MINNEAPOLIS — Shohei Ohtani forcefully rebounded from a rough inning on the mound to earn yet another win for the major league -leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The two-way superstar carried his struggling catcher Dalton Rushing along with him, showing there’s even more to his marvelous game than simply pitching and hitting.
Ohtani had eight strikeouts over six innings before yielding to the bullpen in the 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins, and he helped himself at the plate with an RBI single to spark a three-run third inning that put the Dodgers in front for the rest of the night.
But the bottom of the second at Target Field — where the Twins announced their first sellout of the season — was ugly.
Three hits off Ohtani loaded the bases with one out, before he and Rushing got crossed up on a pitch that escaped the catcher’s glove and zipped toward the backstop to let in a run. Two more scored on Ryan Kreidler’s single that gave the Twins a 3-1 lead.
Rushing, the 2022 second-round draft pick who temporarily has taken over as the primary catcher while three-time All-Star Will Smith is on the injured list with neck inflammation, was expecting an off-speed pitch. Ohtani threw a 101 mph fastball, wincing with slumped shoulders as he saw the run come across. Rushing was charged with a passed ball, making one of the three runs against Ohtani unearned.
“They were just out of sync early, and you could tell,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think both guys were frustrated and trying to get on the same page.”
Ohtani, through his interpreter after the game, offered his usual diplomatic assessment about his work with Rushing, who’s in his second major league season.
“The in-game flexibility, reading the swings, reading how the hitters are really taking their approach during the game — that’s how I see what adjustment needs to happen,” Ohtani said. “In that sense, I personally realized we just have to be better at being on the same page and communicating throughout the game.”
Rushing, for his part, particularly was upset with himself that Ohtani had to essentially take over the pitch calling process to get through the night.
“Good thing he’s as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it’s pretty embarrassing,” said Rushing, who also went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a foul pop out at the plate. “They’ve always got my back. Once again, it’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man, and it’s a pretty tough pill to swallow.”
Ohtani, who has pitched through lingering soreness in his left knee and a blister on his right middle finger, has logged quality starts of six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs in 11 of 13 turns. The four-time MVP award winner has also reached base safely in 23 straight road games, batting .381 with 24 RBIs over those contests.
Ohtani had an 0.74 ERA over his first 10 starts with Smith as his catcher. Since the injury, over three turns with Rushing behind the plate, Ohtani has a 4.34 ERA.
“Showing Rush my pitching style I’m capable of, that’s really another way of being able to communicate,” Ohtani said. “In an ideal world, where I want to be is both of us to pitch in and really be able to shine because we have very different talents.”
Rushing doesn’t have to be concerned about losing his role, Roberts said.
“It’s a work in progress. He wants to do really well and he expects a lot of himself, so when he’s not doing what he expects then he gets frustrated,” Roberts said. “I think the good thing is he still understands his priority is to serve the pitchers and be behind the plate, but the last few games he’s had a tough go of it.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel has been recommended for arthroscopic elbow surgery after a recent setback in his injury recovery.
After an assessment by orthopedic specialist Dr. Keith Meister, the Twins announced Abel will undergo the minor procedure more than two months after he first landed on the injured list. The timetable for Abel’s return won’t be determined until after the surgery.
The Twins had Abel lined up to rejoin the rotation after he made two smooth rehab starts for Triple-A St. Paul. But he reported soreness after his bullpen session and was shut down from throwing.
Abel was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies with minor league catcher Eduardo Tait the day before the trade deadline last season for closer Jhoan Duran.
The 24-year-old had a 3.98 ERA in four appearances this year, throwing 14 consecutive scoreless innings before he was sidelined by elbow inflammation following his start on April 14.
Minnesota’s starting pitching has been depleted by injuries. Left-hander Pablo López, an All-Star in 2023, is out for the season following elbow surgery. Right-hander Bailey Ober has been sidelined for the last three weeks with elbow inflammation and won’t return until after the All-Star break.
Left-hander Kendry Rojas after his most recent start in the latest round of pitching roster moves made by the Twins.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 24: Pittsburgh Pirates fans pose while holding a Topps cards for the 75th anniversary before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Many years, the Seattle Mariners reaching the midway point of the season above .500 would be seen as a distinct success. Similarly, reaching Game #82 in first place by 2.5 games would be a state of abject glee. But the expectations are different in 2026, and the rubber match of Seattle’s series with the Pittsburgh Pirates will once again give Seattle a shot to win a series or drop to .500.
