SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 18: Bryan Woo #22 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at T-Mobile Park on July 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well. This series certainly didn’t get off to the start the Mariners had hoped for. Bryan Woo takes the mound tonight to try to help turn things around for the Mariners.
Lineups:
J.P. Crawford returns from wrist soreness and rejoins the lineup, but Cole Young remains in the leadoff spot.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Los...
The Dodgers’ two-way star did not throw a bullpen session as originally expected Saturday, after having what manager Dave Roberts described as “regression” with his left knee issue following a 31-pitch bullpen session earlier in the week.
“[He] just doesn’t feel 100%, because I think that the last ‘pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression,” Roberts said. “So we want to make sure that that doesn’t happen again.”
Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani made his last appearance on the mound July 3. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
On Wednesday in Philadelphia, Ohtani threw off a mound for the first time in two weeks — and the first time since he had a lubricant injection in his ailing knee during the All-Star break.
Initially, the team said that session went well. But both Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior noted that the training staff would be monitoring how Ohtani felt in the following days, wanting to maintain a “fluid” plan with the four-time MVP’s knee recovery.
On Friday, Roberts said that if Ohtani –– who has continued to serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, since his knee problem hasn’t impacted his swing –– felt good on Saturday, he was expected to throw another bullpen.
However, he evidently didn’t, leaving his next steps as a pitcher unclear for now.
“Obviously not ideal, him throwing his last bullpen and going backwards, essentially,” Roberts said. “That’s disappointing, because you throw a bullpen to continue to build up.”
Roberts did reiterate that he “absolutely” expected Ohtani to pitch again this season, and said that long-term, “as far as worry, concern, we don’t have any of that.” He also set a soft target of having Ohtani return to the rotation at some point in August, though didn’t offer any further specifics for his timeline.
“Everything is kind of fluid,” Roberts said. “Just trying to figure out what’s best.”
Ohtani has not made a pitching start since July 3, and has been battling his knee injury –– which is believed to have been caused by flaws in his mechanics that put added force on his front landing leg –– since mid-June.
The 32-year-old had a pitching start before the All-Star break scratched, in preparation for his lubricant injection, and has been out of the Dodgers’ rotation ever since. He has not personally addressed reporters since before the All-Star break, either.
“[He feels] better than before the break,” Roberts said. “But again, you think that you take the break and then you come back and throw your ‘pen, then you can still build up … The thought was he’d throw one [bullpen session earlier this week] and throw another one today, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Roberts was asked if a break from hitting (and running the bases, where the two-way star has been notably aggressive in recent days) might also benefit Ohtani’s knee, but indicated that wasn’t a current consideration.
“From his words, the hitting, the running, as he has done the last couple nights, doesn’t affect him,” Roberts said.
Pitching, however, still does, leaving his status on the mound an ongoing question.
“We’re not going to move forward until he feels 100% confident, we feel 100% confident that we should do it,” Roberts said. “So right now we didn’t do it.”
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 23: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a home run during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on July 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Join us and discuss tonight’s game below as the Braves go for a series win behind Bryce Elder at 7:05 PM ET in Atlanta on BravesVision and MLBTV!
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers arrives at Truist Park prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves on Friday, July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Jul 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – LF
Francisco Lindor – SS
Bo Bichette – 3B
Carson Benge – RF
Luis Robert – CF
Jorge Polanco – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
Brett Baty – 1B
Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Nolan McLean – RHP
Dodgers lineup
Shohei Ohtani – DH
Andy Pages – CF
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Max Muncy – 3B
Mookie Betts – SS
Tommy Edman – 2B
Kyle Tucker – RF
Teoscar Hernandez – LF
Dalton Rushing – C
SP: Y. Yamamoto – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:15 EDT TV: Fox Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 19: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies secured their biggest post-All-Star break win on Friday with a massive series-opening victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee was 5-1 coming out of the break prior to last night’s loss, compared to the Colorado’s 2-4 record in that span. Their records on the year are essentially inverted, with the NL Central leading Brewers carrying a 64-39 mark to the Rockies’ 42-63.
