No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Arkansas Razorbacks Game Preview
Mets call up Kevin Herget, DFA Richard Lovelady in latest bullpen shuffle
The Mets shuffled up their bullpen once again on Thursday, calling up right-hander Kevin Herget from Triple-A Syracuse.
In a corresponding move, left-hander Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment, while righty Chris Devenski was outrighted to Triple-A.
Herget, 34, has appeared in five games for the Mets this season, pitching to a 3.27 ERA with five strikeouts and 10 hits allowed over the course of 11.0 innings. His most recent appearance was 1.2 scoreless innings against the Reds on Sept. 6.
Lovelady, meanwhile, continues to bounce back and forth between the active roster and the minor leagues. The lefty pitched 2.0 innings for the Mets in Wednesday’s loss to the Cubs, allowing two runs (one earned) while throwing 31 pitches.
All about Cal Raleigh's 60th home run — and a fan's random act of kindness that followed
Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh became the seventh player in MLB history to hit at least 60 home runs in a season Wednesday night when he drove two hits out of T-Mobile Park during the Mariners' 9-2 win over the Colorado Rockies.
In related news, the man who reportedly caught the milestone ball appears to have given it away to a young fan sitting nearby. Sure, the gesture wasn't nearly as historic as what the player lovingly known as Big Dumper had just accomplished, but it was pretty cool — especially considering the ball's potential value.
Read more:Fan gives back Mike Trout's 400th career home run ball, but not before getting to do something cool
Here's more on Raleigh's 60th home run and the act of kindness that followed.
Big night for Big Dumper
Raleigh entered the night with 58 home runs, already well beyond his previous career high of 34 from last season. The switch-hitting catcher was batting left-handed in the first inning when he blasted a 93-mph fastball from Tanner Gordon 422 feet into the upper deck behind right field for home run No. 59.
Then, with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, chants of "M-V-P" were already raining down on Raleigh as he stepped to the plate, batting left-handed again, against Rockies reliever Angel Chivilli.
One pitch later, the at-bat was over and Raleigh had made history. He ripped a 98-mph fastball from Chivilli 389 feet into the right field stands to join Babe Ruth (1927), Roger Maris (1961), Sammy Sosa (1998, 1999, 2001), Mark McGwire (1998, 1999), Barry Bonds (2001) and Aaron Judge (2022) as the only players to hit at least 60 home runs in a season.
CAL.
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2025
RALEIGH.
60. pic.twitter.com/p8RXormx4q
Raleigh rounded the bases, then took a curtain call in front of an ecstatic crowd that included his parents, Todd and Stephanie Raleigh.
It was the 11th time this season Raleigh has hit multiple home runs in a game, which ties the MLB record held by Hank Greenberg (1938), Sosa (1998) and Judge (2022). Raleigh, who also had a two-run double in the second inning, finished with four RBIs to give him an American League-leading 125 this season.
In addition to Raleigh's personal achievements Wednesday night, the Mariners clinched their first AL West title since 2001.
Read more:Roki Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw boost bullpen, Dodgers magic number reduced to 1
"It's crazy,” Raleigh said after the game. “Sixty is, I don't know what to say. I didn't know if I was going to hit 60 in my life. And then I did it like this. Just tonight, I mean, what a way to do it."
Raleigh has four regular-season games left to try to break Judge's AL record of 62 home runs, set in 2022. The all-time MLB record is 72, set by the San Francisco Giants' Bonds in 2001.
Kind gesture in the stands
Based on a fan video posted on social media, it appears that a man wearing Mariners gear initially ended up with the historic ball. That fan can be seen holding the ball over his head while others seated nearby applaud his (and Raleigh's) accomplishment.
A second video, posted by the same fan who posted the first one, appears to show that the man gave the ball to a younger fan (someone can be heard in the video joyfully exclaiming, "Oh my God! They gave it to this kid!"). The boy and an adult appear to be following security out of the stands, presumably to somewhere the Mariners might be able to make an offer to secure the ball for Raleigh.
