Chris Taylor is staying in SoCal. Angels sign former Dodgers utilityman

Chris Taylor takes batting practice before making his Angels debut against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium.
Chris Taylor takes batting practice before making his Angels debut against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium on May 26. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

Former Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor signed a one-year, major league minimum contract with the Angels on Monday.

Taylor will start in center field against the New York Yankees on Monday and bat eighth.

Angels prospect Kyren Paris, who was struggling at the plate in recent weeks — hitting just .190 — was optioned to triple-A Salt Lake City to make room for Taylor on the roster.

“He’s been through the wars,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of Taylor, adding that the Angels plan to use him in the outfield and the infield. “He's a good piece for those young guys to talk to about how to handle a grind. He’s been in a grind over there with L.A., every day, winning, and we want that.”

Chris Taylor, left, is greeted by an Angels coach before batting practice at Angel Stadium on May 26.
Chris Taylor, left, is greeted by an Angels coach before batting practice at Angel Stadium on May 26. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

Released by the Dodgers in the final year of his four-year, $60-million contract last week, Taylor was hitting .200 with seven hits in 35 at-bats before entering free agency. Washington is hopeful Taylor's reputation for being a quiet clubhouse leader will help revive an Angels team two games under .500.

“I'm excited to stay home — I get to live at home,” Taylor said. "The Angels have been playing really good baseball, so I'm excited to join the team and hopefully get on the field. That was one thing with the Dodgers this year, just my role, I wasn't getting on the field that much. So I'm really just looking forward to, like, getting consistent at-bats and playing time."

A career .250 hitter and a one-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Taylor has experience playing in the infield and all three outfield positions, adding versatility and depth to an Angels team waiting for outfielder Mike Trout’s return from the injured list (knee). Taylor said general manager Perry Minasian and Washington told him he’d be playing three to four times a week. Taylor believes he’ll be slotted into the lineup at center field Tuesday as well.

“First and foremost, I want to perform on the field,” said Taylor, who attributed his multi-season batting slump to swing mechanics. “I want to help this team win ballgames. I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself. I haven't performed to how I feel I'm capable of playing the last couple seasons, and I kind of want to turn that around.”

Angels closer Kenley Jansen, who played alongside Taylor on the Dodgers from 2016 to 2021, learned of Taylor’s signing while on his way to Angel Stadium.

“It’s nice to have him back,” said Jansen, who said he spoke to Minasian about Taylor on Sunday. “I think once he gets more playing time here, I think, you know, it's going to be great for the organization and help us win ball games.”

Read more:Angels upbeat about their future despite dropping back-to-back games

When asked about Taylor’s release Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his former longest-tenured position player was looking for an opportunity to play more often rather than accepting a demotion to triple A.

“He wanted an opportunity, if it wasn't going to be here to play more, to play somewhere else,” Roberts said. “So that's kind of the thought behind how it played out, and I respect him for betting on himself and hopefully get an opportunity to play more somewhere else."

Taylor should get those opportunities with the Angels. As he put it, playing at Angel Stadium is a fresh start, an opportunity to regain his previous form in the batter’s box.

"It was emotional,” Taylor said of his Dodgers departure. “I've been on the Dodgers for nine years, but I do believe it was time for me. It was my time to kind of start fresh, hopefully turn the page, start a new chapter. I'm excited to do that here.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Three Potential Paths Forward For Former Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan

Brendan Shanahan’s days with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended last week. 

Now, Shanahan has to plot out his next career move. But when you think about Shanahan’s trajectory from NHL star to NHL executive to Maple Leafs president, it’s clear his work ethic has never left him.

So, what’s next for Shanahan after Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment decided not to renew his contract? Let’s examine three potential paths ahead for him.

1. Take A Break

After Shanahan’s Hockey Hall of Fame playing career ended in October 2009, he went to work on his off-ice career, joining the NHL about a month later as the league’s vice-president of hockey and business development. A year-and-a-half later, he moved on to become the league’s senior vice-president, working on supplemental discipline for NHLers and becoming the face of the player safety department.

Less than three years after that, Shanahan took on the job of running the Leafs, which he did for the next 11 years. All of which is to say Shanahan could be looking at a prolonged vacation for the first time in his adult life. Maybe that’s what’s best for him to recharge his batteries and wait for the ideal work situation to present itself before he chooses to get back on the horse and ride in a new role.

