As England prepare for their first match in the Nations Championship against South Africa and The Celebrity Traitors returns to our screens, Joe Marler – recently central to both – joins us for a chat about player welfare, Stephen Fry’s slang and the importance of men looking out for each other.
How much did you plan your exit route from rugby? Did your post-rugby career just fall into place? “I would say my post-rugby experiences have followed my rugby experiences in the sense that I winged it for 17 years and continue to wing it now. There’s a distinct lack of planning on my behalf. I’m just very fortunate that I’ve got some lovely people around me who are far more intelligent and attentive to detail, and navigate me in the right ways.”
Now in his age-27 season, the right-handed hitter is several years removed from his best years in the big leagues. His first two seasons in the league in 2022 and 2023, which he spent with the Cubs, were his best, as he hit .241/.311/.471 with 42 home runs and a 115 wRC+ in 854 plate appearances.
Since then, however, Morel has hit just .201/.283/.351 with 32 home runs and a 79 wRC+ in 989 plate appearances. After his struggles at the plate began in the 2024 season, the Cubs traded Morel and two other players to the Rays for Isaac Paredes. And following the 2025 season in Tampa, Morel was non-tendered and became a free agent before signing with the Marlins ahead of the 2026 season. In 73 plate appearances with Miami this year, Morel has hit just .162/.219/.206 with zero home runs and an 18 wRC+.
The Boston Celtics have made an unexpected signing in NBA free agency with the addition of Mike Conley Jr.
The veteran guard has agreed to a one-year contract with the C’s, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Contracts can’t be signed until July 6. The deal is for the veteran minimum, per RealGM’s Keith Smith.
Love this move. Can never have enough good vets. Low usage, low turnover PG. Hope he finds his 3-point shot in limited reps. Still plays hard on defense. https://t.co/At6pxx6XVA
Conley is 38 years old, and the upcoming season will be his 20th as a pro. He’ll be just the 14th player to play 20-plus years in the NBA.
Conley averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 assists per game in 54 games (15 starts) for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. He’s still a capable ballhandler and doesn’t turn the ball over much. He’s also seen as a great locker room presence and a leader.
Conley likely will be the third point guard behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
It’s a good low-cost move to add depth and experience.
Feb 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles as New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As the annual NBA free agent and trade market heats up, two former Blue Devil teammates are on the move: Brandon Ingram has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Luke Kennard has left the Los Angeles Lakers and signed with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent.
L.A. also got Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round swap, and two unidentified second-round picks.
Leonard is a wonderful player, but he’s 35 now and he’s missed significant parts of every season since 2022-23. Last year, he did play 65 games, but that means he still missed 17 games, and that was his best year in a while.
The odds of that improving a lot at 35 are not that great, and he’s on the back end of his career already, so in the long run, you’d have to think that the Clippers will come out ahead.
As for Kennard and the Suns, he will fill in nicely for the recently traded Grayson Allen. Kennard, Allen, and going forward, Kon Knueppel, are all tremendous three-point shooters. Basically, if you want a three-point ace, look to Duke.
Etowah baseball coach Greg Robinson still remembers the first time he laid eyes on Kansas City Royals outfielder Drew Waters.
Robinson was umpiring a middle school game when Waters stepped up to the plate.
“I'm behind the plate when he's coming to bat and I'm watching him and he barrels a ball into center field,” Robinson said. “And I'm like, ‘This guy's going to be special.’”
Years later, Robinson sat at Waters’ MLB Draft party as the then-18-year-old received the call from the Atlanta Braves – a moment that Robinson saw coming for a long time.
Over his 32 seasons as a high school head coach, Robinson has watched numerous other stories like Waters’ unfold. From Dexter Fowler to Sawyer Gipson-Long and now Trevor Condon and Matthew Sharman, Robinson has coached plenty of stars along the way.
But in just a few short years, those moments might be delayed.
Robinson believes the change could strengthen college baseball but also take opportunities away from certain players who are prepared to begin their professional careers.