Yet the resilient Rockies found a way to hang in there, chipping away at the Brewers and controlling the game on the way to a 5-2 win. The Rockies will have two more chances to prove that the first win wasn’t just a Sugano-fueled anomaly and steal a series from one of MLB’s top teams.
For game two, the Rockies will rely on Ryan Feltner. Feltner is 3-4 through 14 starts, carrying a 5.48 ERA and a 1.416 WHIP. His last outing, a 9-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, was his roughest of the year. He only lasted 2.1 innings and gave up eight runs on seven hits including three home runs surrendered. He also struggled to find the zone, walking four in his short outing.
The good news is that Feltner has bounced back from bad outings reliably well this year (knock on wood). After giving up six runs in a loss to the San Diego Padres back in April and another six to the Chicago Cubs in June, he followed each of those starts with four straight outings giving up two or fewer runs. Feltner will try to continue that trend against a tough foe today.
Robert Gasser gets the start for Milwaukee, carrying a 2-4 record, a 4.91 ERA, and a 1.208 WHIP across 10 starts. On the other side of the spectrum, Gasser had arguably his best start of the year in his last appearance. In a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins, Gasser allowed just three hits and a solo homer, dishing out five strikeouts with no walks in 5.0 IP. The Brewers carry one of the league’s best home records this season (34-20) and will look to Gasser to avenge Friday’s loss and get back on track at American Family Field.
COOPERSTOWN — Nearly 27 years later, Mets fans still shudder at the thought of Andruw Jones’ bases-loaded walk-off walk against Kenny Rogers in the 11th inning of the Braves’ series-clinching win in Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS.
“I couldn’t believe he walked me. I try not to walk, ’cause I strike out a lot,” Jones said at his pre-induction news conference Saturday. “So when he walked me, I was shocked.”
The 1999 NLCS sent the Braves to face the Yankees in the World Series, and the Yankees promptly swept Atlanta to claim their second of three consecutive world championships.
The Braves led the Mets 3-0 heading into Game 4, but the Mets clawed back to make the series 3-2, losing by a hair in Game 6.
Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after taking a walk in the 11th inning against the New York Mets as Mets catcher Todd Pratt walks back to the bench on Oct. 19, 1999 during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. AFP via Getty Images
“I think if we would’ve lost that game … it could’ve gone the other way,” Jones said. “The Mets and Yankees fans would’ve seen an earlier Subway Series.”
The following season, that scenario came to fruition, as the Mets and Yankees met in the Fall Classic for the very first time in 2000.
The Yankees won the title in five games, marking a three-peat for their 26th ring.
“[The NLCS] was a tough series. It drained us, to be honest with you,” Jones said. “By the time we went to play the Yankees, we got swept. We had no juice left to go play them. … The Yankees had a great team that year.”
Jones joins several legendary Braves in the Hall of Fame on Sunday, finally gaining entrance on his ninth ballot.
The 1996 Braves have eight members in the Hall now that Jones joins Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones and Fred McGriff, as well as manager Bobby Cox and general manager John Schuerholz.
The Atlanta Braves celebrate after a walk by Andruw Jones scored the winning run. AFP via Getty Images
“They always kept saying, ‘Hey, be patient, you’re gonna be there.’ … Being on a ballot for nine years, you kind of watch from afar, but you’re not thinking about it, because life keeps going, you know?” Jones said.
“If I made it, this is a great honor. One of the toughest Halls of Fame to go in … but if it didn’t happen, I would have been the same person. You would have seen me walk on the street and have this joy that I always had.”
Chipper Jones talked about his joy for his longtime teammate at a Hall of Fame signing event Friday.
The Joneses were teammates in Atlanta for 12 years, from 1996-2007.
