series will be broadcast on NBC and/or Peacock. Game times and broadcast plans will be revealed on Sunday evening.

D-backs @ Padres discussion

(4/27/06 San Diego, CA ) Dining with Shamu at Seaworld. . (Staff Photo by Mike Adaskaveg. Saved in Adv. Travel) (Photo by Mike Adaskaveg/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Today’s Lineups

DIAMONDBACKSPADRES
Lars Nootbaar – LFFernando Tatis – RF
Ketel Marte – 2BDustin Harris – LF
Gabriel Moreno – DHManny Machado – 3B
Geraldo Perdomo – SSJackson Merrill – CF
Corbin Carroll – RFTy France – 1B
Nolan Arenado – 3BGavin Sheets – DH
Pavin Smith – 1BXander Bogaerts – SS
James McCann – CJake Cronenworth – 2B
Tim Tawa – CFEthan Salas – C
Ryne Nelson – RHPWalker Buehler – RHP

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ active roster is at 28 and the 40-man roster is at 39.

  • Recalled from Triple-A Reno: C Adrian Del Castillo
  • Designated for assignment: OF Jesús Sánchez

This is because Gabriel Moreno left yesterday’s game with a balky hamstring, and is limited to DH duties today. The team isn’t comfortable with just one genuine catchers, hence the return of Del Castillo. And a likely farewell to Sánchez, who didn’t exactly deliver the expected impact against RHP expected. He went 2-for-15 with no extra-base hits and a K:BB of 5:1. Let’s just hope we don’t have to rely on Del Castillo’s 55 OPS+.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Moreno has the best chance ever to become the first Diamondback to win a batting title. It’s startling, considering that after the game on June 1, he was hitting just .258. Since then, he has hit .329 over a 93-game span, which takes him ahead by the narrowest of margins:
Moreno: .31064
Arraez: .31040
If Gaby goes 3-for-10 or better over the next two games, and Arraez remains benched, that would do it. Going exactly 3-for-10 would drop Moreno to .31042, giving him the win by two hundred-thousandths. That would be the narrowest victory ever, ten times closer than the 1949 AL one, where George Kell beat Ted Williams, .3429 to .3427. 2-for-9 would drop him to .31027, and give Arraez the title, also by the smallest margin ever.

But that is very much a secondary consideration today. It’s all about the battle of the bullpens, since both Arizona and Philadelphia will be running bullpen games in their contests. I’m sure we all know the situation. The Phillies’ magic number is still two: they need a win and a D-backs loss to clinch. Otherwise, it’ll all come down to the result of the season finales tomorrow afternoon. A win for us and a Phillies loss, on the other hand – as happened yesterday – will mean the D-backs pull level, and control their own destiny. Our playoff odds are up to 30.8%, which is not so far from where they were on Opening Day, at 36.4%!

Phillies’ game was scheduled to start at 4:15 pm, but the weather pushed it back to a currently estimated start time of 4:50 om. That’s close enough to the normally scheduled time of 5 pm, so I’m going with that. Join me for a little pre-game scoreboard watching!

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Dodgers lose veteran playoff hero to sudden season-ending injury

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Blake Treinen of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the ninth inning, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen throwing a baseball during a game

SAN FRANCISCO — In the second-to-last game of the regular season on Saturday, the Dodgers lost their longest-tenured pitcher to a likely season-ending injury.

While warming up in the bullpen during the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Giants, veteran reliever Blake Treinen suffered a potentially serious shoulder injury, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Blake Treinen of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. Getty Images

While Treinen will go for imaging on Sunday, he is heading for the injured list and is not expected to return in the playoffs.

“I don’t know if it was a complete blowout, but really unfortunate,” Roberts said. “His season’s over, unfortunately.”

A 38-year-old right-hander who played key roles in each of the Dodgers’ three recent World Series titles in 2020, 2024 and 2025, Treinen has been plagued by arm issues the last two years. This season, he missed 2 ½ months with inflammation in his right elbow. Last year, he missed almost three months with a forearm problem. And after the 2022 season, he underwent a shoulder surgery.