Shanahan doesn’t need to shoehorn himself into any one situation, which is why nothing came of the New York Islanders’ rumored interest in him. Ultimately, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with their family? Shanahan now has that option for himself for the foreseeable future.

Brendan Shanahan (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

2. Get Back In The Hunt With A New Team

Some have speculated that Shanahan will want to get back to work as quickly as possible, and who knows – taking on the job of a retooling team like the Nashville Predators or Buffalo Sabres might be a good fit for him. But we see Shanahan as waiting for a different team that could be seeking a new executive to oversee things. One team in particular could offer him the chance to reunite with an old friend and former teammate.

We’re talking, of course, about the Detroit Red Wings, which haven’t made the Stanley Cup playoffs in nine seasons. 

If there’s one thing Shanahan has shown he can do in Toronto, it’s getting a team back into the post-season with a strong core. Under Shanahan, the Maple Leafs drafted and developed Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, and they signed John Tavares in 2018. The team also had six seasons of at least 100 points, including in 2017-18, its first 100-point campaign since 2003-04. The Red Wings, meanwhile, haven’t reached 100 points since 2014-15.

If he did join the Red Wings, Shanahan would likely be working once again with current Wings GM Steve Yzerman.

Hiring Shanahan to oversee things in the Motor City would work for Detroit’s ownership, which benefited from Shanahan’s expertise as a player. Perhaps there’s a setup where Yzerman could be bumped higher in the Red Wings’ management echelon – the way fellow legend Joe Sakic was elevated with the Colorado Avalanche – and Shanahan and Yzerman could wind up collaborating on key roster decisions for the Wings.

The Red Wings aren’t at the bare-bones stage of their development, so Shanahan may see Detroit as the team that will offer him the best option to step back into the fray and push a team into the post-season sooner rather than later. That may heighten the Red Wings’ Atlantic Division rivalry with the Maple Leafs. Thus, the Wings make a lot of sense for Shanahan as his next management destination.

Brendan Shanahan, The Leafs' President, Lacked Brendan Shanahan, The PlayerBrendan Shanahan, The Leafs' President, Lacked Brendan Shanahan, The PlayerWhen Brendan Shanahan was hired as the Toronto Maple Leafs president in 2014, and for the first couple of years after that, there was more optimism around this organization than there had been in decades. And for good reason.

3. Go Back To Work For The NHL

Shanahan has had a terrific relationship with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for decades now.

Having the opportunity to work once again at the NHL’s head office in New York City would also work for Shanahan as a longtime resident of Manhattan and someone who understands what it is to be part of the sports scene in the New York City area.

To be sure, working for another team is probably what best suits Shanahan’s competitive desire. But unless there’s an ideal situation with a team that checks all the boxes for him, going back to the league as a higher-up right away wouldn’t be seen as a step down for him. To the contrary – Shanahan’s notable impact with the “Shanahan Summit” demonstrated he can do something meaningful for the game he loves. 

If that means not running a team until such time as a perfect situation for him arises with a different franchise, Shanahan would be welcomed with open arms by Bettman & Co. If he wants to get back to work right away, the league has demonstrated it will find a role that he’s happy with. And after one or two years working for the league once again, the hockey landscape could look much different for Shanahan – and it could offer him a perfect fit eventually.

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Former Senators Defenceman Officially Signs On To Play In Switzerland

When the Ottawa Senators acquired defenceman Erik Brännström as part of the 2019 Mark Stone trade, GM Pierre Dorion famously declared it to be his proudest day as GM. Unfortunately for Sens fans, Dorion was way off base about the player, which is something we've known for a long time.

Six years after the Senators so proudly acquired him, it's now official. Brännström is no longer in the NHL. 

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As HockeyNews.se reported back in April, the 25-year-old Swedish defenceman is headed to play pro hockey in Switzerland next season. Brännström has signed a three-year deal with Lausanne HC in the Swiss-A League.

In 2020-21, during the NHL's COVID-shortened 56-game season, Lausanne got a sneak preview of what Brannstrom might look like in the league. He suited up for 10 games with league rival Langnau HC, posting 8 points in the process. Lausanne has finished runner-up in the Swiss-A league in each of the past two seasons.

Before the trade to Ottawa, Brännström was seen as a blue-chip NHL prospect. Two years earlier, he was a first-round pick, chosen 17th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights. He captained Team Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships. 

Brannstrom played over 70 games for the Senators in each of the last two seasons, but the past year probably soured him on the league.

