SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 10: Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s not often you find a player three seasons removed from a lottery selection on an Exhibit 10 deal, yet on Monday morning, the Celtics found someone in that exact situation in Providence product Devin Carter.
It hasn’t been easy sledding for Carter entering his third NBA season, but he couldn’t have found himself in a better situation.
Welcome to Celtic University.
Devin Carter's deal with the Boston Celtics is an Exhibit 10 contract, a league source told @spotrac.
If Carter earns a regular season spot, deal becomes a standard non-guaranteed contract. It can also be converted to a two-way deal. Or Carter can get a bonus for joining Maine.
Everyone loves a redemption story. A discarded lottery pick quietly attached to a second-round pick seven years from now and dumped soon after by the second team is an intriguing setup. The thing is, despite having trouble getting his career off the ground, Carter has never really looked like a traditional bust.
The Kings — for all their bad contracts and bizarre roster choices compounded by a poor track record of draft hits — didn’t give Carter all that much opportunity across his two seasons. For a lottery pick, there never seemed to be a clear vision of where he fit into the SacTown circus.
His jumper has yet to translate like his 38% 3-point shooting indicated as a junior, and he can be erratic with the ball in a way that wasn’t as prevalent in his college days, but in 74 career NBA games, 25 of which he played 20 or more minutes, Carter has 11 multi-steal appearances and four with 20+ points. Those four games of 20 or more points all came with efficiency above 50% (he was a combined 60% FG in those four contests).
Those are real flashes. For Boston, that’s all you need to see to offer an Exhibit 10.
In particular, we’ve seen the defensive flashes that played a major role in his lottery selection.
Boston is not lacking for defensive hounds. Far from it, in fact. This is the rich getting richer, while adding to the one position that was in need of an extra depth piece.
Even before this move, Boston’s perimeter defense looked like one of its greatest strengths on paper. Derrick White is coming off his third All-Defensive Team honor. Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman more than held their own in a full-season sample, while Ron Harper Jr. flashed exciting potential in his brief time in Boston. And that doesn’t factor in a full season for Jayson Tatum, a true jack of all trades defensively, and the addition of Paul George and two-way rookie Dillon Mitchell.
At guard and on the wings, they have options everywhere. Carter, if he can take advantage of this move with either a two-way contract or standard deal, only adds fuel to the fire.
Carter ideally fits the archetype of a ballhandling lead guard, with legitimate slashing burst and a pick-and-roll acumen, but it’s unclear where those chances will come in the short-term. White, Tatum, and Payton Pritchard will lead multiple units bringing the ball up the floor, and the addition of Mike Conley adds another steady hand.
Just the idea of Carter being an understudy to Derrick White should fire up the synapses. That might be the absolute perfect guard for him to take notes from.
Garbage time or a G League setting would be where we’d really see Carter develop as a point guard, but that doesn’t have to be the sole reason to give Carter time on the floor for Boston. In his brief time in the NBA, he’s proven to be an impactful rebounding guard and a pickpocketing, lane closing menace. It’s in these two areas where Carter would get his opportunity. His offense, for all the potential it could bring, is likely the side of the floor that’d require the most patience from a developmental standpoint.
Good thing he’s in Boston, where his shooting development can become a priority, while an avenue to minutes still remains a possibility. We saw it all last year, Joe Mazzulla is hardly afraid of rotational experimentation or the chance to throw out a new starting five on a given night. If you can defend, rebound or hit open shots, you have a chance to see the floor.
For his long-term outlook, the clearest template to follow would be that of Davion Mitchell, who survived his own ordeal as a Sacramento lottery pick, found an opportunity to run offense on a middling Raptors team, and rediscovered his identity as a defensive menace and capable shooter with the Heat, who he started 70 games with last season.
With an already deep group of guys currently under contract, I don’t want to put too much expectation on Carter immediately carving out a significant role. That feels unfair for anyone entering a season on an Exhibit 10. Chances are, he’ll find himself on a two-way contract to start the season, with a standard deal offered later near the trade deadline.
But this is a 24-year-old, lottery-level talent we’re talking about. Someone who was rightfully considered a top talent out of a good draft class, a player the Celtics can afford to be patient with that has considerable skill already built in.
To happen upon that without sacrificing any draft assets or players makes it the exact type of move that, if successful, looks utterly ridiculous in hindsight.
“How did the league let him be a Celtic?”
Don’t be afraid to get excited about the future possibilities of Carter in green. This could be a perfect marriage between a player looking for a clear path forward and a team that would embolden the things he does well and offer patience in the areas that need work.
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks, watching their season flash before their eyes, made sure they stayed alive Monday night with one swing of the bat by their biggest star.
Corbin Carroll’s two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning rescued the D-backs from a potential lethal defeat, winning 8-7 over the Miami Marlins at Chase Field.
The victory keeps the Diamondbacks within 2 ½ games of the sizzling San Diego Padres for the National League's third and final wild-card spot with 11 games remaining in their bid to reach the postseason for the first time since their 2023 World Series run.
“I don’t even know where to start,’’ D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said, “other than I think really good players do really good things. They have an understanding of the situation and executing at a very high level at the most critical moments.’’
If the Diamondbacks were not in contention for a postseason berth, Carroll might not even be playing, dealing with a strained back that has limited him at the plate, hitting just .184 in September. He missed two games last week, underwent an MRI, and was dropped to fifth in the batting order.
This night, stepping up to the plate to face rookie right-hander Jack Ralston after an injury forced veteran closer Pete Fairbanks out of the game, he launched a 2-1 splitter 423 feet into the right-field seats, with the ball traveling 108.4 mph off his bat.
Just like that, the D-backs had their ninth walk-off win.
“Obviously, this is right down to crunch time ...’’ Carroll said. “These are the games that we dream about playing at the beginning of the season. Meaningful games in September.’’
The Diamondbacks, who overcame deficits of 3-0, 5-3 and 7-4, realize they can’t afford a slump this time of year. They are three games back in the loss column to San Diego, and after the Marlins leave town, the powerful New York Yankees arrive for a three-game series.
“It really doesn’t matter what they [the Padres] do,’’ D-backs starter Corbin Burnes said. “If we win every game, we’re in, no matter how many we get out, as long as we get within three.’’