The Dodgers had been trying to manage Treinen’s usage carefully since his latest return in early September, giving him just seven appearances in the four weeks he had been back.

However, he felt something on a single warmup during Saturday’s game. The pain was bad enough to send him straight back to the clubhouse alongside a trainer.

“It’s gut-wrenching for us,” fellow reliever Alex Vesia said. “Blake’s one of our leaders out there in the bullpen.”

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Cincinnati. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Treinen had already appeared to be a playoff roster bubble candidate previously, with a 3.64 ERA in 36 games this year. Still, the Dodgers had been encouraged by a recent uptick in velocity and were still hoping to have the 12-year veteran as a postseason option — especially given his 43 career games of playoff experience, highlighted by a heroic 2 ⅓-inning outing in their title-clinching victory in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. 

Instead, his season — and, as a pending free agent, perhaps his Dodgers career, as well — now suddenly appears to be over.

“I saw him and hugged him,” Roberts said. “It’s just unfortunate.” 

Pavel Dorofeyev playing up to blockbuster expectations in preseason

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Pavel Dorofeyev #16 of the New York Rangers skates during a preseason game, Image 2 shows Pavel Dorofeyev (16) of the New York Rangers celebrates his second-period goal with J.T. Miller (10) during a preseason game against the New York Islanders

The arrival of Pavel Dorofeyev already included plenty of expectations. There were the first- and third-round picks this year that the Rangers sent back to the Golden Knights; the top 10 protected first-rounder in 2026; and the seven-year deal with an average annual value of $11 million. 

But Dorofeyev, the left-handed forward who said he was comfortable skating on both wings and has featured on the right side of J.T. Miller in both of his preseason games, didn’t sound fazed about any of the stakes that’ll come into focus when the season begins Tuesday night in Boston. His potential was on display with a goal and three points in two preseason games. 

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“It doesn’t matter if it’s big contract or small,” Dorofeyev told The Post following the Rangers’ morning skate Friday. “I’m not gonna change my game, or I’m not gonna change myself. All I’ll do is just gonna work hard and enjoy the game and not try and focus on points and other stuff.” 

Dorofeyev added a pair of assists in Friday’s exhibition — a 6-1 Rangers victory, after flashing his trademark shot release Tuesday when he scored against the Islanders. While stuck in a cluster of traffic around the crease in the first period, Dorofeyev took possession and tried to maneuver around Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov before the puck slid to Oliver Bjorkstrand for the Blueshirts’ first goal. In the third period, Dorofeyev kept the puck in at the blue line before the sequence eventually ended with Mika Zibanejad’s power-play goal. 

That, more than anything, was the space where the Rangers could potentially benefit most from the arrival of Dorofeyev. Their power play — already a strength — added Dorofeyev’s 20 goals with the man advantage from last season, which anchored his 37 total from 2025-26. Over the last two seasons, the 25-year-old collected 72 total goals. 

Pavel Dorofeyev looks to shoot the puck during the Rangers’ preseason loss to the Islanders on Sept. 22, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Getty Images

But everything will flip to the regular season for Dorofeyev, who has skated on a line with Miller and Bjorkstrand throughout training camp, and the Blueshirts on Tuesday. All the potential with his release — something that he said has been a strength since he started listening to everyone who told him he had a good shot — and his presence will fade, with the need for tangible results to emerge. 

His flashes from the preseason captured that it might be a seamless process for him. 

“Just trying to be consistent as much as I can and be good for the team,” Dorfeyev said. 

