The press box at Rogers Arena on Tuesday will be full as plenty of scouts have made the trip to watch the Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks. With Vancouver having already announced a rebuild, teams from across the league have sent representatives to watch and evaluate Canucks players. Vancouver currently sits 32nd in the NHL and is projected to finish last in the league this season.
While there are usually a healthy number of scouts in the building, Tuesday will feature 17 in total. Teams with more than one representative at the game include the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks. Below is a look at which teams will have at least one scout at Rogers Arena on Tuesday.
Anaheim Ducks (x2)
Chicago Blackhawks
Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Ottawa Senators
Philadelphia Flyers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs (x2)
Utah Mammoth
Vegas Golden Knights
Winnipeg Jets
The Canucks continue their eight-game homestand on Tuesday against the Sharks. So far, Vancouver is 1-4 through their first five games at home. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT.
Jan 21, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) and forward Evander Kane (91) and defenseman Tyler Myers (57) during a stop in play against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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But when asked about the potential of signing a contract extension, the right-hander pitched around it.
“I just got here,” he said Tuesday on an introductory Zoom call with reporters. “I think that I got to see around, I have to share time with my teammates and think about different ideas, learn about everybody, coaches, the organization in general and then we can see.”
Still, this is now the second time Stearns has traded for Peralta — the first when he was a 19-year-old acquired by the Brewers — which the now 29-year-old right-hander acknowledged “says a lot.”
This time Stearns is adding Peralta to the rotation as an established, high-end pitcher — costing the Mets prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat — who should elevate their chances heading into 2026.
Freddy Peralta pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 33 starts with 204 strikeouts in a career-high 176 ²/₃ innings last season. AP
“I’m really happy to be here in New York and represent the New York Mets organization,” Peralta said. “It’s a different market [than Milwaukee], a different city, there’s a lot more fans, a lot more people watching. Being honest, I like the competition that we’re going to face here. I’ve been around, watching for years what it is to be part of that big-market team. I’m excited to be part of the team and I can’t wait.”
Peralta, a two-time All-Star, pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 33 starts with 204 strikeouts in a career-high 176 ²/₃ innings last season.
It marked the third straight season in which he has made 30-plus starts, demonstrating a durability that he said was the “most important thing” to him.
And while pitching in Milwaukee and the NL Central is not the same as pitching in Queens and the NL East, Peralta has also made nine playoff appearances, which he believes should prepare him for his new opportunity.
“I think it’s going to help a lot, because the game during the playoffs, it’s on a different level,” he said. “I think probably New York is the same level — every game feels like that. I remember Opening Day in 2025 against the Yankees, it’s how it felt. I felt the same and it was crazy, the vibes and all that, the energy of the fans. Even being the first day, I felt that. I think that’s going to feel [like it] every five days in New York.”
The Dominican Republic native — who said he was still unsure if he would participate in the WBC this spring because of “personal reasons” — said he was looking forward to pitching in front of a strong Latin community that New York offers.
“There’s a huge challenge for me because I know how we are, the Latinos,’ he said. “I know that we have that inside of us, that hunger to win every time. I think I’m going to take that as a challenge to get better, to feel better, to get better every five days, to give my best and to make adjustments quicker. I know the people there are thinking the same way that I’m thinking: we just want to win. That’s what I’m going to work for, to get better and be ready for that.”
The Mets and Yankees front offices now know when they have to put their pens down on any midseason trades.
According to multiple reports, Major League Baseball has informed teams that the 2026 trade deadline is set for Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m.
MLB Trade Rumors notes that this year's date is notable in that it's the first time since the flexible deadline was implemented -- a feature included in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement -- that the league has pushed the date this late. Many baseball fans recognize July 31 as the usual trade deadline, but the flexible deadline feature allows MLB to set the deadline on any date between July 28 and Aug. 3.
On Aug. 3, all eight games start no later than 6:40 p.m. ET. The Mets are off while the Yankees host the St. Louis Cardinals on 7:05 p.m.
Last season, the Mets and Yankees had busy trade deadlines. The Mets dealt for OF Cedric Mullins along with relievers Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryan Helsley.
