The Mets have placed second baseman Marcus Semien on the 10-day IL with a hip flexor strain.
Infielder Ronny Mauricio, who was just activated and assigned to Triple-A on Wednesday, has been recalled from Syracuse.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Daniel Duarte has been recalled, while Jonathan Pintaro, who served as Wednesday's 27th man, has been returned to Syracuse.
Semien played all of Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs, committing two of the Mets' six errors as a team.
"It’s always going to be attention to detail with defense," Semien explained. "First step was not great on the first [error]. Seems like when I’m trying to pick the ball up and rush, the throw isn’t good. I feel like it’s a play that I could have saved and got the out and I didn’t. Those ones hurt.
"Pop-up, same thing, drifted to the ball. The wind was a little funky out there, and just took my eyes off the ball. Those are plays that I want to make, plays that I want to make tomorrow to help us win."
Acquired this offseason in the trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers, Semien has struggled offensively, hitting .214 with a 71 OPS+.
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) with the ball as Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) and Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) defend in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Two members of the 2025-26 Louisville men’s basketball team have inked NBA contracts after going undrafted.
J’Vonne Hadley has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Miami Heat, which selected Hadley’s former teammate Ryan Conwell 37th overall Wednesday night. Exhibit-10 contracts are one-year, non-guaranteed deals typically given to undrafted free agents who will compete for roster spots at the NBA’s Summer League.
Isaac McKneely, another starter from the 2025-26 squad, has signed the same type of deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Louisville fans are going to have more reasons to tune into Summer League play next month than they have in several years.
Best of luck to both Isaac and J’Vonne on the next steps in their basketball journeys.
WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 11: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on prior to NHL action against the Philadelphia Flyers at Canada Life Centre on April 11, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The NHL has been buckwild ever since the Brady Tkachuk trade to Florida dropped over the weekend. Seemingly everyone in the league is trying to get their ducks in a row ahead of the draft, not only projecting what they need right now — but reading the writing on the wall for where they will be in a few year’s time.
Inthe past few days we’ve seen the Buffalo Sabres make a flurry of moves, the Captials landing Jordan Kyrou, and the Senators move their No. 9 pick to bolster their lines, but some of the biggest rumors are still floating around with the draft on the horizon. Let’s dive into the whispers going on around hockey and determine which make sense, and which just don’t hold any water.
NOT BUYING IT: Connor Bedard trade rumors
The Blackhawks are biting their nails trying to get this Connor Bedard extension done before he’s poised to become a restricted free agent in July, but at no point am I buying the idea that Chicago might trade him — no matter how ugly the negotiations get.
Sure, Bedard notoriously hates losing and wants to see the Blackhawks improve, but there’s just not a landing spot that makes sense on a contender right now. He could theoretically go to a mid-tier playoff team like Utah or Buffalo, but those teams neither have the assets, nor the desire to sink all their energy into taking on a player who is still developing his NHL game. That means the teams most likely to make a deal, like the Maple Leafs, Canucks, or Red Wings, more or less put Bedard in the exact spot he’s in right now, trying to win.
The best move for Chicago now is to get the deal done, and I think they will — even if it means breaking the bank for a player his age. This is a big market, a burgeoning star, and a team that unquestionably has a lot of work to do, but seems willing to make some deals to improve now (see Bowen Byram) while also having a deep pipeline of players down the road.
BUYING IT: Hurricanes shopping Alexander Nikishin
The Stanley Cup Champions have the deepest prospect pool of any elite team in the NHL, and they know it. It was assumed that the Canes would look to re-up Nikishin long term, but there have been some murmurs that his agents are looking for a contract much larger than Carolina is comfortable with after one year in the league.
Ultimately, we have a case where Nikishin is a 3rd line defenseman inside the Hurricanes, but would be a top four guy on most other teams. That, paired with his youth mean there will be plenty of suitors out there. The Canes can run their “next man up” philosophy from inside the system without losing that much, largely because Ke’Andre Miller was a breakout star for them last year.
Nikishin will be traded ahead of the NHL Draft, and I think it’s going to be part of a big time deal.
NOT BUYING IT: Connor Hellebuyck to the Panthers
There seems to be a fundamental disconnect between what Florida would like to do what they can do, and what they’re willing to do. There is absolutely no scenario that involves the Panthers getting Connor Hellebuyck without giving up established talent on their roster right now. None, zero, zilch.
Florida gave up everything they had left to get Brady Tkachuk in terms of not messing with the roster, meaning the only player who could really spur a package for Hellebuyck is Anton Lundell, whom the Panthers have said is a non-starter (which is correct). Lundell is one of their few young, future pieces who will be with the team in six or seven years time, and without a prospect pool it’s too rich going all in on a goaltender upgrade.
There’s also an element to this where people are overvaluing Hellebuyck too much right now. He’s coming off a down year, is signed to a massive extension, and really isn’t worth what’s left on the deal unless you think the 2025-26 season was an abberation and not the start of regression. Florida is smarter than going all-in here.
BUYING IT: The Devils making a spash with No. 12
The New Jersey Devils are desperate to get back into playoff contention and be in win-now mode while Jack Hughes is still in his prime, and there’s a lot of chatter about their $13M in cap space paired with the No. 12 overall pick.