Last summer, at 24 years old and a restricted free agent, the Senators chose not to extend him a qualifying offer. Unlike his predecessor, who traded for Brannstrom, new GM Steve Staios felt no obligation to the undersized defenceman, nor did any other NHL team.

Brännström signed as a free-agent with the Colorado Avalanche last summer but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks before the season began. After playing 28 games in Vancouver, he was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the J.T. Miller trade in late January and then traded again to the Buffalo Sabres just prior to the trade deadline. After leaving Vancouver, where he had some very good moments, he didn't play another NHL game.

Brännström's NHL career ends, at least for now, with 77 points and 162 penalty minutes in 294 NHL regular-season games. 

Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia)
The Hockey News-Ottawa

Erik Brännström Signs Multi-Year Deal In Switzerland

Swedish defenseman Erik Brännström, 25, has signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC, the National League club announced on Monday.

“We are very pleased to welcome Erik Brännström, a player we have been following for some time,” said Lausanne sports director John Fust. “His anticipation, mobility, and ability to contribute offensively make him a modern and complete defender. Our analysis confirms that his experience and versatility will be major assets for our squad.”

Brännström, who had played in North America from 2018 until now, had been rumored to be heading to Switzerland for some time.

Originally from Eksjö, Sweden, Brännström played junior hockey and turned pro with HV71 in nearby Jönköping.

Brännström was a first-round pick, 17th overall, by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 and was moved to the Ottawa Senators in a 2019 multi-player deal that saw Vegas acquire Mark Stone.

From 2019 to 2024, Brännström’s career was fairly stable – mostly playing in the NHL for Ottawa with occasional assignments to the Belleville Senators, the team’s nearby AHL farm team.

However, this past season was quite chaotic for the diminutive, puck-moving defenseman. He signed as a free-agent with the Colorado Avalanche in the summer but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks before the season began. After playing 28 games in Vancouver, he was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the J.T. Miller trade in late January and then traded again to the Buffalo Sabres just prior to the trade deadline. He did not play an NHL game for either of the latter two teams.

Overall, Brännström has 77 points and 162 penalty minutes in 294 NHL regular-season games.

Brännström joins a Lausanne team that has been one of Switzerland’s best the past few years and wants to win a title this year under reigning coach of the year Geoff Ward. Last season the team finished first in the regular season and has lost in the finals each of the past two seasons to the ZSC Lions.

In addition to Brännström, Lausanne has under contract for 2025-26 goaltenders Connor Hughes and Antoine Keller, as well as American Austin Czarnik, German Dominik Kahun, and Finns Janne Kuokkanen, and Antti Suomela, Lauri Pajuniemi and Sami Niku.

Photo © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images: Erik Brännström playing for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-25.

Connor Hughes Returns To Switzerland, Signs Long-Term DealConnor Hughes Returns To Switzerland, Signs Long-Term Deal Canadian-Swiss goaltender Connor Hughes, 28, has signed a five-year contract with Lausanne HC, the National League club announced on Tuesday.

Is Tarik Skubal on his way toward surpassing Justin Verlander's legend in Detroit?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Detroit's Tarik Skubal is making a compelling case to stake his claim among modern Tigers legends —potentially even challenging Justin Verlander’s status in Detroit. In this episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go in depth on Skubal’s masterpiece Sunday against Cleveland and what it means for his place in Tigers history.

Here’s how they frame the comparison:

Skubal’s most recent complete-game shutout (13 strikeouts, 94 pitches, 102.6 mph on his final pitch) was described as “one of the best games we’ve ever seen pitched.” The combination of dominance, efficiency and drama left a huge impression — not just on the hosts, but on the home crowd as well, who gave Skubal a hero’s ovation.

Mintz makes the point that Skubal has a certain charisma and openness to being “about the Detroit of it,” performing for the fans in a way Verlander didn’t always express. Skubal’s emotional reaction — wiping away tears after the standing ovation — shows just how much this team and city means to him.

Skubal’s journey (a ninth-round draft pick in 2018 rather than a top draft prospect) adds a special “underdog” flavor to his legend that sets him apart, even from Verlander, who was a No. 2 overall pick and highly touted from Day 1.

DETROIT, MI - MAY 25:   Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after throwing the final strikeout in his first career complete game to win the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, May 25, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Tarik Skubal reacts after throwing the final strikeout in his first career complete game on Sunday. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Rob Tringali via Getty Images

Shusterman and Mintz suggest there’s a unique energy around Skubal, a connection to the fans, an on-the-mound swagger, and the sense that Detroit can “dream on him” the way they did with Verlander in his prime.