The Yankees had a more impactful trade deadline. They acquired INFO/OF Jose Caballero, 3B Ryan McMahon, utility man Amed Rosario, and relievers Greg Bird, Camilo Doval and David Bednar.
ST.
LOUIS – Otto
Stenberg came to the St. Louis Blues with an open mind.
A
first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, when Stenberg was called up
by the Blues and made his NHL debut on Dec. 17 against the Winnipeg
Jets, there were no real expectations at the time.
But
the 20-year-old made such a good and lasting impression on the Blues
and the organization, he lasted 18 games, and would have lasted
longer had he not been assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey
League on Monday in order to remain eligible to play games there
while the Olympic break is in play.
But
through all the firsts of not being a pro but being an NHL pro, the
trials and tribulations that go with that, including an 82-game
schedule, travel, time zone changes, etc. etc, Stenberg, who had
eight points (one goal, seven assists) and was a team-leading plus-4,
but there’s one lasting impression the young forward made.
“He
doesn’t cheat the game,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
Enough
said.
Stenberg
has been so defensively sound, so fundamentally sound, it was as if
he knew what he was coming into at the highest level without being
overwhelmed by what he was to face.
Sure,
there were nerves. That’s only natural. But this is a kid that has
played in the Swedish Hockey League as a teenager for two years with
grown men, and it was instilled upon him at an early age that seems
to have him at a great advantage.
“When
I played on the U-20 team, it was like close to the SHL team. That
was one of the things that the coach told me,” Stenberg
said.
“‘I need to be able to trust you in the D-zone if you want to
play.’ I think that made me think about it more. I think I just got
better and better every game there.
“I’m
just trusting my reads. ‘Monty’ told me early that he trusts my
reads so he wants me to play when I see and read the game. Of course
we have some things that we do as a team, but I would say most of the
time, it’s playing on what I see and trust my reads.”
Montgomery
gave Stenberg immediate confidence by putting him in situations that
would merit much detail in close games, and Stenberg said, “Yeah,
of course. In the beginning when he told me that, it gave me
confidence. It’s easy to play when you don’t have to think that
much about what the coaches are saying. Of course it gives you
confidence and it’s easier to play.”
Stenberg
was given many roles, including a top six role, a role on the penalty
kill, a role in 5-on-6 situations when it would merit the Blues
closing leads out.
The
kid didn’t disappoint.
“Obviously
a smart hockey player, detailed, trusts his game, knows the system
and I think he was very good in his first couple games defensively
and making the right reads and I think how you’re just kind of
seeing a little bit more confidence and with the puck,” Blues
captain Brayden Schenn said. “He’s a good, solid two-way player.
He’s going to be good for a long time in this league. One, because
he wants to learn and two, he’s willing to get better.”
Montgomery
added, “His defensive instincts are really high-end for a young
player in the league. He said that where he was in Sweden, they
really harped on D-zone details. Now, his offensive side of the game,
I think that’s going to shine more through him being more confident
that he’s an NHL player. And then that’s up to us to encourage
him to have more risk because we trust his instincts. When you trust
someone’s instincts, you can have a little more risk because we
know you’re going to go everything you can to get back on the right
side of pucks.”
As
for that offense, it will come.
And
the opportunity now to go to Springfield and play in all situations
should serve new Thunderbirds coach Steve Ott, who had Stenberg in
St. Louis as an associate coach, well. Ott wasn’t surprised what
Stenberg was able to do.
“I
wouldn’t say it surprised me at all,” Ott said. “I thought in
training camp, you could see his hockey IQ. It’s extremely high
even for an NHL guy. His play without the puck is extremely smart. As
his game progressed here in the last month or so, you could see even
the more skill coming out where he’s making the strong puck play.
His forecheck and pressure continues to improve and you’re watching
a young player gain his confidence in the NHL, which isn’t easy to
do. I think he’s got a great engine on him. He’s going to come
down here and play in all situations and continue to develop so that
when he does go back, he’ll be a player that sticks and has a great
future in the NHL.”
