The Philadelphia Flyers only turned to Noah Juulsen due to injury, but the veteran journeyman has responded in an encouraging way despite coming into a tough spot cold.
Juulsen, 29, has now played just four career playoff games, including Games 2 and 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins this week.
The former first-round pick played in just 52 games for the Flyers this season, and only 10 of the team's final 26 games of the regular season. Emil Andrae had established himself next to Nick Seeler on the team's third defense pair, and that was a big portion of the team's post-Olympic turnaround.
On Wednesday night, in his second game replacing the injured Andrae, Juulsen recorded two primary assists--one on Rasmus Ristolainen's first playoff goal to make it 2-1, and one on Seeler's first playoff goal to make it 3-2--helping the Flyers put the Penguins against the wall with a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The pair of assists were the first two playoff points of Juulsen's career, and Seeler's goal stood as the game-winner. Overall, a massive impact from a forgotten depth player.
"It's great. You know what you're gonna get from Juuls. He's a competitor. He's a great defensive defenseman," Seeler said of his defense partner after the game. "He's in the right position. It's nice to see him get on the board with a couple nice assists, really good plays. And I enjoy playing with him."
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who had Juulsen with him on the Vancouver Canucks for the previous three seasons, was equally impressed with the rugged defender's impact and professionalism throughout the season.
It's a common theme throughout the roster that permeates from one player to the next. Juulsen's experience and locker room presence were driving factors that ultimately led him to a reunion with Tocchet on the Flyers.
"When you're in the playoffs, if you're going to go far, you're gonna use people. The one thing with Noah or Emil, when they don't play, they're out there working hard, practicing and not complaining getting ready for their moment," Tocchet said.
"Juuls was ready for it, and a couple assists, I think he played really well. . . like, these guys, they're ready, and they're part of the team. That's what I love about them."
The Flyers needed all of Juulsen's 2:10 of shorthanded ice time with the Penguins on the receiving end of five power play opportunities.
Erik Karlsson did convert one for Pittsburgh, but any more than that could have turned the tide for the Penguins. Juulsen, goalie Dan Vladar, and many of the other vets stood tall and led the way.
Given the volatile nature of the series and the rivalry at hand, it is perfectly plausible that Juulsen remains in the lineup even when Andrae returns, and he's earned his place.
Through three games against the Penguins, the Flyers have allowed just one goal at 5-on-5, and the team's identity of having a suffocating neutral zone defense plays right up Juulsen's alley.
Our NBA player prop projections are all set for tonight's Game 3 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, with the model flagging several high-value opportunities.
By breaking down the data and stacking it up against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges lie.
If you’re building out your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Thursday, April 23.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves computer picks for Game 3
Nuggets
Timberwolves
Murray o26.5 points -105
Randle o19.5 points -115
Hardaway Jr. o1.5 threes +150
Edwards o5.5 rebounds -150
Jokic o13.5 rebounds -120
Edwards o3.5 threes +122
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Nuggets Game 3 computer picks
Jamal Murray Over 26.5 points (-105)
Projection: 26.7 points
When it comes to putting points on the board, the Denver Nuggets have been unmatched, leading the league with 121.9 points per game.
Jamal Murray has been a driving force behind that firepower, clearing this 25.5-point line in six of his last 10 outings.
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Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 1.5 threes (+150)
Projection: 2.1 3-pointers
The Nuggets have been the league’s most efficient team from beyond the arc this season, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has played a key role in keeping that edge.
Hardaway has cleared his 1.5 made threes line in six of his last 10 games, as the veteran continues to deliver from deep.
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Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 14.9 rebounds
Nikola Jokic makes rebounding look effortless, and Game 3 should be no exception.
Expect an even more aggressive effort on the glass after a quiet Game 2 — one the Nuggets will be eager to move past — as the reigning force in the paint looks to swing the series back in their favor.
Jokic has also been clearing his rebounding line consistently, eclipsing 13.5 boards in seven of his last 10 games.
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Timberwolves Game 3 computer picks
Julius Randle Over 19.5 points (-115)
Projection: 20.4 points
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been playing at a fast clip at home over the last 20 games, ranking among the league’s most up-tempo teams, and they’ll look to keep that pace rolling in this matchup.
They draw a similarly high-speed opponent in the Denver Nuggets, one of the fastest visiting offenses over the last 10 games, setting the stage for an increased number of possessions and more scoring chances for Julius Randle to stay productive within Minnesota’s offense.
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Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (-150)
Projection: 5.54 rebounds
The T-Wolves have been dominant on the offensive glass at home, ranking near the top of the league with 13.6 offensive rebounds per game over their last five outings.
Anthony Edwards also brings strong rebounding production that exceeds that mark, and with Game 3 back in Minnesota, expect him to be especially active on the boards, fueled by the energy of the home crowd.
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Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes (+122)
Projection: 3.7 3-pointers
There’s no question Anthony Edwards will come into Game 3 with plenty of energy after helping the Minnesota Timberwolves steal a win in Denver.