The Times did not receive an immediate response from the Mariners regarding the current whereabouts of the ball, what the young fan may have been offered for it and whether the original fan who got the ball was recognized in any way for his gesture.
The fans sitting around him definitely appreciated it. The same video shows them applauding the man, who tipped his hat to them and seemed genuinely happy with his decision to part with the ball.
It's a feel-good story that helps cleanse the palate weeks after another viral incident took place in the stands at a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins in Florida. Phillies fan Drew Feltwell secured a home run ball hit by Harrison Bader and placed it in the glove of 9-year-old son Lincoln.
A woman quickly approached Feltwell, however, and angrily declared that the ball belonged to her. In an effort to set an example for his children by de-escalating the situation, Feltwell later said, he reached into his son's glove and gave it to the woman, who quickly became known on social media as "Phillies Karen."
Selfless to a fault?
Still, some folks on X are calling the Mariners fan "stupid" and "foolish" for giving away a ball that could be worth a fortune. Last year, the home run ball that gave Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani the distinction of being the only MLB player to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season sold at auction for a record $4.4 million.
It still remains to be seen, however, just who will receive that money. Three individuals have claimed to have been the rightful owner of the ball, and the matter remains tied up in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court. A calendar call in the case has been set for January.
Last week, another act of selflessness followed a different milestone home run for Raleigh. When he hit his 57th home run of the season Saturday against the Houston Astros, Raleigh broke Ken Griffey Jr.'s team record for home runs in a season.
Read more:How Bill Russell stayed connected to baseball, and reconnected with the Dodgers
The ball landed in the Astros bullpen and was recovered by longtime Houston bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte, who personally took the ball to Raleigh and placed it in his glove.
“He said: 'Thank you so much, I appreciate it. That means a lot to me,’” said Bracamonte, who received a hug from the opposing team's star catcher. “And I said, ‘This is great.’”
Raleigh said of Bracamonte: “Class act over there with him, so I'm very grateful. He could have easily just thrown it up in the air, but he, I guess, understood and kept it for me ... so very nice thing to do.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Week 5 college football best bets, odds, picks: My best bets for Week 5
Corbie Craig gives his best bets for the Week 5 college football slate.
How to watch No. 6 Oregon vs No. 3 Penn State: TV, live stream info, storylines for Saturday’s game
The No. 6 Oregon Ducks go head-to-head with the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions in a rematch of last year's Big Ten Championship game. Live coverage begins at 7 PM ET.
Atro Leppänen Knows The Grind, Confident He Can Stick With Oilers Out Of Camp
While the odds of making a loaded championship-caliber lineup are long, Atro Leppänen is making a name for himself early in the preseason with the Edmonton Oilers.
Fresh off a record-setting season in Finland’s SM-Liiga, where he led all defensemen with 63 points, he is turning heads early in Edmonton Oilers training camp, and the Finnish defenseman is embracing the challenge of adapting to the NHL. He chose the Oilers -- a team with a tough lineup to crack -- and despite the hurdles, has aspirations to play in Edmonton.
Speaking with Leppänen after Wednesday's preseason loss to the Seattle Kraken, the defenseman shared his thoughts on adjusting to the pace of the NHL and his decision to join the Oilers.
“The speed is very fast compared to what I’m used to, but I’ve been able to move the puck well and play pretty solid defensively,” Leppänen said. "It's a little bit faster, but just to get used to a couple of shifts and then it's gone."
Leppänen, 26, signed with the Oilers in the spring after weighing options from multiple teams. “They reached out in the spring, and another team did as well,” he explained. “It was an intuition choice. The Oilers had good players and nice plays, so it was a pretty easy decision.” He also had some familiarity with the organization, having played with Finnish teammates who had connections to Edmonton.