The
fact Stenberg is willing to check and go to those hard areas should
bode well. He needs time and reps in those areas. There was a
situation in a game in which he was on a backdoor play with Robert
Thomas, who made a high-end play getting the puck there from the slot
that Stenberg just missed on, and you could see the disappointment on
his face as he got to the bench. Again, time and reps will rectify
that. The fact he’s going there is something that one has to
instill in themselves.
“I
think it’s getting better and better,” Stenberg
said.
“I feel like I have more time with the puck. That’s something I
want to get better at and keep developing at this level. I’ve
always been an offensive player when I was young. I know I have it in
me. I just need to get more and more comfortable at this level and I
think it will come more and more.
“It
makes it easy to play when the coach trusts you.”
And
the players quickly, not only adapted, but also trusted the kid.
“I
think it’s real important, whether it’s Otto or ‘Dvo’, the
next guy that gets drafted by the St. Louis Blues,” Schenn said.
“The faster you make people feel comfortable in the environment and
the surroundings, the better off and more confident they’re going
to get with their own games and the better they’re going to play
for the organization. Guys did it to me when I was young, guys did it
to me when I came to St. Louis, so my job is to help guys and pass
things along, make them feel as comfortable as possible. Whatever
help they need, I’ll try and do my best to be there for the next
up-and-coming guy because someone did that for me when I was
younger.”
St. Louis Blues forward Otto Stenberg (28) scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks. (Matt Marton-Imagn Images)
To
which Stenberg said, “He’s been so good to me, since I started in
training camp and in the summer. He texted me before I came here.
He’s a great guy outside of the rink and in the locker room. He’s
helped me a lot with the game in the beginning. It was so easy to
ask him. He talked to be about things because sometimes it’s hard
to understand when (coaches) are writing stuff on the board. He just
showed me and everything was clear. He’s helped me a lot. He’s
been so good. To everybody in this locker room.
“It’s
been great. I’m pretty sure he helps ‘Dvo’ and all the other
young guys too. It’s been great.”
Stenberg
is in Springfield to play today but this is only temporary. He will
be back wearing No. 28 again, and soon.
“He’s
had a real good stint with us,” Montgomery
said. “Consistently reliable, someone that is very smart
offensively and defensively, and then offensively, he needs to expand
his game. Right now, he gets a lot of opportunities. I think working
on his shot and mindset of being more aggressive getting to the blue
paint offensively is something that’s going to let him when he
comes back to be an even better Blue for us. But he’s had a really,
really good tenure with us in his first go-around in the NHL.”
In
other words, don’t get too comfortable in Massachusetts because
Missouri will be home again, and for quite a bit.
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The Buffalo Sabres were in the final game of their five-game road swing in Toronto on Tuesday, and instead of starting Alex Lyon in pursuit of a club-record 10th straight victory, head coach Lindy Ruff opted to go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Sabres netminder allowed a pair of goals to Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, and on Matthews go-ahead goal, Luukkonen appeared to injury his left leg.
The Sabres netminder left the game and was replaced by Colten Ellis. During the first intermission, it was revealed that Luukkonen would not return.
The 26-year-old was selected as one of the three goalies for Team Finland for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, and after a slow start, has gone 4-1-1 in his last six starts. Luukkonen was 11-7-2, with a 2.66 GAA, and a .905 save % in 19 starts.
The Sabres have carried three goalies on their NHL roster since the start of the season, when they claimed Ellis off waivers from St. Louis. All three goalies have spent time on the injured list this season, which has made carrying an extra netminder necessary.
New Jersey Devils winger Ondrej Palat hurriedly walked towards the exit of Prudential Center in the clothes that he had worn into the arena mere hours ago, only minutes before his teammates would take the ice for their pregame warmups.
The organization soon announced that Palat would be held out tonight for roster-related reasons.
In the first period of the Devils game against the Winnipeg Jets, the two-time Stanley Cup champion was traded to the New York Islanders along with a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and the club’s sixth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft in exchange for 27-year-old forward Maxim Tsyplakov. He has a $2,250,000 cap hit and is in the first year of a two-year contract.
The 6′3″, 203 lb winger has two points (one goal, one assist) in 27 games. Per the press release, Tsyplakov has recorded 37 career points (11 goals, 26 assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 104 career regular-season games. He made his NHL debut and scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 10, 2024, against the Utah Mammoth.
