CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 04: Pitcher Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles will look to complete the sweep and secure their seventh-consecutive victory this afternoon in Houston. Baltimore originally penciled Kyle Bradish as the starter, but the O’s will send out Brandon Young to start the finale. Bradish is now scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Young will look to make it another memorable start against the Astros. The 27-year-old helped keep the Orioles afloat in the first half with a 7-2 record and 3.42 ERA over 15 games. The Astros will send out right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown.
Adley Rutschman will begin the day on the bench with Samuel Basallo handling the catching and Taylor Ward getting a day as the DH. Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Leody Taveras will handle the outfield duties.
Coby Mayo will return to third base, and Jackson Holliday will head to second. Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson will take their usual spots at first base and shortstop.
Baltimore secured a pair of improbable victories on Friday and Saturday. Do they have the chops to go out and win a no-doubter today? Let’s find out.
Feb 15, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Aundre Hyatt (5) dribbles in front of Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) and forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
College athletics have long been finished; the New York Knicks and Carolina Hurricanes are already champions; the only NFL news is Travis Kelce’s wedding and the dreaded dog days of baseball are upon us. The FIFA World Cup has provided a lone lifeline to sports fans.
Yet, for the sports psychos who need a little bit more than the drama of the greatest soccer player of all time and a Spaniard destined to stand beside him, the NBA Summer League has delivered a competitive spark. College basketball stars and the promising youth of the NBA have clashed every night over the past couple of weeks. From AJ Dybantsa to Nick Martinelli, basketball is very much alive in Las Vegas.
Northwestern had four alumni play in the Summer League during July, all of whom hoped to secure guaranteed roster spots and possibly even minutes on NBA courts this upcoming season. Here’s how the Wildcat quartet fared.
Today is the last day of Summer League. The championship between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies is at 8 p.m. CT. Brooks Barnhizer plays for the Thunder at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Pete Nance (Milwaukee Bucks): B
Following a productive four-year career at Northwestern and a final season at North Carolina, Nance went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He struggled to find playing time in the NBA until last season with the Bucks, when he appeared in 47 games. Nance entered this year’s Summer League on a minimum contract with the Bucks with a team option for next season.
Nance didn’t appear in any of the Bucks’ first three games as part of the California Classic earlier this month, but received a starting spot upon meeting the rest of the association in Las Vegas and shined immediately. In his debut, Nance led the Bucks in scoring with 16 points on 60% shooting from the field and four 3-pointers. He followed that up with eight points, five rebounds and five assists against the San Antonio Spurs and seven points and three rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.
In the Bucks’ first win in Las Vegas, Nance played 27 minutes and had 11 points and four assists against the Charlotte Hornets. His plus-minus was a team-high plus 25, and he added three makes from beyond the arc. Nance capped off his Summer League with another 11 points and three 3-pointers in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Across the Bucks’ five games, Nance averaged 11 points and 3.8 rebounds on 49% shooting from the field and made over 2.5 threes per game. It’s always hard to draw conclusions based upon Summer League results, but Nance’s consistent all-around performances and hot hand from long range should ensure a spot on a weakened Bucks roster this upcoming season. The size and shooting ability that Nance showcased should excite Milwaukee’s front office, as he could be an incredibly useful depth guy off the bench.
Boo Buie (Chicago Bulls): C-
Despite Buie taking Northwestern basketball to new heights and scoring over 2,000 points during his time in Evanston, he’s struggled to find a home in the NBA. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft and bouncing around G League teams, Buie was signed by the Bulls for the Summer League and hoped to make an impact on another Illinois team.
Buie scored two points in three minutes in the Bulls’ first Summer League game, but seemingly did enough to impress the coaching staff to warrant more playing time. He played 14 minutes in game two but struggled to shoot and finished with three points on 20% shooting from the field. Buie’s third attempt was more of the same, as his lack of size led to turnover issues and defensive lapses.
The Bulls’ fourth summer league game was Buie’s best performance, as he scored 12 points in his 19 minutes played. He also made all five of his free throw attempts and had three assists. Buie netted two triples in his fifth game, but his overall struggles continued as the Bulls dropped to 1-4.
