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Mets’ catchers go yard in shutout victory against the Blue Jays

Jun 30, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Mets are now 2-3 in the Andy Green era, after taking the second game of their three-game series with the Blue Jays, 3-0.

Both teams had their shots early in this game, but neither team could capitalize. Over his first four innings, Nolan McLean allowed four hits and a walk, but all of those happened with two outs, and none came around to score, or even make it to third base.

On the Mets’ side, their best opportunity against Kevin Gausman early came in the fourth when Juan Soto walked, Bo Bichette singled the other way, Francisco Lindor moved them along with a ground ball to the left side, putting two on with one out. But they couldn’t capitalize, and so the game remained scoreless going into the fifth.

The Mets finally broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth when Francisco Alvarez hit a towering shot to deep center field to put the Mets up 1-0. The Mets would put two more on base, but a Bichette fly ball ended the threat with just the one run scoring.

McLean, rocking just a mustache after trimming the beard off of his Van Dyke, had his best start of the season thus far. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. After a rough ending to is last start, this was a great bounce back performance for the Mets’ ace in waiting.

Luis Torrens lined an outside pitch to the opposite field, landing just over the right field wall to put the Mets up 2-0. From that point, the bullpen cruised, with Brooks Raley and Luke Weaver each throwing scoreless innings. For Weaver, it was his 24th consecutive scoreless inning; he has now not allowed a run to score in two months.

The Mets added a run in the top of the ninth when A.J. Ewing singled, advanced to second on a bad pick-off attempt, a runner-advancing ground out, and a sacrifice fly.

Devin Williams came in for the ninth and, after winning a challenge on a close play at first base, closed the game out while allowing one baserunner.

It was overall a crisp game for the Mets, which saw good at-bats from Brett Baty, some solid defensive play from Bichette at third, and good pitching across the entire game.

The rubber game of the series is tomorrow at Rogers Centre, with Freddy Peralta going for the Mets and the ol’ workhorse “TBD” starting for the Jays.

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Win Probability Added

Mets/Blue Jays 6/30/26 WPA Chart

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Nolan McLean, +37.0% WPA
Big Mets loser: Jared Young and A.J. Ewing, -9.0% WPA
Mets pitchers: +58.0% WPA
Mets hitters: – 8.0% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Francisco Alvarez’s home run, +14.2% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Ernie Clament’s sixth inning walk, -4.4% WPA

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Luke Kennard leaving Lakers for Suns in free agency

Basketball players Ajay Mitchell (Lakers #10) and Luke Kennard (#25) during a game.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) works to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) defends in the first half of Game 2 in a second-round...

Luke Kennard won’t return to the Lakers for the 2026-27 season. 

The free agent guard is leaving the Lakers for the Suns in free agency after just half a season with the Lakers.

Kennard, who was an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal that was first reported by ESPN.

One of the league’s best shooters since entering the league out of Duke in 2017, Kennard led the league in 3-point shooting percentage (47.8%) for the third time in his career. 

Luke Kennard won’t return to the Lakers for the 2026-27 season.  AP
Luke Kennard reacts to a foul call. Getty Images

After the Lakers acquired Kennard from the Hawks for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick, Kennard averaged 9 points (44.8% shooting on 3-pointers), 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32 regular season games.

The highlight of his regular season with the Lakers was, after a brief shooting slump, knocking down the game-winning 3-pointer against the Magic on March 21 to give the Lakers their season-best ninth-straight win. 

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Kennard’s production ticked up when star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered regular season-ending injuries in early April.

He averaged 14.5 points, 7.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals over the Lakers’ next four games as a primary ball handler.

And in the playoffs, he continued to step up, leading the Lakers with a team-best 21 points in their Game 1 victory over the Rockets in the first round, scoring 23 points in their Game 2 win and recording 14 points and 6 assists in the Game 3 victory. 

Kennard averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3 assists in six-game opening round series victory over the Rockets, and 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the Lakers’ playoff run that ended with a second-round sweep to the Thunder.

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The Wizards are not interested in trading Anthony Davis, according to report

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Anthony Davis and Melody Ehsani attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards are NOT interested in trading center Anthony Davis, according Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports.

There have been rumblings that the Wizards could trade him to the Golden State Warriors. But apparently, this isn’t the case now.

Keep in mind that things can change real quick during this time of the year in the NBA. But if some of the top NBA insiders say that the Wizards aren’t trading a top star, it’s more likely that that is the case.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Nets bolstering backcourt with two-year, $18 million Keon Ellis contract

Keon Ellis #14 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket as Mouhamed Gueye #18 of the Atlanta Hawks defends during the third quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE
Keon Ellis of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket as Mouhamed Gueye of the Atlanta Hawks defends during the third quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

With green guards and precious little defense, the Nets needed to add a veteran in the backcourt and pressure at the point of attack. 

They’re hoping Keon Ellis can bring both — and on a team-friendly deal. 