On the heels of Wednesday’s drubbing, the M’s will run out nearly the same lineup as a night ago against Pirates rookie RHP Bubba Chandler. Chandler entered 2026 as one of the sport’s top pitching prospects, albeit of a lesser caliber to Paul Skenes when he arrived on the scene a few years prior. Bryce Miller will oppose him, Seattle’s least-heralded hurler at times whose start to 2026 has been outright dominant.
Lineups
The lineup looks potent still, albeit with Cal Raleigh taking a DH day to let Mitch Garver work behind the dish. That puts Dominic Canzone on the bench for now.
Pittsburgh made a roster move before the game today, placing disciplined leadoff hitter INF Spencer Horowitz on the injured list with a hamstring strain and recalling INF Jack Brannigan in his place.
Game Information
First Pitch: 9:35 a.m. PDT
TV:Mariners.TV, with Aaron Goldsmith, Angie Mentink and sideline analyst Brad Adam
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Gary Hill Jr. and Shannon Drayer
Mar 1994; West Palm Bch, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Carlos Delgado signs autographs during the 1994 spring training season at Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
Today marks the 54th birthday of Carlos Delgado.
Carlos Delgado was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The Blue Jays signed him as an amateur free agent in 1988 when he was just 16. He climbed through the minor league system as a catcher. He quickly became our top prospect; he hit 30 home runs in Dunedin in 1992 at 20 years old and 25 the following season at Double-A Knoxville.
Carlos was called up to Toronto at the end of the 1993 season, the team’s second World Series-winning year, but he only appeared in a few games. Nonetheless, the Jays awarded him a World Series ring. The following season, Carlos began the year with Toronto and played most of the early games in left field. He started strong, posting a 1.028 OPS on April 24th with 8 home runs, but then struggled and was sent back to the minors in early June, hitting .215/.352/.438 at the time. Manager Cito Gaston was known for his lack of patience with young players, and it’s possible Delgado could have benefited from more time to adjust. Notably, Bill James predicted he’d be an MVP candidate by 2000, and Carlos fulfilled that potential several times.
In 1995, the Jays brought Delgado up at the end of April, but Cito used him mainly as a pinch hitter, and he didn’t hit much in the 25 at-bats he was given that month (it was more important to keep Joe Carter’s .300 OBP in the lineup). The Jays sent Delgado back down. They brought him back up in September, where he played more, but still didn’t hit much.
Finally, in 1996, Carlos got to stay up with the Jays for the entire season. DHing most of the time, he hit .270/.353/.490 with 25 homers and 82 RBI. After the season, the Jays traded John Olerud to make room at first base for Carlos.
Carlos opened 1997 as the DH while Joe Carter played first base, but by late May, Delgado took over at first and kept the job for the next eight years. He had a great year, hitting .262/.350/.528 with 30 homers and 91 RBI.
In 1998, Carlos played first base full-time, and his numbers took another big jump. He hit .292/.385/.592 with 38 homers and 115 RBI. He received MVP votes and finished fifth in the league in slugging average.
Delgado followed with another terrific season in 1999, hitting .272/.377/.571 and setting career highs in home runs (44), RBI (134), runs (113), and walks (86). He won his first Silver Slugger award and finished 12th in MVP voting. Additionally, he tied George Bell’s single-season team record for RBI. Delgado likely would have set a new record if he hadn’t broken his tibia after fouling a ball off his leg and missing the final ten games.
In 2000, Carlos played in all 162 games and led the league with 57 doubles. He hit .344/.470/.664, had 41 homers, and set a new team record with 137 RBI. Carlos also took 123 walks and led the league, being hit by a pitch 15 times. He made the All-Star team for the first time, came in 4th in MVP voting, won the AL Hank Aaron Award (for best hitter), and was the Sporting News Player of the Year. He also got his second Silver Slugger award. Also, Carlos finished 4th in the league in batting average, 2nd in on-base average, 2nd in walks, 2nd in slugging, and first in total bases.
His .664 slugging average is the Jays’ single-season record, and his .344 BA and .470 OBP are the second-best in Jays’ history. He also had the Jays’ season-highs in total bases, doubles, walks, extra-base hits, and runs created. He was AL Player of the Week twice and had a 22-game hit streak. He was one of seven Jays to hit 20 homers and one of three with 30.