Pavel Dorofeyev skates with the puck during the Rangers’ preseason loss to the Islanders on Sept. 22, 2026. Getty Images

The Rangers didn’t make any of their final roster calls Saturday as the group of NHL players on waivers didn’t include any of the possible Blueshirts names, according to PuckPedia. Rookie Alberts Smits, Matthew Robertson and Scott Morrow are competing for spots as the final defensemen. Matt Rempe, Taylor Raddysh and Jaroslav Chmelar are all in contention for the final forward spots. And Joonas Korpisalo and Dylan Garand, who each logged a full preseason game, are battling for the role of backing up Igor Shesterkin. 

Robertson, Morrow, Rempe, Raddysh, Korpisalo and Garand would all need to clear waivers before joining AHL Harford.


The Predators claimed defenseman William Trudeau — acquired from the Canadiens in the Brett Berard trade — off waivers, according to Elliotte Friedman. Trudeau, a 6-foot-1 prospect, is 23 years old and a former fourth-round pick. … Forwards Glenn Gawdin and Anton Blidh, as well as defenseman Marc Del Gaizo, cleared waivers and were assigned to the Wolf Pack.

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jason Adam #40 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Petco Park on September 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Arizona Diamondbacks (86-74) at San Diego Padres (89-71), September 26, 2026, 5:40 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



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Dodgers’ big concern alleviated as Blake Snell returns in win over Giants

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) walking onto the field

SAN FRANCISCO — In Blake Snell’s final start of the regular season on Saturday, the stats didn’t matter so much.

Just that his previously ailing groin was no longer an issue.

The last time Snell pitched, of course, his late-season health status was thrown into sudden doubt. He managed just one inning during his Sept. 16 start in Cincinnati.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell walks onto the field before the start of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, Saturday, September 26, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He made an early exit because of tightness in his left groin. And for a few days, there was concern about what it would mean for his postseason availability — and the state of the Dodgers’ rotation.

Those fears died down quickly, though.

Over the last week, Snell’s groin improved enough to throw a couple of bullpen sessions.

Thus, for one final time before the playoffs, he took the mound in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win against the Giants on Saturday and assuaged any health concerns for good (or so the Dodgers hope).

“I think, honestly, it’s the best-case scenario, in that [we were able to] get him back on the mound, know that he’s healthy, so he’s got assurance, we’ve got assurance,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Added Snell: “I didn’t feel it at all today. I didn’t really even think about it today, so that’s a really good sign. So definitely happy about where I’m at.”

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Saturday, September 26, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Snell certainly wasn’t sharp at Oracle Park. Though he allowed just one run, he managed only four innings on an inefficient 77 pitches, failing to reach the five-inning target Roberts had roughly set before the game.

Still, all the Dodgers wanted to see was him get through the day healthy.

“To be able to pitch today, get 77 pitches, that’s big,” Snell said.

Roberts acknowledged there was some consideration given this week to just skipping Snell’s last start and letting him rest up for the playoffs, perhaps by giving him a session of live batting practice instead.


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However, the club was wary of giving the two-time Cy Young Award winner too long of a pre-October layoff.

And though he has a history of left groin issues — battling three separate episodes over the last half-decade that each sidelined him for at least three weeks to a month — Roberts noted there was enough improvement with Snell’s groin to throw him out one more time.

“I was confident. We were confident. But I think it’s still good to see it,” Roberts said. “And it’s good also that we got it out of the way, that rust off, versus whatever game in the postseason, then he’s rusty, and you’ve got to kind of pick up the pieces in a playoff game.”

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

The Dodgers will need more out of Snell in the playoffs than they got on Saturday, when he gave up five hits, struck out only three batters and (despite not issuing a walk) didn’t always seem thrilled with his command and execution.

“Got a big week ahead of me,” Snell said. “Lock that in and get ready for the [playoffs].”

Still, on the whole, he finished the 2026 regular season with sterling numbers when he pitched, going 4-1 with a 1.90 ERA in nine starts — having missed much of the campaign with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the first month, then a surgical procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow after just one initial outing back.

For the National League Division Series, Snell seems poised to slot in as the Dodgers’ Game 3 starter — likely behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1 and Tarik Skubal in Game 2, though Roberts was adamant Saturday that no decisions about the pitching staff have yet been made.

