The two parties had reportedly been working towards finding a trade destination for the former lottery pick − Jared Weiss of The Athletic reported that the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns, among other teams, have all shown interest − but landed on a release instead after the deadline passed last week.
Now, the pending restricted free agent has been bought out and is free to choose his next destination.
The Spurs made the news official on social media with a graphic thanking Sochan, who they selected No. 9 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Sochan had represented San Antonio in the 2023 and '24 Rising Stars games.
Since then, however, Sochan's usage has declined in San Antonio. He averaged just 12.8 minutes in 28 games this season after starting 23 times the prior season, and he found himself out of the rotation completely after the emergence of rookie wing Carter Bryant.
According to Charania, Sochan "is expected to decide among multiple interested teams."
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole #45, throwing on a back field as pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training today, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.
TAMPA — At a time when managers around Florida and Arizona are delivering bad news in the form of new injuries at the start of camp, no news was good news from Aaron Boone and the Yankees on Wednesday.
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As pitchers, catchers and World Baseball Classic participants reported to spring training and underwent physicals at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Boone indicated that they had a healthy bunch — aside from the four players who they already disclosed would begin the season on the injured list: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and Anthony Volpe.
There is still a long way to go before now and Opening Day, but the Yankees at least seem to be starting off on the right foot, which is not always the case.
“As far as I know, I think we’re in a good spot,” Boone said.
Rodón, who had a bone spur shaved down and loose bodies removed from his left elbow in October, is “probably not far behind from the start of the season,” Boone said, which would seem to keep a late April return in play.
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throwing on a back field as pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 11 Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Cole, meanwhile, threw “a number” of bullpen sessions back home before arriving at camp, about 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The former AL Cy Young winner is scheduled to begin facing hitters “in a couple weeks” and could even get into Grapefruit League games before camp ends, Boone said.
The Yankees will not rush Cole, but the possibility of pitching in exhibition games by the end of spring is a positive sign for Cole’s rehab as he tries to return by May or June.
As for Volpe, who underwent left shoulder surgery in October for a torn labrum, the shortstop is scheduled to begin his hitting progression within the next two weeks, which is the last step to begin ramping up.
“He is doing well,” Boone said. “Strength is all there in the weight room and stuff like that. He’s got all that back. That’s the thing that took a little while. His range of motion is tremendous.”
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 03: New York Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga (43) delivers a pitch during a MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees on April 3, 2024, at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This is the final batch of right-handed pitchers. I’d not be surprised if one or more of these ended up in our Opening Day bullpen, and there is a non-zero chance every one we talk about here, sees some MLB action over the course of the 2026 campaign…
Jonathan Loaisiga (43)
With eight years of major-league experience, and a 120 ERA+ across almost 250 innings of MLB work, Loaisiga is a very credible option for the Arizona ‘pen. All of that time came with the Yankees – he was their longest-tenured pitcher at the end of last season – peaking in a stellar 2023 campaign where has worth 3.3 bWAR, entirely in relief. Last year was a bit of a struggle, with a mediocre 4.25 ERA across 30 appearances in pinstripes, and an ugly 5.83 FIP. It’s possible he was still recovering from elbow surgery – an internal brace, rather than traditional Tommy John – which ended his 2024 season after just three games. He also had back and flexor problems, so staying healthy is going to be key.
Alfred Morillo (78)
Not to be confused with right-handed relief pitcher Juan Morillo, who is already on the 40-man roster, Morillo is also Dominican rather than Venezuelan. He has been part of the Arizona farm system for four years, splitting 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A. Morillo does need to get the walks down – 20 over just 29 innings for Reno, and control has been an issue through his minor-league career. But he only turned 24 in November, so time is on his side. In September, Preston called him “most likely a shuttle-riding mid-inning option, but there is a small chance of greater upside.”
Taylor Rashi (54)
It was a bit of a surprise when Rashi was non-tendered in November, especially considering he was pre-arbitration, so was still set to earn league minimum this season. After all, he had looked good in his MLB debut, striking out 22 batters over 16.1 innings to give him a 1.91 FIP, while notching a pair of saves (above). Across a bigger sample size with Reno (67.1 IP), he also had a 3.48 ERA – the best of any Aces pitcher with 30+ innings last year. But a couple of weeks later, he re-signed with the Diamondbacks, so no harm done. It did take him until almost the end of August to reach the majors last year, but if he can reproduce his 2025 form, he should see Phoenix considerably sooner.