In an overall Summer League performance he’d love to have back, Buie averaged 5.6 points on 27% shooting from the field across his five games. It’s difficult to predict what the future holds for Buie, but it’s hard to envision the Bulls or any other team giving him an NBA opportunity this season.
Brooks Barnhizer (Oklahoma City Thunder): B+
Barnhizer was drafted 44th overall by the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft and showed real promise in his rookie season’s 40-game sample size. Barnhizer is on a two-way contract for the upcoming season and hopes to use Summer League to expand his role within a crowded Thunder rotation.
Oklahoma City began the month in Utah against the Grizzlies. Barnhizer started the first game and scored 13 points on 50% shooting from the field with six rebounds. He struggled to shoot the ball in the second game but contributed 13 rebounds before putting up 15 points and 10 boards in game three. Barnhizer’s impact is evident in his finishing the third game with a plus-1 rating, despite his team losing by 34 points.
In the Thunder’s first game in Las Vegas, Barnhizer led the team in scoring and rebounding with 12 points and 10 rebounds. His second game was quieter, but on night three, Barnhizer had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a close loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder’s fourth game in Las Vegas was Barnhizer’s best performance of the entire month of July, as he once again led the team in scoring and rebounding with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Barnhizer looked like a man amongst boys in the game against the Dallas Mavericks and truly showed the steps he’s taken.
The Thunder have one more game to play, but Barnhizer averaged 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds on 41% shooting from the field across his first seven Summer League games. Barnhizer’s efficiency could have been better, but he started every game and was the one consistent option on both ends of the floor for a Thunder team that didn’t win a game. It will be hard for him to see consistent NBA minutes next season on such a loaded depth chart, but he proved once again his two-way skills and value on the court. Barnhizer will be ready when his opportunity finally comes.
Nick Martinelli (Los Angeles Clippers): A
Martinelli was drafted by the Clippers with the 55th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and signed a two-year, two-way contract. Though the guarantees in his contract give Martinelli some stability, his competitive nature compelled him to take Summer League by storm.
The Clippers started in Las Vegas, and Martinelli debuted with 11 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench in a losing effort. However, he wouldn’t let his team lose twice in a row and bounced back to lead the Clippers to their first win against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.
He struggled to 12 points and 10 rebounds in game three, and then put together his Magnum Opus in a blowout over the Wizards. Rewarded with the starting spot for his effective play, Martinelli had 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field with three makes from beyond the arc. He also had five rebounds, two steals and finished the game as a plus-13. The two-way impact was undeniable; his energy was consistent and contagious. As he did so many times in a Northwestern jersey, Martinelli made his teammates better and inspired the win in Las Vegas.
The Clippers’ third win of Summer League featured more highly efficient scoring from Martinelli, as he had 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting to go along with six rebounds. Martinelli’s plus-15 plus-minus compelled his team to an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, capping off a tremendous Summer League effort.
Martinelli averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds on over 60% shooting from the field across his five Summer League games. He proved to be a reliable threat on the offensive end, an above-average rebounder and a defender capable of standing his ground in the paint and on the perimeter. If Martinelli can continue to develop his long-range shot, he should grow into a valuable sixth or seventh man with the ability to change the tide of games. One couldn’t have asked for much more from the 55th pick in the draft as he’s already begun his campaign to make the 29 other front offices look silly.
OKC gets back three second-round draft picks from the Hawks in exchange for Dort; Atlanta is also sending guard Ryan Nembard to the Dallas Mavericks for former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
With this trade, the Thunder have now acquired seven second-round picks this offseason after previously trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two second-round picks apiece. Dort had a $17.7 million team option and rather than declining it to save cap space and let him walk for nothing, general manager Sam Presti decided to pick it up and get some value for the first-team All-Defensive wing.
Now, Dort is in a position to get the long-term contract he wouldn't have been able to in OKC and will reunite with Wiggins in Atlanta, where he projects as an ideal defensive fit alongside Dyson Daniels and Nickiell Alexander-Walker.