Delgado appeared in all 162 games again in 2001. Although his numbers declined from the previous year, he still produced a solid .279/.408/.540 line with 39 home runs, 102 RBI, and 111 walks—impressive for what was considered a down season. It marked his fourth straight season with over 35 home runs and 100 RBI. He also recorded the first stolen base of his MLB career.
His numbers fell more in 2002. He hit .277/.406/.549 with 33 homers, 108 RBI, and 102 walks. He finished 4th in the league in OBP, 8th in slugging, and 4th in walks. Carlos was the first Jay to hit 30 homers in 6 consecutive seasons and 100 RBI in 5. He missed a game on August 4th to snap a streak of 432 straight games played. Then he went on the DL for just the second time in his career in late August with a stiff back.
Carlos had a bounce-back season in 2003, hitting .302/.426/.593 with 42 home runs and a new career and franchise high in RBI with 145, which led the league. He made the All-Star team, got the Silver Slugger award, and came second in the MVP voting. He finished 2nd in slugging, on-base, home runs, and walks.
It was his seventh straight year with 30 home runs, sixth with 100 RBI, and fifth with 100 runs. Among other achievements, he had 97 RBI at the All-Star break and four home runs in a game on September 25th. In addition, he reached base 334 times, setting another team record.
The 2004 season was Delgado’s last with the Blue Jays. He missed about a month due to a strained rib cage and, for the first time since 1997, didn’t reach 100 RBI. Still, he finished with 32 home runs and a .269/.372/.545 batting line.
After the season, Carlos was a free agent, and the team decided not to sign him. JP wanted to cut the salary, and Carlos had made $19.7 million in 2004. He signed a four-year contract with the Florida Marlins. When the team missed the playoffs, Carlos got the blame. I find bad organizations, and often fans, will blame the team’s best player for the team’s shortcomings.
After one season with the Marlins, they cut payroll and traded Delgado to the Mets for Mike Jacobs, Yusmeiro Petit, and Grant Psomas. Carlos then played four seasons for the Mets, making the playoffs for the first time in 2006 and losing to the Cardinals in the NLCS in 2007.
Carlos retired with a .280/.383/.546 line and 473 home runs in 2035 games. He was one and out on the Hall of Fame ballot, only getting 3.8% of the votes in 2015. He deserved better. He may have lost some votes because he would stay in the dugout for the God Bless America, making a silent protest against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rob Neyers’ Big Book of Baseball Lineups lists him as the best Jays first baseman and the worst defensive first baseman in the Jays’ history. Considering John Mayberry played first for us, that’s saying something. He’s right; Delgado was never very good with the glove, but we never had a better hitter.
Carlos was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award in 2006 for ‘good play and strong work in the community.’ He does work for many charities in Puerto Rico.
He has had his moments of controversy. He protested the war in Iraq by not standing during ‘God Bless America’ (he was ahead of his time). He said,” I feel so sad for the families that lost relatives and loved ones in the war. But I think it’s the stupidest war ever.”
He is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.
It is also Mike Stanley’s birthday; he turns 63 today.
Stanley had a 15-year MLB career. He was an offence-first catcher, hitting .270/.370/.458 in 1467 MLB games, with 187 home runs. He was never a good defensive catcher, but when you can get a corner infielder’s type of bat from your catcher, you put up with the less-than-great defense.
Stanley signed with the Jays as a free agent before the 1998 season, hitting .240/.353/.472 with 22 home runs before being traded to the Red Sox at the trade deadline. The trade worked out well for the Red Sox, and they made the playoffs that year.
It didn’t do much for the Jays. We received Jay Yennaco and Peter Munro. Yennaco never made it out of the minors. Munro pitched in 40 games for the Jays, starting 5, and put up a 1-3 record and a 6.00 ERA.
Happy Birthday to both Carlos and Mike. I hope you both have a great one.
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 14: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays runs during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 14, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK — The NHL took the first step toward expansion in Texas, agreeing to terms with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family to explore the feasibility of putting a franchise in Houston or Austin.
Far enough from the Dallas Stars, who relocated from Minnesota in 1993, a new team would not interfere with their territorial rights. And the league has shown no fear of adding one team at a time, so No. 33 does not have to come with No. 34.
“Symmetry I don’t think should necessarily govern expansion,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “You expand if you think it makes sense and enhances what the league has.”