That momentum should carry into his perimeter game, where he’ll look to bounce back from recent misses after finishing with Under 3.5 threes per game in eight of his last 10 outings. He'll change that luck for tonight.
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How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Friday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
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Liverpool legend Steve Nicol says he is unsure whether manager Arne Slot should remain as manager next season with the team currently looking "lost" on the pitch.
The Reds have struggled for form this campaign and will go without a trophy a year after storming to the Premier League title in Slot's first season at Anfield.
When asked by BBC Radio Merseyside whether the Dutchman should stay in charge, the five-time league winner with Liverpool said: "If you'd have asked me this six weeks ago, I would've 100% said yes, but as time's gone on, it's getting a lot.
"It feels as though it's getting lost on the field, and you're getting more anxious every time you're going to sit down to watch it. I don't know is the answer. "
Hit play below to listen to the full interview, in which Nicol also talks about why he is selling his medals, the 1986 FA Cup final and the current Liverpool side - or listen on BBC Sounds here
Detroit Tigers player Kevin McGonigle and Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations shake hands at his press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, April, 15, 2026. McGonigle, a 21-year-old rookie infielder, agreed on Wednesday, April 15, to an eight-year, $150 million contract extension. The deal includes a $14 million signing bonus. | Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If you’re an elite young ballplayer looking for long-term financial security, you picked the right time to be alive. On April 15th, Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers inked an eight-year, $150 million contract extension which will keep him in Detroit until 2034. Eight days before that, Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin signed a nine-year, $140 million pact to stay in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. Good news for the Pirates and the Tigers; bad news for everyone else, particularly teams who were hoping to acquire their services via free agency.
Granted, because Griffin and McGonigle are so young, the length of their contracts does not completely preclude them from getting hefty free agent contracts once their current deals expire. However, they are signing away premium years; Griffin is now slated to enter free agency at age 28 rather than 25, McGonigle 29 rather than 27. For teams looking to court them in the 2034/35 offseason, that’s a big difference.
It’s not just those two who have signed long-term extensions with little to no big league service time. Earlier this year, Colt Emerson and Cooper Pratt each signed eight-year extensions without ever setting foot on a big league diamond. Last year, it was Samuel Basallo and Roman Anthony. And looking around the league, there’s no shortage of more established young stars signed to lengthy extensions with their current teams – Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Fernando Tatis Jr.; the list goes on. Increasingly, elite young talent is being aggressively signed and secured while they are still under team control.
This is a worrying trend for teams who want to improve themselves via the free agent market. As the most attractive options are being increasingly signed away, it will only continue to become more difficult for teams to rely on shopping as a way to make substantive upgrades. Per FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann, out of the 141 players projected to accrue at least 7.0 WAR by the end of 2028, just 10 can become free agents after this season. That’s a pretty barren shelf.
Where does all this leave the Yankees? In pretty dangerous territory, if you ask me. Just this past offseason, the Yankees spent upwards of $180 million to secure two of their lineup mainstays in Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham. Sure, they were both re-signings, but it doesn’t change the fact that they were free agents. In the 2024-25 offseason, they were pretty quiet on the position player front, but they were reportedly in on the Juan Soto sweepstakes until the very end. Granted, it’s been a while since the Yankees were perennial buyers at the top of the market à la the current Dodgers, but even recently they’ve filled their positional needs by signing solid free agents more often than not, and especially when none of their prospects were banging on the door.
That last part is key. I won’t say that the Yankees’ recent track record of developing position players is outright bad; Ben Rice is awesome, Austin Wells has been an above-average catcher, slow start to 2026 be damned, Jasson Domínguez continues to tantalize, and Anthony Volpe has at least impressed with the glove when healthy. But as of this moment, they have a dearth of big-league ready talent at positions of need. Two up-the-middle positions, center field and second base, will be vacated at year’s end, when Grisham and Jazz Chisholm, Jr. are set to become free agents. Do you really think Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. can immediately replace their production? I think that’s a pretty risky bet for a team with championship aspirations to make.
Sure, the Yankees can elect to re-sign both Grisham and Chisholm Jr. However, in a relatively weak free agent class they’ll be in high demand, so they won’t come cheap, especially not Jazz. And if they miss out, the other options don’t look to be all that appealing – we’re looking at names like Brandon Marsh, Cedric Mullins, or Mickey Moniak at center field, or Gleyber Torres, Mauricio Dubón, and Brandon Lowe for second base. They might be fine stopgaps, but they’re not much more.
Or, maybe the Yankees will be able to swing a deal for higher-quality players by offering one of their high-profile pitching prospects in Elmer Rodríguez and Carlos Lagrange. But the trade market is significantly harder to forecast, and there’s no guarantee that teams will be willing to ship out attractive targets. Plus, it’s not like the Yankees currently have a stacked farm; it’s pretty top-heavy and shallow, which is why both FanGraphs and MLB.com place it among the bottom handful in the league. That limits the possibilities of the deals they can make happen.