If the Dodgers save Snell for Game 3 — which would be in a week and a half on Oct. 6 — it would give the 33-year-old even more time to keep rounding back into form and ensure that his groin will not linger as an impediment.

Saturday, however, took care of much of that worry.

“I think I’m past it,” Snell reiterated.

Now, the Dodgers will know for certain what they have with their starting pitching group, going into the playoffs with Yamamoto, Skubal, Snell and Tyler Glasnow having all gotten through their final regular-season starts.

Last October, Snell was crucial for the Dodgers, posting a 3.18 ERA in six outings despite a pair of five-run starts while battling his shoulder problem in the World Series.

This fall, Snell has even bigger goals in mind.

“I want to be better than what I was last October,” he said.

After Saturday, “I think I can definitely do that,” he added.

Saturday Night Massacre puts Phillies' season on the brink

Saturday Night Massacre puts Phillies' season on the brink originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Six weeks of spring training. Six months of regular season. And now it all comes down to this for the 2026 Phillies.

Game 162.

The Phils continued their horrific late-season nosedive in an ugly 12-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at rainy Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night.

Their once firm postseason hopes, now a flicker, will be decided on the final day of the regular season Sunday afternoon.

Zack Wheeler (13-5, 3.06) will pitch against Tampa Bay’s Nick Martinez (15-5, 2.94), who was an All-Star this season. The Phillies had hoped to save Wheeler for their playoff opener Tuesday. But now they need their ace right-hander just to get there.

Saturday night’s loss was the Phillies’ sixth in the last eight games. They were out-hit, 17-7. They have lost four in a row, scoring just three runs in those games. That’s called coming up small when it matters most.

The Phillies are 9-14 in September. On the first day of the month, they held the first wild-card playoff spot with a 6 ½ game lead over Arizona, the team they are now desperately trying to hold off for the third and final wild-card spot. The Phils entered this final six-game homestand on Tuesday with a four-game lead over Arizona.

As the Phillies game ended in defeat Saturday night, the Diamondbacks were losing at San Diego. An Arizona loss would keep the Phils in control of their own destiny, meaning a win Sunday would put them in the postseason.

Sixty-two years ago, the Phillies blew a 6 ½ game lead with 12 games to play, costing them the National League pennant.

That 1964 collapse haunted the franchise until it finally won a World Series in 1980. This collapse is different because the team is vying for a playoff berth, not a spot in the World Series. But the ineptitude of it all remains painful, just the same, and the fans aren’t happy. Saturday night’s crowd was announced at 43,076, technically a sellout, but there were plenty of no-shows on a chilly, rainy night. Those who did show up exercised their lungs and their Philadelphia civic right to boo. They did so as early as the first inning.

With lefty Jesús Luzardo on the injured list and no starting pitching depth to speak of, the Phillies turned their desperate eyes to Aaron Nola. The veteran right-hander started the game on just two days’ rest. It was the first time he’d pitched on short rest in his 12-year career. It did not go well.

The Phillies did not expect Nola to pitch more than two or three innings. He lasted just one. He faced seven batters and gave up four extra-base hits and three runs. One of the hits was a two-run homer by cleanup man Junior Caminero with two outs.

A parade of relievers followed Nola. Tanner Banks and Chase Shugart kept things close. Jose Alvarado did not. The left-hander picked up Shugart in the fifth, allowed an inherited runner to score and was charged with three of his own after giving up a hit and three walks, one of which was intentional.

Alvarado has reverse splits. Lefties entered the game hitting .333 against him while righties were hitting .235. With first base open, manager Don Mattingly called for Alvarado to walk the dangerous Caminero, a right-handed hitter with 42 homers. The next batter, lefty-hitting Victor Diaz, stroked an RBI single to center.