“It's a maturity level thing that these guys are ready for mentally,” Robinson said. “So, I think those guys ought to be rewarded with the opportunity to go ahead at the next level.”
However, this could also be an opportunity for continued growth at the college level. With more elite prospects on hand, college baseball would become even more competitive.
“There's a lot of value in a kid going off to college for a couple of years and playing 60 games,” Robinson said. “Look at these facilities. Look at the competition.”
South Walton head coach Nick Borthwick agrees the proposal could further elevate the college game while narrowing the gap between college baseball and the minor leagues.
“I guess what that would do is turn college baseball into an affiliate to the minor leagues,” Borthwick said. “College baseball is not a bad place to develop.”
Borthwick, who played baseball at Alabama Southern, also believes college offers benefits beyond just baseball.
“Collegiate athletics is designed to kind of help develop a complete person on and off the field,” Borthwick said. “I think those opportunities are sometimes overlooked in today's climate.”
Borthwick is the long-time coach of two projected draft picks this year, including his son, Coleman Borthwick, a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher ranked No. 35 among MLB’s prospect rankings.
Although Coleman would not be affected by this proposal because he is eligible for this year’s draft, Borthwick is confident that his son is prepared for whatever the next chapter brings.
“I've no doubt that wherever he goes, whether it be Auburn or goes to the draft, he'll be able to help whatever team win,” Borthwick said. “And that's what he's done his whole career.”
If Coleman hears his name called on July 11, he’ll join a long list of stars who began their professional careers right out of high school – Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts to name a few.
At the same time, many of today’s biggest stars were college standouts before they reached the big leagues. Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman and Paul Skenes are just a few players who are a testament to the development that college offers.
“I don't think all kids have the opportunity to develop in high school like [Coleman and Denton Lord] had,” Borthwick said. “I think they're in a unique situation not just with the talent, but the support system around them throughout their high school careers. I think that they're as ready as any players in the country to start their professional careers.”
Whether the proposal is ultimately adopted in the next collective bargaining agreement or not, the decision won’t change the mission of high school coaches like Robinson and Borthwick.
“I'm trying to develop young men that will be ready for life after baseball,” Robinson said. “Baseball is really second to what I try to do with these guys. We try to be selfless people, relentless people and care for others first. That’s going to play a lot longer than baseball.”
Partnerships with Aston Martin, Red Bull and Haas mean students have a rare chance to make it in F1 after graduation
Unnoticeable amid the spectacle and heaving crowds at the British Grand Prixthis weekend, the school that overlooks the circuit is a definitive success story and will continue its contribution to Formula One well into the future after the roar of the engines has receded.
Kian Brown and Savannah Morgan both graduated last year from the Silverstone University Technical College that facilitates a fast-track into engineering, and they have gone on to take positions with F1 teams. Brown is now a composite machining apprentice at Mercedes and Morgan is an advanced digital machining apprentice at Cadillac.
One of the biggest goaltending names available in this year's free agency class is Sergei Bobrovsky. And based on the Florida Panthers' acquisition of goalies Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid in the past few days, it seems that Bobrovsky's tenure with the Cats is over.
It's been reported that the Maple Leafs will be keeping tabs on Bobrovsky, who is reportedly looking for a hefty contract considering the two-time Stanley Cup champion is 37 years old.
Regardless, Toronto will likely make a pitch to Bobrovsky's camp.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be among the teams that see if there's a fit there," Chris Johnston said of UFA Bobrovsky on TSN's Insider Trading.
In addition to his age, he's coming off one of the worst campaigns of his 16-year NHL career with a .877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average. Therefore, there is certainly risk involved in handing Bobrovsky a long and expensive contract.
"The Leafs are in an aggressive remake, remodel frame of mind right now," Johnston added. "Bobrovsky deal, if it's a long-term one, would have some risk."
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While the Philadelphia Flyers themselves may not make a huge impact on free agency this year, they will still, as is customary, be well represented.
Following Tuesday's random Jacob Markstrom trade, the Florida Panthers have their two goalies in place for the 2026-27 season.