So, the Yankees will be faced with a pretty tough situation in the 2026-27 offseason. And if the current trend of young talent signing early extensions continue, subsequent offseasons are only going to become more difficult to navigate. The only true way that the Yankees can adapt to this new reality is by developing talent internally – however, that takes time, not to mention smarts, effort, and a truckload of luck. In the meantime, the Yankees will have to pray that their current core is good enough to win a ring, because at least when it comes to position players, neither the farm nor the free agent market look like they’ll provide much in the way of reinforcements.
Lassi Thomson bet on himself last summer, but it is fair to assume that he would not have bet on being in the position he was in on Monday night: playing in game two of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
When the Ottawa Senators announced on June 15, 2025, that they had signed Lassi Thomson to a one-year, two-way contract, it was fair to wonder why.
It was not a matter of asking, “Why would an organization want to add a then-24-year-old right-shot defenceman?” Not when every organization in the league is looking to add inexpensive and relatively young right-shot defensive depth.
Travis Green talks about the Game 2 loss and looks ahead to Game 3 back in Ottawa Thursday night.
It was simply a matter of asking, “Why would Lassi Thomson want to return to the Senators’ organization?”
Drafted out of the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, Thomson was the 19th overall selection of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Senators. The Finnish import product was coming off a strong offensive campaign in which he tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games.
Thomson would return to Finland the following season to play for Ilves in the Liiga, and once his loan to Ilves ended, he arrived for training camp with Ottawa in 2020.
The defenceman would play parts of the next four seasons in the Senators’ organization, even getting into 18 games for the Senators as an AHL recall. In September of 2023, however, it appeared that Thomson’s time with the organization was over. Unable to crack the Senators’ blue line after training camp and the preseason, the Finnish defenceman needed to clear waivers to be returned to the team’s AHL affiliate in Belleville.
The Anaheim Ducks claimed Thomson off waivers on October 8, 2023, but he would never appear in a game for them. When they subsequently tried to put him through waivers to send him to their AHL affiliate the following day, the Senators re-claimed Thomson and sent him to Belleville.
On a relatively weak Belleville team, Thomson had the worst offensive year since playing professionally in North America, compiling just six goals and 21 points in 67 games.
That performance and the offseason awareness that the Senators had Artem Zub, the recently acquired Nick Jensen, Travis Hamonic, and depth pieces like Nikolas Matinpalo and Jacob Bernard-Docker in their midst, there simply was very little opportunity for Thomson to crack Ottawa’s lineup.
Thomson looked overseas for an opportunity to reestablish himself, eventually signing with the Malmö Redhawks of the SHL.
It turned out to be a smart play, as no defenceman in the Swedish league scored more than Thomson’s 17 goals. He finished the season eighth in scoring by a defenceman, recording 29 points in 50 games.
At the conclusion of his season, the Senators came calling.
“We had a lot of talks over the summer with (management) and the coaches,” Thomson explained. “We saw an opportunity to get a couple of games in, and it was a good opportunity. Obviously, with (the Senators) making the playoffs, the (roster) was kind of settled. But I wanted to come here, have a good year, have that confidence in myself, and maybe get the chance (to play).”
Making the decision to leave Sweden, where he was enjoying success, was not easy.
“Of course it was tough,” Thomson stated while describing the decision he had to make. “Obviously, I liked playing in Europe. It was close to home, but like everything else, it was still a bit different.
“I was obviously playing good, but obviously, I've been (in Ottawa), and I know the hockey here. Everybody wants to play in the NHL. I'm still 25 years old, and kind of young. So I think I'm not losing anything by just coming over here to try, and I wanted another chance for this.”
After training camp, however, Thomson was returned to his familiar Belleville, where he simply waited for his chance.
As injuries began to mount and other defencemen were recalled, Thomson continued to focus on his game, hoping that one day the call would be his.
“Obviously, it is kind of frustrating seeing your teammates from Belleville are getting called up, and you're not getting that chance,” admitted Thomson. “But obviously, you have to try to think about it the other way and try to be positive than worry if (a recall) is going to be coming or if it's not coming.
“So, I tried not to get too frustrated. I will say, I just tried to enjoy the hockey. That was the biggest thing for me this year. Just come here and enjoy the hockey. Whatever is going to happen, it's gonna happen. Maybe everybody stays healthy, and you're not going to get a chance. So, I just try to be happy and positive around the other guys. I think it's been working.”
So, Thomson kept his head up and played hard, turning in what was arguably his best and most complete season on this side of the pond. In 55 games with Belleville, Thomson had 14 goals and 25 points while registering a positive plus-minus rating (+1) on a team that gave up the second-highest number of goals (262) in the AHL.
Eventually, it was Thomson’s turn to get a recall and play his first game.
Unfortunately, seven shifts into his first game since November 22, 2022, Thomson sustained a lower-body injury when a New York Ranger fell on his leg. Four minutes and 25 seconds into his NHL return, the defenceman’s night was done.