BREAKING: The Oklahoma City Thunder trading All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that sends three second-round picks to OKC, former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks and Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4ewUxhRQA5
Dallas had been previously linked to Risacher at the 2026 trade deadline when his name came up as a possible candidate for an Anthony Davis trade, though his hand surgery ended up nixing any interest the Hawks had in a deal and the Mavs ended up sending Davis to the Washington Wizards instead.
In seven seasons since arriving in OKC as an undrafted free agent, Dort averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists while establishing himself as one of the NBA's premier perimeter defenders.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 10: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on July 10, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (47-53) will play the finale of their three-game weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles (48-51) this afternoon at Daikin Park.
RHP Hunter Brown (1-0, 3.57 ERA) will make his 100th career start today and the fourth of his career against the Orioles, as he faces off against RHP Brandon Young (7-2, 3.42 ERA), who was announced as today’s starter last night.
THE DIESEL: RHP Hunter Brown will make his eighth start of the season today and his sixth since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL with a right shoulder strain. He has shown some rust upon his return, posting a 4.74 ERA (13ER/24.2IP) in his five starts, but has managed to keep the Astros in games, with the club going 3-2 in those starts.
FAMILIAR FOE: The Astros have seen fellow Texan RHP Brandon Young in each of their last three series against the Orioles with him combining for a 1-2 record and a 5.71 ERA (11ER/17.1IP) in those games. In their first matchup on Aug. 15, 2025 in Houston, Young carried a no-hitter into the 9th, but in his next two starts against the Astros, they clobbered him for 17 runs (11 earned) in 9.1 innings.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 99 different lineups in their 100 games, repeating a lineup just once on the season. DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 87 times.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros rank first in the AL and second in the Majors in 1st-inning runs (67). Overall, the Astros rank fifth in the AL in runs (453) immediately behind the Orioles (454).
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Astros rank second in the AL in fielding pct. (.988) and their 42 errors are the second-fewest in the AL. 1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in his 96 games played at 1B. Dating back to last season, Walker has not made an error in his last 124 games at 1B (last error was Aug. 23, 2025 at BAL).
INJURY BUG: The Astros removed both SS Jeremy Peña and 1B Christian Walker from yesterday’s game due to injury. Peña left with a right hamstring cramp and Walker with right hip tightness.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have recalled IF Raynel Delgado from Triple A Sugar Land and have designated RHP Nate Pearson for assignment.
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez is a strong MVP candidate, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.065), OBP (.430), SLG (.635), and total bases (226). Additionally, he is the Triple Crown leader in the AL, ranking first in batting average (.320), HR (31), and RBI (72) entering play today. Alvarez also ranks first in the AL in hits (114), first in XBH (50), tied for second in runs (65), and fourth in walks (66).
ALL-STAR ALVAREZ: DH Yordan Alvarez started and hit second for the AL in last week’s All-Star Game, going 1×2 with a single and a run scored. This marked the fourth All-Star selection for Alvarez (2022-24, 2026) and the second time that he was voted as a starter (also in 2024).
WHAT A HALF!: DH Yordan Alvarez hit 31 homers prior to the break, which are the most in a first half in club history, topping OF Lance Berkman, who hit 29 homers in the first half of the 2002 season. Alvarez is on pace to hit 50 homers on the season, which would represent a new franchise record, topping the 47 homers hit by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000.
KEYSTONE FLIGHTS: 2B Jose Altuve has 246 career homers as a second baseman and per Elias that ties him with 2B Joe Gordon and 2B Ian Kinsler for eighth all-time in homers by a second baseman in MLB history. On that all-time list, the trio immediately trails 2B Bret Boone (251), who happens to be the father-in-law of IF Nick Allen.
TAP FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 70 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (60%). 2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-22 challenges (68%), ranking second in the Majors in challenges won. 3B Isaac Paredes (11-for-12) has been the most efficient regular challenger for the team and was successful in his first 11 challenges this year.
SPENCE DEBUTS: OF Lucas Spence is off to a strong start to his MLB career, going 3×7 with a walk in his two games as an Astro. Spence is the 15th player in franchise history to reach base safely four times in his first two Major League games, a feat most recently accomplished by OF Zach Cole (2025) and DH Yordan Alvarez (2019).