As a result, former Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, a former Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy winner, will hit the free agent market and sign with a new NHL team in the twilight days of his playing career.
Bobrovsky, 37, will be the best option available among free agent goalies by far; the class is otherwise "headlined" by the likes of Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot, and David Rittich.
If the Flyers hadn't already managed to trade for the much younger Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs, a potential reunion with Bobrovsky could have been in the cards.
Current Flyers general manager Danny Briere was teammates with the Russian netminder during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
"Yeah, it's pretty safe to say that there's not much room for Bob. I still have the feeling that Bob will re-sign in Florida. I don't think they have a goalie signed, so, yeah, they're gonna need a goalie, at least one, maybe two. I mean, Bob's a fantastic teammate, and great work ethic. He would have been a really good example for our guys, but no, I don't know how realistic that would have been," Briere told The Hockey News in a recent Q&A.
While the Panthers ultimately decided to trade for New Jersey's Markstrom instead of giving into Bobrovsky's contractual demands, it is obvious that Briere still holds his old Flyers teammate in high regard.
As a rebuilding team that can still benefit from having Stanley Cup-winning experience on the roster, Bobrovsky would have been a logical add, but the former superstar will instead take that experience elsewhere when NHL free agency opens Wednesday afternoon.
Matt Arnold, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager, third from left, talks with his son Tyler, Milwaukee Brewers third base coach Matt Erickson team physician Dr. Mark Niedfeldt during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There’s no doubt that this season has seen the ebbs and flows of the Brewers. We’ve seen stretches where the offense is unstoppable, and we’ve also seen stretches — such as the last week — where the offense can’t cash in a runner in scoring position. The same applies to the pitching staff, which, entering Tuesday night’s game, is the second-best pitching staff in baseball, right behind the New York Yankees.
Despite having the best pitching staff in the National League, pitching is still a cause for concern, particularly the bullpen, which, as we know, has always been an issue for the Brewers come playoff time. Outside of the bullpen, it never hurts to have another starting pitcher, even if the Brewers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to that category. And of course, the left side of the infield has been a cause of concern since the departure of Willy Adames in free agency two years ago.
Today, in no particular order, we take a look at five former Brewers players that Matt Arnold could potentially reunite with at the trade deadline come August 3.
The first player we recognize as part of bringing back to the Brewers is a guy who never appeared in a uniform but was on the roster. Grant Wolfram was traded to the Orioles in April 2025 for Daz Cameron, and his second season has been better than his first. Through 31 games this season, he has posted a 3.96 ERA, striking out 29 batters. The Orioles find themselves 11.5 games back of first place in the American League East division and could be sellers at the deadline.
Our first left-handed pitcher on the list goes to the arm that got away. Matt Arnold has done a great job of trading away players, and wherever they go next, they aren’t quite the same as they were with the Brewers. Hudson is maybe the worst of the ones he didn’t hold onto.
Selected off waivers by the White Sox in August 2025, Hudson has been having a great bounce-back season. In 2024, Hudson broke onto the scene with the Brewers and pitched to a tune of a 1.73 ERA in 43 appearances. Last year was a year to forget, as he had a 6.00 ERA between the Sox and the Brewers, returning to the version of himself we saw the year prior. However, he has since reverted to a similar version of himself this year, as in 38 games, he has a 2.13 ERA, striking out 35 and walking just 16. With the need for left-handed pitching and the White Sox holding onto a one-game lead in the AL Central, this could be a bit of a costly pickup for the Brewers.
Another player who never appeared in a uniform for the Brewers but was drafted in the seventh round of the MLB Draft and spent quite some time in the minors is utilityman David Fry. Fry could be compared to what David Hamilton brings to the table, minus the speed. His ability to play all over the field and his clutch offense in the postseason could make him an attractive trade candidate.