Yes, indeed, the D-backs finish the season against the team they’re chasing, with a three-game series against the Padres at Petco Park. If they’re within three games, and sweep, they’re going to the playoffs, likely with a first-round matchup against Atlanta. But, of course, they’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if they didn’t have to rely on a sweep to get into the dance.
They have to just keep on winning and hope that at some point the Padres start to lose. The Padres have reeled off a season-long eight-game winning streak. It has been eight years since the Diamondbacks even had an seven-game winning streak.
Still, just the fact that the D-backs are in the race is what compelled Burnes — who won the Cy Young Award in 2021 and had five consecutive top-10 Cy Young finishes — to return and hopefully make an impact.
Burnes, making his second start since his return, and his first at home since June 1, 2025, still looked rusty at times and had trouble locating his cutter. He gave up five runs — including two homers — in 4 2/3 innings, but it was an improvement over his season debut last week in Kansas City.
“I mean, everything’s under a microscope, right?’’ Burnes said. “Usually, you get five, six [outings] in spring training to work through some stuff and build that intensity for opening day. But when you got to come back in the middle of it in September, everything’s got to be sharp and crisp.’’
Burnes, scheduled to make two more regular-season starts, including against the Yankees this weekend, showed signs of being one of the game’s elite pitchers. He struck out four batters, and generated 14 swings and misses in his 75 pitches. The Marlins couldn’t touch his changeup, but he had trouble commanding his cutter, with the Marlins swinging and missing just twice.
“He’s just not the same right now,’’ one veteran scout in attendance. “His arm strength isn’t there yet.’’
Still, the fact that Burnes is back, and doing everything in his power to make a difference in the stretch drive, reverberates throughout the clubhouse.
“To be in the middle of a pennant race and you have Corbin Burnes to pencil into the lineup,’’ Lovullo said, “that’s a manager’s dream.”
Meanwhile, the D-backs, made their latest move to find some offensive help by spending $420,000 to claim left-handed DH Jesus Sanchez off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Sanchez, who’s scheduled to join the D-backs on Tuesday, will not be eligible if the D-backs make the postseason, but he could be a valuable weapon for the D-backs, who are scheduled to face all right-handed starters the rest of the season.
Sanchez, 28, hit .260 with eight homers in 269 at-bats until the Blue Jays designated him for assignment last Friday. He slashed .276/.333/.448 with a .755 OPS against right-handed pitching this year compared to just .355 against left-handed pitching.
The Diamondbacks are just 53-58 against right-handed starting pitchers this year, and 27-13 against left-handers. They have the third-lowest OPS (.684) against right-handed starters this year, and second-lowest against all right-handed pitchers.
“We’re trying to find lighting in a bottle,’’ Lovullo said. “We're trying to get some impact left-handed bats into this lineup to help us score some runs. …
“[Sanchez] can impact the baseball, we've all watched him from afar, we've seen him do some really good things. Being able to handle quality right-handed pitching was a big piece of this puzzle.’’
After Monday’s off day, the Astros and Rangers will begin a 12-game-in-13-day stretch that could decide the American League West champion, starting Tuesday night. Both teams will play four series against four different opponents, and they do not have any common opponents. However, both teams are only slated to play three games against a team that currently holds a playoff spot.
The Astros lead the Rangers by one game and own the tiebreaker, meaning the Rangers must be two games better than the Astros over the final 12 games to overtake their rivals. Here’s a closer look at both teams’ remaining schedules.
Astros
Three games vs Royals
Three games vs Braves
Two games at Mariners
Four games at Athletics
The Royals are a last place club, but they haven’t played like one for the better part of two months. Kansas City entered the All-Star break tied with the Angels for the American League’s worst record, but only five teams are better than their 28-25 record since. The Royals will arrive at Daikin Park having lost 9 of 13, but this series isn’t the layup it might appear to be.
Led by their pitching, the Braves have a comfortable lead in the National League East, and could clinch while in Houston. They are also chasing the Brewers and Dodgers for a bye into the Division Series. The Astros should miss their old nemesis, Martín Perez, but they will have to face Tyler Mahle, who has a 1.25 ERA since coming over before the trade deadline.
Wednesday’s series finale in Chicago would be Chris Sale’s turn in the Braves rotation, but as of Tuesday morning they have not announced a starter. The Astros better hope Atlanta doesn’t decide to give Sale, who appears headed to a top-two Cy Young finish, extra rest.
The Mariners are 11-16 since taking two of three from the Astros last month and appear to have called it quits on the season, but a chance to ruin the Astros season should perk that team up, and the Astros have struggled against Seattle the last couple of seasons.
Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brent Rooker are gone, and the A’s pitching is absolutely dreadful, so this series should be a layup. Of course, the A’s took two of three at Daikin Park last month, and frankly embarrassed the Astros in the process. Playing four games in Sacramento is a bit of a nightmare for a team that doesn’t have a deep pitching staff.
Rangers
Three games vs Red Sox
Three games vs Blue Jays
Three games vs Mets
Three games at Twins
The Red Sox are pretty much locked into the American League’s second Wild Card, so they won’t have much to play for this week in Arlington. The Rangers are scheduled to face Sonny Gray and his 2.76 ERA on Thursday, but they will avoid Ranger Suárez and Payton Tolle. The Rangers will see two other lefties, Jake Bennett and Patrick Sandoval, instead. Sandoval had a 3.29 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, against the Rangers while a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Toronto blew a lead to the Tigers at home Monday night, costing it a chance to pull into a tie for the AL’s final Wild Card. The Blue Jays remain a game behind Cleveland and will be desperate this weekend.
Good news for the Astros is that Max Scherzer and his 6.38 ERA will face the Tigers on Wednesday, so he won’t be available to face the Rangers. Better news is that Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease will start one of the games in Arlington. José Soriano, acquired at the deadline from the Angels, is also likely to pitch against the Rangers.
The Mets are the Mets, so who knows what they could look like on a given day, but Nolan McLean should pitch in that series. The Mets are always a threat as long as Juan Soto is in the lineup, and maybe Marcus Semien will be motivated against his old team.