“It’s been really fun to see him go through the week and the whole process. I think he had to wait a little too long to get here, but hey, you’re here now,” Chipper Jones said. “We took great pride in knowing that if people wanted to come into Atlanta and beat the Braves, they had to get the Jones boys out in the three and four hole. … Hope he’s not the last, but we’ve had a good contingent over the last 10, 15 years.”
COOPERSTOWN — Carlos Beltrán will become just the third player to represent the Mets in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, joining Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza in the small but mighty group.
Before Beltrán’s six years in Queens, he began his career in Kansas City after being drafted out of high school in the second round of the 1995 draft.
At his pre-induction press conference in Cooperstown on Saturday, he opened up about the reception he got in each city.
Beltrán would get another taste of New York when he went to the Yankees for two years in the twilight of his illustrious career.
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“If you don’t understand the process, sometimes it could be overwhelming. For me, it was,” Beltrán said. “Coming from Kansas City, playing in New York, at the beginning, I didn’t understand why the fans were getting on me, while I played in Kansas City and never got booed. So all of a sudden, I’m in New York, they boo me the whole month.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, I just signed here for seven years and these people, they have no patience with me,’ ” Beltrán continued to laughter. “[New York is] a city where the fanbase supports their team, but at the same time, they expect excellence out of the players, and they understand the game … they know how much money you’re making, so they want you to earn every single penny.”
Carlos Beltran with Jose Reyes of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 4 of the NLCS at Busch Stadium on October 15, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. Getty Images
One of the most significant memories from Beltrán’s early career came alongside perhaps the most legendary Royal in 1999, when George Brett got his moment in Cooperstown with his induction alongside Nolan Ryan and Orlando Cepeda.
“[1999] was my first full year in the big leagues. I haven’t been able to show what I’m capable of,” Beltrán said. “I was so excited to come [to Cooperstown] because not only were we supporting George Brett, I was going to be able to meet Orlando Cepeda, who was inducted that year also.
“I have a baseball, and I’m approaching Cepeda for him to sign my baseball, and George said to Cepeda, ‘Cepeda, I’ve introduced you to the next Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico. His name is Carlos Beltrán.’ And I’m going like, what is he doing? I haven’t played a game, and you’re introducing me as a Hall of Famer. I don’t think that’s a good statement, George, and George said, ‘Well Carlos, everything is possible in life. If you play hard and if you continue to play good and you continue to develop yourself, this is an opportunity.’ ”
Hall of Fame Inductee Carlos Beltran answers questions during the media press conference at the Clarke Sports Center in Cooperstown, NY on July 25, 2026. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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Needless to say, Beltrán did nothing but seize that very opportunity, especially as a five-time All-Star with the Mets.
“I end up getting to the Hall of Fame, but I fail 72 percent of the time,” Beltrán said. “It’s a lot of pain, but at the end of the day, I have to say that New York is a great place … most of the most meaningful relationships I built in the game, I did it wearing the Mets uniform.”
One of the biggest winners of this entire LeBron James saga was Rich Paul’s “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman. Paul became the best source of information on LeBron's decision process, and while that was certainly spin, it was about the only thing of real substance out there.
On the latest episode of the podcast, Paul said LeBron made his decision around 1 a.m. and announced it the next day (hat tip Philadelphia Inquirer). He added that Cleveland, Miami and Golden State also made very strong pitches, but LeBron decided to go to Philly.
What led to LeBron’s decision?
In his series of posts on X explaining his decision, LeBron said that he had to decide if he still truly loved the game enough to come back for one more season. Rich Paul echoed that on his podcast.
"Nobody at this level is this accomplished, this successful at life, still wanting to play the game. I don't know what else you can say about it besides someone being very obsessed with the game of basketball."
James did indeed contemplate retirement after the Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. But he felt "incomplete," the source said, in assessing the season.
On his podcast, Rich Paul added that the Lakers beating the Rockets in the first round in a series where LeBron was the best player on the court at age 41 also played a role in his return.