Palat signed a five-year contract with the Devils worth $30,000,000 with an annual average value of $6,000,000 on July 14, 2022.
The veteran played 248 games as a member of the Devils, finishing his tenure with 38 goals and 92 points.
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Hot on the heels of adding to their pitching depth with Cooper Criswell entering the fold, the Mariners have made a small move to bolster their options on the other end of the battery.
Pereda, 30 in mid-April, has played in affiliated ball since 2013 after being signed by the Cubs out of Venezuela. After bouncing around the Red Sox, Giants, and Reds orgs, he made his long-awaited big league debut in 2024 with the Marlins the day before his 28th birthday. Although he slashed .231/.250/.231 over 40 scattered plate appearances, he made a strong first impression behind the plate, throwing out four of eight would-be base stealers. That was enough to draw interest from the A’s, who claimed him from Miami last January and opened the season with him backing up Shea Langeliers. His production at the plate remained lackluster, though, and Oakland Sacramento designated him for assignment in June before he was snapped up by the Twins. Minnesota kept him in Triple-A until September, giving him ample opportunities was they played out the string. While Pereda finished the year on a high note, slashing a sturdy .345/.387/.483 over 32 plate appearances, it wasn’t enough to save his roster spot after the Twins signed fellow catcher Victor Caratini.
Pereda has never been one to show much pop; still searching for his first big league homer, he’s only popped 33 over 3033 career minor league plate appearances. He does, however, bring solid bat-to-ball skills to the table, being punched out in just 15.1% of the time across the minors, and an accompanying 11.8% walk rate suggests he’s no mere hacker. On the defensive side, he brought a sub-two second pop time in MLB in 2025 – good for the 68th percentile – and showed some heads-up decisions, but graded out as an average receiver overall.
Crucially, Pereda has one minor league option remaining – doubtlessly a key factor in his acquisition. Cal Raleigh is coming off of one of the best single-seasons in franchise history, and the M’s brought in Andrew Knizner to serve as backup after trading Harry Ford to the Nationals. Before Pereda came aboard, they were the only two catchers on the 40-man roster – not exactly ideal for depth purposes. It’s unlikely that he will see much time in Seattle, but he should slot in as Tacoma’s starting catcher, and would be the first man up if needed.
To make room for Pereda, the M’s designated righty Jackson Kowar for assignment. It was a long road back for Kowar after undergoing Tommy John in March 2024, but he made his Mariners debut on May 28th, tossing 17 mostly low-leverage innings. While Kowar showed flashes of what made him such a promising prospect with the Royals, a lack of minor league options combined with a pedestrian strikeout rate of 21.1% had him on the bubble, especially with the aforementioned Criswell being brought on. There’s still a chance Seattle could outright him and keep him in the org, though, so don’t pronounce the Robinson Canó/Edwin Díaz trade tree dead just yet.
Isaiah George was sent back down to AHL Bridgeport on Tuesday to make room for newly acquired defenseman Carson Soucy on the Islanders roster, per the NHL’s media site.
George played just two games with the Islanders during his stint, notching an assist Monday night when his shot was tipped in by Mathew Barzal as part of the Isles’ 4-0 win in Philadelphia.
The defenseman, who played 33 games with the Islanders last season and seemed like a good bet to carve out a role this year, has gotten some hard luck all year long.
When the Islanders were cycling through call-up options to replace Alexander Romanov, with Marshall Warren, Travis Mitchell and Cole McWard all getting chances to play, George was dealing with a pair of injuries.
New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George (36) skates up ice during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at UBS Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Elmont, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
And once he was back healthy and playing well enough in Bridgeport to earn a chance of his own, general manager Mathieu Darche finally decided to look outside the organization by bringing in Soucy, who is expected to fill Romanov’s role for the rest of the season.
As George is waivers exempt, sending him down was an easy move unless the Islanders were willing to put Ryan Pulock on injured reserve, which would have guaranteed Pulock — who is day to day with an upper-body injury — will not play Wednesday against the Rangers
Because the NHL has done away with paper transactions, George will need to play at least one game in Bridgeport — which is next in action Friday — before he is eligible to be called back up.
