Wisconsin knew it had to improve its culture after going 5-7 last year for its first losing season since 2001.
A loss — and a new Cody Bellinger/Paul Goldschmidt nugget — show why reeling Yankees seem headed toward 'soft buying' at best
The Yankees aren’t selling. They just don’t do that around here, especially not when they’re in playoff position.
Right?
Right. Almost certainly.
But Monday’s 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay did nothing to restore the front office’s faith in the team. It was further reinforcement of their likely approach, first reported by SNY on Saturday, to be what you might call “soft buyers,” making moves that improve the current roster without risking the future.
In that column, we relayed that the Yankees were floating some of their free-agent-to-be relievers in preliminary trade talks. We have since learned through league sources that last week the Yanks brought up Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt in talks with at least one other club.
Wait, what?
That does not mean that the Yankees will trade Bellinger and/or Goldschmidt. In fact, we’d still be very surprised.
But the nugget is telling in its timing: this conversation happened last week, when the Yanks were concerned that Aaron Judge would need season-ending elbow surgery. If that had happened, GM Brian Cashman might have gone into sell mode. They were probably laying groundwork, just in case. This alone gives us another data point on how the front office might feel about its team.
Judge did not need surgery, meaning that the season is still on. Technically. There are voices encouraging Cashman to go all-in before Thursday’s trade deadline. In a weak American League, they really could still find themselves in the World Series.
The way to get there is to add a few relievers to acquisitions Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario without sacrificing top prospects -- the major league team has not earned the right to an addition that would cost Spencer Jones and Cam Schlittler.
Once Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. return from the injured list, the bullpen will be deeper. The Yankees do not have a particularly difficult schedule down the stretch, either, with plenty of games against the Twins, Orioles and White Sox.
There is, then, a path out of this morass. But Cashman and his seasoned lieutenants have seen many seasons to be fooled into feeling inspired by this year’s team. Sometimes even the best organizations have a down year.
Chris Paul on Clippers: 'I wanted to get back and play here.' Could it be for more than one year?
Chris Paul's re-introduction to Los Angeles ended up being more emotional than he expected, with hundreds of Clippers fans chanting "C-P-3."It's kind of wild, kind of crazy," Paul said of the experience. "Still kind of speechless."
Paul has returned to the Clippers, where he played for six seasons, leading the "Lob City" team alongside Blake Griffin, which was a contender in the West but was undone by a painful series of injuries and playoff collapses. Those were the peak CP3 years — in his first five years with the Clippers he never finished lower than seventh in MVP voting — and he averaged 18.8 points and 9.8 assists a game with the team.
He's not returning because of nostalgia, however. He said it was a "no brainer" to Los Angeles because this is where his family lives.
"This is one of those things that kind of manifested for a long time, sort of tried to speak it into existence, but you just never know if it's really gonna happen," Paul said of his return. "Because I love to hoop. I love to play this game, but I love my family more than any of it...
"I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary."
He wanted to return enough that he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews he could play a couple more seasons, despite the general expectation this season will be his last.
Paul's role will be different with the Clippers than it was a season ago in San Antonio, where he started all 82 games. With the Clippers, Paul will come off the bench as part of a beefed-up second unit — the Clippers are older but have 11 solid rotation players Tyronn Lue can lean on.
Lue was one of the reasons CP3 wanted to return.
"I'm excited to play for T. Lue, right?" Paul said of the Clippers' coach. "See, people probably don't remember, T. Lue was my assistant coach when I was here with the Clippers, and we've stayed close over the years...
"There's a lot of great coaches in this league, but T. Lue is one of the coaches that I think teams, like you have to prepare for him too. It's weird being on other teams playing against the Clippers, because a lot of times you're just scouting, how do we stop Kawhi? How do we stop this? But just know a lot of teams respect T. Lue and his ability."
Paul, Lue and these Clippers are poised to win a lot of games this season — they won 50 a year ago and got better this offseason. That winning is something Paul wanted to be a part of, too.
But mostly, the return was about his family, and they were on hand for his emotional day on Monday, too.
Yankees' bats go quietly in 4-2 series opening loss to Rays
The Yankees lost the opener of their four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2, on Monday night.
Here are the takeaways...
-Most of the scoring in this one happened in the first inning as fans were still piling into the stadium and getting to their seats. It started with the Rays who got two early runs off Cam Schlittler after Home Run Derby runner-up Junior Caminero got a hold of one and sent it 397 feet to left center field for his 27th homer of the season.
The two-run shot happened after Schlittler retired the first two batters of the inning but then walked Jonathan Aranda following a tough nine-pitch battle that kept the inning going. After the home run, Schlittler walked two more in the inning. He got the final out on a 110 mph line drive off the bat of Tristan Gray that was caught by Cody Bellinger in right field.
-Staked to a 2-0 lead, Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen hoped to continue his dominant ways against the Yankees. Entering Monday, the right-hander owned a 0.34 ERA against New York (one earned run in 26.2 innings) and hadn't allowed a single run at Yankee Stadium through two starts and 13 innings.