Landon Sims (87)
Our first-round pick (#34 overall) in 2022, Sims spent all of last season in Double-A Amarillo, where his 3.63 ERA was very credible given the environment. Of particular note, he allowed only two home-runs to the 233 batters he faced. It has been a process for Sims, since Tommy John surgery a couple of months before the draft, meant his pro debut was delayed until mid-2023. The initial results were short of impressive, but they have improved as Landon’s strength has returned. However, Fangraphs were unimpressed, calling him “a relief-only prospect now, and a bit of a fringy one… it’s a low-ceiling, low-leverage profile.”
Feb 10, 2026; North Port, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider (99) and teammates workout during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Well, nobody went on the 60-Day IL today so I’d consider that a success! The night is still young so I’m definitely knocking on wood here but hopefully we’re past the bad injury luck for the time being. That clubhouse needs it and the fanbase needs it as well. Phew.
Anyways, here’s a random clip. The floor is now yours.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talks with his father and New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 104-101. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (34*-20) face the Philadelphia 76ers (30-23) tonight at Xfinity Mobile Arena. It’s New York’s final game on the schedule before the All-Star break. They arrive still stinging from last night’s overtime loss to Indiana, while Philly’s last game was a bust against Portland.
Game’s at 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG and ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good ambassadors of humanity. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs defends Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter of the game at Frost Bank Center on December 27, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs have released Jeremy Sochan. They are allowing him an opportunity to test the market and find a home. I am here to tell you that home shouldn’t be in Phoenix.
The San Antonio Spurs and forward Jeremy Sochan have agreed on his release to allow the 2023 All-Rookie team member to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. Sochan is expected to decide among multiple interested teams. pic.twitter.com/ilLIWLz7gb
I get it. You like the energy. You like the hustle. You like the style. Above all else, you like the idea of the size. Even though he is 6’8”, he is not really a true power forward. He does not solve any of the issues that the Suns currently possess. Even though bringing him here on a veteran minimum contract could be appealing, it is not the right move for Phoenix.
There is no real value added with him coming in here. If this were a team that lacked hustle and energy, it would be different. You would plug him in and let him run wild. You would allow his energy and focus to influence those on the court. But the second unit does not need that. They have Jordan Goodwin and Ryan Dunn.
The second name is the most important in this whole equation. If you bring in Jeremy Sochan, you are giving up on Ryan Dunn, at least in the short term relative to his development. Ryan Dunn has had a rocky sophomore season, but we are starting to see signs of life. Things are starting to click on both ends of the floor. Over his last four games, he is 6-of-9 from beyond the arc.
I’d rather keep Ryan Dunn in the second unit. Honestly, I might even give him more minutes. Let him keep building confidence. Let him fortify his development. There is no reason to create a logjam in front of him right now.
That matters even more when you look at the numbers. This is a player who is a career 28.7% shooter from beyond the arc. He is not some massive upgrade over Dunn on the glass either. His career rebounding percentage sits at 12%. Dunn is at 11% across his two seasons. That gap is negligible. I’ll bank on upside and development, even if Dunn is technically older than Sochan. Dunn has at least shown an ability to make threes, even if it comes in waves.
And if the argument is that he should be in the starting lineup, I’m sorry, but no thank you. He has not started a game in San Antonio this season. Over the past two years, he slowly but surely played himself out of that role. Maybe a change of scenery helps. I still do not see him as a starting power forward. He is undersized, and I would much rather have the shooting of Royce O’Neale on the floor. Sochan shrinks the spacing. He might grab a few more rebounds, but he does not bring enough offensively to move anything in a meaningful way.
I keep coming back to what I said last week when I was putting together mock trades involving him. I understand why people like him. He is just not for me. At least not for this team, and not right now. There is no real value added here. The fit is duplicative, and it actively blocks the development of Ryan Dunn.
