Dec 11, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) watches the action from the team bench during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
We’re not even that deep into the offseason, and the stories circulating the Raptors’ trade market are getting crazy.
A possible return from the 2019 champion has already been discussed, in the wake of a report from Jake Fischer. This is a rumour that has only heated up more with the reporter breaking the news that over this weekend, Toronto and Los Angeles have been corresponding and potentially working out a deal to get Kawhi Leonard in the Raptors’ red and black again.
This marks a more significant jump the stakes for a Leonard-to-Toronto deal. Previously, the Clippers had indicated the desire to continue building around Leonard, but with the team stuck in play-in-purgatory, dependent on the notoriously injury-prone forward while lacking significant scoring pieces around him, it seems like they might be willing to move on.
In discussions with the Clippers, sources say Toronto has expressed a preference in dealing Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles, as opposed to RJ Barrett.
Pushing to send Ingram to the Clippers suggest that the Raptors are more interested in building around RJ Barrett at small forward, which is likely a reaction to the play of both men in the Cleveland series during this year’s playoffs.
The Raptors are in the favourable position of controlling their first round picks well into the next decade, and thus have the ability to put up massive draft capital to acquire a star player like Kawhi. Packaging the All-Star forward with future picks could allow for a mutually beneficial deal, allowing the Clippers to remain somewhat competitive while retooling their roster, and getting a windfall of picks in a future draft to either keep, or use themselves to swing for a player. The Raptors would then be thrust into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, equipped with one of the league’s best two-way players alongside a very solid defensive core, and would very much be one or two moves away from being in serious contention for a championship.
However, there are of course concerns that factor into this decision. As last year was one of Kawhi’s finest outings as a player, the Raptors would be buying somewhat high on the famously injury-prone 34 year old. The Raptors themselves have struggled with injuries over the past few years, and having more money sitting on the bench is less than ideal. An alternative acquisition the Raptors have also been linked to has been that of a more reliably available player, Boston’s Jaylen Brown.
Brown was very publicly put on the trade block when Giannis was still on the market, and the outspoken forward has long been considered unhappy with his role on the Celtics, playing second fiddle to Jayson Tatum. With Brown at the helm last year, the Celtics cruised to the second seed in the east, defying expectations and demonstrating that Brown could indeed lead a team to regular season success. Despite being taken out by the 76ers in the playoffs, Brown certainly proved himself as a franchise centrepiece, and could provide the Raptors with much needed scoring and an refresh at small forward. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype has noted that Toronto is in the mix to get Brown, but there is less concrete information on what a potential trade could look like.
It’s safe to assume that Brandon Ingram would play a central role in any deal with the Celtics as well. Pairing Brown with Scottie would give the Raptors a much more developed 1-2 punch, and placate Brown’s clear desire to be the number one option on a championship team, giving him a partner that could suit his tastes better than his current Boston teammates. The decision between the two players could be a tough one. Kawhi has a legacy in Toronto but some serious injury considerations, and Brown could be a fantastic newcomer, but after an incident where he publicly insulted Scottie Barnes last year, his chemistry within the team could be harder to establish.
Regardless, the Raptors have not been idle since the draft, and seem to be looking to make a big move within the next year. NBA Free Agency begins on June 30th at 6:00PM, and more details for what Toronto will do are sure to follow soon. Keep an eye out here for the latest on Raps movement!
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman looks on Jeffrey (JP) Hurlbert of the United States is drafted by the Detroit Redwings with the twenty-third overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Michigan Hockey will have its usual star-studded roster come the fall, and there will be even more NHL logos on the pregame lines chart after three Wolverines were selected during the 2026 NHL Draft.
J.P. Hurlbert: 1st round, 23rd overall, Detroit Red Wings
A Texas native, Hurlbert spent last season with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL. He set the league on fire as a rookie, notching 42 goals and 97 points across 68 games while wearing an “A.”
Hurlbert is versatile enough to line up all over, and considering his great shot and one-timer, he should be particularly valuable for the Wolverines at his natural left wing spot or playing alongside playmaking center Michael Hage.
He is not a burner, but he does well to anticipate the play, times his shots well and plays with plenty of creativity. These are traits that will translate to head coach Brandon Naurato’s offensive philosophies.
Expect Hurlbert to receive top-six minutes, record plenty of tucks, and compete for power play minutes. The question is whether Naurato has enough space for him on that top unit.
Adam Valentini: 3rd round, 96th overall, Utah Mammoth
The lone draftee we have already seen take the ice at Yost, Valentini does so many of the little things right. He forechecks like an animal, wins puck battles, screens goaltenders and plays with that tenacious edge required to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Valentini should see an uptick in production next season; he went for 11 goals and 27 points in 40 games for Michigan last year. His talents are probably better suited for middle-six responsibilities where he can focus on agitating the opposition and accumulating quality shifts.