This feels like the prime opportunity to make some noise in the trade market, and I can’t help but think that Jason Robertson of the Stars makes a ton of sense in a sign-and-trade scenario. Dallas would like to retain their scoring wing, but are locked in cap hell right now that they can’t escape without gutting their core. This is the payment for the Mikko Rantanen deal, and they will likely lose Robertson as a result.
New Jersey would be a great landing spot for scoring, and the No. 12 pick would give the Stars a prospect to build up for the future. If not Robertson, then look for someone like Matthew Knies of Toronto who would also make sense here.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Caleb Wilson after he is drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I already gave out instant grades for the first round, and handed out my winners and losers of the draft. Now, it’s time to grade every team’s full haul. The grades here take both the first and second rounds into consideration, and are largely based off my final big board.
Most of the teams this year did pretty well. There were no super head-scratching decisions like the Yang Hansen pick last season. This was a good draft, and I think a lot of teams are leaving it happy. Let’s get into our full team grades.
Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A
The decision to take Kingston Flemings at No. 8 earned an A grade from me. He’s really smart and tough and athletic, and I think he plays bigger than size on both ends of the floor. Zuby Ejiofor wasn’t my favorite pick at No. 23, but he should add value as a nonsense big man who plays with force and brings some impressive connective passing traits. I can’t believe Henri Veesaar fell to the late second round. He was considered a late first rounder on my board. That’s great value, and I also think he’s the type of spacing big that can work well with both Flemings and Ejiofor. The Hawks did great.
Boston Celtics
Grade: A
Chris Cenac Jr. feels like a classic boom-or-bust prospect. He feels raw in several aspects of the game, but especially in terms of his awareness on both ends. That’s okay as long as Boston is committed to developing him. Cenac has a great frame and a sweet jump shot, and it’s hard to find both of those in a young big man. Dillon Mitchell fits the mold of a Celtics’ value play: he’s long and explosive, and they can unleash him as a defender, rebounder, and play finisher. Boston didn’t have much to work with, but they got good value with both their picks.
Brooklyn Nets
Grade: A-
The Nets redeemed themselves after an underwhelming draft last year. Mikel Brown Jr. is a boom-or-bust point guard prospect, but I’m buying him for his pull-up shooting, creative playmaking, and rim attacking despite his other concerns. Joshua Jefferson was a nice pick at No. 28 too as a forward with real dribble-pass-shoot utility. Both of these players are in a good position to develop under Jordi Fernandez, who is one of the best young head coaches in the game. Tyler Bilodeau is a spacing forward who doesn’t do much for me, but the Nets still had a nice draft.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade: B
The Hornets are going to jack a lot of threes as a team led by LaMelo Ball, and now they have Hannes Steinbach hunting the offensive rebounds. Steinbach is an absolute maniac on the offensive glass, and I think he’s a really good offensive big in general. I’m not sure if he’s a four or a five, and I think he may be best in a twin towers look, but I like the idea of unleashing him within an already powerful Charlotte offense. Christian Anderson was a fine pick at No. 18 too even if he wasn’t my favorite. He has a case as the best shooter in the draft, and that’s always worth adding. I really do not like the LaMelo Ball trade for Charlotte, but we’ll see how it works out for them.
Chicago Bulls
Grade: A-
Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain were fantastic picks to start off the Bulls’ new era with Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Wilson was a no-brainer pick at No. 4 as a ridiculously explosive athlete who can make game-changing plays at both ends of the floor. Swain is a nasty slasher for a 6’7 wing who can create paint touches out of thin air with a tight handle and some daring crossovers on the way to the rim. I hate that the Bulls traded their No. 38 pick during a rebuild. I’ll change my tune if Kam Jones — who I liked last year — turns into anything, but his rookie season was so discouraging that it felt like he was probably getting cut in Indiana. Same old Bulls even with a new front office when it comes to the second round, and it turned an A into an A- for me.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas is awesome value at No. 34. The Cavs traded down from No. 29 and still landed him. Thomas comes from the Lou Williams school of walking buckets, and I actually think he’s a little feistier defensively than most players in that mold. His three-level scoring will be nice for Cleveland to have off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks
Grade: B+
Morez Johnson might have been the biggest surprise of the first round, but it’s a pick that also makes a lot of sense. Dallas just hired his college coach Dusty May, and Johnson was the youngest and most versatile defender of Michigan’s three lottery picks. The Mavs also added Sergio De Larrea, a tall playmaking guard who can shoot but needs to get stronger and fix his turnover issues. Second rounder Tobi Lawal is a super athlete, but probably not an NBA player in my view.
Denver Nuggets
Grade: B
The Nuggets traded out of the first round, but still came away with a couple interesting prospects in Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins. Brazile is theoretically a great fit next to Nikola Jokic as a bouncy big with shooting ability who can finish plays above the rim. Hopkins is a big forward who remade himself from a bucket-getter to a defender after he tore his ACL in college. I’m optimistic on the Brazile fit, and I think Hopkins has a chance to make the team.