So, like Dillon Brook should do late in games, I’ll pass.
We have entered the “Every Guy Who Gets Waived Should Be a Sun” part of the season 🤦♂️
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 4: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the net against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 4, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s see what you can do, Tolu Smith. The Detroit Pistons will be relying on their two-way center to play plenty of minutes tonight against the Toronto Raptors as the Pistons will be playing their first game without Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart. Both were suspended for their actions during a brawl with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. The Pistons will also be missing Ron Holland, who is still out for personal reasons. This is Detroit’s last game before the All-Star break, and you’d like to see them end the unofficial first half on a high note. But not only are they playing short-handed, but they are also playing a dangerous Toronto Raptors team.
Toronto has won three of four games, granted that was against the Jazz, Bulls, and Pacers. But they always seem to be feisty against the Pistons. I want a nice, quiet game that can ease us into the break. Is that too much to ask?
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons +1
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons: (39-13)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Paul Reed
Toronto Raptors (32-22)
Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl
Jan 26, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) looks up court in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has done a good job of integrating the new additions at the deadline into the rotation. James Harden has paired well with both Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. And by the sounds of things, it won’t be long until we find out how the new core four looks together.
According to Atkinson, Mobley should be returning from his calf strain “right after the All-Star break.”
Mobley has missed the team’s last six games and is out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards. He injured his left calf in the team’s win over the Orlando Magic on Jan. 26. This was the same calf that he injured earlier on Dec. 12. That initial injury kept him out for two weeks.
If Mobley returns after the All-Star break in the team’s Feb. 19 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, it would be a three and a half week absence from the court. The timeline for the recent calf strain was one to three weeks.
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Fitting Mobley back into a lineup that looks vastly different could present some challenges.
“I’m not sure if James has ever played with two bigs,” Atkinson said. “It’s usually four shooters, one big, but I have no doubt he’ll figure that one out too.”
Atkinson is already planning for that eventuality.
“We’re trying to get ahead of it,” Atkinson said. “With the coaches, we’ve talked about it. I don’t want to overload James right now. … When Evan comes back, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. … We got to think about the spacing, isolation spacing, pick-and-roll spacing, what kind of sets are best when those two are together.”
The Cavs have bet on talent and overall basketball IQ winning out with the Harden trade. Through two games, it has worked out. We’ll see how that adjustment period goes when Mobley returns.
Sep 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Bryce Eldridge (78) takes the field before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The buzz out of Spring Training camp today came from the news that Bryce Eldridge will get some work out in left field. The Giants’ San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Shayna Rubin has the full breadth of the story summed up in this social media post:
Well, that’s a sweet capper to the story and I hope there’s a follow-up question in a couple of days asking what treat or gift his mom packed along with the glove.
But the news is not a total shocker. Eldridge began his pro career getting some time in right field for the ACL Giants and San Jose Giants. He was also a pitcher. So, you know, he’s an athlete. And he’s just 21 years old. Trying him around the diamond — especially during Spring Training — just makes a lot of sense.
Rafael Devers ought to be slated as the starting first baseman specifically because he’s just 29 years old. Having lived through my twenties and now thirties, I have to say that people should wring as much physical activity out of their twenties as possible. I am of the belief that Devers’ 1,270 games at third base makes him a great candidate to play most of the time at first base, and while he wasn’t amazing last season in the brief sampling he had with the Giants, he looked physically capable over there. Penciling him in there for the bulk of the work makes all the sense in the world. Rafael Devers isn’t baseball young and not nearly as young Eldridge, but he’s still young, so use the youth!
The Devers situation makes the Giants’ decision to callup Bryce Eldridge at the end of 2025 all the more questionable. He was already struggling at first base in the minor leagues. The team didn’t put him in the outfield after 2023. On top of that, he didn’t need to be added to the 40-man roster until after the 2027 season. So now, the Giants find themselves with the unenviable task of having to develop a 21-year old position player.
Developing position players of any age has been tough for the franchise since their move to San Francisco and it’s not a scenario any reasonable person should expect to work out well, even if you are feeling generous towards the Giants. Most prospects don’t pan out. There are already whispers that Eldridge isn’t going to be close to the player the Giants had hoped for — unless you want to discount Eno Sarris entirely.