"That series, in my opinion, [convinced him to return]. I think if they somehow get swept or lose 4-1 in that series, it could be different. I think that gave us another ride."
What LeBron chose was a potential path back to the Finals in Philadelphia, but also a tough road — there are questions about fitting a group of ball-dominant players (Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and LeBron) together, questions about defense, and questions about how he feels playing for a passionate and demanding fan base in Philly. Except, he may not have to live in Philadelphia, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
The fact that James could live in New York City and commute to Camden for practices and Philadelphia for games, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported is a possibility, only added to the appeal.
That's the kind of thing 76ers fans are going to bring up if — really, when — LeBron and this team struggle for a stretch of games.
What is LeBron doing now?
Working out to get ready for next season, of course. And it's not really an offseason workout unless there is evidence on social media.
NEW YORK — New York Mets slugger Juan Soto was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday because of a left calf strain.
Soto walked twice against Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki in Friday’s 4-2 loss before being replaced by Jorge Polanco in the sixth inning with the score tied at 1. He appeared to experience discomfort while running to second base on Bo Bichette’s double-play grounder in the second inning.
Soto is hitting .293 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 84 games this season. He missed 15 games from April 3-21 with a right calf strain, and the Mets went 3-12 without him.
Soto sat out Wednesday’s 4-3 loss at Milwaukee but was back in the lineup Friday after the Mets had a day off.
The lone All-Star for the Mets this year, Soto exited the team’s first game after the break in the eighth inning on July 16 at Philadelphia. New York was off the following day, and he returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies. He played left field Monday in Milwaukee and was the DH on Tuesday.
To replace Soto, the Mets called up infielder/outfielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse. Wagaman is hitting .162 with two homers and four RBIs in 21 games this season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 12: Julian Phillips #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 12, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets continue to fill out their roster in anticipation of training camp, as it was announced yesterday that they signed free agent forward Julian Phillips to a non-guranteed deal.
The 6’8” Phillips is still just 22 years old, and he was the 35th pick ouf of Tennessee in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He played two and a half seasons for the Bulls before he was traded this past year to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who subsequently declined to pick up his option. That brings Phillips to Houston.
He carries career averages of just 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds for his career, averaging about 11 minutes per night. He is considered an elite athlete, but raw from a skills standpoint. It’s possible a change of scenery and some time with the Rockets, who have a plethora of young talent hoping to keep developing, could change things a little bit for Phillips, who has been an underachiever to this point in his career.
The signing of Phillips brings the Rockets to 19 players on their training camp roster. An NBA team can have up to 21 players for its camp roster, which it must get down to 15 before the start of the season. Here’s how things look right now:
Guaranteed contracts (12)
Kevin Durant
Fred VanVleet
Alperen Şengün
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith Jr.
Tari Eason
Reed Sheppard
Marcus Smart
Clint Capela
Steven Adams
Bogdan Bogdanović
Bruce Thornton
Non-guaranteed / Partially guaranteed standard contracts (4)
Jae’Sean Tate (partially guaranteed)
Isaiah Crawford (non-guaranteed)
JD Davison (non-guaranteed)
Julian Phillips (contract details indicate he’s competing for a roster spot rather than holding a fully guaranteed deal).
Two-way contracts (3)
Quadir Copeland
Tristen Newton
David Roddy
Exhibit 10 / Camp deals
Oscar Tshiebwe (contract designation has not yet been officially announced, but it’s widely expected to be an Exhibit 10).
A six-year contract extension worth $5.5M per year followed the initial trade for Pettersson, keeping the defenceman in Vancouver for what seemed like the foreseeable future. Pettersson had a full no-move clause for the first three years of the deal — one that he ultimately waived in order to go to New York.
The decision to waive, the defenceman explained to reporters in New York, was one that came about as a result of his familiarity with some of the team’s staff as well as the reputation of the franchise itself.
