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Penguins Ink Former LA King To One-Year Deal

Even if the Pittsburgh Penguins aren't about to hand out any overpays in NHL free agency, that never meant they would avoid signings that could help the team in the short-term and in the long-term.

And they made another move on Day One of free agency that definitely addresses the short-term.

On Wednesday, the Penguins inked winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million deal. Kuzmenko, 30, was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline in 2025 and stayed there through the end of the 2025-26 season, recording 18 goals and 42 points in 74 games during that time. 

Report: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals DefensemanReport: Penguins Sign Former Washington Capitals DefensemanPer NHL Insider Chris Johnston, the Penguins are bringing in ex-Capitals veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.

The undrafted Russian forward has yet to repeat his standout rookie campaign with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022-23, when he put up an impressive 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games. Injuries, inconsistency, and lack of placement have inhibited him from reaching higher potential, and the latest in the injury saga came last season when he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. 

Still, even at 30, there is some upside potential to Kuzmenko if he can remain healthy. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward is a threat to score goals and is a nice power play piece, giving the Penguins options in their middle-six. He is also capable of playing both wings, but the left-shot has preferred the right wing throughout his career. 

3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free Agency3 Penguins' Storylines To Watch Heading Into Free AgencyThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Kyle Dubas figure to be one of the more interesting teams heading into free agency on Jul. 1.

The situation isn't too much different from winger Anthony Mantha, who had season-ending ACL surgery in 2024-25 with the Calgary Flames and enjoyed a career year in Pittsburgh last season with 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games. 

The addition of Kuzmenko adds to an already-crowded crop of forwards, as the Penguins also added restricted free agents Hendrix Lapierre and Nicholas Robertson. According to Puckpedia, without the three RFAs in Lapierre, Robertson, and Chinakhov, the Penguins already have 13 forward listed on their NHL roster, which includes Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty.

With young forwards like Hayes and McGroarty pushing for roster spots from the AHL, it will be interesting to see if Pittsburgh decides to move on from one or more veterans on their NHL roster.

Penguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple LeafsPenguins Acquire Nick Robertson From Maple LeafsThe Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

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Panthers Sign Forward Cole Schwindt, Defenseman Alexander Petrovic To Two-Year Contracts

The Florida Panthers signed a pair of familiar players to a new contracts on Wednesday.

Despite not qualifying him as a restricted free agent, the Panthers announced they have signed forward Cole Schwindt to a new two-year deal.

Florida originally drafted Schwindt in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

He was included in the summer 2022 trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers. Florida than claimed him off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights in October of last year.

Schwindt played 29 games with the Panthers last season, logging five goals and seven points.

He’ll likely be viewed as a candidate to center Florida’s fourth line next season after taking a career high 115 draws last year, winning 44.2% of them.

“Cole has developed into a well-rounded two-way forward who fits seamlessly with our team,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He competes hard every night and we are pleased to have him back as a part of our strong forward group for the next two seasons.”

Florida also announced a new, two-year deal with former Cats defenseman Alexander Petrovic.

The veteran blueliner has played 10 seasons in the NHL after being selected by Florida in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

He played parts of seven seasons with the Panthers before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December of 2018 in exchange for Chris Weidman and a third-round pick.

In the eight years since the trade, Petrovic has played 60 games in the NHL and another 341 in the AHL.

Of those 60 NHL games, 54 came last season with the Dallas Stars.

“Alex is a stalwart shutdown defenseman who brings size and depth to our blueline,” Zito said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him back to our organization.”

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Panthers Acquiring Goaltender Jacob Markstrom From The Devils

Photo caption: Nov 13, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Cole Schwindt (79) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Aaron Judge still waiting for more scans, no update on Yankees captain’s stress fracture in rib

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge is approaching four weeks since going on the injured list with a stress fracture of his right rib, but the New York Yankees captain has yet to have updated scans.

“I’ve got nothing for you,” Judge said before the Yankees faced the Tigers. “You know how it goes around here — guys can feel good, feel bad, but you’ve got to wait on images. I’ll give you a good update when we get some imaging.”

The three-time AL MVP has not played since May 31 and went on the injured list June 5 after a CT scan, an MRI and a meeting with a specialist.

When the Yankees put Judge on the IL, they said he would have limited activity before getting re-evaluated and having additional imaging in four to six weeks.