“I was pretty down after that,” described Thomson. “Mentally, just finally getting that chance and then getting hurt right away. It wasn't fun.”
No one could have blamed Thomson for thinking that the game at Madison Square Garden could have been his last. With other defencemen being close to returning from their own respective injuries and the uncertainty of when he would be available to play again, the possibility that he would not have another chance this season felt very real.
Having the presence of a fellow Finnish defenceman and friend in Nik Matinpalo, certainly helped Thomson.
“It helps a lot (having Matinpalo here),” Thomson laughed while looking at his friend and stallmate. “Obviously, it's always fun to have another Finnish guy. It just helps a lot of things. When you're off the ice, you have somebody else. You’re living at the hotel, so it's great to have somebody who's living there and just kind of help take care of you a little bit more. So, he’s been unbelievable.”
With the help of the team’s trainers, Thomson described the next few days as “weird”, but he recovered quickly enough and dressed in the lineup five days later.
Thomson would go on to play in 11 games for the Senators down the stretch, contributing three assists. In the 141 five-on-five minutes that Thomson played, the team would generate 52.31 percent of the shots (CF%), 55.65 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 66.67 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 60.19 percent of the expected goals (xGF%).
To Thomson’s credit, he played well in the limited and sheltered third-pairing minutes that were afforded to him. And more importantly, he demonstrated to the coaching staff that he could be an option for them in the postseason, if needed.
The Senators continued to be beset by injuries on the blue line heading into their first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, and there was some discussion over which defenceman should play on the Senators’ third pairing to open the postseason.
Thanks to his handedness and physicality, the veteran Dennis Gilbert was called upon. But when Artem Zub sustained a lower-body injury while hitting Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis in game one and left the game, it opened the door for Thomson to enter the lineup.
No player wants to see one of their teammates get hurt to create an opportunity, but playing in an NHL playoff game is something that Thomson has dreamed about.
“(Playing in a game), it's pretty awesome,” Thomson said. “This is the point where you want to be, and that's why I came over here, to play in these games. It's pretty unreal.”
Thomson’s career took a few detours, but now he is playing in meaningful hockey games where scouts and other front offices from other franchises are watching.
As a 25-year-old on an expiring contract who has played in fewer than 80 career NHL games, Thomson is slated to become an unrestricted Group VI free agent this summer. Thomson has grown and matured a lot over the past two seasons.
Though he'll serve as a black ace on Thursday night, the way that Lassi Thomson has stepped into the Senators’ lineup and contributed, he looks poised to sign another NHL contract this summer.
Graeme Nichols The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
DENVER, CO - APRIL 21: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres celebrates on second base after hitting a double as Ezequiel Tovar #14 of the Colorado Rockies looks on in the sixth inning at Coors Field on April 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (16-8) at Colorado Rockies (10-15), April 23, 2026, 12:10 p.m. PST
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DENVER, CO - APRIL 18: Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Compared to last season, the Colorado Rockies continue to find themselves in unfamiliar territory.The Rockies may still be below .500 but are playing largely competent, competitive baseball. Bolstered by what has been a surprisingly strong pitching core—both from starters and in the bullpen—and the occasional outburst of offense, the Rockies successfully earned their tenth win of the season last night against the San Diego Padres in one of their most complete ballgames of the young season.
For comparison, the Rockies lost 50 games last season before earning their 10th victory on June 2nd, 2025.
Now the Rockies aim to finish their homestand strong with an opportunity for a series win against the Padres this afternoon. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner will be tasked with leading the effort.
Feltner has had a bumpy start to his 2026 campaign. His last start against the Padres in San Diego didn’t go as planned and he carries a 6.00 ERA into this afternoon’s game. However, he turned in a solid performance his last time out against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 5.2 innings he held the Dodgers to three runs—two earned—on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts on the way to a Rockies victory.
Making the start for the Swingin’ Friars is the right-handed Matt Waldron, who will be making his second appearance of the season.
Waldron struggled last week against the Los Angeles Angels in his first start of the season. In 3.2 innings he gave up six earned runs on eight hits—including a home run—and a walk with four strikeouts. He has a career 4.67 ERA through three starts and 17.1 innings against the Rockies entering today’s game.
What makes Waldron unique is his arsenal. His primary pitch is a high 70s to low 80s knuckleball. He backs that up with a sweeper, a four-seam fastball, a sinker, an the occasional cutter.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Brayden Taylor #80 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after drawing a walk during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
After treading water in Double-A Montgomery for parts of the last two seasons, here’s a hot take: Brayden Taylor appears ready for a promotion to Durham.
If you look him up, his 99 wRC+ through 14 games doesn’t jump off the page, but the underlying data suggests he’s ready for a new challenge.
Taylor was not performing well in his first full season in Montgomery last year. Through his first 64 games, he produced just a 64 wRC+ driven largely by elevated swing-and-miss, as his contact rate was sitting at just about 70%. He was removed from games for a few weeks in July to reset and adjust his swing. After he returned to action, his production improved to 97 wRC+ across his final 44 games, and his contact rate rebounded into the mid 70s.