There was already a lot of hype for and pressure on Eldridge, but with the September callup it would appear the Giants have transferred that pressure from the player and onto themselves. Maybe almost entirely. The Giants are tying up a roster spot on a 21 year old DH/1B unless Tony Vitello college coaches him up to being a good enough defender to be flexible for left field, too. That doesn’t seem like a guarantee, not only because Vitello has a whole roster to worry about, but because he’s aware that Eldridge is still very much a prospect. In response to a question about him being on the Opening Day roster, Vitello said of Eldridge:
It’s amazing that he was able to accomplish what he did last year but for right now I think he’s just got to mature as a player. He’s incredibly mature as a kid. But repetitions and conversations and just maturing so that he’s a complete player I think is the key to him becoming the best version of himself. And if he becomes the best version of himself […] he’s around the Giants pretty danged often and maybe even Opening Day.
So, now the Giants have to find field time for him to keep him in the lineup to see if he’ll hit his way onto the Opening Day roster. If he does, then that means the Giants have a meaningful power threat in their lineup. They also set themselves up for an extra draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive. If it doesn’t work out it might become a reflection on the player down the road (especially if Eno Sarris’s prediction proves correct), but let’s not forget that the Giants have rushed him along because he’s the one prospect in several years that the industry has mostly agreed is a good one and has the type of (theoretical) power the lineup has sorely lacked since the championship era.
The other part of this that I think is worth exploring is what happens if Eldridge does stick and proves capable in left field. What happens with the outfield then? Does Jung Hoo Lee get more time in center than Buster Posey envisioned when they signed Harrison Bader? Does Heliot Ramos DH a lot more? All of that would seem to fall in “good problem to have” territory, but I can’t imagine Eldridge’s defensive ceiling being enough to supplant any of the current options, even if the bat plays. But at the same time, an outfield of Eldridge, Lee, and Ramos sounds, uh, pretty good — if all three hit to their expectations. I would hope that the Giants are trying to see if there’s something to Eldridge in the outfield that can actually stick, because making a 6’7” left-handed power hitter some sort of utility player strikes me as something that would’ve been condemned by most of the fandom had it been the plan of the previous front office, and it doesn’t seem like making a prospect positionless puts a prospect in the best position to succeed.
Eldridge could wind up as a left-handed Aaron Judge, who didn’t become AARON JUDGE until his age-25 season. So, development isn’t linear and it usually takes a decent amount of time. I’m not sure where “finding extra playing time for a prospect who has been rushed through the minors” falls, exactly. Is it evidence of desperation and they’re just trying to find something that makes him fit on the roster or are they simply trying to give him as many reps against major league competition as possible to aid in his development?
Well, that’s why we true baseball sickos watch Spring Training: to find out.
Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Nick Castellanos’ days in Philadelphia appear numbered.
The veteran outfielder remains on the Phillies’ roster, “but there is no locker in the clubhouse for him,” per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
The Phillies told the 33-year-old outfielder “not to report to the team’s complex this week,” Gelb added, as they look to get off his contract.
Castellanos is expected to be traded or released “in the next two days.”
Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in game two of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 6, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
It’s been a long winter for Castellanos, who was reportedly on his way out of Philly in October shortly after the team was eliminated by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
That was all but confirmed after the Phillies signed Adolis Garcia, leaving little room for a player like Castellanos on a roster full of other slow-footed sluggers like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Last season, Castellanos, who turns 34 next month, posted full-season lows with a .250 average and an on-base percentage of .294.
The two-time All-Star also posted a career-worst negative-1.0 WAR.
He is due $20 million in 2026 in the fifth and final year of his $100 million pact with the Phillies.
Castellanos also appeared to be butting heads with manager Rob Thomson during the season.
Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
After Castellano was pulled from a late August game for the slick-fielding Harrison Bader, he appeared to call out Thomson, saying there was “no conversation” about the move.
In June, Castellanos was benched one game for an “inappropriate comment” to Thomson after getting taken out of a game against the Marlins.