“Skubal seems to love this and plays to the crowd … in a way that I don’t feel like Verlander ever was," Mintz said. "There’s just something about the way that Skubal goes about pitching that just connects there.”

Skubal had an outrageous strikeout-to-walk ratio (82 Ks, 3 BBs). While Verlander obviously has longevity and milestones (MVP, Cy Young, World Series, etc.), Skubal’s current run is the kind of sustained dominance that could build toward that kind of legendary status.

While Verlander’s legacy as a Tigers legend is carved in stone — thanks to years of elite pitching, a no-hitter and a Cy Young — Skubal is absolutely putting himself in the conversation. If he continues this trajectory, stays healthy, and leads the Tigers back to sustained relevance, there’s every chance we’ll be talking about the “Skubal era” in Detroit for years to come.

He’s not there yet — but he’s laying down the path, and fans (and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew) are here for it.

For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

Athletics, Rays have struggled in minor league ballparks that are their temporary homes

The Athletics — formerly of Oakland but not yet of Las Vegas — have one of the worst home records in baseball.

Maybe it figures.

The A’s are one of two big league teams playing in minor league ballparks this season, along with the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay was forced out of Tropicana Field after damage caused by Hurricane Milton, so the Rays are playing home games at the Yankees’ spring training base in Tampa. The A’s left Oakland and are spending at least three seasons at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento before moving to a planned ballpark in Las Vegas.

So far, these temporary venues don’t seem to be helping in the win column. Tampa Bay has played far more games at home than on the road, but the Rays are 16-18 at home and 10-8 away. For the A’s, the difference is even more jarring. They are 14-12 on the road but just 9-19 at home.

These are the only two teams in the major leagues that have a winning record on the road and a losing record at home.

After improving from 50-112 in 2023 to 69-93 last year, the A’s were actually above .500 less than two weeks ago. Then they dropped 11 in a row, the last six of which were at home, before finally beating Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday.

The Athletics have a winning percentage of .538 on the road and .321 at home. That difference of .217 is on pace to set a modern record. The previous mark was “achieved” in the strike-shortened season of 1994 by the Chicago Cubs, who were 29-25 (.537) on the road and just 20-39 (.339) at home.

The record for a full season was set back in 1908, when Pittsburgh was 56-21 (.727) on the road and 42-35 (.545) at home.

Ironically, if you take out the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Athletics already hold the modern record for the biggest home-road winning percentage difference in the other direction. In 1945, the Philadelphia A’s went 39-35 (.527) at home but just 13-63 (.171) on the road for a split of .356.

Brewers demote Logan Henderson despite success as team anticipates return of other pitchers

MILWAUKEE — Despite being one of the best pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers’ injury-plagued rotation this season, Logan Henderson is headed for the minors.

The Brewers optioned Henderson to Triple-A Nashville while reinstating DL Hall from the 60-day injured list. The move came Monday prior to Milwaukee’s game against the Boston Red Sox in the afternoon.

Henderson has compiled a 3-0 record and a 1.71 ERA over his first four career starts this season. He became the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first three major league games and the first in the majors’ modern era to start his career with a win in three consecutive appearances while striking out seven or more batters in each game.

Henderson leads the Brewers starting staff in ERA and in strikeouts per nine innings (12.4).

Manager Pat Murphy said “the kid has been so good,” but with the Brewers expecting the return of two other key rotation members, the timing is right to send him down.

“Quite frankly, for some of these young guys, get a blow. Get a rest,” Murphy said. “They’re just not machines.”

Along with Hall, the Brewers expect the return of José Quintana, who has been out with a left shoulder impingement, and Brandon Woodruff, a former top-of-the rotation starter and two-time All-Star who hasn’t pitched in the majors since September 2023 after undergoing major shoulder surgery.

Woodruff appeared set to rejoin the rotation earlier this month but his rehab was temporarily stalled by right ankle tendinitis.

“We’re going to need starters,” Murphy said. “We have to keep guys on schedule. We’ve got Woody coming back. We’ve got Quintana coming back. We need pitching. We have to preserve as many of these guys as we can. To preserve them, the best thing is to keep these guys built up. If they are not going to be in the major league rotation, then make sure they go down and get their pitches in.”

Henderson made an immediate splash after being called up in April. In his major league debut against the Athletics on April 20, he gave up three hits and one run over six innings while walking one and striking out nine.