However, with Rays catcher Danny Jansen a late scratch from the lineup after getting traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, Matt Thaiss was inserted behind the plate last-minute. Perhaps the late switch messed with Rasmussen as his scoreless streak against New York in the Bronx was quickly broken after the Yanks responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first.
-Three straight singles by Jasson Dominguez, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton loaded the bases before Rasmussen walked Jazz Chisholm Jr. to force in a run. After striking out Paul Goldschmidt whose offensive struggles continue, Rasmussen walked in another run, this time losing Ryan McMahon on a full-count to tie the game. With the bases still loaded, Austin Wells popped out to end an eventful first inning.
-From there, things quieted down despite constant traffic on the bases for Schlittler. The rookie was able to get out of the next three innings without allowing another run, but he couldn't do it in the fifth. A walk and two singles produced the Rays' third run of the game and gave them a 3-2 lead. It was also the end of the road for Schlittler who left after 4.1 innings where he allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out five.
-In relief of Schlittler, Brent Headrick made his first appearance for New York since June 8 and struck out both batters he faced to strand runners at the corners and keep it a one-run game. He added a scoreless sixth, as well.
-Meanwhile, Rasmussen settled into a groove after his difficult first inning and went five innings, retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he faced.
-Tampa Bay scored an insurance run in the eighth on a sac fly to double its lead. It wouldn't need it, though, as the Yankees offense couldn't score again. McMahon had a two-out single in the ninth and with Wells as the tying run he gave it a ride but lined out to center field for the final out of the game.
Game MVP: Drew Rasmussen
After a hiccup in the first inning, the Yankee killer was back and limited New York's floundering offense through five innings.
Highlights
Ryan McMahon draws a walk and the game is tied! pic.twitter.com/21a0R734H8
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 28, 2025
What's next
The Yankees continue their four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
LHP Max Fried (11-4, 2.62 ERA) matches up against RHP Joe Boyle (1-0, 1.42 ERA).
Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers a pitching master class in Dodgers' win over Reds
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s season can be divided into three distinct parts so far.
The thrilling opening act, when the second-year Japanese star started the season with a 4-2 record and 0.90 earned-run average in his first seven starts.
A shaky middle stanza, when the 26-year-old right-hander stumbled with a 2-4 mark and 4.43 ERA over his next eight outings from May 8 to June 19.
And lately, what he and the Dodgers hope will be a midseason revival, with Yamamoto rounding back into Cy Young-caliber form again with a 3-1 record and 1.71 ERA over his last six trips to the mound bump.
Read more:As Dodgers look to upgrade outfield, Harrison Bader could be a trade deadline fit
In a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, Yamamoto delivered another master class for the Dodgers at Great American Ball Park, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out nine over seven superb innings.
"He was fantastic,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It seemed like he had all of his pitches working tonight.”
Indeed, it was Yamamoto once again at his best. Filling up the strike zone. Working ahead in counts. And getting almost nothing but empty swings and soft contact after allowing his lone run in the first.
Yamamoto got 17 whiffs, gave up just two balls hit harder than 95 mph (MLB’s threshold for “hard hit” contact) and largely cruised against a Reds team battling for a National League wild-card spot.
“My stuff today was really good,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda.
“Yoshi has so many pitches,” added catcher Dalton Rushing, “he can basically manipulate anything.”
Yamamoto's only trouble came early, when the Reds (56-51) loaded the bases on two singles and a walk in the first before scoring on a ground ball from former Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux.
After that, Rushing said he and Yamamoto made “a couple pivots” in their game plan, mixing in more sinkers and curveballs to go along with his primary fastball-splitter combination.
“We had to change lanes a little bit and kind of mix it up,” Rushing said. “Once we found our groove, it was just easier."
From the second inning on, only one other baserunner even reached scoring position in what was Yamamoto’s fifth start this season of at least seven innings and no more than one run. At one point, he retired 10 hitters in a row, keeping the Reds quiet while the Dodgers broke open an early 1-1 tie with two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh.
“He seemed like he got better as the game went on, which is a good sign,” Roberts said. “Overall, just outstanding."
Monday was the start of what the Dodgers (62-45) envision as a week-long stretch of strong starting pitching.
On Tuesday, Tyler Glasnow will take the mound. On Wednesday, it will be Shohei Ohtani, who was pushed back a few days in order to pitch ahead of an off day. And after Clayton Kershaw goes on Friday in a series opener in Tampa Bay, marquee offseason signing Blake Snell will make his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury later in the weekend.
That’s the kind of star power the Dodgers hope to have for the rest of the season, crossing their fingers that the star-studded group will stay healthy and intact through the campaign’s final two months.
“We feel really good,” Roberts said of the rotation. “Kind of trying to stabilize some things in the 'pen. But I think with the starters … [it’s] encouraging.”