What is behind the NHL’s interest in Texas
Money is the obvious answer. Bettman said the total investment of the project would be some $3.5 billion, which would include expansion fees paid to established owners along with the cost of building a new arena.
The Houston Rockets’ arena downtown is publicly owned but controlled by team owner Tilman Fertitta’s Clutch City Sports and Entertainment group. The home of the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars, in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, has a capacity of 8,000 that is a little over half the size of the NHL’s smallest current rink (Winnipeg).
“I would be surprised if the NHL would be OK with an expansion team that does not have a new arena,” said Brian Mills, an associate professor at the University of Texas who teaches courses on sports economics and strategy. “The revenue potential with the luxury boxes and the way that they set those up and the money that they like to extract from the local cities is way too large to pass up.”
They also are huge markets. Houston at nearly 2.4 million is the fourth-most-populated U.S. city; Austin at just over 1 million is in the top 12.
“Obviously it makes sense if you’re a sports league to have a franchise in the nation’s fifth-largest metro area and one that is growing rapidly,” said Holy Cross professor Victor Matheson, an expert in sports economics. “Houston obviously makes sense in general as a destination for any league.”
Austin is smaller but has doubled its population since the mid-1990s and has seen an infusion of people over the past five years. Only eight of the NHL’s existing markets are bigger.
“It’s becoming more and more of a tech city, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more hockey fans here than there used to be,” Mills said. “I would imagine there’s some market for the NHL here in Austin, particularly more than when it was a sleepy, small town capital of Texas 30 years ago.”
History of hockey in Houston and Austin
When hockey was picking up in popularity in the 1960s and ‘70s and the NHL went from six teams to 18, the rival World Hockey Association was founded and Houston got a franchise when the one in Dayton, Ohio, failed to get off the ground.
The Aeros’ inaugural season was in 1972-78, and they were best known for “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe playing for them along with sons Mark and Marty. They won four Avco World Trophies as WHA champions before folding.
An AHL team using the same name existed in Houston from 1994-2013. The Texas Stars have played in Austin since ’09.
“There’s some interest of hockey,” University of Houston economics professor Steven G. Craig said. “Houston is full of immigrants from around the country and around the world. And Austin is sort of similar in the sense of a pretty heterogeneous population.”
Pros and cons of a Houston or Austin NHL franchise
Growing the sport in another so-called non-traditional spot is a big benefit. Smashing successes in places like Las Vegas and Tampa, Florida, show what hockey can do across the Sun Belt when strong ownership is involved.
“Southern cities have been doing pretty well now these days in the NHL: the Lightning and the Panthers,” Mills said of the two teams in Florida. “You’ve got some pretty good hockey teams after some pretty miserable failures with some earlier expansion to the South.”
Abandoning the second try in Atlanta (the Thrashers from 2000-11) was more a failure of ownership than the market. The same could be said in Arizona, where a revolving door of owners led to arena miscues and eventually the Coyotes being sold and moved to Salt Lake City in 2024 to become the Utah Mammoth.
A 33rd team also means 20-23 more NHL players and hopefuls in the minors. The changing landscape of hockey development at the junior and college levels has the potential to churn more talent through the pipeline in North America than ever before, along with players coming from Europe.
“You do have a pretty big pool of players,” Matheson said. “I’m not particularly worried about diluting the talent there because I think there’s a lot of skill.”
What’s next and where the 34th team may be
After this six-month exploratory phase is complete, recent history suggests a season-ticket drive would be one of the subsequent steps. Ticket drives validated interest that led to the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken.
The Board of Governors would need to approve moving forward in the process. No vote has yet been held, though the executive committee supported exploring Houston and Austin.
And while the NHL is comfortable with unbalanced Eastern and Western conferences, getting to 34 teams seems inevitable if it goes to 33. Bettman said the board was updated on situations in Atlanta and Arizona, and it would be no surprise if one of those places got another crack at it.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 13: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on May 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lance McCullers Jr., on the IL since May 19 with a right rotator cuff impingement, is scheduled to make his first rehab start tonight with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Constellation Field.
🚨 REHAB ALERT 🚨
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the Space Cowboys tonight (6/25)! Subject to change without notice.
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) June 25, 2026
Josh Hendrickson is currently listed as the Space Cowboys starter tonight when the team hosts the El Paso Chihuahuas.
That, combined with the wording of the tweet from the Triple-A team, indicate McCullers will likely get a 1 inning appearance out of the bullpen.