There’s no doubt, looking at his numbers, that he hasn’t been producing at the rate that he was when he was named to the All-Star team in 2024. Last year was a career-worst season, but he was dealing with injuries. This year, he has the second-best on-base percentage mark of his career, and the Brewers love guys who can get on base; Fry could be one of those. The Guardians are in a similar spot to the White Sox, as they’re the team right behind them, making Fry a player that could be a bit of a struggle to get from Cleveland, but he could be someone that would solve some bench issues for the Brewers.
Willy Adames is quite possibly the biggest trade target amongst Brewers fans. A staple in the clubhouse throughout the 2021-24 season, Adames could be the missing piece to the left side of the infield. While Cooper Pratt is hoping to be the answer at shortstop, perhaps he can move over to third base to make way for Adames, who has never played at the hot corner in the big leagues.
The Giants have made it clear that they are willing to move on from Adames, but he comes with serious baggage as he is in his second year of a seven-year, $182 million contract. The Brewers would almost certainly have to give up one of their top five prospects to bring him back if they wanted the Giants to eat part of the contract. But, at the end of the day, Adames brought more to the team than just clubhouse culture; he brought a top-10 MVP finish in 2024 and four seasons that featured some of the best baseball he produced in his career.
With the need for left-handed pitching, what about reuniting with an arm that spent four seasons with the Brewers, featuring two of the best seasons in his career? This season, he’s off to the best start in his career with the Dodgers. He has posted a 2.88 ERA through six appearances with the defending World Series champions.
The former first-round pick is on a one-year deal with the Dodgers worth $4.4 million. The Dodgers don’t have many weaknesses, and certainly don’t want to be trading with a team they could be competing with come playoff time. But with the need for a left-hander that can give you both starts and bullpen appearances, perhaps this could be the splurge Arnold and Co. could be looking for.
Honorable Mentions:
Brent Suter – Los Angeles Angels
Jakob Junis – Texas Rangers
Lucas Erceg – Kansas City Royals
Jordan Montgomery – Texas Rangers
Freddy Peralta – New York Mets
Who would you like to see the Brewers reunited with at this year’s trade deadline?
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 30: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Cooper Ingle (30) reacts after striking out to end the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians on June 30, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Yankees are officially reeling as they jump into July, losing their sixth straight game in lackluster fashion. The Tigers took ace Cam Schlittler to task from the get-go, scoring four runs in the first inning and six by the time he exited after just three innings. New York did get another home run off of Tarik Skubal, this one from Ben Rice in the bottom of the first, but that was also the only hit they’d collect off the two-time Cy Young winner for six innings in what quickly became a rout.
With that, there’s another chance for the Rays to gain some ground in the AL East and unfortunately, when it rains it pours.
Tampa Bay Rays (49-33) 10, Kansas City Royals (35-51) 4
Despite a fantastic day from Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals were out of this game in a hurry. The Rays staked them a 1-0 lead on a Carter Jensen home run in the first inning, just to turn around and put up a six-spot in the third. It started on a Nick Fortes bunt single that drew an errant throw allowing him to move to second, and then Yandy Díaz walked ahead of a Jonathan Aranda single that tied the game up. Junior Caminero turned it into a big rally in a hurry, crushing a three-run homer 438 feet to left-center that made it 4-1, and Ryan Vilade went back-to-back with him to push the lead to four. Two more singles followed that before Noah Cameron finally recorded the first out of the frame via a pickoff, but Ben Williamson brought one more across on yet another single.
Witt did get involved, getting two of those runs back immediately via a two-run shot, but there was little else the Royals got done on Tuesday. Fortes singled home two more runs in the fifth, and a wild pitch plus a bases-loaded walk allowed two more Tampa baserunners to cross home plate in the sixth to make it a 10-3 romp. Witt made it a two-homer day for himself with a solo shot in the eighth, the 12th of his MVP-caliber season, but there was little else he could do as the Rays rolled.