Still, while Snell and Glasnow have missed significant time with injury, and Ohtani has been ever-methodically built up, it is Yamamoto who has helped carry the starting staff this season, improving to 9-7 on the year with a 2.48 ERA (third-best in the National League).
Read more:With Dodgers battling more injuries, prospect Alex Freeland could make MLB debut
“It's good to see him get back, [compared to] when he was kind of middling for a bit there, to being the dominant pitcher that we know he can be,” Roberts said.
On Monday, Yamamoto got plenty of help from his offense.
Mookie Betts led the game off with a double on his hardest-hit ball (103.8 mph) in almost a month, before scoring on Teoscar Hernández’s RBI single. In the fifth, Ohtani put the Dodgers in front with a two-run double to center. In the seventh, Hernández and Freddie Freeman each singled home insurance runs.
The scoring was nice for a Dodgers offense coming off two frustrating losses full of missed chances over this past weekend in Boston.
But in the big picture, it’s Yamamoto and the pitching staff that might be most important in the team’s title defense — with Monday serving as another reminder of the firepower he, and they, possess.
Read more:Dodgers Dugout
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tigers acquire Paddack from division rival Twins to plug rotation hole from Olson's injury
MINNEAPOLIS — The AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers acquired starting pitcher Chris Paddack from the flagging division rival Minnesota Twins in a three-player trade on Monday to plug another injury-created vacancy in their rotation.
The Tigers announced right-hander Reese Olson will miss the remainder of the regular season with a strained shoulder suffered during his most recent bullpen session, joining right-hander Jackson Jobe on the shelf. Olson could return for the playoffs.
“We wish we could’ve added Chris and kept Reese, but that’s not in the cards," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said, praising Paddack's experience, fastball and approach. "He goes right at hitters. That’s always been our pitching philosophy, and we think he’s going to fit in well.”
The Twins packaged Paddack and depth right-hander Randy Dobnak for catcher Enrique Jimenez, who was the Tigers' 14th-best prospect in MLB's preseason rankings. After losing six of their first nine games out of the All-Star break, even the wild-card race has become bleak for the Twins, with the fourth-worst record in the AL entering the week.
“World just got twisted upside down, to say the least. It stinks. This business is out of our control sometimes," Paddack said. "I was really pulling for us, as a Twin. I was hoping we would make some moves and go get that wild-card spot, but I’m excited for this new opportunity with a new team. They have a special group over there."
Paddack will make his debut for Detroit on Wednesday against Arizona. Dobnak was sent to Triple-A Toledo.
Paddack was one of the six pending free agents who figured to be expendable for the Twins leading up to the trade deadline on Thursday, along with multi-position player Willi Castro, outfielder Harrison Bader, reliever Danny Coulombe, first baseman Ty France, and catcher Christian Vázquez. Still, Paddack said he was surprised when the Twins told him before their game against Boston that he was being traded.
“That just means he was focusing on his job and not worrying too much,” manager Rocco Baldelli said, adding: “The more you’re on your phone, the more you’re going to read and the more you’re going to wonder and speculate and none of that is productive if you’re a Major League Baseball player.”
The 29-year-old Paddack went 3-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 21 starts for the Twins this season, with 27 walks and 83 strikeouts in 111 innings and a .266 opponent batting average.
Acquired by Minnesota in a trade with San Diego right before the start of the 2022 season, Paddack made five starts that year before suffering the second torn UCL of his career and needing Tommy John surgery. He returned for the 2023 postseason in a bullpen role and slotted back in the rotation in what was an up-and-down, injury-affected 2024 season.
Paddack went 10-14 with a 4.88 ERA over 45 appearances with Minnesota, including 43 starts. The Tigers and Twins play seven more times this season, including a three-game series in Detroit next week, so he figures to face his former team soon.
“I’ve had some good outings, some bad ones, and some ones I don’t even want to look at the line because it’s a lot of crooked numbers. But I kept my head down, came into the clubhouse every day, and stayed consistent in my routine,” Paddack said. “And I’m going to continue that over in Detroit.”
The Tigers have struggled to find a fifth starter since Jobe, their top prospect and the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, needed Tommy John surgery in late May. Keider Montero filled the role for most of the season, but he has averaged fewer than five innings per appearance to put more pressure on an overloaded bullpen.
Rookie Troy Melton, who was to make his second career start on Monday, is expected to move into a long-relief role for the Tigers, who took an eight-game lead on Cleveland into the week.
The 19-year-old Jimenez had a .779 OPS with 32 RBIs in 48 games for Detroit's rookie league club. The switch-hitter, who was signed out of Venezuela in 2023, will add some catching depth to a Twins organization that was lacking it.
The 30-year-old Dobnak is making $3 million this season, but he has spent most of 2025 with Triple-A St. Paul, like he has since signing a five-year major league contract with the Twins in 2021 that guaranteed him $9.25 million. He made the opening day roster and had one relief appearance before being sent down. Dobnak has a 4.86 ERA in 140 2/3 career innings since making his debut with the Twins in 2019.
Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg dies after battling cancer
Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
David Banks/David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
Sandberg was surrounded by his family when he died at his home on Monday, according to the team.
Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and then said in August 2024 that he was cancer-free.
But he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs. He announced this month that he was still fighting, while “looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sandberg “will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise.”
“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career,” Ricketts said in the team’s statement.
Sandberg was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He was selected out of high school by Philadelphia in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft.
He made his major league debut in 1981 and went 1 for 6 in 13 games with the Phillies. In January 1982, he was traded to Chicago along with Larry Bowa for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus.
It turned into one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.
Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 15 years with Chicago. He made 10 All-Star teams — winning the Home Run Derby in 1990 — and took home nine Gold Gloves.
“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic.”
Even with Sandberg’s stellar play, the Cubs made just two postseason appearances while he was in Chicago.
He was the NL MVP in 1984, batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples and 114 runs scored. Chicago won the NL East and Sandberg hit .368 (7 for 19) in the playoffs, but the Cubs were eliminated by San Diego after winning the first two games of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.
The 1984 season featured what Cubs fans still call “The Sandberg Game,” when he homered twice and drove in seven runs in a 12-11 victory over St. Louis in 11 innings on June 23.
Chicago paid tribute to Sandberg and that game when it unveiled a statue of the infielder outside Wrigley Field on that date in 2024.
“He was a superhero in this city,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said during a TV broadcast of the team’s game on July 20. “You think about (Michael) Jordan, Walter Payton and Ryne Sandberg all here at the same time, and I can’t imagine a person handling their fame better, their responsibility for a city better than he did.”
Sandberg led Chicago back to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers as the Cubs won the NL East. He batted .400 (8 for 20) in the NLCS, but Chicago lost to San Francisco in five games.
Sandberg set a career high with an NL-best 40 homers in 1990 and drove in a career-best 100 runs in 1990 and 1991, but he never made it back to the postseason. He retired after the 1997 season.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving 76.2% of the vote by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third try on the ballot. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that same year.
Sandberg also managed Philadelphia from August 2013 to June 2015, going 119-159. He got the interim job when Charlie Manuel was fired, and he resigned with the Phillies in the middle of a difficult 2015 season.
Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg has died after battling cancer
Jun 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
David Banks/David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Ryne Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman who became one of baseball’s best all-around players while starring for the Chicago Cubs, has died. He was 65.
Sandberg was surrounded by his family when he died at his home on Monday, according to the team.
Sandberg announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and then said in August 2024 that he was cancer-free.
But he posted on Instagram on Dec. 10 that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs. He announced this month that he was still fighting, while “looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.”
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said Sandberg “will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise.”
“His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career,” Ricketts said in the team’s statement.
Sandberg was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. He was selected out of high school by Philadelphia in the 20th round of the 1978 amateur draft.
He made his major league debut in 1981 and went 1 for 6 in 13 games with the Phillies. In January 1982, he was traded to Chicago along with Larry Bowa for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus.
It turned into one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history.
Sandberg hit .285 with 282 homers, 1,061 RBIs and 344 steals in 15 years with Chicago. He made 10 All-Star teams — winning the Home Run Derby in 1990 — and took home nine Gold Gloves.
“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic.”
Even with Sandberg’s stellar play, the Cubs made just two postseason appearances while he was in Chicago.
He was the NL MVP in 1984, batting .314 with 19 homers, 84 RBIs, 32 steals, 19 triples and 114 runs scored. Chicago won the NL East and Sandberg hit .368 (7 for 19) in the playoffs, but the Cubs were eliminated by San Diego after winning the first two games of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.
The 1984 season featured what Cubs fans still call “The Sandberg Game,” when he homered twice and drove in seven runs in a 12-11 victory over St. Louis in 11 innings on June 23.
Chicago paid tribute to Sandberg and that game when it unveiled a statue of the infielder outside Wrigley Field on that date in 2024.
“He was a superhero in this city,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said during a TV broadcast of the team’s game on July 20. “You think about (Michael) Jordan, Walter Payton and Ryne Sandberg all here at the same time, and I can’t imagine a person handling their fame better, their responsibility for a city better than he did.”
Sandberg led Chicago back to the playoffs in 1989, hitting .290 with 30 homers as the Cubs won the NL East. He batted .400 (8 for 20) in the NLCS, but Chicago lost to San Francisco in five games.
Sandberg set a career high with an NL-best 40 homers in 1990 and drove in a career-best 100 runs in 1990 and 1991, but he never made it back to the postseason. He retired after the 1997 season.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, receiving 76.2% of the vote by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his third try on the ballot. The Cubs retired his No. 23 that same year.
Sandberg also managed Philadelphia from August 2013 to June 2015, going 119-159. He got the interim job when Charlie Manuel was fired, and he resigned with the Phillies in the middle of a difficult 2015 season.