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 3-1 with 10 saves (in 10 chances), has a 1.10 ERA (2ER/16.1IP), 28 strikeouts in 16.1 innings, a .109 (6×55) opponent average, and a 0.86 WHIP in 18 appearances. He has not allowed a hit in 14 of his 18 appearances.
DOWN ON THE FARM: RHP Bryce Mayer started at Double A last night, working 5.0 scoreless innings, while allowing two hits with eight strikeouts. Mayer, 24, who’s considered the top pitching prospect in the Astros system per MLB.com, has had a strong season at Double A Corpus Christi, posting a 3.46 ERA (20ER/52IP) with 74 K’s in 14 games (11 starts).
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 19, 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: SCHN
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: A jersey and hat with USA 250 patches hang in the locker of Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays before the July 4th game at Daikin Park on July 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: (Editors Note: Tonal effects have been applied to this image) Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
In both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, Lakers fans had plenty to be excited about.
The team won two out of their three games in San Francisco. In Las Vegas, they went undefeated during their first four games, advancing to the elimination round.
The Lakers lost to the Warriors and failed to advance to the title game, but in Summer League, the most important thing is seeing potential in young prospects.
From that perspective, LA got everything they wanted from Summer League. Cameron Carr averaged 18 points per game and had a plus-minus of +9 in Las Vegas. Adou Thiero looked like a second-year player ready to put Summer League play in his rearview mirror. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
With Carr and Thiero playing so well, the Lakers appear to have two young players on their roster that can impact winning this fall.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans which player they are most excited about after this Summer League between Carr and Thiero, and the Lakers rookie won the poll by a wide margin.
Carr did it all in Summer League. He was a great scorer for the Lakers and also a vocal leader. He was talking trash on the court and letting all the opponents know he was here to play. His game backed up that chatter, and he kept that energy during his postgame interviews.
While Carr was great, Thiero was equally impressive.
He had some monster dunks, displayed his ability as an on-ball creator and showed that he could be a good athletic wing option for the Lakers this upcoming season.
They did a ton of winning and gave Lakers fans optimism that these young players will be an important part of the future.
The next time we see Carr and Thiero play will be during preseason action. Hopefully they look just as promising this fall as they did in Las Vegas and San Francisco this summer.
KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 18: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Xander Bogaerts #2 after hitting a solo home run in the third inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, July 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tanner Gatlin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
San Diego Padres (48-50) at Kansas City Royals (40-59), July 19, 2026, 11:10 a.m. PST
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 30: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded one of the foundational players from their 2025 NBA championship run in an effort to trim payroll and stay out of the dreaded second apron. The Thunder traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that also sends former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Here’s the full breakdown of the trade:
Thunder acquire: Three future second-round picks
Hawks acquire: Lu Dort, Ryan Nembhard
Mavericks acquire: Zaccharie Risacher
The Thunder have reportedly saved $224 million in luxury tax and payroll this season by trading Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe. OKC is now under the second apron, and they are acquiring a 2027 second rounder from the Chicago Bulls (via Dallas), a 2031 most favorable second rounder from the Hawks, and a 2032 most favorable from the Hawks in the deal, according to Jake Fischer. Atlanta has added another bulldog defender on the perimeter, and the Mavs are taking a flier on a failed No. 1 overall pick.
Let’s grade this trade from every side.
Hawks trade grade for Lu Dort deal
Atlanta found some magic after trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in January of last season. The Hawks finished 28-15 after the trade with the league’s No. 8 net-rating at +4.9, then proceeded to take two games off the New York Knicks in the first-round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
In landing Dort, Atlanta adds another bulldog perimeter defender to pair with fDyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Dort is on an expiring $18.2 million deal for the 2026-27 season, which means the Hawks maintain a lot of cap flexibility ahead of the next summer. The Hawks are positioned to have $40+ million in cap space next season according to Charania, and they’re going to be very annoying to play against this year with arguably the league’s toughest defensive trio on the perimeter.