Kosick will not join the program until the 2027-28 season, but it is still encouraging to have future talent in the pipeline. He spent time with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos (10 goals, 34 points in 37 games) and Seattle Thunderbirds (six goals, 20 points in 32 games).
Kosick is a smooth, left-shot forward with good hands and offensive prowess. It will be interesting to see how he develops over the next campaign before venturing to Ann Arbor.
Pavel Dorofeyev is heading to the New York Rangers as part of a trade at the NHL draft on Friday night, as they hope the high-scoring winger helps supercharge their retooling effort.
The Rangers acquired Dorofeyev from Vegas for the Nos. 26 and 92 picks this year, plus a conditional first-rounder in 2028. The 25-year-old is coming off scoring 12 goals on the Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.
On their way there, they defeated the Utah Mammoth, who also made a big subtraction by sending a winger to the Eastern Conference. JJ Peterka is going to the Boston Bruins for the No. 23 pick and Florida’s top-10-protected ’28 first-rounder.
Peterka is changing places for a second consecutive offseason following his move from Buffalo just over a year to the day ago. The 24-year-old from Germany now gets to play for the league’s only German coach, Marco Sturm.
“I would like to thank JJ for his commitment to our organization,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “JJ is a great person and will be a dynamic player for Boston.”
Midway through the first round, the St. Louis Blues acquired forward Mason McTavish from Anaheim for the Nos. 15 and 29 picks, getting a player entering his prime at 23 who’s signed through 2031 at a salary cap hit of $7 million.
The Mammoth flipped the 23rd pick to Detroit for 23-year-old restricted free agent goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
Pre-draft trades aplenty
Getting Dorofeyev was New York GM Chris Drury ‘s second move of the day after sending forward Brett Berard to Montreal for defenseman William Trudeau, who has been in the minors and is still awaiting his NHL debut.
Also Friday, Buffalo got defenseman Olen Zellweger, who also needs a new contract, from Anaheim for the 45th pick and forward prospect Anton Wahlberg. Zellweger, who turns 23 in September, replenishes depth for the Sabres after they traded Bowen Byram to Chicago earlier in the week.
Chicago sent winger Andre Burakovsky to Ottawa for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Burakovsky joins the Senators more than three decades since his dad, Robert, played 23 games for them in the 1993-94 season.
The Blackhawks clear his $5.5 million salary cap hit off the books for next season, while the Senators get a 31-year-old winger who has twice won the Stanley Cup.
General manager Steve Staios said the Senators were happy to add a player of Burakovsky’s pedigree because he “adds skill and playmaking ability to our forward group.”
Staios was busy in the hours before adding Burakovsky, acquiring the rights to goaltender Samuel Ersson and re-signing another pending restricted free agent, defenseman Jordan Spence. Ottawa sent a 2027 fifth-rounder to rival Toronto for Ersson, whom the Maple Leafs got along with Emil Andrae in a cap space-clearing trade with Philadelphia for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.
Spence, 25, signed a four-year, $20 million contract. He was a big part of the team enduring injuries at the position and still making the playoffs, scoring a career-high seven goals and finishing with 31 points while skating an average of nearly 19 minutes over 73 games.
“Jordan was an excellent addition to our hockey club and proved to be a valuable asset on our blue line and stepped up when it counted last season,” Staios said. “We’re excited to have him as part of our core group.”
Teams take care of in-house business
Colorado re-signed defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak, fresh off winning the Presidents’ Trophy and losing in the conference final to Vegas.
Burns, 41, signed for next season, his 23rd in the league, at the veteran minimum of $850,000 and can make up to $3 million in incentives, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because financial terms were not disclosed.
Burns has skated in 1,007 consecutive regular-season games and is 58 away from passing Phil Kessel for the longest ironman streak in NHL history.
Kulak got a five-year contract from the Avalanche worth a reported $22.5 million. President of hockey operations and franchise great Joe Sakic is reshaping the roster after reclaiming GM duties when Chris MacFarland left for Nashville.
The Islanders re-signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a two-year contract worth $9 million. He will count $4.5 million against the salary cap through the 2027-28 season.
DeAngelo, 30, is returning to the Islanders for a second full season after joining them upon returning to the NHL from a stint in the Russia-based KHL in January 2025.
“Tony has been great since he’s been here,” GM Mathieu Darche said on a video call with reporters after the draft. “It’s tough to find puck-moving defensemen, never mind a right-shot puck-moving defenseman, so Tony’s a big part of our team. We’re excited to have him back.”
Los Angeles re-signed defenseman Brandt Clarke for $37 million over the next five years.
Jun 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
Despite carrying an expensive payroll, the New York Mets have been the most disappointing team in baseball, languishing in last place in the National League East. On Sunday, they showed exactly why they’re such a bad team as they continually let the Phillies off to hook. The Phillies offense did just enough – including yet another home run by Kyle Schwarber – to escape Citi Field with a 5-4 win.