“There’s no need to talk about this now,” Judge said. “I know it’s an important topic and a big issue, but I want to give you guys the full story.”

The Yankees are 12-14 without Judge, who is hitting .248 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs. Judge had one homer in his final 18 games before getting sidelined and ended an 11-game homer and RBI drought with a game-ending, two-run drive on May 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

New York won nine of its first 13 games without Judge but are hitting .127 during a six-game losing streak.

“It’s not great,” Judge said. “It’s a little lack of focus. We got to dial it in.”

Including a stint on the COVID-19 injured list in July 2021, Judge is on the IL for the 10th time since debuting on Aug. 13, 2016. He missed 45 games with a fractured right wrist in 2018, 54 games with a strained left oblique in 2019 and 42 games with a fractured toe in 2023 after crashing into a wall while making a catch at Dodger Stadium.

In 2023, the Yankees went 19-23 while Judge was on the injured list. In 2019, they were 37-17 and 25-20 the previous season without him.

Judge is among six players on the IL, including Giancarlo Stanton (strained right calf). Ryan McMahon (throat infection) and Trent Grisham (strained right hamstring) are expected to return against Minnesota, though McMahon was scratched from a minor league rehab game because of food poisoning.

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Devils Sign Goaltender Nico Daws To Two-Year Deal

On Wednesday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils re-signed goaltender Nico Daws to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1,100,000. The contract details are as follows: 2026-27: $975,000 and 2027-28: $1,225,000.

Daws was a restricted free agent who received a qualifying offer from the team on June 29. 

The 25-year-old has spent the past five seasons in the Devils organization, appearing in 55 games in the NHL and 142 in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Comets. Last season, he played three games for New Jersey, posting a 2-1-0 record and a 2.62 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

Daws made his NHL debut on Oct. 23, 2021, a 2-1 win against the Buffalo Sabers, where he made 24 saves. Per Devils PR, he became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win their NHL debut. New Jersey selected the 6’4”, 205lbs. goaltender in the third round (84th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The Devils traded veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday along with forward Angus Crookshank for  Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Red Wings Add Goaltending Depth, Sign Daniil Tarasov

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Not long after the Detroit Red Wings signed veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract, they addressed their goaltending depth. 

GM Steve Yzerman has signed goaltender Daniil Tarasov, who played last season with the Florida Panthers, to a one-year contract. He'll carry a salary cap hit of $2 million.

Not only does this mean that veteran Cam Talbot will not be back with the club next season, but that the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins will feature competition between Michal Postava and 2023 second-round pick Trey Augustine for the starting position. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

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Tarasov, who split time in his native Russia between the KHL and VHL, was selected with the 86th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

He would make his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets during the 2021-22 season, and would split his time between Columbus and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson On the opening day of the NHL free-agency period, the Detroit Red Wings are adding some veteran talent up front with the signing of Viktor Arvidsson.

In late June of last year, he was traded to the Panthers, with whom he'd sign a one-year contract to back up Sergei Bobrovsky. In his first and only year in Florida, Tarasov amassed a record of 13-15-3 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. 

Overall, he's 32-49-9 with a 3.30 goals-against average, a .897 save percentage, and one shutout in 98 career NHL games between the Blue Jackets and Panthers. 

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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Predators get a jump on free agency by acquiring Mavrik Bourque in a trade with the Stars

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild

Apr 30, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque (22) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

A weak free-agent pool has NHL teams turning to the trade route to improve their rosters this summer, a development that became evident Wednesday before the market opened.

Nashville acquired pending restricted free agent forward Mavrik Bourque from Dallas. The Predators sent a 2027 second- and a 2028 third-round pick to the Stars for Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.

“Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” general manager Chris MacFarland said. “At just 24 years old, his age and style of play fits in with the type of players we are looking to bring in to help make us better. In addition, Ilya Lyubushkin is a veteran defenseman with significant experience who can log minutes and be a physical presence in our own end.”

Dallas clearing salary cap space could allow the team to sign Jason Robertson, another restricted free agent who’s ticketed for a long-term, lucrative contract. Robertson turns 27 this month and led the Stars in scoring with 96 points on 45 goals and 51 assists last season.

In other moves, Ottawa re-signed pesky forward Nick Cousins to a two-year contract worth $3.18 million.