The Twins are 9-16 since Aug. 17, which is just a half-game better than the Angels, who have the league’s worst record in that span. The Astros would be well-served to still have their lead when the season’s final weekend begins.
Last week, the Utah Jazz fandom found a new, shiny object of desire. It wouldn’t be the summertime without this tradition; I’ll remember fondly the days when I would contemplate longingly the backcourt fit of Donovan Mitchell and Jrue Holiday, or how Jerami Grant’s length could potentially shore up our perimeter defense. However, the new member of this storied club is not sparking my imagination in quite the same way.
Enter Myles Turner.
Now, do not be fooled by the headline, because I do understand from where this fascination originates. The offseason is long, the tanking was arduous, the highlights are tantalizing – I get it.
Myles Turner is a center and our center is Jusuf Nurkic.
Myles Turner is a center who shoots three pointers and the two 2026 NBA finalists both had centers who shoot three pointers.
Myles Turner was the starting center on a team that very nearly won the championship.
I understand all of these points, but still – I do not want Myles Turner on my team. Some of my reasons are logical, some of them less so. And who knows? Maybe all of them will prove hilarious in hindsight when Turner is wearing Jazz purple and hoisting the Larry O’Brien.
Nevertheless, I will attempt to explain, in 4 points, why I do not think that Myles Turner is the answer to Utah’s troubles, before quickly outlining the course of action I would prefer the franchise take as they trek into their next era of relevance.
1. Myles Turner does not fit what we need on offense
MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 27: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the game against the New York Knicks on February 27, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
While it is true that I can’t name more than a handful of centers who can hit three pointers more effectively than Myles Turner, I do not think this offensive quirk is enough to constitute a proper fit in the Utah Jazz offense. Much of my concerns with Turner stem from his physical weakness. This flaw isn’t obvious while looking at his physical profile – he’s 6’11, 250 LBs, and appears reasonably well-built – but makes itself very evident with any extended time watching his game. Combining the last two seasons, Turner is taking less than 20% of his shots near the rim, and this past season, in the minutes Giannis was on the bench and Turner was on the court, the Bucks attempted 4 less shots at the rim every 100 possessions. Additionally, Giannis-only lineups attempted more shots at the rim that Giannis+Turner lineups, and this trend extends for several years into the past. That number may not jump off the screen, but it is a huge swing for a single player to generate. Turner does not play with force (especially damaging as a center in a league once again becoming more physical), and that leads to his units not taking advantage of the most physical areas on the court. Additionally, this playstyle is harder to accommodate against elite defenses – versus the Thunder in the finals, Turner posted the 3rd worst shooting percentage in a finals series by a center post-merger, at 36.8% (credit @carsobi on Twitter for the stat). One series sample sizes aren’t worth too much, but it is indicative of the type of offensive profile Turner has demonstrated his whole career.
This is already a problem that I anticipate the Jazz to have. Jaren Jackson Jr. loves his floaters and short mid range jump-shots, and has a similar impact on his teams rim frequency (albeit less severe). Keyonte George has slimmed down across his NBA career and prefers operating from the perimeter without putting too much pressure on the rim. At least early on, Darryn Peterson will be too slight to strain defenses with his slashing. In a league where force is becoming a prerequisite amongst the contenders of the highest echelon, the Jazz are already lacking, and Turner would do nothing to but add another player who is not always looking to put consistent pressure on the defense.
However, it’s not like Nurkic is leading a steam engine to the rim with his basket pressure, so what gives? Turner’s poor offensive fit is compounded by two facts: he is a horribly poor offensive rebounder, and he doesn’t bring any semblance of passing to a lineup. His rebounding woes are well documented – except for old man Brook Lopez, Turner posted the worst total rebounding percentage among centers who started any meaningful number of games, and that is buoyed significantly by a respectable enough defensive rebounding percentage. The possession battle is key to good offenses, and Turner is a detriment in that regard while Nurkic is a bit more positive. Second-chance opportunities off of offensive rebounds are some of the most efficient possessions in basketball, so while pulling them down isn’t necessarily sexy, it is a guaranteed way to significantly bolster your overall offensive footprint. The Jazz already are lacking in this department (hopefully, Markkanen can once again be quietly pretty good at this at the small forward position), and likely cannot afford another significant negative at their center position.
Finally, the playmaking. I sometimes feel like the only one worried that the Jazz are constructing a roster that is being marketed by fans as one with top-5-in-the-league potential, and yet has very few good passers. Keyonte is a plus, Collier is a plus, and Nurkic is a plus. The rest of the roster ranges from inconsequential to actively damaging distributors. This next year, Ace and Darryn and Lauri and Jackson and Svi and Hayes and Green and Okogie and Hinson will all clearly be at their best being set up by a playmaker. These guys are play finishers, who are valuable to have, but are an archetype that starts to bring in diminishing marginal returns ESPECIALLY if your team doesn’t feature an all-world level playmaker. I anticipate Nurkic, once again, being a key hub in coach Hardy’s system – he sets up shop on top of the key while the stars run in circles around the perimeter or cut to the basket. This system will do some to limit the heavy pressure that will already be put on Keyonte’s shoulders, as well as allow Darryn Peterson to climatize to the offense in a more natural manner. I hesitate when I see proposals for lineups where Keyonte is the only passer who is better than the league-wide positional average, and I struggle even more when the players around him also can’t create for themselves off the dribble. A team of Keyonte-Darryn-Lauri-Jackson-Turner is, on the surface, tantalizing (and would likely play many minutes together) – there are 5 strong shooters, and most are solid athletes. But when you really dive into how they would function together offensively, questions start to arise. Keyonte is the only above average passer. Keyonte is the only above average ballhandler (Jackson is close, but it isn’t an uber-impressive skill either way). No one listed has shown the ability to consistently reach the basket and collapse the defense off of the dribble. That is 4 play-finishers and 1 playmaker who has playmaked positively for 1 season on a destitute roster. When the Jazz inevitably run into the Spurs or the Thunder (both of which are unavoidable if contention is the goal), the team will get torn to shreds without more positive decision makers on the floor next to George, and for that reason, I anticipate Nurkic’s DHO offense being a sneakily-important option come playoff time. So yes, Turner’s shooting is immediately appealing, but his flaws on offense overlap too harshly with flaws already present on the roster for me to be too excited about his fit in Utah.