Castellanos has consistently ranked as one of the worst outfielders in baseball, sitting in a tie for last with Schwarber in terms of outs above average (minus-39) over the past five seasons.
The Detroit Red Wings haven't had a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman since the days of Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom patrolling their blue line. Lidstrom won the award seven times, most recently in 2011.
However, that drought has a significant chance of ending this season.
Defenseman Moritz Seider has all the tools to firmly be in the conversation as one of the NHL’s best at his position.
Seider currently leads all Red Wings defensemen in ice time and points while contributing in every situation. He also carries a team-best plus-13 rating.
While the current odds-on favorite to be named the Norris Trophy winner is Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Seider is giving him a healthy dose of competition.
During a recent episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, hosts Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette were joined by Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, and the conversation turned to Seider.
"We mentioned a month ago, the season he's having," Whitney said of Seider. "And I said, 'I don't know if there's been a defenseman as close to Chris Pronger the way Moritz Seider is playing right now....he's mean, he's enormous."
“Are you seeing some characteristics that you had in your game out of him?” Whitney asked.
Bissonnette followed up: “And is he a No. 1 at this point?"
"At this point, yes," Pronger responded without hesitation before delving deeper into the characteristics that he feels a top NHL defenseman should have.
The top defensive pairing of Seider and Edvinsson has been at the top of the NHL this season and has been a key part of Detroit's advantageous position in the standings at the time of the Olympic break.
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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman recently pushed back on the popular notion of "running it back" in 2026, arguing their latest roster -- fully stocked with familiar names and faces from a brief ALDS exit last season -- has the requisite makeup of a championship contender.
But the months-long argument about Cashman's architectural work and attitude means very little to Jazz Chisholm Jr. Whether or not the club is truly starting fresh with a rotten plan, he's on board with the group assembled and unbothered by the front office direction.
"We're running it back because, at the halfway point, we thought we built a team that was going to go to the World Series," the Yankees infielder said on Wednesday down in Tampa. "We still believe that, wholeheartedly. I don't see a problem with running it back with four MVPs on your team."
Not too long ago, Chisholm's future with the Yankees was somewhat in doubt. He was mentioned in base-level trade rumors during the offseason, and while he avoided arbitration last month with a one-year, $10.2 million contract, he's currently slated for free agency after the 2026 season.
It's still unclear if the Yankees envision a long-term relationship with Chisholm, but the two-time All-Star is coming off a highlight year. As their primary second baseman, he slashed .242/.332/.481 with a career-high 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 130 games, finishing as one of just seven players to produce a 30-30 campaign in 2025. He also earned Silver Slugger honors.
When asked about his personal goals for 2026, Chisholm set the bar rather high -- with his own twist on the "running it back" topic.
"Basically, the same personal goals I have every season. Go out there, win MVP, and go win a World Series," he said. "I can make as much money as I want, but if I don't have the MVP, I'm not going to be satisfied. That's more important than that."
Yankees pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp on Wednesday, and the first full-squad workout of spring training is scheduled for Thursday.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Queens, NY. (Corey Sipkin...
Zack Wheeler appears to be a fan of spare ribs.
The Phillies ace and former Mets starter revealed Wednesday that he kept a rib that doctors removed during a September procedure on his right shoulder.
Wheeler missed the end of the 2025 season due to a blood clot and thoracic outlet syndrome. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The 35-year-old ultimately underwent two separate procedures.
“You have to do a bunch of stuff to [the rib], so I guess it doesn’t decay,” Wheeler told reporters at BayCare Park in Clearwater, Fla., noting that Phillies head trainer Paul Buchheit helped “preserve” the bone.
“I just have it sitting in the house.”
The first procedure was thrombolysis performed by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in late August. Weeks later, he underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery with Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis, per The Athletic.
The second surgery required the removal of his first rib near the right shoulder.
Wheeler, who spent his first five MLB seasons with the Amazin’s, was asked exactly where the rib resides now that he has it.
“It’s in my closet,” a laughing Wheeler said. “It’s just in a case.”
The right-hander said Dr. Thompson typically waits about a month before returning surgically removed body parts to patients, but expedited the process in his case.