The Mets utilized a bullpen game, but the Phillies couldn’t take advantage early, going scoreless in the first two innings. In the third, they broke through against Tobias Myers. Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber had one out singles and then pulled off a double steal, allowing Bryce Harper to break the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly.
Alec Bohm followed with a double to make it 2-0, and then Brandon Marsh hit an RBI single to put the Phillies up by 3.
Jesus Luzardo made the start for the Phillies, and was in control for the most part for the first four innings. In the fifth, he ran into trouble when the Mets started the frame with a walk and a single. With one out, Carson Benge singled to cut the lead to 3-1. Despite walking Juan Soto, Luzardo got the next two batters to limit the damage.
The Phillies wasted a second-and-third, nobody out situation in the sixth, and that proved costly the following inning. Luzardo was over 90 pitches, so manager Don Mattingly had to turn to his bullpen. It took Chase Shugart three batters to blow the lead thanks to a game-tying home run by A.J. Ewing.
After another walk and single, Shugart was pulled for Kyle Backhus. Benge put the Mets in front 4-3 thanks to an RBI fielder’s choice, but Backhus got Bo Bichette to fly out and end the inning.
In the seventh, the Phillies went back on front in a familiar fashion: A Kyle Schwarber home run. Justin Crawford led off the inning with a single and after Turner predictably came up small, Schwarber hit his 30th of the year to make it a 5-4 game.
The next two innings, the Phillies’ bullpen tried its best to hand the game to the Mets, but the Mets refused to take it. Jose Alvarado started the seventh with two strikeouts, but then hit a batter and committed a throwing error to put runners on second and third. But Brett Baty grounded out and the Mets came up empty.
In the eighth, Orion Kerkering walked the bases loaded with one out. With the bases loaded, and Kerkering having thrown nine straight balls out of the strike zone, Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio inexplicably swung in a 1-0 count and popped it up. Francisco Alvarez followed and swung at two balls out of the zone to end the inning.
Jhoan Duran also had some control issues, but once again, the Mets helped him out by swinging at numerous pitches out of the strike zone. When Luis Torrens hit a fly ball to right, the win was secured.
The Phillies have had their share of problems at Citi Field in recent years. But the Mets are in such a bad way, that despite the Phillies seemingly trying their best to lose, they still managed to escape with a series win.
Jun 28, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Starling Marte (0) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The Royals rallied early in a back-and-forth game, to beat the White Sox 5-4. It ends a 4-game losing streak and a 6-game losing streak to the White Sox.
Lane Thomas led off the game with a single and stole second. He went to third on Bobby Witt Jr.’s deep flyout to center. Carter Jensen drove him in with an RBI single, to extend his hit streak to 19 games.
The White Sox immediately answered in the bottom of the inning, a leadoff walk was followed by Miguel Vargas blasting a 2-run shot into the left center bleachers. Avila worked around a single and walk thereafter.
In the top of the 2nd, Isaac Collins was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Tyler Tolbert reached via an error, and the Royals had 1st and 2nd with nobody down. Kameron Misner flew out to right, letting Collins get to third. Thomas singled him home to tie the game. Tolbert scored on a Jr. sac fly after getting to third on a wild pitch.
Again though, the White Sox answered right back. After two quick outs, a single, double and a 2-run broken bat single put the home team up 4-3.
The Royals tied the game in the top of the third behind Starling Marte turning back the clock. Marte led off with a single and stole second base, his first on the season and the 362nd of his career. He scored on Collins bloop double to right.
Avila finished the day, going 4 innings, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs, walking 3 and striking out 4. Steven Cruz, who was the winning pitcher, threw a 1-2-3 5th inning. Beck Way, Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm each got scoreless innings to get it to the 9th inning.
Alex Lange got the 9th, he got 3 groundouts to end the game but made a nice play after taking a hard grounder off the foot. It’s Lange’s 7th save on the season.
The Royals finish the road trip 3-4, they are 35-50 on the season now. They are off tomorrow, before starting a 3-game series on Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
Jun 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) receives congratulations from first baseman Christian Walker (8) after he hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The story of the Detroit Tigers disastrous 2026 season can be told via the injury list and the bullpen’s inability to hold leads with any consistency. The latter has been on display all season, despite no major injuries to core pieces, and they blew it again with a little help from a bad defensive play. The Astros rallied back against Tyler Holton and Kyle Finnegan, and then mauled Kenley Jansen in the top of the 10th inning to win the game and take the series three games to one.