One of the key adjustments Taylor made was reducing the hitch in his swing while getting stacked on his back leg. He still has a bit of a bat wrap and average hand speed so some swing-and-miss will likely always be part of his profile, but it’s now seemingly more manageable.
Taylor didn’t sacrifice his average power with this change either because he still holds his weight back fairly well and he’s always had a knack for getting the ball in the air pull-side. There may have also been an adjustment to his bat angle or tilt as it appears slightly flatter than in the past. That would align with the improved contact rates, though it’s difficult to confirm given the limited minor league data and video available.
While Taylor may not be filling up the box score just yet this season, his underlying data looks encouraging; his contact rate is up over 76% so far. He’s also hitting line drives and fly balls over 70% of the time in this small sample. It’s a rate that will almost certainly regress, but one that reinforces a meaningful trend: he’s continuing to get the ball in the air even with a shorter swing.
Brayden Taylor puts the Biscuits on top with a solo blast!
The 2025 Solar Sox has a ten game on-base streak and a six game hit streak after hitting his second homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/K0ZgQ554Ui
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) April 22, 2026
Maintaining near-average contact rates and consistently elevating the ball pull-side will allow Taylor to out-slug his roughly average exit velocities. The Southern League is a notoriously pitcher-friendly environment, so getting to Triple-A could help that underlying performance translate more consistently.
If these contact gains are sustainable, Taylor’s combination of solid defense at 2B and 3B and above average base running can help make him a productive major league player. He’s been notably passive early and taking his walks, so a promotion to Triple-A — where pitchers are in the zone more — would be a more appropriate test for his new mechanics.
Overall, his profile still looks similar to what it was coming out of the 2023 draft: a bulk platoon second baseman with no major holes in his game who can also fill-in on the left side of the infield if needed.
At the lower end of outcomes, Taylor profiles as a versatile up-and-down option. But with the swing changes, defensive value, and track record against right-handed pitching, there’s a strong case for a more meaningful role. His development against left-handed pitching may ultimately determine whether he reaches everyday status. The key question now isn’t whether Taylor can produce in Double-A; it’s whether these underlying gains will hold against more advanced pitching.
TORONTO - JULY 9: Manager Lou Pinella of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during batting practice prior to the1991 All-Star Game at the Toronto Sky Dome on July 9, 1991 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) | Getty Images
April 24th kicks off the 2026 edition of Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Induction weekend as the Reds are in town playing host to the Detroit Tigers. This year’s class is particularly star-studded, as each of Brandon Phillips, Reggie Sanders, Aaron Harang, and manager Lou Piniella will enter the Hall with resumes that are more than well deserving.
The Reds have announced the details for the weekend, including the daily meet and greets that will be hosted at the Reds Hall:
Going to be a great weekend at GABP for the 2026 Reds Hall of Fame Induction❗️
The Reds also announced that Phillips, who has more hits, homers, runs batted in, and doubles than any other 2B in team history, will sign a one-day contract with the club on Saturday and official retire as a Cincinnati Red.
Red 4 Life.
Brandon Phillips will sign a one-day contract on April 25 and retire a Cincinnati Red! pic.twitter.com/xq4G9WvGpR
Phillips, to his credit, seems pretty damn pumped about it all.
My career included stops in other cities and I loved my time with those clubs. But for me, y’all know DAMN well Cincinnati is my HOME. I love the city, my teammates, especially the FANS. I can finally say, I’m a RED4LIFE!💯🫡 #RedsCountrypic.twitter.com/oxuUsFTI3o
The foursome will head into the Hall with an on-field induction before first pitch of the Saturday, April 25th game against the Tigers, with a Gala at the First Financial Center in downtown Cincinnati set for Sunday night after the end of the series.
The Reds sit at 16-9 overall after their recent 5-1 road trip, and are in 1st place in the National League Central division at the moment.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an upset win in Boston in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, the Sixers could have reinforcements on the way as the series turns to South Philadelphia.
The Sixers said on Thursday afternoon that Joel Embiid participated “in parts” of practice the day before the team’s Game 3 matchup with the Celtics.
Joel Embiid participated in parts of practice today, the Sixers say.
When asked what Embiid was able to participate in at practice today, Nick Nurse notes that today's practice was "a little more than a walkthrough", but not much more in terms of intensity level.
This would be quite the turnaround for Embiid, who had an emergency appendectomy on April 9 that has kept him off the court since then. The team stated on April 20 that Embiid has started a strength and conditioning program as he’s recovered from that surgery.
To say that an Embiid return this weekend, whether for Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday, would be a boost for the Sixers would be a colossal understatement. The Sixers hung tough while stealing a road victory on Tuesday, but they’ve been getting nothing from their big men. Even a version of Embiid that’s not 100 percent, which Sixers fans have been accustomed to seeing in the postseason anyway, would do wonders for their chances of prolonging this series against the vaunted Celtics.