It wouldn’t be surprising if another NHL chance does come soon for George.
His ability to play both sides of the ice makes it highly possible that he’ll be the next man up in case of another injury, or if Pulock misses an extended period.
New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) skates in front of Washington Capitals right wing Justin Sourdif (34) during the first period at UBS Arena, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Elmont, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Sending George down, though, is an indicator that Pulock should be back pretty soon. If he can’t go Wednesday, the Islanders would be without an extra defenseman against the Rangers.
Though that is not as big a consideration at home as it would be on the road — it’s not impossible to get someone from Bridgeport to Long Island if need be — it will have factored into the decision-making process.
It is hard to imagine that San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth is entering his seventh season with the franchise. A feat that should not be dismissed, as his versatility to play multiple infield positions could be key to the Padres’ success in 2026.
Cronenworth’s glove sets the standard for infield defense
Too often, we value hitting metrics more than fielding stats in determining a player’s importance to a team’s success. Cronenworth’s bottom-of-the-order run production, paired with his outstanding glove work, earned him a full-time starting role with the Padres since arriving in 2020.
He came to San Diego in the Hunter Renfroe trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Padres highly valued his versatility, as he could effectively play first base, second base and shortstop.
The intangible is his career fielding percentage (.991), as Cronenworth’s attention to detail allows him to take a challenge and usually excel in a position change. His defense does not suffer because he has maintained a utility player’s mentality, despite being the starting second baseman.
Cronenworth is exceptional at fielding balls hit directly at him. Other middle infielders may have more range, but it is not a guarantee that they will field each ball hit in their direction.
Obviously, the front office prefers to keep Cronenworth at second base, but circumstances may force him to play more at first base this season. The Friars are hoping to add another bat before opening Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz. on Feb. 11.
Padres need more bottom-of-the-order production
At the plate, Cronenworth’s value is his ability to move runners along the base paths and drive in those who are in scoring position. His standout season came in 2021, Cronenworth hit .266 (career best) with 21 HR (61 extra-base hits) and 71 RBI. He achieved a career-high 122 OPS+, which earned him his first All-Star Game appearance.
Last season, Cronenworth struggled with consistency at the plate after missing time with fractured ribs. The injury limited him to a .246 batting average with 11 HR and 59 RBI in 135 games. The concern was his lack of power from the left side of the plate, as just 32 of his 103 hits were for extra-base hits.
The Padres hope Cronenworth returns to his former power-hitting, run-producing self, as this would add considerable length to the batting order.
Spring Training should have the same feel for Cronenworth, as he will take fielding reps at first and second base. However, he has no clue where he will start in the regular season. Some time at first base could be in his future, especially with the uncertainty of free agent Luis Arraez possibly returning to the fold.
Thankfully, Cronenworth is the type of player who comes to the ballpark ready to compete. It does not matter where he plays as long as his name is in the lineup.
To get back to the postseason, the Friars must excel at using Cronenworth’s versatility to their advantage.
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Phoenix has been one of the best stories in the league this season. Former Cavs assistant Jordan Ott has done an excellent job leading what felt like a rudderless team after the disastrous Kevin Durant trade back into relevancy. They’re firmly in the playoff race in a tightly contested Western Conference with a 27-19 record.
Despite the good play, the Suns have struggled without Booker this season. They’ve been outscored by 2.1 points per 100 possessions (40th percentile) when he isn’t on the floor and are 1-4 in games he doesn’t play overall.
On the season, Booker is averaging 25.4 points, 6.2 assists, and four rebounds per game on .456/.313/.864 shooting splits.
No matter who is in the lineup, this upcoming stretch will be difficult for the Cavs. We’ll see how the Cavs handle it in the coming week, after they host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
The New York Rangers secured an emotional 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night, but lo and behold, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury was working behind the scenes to send Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders.
Soucy was notably absent from the lineup, as it was reported earlier in the day that he would be scratched due to roster management, with a trade between the Rangers and Islanders brewing.