Other Games
New York Mets (36-50) 3, Toronto Blue Jays (40-46) 0: A day after joining the 50-loss club, the Mets turned around and played a rare clean game all around. Nolan McLean delivered six strong innings, striking out seven and walking two while Francisco Alvarez gave them all the firepower they’d need with a solo shot in the fifth inning. For good measure, Luis Torrens gave them some insurance with a solo shot in the seventh and Brett Baty lifted a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver, and Devin Williams all tossed an inning of work to secure the win with a lone single in the ninth inning being the Jays’ only fragment of success against the Mets’ bullpen.
Texas Rangers (44-42) 4, Cleveland Guardians (44-42) 2: This one’s gonna be a hard one for Cleveland to live down. They got ahead 2-0 in the first inning thanks to a Kyle Manzardo two-run blast, but gave it up in the third when Joc Pederson hit a two-run blast of his own. From there the two sides were in a stalemate, as Jacob deGrom and Tanner Bibee both had outstanding outings lasting seven innings each. Unfortunately for Bibee, his defense blinked before he did — after a leadoff single, Bibee got Evan Carter to ground out and Alejandro Osuna to fly out to the left fielder Cooper Ingle. Ingle thought that was the third out instead of the second, however, and tossed the ball into the stands only to allow an unearned run to score instead. The Rangers did get an extra run in the eighth on a Josh Jung solo shot, but giving up the go-ahead run on a miscue like that has to sting.
Seattle Mariners (44-43) 8, Los Angeles Angels (36-51) 3: A scoring fest broke out in the middle of what was a pitchers’ duel. Bryan Woo and Jose Soriano were both dealing through five, matching zeroes on the scoreboard. Soriano got into trouble in the sixth though, allowing three straight singles to suddenly break the scoreless tie and chase him from the game. Chase Silseth didn’t make things much better, issuing a walk immediately followed by a pair of singles and a wild pitch that culminated in five runs scoring in the inning.
The Angels did get three of those runs back in the top of the sixth, but they watched them slip out of their grasp as the Mariners responded with three more runs in the bottom half. Those two innings were all the offense that we’d see, as the bullpens locked in and didn’t allow anyone else to advance into scoring position, but they were all Seattle needed to run away with the win.
The Detroit Tigers clinched their first series win since sweeping the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park with a 9-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Tarik Skubal had his best outing since returning from the injured list and the Tigers’ offensive onslaught continued, having now scored 35 runs over their last five games.
AJ Hinch’s squad will go for the sweep on Wednesday afternoon with right-hander Troy Melton on the mound looking to continue his recent dominance, which has seen him string two straight quality starts together. Over that stretch spanning across 12 innings of work, the 25-year-old posted a sparkling 1.50 ERA along with a less-impressive 4.43 FIP, allowing just a pair of earned runs — both on solo home runs — while striking out 11 against three walks.
Melton missed the Yankees in Detroit when they played last week.
Opposite him is fellow righty Will Warren, who has been solid so far in his third major league campaign. The 27-year-old struggled in June, however, recording a 5.49 ERA and 4.68 FIP over four games stretching across 19 2/3 innings, serving up a pair of home runs while striking out 14 against 10 walks.
Warren also missed the Tigers in Detroit in last week’s series.
Here is a look at how the two match up on Wednesday afternoon as Detroit goes for the kill.
Detroit Tigers (37-49) vs. New York Yankees (48-37)
Time (ET): 1:35 p.m. Place: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York SB Nation Site:Pinstripe Alley Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 87: RHP Troy Melton (4-1, 2.39 ERA) vs. RHP Will Warren (7-3, 3.75 ERA)
Happy birthday to Mike Montgomery, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1958 – The Cubs’Tony Taylor hits a ball inside the third base line that falls into the rain gutter in fair territory at Wrigley Field. San Francisco rookie OF Leon Wagner chases the ball, but is fooled by Cubs relief pitchers staring intently under the bench. Wagner does not look for the ball in the gutter 40 to 50 feet further down. Taylor reaches home on the hit, and other stories as well.