The Nets and Ellis agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract Tuesday on the first night of free agency. It was first reported by ESPN and confirmed by The Post. 

The deal includes a full mutual option. It fully guarantees Ellis his $18 million, while still letting both sides negotiate a new deal next summer. Either can opt in. 

The Nets would still have nearly $35 million in salary cap space left, per Third Apron cap guru Yossi Gozlan, if they take Ellis and Josh Minott into cap space and Day’Ron Sharpe into the room mid-level exception. 

Keon Ellis of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket as Mouhamed Gueye of the Atlanta Hawks defends during the third quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images

The Nets spent first-round picks on guards Egor Demin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf last season, and Mikel Brown Jr. last week. None are expected to be defensive stalwarts, while wing Drake Powell has yet to grow into that role. 

Point-of-attack defenders who can actually shoot — prototypical 3-and-D types — are pricey in the NBA, but Ellis may provide some of that archetype. 

The 26-year-old Ellis played for Cleveland after being traded midseason from Sacramento. Nets head coach Jordi Fernández was a Kings assistant for two years while Ellis was there, and now they’ll have a reunion in Brooklyn. 

Ellis went undrafted and has never earned more than the veteran’s minimum. But he’s a career 40.7 percent shooter from 3-point range and hit 35.5 percent last season for the Cavaliers en route to averaging 8.3 points. 

But after averaging 24 minutes in the regular season and notching a plus-4.5 net rating, he struggled in the postseason. He averaged just seven minutes and recorded a minus-15.9 Net Rating in 12 appearances. 

Still, playoff struggles are a luxury for the rebuilding Nets, a long way from those sorts of worries. Considering how defensively challenged they are — and how young their backcourt is — it’s easy to see Ellis earning a significant rotation role. 

Ellis was fifth in the NBA in steals per 100 possessions in 2024-25 and 15th this past season, when he ranked in the 93rd percentile in steals. 

Keon Ellis of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on March 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images

The Nets still have plenty of cap space and even more needs. 

They’re unlikely to trade for Boston’s Jaylen Brown, league sources said. 

Despite the Nets being linked with the Celtics All-Star, The Post reported Monday that they weren’t likely to deal for him, a league source saying, “I wouldn’t put much stock in it.” The Stein Line confirmed the same Tuesday. But trading away Nic Claxton has left a hole at center and made Day’Ron Sharpe the nominal starter. 

Although the Nets have been linked with Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler, both are restricted free agents and seem rich for the Nets’ blood. 

So where could Brooklyn look? Across the East River, with The Post reporting the Knicks are unlikely to keep Mitchell Robinson and the Nets have interest. 

Robinson leads the NBA in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes and per 100 possessions; Sharpe is fifth in both. The Nets re-signed Sharpe to a two-year, $20 million deal, a team-friendly contract that looks even cheaper weighed against Jock Landale’s one-year, $14 million pact. But prying Robinson away from the Knicks would give the Nets the best rebounding 1-2 punch they’ve ever had. 

Robinson is widely expected to command an annual salary starting at $15 million and possibly as high as $20 million. 

Two other options are more offensively oriented, in Orlando’s Moritz Wagner and Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili. But the Lakers are not only meeting with Duren but reportedly comfortable offering Mamukelashvili $10 million annually, per SNY. The latter won’t protect the rim, but he’ll pass the ball and space the floor, shooting 38.9 percent from deep this past season. 

Another target is Wagner, 29, who would stretch the floor and bring toughness. He averaged just 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.9 minutes last season, seeing his playing time slashed in Orlando. He could see it rise in Brooklyn.

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Lakers believed to likely secure deals with Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2026 in New York City. The Philadelphia 76ers won 130-119. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While there has been little movement across the entirety of free agency on Tuesday, let alone the Lakers, it looks like the team has been moving in the background.

Two players who have been linked to the Lakers, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, look likely to have deals with LA, according to multiple reports. Longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein posted on Twitter that the belief around the league is that the pair will agree to contracts with the Lakers.

Just before that, his co-worker, Jake Fischer, reported that the league is under the impression that both deals are done and the pair will become Lakers.

The likeliest route for them to secure the deals is that one of them is signed with the Room Exception at roughly $9 million this season and the other is signed with cap space at around $10 million. That would leave the team with enough cap space to go after Walker Kessler as well.

With Luka Kennard departing to the Suns, the Lakers need a guard off the bench and Grimes fills that need. As for Mamu, it’s unclear if he’d be a replacement for Rui Hachimura or simply another piece on the roster. If it’s the latter, it’s a good signing. If it’s the former, then it’s a tougher sell.

For now, it’s not the time to jump to conclusions until all the work is done. In a vacuum, both deals are fair value. But seeing them in the greater context of the offseason will be key.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Wizards named to East Group C for 2026-27 NBA Cup

WASHINGTON, DC -  NOVEMBER 25: Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during a 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup game on November 25, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Washington Wizards are in East Group C for next season’s NBA Cup, the NBA announced Tuesday.