The Rays continued their assault on Phillies pitching with three runs against Jose Urquidy in the sixth. Desperate for arms, the Phillies picked up Urquidy off waivers from the Chicago White Sox just nine days earlier. His reward for picking up innings Saturday night could be being let go on Sunday as the Phillies could need a roster spot to activate Luzardo for all-hands-on-deck work behind Wheeler.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. There wasn’t supposed to be this level of drama on the final day of the season. But that’s what the Phillies have brought upon themselves. Sad. But true.

(More coming…)

GUARDIANS AT ROYALS: Wacha vs. Bibee, discussion

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 24: Raymond Burgos #79 of the Boston Red Sox drops the ball as Chase DeLauter #24 of the Cleveland Guardians is safe at first base during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on September 24, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by CJ Gunther/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Here’s the Royals lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

Blake Snell delivers 'best-case scenario' as Dodgers defeat Giants for win No. 99

Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell delivers during the first inning against the Giants at Oracle Park.
Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell delivers during the first inning of a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday. (Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)

The result of Blake Snell’s final pitch Saturday, a fastball that San Francisco Giants third baseman Shay Whitcomb lined into left field, mattered far less than the fact that the left-hander had passed the 75-pitch mark without incident.

Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández threw out Whitcomb at second. And Snell walked off the field to complete a four-inning start in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win.

“Definitely needed to pitch today,” Snell said of his first start in a week and a half. “Definitely showed that. I was trying to go up and in, I was missing up and away. Even the last pitch of the game, I try to go up and in and miss right down the middle. I don’t know the last time I did that. It’s been a while.”

The Dodgers (99-62) entered locked in as a No. 2 seed for the playoffs. So, the stakes of their last two games of the regular season boiled down to health and preparation for the postseason. There was no better example of that give-and-take than Snell’s five-hit, one-run start.

Read more:Dodgers' Blake Treinen likely to miss playoffs after sustaining injury in bullpen

Because Snell left his previous start with tightness in his left groin, the Dodgers planned for a short outing Saturday, prioritizing his health for the postseason.

“We were confident,” Roberts said of Snell’s recovery from the injury. “But it’s still good to see it. And it’s good also that we got it out of the way, that rust off — versus whatever game in the postseason, then he’s rusty, and you’ve got to kind of pick up the pieces in a playoff game. So I thought today it was really best-case scenario.”

The only run Snell gave up was the result of a double, stolen base and sacrifice fly in the third. He had three strikeouts and no walks.

Snell’s changeup was about two miles per hour faster than usual, something he wants to address before his next start. And he wants to hone the release on his curveball. But his slider, the pitch he would be most worried about if his groin injury wasn’t resolved, had promising velocity and shape.

“To throw a 92 [mph] with good horizontal break, and to see the trust I had in the back leg when throwing that, that’s a really good sign,” Snell said.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning Saturday.
Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning Saturday. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

Snell said he thinks he’s fully past the injury, and didn’t even think about it during the start.

“Definitely happy about where I’m at,” he said. “Now, it’s a big week for me. Catch has to be great, bullpens have to be great. I’ve really got to focus on getting in my legs, and the consistency of every throw. So to be able to pitch today and learn all of that is bigger than I could ever really express.”

Snell, who missed time because of a late spring training build-up and arthroscopic surgery in May to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, finished the regular season with just 42⅔ innings pitched. But he posted an impressive 1.90 ERA in that time.

The team considered replacing Snell’s start Saturday with a live batting practice session, Roberts said, which would have still given Snell feedback from hitters, but in a more controlled environment.

“We gave him and the training staff every out to do so,” Roberts said. “But there was a lot of confidence that he’s in a great spot.”

Read more:Shaikin: Dodgers' three-peat hopes rest on their four aces — and bottom-of-order production

Snell’s recent workload was another reason for the Dodgers to be conservative with his workload Saturday. Over the past two weeks, he’s only thrown one inning.

“So there’s a balance between getting your work in, making sure you feel good coming out of it,” Roberts said. “Even for example, I could’ve pushed Tarik [Skubal in his start Friday], given his efficiency. But to me, to what end?”