Detroit Pistons
Grade: A
Ebuka Okorie was one of my favorite picks of the first round. He’s lightning quick with the ball in his hands and can give Detroit some advantage creation they just didn’t have on the roster outside of Cade Cunningham bully ball. The Pistons’ second round pick Ugonna Onyenso was also one of my favorites in that range. He’s a phenomenal rim protector. I’m not sure if Onyenso can do anything on offense, but he has an elite skill, and that should help him have a pro career.
Golden State Warriors
Grade: A
Yaxel Lendeborg was one of my favorite picks in the draft. He was fifth on my board, and the Warriors got him at No. 11. Beyond that, he’s a perfect fit for what they need, giving them a do-it-all, two-way forward for Steph Curry’s twilight years who should be ready to rock from day one. I have no takes on second rounder Lajae Jones, sorry.
Houston Rockets
Grade: A
Trading up for Bruce Thornton was brilliant. He was a first round talent on my board, and he gives the Rockets another ball handler, which they desperately needed. Thornton put up 66 percent true shooting as a senior at Ohio State, which is an elite number for a rim-running center, let alone a 6’2 point guard who can’t dunk. He’s awesome. Houston also signed Quadir Copeland and Oscar Cluff as two of the best undrafted free agents. Good work, Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Grade: C
I didn’t like the Pacers’ Ivicia Zubac trade when it happened, and it came back to bite them. It’s wild they still owe another unprotected first rounder for him after giving up a top-5 pick this year. The Pacers nabbed Braden Smith in the second round. He was a college legend, but my gut says he’s too small to play in the NBA. We’ll see.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade: B
The analytical models love Keaton Wagler, but I worry he falls below the threshold of NBA athleticism needed for a lead guard. I like him more on the ball than off the ball, so we’ll see how he fits with Darius Garland. Baba Miller was a cool second round pick. He moves really well for such a big forward and took a nice leap in production this past season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade: B-
Cam Carr is a knockdown shooter with ++ length for a wing, but I worry he’s pretty one dimensional. I don’t like his defensive projection, and in my view he doesn’t add much as a ball handler or playmaker.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A+
If you read this website, you know Boozer was my No. 1 player in the class. I think he’s a future superstar. Getting him at No. 3 is the single best pick of the draft. Karim Lopez didn’t do too much for me as Memphis’ second first round selection. Richie Saunders is a really great shooter with athleticism, but he’s a 25-year-old rookie who will probably miss this season recovering from a torn ACL. I still like Saunders’ chances of contributing eventually, but this draft is all about Boozer.
Miami Heat
Grade: B
The Heat traded their No. 13 overall pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and walked away from this draft with only Ryan Conwell. Conwell is known for his three-point shooting, and Miami is going to need it with a thin roster around Giannis and Bam Adebayo right now. The Heat are always uncovering diamonds in the rough. They need Conwell to be another one.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C
I thought the Bucks did as well as possible in the Giannis trade, but I don’t love their decisions with their two lottery picks to begin a new era. Brayden Burries is solid everywhere but special nowhere. I do think he complements Ryan Rollins pretty well in the backcourt, but I don’t think he has the upside needed for a top-10 pick. That’s just me. Nate Ament projects as someone with upside, but I don’t see it. He’s not very athletic, his defense was super disappointing at Tennessee, and his outside shooting was pretty poor, too. I want good things for the Bucks after the Giannis trade, so I hope I’m wrong.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: B-
The Wolves traded out of the first round for the right to salary dump a good player in Julius Randle. I did not like that move for Minnesota. I’ve always been a big LaMelo Ball fan, so I’m more bullish on that trade. Minnesota leaves the draft with a good outside shooter in Isaiah Evans and a crafty interior scorer in Trey Kaufman-Renn as second round picks. Both are fine.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: B-
I liked watching Jaron Pierre at SMU. Not bad for a late second round flier.
New York Knicks
Grade: B-
The Knicks added some future second round picks in multiple deals before walking away with Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel. Kayil is a German guard who was previously committed to Gonzaga, and he seems like a fine long-term bet who likely won’t touch an NBA court any time soon. Nickel is a stretch forward who was pretty good at Vanderbilt. I’d be shocked if either of these guys become rotation pieces in the next couple years.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade: A
Sam Presti killed it again. I was high on both Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, and they perfectly fit what the Thunder needed. Mara is a 7’3 giant whose drop coverage will be made more effective with the dogs OKC has at the point of attack. His passing is also special, and I can’t wait to watch him throw full-court touchdowns to the Thunder’s athletes on the wing. Stirtz adds the shooting and playmaking the Thunder desperately needed last year when SGA went to the bench. Otega Oweh is a decent 3-and-D bet in the second round, too. The Thunder are so good at this.
Orlando Magic
Grade: B
Izaiyah Nelson really caught my eye towards the end of the college season. He’s a bit undersized for a big, but he has an appealing combination of length, explosiveness, and motor. He’s a really good rebounder, but right now he can’t shoot at all, and I feel like he’s going to need to develop that area of his game to really stick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade: A-
Labaron Philon is great value at No. 22 even if the 76ers had bigger needs in the front court. That Jared McCain trade everyone ripped Philly for ended up working out pretty okay.