TLDR: Myles Turner is inefficient, doesn’t take enough shots near the rim, is a poor passer and offensive rebounder, and amplifies the flaws already present on the roster. The shooting is cool, but doesn’t make up for his deficiencies.
2. Myles Turner does not fit what we need on defense
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 29: Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket as Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards plays defense during the game on January 29, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This section will be shorter, because the problem is less damning. I have never been overly impressed with Myles Turner as a defender (he always seemed to me more of a shot-blocker than a paint-defender), but that does not mean he is bad. For most years of his career, his teams have been better defensively with Turner on the court. This was not true in either of the Pacer’s deep playoff runs in 2024 and 2025, but I digress – Turner would not actively hurt the Jazz on defense.
However, due to his overlap with Jaren Jackson Jr., I think the fit of Turner on the Jazz defense is not worth the opportunity cost. Be it Steven Adams, or Zach Edey, or Jonas Valanciunas, the Grizzlies had the right idea – pair JJJ with a bruising interior presence to unlock the best version of him. I do not think Turner is that presence. I, once again, think back to his physical weakness. He is often unwilling to bash and brawl in the paint with the biggest and the baddest, and that is reflected in his poor rebounding numbers. Per my eyes, and despite his position, he functions less like a true defensive anchor and more like a shot-blocking roamer. That isn’t, in a vacuum, a bad thing – Kevin Garnett and Andrei Kirilenko are two of my favorite defensive players ever, and they functioned similarly. Additionally, Myles Turner has been a positive defensive player in his career – I am not trying to deny that. However, I do not think the type of defensive player that Myles Turner is will support or magnify the type of defensive player that Jaren Jackson Jr. is. Combined this with the fact that I think other options more additive to JJJ will become available at some point on the trade market (I’m looking at you Jarrett Allen), I think that trading for Turner would be too hasty a solution to Utah’s defensive issues.
TLDR: Myles Turner is a good defensive player, but we should hold out for a good defensive player who is a better defensive fit.
3. I do not want to pay Myles Turner in 2029
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 8: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks arrives to the arena before the game against the Detroit Pistons on April 8, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This point is short and simple. Myles Turner is 30 years old, and his birthday is in March. During any potential playoff run the Jazz will be on in 2029, Myles Turner will be 33 years old, and will be owed 29 million dollars. Historically, defensive big men display some of the worst longevity of any archetype in the league. If Turner plays anywhere near the level he did last season, his current contract appears to be an overpay, and considering his age, the contract could very well get worse before it becomes better. Above all else, I do not want to be attaching draft assets to move off of Myles Turner so we can pay our young guys when extension season comes up. This, combined with the fact that he isn’t clearly additive to our current group of players, really make the trade idea risky in my mind.
TLDR: Just read it.
4. I do not like watching Myles Turner play basketball
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 27: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 27, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 139-122. 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
I told you not all of these would be logical.
At the end of the day, I trust my eye, and my eye is consistently frustrated whenever Myles Turner is on the basketball court. He’s tall, and fast, and can shoot, and can jump, and yet he always leaves me wanting something more. He’s too jumpy on defense when his wingspan doesn’t require him to be. He’s too soft on offense when his athleticism could help him be a force. His hands are big but he can’t catch. He doesn’t move the ball, except in the direction of the hoop when he is contested and behind the three point line. He whines, and whines, and whines. He’s never giving me enough.
This tweet describes my feelings well;
He’s the starting center of a finals team but Myles turner is still raw in year 10 lmfao
Part of this is an aesthetic bias – I like my big men to be big men – and maybe part of this could be waved away if I watched more Pacers and Bucks games this past decade. However, my eyes have told me the same story for the majority of Myles Turner’s career; he’s missing something. Maybe it’s strength or toughness or decision making or something else entirely, but whatever it is, it has put a cap on just how positive he can be on the basketball court.
This isn’t to say that Myles Turner is a negative player, because I don’t think that’s true. His defense is a plus and his shooting can unlock certain offenses. I do not hate Myles Turner. However, it is to say that the type of player that Myles Turner is is not a player that I want to watch for 82 games and a playoff run. He’d block some big shots and hit some big threes and maybe even get a singular offensive rebound, but his flaws prevent me from ever being excited to add him to the roster. He can continue to do his thing for the rest of his career… but just not for my team.
TLDR: Watching Myles Turner makes me mad and I like to be happy.
So…what SHOULD the Jazz do?
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 1: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz and Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on December 1, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For this season? Likely stand pat. With the additional cap flexibility that comes from trading Walker Kessler, the team has been afforded the luxury of patience. This season can be one for development while Nurkic fills in as a flawed but only short term option at center. We can attempt Jaren Jackson Jr. at center and verify if power forward really is his ideal position. Additionally, who knows which centers are available next trade deadline? Or the offseason after that? Perhaps the Thunder think it’s time to move on from Isaiah Hartenstein, or the Cavaliers cut ties with Jarrett Allen? It could be Wendell Carter or Neemias Queta or (don’t laugh at me) Nikola Jokic. We do not need to hurry into a player who doesn’t fit and a contract with downward potential.
We do not need to expect the Jazz to be contenders this year. It’s a fun exercise, but perhaps one not quite deserved. We’ve rooted for a losing team for so long, that the moment any marginal improvements are made, we naturally over-index. I do not believe that trading for Myles Turner would make us any more likely to contend for a title, but it is nonetheless a move that a team with aspirations for a deep playoff run would make. So let’s see what we have, at least at first; no need to trade our birthright for a mess of pottage.
What do you think on Myles Turner? Would you be in favor of a trade to add him to the team? Sound off below.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Christian Moore #4 of the Los Angeles Angels tags out Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners stealing second base in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 14, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight’s 6-4 loss to Anaheim was really more about the quality of the pitching than it was about the quality of the offense. But in 2026, that means the Angels were better.
Kade Anderson continued his struggles against MLB hitting, as you’d technically have to call the Anaheim lineup. After starting off well enough with a strikeout of Zach Neto, Anderson surrendered hard contact three times in a row to let the Angels take an early 2-0 lead. The top of the lineup got to him again in the third with a leadoff single scoring on a line drive down the left field line. Neto turned that line drive into a triple thanks to some lackadaisical play by Randy Arozarena. Since Neto was now on third, he scored on a sac fly to bring the lead to 4-0.