He pitched five innings on Sunday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, giving up five hits and one run while walking two and striking out six. In doing so, Henderson became only the second pitcher since 1901 to strike out at least six and allow two or fewer runs in each of his first four career starts in the majors.

“He wasn’t quite as sharp yesterday, but he’s been so good,” Murphy said. “He’s handled it so well. The conversation about going down. He totally understands how this works. (Henderson said) just know I’m going to go down there and work my tail off. The kid’s a delight to have around.”

Murphy deemed Henderson’s unexpected demotion as “solid thinking” and said the 23-year-old righty likely will be on an innings limit this season.

“There’s concern,” Murphy said. “He’s had injury history.”

Hall, who is cleared from injury, had been sidelined since spring training with a left lat strain.

“With the past two years having the injury bug, I’m itching every day to get back on the field,” Hall said.

Mets’ Drew Smith remains optimistic for potential late-season return

Could the Mets add another piece to their bullpen later this season? 

Drew Smith is certainly hopeful. 

The right-handed reliever still faces a long road back in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he told Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com that he’s optimistic he’ll be able to return in late September or October. 

Smith says he's on track to begin throwing bullpen sessions as soon as next month, a positive sign.

The 31-year-old underwent the season-ending hybrid surgery after suffering a torn UCL in his pitching elbow late last June -- and he’s expected to remain sidelined for the majority of this season.

Speaking to reporters during spring training, though, Smith said getting back down the stretch is the goal.

"We’ll see where I’m at by the end of the year," he said. "Everything is so unpredictable with TJ rehab and any rehab in general, but if I could come back by the end of the year that would be the best-case scenario.”

Smith has been a relatively steady contributor during his six years with the club -- pitching to a 3.48 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 196 innings.

Knicks' Game 3 win against Pacers testament to team fighting for each other, including Tom Thibodeau

It's obvious by now, but the Knicks' Game 3 win against the Indiana Pacers was quite impressive.

Down by as many as 20 points (where have we heard that before) in the first half, New York was staring down the barrel of being down 0-3 in the series. But for the third time during this playoff run, the Knicks staged a ferocious comeback in the second half and willed themselves to a victory.

"We saw that we were on the brink of it looking pretty dark for us and the way we responded, I think it brings us closer together," Jalen Brunson said via a Zoom call on Monday.

Listen to this, New York is now 3-2 this postseason after being down 20 or more points. All other teams since the play-by-play era (1996-97 season)? 25-835.

That is to say, it just doesn't happen often.

At the helm of it all has been head coach Tom Thibodeau, now in his fifth season coaching the Knicks and his 13th year as a head coach following stints with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.

During his time in New York, Thibodeau has gone 226-174 and has reached the playoffs in four out of his five seasons. In fact, Thibs has failed to make the postseason just three times as a head coach.

Despite so much playoff experience, the 67-year-old has never made it to the NBA Finals and is 47-53 in the postseason. Simply reaching the Conference Finals is an accomplishment for Thibodeau who hasn't been here since the 2010-11 season -- his first season as a head coach with the Bulls.

So when the Knicks pulled out the win in Game 3, yes, they did it for one another, but they also did it for coach whether they were aware or not.

"He’s obviously been in a lot of battles. He’s been on different teams that have had different successes," Brunson said about Thibodeau. "We haven’t necessarily talked about it, but now that you ask that question, watching this man work tirelessly day in and day out, 364 days out of the year, he maybe takes one day off, it would mean a lot (to make the Finals).

"I know he’s not thinking about that, I know he’s not thinking about what it would mean to him, he’s just thinking about what can we do better in Game 4."

Brunson is right. During his Zoom call with the media, Thibodeau was only thinking about ways to improve his team for Tuesday's battle in Indiana. After all, New York is still down 2-1 in the series.

However, he did allow himself to discuss what about the team he enjoyed and focused on the journey rather than the destination.

"I try not to get wrapped up in anything that’s personal," Thibs said. "I think everything is team-oriented and so when you’re with a team you want to maximize all the opportunities that you do get and you wanna try and get the most out of your group. And I think each day when you have a committed group that’s what you enjoy. You enjoy the challenge of it all.

"Each day you’re gonna be tested in a different way and if you love competition this is the best for competition. So we’re fortunate, we have a great group of guys and we work as hard as we can each and every day. Sometimes we fall short and the next day come back with more determination to fix it and get better.