Phoenix Suns
Grade: B+
Koa Peat won four high school state championships in Arizona, then helped the Arizona Wildcats reach the Final Four during his one-and-done season. It’s pretty cool that he’s still in the state. Peat can’t shoot at all, but his vertical athleticism and passing at his size could make him a solid role player down the line.
Portland Trail Blazers
Grade: Inc.
The Blazers did not make a draft pick this year.
Sacramento Kings
Grade: C
I would have preferred Kingston Flemings over Darius Acuff for the Kings at No. 7, but the team clearly loved the Arkansas guard and had been circling him for months. Let’s see if they’re right. Alex Karaban wasn’t a first round talent in my book, but the Kings traded up to get him at No. 29. The one pick I did like from the Kings was Emanuel Sharp, who was an excellent 3-and-D style guard at Houston the last three years. This haul will be defined by the Acuff pick. He’ll probably put up big numbers while Sacramento loses a lot of games for most of his career.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade: A-
The Spurs obviously wanted to add beef in the draft, and they got a lot of it. Jayden Quaintance is worth the risk to me. I thought he’d be a top-5 pick coming into the season, but he barely played after trying to return from a torn ACL. JQ could be a monster defensively. I have no idea how he contributes on offense outside of lobs and offensive rebounds, but that’s perfectly fine if he’s an elite defensive big. I didn’t really see the vision with Tarris Reed as a first round pick, but he’s another big body who can eat inside. Maliq Brown is yet another big man who adds defensive toughness and versatility. Ja’Kobi Gillespie is a nice pick-up too as a tiny guard who chucks threes and defends bigger than his size. Quaintance, Gillespie, and Brown is a great haul even if I’m not huge on Reed.
Toronto Raptors
Grade: B+
Allen Graves! What a story, and what a player. I laughed out loud when the Raptors made this pick if only because he’s exactly like most of the other guys on this team. Graves’ defensive playmaking is his calling card, and if he can figure out how to maintain his aggression while cutting back on his fouls, he could go down as a steal. The difference between Graves and the other 6’8 Raptors is that the Santa Clara product can actually shoot. Jaden Bradley is fine for a No. 50 overall pick, but I’d be surprised if he carves out an NBA career (that goes for any No. 50 overall pick I suppose).
Utah Jazz
Grade: B+
I always thought Darryn Peterson was a great fit in Utah. I still think the Jazz passed on the best player in the draft in Cam Boozer, but Peterson was second on my board, and should be a high-level shooter and defender in the backcourt. If he regains his high school explosiveness, the Jazz could be nasty pretty soon.
Washington Wizards
Grade: B+
A.J. Dybantsa has fantastic shot-creation ability for a wing his size. I had him third on my board, but he has the ability to make me look stupid if he eventually leads the league in scoring and starts to take some pride in his defense. I do not love his fit next to Trae Young, but that’s more a Trae Young problem.
If Pittsburgh Penguins' fans are hoping for GM and POHO Kyle Dubas to be active leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday and Saturday, it appears the first domino may have fallen.
Well, even if the domino isn't quite as big as some were hoping for.
On Thursday, the Penguins acquired the rights to restricted free agent forward Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Lapierre, 24, was previously on a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Capitals last season, and he spent parts of four NHL seasons with Washington.
Selected 22nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Capitals, Lapierre has yet to fully find his footing at the NHL level. In those four NHL seasons with Washington, he has recorded 13 goals and 47 points in 158 games.
The 6-foot, 195-pound center really put himself on the map with an impressive showing at the 2020 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he amassed three goals and 11 points in just five games. He has puck skills, scrappiness, and the creativity to open some eyes, but he hasn't quite been able to put it all together at the NHL level.
The Penguins can now extend a qualifying offer to Lapierre, which must be done by Jun. 30 - as is the case with their other restricted free agents in Egor Chinakhov, Ville Koivunen, Arturs Silovs, Alexander Alexeyev, and Joel Blomqvist.
The Arizona Diamondbacks (41-39) made it two straight wins over the St. Louis Cardinals (42-36) after a 9-4 win on Wednesday.
St. Louis has lost five of the last seven games as the hitting hasn't been able to keep up with the pitching staff. The Cardinals rank 28th in ERA (5.87) over the past 15 days, while the offense is sixth in batting average (.273) with the eighth-most runs scored (65) in 13 games (5-8 record). The Cardinals have surrendered at least four runs in 10 of the last 13 games.
In June, Arizona has one of the worst offenses with a .224 batting average (26th), the fifth-fewest home runs (22), and ranked 22nd in runs scored (82). The Diamondbacks pitchers are posting a 4.99 ERA (26th) and it's worsened over the last six games (5.77 ERA). Zac Gallen will take the mound and he's coming off a season-worst nine earned runs allowed, while sporting a 8.85 ERA in June.
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.