Mets Notes: Next steps for Paul Blackburn; Carlos Mendoza on recent contributions from younger players
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza gave a handful of updates on the team prior to their series opening game against the Padres in San Diego.
Next steps for Paul Blackburn
Mets veteran pitcher Paul Blackburntossed six-plus innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and Mendoza discussed the plan for him as he nears his return from a shoulder injury.
"He was traveling today. It was an off day from throwing after the outing yesterday," Mendoza said. "He's going to check back with our trainers back in Citi Field and then tomorrow we'll talk to him. We'll see where he's at, how he's feeling, and then we got to make a decision. But we got to hear from him too."
"Really good," Mendoza added. "Ball was coming out nice, 91, 93. Just commanding the baseball, and that's what makes him who he is. This is a guy, in and out, up and down, changes speed, and that's what he did yesterday. He continues to trend in the right direction, hopefully that's the case tomorrow, and then we'll see what the next step will be."
Blackburn allowed one run on Sunday and has allowed just three runs in total over three rehab outings. He started four games and made two relief appearances with New York before landing on the IL, pitching to a 7.71 ERA and 1.98 WHIP with 15 strikeouts over 18.2 innings.
Latest on Tylor Megill
As for fellow injured pitcher Tylor Megill, who was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 8, continues to progress from his right elbow strain. Mendoza noted the right-hander threw a bullpen on Sunday and will get another session prior to going up against hitters.
"Yeah, he threw one yesterday. Came out fine. Think he's got another one before he starts facing batters."
Mendoza said last week after a positive bullpen session that Megill is "moving in the right direction."
The 30-year-old has gone 5-5 across 14 starts, owning a 3.95 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 89 strikeouts over 68.1 IP this season.
Contributions from younger players
The bottom half of the Mets lineup has consisted mostly of their younger players, all former top prospects, who have struggled at times but more recently have been showing very promising signs.
Brett Baty is hitting .273 with six walks over his last 15 games, Mark Vientos has picked it up with 13 hits over the same time frame, Francisco Alvarez is mashing .353 with four extra-base hits since returning from the minors on July 21, and Ronny Mauricio notched his first career four-hit night in Sunday's win over the San Francisco Giants. Plus, Luisangel Acuña continues to show his speed on the base bath off the bench.
When asked about the group's contributions as of late, the manager said he's proud of how they've adapted this season.
"It means a lot," Mendoza said. "It makes our lineup a lot deeper when you're getting contributions up and down. We've been giving these guys opportunities. From day one we said it in spring training, that they were going to get opportunities. It's been a grind, ups and downs. But that's part of a big league life and the development and the understanding that you're going to go through stretches where it's not easy and you gotta find a way. And they've done that.
"I feel like whether they're in the lineup or not, adding versatility, different roles like Acuña's case where he's not in the lineup but making an impact defensively, baserunning. Vientos, Baty providing some versatility at second base. And the way that they're swinging the bat. Alvy, since he's been back, like the at-bats have been unbelievable, and defensively as well. We knew we had good players and they're stepping up right now."
Mendoza added that he's happy with how Vientos "continues to work, continues to grind" amid his tough sophomore season and the team is still counting on him.
"I will say not happy, but also understanding that he's got an opportunity, when he's in the lineup he can help us win baseball games," Mendoza said. "He continues to work, continues to grind, continues to make adjustments. He's a really good player and we're going to need him."
Vientos is hitting just .226 with six homers over 73 games this year after blasting 27 HRs in 2024.
With the trade deadline coming up later this week on July 31, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported earlier Monday that the Mets have been discussing Vientos in trade talks and rival executives believe New York is willing to move the 3B/DH. The team has also been asked about Baty and Mauricio, but "are not actively trying to rid themselves of any of those young infielders," Martino noted. New York is expected to look for relief pitching and potentially starting pitching.
Blackhawks Have Interesting Potential Target In Ex-Bruins Forward
When looking at the Chicago Blackhawks' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use a bit more forward depth. Due to this, bringing in another potential option for their bottom six could be smart for the Original Six club.
When looking at players who are still available on the free-agent market, one interesting option is forward Jakub Lauko.
Lauko became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 after the Boston Bruins elected not to tender him a qualifying offer. Since then, he has not found his new home, but he would have the potential to be a solid addition for the Blackhawks if brought in.
Lauko spent this past season split between the Minnesota Wild and Bruins, where he set new career highs with five goals and 11 points in 56 games. He also made an impact when it came to his physicality, as he finished the year with 119 hits.
Lauko is known for being an energy player who provides a lot of grit and toughness, so he could be a nice depth pickup for the Blackhawks. He would offer them another option for their fourth line, and he is still young enough that he could be a nice fit on a rebuilding club like the Blackhawks. This is especially so when noting that he can play both on the wing and down the middle.
Thus, on a one-year deal or professional tryout (PTO), Lauko could be worth taking a shot on.
Former Blackhawks Forward Still A Free AgentWith August just about here, we have seen the majority of this year's NHL unrestricted free agents (UFAs) get signed. As a result of this, things around the league have naturally slowed down, which is a common occurrence during this part of the summer.