“Obviously, the Rangers being an Original Six, growing up idolizing that team and stuff like that,” he said. “It all happened very quickly, to be honest with you. But when I got the opportunity to come here, and with the history with some of the coaching staff that I have there, it was a great opportunity. I’m super excited.”
One specific member of the Rangers that Pettersson is familiar with is none-other than head coach Mike Sullivan, who he played under for seven seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The defenceman explained why he’s happy to be playing under the long-time NHL head coach, citing the way he approaches the game.
“First off, as a person, I feel like me and Sully had a great relationship. He’s a straightforward kind of guy. You’re never really wondering what you should do or where you’re at or stuff like that... I love that about him. And system-wise, I feel like it tends to play into my playing style. I want to play a fast-paced style, like he wants to play, and pressure on puck. I feel like his system is so good, where you don’t have to overthink things out there. You’re playing off your instincts, and your instincts are what brought you to where you are.”
Mar 26, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Marcus Pettersson (29) shoots against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Another familiar name for Pettersson, though the two never played together, is Rangers captain J.T. Miller. Miller was traded back to New York on the same day that Pettersson was acquired by Vancouver — on January 31, 2025.
“Some of my teammates in Vancouver talked about J.T. and how great of a person is, and they reached out and said, ‘You’re gonna love him and his family and stuff like that, and the competitiveness that [he] brings’.”
Now a member of the Rangers, Pettersson will close the chapter of his career that took place in Vancouver. While he did acknowledge that there were a lot of things to be learned from his time with the Canucks, as a whole, the defenceman is “grateful” for the experience.
“I have nothing but great things to say about Vancouver. My time there, even though it was short, I feel like I learned a lot, and I do feel like I want to bounce back from kind of a negative feeling from that. I’m super excited to join the Rangers, but I’m grateful for the Canucks, as well.”
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The Warriors went all in on LeBron James. But the 41-year-old megastar chose Philadelphia, where he believes he has his best shot at winning his fifth ring.
The Warriors’ Steph Curry (right) made a pitch for LeBron James on “Good Morning America,” but it didn’t sway The King.
The Warriors pulled all the stops to lure James onto their roster.
Steph Curry made a pitch for him on “Good Morning America.” Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-2027 season to create more money for James.
The one thing the franchise wasn’t willing to do was mortgage its future for Wizards big man Anthony Davis, whom James reportedly wanted on the team. Davis would’ve cost them Jimmy Butler, along with multiple first-round picks and first-round pick swaps.
If securing Davis would’ve meant securing James, the Warriors made a mistake by not partially emptying their treasure chest. Yes, he’s often injured. Yes, he’s 33 years old.
But they should’ve pulled the trigger. They owed it to Curry to not waste a season in which he’s about to turn 39 years old. Curry, Green, James and Davis could’ve given teams fits in the playoffs if they were healthy.
But it’s unclear whether James would’ve definitely gone to the Warriors if they had gotten Davis. We don’t know the details of those conversations. Or if any guarantees were given.
What we do know is the Warriors aren’t in a great position now.
Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon) will miss the start of the season.
There aren’t any franchise-bending moves for them left to make. They’re ultimately standing pat. They didn’t make any big trades.
They’re expected to re-sign Green, who was willing to sacrifice money out of his pocket to try to transform a team that won four championships in eight years from 2015-2022 into winners once again.
But who else is left for them to go after?
Gary Payton II, a spark plug who’s a good asset but isn’t going to catapult them into the next sphere by any means? Mario Hezonja, who has recently played in Europe?
Neither of those guys is going to move the needle.
Last season, the Warriors didn’t even make it out of the play-in tournament.
It’s hard to expect much will change for them this time around, especially in the very crowded Western Conference with the Thunder and Spurs vying to be atop the league.
The Warriors will make some moves around the margins.
Curry hopes to add another NBA title before he calls it a career. Getty Images
But their only hope for a competitive season is if Butler returns quickly and has the type of impact he did when he joined the team in February 2025, and they went 23-7 the remainder of the season. (There wasn’t proof in concept last season. Before Butler suffered the injury in January, the Warriors were inconsistent at best.)