McCullers showed promise in spring and had a terrific first start of the season, but it has been a struggle for the veteran ever since with fluctuating velocity levels and intermittent command.
McCullers currently sports a 2-3 record with a 6.86 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 8 starts in 39.1 IP.
Officially, Garnet Hathaway has played his last game as a Philadelphia Flyers player.
On Thursday morning, the Flyers traded Hathaway to the Florida Panthers, ending a three-year tenure in Philadelphia for the veteran tough guy.
By moving on from Hathaway, the Flyers moved up one round in the 2026 NHL Draft.
In exchange for Hathaway, 50% retention of his $2.4 million cap hit, and a 2026 sixth-round pick, the Flyers received a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
After adding Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa, the Panthers continue to add experienced, physical players who can help them win now.
As for the Flyers, they clear a roster spot, a contract spot, and $1.2 million in cap space while adding even more draft capital.
They do, however, lose an important leader who played some hard minutes for head coaches John Tortorella and Rick Tocchet.
The Hathaway trade clearly indicates that the Flyers feel their young players are ready to step into greater leadership roles, and this gives a veteran who accepted a reduced role a chance to win a Stanley Cup elsewhere.
Just months ago, the Flyers did the same with tough guy Nick Deslauriers, trading him away for free, and he won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes and was subsequently rewarded with a two-year extension.
Hathaway, 34, stumbled to just one goal and two assists in 66 games for the Flyers last season, but finishes his career in Philadelphia with 18 goals, 23 assists, and 41 points in 215 games, the second-most he's played with any team in his 11-year NHL career.
Jun 24, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) celebrates after hitting a double in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Yes, good morning, everyone. To conclude their four-game series in St. Petersburg, the Royals and Rays face each other on this fine Thursday a.m. It’s not every day that you can watch baseball before noon–well, maybe it is if you live out west, but rare is this chance for Kansas Citians.
At stake: the series! The Royals won the first two games against the Rays in vastly different fashions before dropping last night’s ho-hum contest. Now, Kansas City can take the series with a victory while the Rays, bless their hearts, can only split the series.
Let’s check out the lineups with the Royals first, of course.
Once more, Bobby Witt Jr. is not in the lineup, nor has he been placed on the Injured List. Maybe he’ll show up in Chicago.
But focusing on those starting, Carter Jensen remains in the leadoff spot, where he’s hit very well. I’m glad to see Nick Loftin getting another start, although, I mean, who else is there to play over him? Jac Caglianone didn’t hit a home run yesterday, so he’s clearly a bust. Lane Thomas is batting cleanup. Sure, whatever. Salvador Perez remains in the sixth spot, Isaac Collins and Starling Marte round out the outfield, and Tyler Tolbert starts at short.
The Royals face Opener–I refuse to call this man a starting pitcher–Casey Legumina. Have you heard of him? If so, kudos. I hadn’t, though I’m not exactly a Rays fan. It’ll be his 17th appearance for the Rays after appearing in eight games to start the season with the Mariners. Looking at his numbers…he’s fine.
Seth Lugo is on the mound for the Royals. Recently on 810 Sports Radio, ESPN’s Jeff Passan named Lugo as the biggest Royal name to be moved at this year’s deadline. Makes sense. I like Lugo a lot, but he’s probably better off pitching for a contender (he’s already 36) while bringing back a younger piece or two to Kansas City.
Lugo’s last outing was an odd one. He picked up the win against the Cardinals after surrendering only one earned run (two runs total) through six. He gave up five hits and allowed three walks while not striking out a single batter. In fact, his strikeouts have decreased each of his last four starts from six to four to two to zero. Expect negative strikeouts today.
CHICAGO — Bowen Byram got the opportunity he wanted in a place he wanted to go. He thinks he’s ready.
So do the Chicago Blackhawks — and they paid a hefty price because of that belief.
Byram is stepping in as Chicago’s No. 1 defenseman after he was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. The Blackhawks sent the No. 4 and No. 45 selections in the NHL draft and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Sabres for Byram and physical forward Jordan Greenway.
“To be honest, I feel like I’ve just been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time,” Byram said.
Byram, who just turned 25 on June 13, had 11 goals and a career-high 42 points for Buffalo last season. He was part of a strong group of defensemen who helped the Sabres to the Atlantic Division title and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 season.