Yet again, Anderson was unable to induce chase on pitches outside the zone, even against one of the chase-happiest lineups. He exacerbated that problem tonight with some truly wild command. In turn, he overcompensated by throwing too many right down the chute. Basically, he was serving up two varieties of beef tonight: meatballs and sloppy joes.
Somehow, he didn’t walk anyone tonight and struck out five, but it was utterly unpersuasive. Here’s a good example, a nine-pitch sequence to Kyren Paris, he of the career wRC+ of 46. It was ultimately a strikeout, but this could easily have gone so wrong against even a moderately competent hitter.
I realize this is a pretty harsh review of the Aceman, but I’m not that worried long-term. The level of success he had in the minors has too few precedents for it not to translate at all. It’s going to take some adjustments, but I’m confident he’ll make them, especially with an offseason to reflect on what seems like the first time in his baseball life he’s ever been challenged. Better that he get the chance to sort this out amid this clusterjam of a season than in games that might matter.
At any rate, Anderson got the hook with one out in the fifth and a runner on base. Cooper Criswell came in and jammed up Jose Siri, but the weak contact dropped into no man’s land, setting up a two-RBI single before the fifth was over.
The Angels’ six runs were clearly going to be enough because Anaheim’s Reid Detmers was carving through the Seattle lineup. The Mariners had a chance early, with a J.P. single and an Arozarena double. But J.P. was sent home on the double and thrown out by about five feet. It was ugly, made worse by J.P.’s hobbling, but I understood the decision. You’re not going to get a lot of opportunities against Detmers, and it took Jose Siri playing the carom perfectly and a laser on the relay by Neto to nail Crawford by that much. As if to prove the point, Detmers easily struck out the next two batters as he continued his march to 200 strikeouts.
The Mariners’ one good inning was personally dedicated to Angie Mentink: Randy opened the fourth by going up the middle; Dom Canzone went the other way through a gaping hole on the left side in a left-on-left matchup; and Cal Raleigh took a slider cutting in on him and used his titanic strength to scoop it for a three-run oppo taco.
The Angels also paid tribute to one of the Mariners broadcasters that inning by bringing Rick Rizzs a cake in the booth. I am still cackling at the contrast between the penniless A’s donating $4,200 to Rick’s charity this weekend and the Disneyland Angels baking him a small cake tonight.
The M’s scraped together one more run after Detmers had finally left the game with his 8 strikeouts. Facing the southpaw Blake Weiman, J.P. Crawford laid off an inside slider and then watched a sweeper fall out of the zone. You could see his eyes light up. Two pitches later, he got another sweeper, and knew exactly what to do with it, bringing the score to 6-4.
There will be time for full tributes to J.P. Crawford, but as his time with the Mariners may be coming to a close, I want to call out that this has always been one of my favorite things he does. He’s renowned for his eye and his knowledge of the strikezone. But he never gets enough credit for swinging at the right pitches, the ones he sees coming a mile away and knows he can do damage on. That’s why his home runs always come with those swings so smooth that they remind you of Junior (though I confess this particular dinger doesn’t have that Griffey-esque look).
I’m getting emotional here, so I’m going to spill part of my tribute to him now. Kate’s the one who’s spent a lot of time in the clubhouse, so she may disagree, but to me, the idea of J.P. Crawford as the team captain was never a perfect fit for his role on the team. He was the vibes guy, and at times, he seemed to be a leader on the field. But that rarely came in the form of visually apparent substantive leadership. (The exceptions were his mound visits to Andres Munoz.) And it’s not really how players talked about J.P. It always struck me as more like a narrative that fans imposed upon him. Still, there was something in him that invited us to do that. And I think I know what it was. What J.P. Crawford has been is our captain. It’s what he’s meant to us. And for that, I still think a C on his jersey would’ve been justified for tonight’s Sun Hat Award winner.
But alas, his home run only brought the Mariners to within two, and despite a bout of terminal lucidity in the ninth (a pair of pinch-hit walks from Lazaro Montes and Taylor Ward), the game was over by the time J.P. went yaya. In our predictions poll before the season, the median of the LL readership pegged the Mariners for 93 wins. Tonight, the team lost its 81st game, ensuring that for the first time since 2020, the M’s will not have a winning season. Maybe Anthony Rendon had a point.
MINNEAPOLIS — There is a difference between Aaron Boone saying he liked how Aaron Judge looked in his first week back from a three-month stay on the injured list, and Judge actually going out and crushing a majestic shot.
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is greeted by teammates in the dugout after scoring on a three-run home run during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post
“It feels like Judge is back,” José Caballero said.
Somehow, the tape-measure shot was only estimated at 397 feet, but it felt as if it alleviated some of the concerns about Judge’s timing after he entered the at-bat 3-for-20 with one walk and 11 strikeouts in his first five-plus games back.
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge holds a champagne bottle in the locker room on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees clinched a spot in the playoffs. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostNew York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates in the clubhouse with teammates after defeating the Minnesota Twins to clinch a playoff berth at Target Field on Monday, September 14, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post
“It felt good — just like the other swings, at least I made contact that time, so it’s a little better than the other ones,” said Judge, who had grounded into a double play and struck out twice in his first three at-bats Monday. “But just trying to get better every single day. I know the ultimate goal is to be ready for the postseason, but there’s some important games the next couple weeks that I got to be ready to go. So I’m just happy I could help the team tonight.”
His teammates were more effusive about the promise that the swing offered.
“Oh my goodness, that was quite a shot,” Ben Rice said. “What a swing. You could really get used to seeing that, especially this time of year.”
Rice appeared to help Judge know what was coming from Twins lefty A.J. Minter, waving his hands the pitch before on a changeup but not on the inside cutter that Judge ultimately clobbered for his first home run since May 24.
As much help as the Yankees hope to have around Judge as they head toward the postseason, their hopes and dreams center on the back-to-back AL MVP and what he can do in the batter’s box even after missing a large chunk of the regular season and coming back without going on a rehab assignment.