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Adjusting to the smaller North American ice surface hasn’t been a major hurdle. “Honestly, it hasn’t been that bad,” he said. "I think, pretty fast and well, and the forecheck is harder. They check and hit harder, but just move the puck, and guys are good that you play with."
Leppänen's Path to the NHL Has Been An Interesting One
Leppänen's recent strides towards a shot at the NHL seem all the more impressive when you consider where he's come from. He recounted the challenges of balancing hockey with odd jobs during his younger years. “I worked in factories and even in a museum, watching the paintings,” he said with a laugh. "Nobody touched the painting. Yeah, that was my job.“
He said he had no interest in anything beyond hockey. "I mean, I was pretty young and had no really interest in going to school, yet I didn't really have anything that I else that I wanted to do. So why not just play? It wasn't really that hard of a decision, I wasn't thinking about too much about quitting and stuff like that most of the time. So it was just to play and had nothing else to do. So why not?"
His hard work has paid off. The defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Oilers, and while his immediate path might lead him to the AHL, head coach Kris Knoblauch didn't rule out a scenario where Leppänen could get NHL games.
Defenseman Atro Leppänen Making Things Interesting For The OilersAtro Leppänen is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing storylines of the Edmonton Oilers' training camp and preseason. The 26-year-old Finnish defenceman is set to play in his third straight preseason game tonight, earning more looks after a string of impressive performances.
Knoblauch said when asked where Leppänen might fit on a team that seemingly has no spots, that he is looking for the best player at every position. That message seems to have been passed on to Leppänen, who isn't done fighting for a spot on the roster. When asked if he was used to fighting, he suggested that was a strong choice of words, even hinting that battling might not be the best description.
Still, he gets the notion he's going to have to stand out to earn a spot.
When asked, "Why did you like some guys would pick a team that's easier to make, it's hard team to make two Stanley Cups in a row... Did you think about that?" He responded, "So I'm kind of used to it, and it's just kind of grind it out." He added, "I mean, it's definitely a tough lineup to crack. I think, I think there's a chance."
Leppänen Seems Appreciative Of The Opportunity
Leppänen credited the coaching staff for their guidance. “They’ve been very positive, telling me to keep moving the puck and playing my style. That’s what I plan to do,” he said.
I specifically brought up how much he's playing thus far in preseason, getting several games in a row and big minutes in those games. Was this something he wanted to keep doing, taking as many opportunities as would be tossed his way? “I mean, sure, the more you play, I think even, it can be a little bit more exhausting, but you get the feel for the game, and you can get a little bit of flow going. So it's, I think it's easier to more you play, kind of easier to go."
"I think just kind of once in a lifetime chance to come, and if you get it, get the opportunity. Just gotta take it."
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Canadiens: Strong Lineup To Face Light Version Of Maple Leafs
The Montreal Canadiens will be playing their third preseason game tonight, and Martin St-Louis is pulling no punches. For the first time, he’s going to be icing his full projected top six, his top defensive pairing, starter Samuel Montembeault, and Jacob Fowler.
That means that on Thursday night, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kirby Dach is going to see his first real action since sustaining yet another knee injury in February. There were rumours of setbacks this summer, and then, when camp started, he only took part in one of the three scrimmages, which of course prompted questions from the media. The coach said that there was a plan and he was sticking to it, before adding that Dach would see some preseason action.
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Asked what he thought about the big center so far at Camp, the pilot explained:
I think he’s really involved and intense. Now it’s time to play the game tonight, take one shift at a time, and make the plays the game calls for. Please get back into the swing of things, but we’ll continue to evaluate and stick to the plan we have for him. […] I wouldn’t call it a leash. I think Dacher is in a better place. He did things differently this summer, and I think he’s further along. So I think he will be more ready to get going right away.-
Turns out it’s time for that action now. While the bench boss said Dach was penciled in as the second-line center this season, he still needs to see what the Albertan center can offer and if some chemistry can bloom between him, Patrik Laine, and Ivan Demidov. Needless to say, everyone will be keeping an eye on that line when the puck drops on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the Leafs have opted for a lineup that doesn’t include any of their marquee names, such as Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly. However, they are bringing along promising prospects Easton Cowan and Matias Maccelli, who might find their way into a top-six role. Former Hab Max Domi, who’s dealing with a lower-body injury, won’t be part of the roster, but there will be one former Canadien: Micheal Pezzetta. Cedric Pare, who injured Laine last year, will not be in the lineup.