Jack Flaherty returned from the injured list in this one, bumping Enmanuel de Jesus, who has been pitching really well for two months, down to Triple-A Toledo. Flaherty looked reinvigorated by his time off, and put together a fine outing as his teammates battled one of the tougher starting pitchers in the game in RHP Hunter Brown. As has been the case so often, the Tigers won the battle of the starting pitchers only to watch the game fall apart in the late innings.
Flaherty came out throwing darts. He struck out Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker in the first, walking Yordan Alvarez, which is rarely a terrible idea, before wrapping up a scoreless first.
Brown tunneled a good low fastball after a changeup down and away on the same line to lock up Kevin McGonigle. That opened the bottom of the first. Colt Keith, in the two spot and playing first base with Spencer Torkelson on the bench, sliced a double the opposite way but he was stranded. Flaherty punched out Joey Loperfido and Yainer Diaz in a quick top of the second. Kerry Carpenter singled to open the bottom half, and then Zach McKinstry timed up a good Brown heater and blasted it to right field for a two-run homer.
Matt Vierling came up with a two-out knock later in the inning, and then stole second base. It went for naught, as McGonigle flew out to center field.
So Flaherty had a 2-0 lead, and he ran with it. Jake Meyers led off the third with a double, and that produced a stressful inning when he was wild pitched to third. However, Flaherty dug in and rather than shying away from contact, he came right after Raynel Delgado and Jeremy Peña, collecting swinging strike threes. He climbed the ladder against Yordan Alvarez and the Astros masher lifted a pop-up to Riley Greene in left, ending the threat.
A leadoff single from Isaac Paredes opened the fourth. A Walker grounder forced Paredes at second, but Loperfido walked for a one-out jam. Flaherty had the answer again, as Diaz lifted a fly out to right field. Trammell challenged a 3-2 pitch and correctly drew a walk, but the Tigers’ right-hander whiffed Meyers to again turn the Astros away.
The Tigers got another leadoff single from Carpenter in the bottom of the fourth, but again that didn’t go anywhere. Flaherty whiffed Peña, and then froze Yordan Alvarez in the top of the fifth to wrap up a strong outing.
In the bottom of the fifth, Kevin McGonigle drew a one-out walk. He took second on a Colt Keith grounder to the second baseman, Delgado. Riley Greene tested Delgado with a harder ground ball, and he booted it, allowing McGonigle to score from second for a 3-0 lead. That’s pretty good work against Hunter Brown, but it would still take another inning to get him out of the game.
Flaherty was out of the game, and Tyler Holton tossed a 1-2-3 sixth, getting Paredes, Walker, and then Cam Smith, who pinch-hit for Loperfido.
The Tigers got a two-out walk to Hao-Yu Lee, hey take your walks, buddy, in the bottom of the sixth. James Outman got down in the count, and so Lee opted to try and steal second. He was ruled safe, but a challenge showed he was just out by a hair. On to the seventh. Still 3-0 Tigers.
Holton got Diaz to open the seventh, and then Brice Matthews pinch-hit for Trammell and flew out. Unfortunately, the Tigers then Tiger’d. Colt Keith is ostensibly the club’s backup first baseman, but he never gets any reps there and that bit them on an errant throw from McGonigle after a Jake Meyers grounder. Keith tried to keep his foot on the base as he stretched all the way out, and he just flat out missed the throw. Meyers took second, and so there was a bit of two-out trouble. It quickly bit them, as the rookie Delgado climbed the ladder for a first pitch sweeper above the zone and cranked it to right for a two-run shot. That was the first home run of his career. 3-2 Tigers.
Not good. Obviously that’s on Colt Keith to a degree, but it’s really on McGonigle for the throw. They weren’t getting Meyers on that throw either way. Even so, every bit of adversity seems to crack Tigers relievers’ heads open, with disaster often following. Kyle Finnegan took over and gave up a single to Peña. He dug in and got a ground ball to end the inning from Alvarez. The Tigers have handled him extremely well in this series at least.
So, rather than see the Astros weaker relievers, they got Bryan Abreu in the bottom of the seventh. Outman opened the frame with a line drive single, and then Matt Vierling dropped a sacrifice bnnt to move him to second. Abreu wanted nothing to do with McGonigle, and walked him, but Colt Keith, seeking redemption, found none as he flew out to left field. Manager Joe Espada called on lefty Steven Okert to handle Riley Greene, and he did, getting the Tigers’ left fielder to pop out, stranding two.
So, a one-run game, two innings to go, what could go wrong? Obviously the Tigers have been atrocious in one-run games in the late innings, so the fear was, “everything.”
Those fears were immediately realized, when Finnegan missed with a splitter and then a slider against Isaac Paredes. He fired a heater right down the middle, and Paredes launched it to left to tie the game 3-3.
As has been the case all season, this bullpen remains a huge weakness. ERA doesn’t matter in relief work. Holding leads matters, and the Tigers’ bullpen has failed as much as any group in baseball this year.