Phillies can't shake travel woes as they drop one to the White Sox
Phillies can't shake travel woes as they drop one to the White Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
CHICAGO – Lots of yawns and slow-moving bodies surrounding the Phillies Monday before their game with the Chicago White Sox as a ground stoppage in New York on Sunday didn’t allow the team to leave for Chicago until around midnight. If they were looking for some adrenaline during their game at Rate Field, there was none to be had in front of a sparse crowd. And though the Phillies took a two-run lead early in the game, there was enough juice all around to hold it as they lost 6-2 to the White Sox.
Starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez was flat for the first few innings, and he uncharacteristically gave up a pair of two-run homers, one to Colson Montgomery, a lefty, in the third and another to Luis Robert, Jr. in the fourth.
“Four runs, two pitches,” said Sánchez, who fell to 9-3 on the season after giving up those four runs in 6.2 innings. “We have to keep grinding and battling. That’s how I was able to go out a couple more innings. I don’t like to make excuses, but yeah, we did have a long day yesterday, a really long day. I felt a little sluggish. Also the weather was really humid today. But that was just a part of it. I did feel a little uncomfortable out there.”
The whole night felt a bit odd, partly due to the dull atmosphere at the ballpark, partly due to seeing Sánchez struggle early. Giving up a home run to a left hander is something he rarely does.
“He just hung a breaking ball and the home run to Robert was a changeup and it didn’t have the normal action on it that it normally does,” said Rob Thomson. “After the second or third, Sanchy said he just felt a little fatigued. Didn’t know if it was travel, coming off a complete game, humidity, but the fifth, sixth and seventh he turned it on and had the finish back in his pitches.
Even his fastball and slider didn’t seem like they had the finish that it normally does. But then he got it in the fifth.”
But the damage had been done by the White Sox and they improved to 39-68 on the season while the Phillies dropped to 60-46.
The fear of it being a long game after the previous day’s struggles with travel seemed a reality in the first inning as Chicago starting pitcher Davis Martin struck out Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Harper got a little revenge in the third when he drove in two runs with a single to left to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. It was short-lived as Chicago started having fun with the long ball off Sánchez.
“We hit some balls hard,” said Thomson. “I thought Schwarb had some good at-bats, Harper. All the lefties for the most part. Kemp hits the ball to the wall. I thought we swung ok.”
Just not good enough on this hot and humid night. Though no one wants to deal out the excuses, Sunday’s delay in New York certainly couldn’t have helped.
Mum’s the word
With Thursday’s tread deadline quickly approaching, Rob Thomson was pressed on what may be going on there. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has been with the team through the road trip so far.
“There’s been conversations, but I don’t think we’re necessarily close on anything,” Thomson said. “We had good conversations. I mean really good conversations.” Asked if there are things discussed that would be upgrading the team, Thomson said: “I would think so. I trust other people on that type of stuff. They’re the evaluators. I think we’re all on the same page.”
The biggest name the Phillies have been linked to in various reports is Eugenio Suarez, the power-hitting infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has 36 home runs and 87 RBI this season. Suarez has played all but one game this season at third base. Friday against Pittsburgh, he played first. He left Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand.
Robertson sees action
Newly acquired veteran left hander David Robertson saw action in Lehigh Valley on Saturday night, pitching one inning and having the strange line of giving up three hits and no runs. Robertson threw 12 pitches, 10 of them for strikes.
“Good,” said Rob Thomson of Robertson’s outing. “He’s going to go again (Tuesday) for an inning. And, yeah, just figure out where we’re at after that. He’s at 92 (miles-per-hour) and I think he gave up three singles. Threw a guy out at the plate, so he didn’t give up any runs. Didn’t strike anybody out and I don’t think he walked anybody. So basically it was fastball, slider, twelve pitches. Yeah, hopefully (he’ll be up). We’ll see.”
After signing him last week, the Phillies optioned Robertson, 40, to Lehigh Valley where he must stay for at least 15 days.
What’s the update on Alec Bohm?
Third baseman Alec Bohm continues his quest to get back to the lineup as soon as possible. He joined the team on Sunday in New York and Monday in Chicago was out on the field getting in some sprinting and other things. “Bohm feels better again today,” said Thomson. “I think he’s going to try and do some glove work with Bobby (Dickerson), not ground balls but glove work. Maybe some dry swings either today or tomorrow.”
Bohm is recuperating from a fractured rib he suffered on July 12 on a pitch by Yu Darvish.
Ryne Sandberg passes
Former Phillies manager and Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg passed away Monday after a battle with cancer. Sandberg was 65.
Depend underwear brand confirms partnership with Deion Sanders after bladder removal
Colorado coach Deion Sanders said he depends on Depend underwear after bladder removal. The brand confirmed it has a partnership with him.