“He gave it to me in a bag,” Wheeler added. “It was pretty gross.”
Wheeler has said he will retire at the end of his current contract. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
The blood clot and subsequent TOS procedure were a scary ordeal, but Wheeler’s recovery is going well.
While Wheeler will not be ready by Opening Day, team president Dave Dombrowski expects the three-time All-Star to be ready soon thereafter.
“I don’t think it’s going to be long that he’ll be ready,” Dombrowski said Tuesday, according to The Athletic.
Before the injury, Wheeler was in the midst of another spectacular season, sporting a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts.
Wheeler will be vital to the Phillies’ postseason aspirations, but his days in Philadelphia appear numbered.
Months before the blood clot, Wheeler said he would retire at the end of the three-year, $126 million extension he signed in March 2024 — even if he’s still an elite pitcher.
“Doesn’t matter. No,” Wheeler said at the time. “It’ll be easy to walk away.”
There are dominant performances, and then there are alien invasions.
On Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, Victor Wembanyama didn’t just beat the Los Angeles Lakers — he dominated the game. Wembanyama, affectionately known as “The Alien,” a nickname given to him by LeBron James, scored 40 points in just 26 minutes while James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic watched from the Lakers bench.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama goes up for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers. APJJ Redick stands on the court during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
By the time the Spurs finished dismantling the Lakers 136-108, the only suspense left was whether Wembanyama would remain in the game long enough to go for 50. He wouldn’t.
Lakers head coach J.J. Redick didn’t bother with coach-speak afterward. He went straight to the truth:
“He’s one of the five best players in the world,” Redick said. “He’s put that stamp on himself. To me, it’s more than the counting stats with him because there’s such an avoidance of him defensively, and there’s an awareness you have to have with him defensively.”
That word — avoidance — says everything.
NBA defenses don’t guard Wembanyama. They orbit around him. They tilt entire schemes in his direction. He scored 25 in the first quarter alone, slicing through double-teams, stepping into threes, finishing above the square as if gravity were optional.
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At 7-foot-4 with guard skills and a defensive radius that swallows space whole, Wembanyama bends the geometry of basketball. He’s not just producing All-Star numbers; he’s reshaping the league as we know it.
The San Antonio Spurs no longer have a rising star. They have a global force. And after nights like this, even opposing coaches are forced to admit what the league already knows: the future isn’t coming.
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers will be shorthanded again on Wednesday night hosting the New York Knicks.
After being listed as questionable throughout the day, Joel Embiid has been downgraded to out for the contest due to right knee injury management. Embiid was also sidelined for this reason on Monday when the Sixers fell to the Portland Trail Blazers to close their road trip out west.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported on social media Wednesday evening that Embiid had reported soreness in the knee after the Sixers’ win over the Suns this past Saturday. He adds that the soreness has decreased but treatments would continue through the upcoming All-Star break.
Joel Embiid is out tonight against the Knicks due to right knee injury management, sources told ESPN.
Embiid reported some soreness in his knee after the Suns win Saturday. The soreness has decreased, but he won’t play today, and will continue treatment through the break.
This is the first time since Dec. 19 and 20, 2025, that Embiid has missed two games in a row. He hasn’t missed a game other than to rest one leg of each back-to-back since Dec. 28 and has been playing tremendous ball in that time, averaging 30.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists across 18 games.
Before the game, head coach Nick Nurse said that he reported soreness in the right knee after their win over the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 7.
“It’s bothering him enough that he’s not playing, I think it is improving a little bit,” Nurse said, “but just not quite there enough to get out there tonight.”
Nurse also went on to say that there isn’t a ton of concern over this, but clumped Embiid in with the group of guys it will be good to have a week off with the impending All-Star break.
Quentin Grimes has also been downgraded to out for Wednesday after being listed as questionable throughout the day for illness. Dominick Barlow, however, is good to go after being listed as questionable for illness earlier alongside Grimes. Both Grimes and Barlow were sidelined for the loss to the Trail Blazers.
Another shorthanded one for the Sixers… this time against the no. 3 team in the Eastern Conference. Should be fun!
The Sixers and Knicks tip off from South Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