1972 – Roberto Clemente‘s fourth and fifth (out of six) career home runs off Ferguson Jenkins provide the Pirates with a 4 – 3 walk-off win against the Cubs at Three Rivers Stadium. Clemente hits Fergie’s first pitch in the 7th inning over the left field fence to tie the game. After the Bucs fall behind, 3-2, his second homer is a game-ending blast with none out in the ninth.
1973 – The Twins’Jim Kaat fires a one-hitter to beat the Angels, 2-1. Frank Robinson‘s home run in the 2nd is the only hit. This is the second time in his career that Robby hits a home run to break up a no-hitter.
1906 – Righthander Jack Taylor, 8-9 with the St. Louis Cardinals, returns to the Cubs in exchange for second-string C Pete Noonan, rookie P Fred Beebe and cash. Taylor will help the Cubs by going 12-3 the rest of the year.
1950 – The Reds’Ewell Blackwell has to go ten innings but finally beats the Cubs, 5 – 3, striking out 14 and allowing just two hits. One of the hits is Andy Pafko‘s three-run home run in the 9th.
1973 – At Wrigley Field, the Mets edge the Cubs, 6-5, in the first game of a doubleheader. Then it is the Cubs’ turn, as Randy Hundley bangs a ninth-inning three-run homer to give Chicago the 6-5 edge. Ron Santo has seven hits for the afternoon, five in the nightcap.
1200 – Sunglasses are invented in China [approx. date].
1731 – Benjamin Franklin and members of his ‘Junto’ community improvement club draw up articles of agreement to found the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first public library in British America.
1776 – First vote on Declaration of Independence for Britain’s North American colonies.
1863 – Battle of Gettysburg begins in Pennsylvania, Union forces halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia.
1898 – Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill during US’s successful assault on the city of Santiago.
1963 – ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Codes are introduced for United States mail.
1967 – The Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” goes to No. 1 in the United States and stays there for 15 weeks.
1997 – Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson indefinitely and withholds $20 million purse for biting Evander Holyfield‘s ear during their heavyweight title fight 28 June.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Adbert Alzolay #73 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during the New York Mets photo day at Clover Park on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Woo Sox creamed Syracuse. Nick Morabito concluded his red-hot June with three more hits- one of which was a double- but there really isn’t anything positive to say about this drubbing. Luis Robert Jr. went 1-3 while Jorge Polanco went hitless in three trips to the plate.
It took a while thanks to a two-and-a-half hour rain delay, but the Rumble Ponies took the opener in their series against the Baysox, their second win of the second half. Binghamton scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but before they could take their next turn at bat, the rain came. Jonathan Santucci initially took the mound for Binghamton, but because of the torrential downpour, only ended up throwing 29 pitches over two innings. After things cleared up, the Rumble Ponies plated three more runs. The Baysox scored a pair of runs in the top of the third and one more in the top of the fourth, but Felipe De La Cruz, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Saul Garcia held things down in the later innings.
The reigning, defending, undisputed Pitcher of the Week Daviel Hurtado instantly put himself in the running for a repeat, following up one his six scoreless inning, two-hit performance with one walk and six strikeouts by throwing six scoreless innings, allowing a single hit, walking one, and striking out eight; Acknowledge him. Ronald Hernandez put Brooklyn on the board just before Hurtado left the game with a solo homer, and in the top of the seventh, the Cyclones scored three more. Gregori Louis almost ruined things for the Cuban left-hander by allowing three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the bullpen settled after his blip of an inning.
Emilio Obispo contained the Tarpons once though the order, but in the middle innings, they tagged him for four runs. Zack Mack allowed two more, but ultimately those and every other run outside of Tampa’s first were meaningless, as the Tarpons blanked the Mets. St. Lucie managed only three hits, doubles from Antonio Jimenez and Taylor Darden and a Jack Scanlon single.
Jun 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) fielding a ground ball hit by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) in the seventh inning for the out at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images | Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
It’s officially July, which means trade season will soon be open. Last year, the Orioles traded away reliever Bryan Baker on July 10, when they were 10 games under .500. and seven games back of the final wild card spot. While dealing away a middle reliever isn’t necessarily a sign of surrender, that’s exactly what it would be for the 2025 Orioles.