Snell should be full-go for the playoffs, Roberts said. But count Snell among the Dodgers players who can benefit from the wild-card bye.

“This is still an important one,” Roberts said of Snell’s start Saturday, “to go into it feeling good, to then take that extra six, seven, eight days.”

Six to eight days off would line Snell up to start Game 2 or 3 of the National League Division Series. But Roberts declined to tip his hand on rotation order. The days off give the Dodgers extra flexibility to line up their pitching.

Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a home run for the Dodgers in the third inning Saturday against the Giants.
Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a home run for the Dodgers in the third inning Saturday against the Giants. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

“You’re looking at, the first series, who could pitch on regular [rest], who needs extra, how potentially the next series lines up,” Roberts said. “How you can ... maximize those four guys. And I do think with those four guys, it doesn’t matter the opponent, so that’s not a variable.”

Roberts also said alternating between right- and left-handers was not a variable.

“To be honest with you, you could put them all in a hat, and you could make a case for any order you put them in,” Roberts said.

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the stalwart of the rotation, certainly has performed to the level of a Game 1 starter, both this season and in a heroic World Series run last year.

For Game 2, it would make sense to choose a pitcher who’s comfortable starting on four days rest. Then, thanks to a pair of off days built into the series, both the Game 1 and Game 2 starters could be available to throw in an if-necessary Game 5.

Read more:Tarik Skubal dominates in final tuneup before playoffs in Dodgers' win over Giants

Skubal has pitched on regular rest this season more than any of his rotation mates, making him a strong option to take the ball in the second game.

If the Dodgers do, indeed, go in that direction for Games 1 and 2, Snell would then be the natural choice for Game 3, on eight days’ rest. And right-hander Tyler Glasnow could take an if-necessary Game 4.

The Dodgers, however, don’t need to finalize their pitching decisions just yet.

“I love our starters,” Snell said. “I love the staff, the way we push for each other to be great and support each other. So, I can’t wait. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for, and now it’s time to prove it.”

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Rays GDT: Don’t forget to call your doctor for an extra antacid prescription!

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 03: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a football prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Go Rays!

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Flyers, Fans Troll NHL After Silly Trevor Zegras Penalty

Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Flyers made headlines for perhaps the wrong reasons when, despite defeating the Boston Bruins 2-0 in the preseason, Trevor Zegras was whistled for a highly unusual penalty.

Halfway through the game, Zegras, 25, had his number called for a penalty immediately after a Flyers offensive zone faceoff, which was explained by the officials only as "improper wearing of equipment".

As we came to find shortly thereafter, the actual foul Zegras committed was having his jersey tucked in his pants, and a penalty was assessed following a prior warning from the officials earlier in the game.

Both Zegras and head coach Rick Tocchet were very matter-of-fact about the incident after the game, with Tocchet muting his displeasure and saying "we can't have a penalty like that" when the regular season starts.

But, that's all water under the bridge... for now, and the Flyers, as well as some Flyers fans, decided to have some fun with it ahead of Saturday's preseason finale against the Washington Capitals.

For pregame warmups, the Flyers emerged from their locker room with mostly everyone tucking their jersey in their pants, including Porter Martone, captain Sean Couturier, Tyson Foerster, Cam York, and Jamie Drysdale.

A Flyers fan seated near the glass was also spotted with a plain sign that read, "I have my jersey tucked for you, Z!"

Tocchet admitted after Thursday night's game against Boston that the Flyers were warned weeks in advance of the NHL's stricter enforcement of the jersey tuck rule, and Zegras just so happened to end up as the first example tagged by the league's iron fist.

Players will invariably have their jerseys ride up their backs and behind their pants during game action, but the rule is that they cannot start their shifts that way, as good or bad a rule as it may be.

The rules are the rules and Zegras broke 'em, but the Flyers got their fun out of it in the end.