“I’ve been pleased,” Boone said. “I haven’t been the least bit concerned about anything. … He’s not all the way where he’s going to get to, but he’s got 20-plus at-bats now, which I think is valuable. We still got a couple weeks now to go and he’s only going to get hopefully more sharp as we head to the finish line.”
As of Monday afternoon, Boone’s thinking was that he would give Judge Wednesday’s series finale off into Thursday’s team off-day, and then have him “pretty much” a full go for the final three series of the regular season.
New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) sprays champagne as he celebrates in the clubhouse with teammates on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Target Field. The Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins to clinch a playoff berth.
MINNEAPOLIS — George Lombard Jr. got his first taste of champagne celebrations as a big leaguer Monday night.
The rookie shortstop was a key figure in making sure the Yankees got to do so in style on the back of an 8-3 win over the Twins, a comeback that Lombard helped spearhead with a six-run eighth inning.
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Lombard led off the rally with a rocket double off the wall in left-center field and eventually came home to score on José Caballero’s single up the middle that tied the game 2-2 before the Yankees went ahead.
“It was really cool,” Lombard said. “Obviously, a big part of the game and doing whatever I can to get on base there.”
The 21-year-old has fit right in after making his MLB debut in early August, even with some occasional defensive hiccups — the part of the game that was his calling card throughout his minor league career.
He had another in the ninth inning Monday, when he stepped off second base too early while trying to catch a throw from second baseman Anthony Volpe.
Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) sprays champagne as he celebrates in the clubhouse with teammates on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Target Field. The Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins to clinch a playoff berth. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post
Throughout all of the ups and downs, Lombard has impressed the Yankees with his maturity, which has a chance to serve him well in his first bite at the postseason when the stakes are elevated.
“Obviously, it’s intense and every single pitch counts and everything matters, but we’re prepared for it,” Lombard said. “It’s going to be the same preparation, same routine. We just got to go out there and do our thing.”
Clarke Schmidt is likely to be activated off the injured list Wednesday after finishing his comeback from Tommy John surgery, though Boone said Tuesday could also be in play. Monday was not because he would not have been available to pitch on only one day of rest, which he did not do on his rehab assignment.
Ryan Weathers (left forearm flexor strain), meanwhile, was scheduled to throw his first bullpen session Tuesday at Target Field as he tries to get back from the IL before the end of the regular season.
Carlos Rodón is the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player “who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” Rodón and his wife, Ashley, are active through their foundation in providing resources and financial assistance to couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss.
“What him and Ashley do, we talk about using your platform for good, and they certainly have done that,” Boone said. “They’ve taken some of their personal experiences and hardships and turned them into positives, in and around the country and the world. You love when you see your guys give back whether it’s financially, whether it’s their time, whether it’s their talent, whatever it may be. But certainly the Rodóns have done a remarkable job in the philanthropic job. Proud of them.”
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Fernando Cruz (partially torn UCL) started playing catch over the weekend, keeping in play the long shot of him pitching again this season.
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 14: Reynaldo López #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday, September 14, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Monday night was a rough one for the Atlanta Braves as not only did they lose the game to the Cubs, they’ve also apparently lost one of their pitchers. It’s been a rough season injury-wise for Reynaldo López and it appears to have gotten even worse. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, López will be heading to the IL.
Reynaldo Lopez will be going on the IL with right shoulder discomfort. He told the Braves tonight his shoulder has bothered him from time to time this year. He made just one start in 2025 before having shoulder surgery.
Yeah, that’s very concerning! The shoulder issue that cost Reynaldo López just about the entire 2025 season appears to have popped up on him again and now I’d say that it might be a longshot to see López going forward if that’s the case. López gave up five runs in three innings against the Cubs on Monday night and his velocity peaked at 94.6 mph. That’s a nearly a full tick lower than where it was at during his last healthy season in 2024.
When it comes to the replacement, it certainly looks like the Braves are just going to roll with what they’ve currently got in terms of starting pitching options. JR Ritchie will be starting on Wednesday and Bowman indicated that Ritchie will be staying around. This also means that AJ Smith-Shawver (who pitched in relief during tonight’s game) will also be sticking around to make starts, so that’ll likely be how the Braves get to the end of the regular season.
The Braves have already been handling the rotation on a series-by-series basis and now they have one less option to utilize going forward. We’ll see how the Braves figure this out and hopefully the prognosis for Reynaldo López isn’t as dour as it seems to be.
The trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto is finally complete, with the Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers getting league approval on Monday to close the deal that was agreed to earlier this summer.
In the end, the deal was the same as what was agreed to 2 1/2 months ago: Leonard returns to the Raptors, with the Clippers getting Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto,” Raptors general manager and executive vice president Bobby Webster said. “His impact on our organization, our city, and our country is undeniable, and he embodies the competitiveness and championship mindset that we value. We believe his leadership, experience and talent will help us as we continue building toward our next championship.”
It’s a huge move for Toronto, which won the 2019 NBA title with Leonard leading the way and is expecting to contend in the Eastern Conference. But the sides put the agreement on hold in early July pending any resolution of NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules with regard to Leonard’s compensation.
The NBA hit the Clippers earlier this month with massive penalties as a result of that probe, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fining the team $30 million and forcing it to forfeit five first-round draft picks, among other sanctions.
Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was hit with a $700,000 penalty as a result of that investigation. But he was not suspended and his contract was not voided, and the Raptors evidently are certain that his status will not be affected.
Leonard, 35, spent one season in Toronto — and led the Raptors to their lone title. He is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Clippers in 65 games.
Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA champion (also winning in 2014 with San Antonio) and is considered one of the game’s top defensive players. He is expected to sign an extension with the Raptors once the trade is finalized.
Toronto visits the Clippers on Nov. 2 and hosts the Clippers on Jan. 1. The teams are also scheduled to meet at Vancouver in a preseason game on Oct. 10.
The trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto is finally complete, with the Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers getting league approval on Monday to close the deal that was agreed to earlier this summer.
In the end, the deal was the same as what was agreed to 2 1/2 months ago: Leonard returns to the Raptors, with the Clippers getting Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto,” Raptors general manager and executive vice president Bobby Webster said. “His impact on our organization, our city, and our country is undeniable, and he embodies the competitiveness and championship mindset that we value. We believe his leadership, experience and talent will help us as we continue building toward our next championship.”