It feels like Atlanta has quietly become one of the best-run teams in the league since promoting Onsi Saleh to lead executive. The Hawks added Kingston Flemings via the brilliant Derik Queen trade, re-signed C.J. McCollum to a smart one-year deal, and added Devin Carter and Aaron Wiggins in trades. Risacher was drafted by the old front office, and he clearly wasn’t part of the Hawks’ long-term plans. Moving off him now seems fine to me given that he was set to make $31.2 million over the next two years. Atlanta is clearly loading up on defense around star forward Jalen Johnson, and they have the assets to make a bigger splash a year from now.
Dort is so physical defensively that he’s a borderline dirty player, and that might be putting it charitably. The East has gotten much stronger this summer, but no one will want to play the Hawks this year.
Grade: A-
Thunder trade grades for Lu Dort deal
Sam Presti always has a long-term vision in mind. He moved off Josh Giddey before he was due for an extension, and added a critical piece to a championship team in Alex Caruso in the process. Now he’s dealing Dort to significantly trim OKC’s tax bill, and potentially open up an extension for Cason Wallace.
Again: doing all of this on the fly (literally!) but Oklahoma City should see their luxury tax bill drop from ~$102.2M to ~$19.6M.
That’s the difference in the tax bands by shedding roughly $15.5M in one trade.
And of course, under the second apron now too. Cason Wallace…
The Thunder were always going to be very expensive once the extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all kicked in. Presti has done well to navigate the second apron as a small market team by moving off role players, replacing them with cost-controlled draft picks, and adding more future assets to potentially make more moves in the future.
The Thunder were the No. 1 team in our way-too-early power rankings. To get back to being a championship team, OKC will need Williams and Holmgren to regain the form they showed on the 2025 title run. In many ways, this team has outgrown Dort. Wallace feels like a more dynamic two-way player, and this also potentially opens up more opportunities for Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topic, and rookie Bennett Stirtz.
Presti isn’t perfect, it just feels that way sometimes. This is pretty good business to move off Dort, add some second-round picks, and maintain flexibility going forward.
Grade: A-
Mavericks trade grades for Zaccharie Risacher deal
Risacher was always a bet on a 3-and-D wing. So far, he hasn’t been too impressive in either area. Risacher’s defense graded out in the 26th percentile on EPM last season, and he’s a 36 percent three-point shooter on 8.5 attempts per 100 possessions for his career. Risacher offers very little shot-creation or playmaking. He’s not a plus rebounder for his position, either, and his scoring efficiency has been below league-average both years of his career.
Still, he’s only 21 years old, and could benefit from a change of scenery. He could be a good fit next to Cooper Flagg long-term if he actually becomes effective in the 3-and-D areas he’s supposed to be good at, and he’s already a pretty solid transition player who should run the floor well. I’ve never been a big fan of Risacher, but there’s an outline of a good player there, and the Mavs certainly bought very low on him in this deal. Schmitz knows what he’s doing, and if he believes in Risacher’s long-term future, then this is a fine flier to take at minimal cost.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: A general view of the home plate entrance of Citizens Bank Park prior to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game Presented by Nike at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Dodgers eastern time zone road trip continues to Philadelphia, a return trip for several who were at last Tuesday’s All-Star Game. But on Monday it’s the series opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Emmet Sheehan starts for the Dodgers on Monday, while Phillies ace and All-Star starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez goes for the home team.
This is an exclusive ESPN telecast, with Karl Ravech on play-by-play alongside analysts Eduardo Pérez and David Ross, plus reporter Buster Olney.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 30: Raynel Delgado #29 of the Houston Astros hits a double in the third inning during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Daikin Park on June 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, the Astros announced they have recalled IF Raynel Delgado from Triple A Sugar Land and have designated RHP Nate Pearson for assignment.
This comes on the heels of both SS Jeremy Pena and 1B Christian Walker coming out of yesterday’s games with injuries.
Delgado’s calling card is his defensive versatility, though he represented himself fairly well at the plate in limited time as well. In 30 AB across 16 games, he batted .267 with a .313 OBP and .713 OPS. He’s hit 1 2B, 1 HR and driven in 4.