Finnegan followed that up by walking Walker. He locked up Cam Smith with a fastball for the first out of the inning, but he was a long way from getting back into the dugout. Diaz got in a 3-2 count and chased two pitches out of the zone to bail Finnegan out. He fouled the first one off and whiffed on the second. With two outs, that left it to Matthews, but he took strike three in the upper corner after Dingler correctly challenged a ball call to get the Tigers out of the inning.
Bryan King took over for Okert in the bottom of the eighth. Dingler grounded out, but Spencer Torkelson pinch-hit for Carpenter and ripped a single to left. That was quickly erased by a chopper right to second base from McKinstry that became an inning ending double play ball.
Torkelson stayed in the game as the designated hitter, so it was still Keith at first with Kenley Jansen taking over. Meyers greeted the future Hall of Famer with a laser to McGonigle. The Tigers’ third baseman was in looking for a bunt and made a nice snare. Delgado lifted a weak fly ball to right for the second out. That brought up Peña, with Alvarez looming. The ideal was to get Peña, keep Yordan out of this, and then walk them off. Peña whiffed on two cutters, then fouled off two. Jansen pulled a perfect slider out of his bag of tricks, and Peña struck out swinging.
That brought Josh Hader, Astros closer, to the mound. The task would not be easy for the back half of the Tigers’ lineup, and Hao-Yu Lee chased an 0-2 slider and struck out. Still needed a little more patience from the 23-year-old rookie. AJ Hinch pinch-hit Ben Malgeri in for James Outman against the lefty.
Malgeri fell behind 0-2 but showed off the gritty, battling style he was known for in the Tigers’ system. He battled back to 3-2, fouling off some tough pitches, and drew a one-out walk. Vierling made a bid on a little drive in the left center field gap, but it stayed up and Matthews ran it down to make a sliding catch.
So, it was up to Kevin McGonigle. Hader got ahead of him, but didn’t really want to throw anything else in the strike zone. The rookie worked it to 3-2 and drew a walk on a heater well out of the zone. That left it to Jahmai Jones, hitting for Colt Keith, and probably just needing a single to win it. Hader missed with two fastballs to start the at-bat, and then missed again. Jones had the green light, but a fastball just off the outer edge was fouled off. Hader yanked a slider down, and he had walked the bases loaded as Riley Greene dug into the batter’s box.
Hader located a sinker for strike one, and then Greene chased a heater up. Hader missed with the next pitch, but another 97 mph sinker above the zone drew the whiff as Greene took too big a hack, and a pretty packed weekend crowd at Comerica Park groaned in misery. Greene’s batting average in high leverage counts dropped to .210 with that whiff. His career mark is .277 with a 109 wRC+ but it’s even been a struggle for him this season.
Kenley Jansen stayed in the game in the tenth, with Peña starting at second and Yordan at the plate. Jansen missed with four straight to walk Alvarez, and that was probably the plan, setting up a double play ball, though Jansen is decidedly a fly ball pitcher and hasn’t gone two innings in about a year. On the other hand, he’d only needed seven pitches in the ninth.
Isaac Paredes fell behind 0-2, but another cutter was punched into right center field for a single. Malgeri fired home too late, and it was 4-3 game, still with no one out. Things would get worse, as Christian Walker got a cut fastball right in the sweet spot in a 2-2 count and he drove it over the left field wall for a three-run shot. 7-3 Astros.
Predictable, really.
Jansen got Cam Smith to ground out, and then he departed as Jacob Waguespack took over to clean up the mess. Diaz grounded out.
Enyel de los Santos handled the bottom of the 10th. Riley Greene was at second. Dillon Dingler struck out on a slider for the first out. Torkelson pulled a 1-0 hanger just foul to left, and then whiffed on a sinker. The next pitch was a fourseamer belt high away, and the Tigers first baseman hammered a line drive the opposite way for a two-run homer. Thought we’d see a lot more of that oppo power once upon a time. 7-5 Astros.
Zack McKinstry was up next, and he missed an opportunity to challenge a 3-0 fastball up that was called a strike but was actually above the zone. It didn’t matter, as McKinstry lined the next pitch to right for a one-out single. Hao-Yu Lee bounced out, moving McKinstry to second, and so it was up to Ben Malgeri again.
A 2-2 pitch was yanked wild, moving McKinstry to third, and Santos missed with a slider to walk Malgeri after a failed Astros’ challenge.
So, it was first and third with two outs, and Matt Vierling at the dish with McGonigle looming. Vierling put a good swing on a 1-1 heater, but he flew out to the warning track in right. Ballgame.
The Tigers fall to 35-49 on the year. They’ll head to the Bronx to take on the Yankees for three games starting on Monday night.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 29: AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves looks on while pitching during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Geneva Heffernan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We may be tracking toward seeing a bright blue glove back on the mound for the Atlanta Braves later this summer.