Embiid’s getting back into action would mean this is the fourth time he’s faced Boston in the playoffs during his career. While 2018 and 2020 saw the Celtics making quick work of the team, that 2023 loss still stings. I’m not necessarily banking on it, but perhaps Embiid combining with the backcourt duo of VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey could have the Sixers doing something they haven’t done in 44 years: eliminating the Celtics.
Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) warms up before game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
In some potentially good news for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama is going to travel with the team to Portland, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Wemby entered concussion protocol after falling and smacking his chin on the court in the second quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday. He appeared dazed before getting up and heading to the locker room. The Spurs were quick dispel rumors that were going around during/after the game he had been taken to the hospital for x-rays on his head or jaw.
Victor Wembanyama will indeed travel with the Spurs today to Portland ahead of Games 3 and 4 this weekend. https://t.co/mRjpxcjKKo
Per the NBA’s concussion protocol rules, he must go through a 48-hour observation period with no contact basketball allowed, although he can do workouts such as cardio and non-contact drills as deemed fit, which he was seen doing at practice yesterday and today. Players must also undergo cognitive/neurological testing, be symptom free and cleared by team and league doctors to return to play.
Head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters at practice today that Wemby is progressing well, but they have not yet determined whether he will be available for Games 3 and 4 in Portland.
Game 3 is on Friday, which is outside the mandatory 48-hour window since the incident occurred on Tuesday. While it would be rare for a player to return that quickly from a concussion — 5-7 days is the most common time frame — it’s not unheard of. That being said, there are levels of severity to concussions, and it would appear this is a mild one based on his quick progression. If he was in any danger to fly or the Spurs did not think he stood a chance of returning on Friday or Sunday for Game 4, he would not be traveling with them.
In other injury related news, Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper are cleared to play in Game 3. Barnes exited in the fourth quarter Game 2 after suffering a shoulder stinger in a collision with Deni Avdija, and Harper reaggravated an existing thumb injury after getting tangled with Donovan Clingan a play later. Harper returned to that game, Barnes did not.
Game 3 will be tomorrow at 9:30 PM CT and streamed on Prime. The Spurs went 2-1 against Portland in the regular season without Wemby, including a win at the Moda Center in November. De’Aaron Fox scored 37 points in that game, and they will need a similar performance from him and for everyone else to step up in Wemby’s absence should he miss one or both games. The Spurs were down two points when he exited early in the second quarter of Game 2, and while regrouped and got the lead up to 14 in the fourth quarter, the offense fell apart down the stretch to lose the game 103-106. The series is currently tied 1-1.
CHICAGO — The slumping Philadelphia Phillies released veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker before their game against the Chicago Cubs and recalled righty Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Walker, in his 14th major league season, exited the Phillies clubhouse a couple of hours before the contest. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract.
The Phillies had optioned right-hander Alan Rangel to Lehigh Valley following a 7-2 loss to Chicago, their eighth straight.
The 33-year-old Walker was an All-Star with the New York Mets in 2021 and peaked with a 15-6 record and 4.38 ERA with Philadelphia in 2023. But he’s slid ever since, starting 2026 at 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA in five games, and has a combined 9-19 record with a 5.67 ERA over the past three seasons.
Walker gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings in starting and taking the loss at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. With ace Zack Wheeler set to return, Walker was bumped out of the Phillies rotation.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, said the team tried to trade Walker’s contract “various times,” but found no takers.
“We know and he knows that he gave every effort that he possibly could to try to get people out and it just wasn’t working,” Dombrowski added. “Maybe a change of scenery will help him.”
Manager Rob Thomson said: “It’s just all performance based. I hope that people understand.”
“We had a really good year out of him the first year (2023) with the 15 wins,” Thomson added. “With the injuries we had last year, this guy took down 125 innings and basically helped us get to the playoffs.”
Thomson praised Walker’s presence and work ethic.
“He’s one of the best teammates and one of the best people I’ve been around,” Thomson said. “This guys a pro, performance aside.
“He tried everything, being the opener and trying to get some velo back, which he did. It didn’t work out, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on his part.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots the ball during the West First Round Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers game on April 21, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After the Lakers took Game 1, desperation naturally had to set in for the Rockets. No team wants to fall down 2-0, as those who hold that lead go on to win 92.7% of the time.
Houston was held to an abysmal 37% from the floor in the playoff opener, setting the stage for superstar Kevin Durant to return and, theoretically, fix their offensive problems in Game 2. He was upgraded to available hours before tipoff, seemingly shifting the series back in their control.
Durant started Game 2 on fire, hitting his first four shots before the purple and gold decided it was enough. They switched back into their defensive rotation bag and got the ball out KD’s hands.
It began at the end of the first quarter. In the clip below, Durant comes to the screen for Alperen Şengün. The Lakers’ scheme is to switch any of his screen actions, negating its advantage, and then to blitz or “fire,” as head coach J.J. Redick calls it, to get the ball out of his hands.