It’s a huge move for Toronto, which won the 2019 NBA title with Leonard leading the way and is expecting to contend in the Eastern Conference. But the sides put the agreement on hold in early July pending any resolution of NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules with regard to Leonard’s compensation.
The NBA hit the Clippers earlier this month with massive penalties as a result of that probe, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fining the team $30 million and forcing it to forfeit five first-round draft picks, among other sanctions.
Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was hit with a $700,000 penalty as a result of that investigation. But he was not suspended and his contract was not voided, and the Raptors evidently are certain that his status will not be affected.
Leonard, 35, spent one season in Toronto — and led the Raptors to their lone title. He is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Clippers in 65 games.
Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA champion (also winning in 2014 with San Antonio) and is considered one of the game’s top defensive players. He is expected to sign an extension with the Raptors once the trade is finalized.
Toronto visits the Clippers on Nov. 2 and hosts the Clippers on Jan. 1. The teams are also scheduled to meet at Vancouver in a preseason game on Oct. 10.
In this week’s Injury Report, Rafael Devers will undergo core muscle surgery, ending his season three home runs shy of 40 with two weeks to play. Kyle Bradish is also likely done for the season as he landed on the injured list with an abdominal injury. And the Cubs are eyeing a Friday return for Dansby Swanson. All that and more as we review all of the latest injury news.
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Rafael Devers (core muscle)
Devastating news that seemingly came out of nowhere on Sunday. A day after slugging his 37th homer, the Giants placed Devers on the 60-day injured list with a core muscle injury, ending his bid to become the first Giants player to hit 40 homers since Barry Bonds in 2004. The 29-year-old first baseman had been one of the hottest hitters in baseball this month, carrying fantasy teams in September with seven homers and a .342 batting average. It’s even more incredible to find out he’s apparently been playing through the injury for some time. The team saw it best to shut him down for the final two weeks, with plans for Devers to undergo core muscle surgery. He’s expected to be recovered and ready for spring training. With Devers out, the Giants now make for one of the top teams to target for streaming pitchers the rest of the way.
The playoff picture comes into focus, with the White Sox and Guardians set to clash to begin the week.
D.J. Short
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Kyle Bradish (abdominal)
Bradish’s season came to an end a day after giving up five runs over three innings on Saturday against the Blue Jays. Toronto placed the 30-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with lower abdominal discomfort. The 30-year-old right-hander was a popular sleeper pick after finishing the 2025 season strong in his return from Tommy John surgery. Instead, he struggled in his first full campaign back, posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and a career-low 21.2% strikeout rate.
Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring)
Valdez suffered a hamstring injury on Friday against the Cubs, departing in the sixth inning. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. The 22-year-old outfielder had come out of the gates hot in his debut, hitting .309 with ten homers in the first half. His high strikeout rate led to a second-half skid as he hit just .184 with seven homers since the All-Star break. Valdez’s placement on the injured list coincides with Ryan O’Hearn’s activation, with O’Hearn now filling in for designated hitter duties.
Dansby Swanson (oblique)
Swanson will begin a brief minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Manager Craig Counsell told reporters that the team is planning to activate him from the 10-day injured list on Friday for the start of a weekend series against the Reds. The 32-year-old shortstop has been out of action since mid-August with a left oblique strain. Nico Hoerner has filled in at shortstop with rookie Pedro Ramírez getting playing time at second base. Ramírez will likely shift to a bench role when Swanson returns.
Trey Yesavage (knee)
Yesavage tossed 30 pitches in a simulated game in his last mound session and was cleared to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo. He’ll make a start on Wednesday and is aiming to throw two or three innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is making his way back from left knee meniscus surgery that has sidelined him since early August. This late in the season, he may make it back for just an appearance or two for the Blue Jays in the regular season before he’s available for a potential playoff run should the team make the postseason.
Connelly Early (elbow)
Another pitcher looking to get some major league work in before the end of the season, Early was scheduled to make a second start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, but the game was rained out. He could instead make a start with Triple-A Rochester this week before he’s potentially cleared to make his Nationals debut before the end of the season. The 24-year-old left-hander has been on the shelf with left elbow inflammation since late June when he was still with the Red Sox.
Ryan Weathers (forearm)
Clarke Schmidt (elbow)
More reinforcements are on the way for the Yankees’ pitching staff. Weathers is recovering from a left forearm flexor strain and is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. The 26-year-old left-hander had initially hoped to make it back before the end of the regular season, but it seems unlikely he’d get ramped up in time to rejoin the rotation. Instead, he’d be an option for either the starting staff or the bullpen in the postseason. Meanwhile, Schmidt will be making his return from Tommy John surgery this week and will be used in a relief role through the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 14: Grant McCray #58 of the San Francisco Giants returns to the dugout after striking out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Busch Stadium on September 14, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Sunday, in their broomstick loss to the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants rolled out a lineup almost entirely devoid of players who had been on the roster when the year began. In the recap, I took note of the almost unfathomable turnover: two players from the Opening Day roster, one player from another team’s Opening Day roster, two players who began the year in AAA Sacramento, two players who began the year on other AAA teams, and two players who began the year in AA Richmond.
As if to one-up themselves on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Giants turned it up a notch, removing Jung Hoo Lee from the lineup for a veteran off-day. The final tally:
One player from the Opening Day roster (Christian Koss) One player from another Opening Day roster (Brett Harris) Two players from AAA Sacramento (Bryce Eldridge and Grant McCray) Two players from other AAA rosters (Shay Whitcomb and Andrew Knizner) Three players from AA Richmond (Jonah Cox, Turner Hill, and Scott Bandura)
And for half the game, you, I, and everyone watching the game, were convinced that the Giants were going to get no-hit by Quinn Mathews.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Play Minor League games, win Minor League prizes. Play 95-loss games, flirt with 100 losses, which is still in play if the Giants turn their current four-game losing streak into a 15-game skid. Just tack on 11 more losses, how much can it hurt?