In an interview with BravesVision, Braves president of baseball operations and GM Alex Anthopolous shared that AJ Smith-Shawver will make a start in Single-A with the Augusta GreenJackets to kick off his rehab assignment.
Braves President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Alex Anthopoulos shares an update on AJ Smith-Shawver and his first rehab start: pic.twitter.com/TtrE3SFC2l
The 23-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery last June. Per the AJC, he threw two innings in a simulated game in the Braves’ Florida training facility on Thursday. The typical 30-day rehab assignment with no setbacks would mean we see AJSS back with the Braves around August.
First pitch time for the Augusta GreenJackets versus the Salem RidgeYaks is at 7:05 pm ET on Tuesday.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 27: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 27, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After three demoralizing games in a row against the Phillies, it was back to business for the Washington Nationals. They grinded out yet another road series win, this time against the Orioles. Luis Garcia Jr. is the hottest hitter in all of baseball right now, and he carried the offense in this one.
Final: Nats 6, Orioles 4. Luis Garcia Jr. went 3-for-5 with two homers, a double and 5 RBI. PJ Poulin recorded the final 6 outs for the save. The Nationals win another road series.
As mentioned, PJ Poulin also had a gutsy six out save to close this one out. After Mitchell Parker made things interesting in the 7th, Poulin came into the ball game. While Poulin does not throw hard, he kept Orioles hitters off balance with his deceptive delivery. He did a nice job keeping the ball off the barrel, something that has been a struggle for Nats relievers.
Poulin is not the most efficient pitcher ever, and tends to fall behind in counts, so it was certainly a stressful watch. However, the southpaw buckled down and got a game-ending double play after he walked a hitter. Nats fans were finally able to exhale, and the team was back over .500.
While Poulin got some huge outs, the MVP of this contest was undoubtedly Luis Garcia Jr., who is as hot as a hitter can get in this game. In his last 7 games, Garcia has a mind numbing 1.804 OPS with six home runs and a .435 average. His swing just looks so good right now, even the pitches he is fouling off. Garcia’s bat drop on his first homer was so sweet as well.
Luis García Jr. has now homered in five of his last six games. He is the first National since 2024 to hit five home runs in a six-game span.
García Jr.'s last six games: ⚾️9-for-17 (.529) ⚾️5 HR ⚾️2 2B ⚾️8 RBI ⚾️3 BB ⚾️7 R pic.twitter.com/s8dPMNSCBN
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) June 28, 2026
That homer gave the Nats a 5-2 lead. Garcia drove in five of the Nats six runs in this contest. Before the season, there were valid questions about whether Garcia could slug enough to be a valuable first baseman. Right now, he is answering those in a big way. For the season, Garcia now has an .850 OPS and a .543 slugging percentage. That slugging percentage is 7th in baseball, ahead of Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
With James Wood and CJ Abrams being relatively cold in June, the Nats needed someone to step up and carry the load. Luis Garcia Jr. has been the guy to do that, and he is a real contender for NL player of the month. He should be a lock for NL player of the week.
At this rate, Garcia might break his career high in homers before the start of July. Right now, he is up to 16 home runs on the season, and the most he has in a campaign is 18. This is easily the best Garcia Jr. has ever played, and it has come when the Nats needed him most.
On his second home run, it did not feel like he got all of it, but the ball just snuck over the wall. The umps could not tell right away that it was a homer, but after a quick review, they gave the home run signal and the Nats first baseman rounded the bases.
Blake Butera has talked so much about how resilient his team is that it almost feels old. However, he is 100% right about his team’s ability to get off the mat. With the bullpen meltdowns against the Phillies, and a losing streak up to 4 games, this could easily have spiraled out of control. This team pushed through, and won yet another series. Next up is a trip to Paul Toboni’s old stomping grounds in Boston for what should be a fun matchup.
Jun 28, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Seth Halvorsen (54) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
After late-inning shenanigans in many of the Rockies’ recent games, the Colorado Rockies came into their Sunday afternoon rubber match against the Minnesota Twins looking for another series win. However, the Rockies’ bats went quiet against the Twins pitching staff, wasting a fairly well-pitched game by their own arms.
Another quality start for Ryan Feltner
Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner didn’t record a single strikeout this afternoon against the Twins, but he also didn’t issue a single walk and did exactly what was needed of him. Feltner worked for six innings, threw 82 pitches, and gave up just two runs–one earned–on five hits. One of those runs scored in the second inning after a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Karros, while the other came via a solo home run off the bat of Twins second baseman Kody Clemens.
Feltner now has four quality starts in his last six appearances, and has given up more than two earned runs just once in that stretch. However, his ability to strike out batters has faded over the last two games. He struck out only two in his last outing before zero today.