But Byram never has been the top defenseman on his NHL team. He played with Cale Makar in Colorado at the beginning of his career and Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo. He also is eligible for free agency after this season, putting him in line for a lucrative extension before he suits up for his first game with Chicago.
“I think at the end of the day, I can’t get too carried away with anything,” Byram said. “I’ve just got to come in and prove what I can do. I know that I’m confident in myself. You know I feel that, after this move, the Blackhawks are confident in me, so it’s a great feeling to have a team believing in you.”
Then there is the cost of the trade. While the top forward prospects likely will be gone by the No. 4 pick, Chicago could have used the selection on one of the top defensemen — albeit one that probably wouldn’t have been able to help the team for a while. Crevier, 25, also made major strides last season, finishing with seven goals and 18 assists in 78 games.
The Blackhawks haven’t made a postseason appearance since the NHL used an expanded playoff format after the 2020 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was just a value that we put on a really, really good young player in Bo that we felt it was advantageous to move on and acquire for our group,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. “He fits the style of play that we want to play. He fits that the age range that we want to put our players into and have our players grow together within. And so it just made a lot of sense.”
The No. 4 pick also could have played a role in finding some help for Connor Bedard on the team’s top line. While remaining open to another trade, Davidson said he likes the team’s internal options at forward. Roman Kantserov, one of the team’s top prospects, is coming over from Russia after agreeing to an entry-level contract in May.
Bedard is on his way to a big contract this summer. He has skated with Byram in the summer in the past, and the two played together for Team Canada in the 2024 world championships. The players spoke on the phone.
“We’re just both excited,” Byram said. “I’m super excited to get the opportunity to play with him. Everyone knows how good of a player he is.”
Byram’s father, Shawn, played for Chicago on Nov. 3, 1991, in the last of his five NHL games. The Blackhawks had a chance to take Byram in the 2019 draft, but they opted for Kirby Dach at No. 3 and Byram went to the Avalanche at No. 4.
Byram also cheered for the Blackhawks while growing up in western Canada.
“It’s funny how things have kind of come full circle,” he said.
Byram joins a group of promising young defensemen in Chicago that includes Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski — all first-round draft picks who have experienced some growing pains since coming into the league. The Blackhawks also have Alex Vlasic going into his sixth NHL season.
Byram said he is ready to share what he has learned on the road from the top of the draft to regular minutes on the blue line.
“I don’t think I’ll necessarily try to change the world or anything when I come into the locker room,” Byram said. “Just going to try to be myself. And you know I’m a vocal guy to begin with, so I don’t think that’ll stop in this situation.”
Greenway, 29, had a goal and five assists in 40 games with the Sabres last season. Davidson said the 6-foot-6 Greenway can kill penalties, and he brings a physical element to the team’s bottom two lines.
"He’s a really big body that can get in on the forecheck and make life difficult for opposing defenders and that’s something that we wanted to improve,” Davidson said.
Dybantsa, 19, was selected by Washington with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged a Division-I best 25.5 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman at BYU.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 19: Bubba Chandler #36 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hosting the Mariners for their final game of a three-game set in a Thursday matinee at PNC Park.
Bubba Chandler is drawing the start for the Buccos, and he’s coming off a game in which he pitched six innings against the Colorado Rockies on June 19 at Coors Field. Chandler went six innings, giving up just two earned runs, but could not grab the win as he failed to generate any run support. The Pirates offense will have to step up against the Mariners, but they won’t have it easy against Bryce Miller.
Miller has been very impressive since entering the rotation in the middle of May. He has a 3-0 record with a 1.58 ERA. He hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any start this season and has gone at least five innings in every appearance he’s made. This doesn’t bode well for the Pirates, who have been inconsistent with their offense as of late.
With the Pirates slipping in the standings, they need to ensure that they aren’t dropping too many games, especially at home. The halfway point of the season has come and gone, so the Pirates’ margin for error is growing increasingly thin for the standings.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.58 ERA) vs. Bubba Chandler (2-7, 4.62 ERA)
BD community, chime off in the comments section below.
Veteran big man Al Horford is staying in the Bay Area.
Horford, 40, told Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN that he was going to sign a new contract to stay with Stephen Curry and the Warriors. According to the report, Horford will decline his $5.97 million player option to sign a fully guaranteed two-year, $14 million contract.
Horford played in just 45 games last season due to injuries — primarily sciatica and a calf strain — and when he did, he averaged 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, shooting 36.1% from 3-point range. Horford told ESPN why he wanted to return to a team that looked like it might make some noise in the West until Jimmy Butler went down with a torn ACL.