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Game details & how to watch Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 7:45 PM EST
Site: Busch Stadium
City: St. Louis, MO
Network/Streaming: ESPN
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 Diamondbacks at the Cardinals
The latest odds as of Thursday:
Moneyline: St. Louis Cardinals (-136), Arizona Diamondbacks (+113)
The Cardinals’ Jordan Walker is hitting .290 with 88 hits, 18 home runs and 58 RBI over 303 at-bats
The Cardinals’ Pedro Pages is hitting .217 with 28 hits and 35 strikeouts over 129 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is hitting .279 with 80 hits, 13 home runs, and 42 RBI over 287 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado is hitting .238 with 61 hits and 58 strikeouts over 256 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 Diamondbacks at Cardinals
St. Louis is 46-32 ATS, ranking second-best
Arizona is 45-35 ATS, ranking sixth-best
St. Louis is 39-34-5 to the Under, ranking ninth-best
Arizona is 42-34-4 to the Under, ranking second-best
St. Louis is 24-17 ATS, ranking fourth-best
Arizona is 22-17 ATS, ranking seventh-best
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals
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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 Thursday's game between the Diamondbacks and the Cardinals:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cardinals on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cardinals at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s announced on Thursday morning that infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof will head to the injured list due to the hand injury he suffered on Tuesday night, with Alika Williams coming up to take his place:
The team evidently felt that Gelof’s hand injury was too severe to avoid a stint on the IL. Luckily there wasn’t any reported fractures or need for stitches so the team will hope he can avoid being on the shelf for any more than the minimum. He’ll be eligible to return next weekend at home against the Miami Marlins.
Taking his place on the roster will be Williams, who has spent the past couple of weeks down at Triple-A Las Vegas. He’ll likely return to his semi-regular duty with the big league team with Gelof down for a bit. He performed admirably during his first stint with the club so hopefully he can keep that going this time around.
On the bright side of things, the club did not place shortstop Jacob Wilson on the IL after he left last nights game. It seemed he had reaggravated the shoulder injury that placed him on the IL earlier this month. No word yet on his status so keep your fingers crossed for him.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 4: Hendrix Lapierre #29 of the Washington Capitals protects the puck from a pressuring defensive play by Jeff Carter #77 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during a game at Capital One Arena on April 4, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins are kicking off their summer moves by apparently acquiring center Hendrix Lapierre from Washington. Pittsburgh gives up a third round pick in 2027 and a fifth in 2028 to bring Lapierre on board.
The Penguins have acquired forward Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
Lapierre is a player who has had his ups and downs over four pro seasons with the Capitals, as seen in his hockeydb profile:
After an encouraging 2023-24, where the scored 22 points in 51 games and was one of the best players on AHL Hershey’s Calder Cup winning team that spring, Lapierre was positioned to be Washington’s third line center. It didn’t go well, and eventually the Caps traded with the Penguins to get Lars Eller to help add depth and improve the spot where Lapierre was struggling.
Lapierre failed to make progress in 2025-26, appearing in 74 games in a very limited role that only saw him average 9:54 per game (and just 8:42 at even strength), losing way to players like Justin Sourdif and ending up bumping to a wing position. Lapierre enters the summer as a restricted free agent, but given the lack of personal success should be getting signed to a very reasonable short-term contract as he looks to establish himself.
Despite the lack of upward momentum in his career, Lapierre represents a player that GM Kyle Dubas has highlighted that the Penguins want: in their mid 20’s, with NHL experience and ability that might need a new opportunity to unlock more of their game. The Pens have pulled this out before, most successfully with Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Soderblom and Connor Dewar as well as others like Phil Tomasino, Ilya Solovyov and Emil Bemstrom among other cases, to varying degrees of success.
Lapierre has some upside, even though the ugly 2024-25 season stands a warning for a player who can become mired in a deep slump.
Lapierre could add to the team’s center depth or be shifted to the wing at this point. He almost certainly doesn’t belong in the same outlook for a Chinakhov-esque type of huge glow-up but could have the opportunity to become a lineup mainstay in Pittsburgh. The Pens already have a dedicated fourth line center in Blake Lizotte, whereas Lapierre has more of a skilled profile of a player who has the ability to create some offense via his playmaking.
An unmentioned item for this acquisition might be telling in setting the stage for the future. Pittsburgh has Justin Brazeau and Tommy Novak entering the final seasons of their contracts in 2026-27. Lapierre’s addition crowds the amount of lower line forwards (where Lapierre joins an area that Soderblom, Dewar, Lizotte occupy and hopefuls like Rutger McGroaty and Avery Hayes potentially join the likes of Brazeau and Novak) that starts to show some overfill for players to spots available.
The first move of the summer certainly won’t be the end of shuffling players around, the Pens kick their offseason off by picking up a player very much in their preferred wheelhouse as far as what they want to bring into the club for next season.
“The Flames are trying to move Connor Zary. The 24-year-old forward has another year left on his contract at $3.775 million. Sounds like Calgary is asking for a second-round pick in return,” Dreger tweeted.
For many teams, however, a second-round pick represents a significant investment for a player whose development has stalled after showing considerable promise early in his NHL career.
Selected 24th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, the former first-round pick appeared to be taking meaningful steps toward becoming a top-six contributor. His offensive instincts, playmaking ability, and versatility gave the Flames reason to believe they had found a young forward capable of growing alongside the organization’s emerging core.
Then came the setbacks.
A series of knee injuries interrupted what had been a promising stretch in his development, and the momentum he had built proved difficult to regain. Last season was particularly challenging. Zary managed just two points through his first 20 games and struggled to establish any consistency throughout the year.