"I think that’s where you get enjoyment and when you’re with a good group of people that feel that the team is the most important thing, that’s what makes it enjoyable."

With so much Villanova representation on the team, it's been well-documented how far back some of the players go. Still, for the most part, a lot of this year's team looks different than last year's and in year's past.

Brunson says building that chemistry remains a work in progress.

"It’s definitely an ongoing process. Obviously the longer you’re with your teammates, the more you understand them," he said. "The way I’ve been able to kind of connect with these guys on a daily basis definitely helps. It takes time. It takes time for teams and chemistry to bond and I feel like we have great chemistry, but we’re able to push each other out of our comfort zones and to make each other better, I think that’s when it takes another step."

Nevertheless, having chemistry and being friends with everybody on the team doesn't necessarily translate to championships.

It's only when a team has the right mix of players, attitude, coaching and skill that helps them reach the top. Brunson and the Knicks believe they have that and Game 3 was a perfect example of them showing it.

"In order to go through and do something special, you have to go through a lot of adversity, you have to go through a lot of questioning mentally internally if we’re gonna do this," he said. "It can make or break teams and I think what we did last night definitely helps us.

"I feel like internally we think we can do it, but when we’re actually going through it and when we actually do it in a time like this, like I said it brings us closer together."

Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith ‘likely’ a game-time decision for Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 against Knicks

The Pacers could potentially be without a big piece for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.

Sharp-shooting Aaron Nesmith is expected to be listed as questionable and will likely come down to a game-time decision for Tuesday's crucial matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, head coach Rick Carlisle said.  

Nesmith, who is still very sore, was seen walking around the Pacers’ locker room with a “noticeable limp” after he suffered a right ankle injury midway through the third quarter of Game 3

The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle on a drive to the basket -- he needed assistance leaving the court and was initially ruled questionable to return for the remainder of the contest. 

Nesmith did get back out there for the final seven minutes, but didn’t record a bucket in the loss. 

Carlisle said postgame that he was moving without limitations when he came back down the stretch -- but they wouldn’t have any further update on his status until he checked in with the training staff on Monday. 

If Nesmith were to miss any time, it would be a huge momentum swing towards the Knicks, who are now trailing just 2-1 in the series. 

The 25-year-old former first-round pick has been a significant presence on both ends of the court thus far this series, averaging 16.7 points on 53.6 percent shooting from the field over the first three games.

The simple adjustment the Dodgers hope will get closer Tanner Scott back on track

Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott exhales while throwing the ball from the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott faces the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 21. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Three times in the ninth inning last Friday night in New York, new Dodgers closer Tanner Scott made the same simplistic, save-blowing mistake.

In an inning that saw Scott blow a three-run Dodgers lead — forcing the team into a 13-inning marathon that, despite eventually winning, their overworked bullpen could ill-afford — Scott got to two strikes against a Mets batter, only to leave a mistake pitch over the plate.

To Starling Marte, it was a 1-and-2 fastball up and over the middle, resulting in a leadoff single.

After a one-out walk to Pete Alonso, Scott had Jeff McNeil 2-and-2 before throwing a belt-high heater on the inner half that was ripped for a two-run triple.

Another two-strike count followed to Tyrone Taylor, but Scott’s 1-and-2 slider hung up around the heart of zone, leading to a tying single that marked Scott’s fourth blown save in 14 opportunities this year and raised his ERA to 3.42 — hardly the numbers expected out of an All-Star left-hander signed to a $72-million contract this offseason.

“I think the stuff is still good,” manager Dave Roberts said afterward. “It's just right now, it just seems like when there is a mistake, they find some outfield grass or put a good swing on it.”

And lately, such mistakes have been coming in more abundance than usual for Scott, highlighting one early-season trend the Dodgers are now working to address.

“Right now, he’s just kind of living in the middle, the midline of the zone,” pitching coach Mark Prior said. “You leave it in that spot, more than likely they’re gonna put a good swing on it.”

Tanner Scott gives Dalton Rushing a hug.
Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott embraces catcher Dalton Rushing after a 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on May 21. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

For a pitcher who struggled with command issues early in his career — before blossoming into one of the top left-handed relievers in the sport of the last several seasons — Scott is now seemingly suffering from the opposite problem.

So far this year, more than 58% of his pitches have been in the strike zone, a rate that is easily a personal career high (well up from his previous high mark of 52.4% last year) and ranks 18th among qualified big-league relievers.