LeBron James meets Şengün at the free throw line, Jake Laravia plays the low man role, dropping down on Amen Thompson, and they strategically leave the player on the wing, Tari Eason, open. The intention is to live with a late contest on shooters they deem unable to consistently hurt them.
This defense not only takes the ball out of the superstar’s hands, but it also forces role players who are not accustomed to being playmakers to make split-second pass-shot decisions, which are even more sped up by playoff intensity and physicality.
LA has practiced this defense numerous times in the regular season, so it is prepared to dish out now. Every player being in sync means any hesitation from the offense allows the connective group to recover and take away the given advantage.
Watch below as Durant is doubled once again on a straight line drive attempt. The Rockets made five passes following his kick out, including one that got the basketball back in his hands.
No open shot created as the Lakers cleanly recover and Jabari Smith is forced to heave at the end of the clock.
This all culminated in one of the bigger moments of Game 2. With LA nursing a five-point lead late in the fourth, Durant and Şengün run their pet screen action in the clip below. The Lakers switch the play, with a double likely coming once Durant decides to attack.
Looking to move the ball before it happens, Durant whips a one-handed pass to the corner that’s deflected by LeBron and stolen by Luke Kennard. LA scores on the other end and pushes the lead back to a comfortable spot.
LA frustrated Durant into nine turnovers overall and just 1-5 shooting in the second half. Every successful defensive possession that leads to a turnover, an indecisive shot, or a rushed pass increases the brewing confidence of the Lakers team to dig their teeth in more.
It’s filled a squad left for dead in public perception with the belief of life. A roster of subpar defenders, at best, has a blueprint to follow that’s leading to playoff wins.
Houston has two days to sit with this film and make adjustments before Game 3 on Friday. The questions to the test are readily available, as they’ve been available for months before this matchup, but it remains to be seen if the Rockets have any answers.
On Wednesday morning, I thought about writing a story advocating for the Mets to promote Ronny Mauricio, who was coming off a three-homer game for Triple-A Syracuse and had been tearing the cover off the ball for most of the season -- with a slugging percentage north of .600.
But there really wasn't an angle.
If Mauricio came up, he would need regular playing time.
Mauricio has some experience playing corner outfield, but hasn't spent a regular season inning out there since 2023. Beyond that, the Mets are still providing Carson Benge an opportunity to show he can stick.
As far as the infield, it was locked up.
That changed on Wednesday night, in almost impossible to believe fashion for a Mets team that had already dealt with enough bad luck this season.
Francisco Lindor, while scoring from first base on a double in the fourth inning, came up lame near third base and grimaced as he slid in safely at home. He walked back to the dugout, down the steps, and straight to the clubhouse. His night was over.
During the game, the update came: Lindor left early due to left calf tightness, the same initial diagnosis (though it was the right calf) Soto got before he landed on the IL and missed 18 days.
Apr 21, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz - Imagn Images
It is indeed unusually cruel that on the night the Mets got Soto back, they lost Lindor to the same injury. Of course it happened that way. Of course there was something that added a sour note to the club finally breaking its interminable losing streak.
Adding insult to injury (literally) is the fact that Lindor had been heating up and starting to look like himself after missing most of spring training due to hamate surgery. In the eight games he played before getting hurt, Lindor had an .829 OPS. And he had hits in his only two at-bats on Wednesday.
To hear manager Carlos Mendoza speak after the game, it was clear that Lindor would need an IL stint, with the only question being how long he'd miss.
It was Bo Bichette who got the call to finish Wednesday's game, sliding over from third base.
The Mets could conceivably make Bichette the regular shortstop in Lindor's absence, but that didn't seem to be the way they'll turn, with Mendoza noting after the game that they would likely call up an infielder from the minors. And Mike Puma of the New York Post reported on Thursday afternoon that Mauricio is on his way to New York to join the team.
If the plan is to insert Mauricio as the regular shortstop and give him a serious chance to stick there while Lindor is out, it's hard to argue with the logic.
Bichette, who has been getting acclimated to third base since signing as a free agent during the offseason, has looked much smoother and more comfortable there since a few early hiccups. His throws have been truer, and his range strong. And although it's a small sample size, Bichette has graded out as above average at third when it comes to OAA.
Apr 7, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) prepares for a pitch during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
He should stay there, which would open up the full-time shortstop gig for the switch-hitting Mauricio, whose ability to put a charge into the baseball remains tantalizing.
In parts of three seasons in the majors, Mauricio -- who turned 25 years old earlier this month -- has shown flashes but not yet proven he has what it takes to be a regular at the level. He also lost more than a season of development time due to a knee injury he suffered while playing Winter Ball after the 2023 campaign.
So it's difficult to look at Mauricio's output in 2025 -- a .226/.293/.369 triple slash in 184 plate appearances over 61 games -- and make any conclusions.
For one, the sample size isn't big enough. Secondly, it was Mauricio's first big league action since returning from his knee injury.
With Lindor out, it's time to see if Mauricio can limit his free swinging enough to allow his potential to be realized.
In 19 games last season in Triple-A, Mauricio had an .891 OPS.