Pearson is one of the hardest throwers in the Astros bullpen, but his propensity for walks has been his biggest issue. in 20 IP across 16 appearances, Pearson has a 3.60 ERA and 1.40 WHIP while walking 12 and striking out 16.
Pearson could find himself back in the organization should he pass through waivers.
Of note: Neither Pena nor Walker are in the lineup today. Delgado is starting at 2B.
Connor Bedard has become one of the NHL's highest-paid players. The Chicago Blackhawks signed the 21-year-old to a five-year deal on Saturday, which carries an AAV of $15 million. As of writing, Bedard will have the third-highest cap hit for the 2026-27 season while his $17 million total salary ranks fourth.
Ever since Bedard was first drafted into the WHL, Vancouver Canucks fans have hoped he would one day play for the franchise. Born in North Vancouver, the rising NHL star grew up a fan of the Canucks and at one point, listed former Vancouver forward Tyler Motte as his favourite NHL player. With Bedard set to become an unrestricted free agent once his new extension is complete, Canucks fans are already dreaming that a John Taveres-type situation could unfold in five years.
"HE'S COMING HOME TO VANCOUVER!!!! WALKING HIM TO UFA!!!! GREATEST MOMENT IN CANUCKS HISTORY SINCE 2011!! HE'S FOLLOWING THE GAMEPLAN PERFECTLY!!!!" wrote @taj1944 on "X".
As noted in the post, there has been a big push on social media to get as many BC-born players to Vancouver. The other player constantly mentioned in this social media campaign is San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, who will be a restricted free agent next year. The Canucks already have Macklin's brother, Aiden, in their system, as he was drafted in 2023.
Another comment on "X" came from @TrevBeggs, who wrote. "This is the best birthday present I could ask for."
Finally, @LaheyHNIC on "X" wrote, "420 games until Connor Bedard is a Canuck. Official countdown"
The next few years will be intriguing, especially as Bedard inches closer to becoming an unrestricted free agent. With a passionate fan base in Vancouver, there are going to be constant posts, whether on social media or Canucks Reddit, about a potential homecoming. This season, Bedard and the Blackhawks play twice at Rogers Arena, with games scheduled for November 22, 2026 and March 3, 2027.
Nov 5, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (98) collides with Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Here we are once again preparing for another Braves rubber match.
Friday’s dominant showing was followed up by an unlucky 7-6 Saturday loss, leaving the Braves’ first series of the second half of the season against the Texas Rangers level at a win apiece.
Surely that means the Braves will have some form of luck on their side for Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. ET finale at Truist Park, right? If only baseball worked that way.
Follow along and share your thoughts below as the Braves look to keep the Phillies (who will be in a simultaneous rubber match with the Mets Sunday afternoon) at arm’s length.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 07: A.J. Minter #33 of the New York Mets in action against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field on July 07, 2026 in New York City. The Royals defeated the Mets 16-12. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 season is down the drain, and the Mets are sellers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun coming up with trades ahead of the deadline. Let’s consider some of the more obvious pieces that are likely to be moved here in Part 1, before moving on to to the bigger names in Part 2.
A.J. Minter to the Twins
Twins receive: LHP A.J. Minter Mets receive: OF Jhomnardo Reyes, RHP Matt Barr
The Twins surprisingly find themselves one game out of a playoff spot at the time of this writing in the very weak AL, and have already begun begun adding to their bullpen when they traded for Tommy Nance. A.J. Minter would be a legitimate late-inning option in Minnesota who helps against left handed batters—Twins southpaw relievers have a 4.66 ERA and a 10.6% K-BB%.
As we discussed in the trade primer, we’re looking for something like a reduced version of the Ryan Helsley return from last season. Jhomnardo Reyes is the Jesus Baez stand-in, a recent Twins IFA ($300K in 2025) who had a nice DSL debut and is bashing to the tune of .291/.406/.547 in the complex as an 18-year-old this season. He’s the good version of the stereotypical Dominican right field prospect, with all the positives and negatives that entails.
As for Barr, he was a very interesting 2025 draft pick out of Junior College (SUNY Niagara) who hasn’t put it together yet in his debut season. He’s got a big, lanky frame with interesting fastball traits and feel for spin. In other words, a ball of clay to throw in the dev system and see what happens.