Right now, the 2026 version of the Orioles are 9 games under .500, five games back of the final wild card spot, and in the midst of a four-game losing streak. This year’s AL is worse than it was a season ago, so perhaps there is some reason for optimism in the organization. More likely, there is pressure within the front office to just make this roster work, no matter what. The team’s on-field play is making that a tough case to prove.
The Orioles 9-3 loss on Tuesday night was just the latest disheartening performance. Some of that was another tough start for rookie Trey Gibson, which is frustrating but understandable for such a young player. More annoying was yet another weak offensive showing. They had nine hits, but scored just three runs, and did not hit any home runs. It’s just not good enough, and while their have been moments of brilliance, and some good weeks mixed in, the squad has just generally been a disappointing. There are no signs to indicate that will change.
That doesn’t mean the Orioles need to get to selling right now. Maybe a miracle happens, they forget who they are, and they string together a bunch of wins by the end of the month. That would be fun to see. But we shouldn’t hold our breath. And considering the times that Mike Elias has given up on solid-but-not-great teams, it would be pretty frustrating to see him pick THIS team as one worth doubling down on come the deadline.
Stay cool out there today, Baltimore. It’s gonna be a hot one. And we have an Orioles game right in the middle of it. First pitch is 12:35 from Camden Yards. Stay in the shade. Drink water. And get inside when possible.
This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko Some Mike Elias quotes from over the weekend are in here. He spoke about injuries, how they have impacted the team, and the upcoming trade deadline. It is fair to say that injuries have been a problem for the Orioles, but come on. The team doesn’t stink because Jordan Westburg and Zach Eflin have been out. They should have been able to absorb those losses and still been an 85-90 win team. The issues go deeper.
Nelson Cruz turns 46 today. The slugger spent just one season in Baltimore, but it was a good one. He led the league with 40 home runs and helped the Orioles capture the 2014 AL East title.
Jamie Walker is 55 years old. He pitched out of the Orioles bullpen for parts of three seasons from 2007 through ’09.
This day in O’s history
1957 – Orioles pitcher George Zuverink and catcher Frank Zupo form the first “Z” batter in major league history in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees.
1967 – Orioles pitcher Mike Adamson makes his major league debut, becoming the first draftee to bypass the minors and go straight to the majors. However, he will play in the minors in 1968.
1982 – Orioles manager Earl Weaver moves Cal Ripken Jr. from third base to shortstop.
1994 – The Orioles and Angels combine to hit a major league record-tying 11 home runs in a 14-7 win for the O’s.
The Sixers agreed to a deal with 24-year-old center Ariel Hukporti on the second day of free agency.
Hukporti and the team came to terms on a one-year, $3.4 million contract Wednesday morning, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news.
Hukporti is a 7-foot lefty fresh off of winning a championship with the Knicks. He spent his first two NBA seasons in New York after beginning his professional career in his home country of Germany.
The Knicks did not tender Hukporti a qualifying offer this offseason, which made him a restricted free agent. He appeared in 54 games last season and averaged 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 9.2 minutes per contest.
Over his first two years in the NBA, Hukporti’s athleticism and shot blocking were clear strengths. He had a 3.1 block percentage last season, which ranked in the 85th percentile for big men according to Cleaning the Glass. Hukporti has struggled at times with picking the right spots to be aggressive defensively and has fouled at a high rate.
The Sixers currently have two other young centers on their roster behind Joel Embiid in Adem Bona and Johni Broome, both of whom are 23 years old. Veteran Andre Drummond is a free agent.
Bona has some similar traits to Hukporti as a bouncy, defensively-oriented big man with shot blocking talent and fouling issues. Like Bona, Hukporti has yet to take outside jumpers on a remotely regular basis in the NBA. He did make 26 of 33 free throws last year (78.8 percent) and also let three-pointers fly in the G League, going 8 for 25 from long range (32 percent) across seven gamesfor the Westchester Knicks.