In 63 plate appearances over 15 games this season in Triple-A, Mauricio has hit .293/.349/.638 with six homers, two doubles, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored. And he has been absolutely stinging the ball.
There is absolutely no way to paint Lindor's injury as anything but a painful blow for the Mets, especially considering the timing. But a silver lining could be the potential emergence of Mauricio, if he takes his chance and runs with it.
Apr 22, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jesús Sánchez (12) swings during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
We have made it back from Japan. It was a wonderful holiday. Thanks to Tom M for doing a great job of running things while I was gone.
The last few days we saw a fair bit of sports. We went to a:
Sumo wrestlers’ house. It wasn’t the season for sumo, but the wrestlers train together and we got to see them train. Their workouts were very tough. Strength plus flexibility and balance. It did amaze me that these rather large men were way more flexible than I am. I had a tough time sitting on the floor for the two hours they trained. And they did some exhibition type matches for us. Leg strength was a large part of the training, lifting one leg high and doing squats on the other leg. It was more interesting than I thought it would be, but they need more clothing and/or lots of waxing.
A baseball game. Swallows vs. Tigers. It wasn’t a great game. The Tigers scored 7 runs in the first three innings. But fans for both teams cheered and chanted and sang all the way until the last out. No one left early. The best part, for us, was that we were sitting beside two guys from Switzerland who had never watched baseball before. Spent time chatting and we went for supper with them after.
A soccer game. Also fun and also fans for both teams cheering, singing and chanting all game. Good play, not premiership level or anything but a lot of fun.
And lucked into watching basketball, which again, with the fans being so into it, was a lot of fun.
Wearing Blue Jays caps got me into a lot of conversations. Everywhere we went people wanted to talk about the Jays.
Beyond that, food was great, there was beer, and Japanese whisky is very good. And we went to a saki tasting. Went to many Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Shrines. Played drums, watched people who knew how to play drums. Got a sword lesson and watched people who knew how to use swords. And many many other things.
I was feeling a bit cut off from the Jays as most games were happening while we were sleeping. They aren’t having the start to the season we were hoping to see. And many guys are injured:
Trey Yesavage: Pitched yesterday. I see mention that he hit 96 mph on the fastball. Had some troubles with walks. Might make one more appearance in the minors.
George Springer has a broken toe, but should be back soon.
Addison Barger is working his way back from an ankle sprain. He’s working his way up to running at full speed.
José Berríos made a rehab start yesterday, throwing 55 pitches. 4 innings, 3 hits, no walks. He’ll need a couple more rehab starts.
Yimi Garcia is still 4 weeks from returning from elbow surgery. He has been throwing.
Shane Bieber is starting to threw bullpen sessions. But he won’t be back until late May at best..
Ricky Tiedemann is out with elbow soreness.
Cody Ponce is out for the season.
Alejandro Kirk had a screw put into his broken thumb. He’ll miss all of May.
Anthony Santander likely won’t be back until the end of the season at best.
And the active roster has guys who I haven’t heard of:
Lenyn Sosa has a higher batting average than on base percentage.
Joe Mantiply hasn’t been all that bad, 4.50 ERA in 8 innings, with 12 strikeouts.
I have heard of Eloy Jiménez and he’s had a good time of it, .409/.462/.462 line in 22 at bats.
And some guys aren’t hitting:
Tyler Heineman has a .219/.265/.219 line.
Kazuma Okamoto has a .207/.289/.333 line, but has been a bit better the last few games, .278/.381/500 in the last five games. Hopefully it will continue.
Nathan Lukes has a .235/.273/.294 line, but is .500/.524/.650 in his last six games.
Davis Schneider has a .176/.333/.324 line. At least he’s getting on base a bit. He’s hitless in his last 10 at bats.
And, of course, Hoffman has been awful. I don’t know how he can be that bad with 24 strikeouts in 10.2 innings. 24 strikeouts out of 32 outs, seems like a good thing. But, of course, 16 hits against, with 2 home runs. I don’t know what the answer is, but he doesn’t look confident (and I can understand why). Pitching scared isn’t a good way to do things.
But then Louis Varland hasn’t allowed an earned run yet.
I’ve seen more about Bo Bichette’s troubles than anything else. He has been a slow starter the last few seasons, but it is tough when you are on a new team, after signing a big contract. And worse when your team is losing. Lucky for him, New York baseball fans are well know for their patience.
No game today, which is good because I’m dealing with jet lag. I was so tired yesterday and then, about 2:00 am I was wide awake. But it should only last a couple of days and I’ll be back feeling normal.
Flyers, Veterans Put Penguins in 3-0 Chokehold with Savvy PerformanceThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> are just one win away from sending the arch-rival Pittsburgh Penguins packing from the Stanley Cup playoffs, and they were led by a unit nobody expected to carry the load.
Flyers' Porter Martone Makes NHL History After Latest Big Playoff GameFlyers top prospect Porter Martone is thriving right now, and he has made some NHL history because of it. 
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