Giants' Carson Whisenhunt debuts in MLB after nervous couple of days for family
Giants' Carson Whisenhunt debuts in MLB after nervous couple of days for family originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — When Carson Whisenhunt was scratched from his scheduled start in Triple-A on Saturday, he wasn’t initially told what the next step would be. Whisenhunt is just 24 years old, but he has been around professional baseball long enough at this point to know that the last week of July is not an ideal time to be pulled off the field.
There were some nerves overnight as the young lefty wondered if he would be included in a trade, but when he reported to the field on Sunday morning, he was told that he would be making his MLB debut a day later. It was a whirlwind few days, but it was nothing compared to what his father went through.
Dennis Whisenhunt works for an aerospace company and travels often for work. When the Giants decided to make his son their Monday starter, Dennis was in the Philippines, and he was without his wallet, having lost it on the way overseas. Luckily, he had held onto his passport, and that allowed him to hop on a 13-hour flight to San Francisco and be in the family section when Carson threw his first pitch Monday night.
There would be 85 of them on night one in the big leagues, and it was a mixed bag. Whisenhunt’s changeup, one of the best off-speed pitches in the minor leagues the last couple of seasons, was hit hard early, but he adjusted and responded with three scoreless innings to finish his night.
Whisenhunt was charged with four earned in five innings, but he took a no-decision. After he departed, Carson Seymour gave up a two-run homer to Andrew McCutchen and a ninth-inning rally attempt fell short. The Giants left two runners on in the ninth, falling 6-5 to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates.
The loss was the 10th in 12 days for the Giants, who now are just one game over .500. It’s an uneasy way to play heading into the MLB trade deadline, but Whisenhunt at least can take solace in the fact that he almost certainly won’t be involved in any wheeling and dealing.
Before the game, manager Bob Melvin said the lefty should view this as an audition for a rotation spot. Whisenhunt is likely to get at least one more opportunity, and he’s hopeful he can run with it.
“Obviously it’s an honor just to be able to get a chance to play in the big leagues. It’s every kid’s dream,” he said. “But I’ve just got to go out there and compete and fill up the zone. Tonight was a little adrenaline here and there, overthinking things a little bit, trying to do a little too much. I’ve just got to go out there and be myself.”
Whisenhunt threw 85 pitches and only 49 were strikes, although he walked just two. It would have been understandable if there were some rust in addition to the nerves.
Whisenhunt went seven innings in four consecutive starts earlier this season in Triple-A, but June and July have been uneven. Because he appeared in the Futures Game, he had started for the River Cats just once since June 5, and he went 3 2/3 in that appearance.
On Sunday and again on Monday, Melvin said he wasn’t entirely sure how much he would get out of Whisenhunt, and early on it looked like it wouldn’t be much. The Pirates scored three in the second to take a 4-1 lead, but Whisenhunt changed his approach and responded with three shutout innings, giving the Giants about as much length as they could have asked for.
In Triple-A, Whisenhunt used his changeup to finish off 73 percent of his strikeouts. But he left it up early in his debut and gave up a solo homer and then a two-run double. After throwing 20 changeups the first two innings, he threw just 10 in the final three innings, relying heavily on his sinker. He said a conversation with pitching coach J.P. Martinez set him on the new path.
“It kind of seemed like they were sitting changeup early on and we kind of wanted to flip the script a little bit,” he said. “I talked with [catcher Patrick Bailey] and we were like, hey, let’s go curveball if we can figure out the release point and then stick with the heater up-and-out, kind of get it moving a little bit. The changeup was used a little bit too much, in my opinion, early on. It was also a little too firm tonight compared to what it has been, but other than that, it felt good.”
Whisenhunt’s changeup has been big league-ready since he was taken in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, and his fastball can hit the mid-90s, but he has spent his time in the minors searching for a reliable third pitch. On Monday, it appeared there’s plenty of work to be done. Whisenhunt threw nine breaking balls, but the only strike came on his 85th and final pitch, when he got Oneil Cruz to ground out with a runner on.
While there’s still development ahead of Whisenhunt, the Giants currently have two vacancies in their rotation. Though they expect Landen Roupp back from the IL soon, Hayden Birdsong might need some time to iron out his command issues.
“It’s all about performance, especially where we are right now,” Melvin said. “But if [Whisenhunt] performs well, that’s going to be a spot. You would think he would embrace that and that’s kind of what he’s digging for. There’s an opportunity, and whenever you’re in the minor leagues and you get an opportunity, you try to take advantage of it.”
The organization’s top pitching prospect should get a chance to pitch in New York against the Mets this weekend. After that, the Giants will see where they stand, not just with Whisenhunt, but with a rotation that might look different by the time they arrive at Citi Field.
The expectation within the organization in recent days has been that a starter will be added at the deadline. But if this skid continues, Buster Posey might not have a whole lot of appetite to add to this group.
That will be decided in the next couple of days. On Monday, it was about the debut for the organization’s top pitching prospect.
At some point, Whisenhunt should be here for good, making the planning a lot easier for Dennis and the rest of the family.