On top of that, hitters have been on such offerings as well, making contact on 80% of swings against Scott’s pitches over the plate (compared to his 76% career rate) and averaging almost 92 mph of exit velocity on balls put in play (leaving Scott in the seventh percentile of MLB arms when it comes to batted ball contact).

The good news is that Scott has 25 strikeouts and only two walks. Even with his fastball playing a tick down velocity-wise (averaging 96.1 mph this year compared to 97 mph last year), he converted nine of his first 11 save opportunities, squandering only a pair of one-run leads while posting a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 21 appearances.

Read more:How Tanner Scott went from 'revolving door' to marquee Dodgers free-agent signing

This past week, however, Scott was knocked around twice: Giving up three runs on two homers to the Arizona Diamondbacks last week (in another game that necessitated extra innings before the Dodgers came back to win) before his ninth-inning meltdown at Citi Field on Sunday.

“He’s actually been pretty good for us,” Roberts said of Scott’s performance overall. “But the last couple, the last two of three, he’s obviously given up leads.”

Scott said his increased aggressiveness in the strike zone has not been by design.

“I don’t even look at it,” he bristled when asked about his rise in in-zone pitch percentage this weekend. “I don’t even look at it.”

Read more:Teoscar Hernández and Dodgers defeat Mets in 13 innings, but pitching issues loom large

But Prior acknowledged it is something on the coaching staff’s radar.

“Obviously, we want strikes; more strikes than balls,” Prior said. “But he gets in situations where he can get into counts, and I think we’re just leaving too many balls in the zone late in counts, instead of going for more miss.”

Friday’s blown save being Exhibit A.

“I’m not putting [guys] away,” acknowledged Scott, whose whiff rate has also dropped to 26.6% this season compared to his 34.7% career average. “I’m not getting the swing-and-miss, and I’m keeping the ball in the zone too much.”

To Prior, it’s even OK if Scott starts “to walk a few more guys,” he said, “[if] in turn he can get more chase out of the zone when you have leverage.”

“He’s still a really good pitcher,” Prior added. “So we’re going to bank on him.”

Tanner Scott throws from the mound.
Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott throws from the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 20 at Dodger Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Right now, the Dodgers don’t have much of a choice.

Fellow high-leverage relievers Evan Phillips (forearm discomfort), Blake Treinen (forearm sprain), Kirby Yates (hamstring strain) and Michael Kopech (shoulder impingement) are all out injured. And while Kopech is on a minor-league rehab assignment, and Yates and Treinen are both beginning throwing programs, Phillips’ absence is starting to become “concerning,” Roberts acknowledged this weekend, with the team’s former ninth-inning fixture now going on three weeks without throwing because of an injury initially expected to keep him out for only the minimum 15 days.

“I’m getting a little kind of concerned,” Roberts said of Phillips, “but hoping for the best.”

It all makes Scott’s performance in save opportunities particularly crucial for the Dodgers right now.

Read more:Dodgers agree to terms with left-hander Tanner Scott in another splashy offseason signing

Given the team’s MLB-high bullpen workload this year, Roberts has been forced to be selective when it comes to the usage of the few high-leverage relievers still at his disposal. Having Scott blow games in which the team has already burned its best other relief bullets, and could potentially face the added burden of resulting extra innings, are all taxing side effects the Dodgers are not currently equipped to handle.

“To be quite fair,” Roberts noted of Scott, whose 23 ⅔ innings are only fourth-most in the bullpen, “the other guys have been used a lot more than he has.”

Thus, while Scott might only require simple adjustments, such as better locating his fastball up and out of the zone and more consistently executing his slider in locations that induce more chase, enacting such changes quickly is paramount.

After all, the Dodgers made him one of the highest-paid relievers in baseball this offseason to stabilize their bullpen. And lately, he’s instead been one more source of unneeded flux.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Six Past NHL Trade Deadline Deals That Land On The Regret-O-Meter

Over the past 15 years, NHL teams that ponied up some high-priced packages to land sought-after players at the trade deadline were left with buyer’s remorse.

Here are six of those trades on the Regret-O-Meter.

By Jared Clinton, Features Writer

Blues Bother

St. Louis Blues: Ryan Miller, 2013-14 (with Steve Ott from Buffalo for 2015 first-round pick, 2016 third-round pick, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and William Carrier)

A big splash, Miller floundered in St. Louis. In post-deadline action, Miller put up mediocre numbers, and his post-season performance was downright woeful. He allowed 19 goals on 185 shots as the Blues sputtered out of the first round in six games.