Drury’s letter, issued on Jan. 16, outlining the team’s plans to retool the roster, sent a message that change is coming, and part of this core is bound to be broken up in the coming weeks and months.
Since then, Rangers players have preached a business-as-usual mentality, while saying all the right things regarding the direction and future of the team.
However, it feels like the calm before the storm, and a major shakeup to the team’s core is inevitable.
After the Rangers’ Monday night win, J.T. Miller was asked point blank if he is trying to savor these potential last few days with this group currently in place.
“To be honest with you, I try not to think about it,” Miller said. “It is what it is at this point. We have a close group in here. This isn’t the position that any of us thought we were going to be in at the start of the season, but it’s a business and we’re just trying to treat it like normal days. We have a lot of fun together in this room, so I don't think we're very worried about that.”
There’s a certain element of calmness coming from within the Rangers’ locker room right now with everything out in the open after Drury’s letter was released.
The reality is clear to everybody in the organization, and it’s just about waiting for what is ultimately to come.
Soucy is just the first domino to fall in what should be a flurry of moves made by Drury.
With the NHL's roster freeze a week away, trade talk appears to be ramping up around the league. For the Vancouver Canucks, the player who is involved in most reports is forward Evander Kane. The 34-year-old has 24 points in 51 games and is an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
"I think there's a lot of names that are out there," said Kane. "And all of a sudden, just because a member of the Vancouver media decides to tweet it out, I got a big scrum today. So, yeah, it's part of the process. It's part of the way business is on the NHL level. And just looking forward to tonight's game."
The post that Kane is referring to came from CHEK TV's Rick Dhaliwal. The post reads, "Evander Kane's agent Dan Milstein has been given permission to help facilitate a trade for his client." After it was mentioned in the scrum about Milstein getting permission to talk with other teams, Kane was asked if he thought trade talks would be happening this early based on the team being in 32nd place.
"I don't think anybody anticipated from top to bottom, the season going the way it's gone. So, you know, when that does happen, I think every single year with the team who is in last place, changes happen.... Yeah, I think everybody's disappointed with how the season has gone. Nobody wanted to be in last place. I don't think anybody has that anticipation or that desire to start off a year so, but it is what it is, and you have to be ready to show up to work the next day and be a professional. And I think that's what everybody in the room has done so far, and we'll let the chips fall where they may."
As for a potential trade, the most likely outcome is that Kane is moved to a team heading to the playoffs. He has played in each of the last two Stanley Cup Finals and has plenty of experience both in the regular season and post-season. For Kane, he is also focused on winning a Cup before his time in the league comes to a close.
Jan 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane (91) shoots against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
"I don't know if there's a person in this room that doesn't have a hunger to play playoff hockey. I think that's, you know, when you train all summer and come into training camp, that's what you're training to do. So obviously, that's a desire for anybody, and no different with me."
Overall, moving Kane is not an easy task. He carries a cap hit of $5.125 million and has a 16-team approved trade list. Based on Kane's performance and contract, it is likely the Canucks will need to retain some money if the organization wants to trade him before the deadline and pick up additional pieces that will help the rebuild.
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For the most part, the Dodgers know what they have.
In Shohei Ohtani, they have the best player in baseball. In Mookie Betts, they have a capable shortstop who might or might not be declining offensively. In Freddie Freeman, they have a professional hitter whose short swing should slow down the effects of age.
Nothing is guaranteed in sports, but the Dodgers can estimate the range of potential outcomes this season for most of their players.
One notable exception: Roki Sasaki.
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series. Getty Images
Pitchers and catchers will report to the Dodgers’ spring training home in Arizona on Feb. 13, and Sasaki will once again show up as one of the greatest mysteries in camp.
The Dodgers have invested heavily in the 24-year-old Sasaki, as they basically sacrificed two classes of international amateur players in their quest to sign him. Even after an up-and-down rookie season last year, they remain committed to him. Sasaki is committed to them as well, as plans are for him to stay in spring training rather than join the Japanese national team at the World Baseball Classic.
“We’re gonna give him every chance to be the fifth starter or the sixth starter,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Sasaki is the most naturally gifted pitcher Japan has produced. In his homeland’s domestic league, he dominated with only two-plus pitches, a 100-mph fastball and Wiffle ball-like forkball.