“Nick has proven his value to our hockey club over the past two seasons,” Senators GM Steve Staois said. “He brings Stanley Cup winning experience and is an important player inside our dressing room.”

Cousins won the Cup in 2024 with Florida, which is expected to see goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky depart in free agency. Toronto, Edmonton and Pittsburgh are among the most likely suitors.

The Panthers have been active this week, trading for goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid and sending A.J. Greer’s rights to Anaheim to bring back rugged defenseman Radko Gudas. His six-year deal is worth $1.5 million annually for a total of $9 million.

“I have good news: I’m coming back to Florida and I’m bringing my dad with me,” Gudas’ daughter, Tynka, said in a video announcing the move. The 36-year-old Gudas played there for three seasons from 2020-23.

Gudas is the second player who was a captain this past season to join Florida in recent weeks. Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s brother, was traded to the Panthers last month after wearing the “C” in Ottawa.

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Blues Sign Dillon Dube To One-Year, $850,000 Contract

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues liked enough of what they saw with Dillon Dube with Springfield of the American Hockey League last season, they decided to bring him back.

The team announced on Wednesday they signed the 27-year-old to a one-year, one-way contract for $850,000.

Dube originally joined the organization on an AHL professional tryout with the Thunderbirds on Dec. 10, 2025 and played in 46 regular-season games last season, sharing second on the team with 20 goals and ranking fourth with 37 points.

"We've gotten to know him a lot better throughout that time frame," Blues general manager Alex Steen said. "He and his teammates built a foundation and a compete level that kept pushing each other and pushing forward, and at the end of the year, it built up a strong foundation to really push some big teams out of the playoffs. Those guys are himself, (Zach) Dean, (Aleksanteri) Kaskimaki, (Dylan) Peterson, they're showing that that gap is starting to close more and more. 

"What we're trying to accomplish that I mentioned to a few of you yesterday is we're big, big believers in that internal competition and I think we're raising the bar on that and I think we're creating a lot more of that with these moves today and we're happy where the team is positioned and excited to move forward."

Dude also had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 12 Calder Cup playoff games for Springfield, helping lead the team to the Atlantic Division Final. 

Dube (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) has played in 325 career NHL regular-season games with the Calgary Flames and had 127 points (57 goals, 70 assists).

The second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft is trying to earn his way back into the NHL after he and four other former Canadian World Junior hockey players were acquitted of sexual assault charges by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia on July 24, 2025.

The Blues are not overlooking what happened with Dube in the past and have done their due diligence on the situation and feel the player made a positive impact in Springfield in his time there.

"We're well aware of that," Steen said. "The thing that's impressed us with Dillon is his openness towards it. We brought him in December, so we've had opportunity to get to know him. Obviously the coaching staff and his teammates have shared what their experiences with him are. He wants to be a positive influence, he's had a positive influence on that team or a positive impact. He approaches it with sincerity and humility.

"Since I got here in St. Louis, the organization's always been a second-chance organization and it's an opportunity and we feel confident giving it to him to fight for a spot on our team next year.

"He's open about things that he's gone through. His attitude, his humility towards it. When you get to know him more and more, his interactions with his teammates and his players, he wants to bring out the best version of himself on a daily basis and he actively tries to bring out the best version of his teammates as well."

There has already been opinions wavering on both sides on the matter, including those that don't approve considering the past allegations.

"I appreciate everyone's perspective on the decision," Steen said. "I obviously respect that not everybody's going to agree with it, but we've gotten to know Dillon over the course of the last nine months. He's been a part of the organization down in Springfield since December. Since I've been here, the organization has been a second-chance organization and in our opinion, we're confident in giving him this opportunity."