"I want to see it through," Horford said. "That [injury] kind of put a damper on things. Jimmy is a very special player, and he was doing so much for us. I feel like things were starting to turn...
"Me being here a year, being acclimated with [coach Steve] Kerr, with Steph, with everybody else, I feel like we can continue to take steps forward and have a better season," Horford said.
Butler is going to miss the start of the NBA season still recovering. Curry missed time last year due to a lingering runner's knee issue. Moses Moody missed time with a torn left patellar tendon. This is an older core, but if the Warriors can get this group through the playoffs largely healthy, they will be a tough out in a deep conference.
Keeping Horford and his steady hand is part of that.
As Montreal Canadiens fans get ready to experience the next season without Brendan Gallagher wearing the Sainte-Flanelle, the mayor of Montreal, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, has named the alternate captain an Honorary Citizen.
By definition, an Honorary Citizen is someone with a lasting impact on the well-being of Montrealers through their actions, art and commitment. According to the city’s website, the distinction was first granted in 2002, and no other Canadiens players have ever received it.
The honor was last bestowed in 2023 on Roger Thibault and Theo Wouters, the first same sex couple to be civilly united in Canada. Before them, Commandant Robert Piché had received it in 2022, after Lucien Bouchard, Louise Harel, and Louise Forrestier had received it, amongst others, in 2021. The ceremony will be held on Thursday at 3:00 PM.
While some may question how a hockey player can make a lasting impact on Montrealers’ well-being, it’s easy to understand when you think back to the mood in the City when the Canadiens make a deep playoff run, something they experienced for the first time in five years last spring. Furthermore, over the years, Gallagher has been involved in numerous fundraising efforts and has made a lasting impact both on and off the ice.
In 14 seasons with the team, Gallagher has skated in 911 games, picking up 487 points, including 246 goals, and has become a fan favourite thanks to his rugged style of play, grit, determination, and dedication to the team. At 34 years old, the veteran has become surplus to requirements in the Canadiens’ lineup and, on dressing-room clear-out day, announced that he would be moving on.
There have been rumblings about his being traded to the Vancouver Canucks ever since, but no deal has been made. Should the Canadiens be unable to move him and his $6.5 million cap hit, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them buy him out to allow him to start afresh and sign a less onerous contract with another team, since he has made it clear that he has no interest in sticking around if he's not going to play.
Since announcing his upcoming departure, the winger has received an outpouring of love from the fans and was also named the Sports Personality of the Year by the Cummings Center Foundation. This weekend, he will also take part in a signing session at Memorable Authentic in Mascouche, giving fans what is likely their last opportunity to meet him.
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1992: Mike Stanley #20 of the New York Yankees bats against the Milwaukee Brewers during a Major League Baseball game circa 1992 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Stanley played for the Yankees from 1992-95 and in 1997. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 1993 Yankees were a pivot point. After posting four straight losing seasons for the first time in nearly 80 years, the ’93 squad climbed out of the morass with an 88-win season. While that finish left them with the third-best record in a two-team AL playoff picture, it served notice that the Gene Michael and Buck Showalter-led Yankees were on the rise. On a team laden with veteran stars like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Paul O’Neill alongside up-and-comers like Bernie Williams, the team’s most valuable position player was a much less heralded player who, at the age of 30, was getting the chance to start full-time for the first time in his career.
Robert Michael Stanley Born: June 25, 1963 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Yankees Tenure: 1992-95, 1997
Mike Stanley grew up in Florida, where he starred on both sides of the ball at the University of Florida, earning all-scholastic SEC team honors. Taken by Texas in the 16th round of the 1985 MLB Draft, the catcher quickly rose through the Rangers’ system, hitting .327 across three levels of the minor leagues to turn himself into a legitimate prospect. Stanley made his debut on the day before his 23rd birthday in 1986 and the future looked bright.
However, he struggled to translate his offensive profile into big-league success. Over parts of six seasons, he never held down a regular job while posting a subpar .699 OPS. “I never knew until about the last day (of spring training) whether I had a job,” said Stanley of this frustrating period. Things got bad enough that he considered walking away from the game altogether. “I love fishing,” he later said. “I thought I might open a tackle shop.”