His transition to the major leagues last year was rough. His body looked undeveloped compared with other players. His command was lacking. His fastball velocity declined. By mid-May, he was on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. He didn’t return to the majors until the final week of the regular season.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 to win the 2025 World Series. Getty Images
When Sasaki returned, it was as a reliever, agreeing to a test run out of the bullpen on the condition that he be granted a chance to start next season. With the back of the Dodgers’ bullpen in shambles, Sasaki inherited the role of closer almost by default and thrived. In four postseason games, he registered three saves and a 0.84 ERA.
His unexpected October heroics restored his phenom status, but Roberts cautioned that for his success as a reliever to translate into success as a starter, he will have to make adjustments.
Roki Sasaki celebrates after pitching in the 2025 World Series. Getty Images
“For me,” Roberts said, “he needs to develop a third pitch.”
Perhaps a slider, perhaps a curveball.
“It’s going to need to be something that goes left,” Roberts said.
A fastball-forkball mix could work for a reliever who comes in and throws as hard as he can for an inning. But Roberts reasons that as good as Sasaki’s primary pitches are, the right-hander will need another offering to keep hitters guessing in his second or third time through the order.
Some evaluators wonder if Sasaki has a delivery that could prevent him from effectively throwing another pitch, but Roberts believes the obstacle is more mental than physical.
“It’s always hard for a young player who’s had success doing something one way – great success – to now be vulnerable and open to something the game hasn’t told you that you needed to do,” Roberts said.
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The Dodgers have encountered trouble reaching Sasaki, who is known for his strong individual streak. When he emerged as a bullpen savior, the organization scrambled to share stories of how it helped him recover his fastball velocity. Sasaki offered an entirely different retelling of events that minimized the role played by the team. He said he discovered the problems with his delivery when he watched old videos of himself.
Roberts said he was conscientious about striking a balance in dealing with Sasaki. He wants Sasaki to have the humility to be open to ideas. But he also wants him to retain the brashness that made him stare down hitters in the ninth inning. Roberts said the game should lead him to his destination.
“I like the phrase, ‘The game tells you,’” Roberts said.
The game once told Ohtani to abandon the leg kick he used in Japan. The game told Clayton Kershaw to develop a slider. Now, Roberts expects the game to tell Sasaki that he has to add a weapon to his arsenal. Sasaki’s future as a starter could depend on it.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks Date: January 28th, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM CST Location: American Airlines Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves finally stopped the bleeding Monday night, snapping the five-game losing streak by beating the Warriors’ B squad at Target Center. And yes, we all understand the fine print on the receipt: no Steph Curry, no Jimmy Butler, and Golden State looked like a team that was mostly trying to survive the evening without someone pulling a hamstring tying their shoes.
But here’s the thing: when you’re 0–5 in your last five and you’ve spent the last week playing basketball like you’re distractedly scrolling Twitter at half court, any win counts. Not “counts” like it moves you up the standings in some dramatic way. “Counts” like a drowning person grabbing a life preserver.
Minnesota did it without Anthony Edwards again, who continues to have issues with his foot. They had four of five starters available, they brought competent energy, and they handled business the way a serious team is supposed to handle a compromised opponent: build separation, keep it, don’t get cute.
Now comes the next test, and it’s the kind of test that tells you whether the Wolves are actually pulling themselves together or just enjoyed one nice evening before returning to their regularly scheduled chaos.
They head back to Texas, scene of the recent crime spree (Houston and San Antonio), except this time the opponent isn’t a contender with Kevin Durant or Victor Wembanyama. It’s Dallas, who is struggling, banged up, and missing major pieces. No Kyrie Irving. No Anthony Davis. And maybe no Cooper Flagg, who’s listed as a game-time decision. This is less “climbing Everest” and more “successfully walking up a flight of stairs without tripping,” which… considering the last two weeks… still qualifies as progress.
And that’s the point. Sometimes you don’t fix a shaky season with one grand moment. Sometimes you do it with baby steps: beat the depleted Warriors, beat the depleted Mavericks, and then you look up and suddenly you’ve got some stability heading into Thursday’s OKC game instead of an emotional crater.