As for the bottom of the Canadiens' lineup, it will include two interesting young lines: Filip Mesar, Vinzenz Rohrer, and Joshua Roy will be skating together, while Florian Xhekaj will center Jared Davidson and Luke Tuch. It will be another opportunity for these young players to showcase their abilities.
On the blueline, David Reinbacher, who had a tough outing Tuesday, will be paired with Kaiden Guhle while Lane Hutson has a day off. Ryan O’Rourke and Nate Clurman will complete the defense corps.
It will be interesting to see if the Cola Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky line can perform as well as they did on Tuesday night. At practice on Thursday morning, Slafkovsky was wearing a full cage following the skate to the face he took in the game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The puck drop is set for 7:00 PM, and this is the second-to-last home exhibition game. On Saturday, the Canadiens will face the Leafs again, this time in Toronto, before taking on the Ottawa Senators on September 30 in Quebec City and playing them again in Montreal on October 4.
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Europa League: Genk twice go close after Souttar denied for Rangers
- Listen to commentary by choosing 'listen live' at top of page
- Genk hit post after former Celtic striker Oh spurns chance
- Souttar header somehow hacked clear from under bar
- First of Rangers' eight Europa League matches
- What should Rangers expect from Genk?
- Have your say here
Europa League: Genk twice go close after Souttar denied for Rangers
Penguins Send Promising Defensive Prospect Back To OHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins made another cut on Thursday, assigning defensive prospect Quinn Beauchesne to the OHL's Guelph Storm.
Beauchesne, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was at Penguins' training camp for a week before getting cut. Before that, he participated in the Prospects Challenge and was one of the Penguins' best prospects in those three games. He showcased his fluid skating, snarl, and ability to break the puck out of his zone with ease.
Those traits can definitely translate to the NHL, but he still needs to keep developing, and the Penguins don't want to rush him. He finished last season with six goals and 24 points in 49 games with the Storm, and will be an assistant captain for them this year.
He's a prospect that a lot of fans should keep an eye on this year. The Penguins may have gotten a steal in the fifth round.
The Penguins will return to practice on Friday, and it's expected to be a special day, as Marc-Andre Fleury will practice with the team before his sendoff on Saturday night.
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NHL Waivers: Connor Ingram And Six Others On The Wire
Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram is among seven players placed on NHL waivers Thursday afternoon.
Ingram, along with Philadelphia Flyers left winger Oscar Eklind and the Ottawa Senators' Hunter Shepard, Cameron Crotty, Wyatt Bongiovanni, Xavier Bourgault and Garrett Pilon are on waivers.
If these players clear waivers by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, they're eligible to be sent to the minors. That said, the rest of the league has a chance to claim them.
Ingram, 28, and the Mammoth plan to mutually part ways. He has not been part of Utah's training camp despite being cleared to play by the NHL and NHLPA's Player Assistance Program on Aug. 20.
"We'll at some point in time put him through waivers, and through that process, he will either get a chance to play for another NHL team, or he will go to an (AHL) team," Armstrong told reporters last week. "But at the end of the day, he will be playing, and that's what we're so excited for."
Ingram played 22 games last season before entering the NHL/NHLPA program on March 9. He put up a 9-8-4 record, 3.27 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.
In 2023-24 with the Arizona Coyotes, Ingram took over starting duties with 50 games played, a 23-21-3 record, 2.91 GAA, .907 SP and six shutouts. He received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy that season.