Ryan Miller (Brad Rempel-Imagn Images)

Tanner In The Works

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tanner Jeannot, 2022-23(from Nashville for 2023 third, fourth, fifth-round picks, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick and Cal Foote)

Beyond his 24-goal rookie year, Jeannot held appeal with his physicality and toughness, and the Bolts went above and beyond to land him. But in 75 games with Tampa, he had only 18 points – and just one in the playoffs – as the Lightning made consecutive first-round exits.

No Mas, Tomas

Vegas Golden Knights: Tomas Tatar, 2017-18 (from Detroit for 2018 first-round pick, 2019 second-round pick, 2021 third-round pick)

On a per-game basis, Tatar’s regular-season output dipped only slightly after his acquisition. But in the playoffs? Tatar was scratched for 12 of 20 games during the Knights’ run to the final. If he performs, perhaps Vegas has two Cups.

Staaling Out

New York Rangers: Eric Staal, 2015-16(from Carolina for 2016 second-round pick, 2017 second-round pick and Aleksi Saarela) 

Staal was a headline-making pickup, but he flopped. He managed just three goals and six points in 20 games to finish the campaign, then failed to hit the scoresheet in the post-season as the Blueshirts flamed out in five games.

Gaborik Rolled

Columbus Blue Jackets: Marian Gaborik, 2012-13 (with Blake Parlett and Steven Delisle from New York Rangers for 2014 sixth-round pick, Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore)

It was a statement trade by the Jackets, who were in the hunt, but it was all for naught. Gaborik excelled, but Columbus narrowly missed the post-season. Injuries then hampered him, and he was dealt to L.A. in March 2014.

Jeez Lu-Weise

Chicago Blackhawks: Dale Weise, 2016-17(with Tomas Fleischmann from Montreal for 2018 second-round pick and Phillip Danault)

Weise ended up a healthy scratch in Chicago and managed one goal and two points across 19 regular-season and playoff outings. Meanwhile, Danault evolved into one of the NHL’s premier two-way pivots.


This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

Should The Penguins Target Dallas Stars' RFA Forward?

Feb 8, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (22) skates against San Jose Sharks defenseman Jake Walman (96) during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. (Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)

Ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins - in addition to hiring a new head coach - figure to be busy.

And there is one potential restricted free agent forward who may be falling under the radar.

Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque has only appeared in two playoff games this postseason, and with the Stars cap-strapped heading into the offseason, they're going to have some decisions to make. They will only have $5.87 million in cap space with a lot of pending-RFAs and unrestricted free agents (UFAs) to consider.

The 5-foot-11, 181-pound center, 23, registered 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games in his first full season with the Stars in 2024-25, and - being that he accomplished those numbers in a limited role - he only figures to get better. He had a breakout professional season in 2023-24 as well with 26 goals and 77 points in 71 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas's AHL affiliate.

A 30th overall pick in 2020 by the Stars, he was also a 20-goal scorer as a rookie with Texas, and in 172 career junior games with the Shawnigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, he recorded 93 goals and 236 points.

Because of his projected rise, finishing ability, and high-IQ, the former first-rounder may be worth a look by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas in the RFA trade-then-sign market.

And that's something that Dubas has reiterated he will look into. He mentioned in his postseason press conference that they would explore any opportunities to acquire young talent, and the RFA trade-then-sign market was brought up specifically. 

Penguins Reportedly In Mix For KHL Star ForwardPenguins Reportedly In Mix For KHL Star ForwardSoon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.

Pittsburgh has also been linked to players such as KHL star Maxim Shabanov and recently re-signed forward prospect Filip Hallander, which signals their desire to infuse young, NHL-ready talent into their system and into the mix for their NHL roster heading into 2025-26.

They have the cap space to be pretty flexible, too. With more than $24.5 million to work with this summer, Dubas can get creative in pursuing young players in the RFA and trade markets. The Penguins are unlikely to spend big in unrestricted free agency, so getting their hands on as many low-risk, high-reward players as possible seems to be the likely route. 

Bourque is a player who would immediately make their roster better, and he could figure into a bottom-six role along with several other young players in the mix.

He is the exact kind of player who fits their needs and perceived window of contention, so they should do everything they can to try to land him this summer. 

5 RFA Forwards The Penguins Should Pursue This Summer5 RFA Forwards The Penguins Should Pursue This SummerThe Pittsburgh Penguins will certainly be busy this summer, as they are in the market for a new head coach and have 11 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.

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