Blues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million ContractBlues Sign Ross Johnston To Three-Year, $6 million ContractForward brings grit, toughness to bottom lineup of forwards Berggren Re-Signs With BluesBerggren Re-Signs With BluesForward, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings last season, gets a one-year, $2 million contractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractBlues Buy Out Final Year Of Drouin's ContractForward had one year remaining on a two-year, $8 million contract signed with Islanders; was acquired on March 6 in Brayden Schenn trade; Blues owe $1.33 million against cap in each of next two seasonsBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesBlues Promote Tkachuk, Thorburn; Hire Bortuzzo Among Front Office ChangesTkachuk, recently named to Hockey Hall of Fame, was previously director of recruitment; Thorburn was development coach; Bortuzzo hired to be pro scoutSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningSteen Introduced As 12th GM In Blues History, Ready to Hit Ground RunningFormer NHLer of 15 years, including last 12 seasons in St. Louis, takes over for Doug Armstrong, who keeps role as president of hockey operations after taking over as GM in 2010Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Robert Thomas: 'I've loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.'Blues top line center excited by recent acquisitions, affirms his commitment to St. Louis with no desire to be moved
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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Baseball players propose limiting optional assignments to minors at 3 per season, down from 5

NEW YORK — Baseball players proposed that optional assignments to the minor leagues be cut from a maximum of five per season to three, aimed at reducing roster churn that teams use for their bullpen back ends in an era when relief pitchers throw an increased portion of games.

During a bargaining session Wednesday with Major League Baseball, the union also asked that active rosters be increased to 28 from 26 during the first 15 days of each season, including a maximum of 14 pitchers that would be up from the current 13.

Players also proposed the 60-day injured list open at the time of the November tender deadline rather than the first day players can report to spring training. The change would allow teams to protect more players from the Rule 5 draft during the winter meetings because players on the 60-day IL do not count against the 40-man roster limit.

The union asked that MLB agree to accelerate eligibility for the Rule 5 draft and to ensure the draft will be held this year, even if management locks out players after the current five-year labor contract expires Dec. 1.

It also wants pitchers to be credited with major league service time if they are optioned to the minors during the All-Star break or after a game in which they meet specified performance thresholds.

Players also want a guarantee of access to team performance and video data that is not proprietary.

Owners have proposed a salary cap for the first time since the 1994-95 strike that led to the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.

While a lockout next winter is expected, talks are not likely to intensify until late February or early March 2027, when the possibilities of losing regular-season games and revenue near. If regular-season games are lost, negotiations may become a standoff over which side can tolerate the most economic loss.

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Lakers feel Walker Kessler is perfect center to play with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 7: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz shoots a free throw during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 7, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Since the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić, they’ve been trying to find an elite center to pair with him.

They tried to bring in Mark Williams, but the trade was rescinded. They brought in Deandre Ayton last season, but that didn’t work either.

Nothing has been quite good enough, and with Luka reportedly wanting this position addressed, it was a top priority this summer. The Lakers have accomplished their goal by reportedly trading for Walker Kessler.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers feel this is the big of the future.

Kessler was one of the most coveted restricted free agents this season. The reasons why are obvious.

He is an elite defensive big and a walking double-double, which is why the Jazz certainly didn’t trade him for nothing. The Lakers had to give up their 2031 and 2033 first round picks, along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Add in that this is a four-year, $130 million deal, and it’s clear that this is an all-in move by the Lakers front office.

However, given LeBron James’s departure, the price is perfectly fine if it secures the center position for the future and keeps Luka and Austin Reaves happy. Kessler is an elite rim protector who will clean up a lot of LA’s defensive mistakes. During his four seasons with the Jazz, he averaged 2.4 blocks per game.

Last year, the Lakers had a defensive rating of 115.5, which was 20th in the NBA. That will likely improve with Kessler on the floor.

Offensively, Kessler is a consistent scorer and will be a good pick-and-roll partner for Reaves and Dončić. Kessler’s scoring has increased each year, and now with two elite guards feeding him the ball, it’s almost guaranteed this will be a career year scoring-wise for him.

So yes, the price was steep, and the consequences if it doesn’t work will be as well. But this is exactly the kind of move that can place the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Former Senators Goalie Traded To Rangers As Sens Continue To Pick Up Part Of His Tab

It's never a badge of honour when an NHL team has to pay a man to play for the enemy.

That's how it's been for the Senators, who've been paying Joonas Korpisalo $1 million a year to play for the Boston Bruins the past two seasons. But after his trade to the New York Rangers on Wednesday, at least he's out of the Atlantic Division now.

Boston dealt the veteran goalie to the Blueshirts for their 2028 fourth-round draft pick and forward Kalle Vaisanen. Korpisalo still has two years and $8 million left on his deal, #2 million of which will be paid by the Senators.

Steve Staios discusses while his goalie experts like Samuel Ersson as a trade target (Senators).