They need to hope Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy. After acquiring him last February, he only played 15 games because of various health reasons.
They need to hope Lendeborg is able to make an immediate impact as a jack of all trades. He impressed during the Las Vegas Summer League by averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and four assists while winning the MVP Award, but is the 23-year-old ready to be a difference-maker on a veteran team?
All of those things need to perfectly coalesce or else the greatest shooter of all time and a Hall of Fame defender are going to languish amid basketball mediocrity yet again.
It’s too bad James didn’t choose the Warriors. They would’ve been the most fun show in town.
It was thrilling to imagine James and Curry sharing a court after their gold medal-winning Olympic run together, in which James was named MVP and Curry played hero in the final games.
But alas, that was nothing but a tease. A figment of our imagination. An unrealized fantasy.
Curry is going to get no such help in the twilight of his career.
Once again, he’s playing against a stacked deck. The Warriors dropped the ball. They didn’t give their franchise hero a chance to soar in his final act.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: William Hickey #66 of the Los Angeles Lakers wears Nike Kobe green grinch sneakers on the court in the first half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2026 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. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Green was asked about whether Luis Robert Jr. will receive the bulk of the DH at-bats in Soto's absence and the Mets skipper said it will likely go to Polanco, at least in the short term.
"We’re still trying to get him back on the field and into rhythm," Green said. "In the last week, Juan has taken quite a few of the DH at-bats and that’s stunted Polo’s ability to find some rhythm. We’re going to try to get him back into rhythm. He’s a guy we believe a lot in. Hopefully, as time goes on, we’ll get him to first base and then we’ll see where the DH at-bats get divvied up at that point."
Polanco is in Saturday's lineup as the Mets' DH, which will be his position moving forward until, as Green said, he can tolerate his Achilles pain and play first base.
In just 23 games, Polanco is batting .161 with an OPS of .456 to go with his one home run and four RBI. Polanco has only played first base twice this season after suffering chronic left Achilles bursitis and a right wrist contusion, the latter putting him on the IL for nearly three months.
Mets unlucky with injuries in 2026
Soto's latest IL stint is the third in which a Mets player had to miss time due to a calf injury.
Of course, Soto missed about three weeks with a Grade 1 right calf strain earlier in the year and Francisco Lindor missed nearly two months with a calf strain as well.
"It's a frustrating set of circumstances," Green said of the injuries that have plagued the team this year. "It feels unlucky, to a degree."
Green was asked a number of ways about the organization's medical and training staff and how they have handled these calf injuries this season. Green backed the staff and believes they have done their best.
"We look at every injury and my experience with the medical and training staff is that they are reflective," Green explained. "They look at ways to improve in every situation. Baseball has this tendency to have a rash of elbow injuries for one team in a given year, and then a rash of lower-extremity injuries in another year. Then another year you’re looking at shoulder injuries.
"None of these is to excuse our responsibility to limit those as much as humanly possible, but I think if you look across the game, those trends exist. They‘re troubling for those who give their lives to keep people in the field of play. I can promise you our group is incredibly introspective and they want to keep these guys on the field and they’ll look back, just like any year, to see if there’s any adjustments to be better in that space."
Apr 10, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Citi Field. / Gregory Fisher - Imagn Images
Latest on Clay Holmes
Fresh off his first rehab start, Holmes is set to throw a bullpen on Sunday and once he's done, they'll figure out the right-hander's next steps.
While Green didn't announce how many pitches he'll throw in the bullpen session, he did hint that he believes Holmes will need at least one more rehab start before rejoining the team.
Holmes tossed 2.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, throwing 51 pitches in the process, but it seems the Mets will want to stretch Holmes out further this next time through. If Holmes does throw another rehab, he could potentially start for the Mets just before the trade deadline on Aug. 3, but with the trade rumors surrounding the veteran, he could be pitching for another team.