Yes, the Giants didn’t have a baserunner in the first inning, and they didn’t have a baserunner in the second inning, and they didn’t have a baserunner in the third inning, and Eldridge broke up the perfect game with a walk in the fourth inning, and they didn’t have a baserunner in the fifth inning, and then, mercifully, McCray bopped a double to lead off the sixth, and New Rock Bottom watch was called off.
The small victories we uncover this time of year. They really are something, aren’t they?
Stunningly, given the way that Mathews had carved through the Giants lineup, they even converted that first hit into a run, when Koss moved McCray to third on a productive groundout, and Cox brought him home with a single. With that, the deficit was cut in half, from 2-0 to 2-1, and the offense was off and running.
Off and running and stalling, unfortunately. McCray’s hit opened the floodgates for the knocks, but Cox’s RBI did not open the floodgates for the runs. Whitcomb and Hill hit back-to-back singles to open the seventh, but they would never score: Harris bunted them over, but a Lee pinch-hit fly ball fell short of being deep enough to score Whitcomb. After Knizner drew a walk to load the bases, Mathews was replaced by Justin Bruihl, and while McCray fought to the seventh pitch in a tough lefty-on-lefty matchup, he ultimately lost.
It wasn’t their only rally that fell short. Eldridge smacked a two-out single in the eighth, and a pinch-hitting Drew Gilbert made like his first name and drew a walk, but Hill lined one sharply into an infielder’s mitt. Lee smacked a one-out single in the ninth, and a pinch-hitting Drew Cavanaugh (another player who began the year in AA) followed it up with a walk, but McCray struck out and Koss grounded out and the game was over, as meek as it possibly could have been.
The Giants remained in it, however, thanks to the rarest of things (for them, that is): some good run suppression from the pitchers. It began with A Very Landen Roupp Start.
Ever since Roupp’s brilliant first month of the season, you can fit nearly all of his starts into two very similar but very different categories:
Get into a lot of trouble, but somehow get out of it
Get into a lot of trouble, and very much don’t get out of it
That’s kind of it. He has bad games, and he has good games where he looks like he might have a bad game but then somehow doesn’t. It’s basically like watching Camilo Doval, except for five innings instead of one, and with a little side sprinkle of bigotry to make you less upset when it doesn’t work.
Except in this game he introduced a third category of start:
Get into a lot of trouble, somehow get out of it, then get into more trouble and the bullpen can’t get out of it
Roupp gave up a single to the very first batter he faced, but then immediately induced a double play. He walked the next batter, then got out of the inning.
He gave up a leadoff double in the second, followed by a two-out walk, but again got out of the inning.
In the third, it was back-to-back two-out singles that started an ultimately futile Cardinals rally.
After a clean fourth, Roupp got back into trouble in the fifth, ceding a one-out single, a stolen base, and a walk. With 88 pitches to his name, and the Giants being very careful with him these days, Roupp’s night was over. He had bent without breaking time and time again, but his own fate was now out of his hands, and instead in Reiver Sanmartin’s.
Sanmartin gave up on RBI single on the very first pitch he threw, which was followed by a walk, another RBI single, and the slow march to the mound from Tony Vitello.
From there, the Giants bullpen was, shockingly, nearly perfect. Joel Kuhnel escaped the bases-loaded, one-out jam, and tossed in a perfect sixth for good measure. Trent Harris, who I think is no longer auditioning for a role in next year’s bullpen and is instead auditioning for a high-leverage role in next year’s bullpen, was a dominant force in a perfect seventh. Carson Seymour easily worked around a leadoff single in the eighth.
But the damage was done by the bottom of the fifth, and by a Minor League offense. You get what you pay for and, well … I’m guessing none of you are paying much for this.
New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) closes out the ninth inning during a 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Citi Field in Queens, NY.
In a lost season, Devin Williams is trying to establish health, if nothing else, and is nearing a return.
The Mets closer, who has been out since Aug. 7 with a shoulder strain, threw his third session off a mound at Citi Field on Monday and is expected to face hitters for the first time Thursday. If that goes well, he likely would be fast-tracked to the major league pen without a rehab assignment for a season that has less than two weeks remaining.
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“He looked good on the mound today,” said interim manager Andy Green, who watched most of the session and cautioned there will be more boxes to check before an official activation. “Stuff was coming out really well.”
Williams said that finishing the season healthy and “having a normal offseason is ideal.” If and when he does return, he would rejoin a very different group than the bullpen with which he spent most of the season’s first four months.
Without Williams, Kodai Senga has flashed intriguing stuff as fill-in closer. Nate Lavender has been untouchable in replacing Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter. Daniel Duarte has made a case that he belongs on the 2027 Mets.
“For the most part, they’ve been lights-out,” said Williams, who would be the rare veteran reliever among the group. “I think moving forward it’s going to be really beneficial for a lot of these guys. … The only way to get good in those situations is by being put in them. So I think they’re all getting a lot of really valuable experience.”
New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams reacts on the mound in the ninth inning at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Mack singled on a ground ball to New York Mets first baseman Jared Young. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Senga has embraced his late-game role but often has noted he feels best as a starter, a job he could not hold on to this year.
A healthy Williams would bump Senga to a slightly lesser role, but Williams sounds intrigued by the possibility of them both pitching in late-game situations.
“He’s 6-for-6 [in save chances]. He’s punching tickets. Throwing 100 [mph] and with a nasty forkball. What else do you want?” Williams said of Senga. “… I’d love to have him in the back end. I can’t really speak to what he wants.”
With the 2-1 loss to the Orioles, which was decided by Gunnar Henderson’s eighth-inning home run against Dedniel Núñez, the Mets (69-81) were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
A.J. Ewing homered in the fourth inning and has reached base in 12 of his past 13 games, a span in which he has slashed .370/.434/.640.
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Senga pitched around two singles in a scoreless, three-strikeout ninth inning and has pitched to a 1.88 ERA since his role was elevated after the trade deadline.
Lefty Cionel Pérez, who has been out with a left forearm strain since July 29, has pitched two scoreless innings in Double-A Binghamton to begin a rehab assignment.
Pérez, who owned a 4.21 ERA in 20 games with the Mets, is expected to pitch with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, after which the Mets will “evaluate where he’s at,” Green said.
D.J. Short