Arizona had claimed Ingram off waivers from the Nashville Predators in October 2022. He did play one game for the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners last season but otherwise last played in that league in 2021-22 with the Predators' affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
Ingram is in the final campaign of a three-year contract with a $1.95-million cap hit.
Utah Mammoth And Connor Ingram Reportedly Parting WaysUtah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram will reportedly not attend the team’s training camp this week.
The other six players on the waiver wire spent most, if not all, of last season in the AHL.
Eklind, 27, played his first season in North America last year after working through the junior, second-tier and first-tier Swedish men's leagues. He had five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 64 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' affiliate. He's on a one-year contract worth $800,000.
Senators goaltender Shepard, 29, had played all of his professional career in the Washington Capitals' system, backstopping the Hershey Bears to two Calder Cup championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He was named the AHL's playoff MVP in 2022-23 and the best goaltender in 2023-24. He put up a 23-11-4 record with a 2.80 GAA and .891 SP in 39 games for the Bears, along with a 2-5-0 record in the playoffs. He has five games of NHL experience and signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Ottawa this off-season.
Crotty, a 26-year-old defenseman, captained the Iowa Wild, AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, last season. He had 10 assists and 56 penalty minutes in 64 games. In 2017-18, he was part of the Boston University team that was Hockey East champions in the NCAA. The Coyotes drafted him 82nd overall in 2017, and he's played two career NHL games. The Sens signed the Ottawa native to a two-year, two-way contract worth $812,500 annually.
Bongiovanni, a 26-year-old forward who can play center or on the wing, put up 22 goals and 11 assists for 33 points in 54 games for the Belleville Senators last season. He's on a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Bourgault, 22, played his first season with Belleville last year after being traded in a package that sent Roby Jarventie to the Edmonton Oilers. The 2021 22nd overall pick by Edmonton recorded 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 61 games. The right winger is on a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Pilon, 27, captained the B-Sens last season and recorded 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points in 68 games. He won the Calder Cup with Hershey in 2022-23 and has played three career NHL games. He's in the second campaign of a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Expect many more names to hit the NHL waiver wire over the next two weeks as teams trim their training camp rosters.
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Jazz, Walker Kessler remain apart on contract extension, he appears headed to restricted free agency
In an NBA where a rim-protecting big man who shows some athleticism, can set screens and roll hard to the rim — and then finish — has real value, which is why a lot of teams have called and tried to pry Walker Kessler out of Utah. To no avail, he has remained the Jazz's starting center.
That doesn't mean Utah and Kessler are ready to ink his next contract. The sides remain well apart on a deal, and all signs point to Kessler playing out this season then becoming a restricted free agent next summer, reports Tony Jones at The Athletic.
"According to sources, [the Jazz] highly value Kessler and see him as a cornerstone to the future.... So, if the Jazz value Kessler so much, why not extend him now and lock him into a five-year deal?
The answer is simple: money. And the NBA is a business.
The Jazz see themselves trying to end their time near the bottom of the Western Conference standings as soon as next summer. By not signing Kessler now, he would have a cap hold of $14.9 million next summer, which would give the Jazz enough space to keep Kessler's hold and still do work in free agency.
If the Jazz signed Kessler to a contract extension worth a hypothetical $25 million a season, then next summer Kessler would count for $25 million against the salary cap, reducing the money the Jazz would have in free agency. Because Utah has Kessler's Bird rights, they can make whatever moves they want next summer and then re-sign Kessler (and go over the cap to do it).
The risk is that other teams have cap space next summer and could come in and try to poach Kessler with a contract that Utah doesn't want to match (the Lakers have had interest in him before and will have cap space next summer). That is not likely, however, regardless of how many other teams have cap space. Ask this year's restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes and Cam Thomas about that — restricted free agency favors the team that has the rights.
Kessler played in 58 games last season averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game. He is a plus defender in the paint who doesn't shoot a lot, but he does he's efficient shooting 66% last season.