By season’s end, he had recorded 13 goals and 25 points in 74 games, but the numbers only tell part of the story. His role fluctuated regularly, he often found himself playing limited minutes, and there were stretches where was mired on the fourth line or he watched from the press box. As the season progressed, it became increasingly clear that he had fallen down Ryan Huska and the Flames’ coaching staff’s depth chart.
If Calgary succeeds in moving Zary, several organizations stand out as logical fits.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks remain firmly focused on building around a young core and could afford to take a chance on a player whose value has dipped.
With roster spots available and development opportunities plentiful, San Jose would offer Zary a chance to rediscover his offensive confidence without the immediate pressure of contending expectations. The Sharks continue searching for long-term forward depth, making Zary a potentially intriguing addition.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has spent the last several seasons trying to balance competing in the present while preparing for the future. The Penguins’ forward group continues to age, and the organization lacks many established NHL contributors in Zary’s age range. Acquiring a 24-year-old former first-round pick would align with their goal of getting younger without fully committing to a rebuild.
A middle-six role alongside experienced veterans such as Sidney Crosby could provide the type of environment that helps Zary regain his footing.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo remains one of the league’s most intriguing teams. The talent is there, but consistency has been difficult to find.
Zary’s ability to play both centre and wing would give the Sabres additional flexibility, and his age aligns well with the rest of Buffalo’s young core. If the acquisition cost remains a second-round pick, the Sabres could view the move as a worthwhile gamble on untapped upside.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken continue searching for more offensive punch throughout their lineup.
Seattle has shown a willingness to target players with upside who may benefit from a larger role, and Zary fits that profile. With cap flexibility and a need for additional skill in their middle six, the Kraken could present an ideal landing spot for a player looking to reset his career trajectory.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago’s rebuild is entering an important phase.
The Blackhawks are gradually surrounding their young stars with players who can grow alongside them, and Zary remains young enough to fit that timeline. The organization possesses the cap space and draft capital necessary to make a move, and the low-risk nature of the acquisition could make it an attractive option.
For a rebuilding team, acquiring a player who still has room to develop often makes more sense than spending significant assets on established veterans.
Watching a first-round pick fall short of expectations is never easy for a fan base, especially when flashes of potential suggest there is still more to offer.
Yet player development is rarely a straight line. Circumstances change, opportunities disappear, and sometimes a different environment becomes necessary.
The 2025-26 NHL season may have just ended, but he cycle of work never ends as the league approaches the draft and development camps.
The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the dates for their development camp, which will begin immediately following the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The camp is an opportunity for prospects to familiarize themselves with the organization, resources available to them, as well as on and off-ice educational sessions.
Currently, the 2026 roster includes:
Charlie Cerrato (2nd - 2025)
Kurban Limatov (3rd - 2025)
Viggo Nordlund (6th - 2025)
Filip Ekberg (7th - 2025)
Timur Kol (6th - 2024)
Roman Shokhrin (6th - 2024)
Players selected by the Hurricanes in the 2026 NHL Draft, which takes place on June 26-27, will also be invited to attend. The full 2026 Prospects Development Camp roster will be released prior to the camp starting.
Development Camp Schedule
Sunday, June 28th Player arrival (No media availability) Monday, June 29th 10:00 a.m. - Skills sessions 3:00 p.m. - Skills Sessions Tuesday, June 30th 9:00 a.m. - Fitness testing 1:00 p.m. - On-ice testing Wednesday, July 1 10 a.m. - Skills Sessions Thursday, July 2 Player Departure (No media availability)
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed first baseman Spencer Horwitz on the 10-day injured list because of a left hamstring injury.
Horwitz was injured in an 11-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. He felt a grabbing sensation in his leg while grounding into a double play in the third inning. He was removed for a pinch-hitter an inning later.
In 74 games this season, Horwitz is hitting .280 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs.
Infielder Jack Brannigan was recalled from Double-A Altoona. The 25-year-old has yet to make it in the big leagues after being selected in the third round of the 2012 draft from Notre Dame.
BRONX, NY - MAY 03: A general view of an official game ball on the mound prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles on May 3, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If there is one thing New Yorkers love more than anything, it is a good headline. From the front page to the back of the tabloids, to the names lit up in the marquee lights that inspire the city that never sleeps. In a place that is never starved for things to do or people to see, Cam Schlittler’s starts have become a weekly must-watch event. Tonight’s feature in Boston brings Schlittler back home for another early chapter in a story that is already becoming special.
Schlittler has already inked his name into the history pages of one of the greatest rivalries in sports. However, after tonight, two of those three chapters will notably have the same opposition toeing the rubber: Connelly Early. Schlittler vs. Early. It is not Ali vs. Frazier, yet, but one can dream.
In the five-man rotation era, and with the reduced number of division games played each year, long gone are the days of consistently seeing the same starters line up against each other. Now fans are lucky if they get to watch their ace face the opposing ace more than a handful of times each season. That reality helps build the storyline tonight as, for the second time in four months, the Yankees’ top young arm will square off against one of Boston’s best young pitchers.