Mixed results from the bullpen
Right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen was the first to be given the ball after Feltner’s day was done. The hard-throwing Halvorsen tallied two quick outs, but then allowed what would be the game-winning run via a solo home run off the bat of Ryan Kreidler. He then gave up back-to-back singles before being pulled.
Lefty Brennan Bernardino recorded the final out of the seventh inning via a hard-hit comebacker right into his glove on the mound.
Juan Mejia took on the eighth inning and had a much-needed 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. While he’s had a rough season thus far, Mejia has now gone three straight outings without giving up an earned run.
Drama free in the wrong ways
The Rockies simply couldn’t get much going against the Twins’ pitching this afternoon, and it started against rookie Connor Prielipp. In his first outing against the Rockies, Prielipp pitched six strong innings without giving up a walk, allowed just two earned runs on six hits, and struck out a career high 10 batters.
The Rockies had their best opportunity to put multiple runs on the board in the first inning. Willi Castro led off the game with a single, and Tyler Freeman was hit by a pitch with Castro advancing to third on a Hunter Goodman groundout. Castro was then driven home on an infield single by TJ Rumfield. That would be the only run scored in the inning with a Cole Carrigg forceout and a Kyle Karros strikeout on an overturned ball four via ABS.
Rumfield went 2-for-4 this afternoon, expanding his streak of multi-hit games to five and his overall hitting streak to 11.
The Rockies wouldn’t score again until the sixth inning. Rumfield started the inning with another infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Carrigg. Rumfield was then driven in by a Troy Johnston single. Johnston was also 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
A Carrigg double with two outs–and a good at-bat that turned into an intentional walk by Karros–had the Rockies threatening in the eighth inning, but they failed to score. Catcher Braxton Fulford reached after getting hit by a pitch in the ninth, only for the next three batters to go down quietly to end the game.
Coming Up Next
The Rockies will head back to Denver tonight to kick off a three-game home series against the Miami Marlins tomorrow evening. Marlins right-handed ace Sandy Alcantara will be on the mound for Miami, while the Rockies have yet to announce their starter. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM MDT.
Before Leonard signed with the Clippers during the 2019 NBA offseason, he had a one-year stint in Toronto after he was traded by the Spurs to the Raptors in the 2018 offseason.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard might be traded during the offseason. NBAE via Getty Images
The 2018-2019 season was one for the ages for Leonard as he led Toronto to its first championship in franchise history and was crowned Finals MVP after the Raptors dethroned the Warriors, the reigning back-to-back champions.
Fischer reported that if a reunion between Leonard and the Raptors happens, Toronto would prefer trading Brandon Ingram as opposed to trading RJ Barrett.
Ingram is fairly familiar with the Los Angeles landscape after being selected with the second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Lakers.
In discussions with the Clippers, sources say Toronto has expressed a preference in dealing Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles, as opposed to RJ Barrett.
Ingram is coming off his second career All-Star season after averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season.
Barrett was a former third overall pick by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Leonard is set to enter the final year of his contract and will make $50.3 million this season. Ingram makes $40 million next season and has a player option of $41.9 million next year.
The Raptors are reportedly interested in reacquiring Kawhi Leonard this offseason. Getty Images
Recent reports have indicated that if Leonard and the Clippers can’t agree on an extension this year, they could look into trading him this offseason.
Reports also have indicated the Warriors remain interested in trading for Leonard, which could drive up the asking price by the Clippers if there is an all-out bidding war for the former two-time Finals MVP.
England captain Ben Stokes has declared he will retire from international cricket at the end of the current Test against New Zealand following a contentious year.
The Mets fell to the Philadelphia Phillies by score of 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- In the bottom of the eighth, with the Mets trailing by a run, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering walked the bases loaded. With one out, Ronny Mauricio popped out to second base for a huge second out, and Francisco Alvarez struck out on a high fastball to end the inning.
Overall, the Mets went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.
-- After Cionel Perez retired the side in order in the first, the Mets turned things over to Tobias Myers. The righty had a clean second inning, but allowed three runs on four hits in the third as the Phillies rallied to take a 3-0 lead. The Mets and interim manager Andy Green appear to be stretching Myers out to join the rotation full-time, but it came at the detriment of Myers, allowing three runs as he stayed in the game instead of Green going to a different reliever.
--Kodai Senga made his first career relief appearance as he took over in the fifth inning. He pitched a one-two-three inning, did a great job working out of a jam in the sixth (more on that below), but gave up the lead in the top of the seventh, throwing a very hittable fastball to Kyle Schwarber,who put it over the wall in right center for a two-run homer, putting the Phillies back in front, 5-4.
Senga ended up going 5.0 innings, really saving the rest of the Mets bullpen, allowing two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
-- The Mets put two men on with no outs in the fourth, but couldn't do anything with it as the next three batters were retired. Facing the same situation in the fifth, the Mets were able to capitalize, as it was none other than rookieCarson Benge who came through with an RBI single to left to get the Mets on the board. Benge now has nine hits over his last eight games.