Similar to the Twins, the Mariners could really use some left-handed relief help, and the Mets can push for a similar return to the Minter deal above. Mason Peters is one of the more interesting breakout arms this season, dominating Single-A (1.41 ERA, 32.4% K-BB%) in his debut season out of Dallas Baptist. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and works well up in the zone. His best offspeed pitch is a curveball in the high 70s, a pitch that doesn’t always work as guys move up the ladder but perhaps a potential starting point for further shape refinement going forward.
Contreras is a less heralded IFA out of Colombia who posted a good triple slash in the DSL in 2025 with an overly passive approach and has shown a bit more in the complex this season. Consider him a stand in for the sort of low-minors flier piece that would round out this deal which the Mets (who have orders of magnitude information and aptitude) could more effectively pick out.
Tyrone Taylor to the Pirates
Pirates receive: OF Tyrone Taylor Mets receive: RHP Carlos Mateo
The Pirates should be adding more than this but do you really expect them to? Yeah, me neither. Adding some marginal OF depth to push Billy Cook back to Triple-A is a very Pirates move. The Mets can take a flier on Mateo, a 20-year-old with very interesting fastball traits but highly questionable command while clearing the way for Nick Morabito to get some run down the stretch. The Pirates can say they added at the deadline and move an arm they’ll likely never notice is gone. Everyone wins.
For some reason, Brazobán just feels like a guy the Rays would appreciate. He gets it done in any role—opener, fireman, late-inning guy—and does it with an arsenal and shape of production that isn’t exactly typical. You can just see Tampa, who sit atop the AL East currently but could probably use some reinforcement in their pitching staff, valuing that unconventional piece more than some other teams. They also probably value Brazobán’s cheap control after this season.
Trading with the Rays is always dangerous, but it also presents a distinct opportunity. Because the Rays always have a crowded 40-man situation, they might be more willing to move talent that, on paper, is a bit rich, but who they’d be forced to leave exposed to Rule 5 in the offseason anyway. There’s a number of names you could pick out for this, but let’s go with right hander TJ Nichols, who will need to be added to the 40-man this offseason.
Nichols has not been particularly good this season in Double-A, with an undisclosed early season injury seemingly derailing his 2026. His 2025 season, however, was electric, and he at one point seemed ticketed for top-100 prospect status. He could be a #3 starter, more of a back-end guy, a reliever, or nothing at all, but this is the sort of higher upside dice roll you’d like to see the Mets take if it’s available to them.
Luis Robert to the Astros
Astros receive: OF Luis Robert Jr. (remainder of 2026 salary covered by New York) Mets receive: RHP Bryce Mayer
The Luis Robert gamble has not worked out for the Mets (though they gave up basically nothing to roll the dice here). Lumbar spine inflammation has kept Robert out since late April, and he’s now been effectively supplanted by A.J. Ewing in center.
But the Astros may very well channel their inner Tobias Fünke and convince themselves that Robert might work for them. After all, he was quite good in the second half of 2025 for Chicago; who’s to say he doesn’t have another second half run in him? Houston desperately needs outfield help and is still very much in the playoff hunt on the back of Yordan Alvarez’s MVP-caliber season.
The return is Bryce Mayer, a 24-year-old righty with big extension, high spin, and a low release height, all the key fastball ingredients…except the most important one, velocity. Even though he sits in the low 90s, the pitch plays up. He’s still working on refining his secondaries and improving his command (more than 5 walks per 9 in Double-A this season) but there are a lot of appealing modern ingredients here worth taking a shot on. The cost may seem high based on ordinal team lists, but when you account for how weak the Astros’ farm is it’s much more reasonable, particularly with the Mets kicking in some money for the cash-strapped Astros.
Some trades are a win-win for the key teams involved, and that is the case with Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
The Thunder have agreed to trade All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City gets three second-round picks, and, as part of the deal, Atlanta will send Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas while Ryan Nembhard heads to Atlanta, a trade broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. One of the three second-round picks is Chicago's in 2027 (which Dallas controlled), while the second-round picks going from Atlanta to OKC (2031 and 2032) are reportedly top 55 protected.