This got me thinking about some classic matchups of the past. What showdowns did each generation get to enjoy? Who measured themselves against each other within the rivalry, and how did they fare?
With apologies to Jack Chesbro and Cy Young himself, what feels right to call the first true “our guy versus their guy” matchup is Red Ruffing in the blue corner and Lefty Grove in the red. I decided to count no-decisions as ties or at least list them as such, so the records listed are wins-losses-no decisions. Over the course of the 1930s and 1940s, the former Red Sox righty Ruffing went 11-14-6 in 31 starts opposite his fellow Hall of Famer. Those 31 matchups were the most head-to-head meetings between Yankees and Red Sox starting pitchers that I could find.
Making a season’s worth of today’s starts against one opposing pitcher alone is an almost unbelievable concept. For reference, Gerrit Cole has made only 12 starts against the Red Sox during his entire Yankees tenure.
Another common matchup featured Mel Stottlemyre and Luis Tiant. These two faced off 12 times in the early 1970s around the same time five-man rotations became standard. In fact, they may have developed some type of common-law bond, as they faced each other four times between July 16th and September 17th of 1972 and then five more times during the 1973 season.
Stottlemyre went 6-5-1 in those matchups. The pair also combined for 13 complete games. Stottlemyre held the edge there as well, throwing seven of them.
Around the turn of the century, the rivalry featured one of its greatest pitching showdowns. Two of the fiercest competitors to ever take the mound squared off six times: Roger Clemens and Pedro Martínez. The number of matchups declines dramatically the closer you get to the present day, but this one stands out because of the October battles.
Clemens went 1-2-3 as a Yankee when facing Pedro and his former club, including getting obliterated in Game 3 of the 1999 ALCS at Fenway. However, that lone victory was a big one, coming four years later during another Game 3 rumble in Beantown. He later got a no-decision in the unforgettable Game 7, as his offense bailed him out of a tough start with a huge rally off Martínez in the eighth. Clemens and Pedro were both larger-than-life figures who ran hot, making them a dream pairing for New York media and fans alike.
Jump ahead another decade or so and we arrive at the modern version of longevity. CC Sabathia and Jon Lester faced each other eight times while serving as the staffs’ respective left-handed aces.
Sabathia held a 3-2-3 advantage. The matchup was fittingly even considering the two finished their careers with similar ERAs and WHIPs, though Sabathia accumulated 51 more wins and 837.1 more innings pitched.
Now Schlittler and Early take the stage for Round 2. For the next several years, barring injuries, lockouts, or other misfortune, there is a chance Yankees and Red Sox fans will get to watch these two continue building their own chapter in the rivalry.
Here’s hoping, more often than not, that the Yankees win.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week, I asked you what the Cubs’ biggest need is right now: Starting pitching, relief pitching or improvement for the offense.
That article was posted before the Cubs lost two more starting pitchers, Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown, to the injured list.
Even so, you correctly identified starting pitching as the biggest need:
The hitters have bounced back in a big way against the Mets, scoring 29 runs in the first three games of the four-game series that concludes at Citi Field this evening.
The Cubs have, in part, addressed the starting pitching need by acquiring left-hander David Peterson from the Mets, as Josh noted in After Dark. The team announced this signing late this morning and I’d expect Peterson to start one of the games against the Brewers in Milwaukee this weekend. He last pitched for the Mets on Sunday. To make room for Peterson on the 40-man roster, right-handed reliever Yosver Zulueta was designated for assignment.
The Cubs still do need some relief help, as well, Hopefully they can add someone at or before the trade deadline.
Here are the results of the four national questions asked in the SB Nation Reacts survey this week.
This is fairly evenly split among the top three. The Guardians, who have won six AL Central titles over the last 10 seasons, always seem to find a way to win.
That’s worded a bit differently, to take into account all contenders. Honestly, I think the Cubs should have been included here. The Mariners have struggled this year after making the ALCS and coming agonizingly close to the World Series in 2025. They’ve had injury issues like the Cubs have, though not to their pitching staff. I think in the end they run away with the AL West.
Personally, I can take or leave either method. The “swing based” system they are returning to (as opposed to the timer system used for the last several years) is something that should help players, many of whom report feeling exhausted after trying to take as many swings as they can with a time limit.
I have seen four no-hitters in person: Jack Morris of the Tigers over the White Sox in 1984, Carlos Zambrano for the Cubs in 2008, Cole Hamels no-hitting the Cubs in 2015 and the combined no-hitter for the Cubs at Wrigley Field in 2024.
I’ve seen three cycles: Willie McGee in the Sandberg Game in 1984, Mark Grace’s for the Cubs in 1993 and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s for the Cubs last week.
Cycles and no-hitters are about equally rare. There have been 352 cycles in MLB history and 327 no-hitters.
The four-homer game is the rarest of these. There have been only 21 four-homer games in MLB history. One of them was at Wrigley Field, by Mike Schmidt of the Phillies in 1976. I wrote that up here, too, on its 50th anniversary earlier this year. But I wasn’t at that game. So the four-homer game is the one I’d most like to see. Which would be yours?