How did this retained salary come to be for the Sens?

In 2023, GM Pierre Dorion signed Korpisalo to a five-year contract worth $20 million. Korpisalo lasted just one season, and new GM Steve Staios shipped him to Boston in the Linus Ullmark trade. As part of the deal, the Senators would retain 25 percent of Korpisalo's salary.

He appeared in 31 games for the Bruins this season, posting a 14-9-6 record, a 3.15 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. His seasonal highlight came in Milan, representing Team Finland and earning a bronze medal at the 2026 Olympics.

Korpisalo has played in 334 career NHL games for the Bruins, Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets. In his one season with the Sens, he did something Linus Ullmark has never done and that's play in more than 50 games (55).

He's also the holder of the NHL record for most saves (85) in a single playoff game. That performance came during a 3-2, five-overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020.

Korpisalo was originally selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 62nd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

He's not the only player still earning money to not play for the Senators. Former first-rounder Colin White also has two years to go at $875,000 as part of his buyout. He played full-time for San Jose's farm club, where he was teammates with Sens newcomer Kasper Halttunen.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators check out one of the latest headlines below:

Free Agency: Senators Officially Sign Samuel Ersson As Their Backup Goalie
The Senators May Have Just Chosen Burakovsky Over Giroux
Senators Walk Away From AHL's Top Goal Scorer
Meet The Future: Senators Draft Offensive Skill With Two First-Round Picks
At A Glance, Senators' Draft Day Trades Are Head Scratchers
Brady Tkachuk Had a Chance to Write His Own Story. He Chose Matthew's

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Islanders sign Vitek Vanecek to add needed goalie depth in NHL free agency

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A hockey goalie in a black jersey with a mammoth logo and light blue and white stripes looks forward while holding his helmet in one hand, Image 2 shows Hockey goalie in a black and light blue uniform during a playoffs game
Islanders goalie signing

The Islanders have their goaltending plan set — just in case Semyon Varlamov isn’t ready to return.

While general manager Mathieu Darche said Saturday they plan on having Varlamov back up Ilya Sorokin if healthy, the Islanders still signed Vitek Vanecek to a one-year deal worth $1 million, according to TSN.

Vanecek, who won 33 games with the Devils in 2022-23 and then won a ring with the Panthers in 2025 as a backup, spent last year with the Mammoth — where he finished with a 5-13-3 record, a .883 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average.

Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Utah Mammoth skates back to the net after a stoppage during the third period of their game against the Washington Capitals at the Delta Center on March 26, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Getty Images

Vanecek will essentially fill the role of David Rittich, who the Islanders relied on for 28 starts last year with Varlamov out.

Varlamov has undergone two knee replacement surgeries and last appeared in an NHL game in November 2024, though he appeared in two games with AHL Bridgeport on a conditioning loan late last season.

“We’re obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves,” Darche said of Varlamov on Saturday. “Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He’s under contract, he feels great. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be our backup next year.

“He’s been training, no medication, no anything. He’s been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It’s very encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”

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Rangers place Corey Seager on the injured list because of lower back inflammation

CLEVELAND — Corey Seager is back on the injured list.

The Texas Rangers shortstop was placed on the 10-day injured list before the game against the Cleveland Guardians because of lower back inflammation.

Seager was in the lineup for the previous game but was removed before his first at-bat when his back flared up during warmups.

He returned from the IL on June 25 after missing 12 games because of a concussion he sustained in a home plate collision with Kansas City catcher Carter Jensen on June 11.

The 32-year-old Seager also missed 19 games from mid-May through early June because of back problems.

Seager is batting .182 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs in 50 games. The five-time All-Star went 1 for 10 but walked five times in 15 at-bats since returning from his concussion.

Texas called up infielder Josh Smith recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to fill Seager’s roster spot.

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Giants vs Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for July 1

Arizona (43-42) extended its winning streak over San Francisco (35-50) to eight games and remained undefeated versus the Giants this year.

The Diamondbacks have outscored the Giants, 45-21 in the season series. However, over June, Arizona hit .225 (26th) with the third-fewest runs scored (99) over 27 games. The Diamondbacks pitching staff also boasted bottom 10 numbers for the month like ERA (4.90, 25th) and OBA (.267, 25th). Arizona will face Milwaukee, San Diego, and the Los Angeles Dodgers to wrap up the first half of the season.