The Rangers did not offer Stanley a contract after the 1991 season, letting him become a free agent. With his career on the brink, Michael offered him an opportunity as a non-roster invitee to compete in Yankees camp for a backup role behind Matt Nokes. The legendary talent evaluator saw enough in the consistent, “quality at-bat” and ability to handle a pitching staff Stanley demonstrated with Texas. “I made calls around to ask people I respect about him, and I liked what I heard,” said the Yankees GM of the fortuitous decision.
Stanley indeed won a role with the ’92 Yankees and began to show some offensive upside, hitting a career-high eight homers in just 173 at-bats while posting an .800 OPS. He also contributed positively to the clubhouse culture, making “gooners” t-shirts for himself, Pat Kelly, Mike Gallego, Jim Leyritz, and Randy Velarde to wear in a tongue-in-cheek embrace of their roles as part-time players.
That performance was enough to net Stanley a two-year extension after the season, giving him some welcome stability for the first time in his career. “When you’re not a superstar and not one of the top five players in the game, you feel fortunate to be in the majors,” Stanley said upon receiving the deal. “I think you sit back and appreciate it more when you’ve been the 25th man. I know I do.”
Expected to serve as a backup once again, Stanley quickly overtook a struggling Nokes and ended up playing in 130 games, by far the most of his career. He emerged suddenly and unexpectedly as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, slashing .305/.389/.534 with 26 homers and 84 RBI while leading Yankees regulars in everything from WAR to OPS and OPS+ and earning a Silver Slugger.
Even the man himself was caught off guard by his sudden dominance. “There is no explaining it. I never hit like this on the big-league level,” said Stanley. ”I feel good, don’t feel any extra pressure. I feel I belong.”
His manager agreed. “Mike Stanley exemplifies what in a lot of ways our team is about this year,” said Showalter. “He’s a gamer.”
Entering the ’94 season with higher expectations, Stanley proved his first season as a starter was no fluke, once again hitting .300 and improving on his OPS in the strike-shortened season. By the time baseball returned in ’95, Stanley was firmly entrenched in the middle of the Yankees’ order, making his first and only All-Star. In the first game of a doubleheader on August 10th, he set career-highs against the Cleveland team that would romp to the pennant, clobbering three homers and driving in seven runs.
That October, Stanley joined most of his teammates in seeing the first playoff action of his career. He rose to the challenge against Seattle, recording at least one hit in each of the four ALDS games in which he played. He particularly shone as a bright spot in his team’s losses, reaching base in six of his 14 plate appearances in Games 3-5.
The Yankees’ heartbreaking first-round exit prompted many changes before the ’96 season. Michael and Showalter were out at GM and manager, with Bob Watson and Joe Torre taking their places. With Stanley a free agent and his greatest internal champions no longer calling the shots, the new administration chose to trade for the more defensively sound Joe Girardi to man the backstop and let Stanley walk.
Stanley signed with the Red Sox that offseason and was magnanimous after his departure, offering his best wishes to Girardi when the latter was booed at a fan festival by Yankees fans upset with Stanley’s departure. “I appreciate immensely the fanfare I had in New York,” Stanley said. “But it’s not (Girardi’s) fault. What’s done is done. It’s time for me to move on and for him to come in and do a job for them.”
Perhaps in part due to the grace with which he handled his exit, Stanley had a brief second act in pinstripes. To augment an aging roster at first base and DH, Watson traded for Stanley in August of 1997 in what would be the last trade between the Yankees and Red Sox for 17 years. So beloved was Stanley among his former teammates that Wade Boggs and Paul O’Neill had made sure his locker, situated between theirs, remained empty after his departure. With his locker reclaimed, Stanley posted an .871 OPS in 28 games before going 3-for-4 during another futile ALDS tilt, this time at the hands of Cleveland.
Despite Watson expressing an interest in retaining Stanley, he signed with Toronto that offseason. He’d play three more seasons, splitting time between the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Athletics before retiring at the age of 37. The 16th-rounder who didn’t earn a regular role until the age of 30 ended his career with 1,138 hits and 187 home runs to go with a sterling .827 OPS.
After hanging up his spikes, Stanley briefly served as a bench coach for Boston in 2002 before retiring to Florida for good. He remains a fan favorite among the Yankees faithful for his underdog narrative, prowess on both sides of the ball, and reliability during a time when baseball in the Bronx became exciting again. Please join us in wishing a very happy 63rd birthday to Mike Stanley.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