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 25: Michael Busch #29 of the Chicago Cubs rounds third base on his way to scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium on May 25, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Monday night saw the conclusion of the 2026 North Carolina Tar Heels baseball season. While Carolina made it to the very last game possible, it ended in sadness. A defeat to Oklahoma in Game 3 of the College World Series championship series left the Heels a victory short of the program’s first ever national championship.
Understandably, that’s probably taken up a lot of your sports-watching attention of late, especially when it comes to baseball. However, as that’s been happening, there have been other Tar Heels out there playing baseball: the ones in the professional ranks, especially MLB. Now that the college season has come to a close, let’s check in on how the Carolina alumni in the majors have done while your attention has been elsewhere.
(Note: any stats mentioned are through games played on Monday.)
Michael Busch has been arguably the best UNC alumnus in the majors in recent years, having broken out as a legitimately good player after getting traded to the Cubs in 2024. While he’s a bit off the pace he set in 2025, especially in the home run column, he’s been pretty good for Chicago again this year. He’s put up a .773 OPS with 42 RBI on the season. However that being said, both he and the Cubs have been a bit off where they were expected to be coming into the season.
Busch was joined in Chicago by another Tar Heel this past offseason, when pitcher Trent Thornton signed there. He’s proven to be a very solid middle reliever for the Cubs to this point, posting a 3.15 ERA.
Pitcher Zac Gallen has been an ace for the Arizona Diamondbacks over the years, including helping them to the 2023 World Series. He was a free agent after last season but ultimately re-upped in Arizona. Unfortunately for him, it’s not been the prettiest of years. He’s made 16 starts on the season, but has an ERA over six and has seen his strikeout rate plummet from past years.
Having spent the last couple years with the Red Sox, pitcher Cooper Criswell joined the Mariners this past offseason and has been solid for them. He’s currently on the injured list, but he has a better-than-average 3.52 ERA out of Seattle’s bullpen over his 26 appearances.
Brendon Little appeared in 79 games out of the bullpen last year, helping the Blue Jays to an eventual World Series appearance. This season has not been as kind to him, as he’s given up 14 earned runs in 4.2 innings and is currently in the minors.
Ben Casparius and Nick Raquet are both pitchers who started their college careers at UNC and ended them elsewhere, but we’ll still give them a small check in. Both have been a bit iffy for their respective teams and are no longer on the major league rosters; Casparius on the injured list and Raquet in the minors.
We’ll be sure to keep an eye on the MLB Tar Heels for the rest of this season, so best of luck to them.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Zach McKinstry #39, Riley Greene #31,Gleyber Torres #25, Tarik Skubal #29, Javier Baez #28 and Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers pose for a photo prior to the 95th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We won’t get the results until they are announced on MLB Network on Thursday night at 5:00 p.m. ET, but the first phase of All-Star voting wrapped up at noon today. The leading vote getter from each league will earn a spot in the starting lineup. Currently that is Shohei Ohtani, who had a significant lead over fellow Dodger Max Muncy as of Monday’s last vote count update. Somewhat hilariously, Blue Jays’ utility player Ernie Clement is leading the American League over Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. As usual, the voting process is being overrun by a particular team or fanbase, this time with the whole nation of Canada behind them.
Of course, this is why the All-Star Game doesn’t really move the needle the way it used to. On the one hand, it’s good engagement for the league to have fans voting on a whole ballot of options. On the other hand, a little pre-selection process wouldn’t hurt to keep fanbase size from dominating who makes the final cut. Of course, with the American League in general looking rough this season, and stars like Aaron Judge and Mike Trout, who are third and fourth in voting at last count, both injured, this was always going to be a wide open field in terms of who actually takes the field.
The top two vote getters at each position in each league, with six outfielder spots per league open, will advance to the second phase of voting. Phase 2 voting for fans will open at noon on Monday, June 29, with 72 hours for voting to be completed. This will be a whole new ballot, with Phase 1 votes not included. We’ll keep you updated on how the Tigers’ top players do, because fans will need to pile into that 72 hour window to get them the rest of the way.
Obviously Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle deserve major consideration. Dingler has been the best all around catcher in the game this season but was last seen third behind the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers and the Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk, while McGonigle was third at the shortstop position behind the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., and Blue Jays’ shortstop Andrés Giménez at last report. Riley Greene is still in the mix among AL outfielders, and considering that six outfielders will make it to Phase 2, there’s still a chance Greene will make it into the second round of voting as well, although he was in ninth place as of Monday’s last released vote totals.
Considering how things went for the Tigers’ All-Star Game players last summer, it may be for the best if none of them make it. Blue Jays fans are stuffing the ballot box like crazy, and while it’s a nice honor, taking a break for a week wouldn’t hurt the three Tigers, as they’ve been carrying the load for the struggling Tigers in an injury plagued first half of the season.
The AL squad will be managed by the Blue Jays’ John Schneider, as the manager of last year’s World Series contending squad from the junior circuit. He’ll have Twins’ manager Derek Shelton as his backup along with the Blue Jays’ coaching staff. NL manager Dave Roberts has added Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol and Phillies manager Don Mattingly to his staff.
MLB All-Star Week will include the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11-12, the All-Star Futures Game for prospects on July 12, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13, and the All-Star Game itself on July 14.