So let’s treat this correctly. Dallas isn’t the type of team you circle as a signature win. Dallas is the type of game you circle as mandatory.
Here are the keys.
Keys to the Game
1. Weaponize the size advantage Dallas is limping into this one, and without Anthony Davis in particular, there’s no excuse for Minnesota not to own the paint. This is where the Wolves’ identity is supposed to live: Rudy Gobert anchoring the back line, and Julius Randle and Naz Reid crashing to the rim. They did a solid job exploiting the Warriors’ lack of size. Now they need to turn that into a habit, not a one-night stand. If Minnesota wins the paint and the boards, Dallas runs out of ways to stay in the game.
2. Play like the game matters for 48 minutes — because it does. This is the danger zone game. The Wolves finally get a win, the schedule looks friendly, and the brain starts whispering, We can coast a little. That’s how you lose to injured teams, turn a possible two-game win streak into another spiral, and end up doing the “how did we end up in the play-in?” math in March. Minnesota has already proven they can flip intensity on and off like a light switch. The problem is they’ve been using it like a broken one. This has to be a professional effort from the opening tip. Sprint back. Hit the glass. Make the extra rotation. Don’t wait until the fourth quarter to start caring. You don’t build momentum by winning one game. You build it by stacking another one right after it, especially on the road.
3. Guard the perimeter. Even depleted teams can beat you if you let them get comfortable from three and turn the game into a math problem. Minnesota has been at its worst when the wing defense becomes optional. When guys get blown by, Rudy gets dragged into impossible help situations, and suddenly every possession is either a layup or a scramble into an open corner three. Dallas doesn’t need to be healthy to make you pay if you’re lazy. The Wolves have to close out like they mean it, contain dribble penetration, and keep the ball in front. The goal should be simple: make Dallas work for every shot, and make their offense feel heavy. If Minnesota keeps Dallas in the mud for three quarters, this game ends early.
4. Take care of the ball and keep the offense flowing. We just watched the Wolves cough it up 25 times against Golden State on Sunday. That wasn’t a “bad luck” thing. That was a carelessness thing. Monday only looked better because it couldn’t possibly be worse, with Minnesota giving the ball away 22 times. This game cannot become another “we gave them life” situation where Dallas hangs around because Minnesota is throwing away possessions like expired coupons. The Wolves need clean decision-making, purposeful ball movement, and a steady pace. No dribbling the air out of it. No lazy cross-court passes. No possessions that end with someone launching a bailout three because the offense died at the top of the key. Especially if Ant is out again, the Wolves have to score through structure with movement, paint touches, kickouts, and extra passes.
5. Leadership can’t be a postgame quote — it has to show up in the first quarter. This is the big one, especially if Edwards remains sidelined. When a team is wobbling, and make no mistake, Minnesota is wobbling, leadership isn’t something you talk about. It’s something you demonstrate. Rudy has to set the defensive tone. Conley has to organize the chaos and keep everyone connected. Randle has to play forceful but smart bully-ball with reads, not tunnel vision. And the “middle class” guys (DDV, Naz, Jaden) have to bring real edge, not passive cardio. Monday was a step toward stopping the bleeding. Wednesday has to be the game where they show they can walk normally again.
This is where the Wolves are right now: not in the “make a statement” phase, but in the “prove you’re not broken” phase. Dallas is injured. Dallas is struggling. Dallas is vulnerable. If Minnesota plays with maturity, this is a workmanlike road win, the kind you bank, the kind you don’t brag about, the kind that quietly steadies your season.
But if they come out sloppy, unfocused, and casual, if they treat this like a night off because the opponent is shorthanded, then we’re right back in the swamp. And the OKC game won’t be a measuring stick. It’ll be a scheduled disaster.
So yeah: baby steps. Beat the depleted Warriors. Beat the depleted Mavericks. Get your footing back. Then turn your attention to OKC with something resembling confidence.
Because the Wolves dug this hole themselves. And the only way out is to start stacking wins that aren’t glamorous, just necessary.