Is Tanner Molendyk ready for full-time spot in Nashville Predators defense?
This past season was the biggest of defenseman Tanner Molendyk's career.
The Nashville Predators' 2023 1st round draft pick started his final season in juniors with the Saskatoon Blades, where he was on a point-per-game pace (21 points in 21 games).
He also competed in the IIHF World Junior Championships for the first time in his career, scoring two points in five games with Team Canada, which finished in fifth place.
Upon returning to the WHL, Molendyk found himself on the move, having been traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
He only benefited from the trade, scoring 26 points in 28 games and reaching the Memorial Cup Championship game.
En route to the Tigers' first Ed Chynoweth Cup championship and Memorial Cup appearance in 18 years, Molendyk scored 20 points in 18 games.
In the offseason, the big question remains: Is Molendyk ready to step into the Predators lineup?
One area where the Predators' defense is in need of improvement is scoring depth, which would help compensate for the shortcomings at center.
Roman Josi and Brady Skjei have already proven that they can get involved from the blue line, but there's a drop-off from there.
The Predators are expecting a lot of Nic Hague, who only had 12 points last season. Nick Perbix's numbers were a bit better at 19 points and had 24 the season before. Both Nick Blankenburg and Justin Barron had fewer than 17 points last season.
Considering Molendyk's continued success at the junior level and the need to expand scoring depth in the defense, it's absolutely worth trying him in the third pairing or possibly the second.
From his junior highlights, it is clear that he is a player with the confidence to take the puck below the blue line and has good control of it. While he'll need to adjust to the NHL pace, in juniors, he has shown himself to be a strong skater.
In possibly wanting to "remold" the Predators' defensive model, Molendyk would be a substantial addition or at least a good piece to put in place to start the season. Figuring out a defensive identity is critical for this team, and if Molendyk can help, why not have him up?
There are two potential downsides to this.
Shot variation is one of them. Nashville has six lefties and only three righties. Molendyk is also a lefty, meaning that the imbalance can get bigger.
This isn't a huge problem, as most NHL defensemen can play on both sides, but if the Predators wanted their defensemen to play on their strongest sides, Molendyk would fall down the pecking order.
The other thing is Molendyk's build. At 6 feet and 181 pounds, he'd be on the smaller end of the Predators' defensemen.
Considering Nashville wants Josi and Hague on the first pairing, who average nearly 6-foot-3-inches and 223 pounds between them, the Predators are looking for size and strength.
All of this really sums up to training camp being crucial for Molendyk, as it showcases his speed and skill against the rest of the roster.
Splitting time between Nashville and Milwaukee wouldn't be bad either, as it would help Molendyk become comfortable in the pros while also providing a bit more flexibility in the AHL.
Shaikin: How the Emmanuel Clase betting probe could lead to fans losing an investment
With Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase under investigation for baseball betting, fans that bet a combined $315,000 on him could be at risk of losing some or all of that investment.
Clase is the star attraction at Finlete, a San Diego company that offers fans the chance to invest in an athlete in exchange for a share of his future earnings.
The future earnings of Clase, 27, a three-time All-Star, could be influenced by Monday’s announcement that Major League Baseball had placed him on paid leave as part of what the league called a “sports betting investigation.” The sport in question is baseball, according to an official familiar with the probe but unauthorized to discuss it publicly.
Read more:Guardians' Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave as part of MLB betting investigation
In its offering statement, Finlete noted that Clase’s current contract extends through 2026 and guarantees him at least $13.3 million, if the Guardians decline a 2027 buyout. The Guardians hold an option for $10 million in 2027 and another for $10 million in 2028. Clase would be eligible for free agency if the Guardians decline either option, or after the option years have been exercised.
However, if the league determines Clase had bet on any baseball game in which his team participated, he could be declared permanently ineligible. If the league determines he had bet on any other baseball games, he could be banned for one year.
On July 14, Finlete announced on Instagram that it had raised more than $315,000 from “hundreds of investors in Emmanuel Clase’s career.”
In its offering, beyond the boilerplate warning that investors should not invest money they could not afford to lose, Finlete cited injuries, illnesses and work stoppages among risks that could derail payments to investors.
Finlete also warned that players “suspended or banned” from the league “would not receive amounts under their existing player contract and may not be able to secure future playing contracts.”
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In his Clase sales pitch, Finlete co-founder Rob Connolly last year told Sportico: “Mariano Rivera was the best ever. And this guy’s in that conversation. So he’s got a full career in front of him. How the hell did we land this deal? It’s incredible.”
Finlete spelled that out in its offering: If you really want to make the big bucks as investors, Clase needs to sign a lucrative extension, or hit free agency and strike gold.
“The profitability of the Clase Agreement is substantially dependent on Mr. Clase entering into additional high-value MLB player contracts,” the offering read.
On its homepage, Finlete highlights seven baseball players with which it has agreements, Clase included. The other six are in the minor leagues.
Connolly did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.