San Francisco has lost four of the previous six games and seven of the last 11. The Giants have the fourth-worst road record on the year (17-28) and lost five straight away from home. San Francisco will look to Trevor McDonald to snap the losing streak as he attempts to break the three-game losing streak the Giants have when he's on the mound (plus six of the last seven).

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Giants at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field 
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Giants at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: San Francisco Giants (+109), Arizona Diamondbacks (-131)
  • Spread: Diamondbacks -1.5 (+153), Giants +1.5 (-186)
  • Total: 9.5

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Diamondbacks 

  • Wednesday's pitching matchup (July 1): Trevor McDonald vs. Zac Gallen 
  • Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen

2026 stats: 86.1 IP, 3-7, 6.15 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 52 K, 27 BB

  • Giants: Trevor McDonald

2026 Stats: 51.0 IP, 2-6, 4.94 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 45 Ks, 19 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Giants’ Luis Arraez is hitting .331 with 105 hits, 4 home runs and 32 RBI over 317 at-bats
  • The Giants’ Drew Gilbert is hitting .228 with 38 hits and 34 strikeouts over 167 at-bats
  • The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is hitting .272 with 83 hits, 13 home runs, and 43 RBI over 305 at-bats
  • The Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .226 with 31 hits and 26 strikeouts over 137 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Giants at Diamondbacks

  • San Francisco is 39-46 ATS, ranking eighth-worst
  • Arizona is 46-39 ATS, ranking eighth-best
  • San Francisco is 40-38-7 to the Under
  • Arizona is an MLB-leading 45-35-5 to the Under
  • San Francisco is 20-25 ATS on the road, ranking seventh-worst
  • Arizona is 23-18 ATS at home, ranking sixth-best

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Giants

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Diamondbacks and the Giants:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Giants on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Giants at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.5

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Wild Sign Veteran Goaltender Calvin Pickard On A One-Year Deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have found their backup goaltender, signing veteran netminder Calvin Pickard in free agency.

With Filip Gustavsson expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season, Pickard gives Minnesota an experienced option to share the crease with Jesper Wallstedt early in the year.

The 34-year-old is coming off three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, where he emerged as a dependable backup and made key playoff appearances during the club's consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

Pickard appeared in 36 regular-season games in 2024-25, posting a 22-10-1 record while providing steady play behind Edmonton's starter. 

Last season, he started 13 games and went 5-6-2 with a 3.68 goals-against average and a .871 save percentage. He is 74-77-14 in his NHL career with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage with five shutouts.

He has played in 191 career games across 11 seasons with six different teams. The Wild will be his seventh team in his 12th season.

A veteran of more than a decade in professional hockey, Pickard brings valuable NHL experience to a Wild team that needed a reliable backup while Gustavsson recovers.

His addition also allows Minnesota to avoid rushing Wallstedt into a heavier workload than planned to begin the season.

The signing addresses one of the Wild's biggest needs on the opening day of free agency and gives the club stability in net heading into training camp.

Pickard's deal is a one-year, $1 million.

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Posted on

Blake Grimmer returning to Tennessee baseball for 2027

Tennessee's Blake Grimmer (14) rounds third base towards home plate during an NCAA college baseball game against Texas in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 8, 2026. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After testing the MLB Draft waters, Blake Grimmer has opted to withdraw his name from this month’s event. He will instead return to Tennessee baseball for another season in Knoxville.

The announcement was made on Wednesday afternoon.

Grimmer hit .283 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs during the 2026 season, which was his first full season as a starter. He will be a redshirt junior next season, where he can play either first, second or third base. Grimmer hit .18 with four home runs during the 2025 season. He redshirted during Tennessee’s 2024 national title season.

Grimmer eventually settled in the No. 2 spot in Tennessee’s lineup for Josh Elander after dealing with an injury that cost him the early portions of the season. The former top 150 overall prospect in the class of 2023 will now be one of Tennessee’s top returners next season.

After playing second base for much of last season, Grimmer will likely slide elsewhere with former Air Force second baseman Wyatt Hanoian now in the lineup. Hanioan hit .357 with 49 RBIs last year for the Falcons.

The MLB Draft is set to begin on July 11th, where Elander and the staff will get a clearer picture of next year’s roster.