For Oklahoma City, this was all about saving money and getting below the second apron of the luxury tax. With the max contract extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams kicking in next season, plus the team having reached a new deal with Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder have been looking to shed salary all summer (Isaiah Joe going out the door to Detroit, Aaron Wiggins going to Atlanta). This is more of the same, with Dort set to make $17.7 million this season, getting him off the books moves OKC below the dreaded second apron.
For Oklahoma City, Dort was the most expendable wing because, at the highest levels of the game, deep in the playoffs, he became much harder to play because of his lack of offense (38.5% shooting last season). Now, the Thunder will hand Cason Wallace the starting job, with Alex Caruso behind him off the bench. They don't lose much on defense and get improved offense.
Atlanta is now a fearsome defensive team on the perimeter with Dort joining Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Last season, Dort averaged 8.3 points per game and shot 34.4% from 3-point range, while playing elite defense. He started in Oklahoma City but may come off the bench for the Hawks. Coach Quin Snyder now has a lot of options to play between Jalen Johnson at the four and rookie Kingston Flemmings at the point.
Look for Dort to sign an extension with the Hawks, something that financially was not going to happen with the Thunder.
Also, Atlanta picks up a quality backup point guard (who can start as needed) in Ryan Nembhard, who impressed last season with the Mavericks. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game for Dallas last season. He will be in a backup role behind just-drafted Kingston Flemmings (who impressed at Summer League) and CJ McCollum.
Dallas takes a shot on former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, who can play on the wing behind Cooper Flagg. While Risacher has not panned out as hoped, he has shown flashes and last season in Atlanta, he averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 36.8% from 3-point range. It's a low-risk move as Risacher makes just $13.8 million this season and $17.4 million next season, and the Mavericks could extend him after that if they wish.
On Saturday, one day after his 21st birthday, Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks came to terms on an extension. It’s a five-year deal with a cap hit of $15 million per year.
There was a lot of drama surrounding this contract, but it didn’t have much to do with negotiations. Bedard injured his shoulder during a summer skate, which complicated things, and there has been offer-sheet drama around the NHL.
It is worth noting that Bedard signed for $3 million less than Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson, who signed a 5-year, $18 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers before Anaheim matched it. Bedard could have commanded that, or more, but he gave Chicago a break.
On the flip side, this is the start of a competitive clock for the Chicago Blackhawks. When Connor Bedard’s new 5-year deal is up, he will be a 25-year-old unrestricted free agent. You’d think he is going to walk if the Blackhawks are still consistently a lottery team by that point.
At that time, Bedard will likely have established himself as one of the best players in the NHL. The current wave of players in their prime will be starting to slow down, and this new generation will be entering their greatest years.
The Blackhawks, specifically Kyle Davidson, believe in what they’ve seen from Bedard. There is internal confidence that he has the tools to lead the team for a long time.
“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Davidson said. “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice. Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”
If Kyle and his staff don’t have this team in a good spot by the fourth year of this deal, however, things will get ugly.
A no-move clause kicks in for the fifth year of this contract, so Bedard will then control the situation even more. If they start making the playoffs and showing the potential to make deep runs, then Bedard will be more likely to extend again on another long-term deal.
Connor Bedard’s contract takes up 14.4 percent of the salary cap, which is about right for an NHL team’s top star. The fact that an offer sheet never entered the equation and he took less money than he could have gotten shows his commitment to the team that selected him first overall.
That loyalty would wear off if the team doesn’t do right by him now when it comes to the talent surrounding him, and they have the next five years to make their case.
Next up for the Blackhawks when it comes to Bedard? For one, naming him the captain would go a long way. Bedard has already mentioned that as a challenge he welcomes in the next chapter of his career.
They also need to, over the next year or so, find him his true running mate when it comes to his wing. The plan is for Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell to play center, so getting Bedard a sniper on his line is a must. Is that player already in the organization, or will external options come into play?
The first order of business is done with his newest contract following his entry-level deal. Now, the focus can go back to being the roster around Connor Bedard. Superstars are a must, but depth around them is as big a factor.
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