For this season, Kessler stays in Utah and plays for his next contract, which also most likely will be in Utah. If he builds on those numbers from last season, it just gets more expensive for the Jazz to keep him.
Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna, Rangers 0-1 Genk, and more: Europa League – as it happened
John McGinn’s goal gave Aston Villa a win over Bologna – their first of the season – while Rangers were beaten at home by Genk
Emery tells TNT that Martinez is injured, then explains that this is a good opportunity for Malen. Otherwise, he says Villa have been good at home, but European games are always difficult. It’s their dream to play in Europe, but they’ll have to do well to get a result.
I wonder if Emery spoke harshly about his players because he thinks they should win tonight; if he does it and they don’t, what else can he then say? I think they’ll have too much in midfield for Bologna, and if they can just get that first win, they’ve got more than enough to have a decent season.
Continue reading...New Celtics owner Bill Chisholm shares ‘philosophical pillars' on home arena
New Celtics owner Bill Chisholm shares ‘philosophical pillars' on home arena originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
As soon as it was made publicly known that the Boston Celtics were up for sale, most people speculated that the new owner would want to build a new arena for the basketball team. After all, who would want to spend $6.1 billion on a team just to pay rent to the Bruins?
Bill Chisholm, whose investment group won the bid to purchase the team, does not sound like someone who is prioritizing a new home for the C’s.
Speaking with Chris Forsberg on a new episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast, Chisholm shared the “philosophical pillars” that he and the ownership group share toward the home of the Celtics.
TD Garden is special
First and foremost, Chisholm spoke to the special home-court advantage that the Celtics have at TD Garden.
“I love the Boston Garden,” Chisholm said. “There have been banners raised there. That’s a great place for the fans, it’s a great place for the players. And so that’s a really good place to start.”
Some reverence for the home of the Celtics from the new owner.
The Bruins and Celtics ‘belong together’
While many creative minds envisioned a basketball-centric arena being built potentially outside of the city, Chisholm doesn’t seem to share that same vision.
“Second thing I would say is that the Bruins and Celtics belong together,” Chisholm said. “So no matter what happens, that’s a real priority for me.”
Since their first year in 1946, the Celtics have always shared a home building with the Bruins. TD Garden is owned by Delaware North, the company that owns the Bruins.
The Celtics’ current lease runs through 2035-36 after the team signed a 15-year extension in 2021. Getting out of that lease would be an expensive proposition, but it does not appear to be on the to-do list for the new ownership group.
What’s best for the fans
While all owners have personal feelings and desires, Chisholm said he’s open to hearing the will of the fans when it comes to something that plays such a significant role in their experience following the team.
“The most important thing is we’re going to create the best experience for fans that we can, and we’ll figure out what that is. But that’s kind of how I approach it,” Chisholm said. “We’ll go into it with an open mind, but I think that’s the starting point, those three things.”
Watch Chisholm’s full interview with Forsberg on Celtics Talk:
Flyers Make 10 More Roster Cuts, Including A Surprise
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced 10 further cuts to their training camp roster ahead of Thursday night's preseason game against the Washington Capitals, but some names were more surprising than others.
Generally speaking, the AHL players who were cut were, by all accounts, expected to be next on the chopping block, with many not even appearing in a preseason game.
Forwards Sawyer Boulton, Cooper Marody, Garrett Wilson, and Zayde Wisdom were all cut Thursday, alongside goalies Keith Petruzzelli and and Yaniv Perets.
Oscar Eklind, who was signed as a free agent ahead of last season, was placed on waivers with the intention of being assigned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Then came the surprises, although it's a relative term.
Ex-Flyers Goalie Quietly Dominating NHL PreseasonIt may only be two games of NHL preseason action, but this former Philadelphia Flyers goalie has been dominant in limited ice time.