The Mets would go on to load the bases with one out, but couldn't push another run across as Bo Bichette went down swinging and Eric Wagaman, hitting cleanup, flew out to shallow center.
-- A potential turning point came in the sixth inning. An Alec Bohm walk and a Brandon Marsh double had runners at second and third and no outs, but Senga dug deep and retired the next three to get out of the jam without allowing a run. In the bottom half of the inning,Alvarez led off with a double to right, and A.J. Ewingcame off the bench and delivered with a two-run homer to right field, his first career pinch-hit hit. After Jesus Luzardo allowed just one earned run in 5.0 innings, right-hander Chase Shugart immediately coughed the lead up.
Later in the inning, it was, guess who, Benge, who came through with a fielder's choice that gave the Mets a 4-3 lead, as Benge once again hit a ball hard off of left Kyle Backhus.
Game MVP
Schwarber, whose 30th homer of the season gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning.
Jun 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson (2), left, and infielder Pete Alonso (25) watch the Orioles bat in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish only allowed one hit today against the Nationals. If you’re looking for a positive story, you should probably stop reading now. The lack of hits did not bring the desired results. Bradish walked five hitters in only four innings of work, and Washington’s Luis García Jr. tortured Baltimore in a 6-4 Nationals victory at Camden Yards.
The Orioles actually got off to an encouraging start. Adley Rutschman picked up a two-out single in his first at bat after returning from the injured list. Pete Alonso worked the count full and fouled off a high heater before catching an elevated slider. Alonso tagged the ball 437 feet to dead center, and the Orioles led 2-0 at the end of one.
Bradish breezed through the first two innings and retired the first two batters in the third. Unfortunately, that’s where things began to fall apart. Bradish came within one strike of ending the inning in three consecutive at bats, but he kept letting batters off the hook. The righty issued free passes to Keibert Ruiz and James Woods before running the count full to Luis García Jr. Bradish managed to throw a pitch in the zone, but García turned the 96 MPH sinker around for a two-run double.
Bradish bounced back by generating a weak grounder from Curtis Mead, but Coby Mayo made a costly throwing error. Despite having plenty of time, Mayo spiked his throw to first. Samuel Basallo, playing first today with Alonso slotted as the DH, failed to pick the errant throw. García raced to the plate as the ball trickled by, and the Nationals secured a 3-2 lead.
Bradish walked two more batters in the fourth but managed to post a zero. He returned to the mound in the fifth, but exited after walking the leadoff hitter. Craig Albernaz summoned Tyler Wells for some long relief, but the move aged like milk. García Jr. delivered the Nats second hit of the game. This one was a 401-foot long ball that provided D.C. a 5-2 advantage.
Albert Suárez replaced Wells and tossed a scoreless sixth. Suárez struck out Woods to start the seventh, but García Jr. continued to see red in his next at bat. The 26-year-old smoked a line drive to deep right field. The ball was initially ruled in play, but replay revealed that the ball had left the yard. Washington led the game 6-2 behind García Jr.’s three extra-base hits.
The Orioles offense cooled after the early offense. Zack Littell entered the game with a 5.40 ERA, but he delivered a shutdown inning in the third. Baltimore failed to reach base in the fourth, and the Birds suffered some bad luck in the fifth. Taylor Ward was robbed of extra bases by an impressive catch at third base, and Gunnar Henderson just missed a run-scoring double on a ball that landed an inch left of the foul line.
Littell completed five innings to put himself in position for a win. Washington’s bullpen has been rocky all season, and Baltimore made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Colton Cowser reached with a base hit to center, and Jackson Holliday launched a ball over the fence in right field. The blast traveled 389 feet and cut the deficit in half.
Taylor Ward brought the tying run to the plate by working a walk, but Henderson flew out to end the inning. Henderson finished 0-for-4.
“Gunnar is just not getting the results that he wants,” Albernaz said after the game. “Nothing is falling for him right now.”
The Birds went down in order in the eighth. Coby Mayo worked a walk in the ninth, but pinch hitters Tyler O’Neill and Leody Taveras failed to deliver. O’Neill lined out to center field, and Taveras grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The Orioles dropped the series and fell to 39-46. Rutschman reached base multiple times and threw out a runner in his first game back. Cowser made several nice plays, and there were the big flies from Alonso and Holliday. There were a few positives, but not nearly enough. Bradish didn’t have it today, and García Jr. is on an absolute tear, but the Orioles beat themselves again with the throwing error in the third.
The struggling American League continues to keep Baltimore alive in the Wild Card race, but the Birds are in no position to be dropping a series like this at home. The Orioles will look to get back on track tomorrow evening against the White Sox.