Forward prospects Samu Tuomaala, Tucker Robertson (acquired in the J.R. Avon trade), and Massimo Rizzo were all included in this set of roster cuts, and Tuomaala was the only one who managed to appear in a preseason game.
The 22-year-old played in Sunday night's 3-2 shootout win over the New York Islanders, recording one shot on goal in 13:13 of ice time and missing his shootout attempt.
Tuomaala's early exclusion, along with the others, is a surprise in the sense that he is fairly experienced at the professional level and hardly had a chance to make an impression in the preseason.
But, on that note, sometimes the question reveals more than the answer, and Tuomaala's lack of an impression is the impression in itself.
Flyers Stock Up, Stock Down Heading into Training Camp Week 2Heading into the second week of Philadelphia Flyers training camp, a number of key players have boosted their stocks and chances of making the NHL roster. Others? Not so much.
Fortunately, the Finn isn't exposed to waivers and will remain in the Flyers organization, but it just got that much harder to envision him playing any sort of role for the Flyers in the future.
The fact that players like Devin Kaplan and Alexis Gendron lasted longer in training camp than Tuomaala says a lot about his prospects of an NHL future in Philadelphia.
As for Robertson and Rizzo, those players are/were more upside dart-throws than anything, but they are clearly on the outside looking in at this point and may end up career AHLers in the absence of meaningful preseason action.
Zack Minasian reveals Giants' long-term Bryce Eldridge plans
Zack Minasian reveals Giants' long-term Bryce Eldridge plans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Bryce Eldridge’s September call-up created excitement in the final chapter of another disappointing Giants campaign, but will the young slugger be featured in San Francisco’s plans for the 2026 MLB season?
Giants general manager Zack Minasian revealed that nothing is set in stone in regards to Eldridge, with San Francisco’s top prospect’s placement next season largely being dependent on how the roster shapes up around him.
“I don’t think there’s any guarantee,” Miniasian told Brian Murphy and Markus Boucher on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.” “As we go into next year it will be about what is available. I think his role as things have evolved here over the past week, he has gotten some first base, he has DH’d, he gets [Rafael Devers] off his feet. I think long term, that’s probably what we envision as far as those two being able to split time.”
While Eldridge’s traditional box score stats since joining the Giants don’t jump off the screen, the 20-year-old slugger still has made quite an impression on Minasian and the front office. Minasian highlighted Eldridge’s glove, exit velocity and patience at the plate as reasons for optimism that the highly touted prospect can blossom into an elite MLB player as he continues to develop.
“It’s been encouraging to see Bryce’s defense. He made a nice play [Wednesday], had the big diving catch on the line drive in LA,” Minsasian said. “He’s seeing the ball well, he’s not chasing, he’s hitting it hard. Those are things that usually — it’s not just hard hit, it’s up there at the very top. When you put those things together it really is a nice foundation for a really good offensive player.”
Minasian and the Giants are keen on more than just the player on the field, as Eldridge’s personality and mindset have also won over the hearts of San Francisco’s front office.
“The other thing is too, we’re excited about the person,” Minasian said. “He’s cogniscent of his surroundings, he wants to be the best player he can be. Just a super respectful young man and works really hard. The intangibles are there as well as the skills and tools.”
Eldridge is slashing .125/.300/.208 in 24 at-bats since being called up by the Giants on Sept. 14, but has reached base five times via the walk in that span, a testament to the plate discipling he possesses already at the age of 20.
It’s important to note that Eldridge’s rapid ascencion saw him promoted twice this season, after starting the 2025 campaign with the Giants’ Double-A affiliate Richmond Flying Squirrels. The time for adjusting to new surroundings must be accounted for, which seemingly is why Minasian and the Giants are more focused on what they’re seeing with the eye test rather than deferring to Eldridge’s box score stats.
Whether or not we see Eldridge start the 2026 season with the big league club remains to be seen, but there certainly appears to be reason for optimism the towering slugger will be there when the Giants open the MLB slate against the New York Yankees next march.