They’ll play the following opponents during group play:

@ Atlanta Hawks
@ Chicago Bulls
vs. Boston Celtics
vs. Charlotte Hornets

Washington is 1-11 across the first three seasons of the NBA Cup. Their lone win came last November in a 132-113 home victory over the Hawks.

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Yankees 3, Tigers 9: Baseball Terror … and Baseball Erebus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 30: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees reacts after surrendering a first inning base hit against Colt Keith #33 of the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees lost their sixth straight, 9-3 to the Tigers. I have to get that in the first graf (writer-speak for “paragraph”) or my ‘tors (blogtalk for “editors”) get grumpy with me. With that out of the way, let’s travel to the land of metaphor!

Do you all know what the Franklin Expedition was? In the mid-19th century, England was obsessed with finding the Northwest Passage, a sailing route through treacherous ice fields in the Arctic Ocean. Such a pathway would significantly reduce the time it took to ship goods from colonial outposts in India and China, and provide the Royal Navy with a major force multiplier as the Empire enforced its rule, in the face of Russian and German opposition.

The two most technologically advanced ships that the world’s great superpower could build, the Terror and the Erebus, were designed specifically to make their way through the globe’s most dangerous waters. They were captained by the seniormost officers in the fleet and crewed by some of the best engineers, navigators, and scientists who could be found in the Empire upon which the sun didn’t set.

It was a bold display of human advancement, the Apollo program of the era. The ships got trapped in the ice for a full year and everyone involved in the Expedition, some 129 men, died. Many turned to cannibalism as they entered their final, fevered days. Man proposed, and God disposed.

Cam Schlittler is a miracle of technology. He was drafted in the seventh round and was barely touching 90 in Double-A two years ago. He pretty routinely gets up to 100 mph, throws three fastballs with command over all of them. If the voting were held today, he would in all likelihood win the AL Cy Young. He’s not the Apollo program or the first real mapping of a mostly-uninhabitable zone that preceded the colonization of a nation, but he is perhaps the ur-example in the American League of what can happen in the pitching labs and bullpens and tablets of MLB facilities. Young, controllable aces are the opium and spice of the current baseball world, and the Yankees seem to have one.

(Cash)man proposed, (baseball) God disposed.

Cam didn’t get frozen in the ice, rather, he got nuked:

View Link

Four home runs, three within four batters in the first inning. An ERA a half-run higher than it was at the start of the game, and now sits above 2.00 on the year. Cam didn’t lose the Cy Young today–we have half a season yet to go–but the worst outing of his young career came on a beautiful Tuesday night in the Bronx.

There’s not a lot else to say about this one. There were no late-inning heroics like Sunday night against Boston. Ben Rice did end an 0-for-18 skid with his first home run in nine days:

View Link

Outside of that, it was what you would probably expect from Tarik Skubal pitching against what is at best the Yankee C lineup. That was the only hit the two-time Cy Young winner would allow, striking out nine in six-plus innings of work. The other Yankees runs came on a double play, and a bloop to right field from Jasson Domínguez, which suits a team that has hit 0.093 over the last five games. At least it was a fun bloop:

View Link

I hope Cam doesn’t feel too badly, because Ryan Yarbrough somehow gave up a three-run shot in the sixth that really put the game out of reach and the ball left James Outman’s bat at just 92.1 mph. THAT should make you mad.

I’m probably just grumpy because of the game and the fact I haven’t eaten yet but I hate that Dillon Dingler’s chest protector says “DING”. Same caveat but I think my increasing dislike of Spencer Jones is a little more valid, at least he only struck out twice tonight.

I’m not one for yelling at players or turning garbage cans over when things are like this. The Yankees are playing terrible baseball and they know they are. Cam Schlittler didn’t intend to give up four home runs to a fourth-place team tonight. If there’s one saving grace to all this, it’s that the stakes of a baseball season are much lower than that of an attempt to cross the Northwest Passage in a bomb vessel. To be perhaps even more optimistic, the Yankees aren’t stuck in ice; instead, they seem far more adrift, and that feels more fixable to me. After all, they got four hits today the for first time in 1,937 games, so I think they’re figuring this out.

They get a chance to salvage something out of this crappy series tomorrow and perhaps avoid a seventh consecutive loss with Will Warren going in the finale against Troy Melton. 1:35pm Eastern is your start time; wish me a Happy Canada Day because I am also tasked with writing that one up.

Box Score

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Cubs Minor League Wrap: Knoxville can’t stop winning

Knoxville Smokies’ Andy Garriola (22) makes a catch in the outfield for an out against the Chattanooga Lookouts in a Minor League Baseball game on June 17, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Right-hander Liam Hendriks joins the Triple-A Iowa Cubs from Mesa.

Left-hander Aaron Bummer also joins Triple-A Iowa from Mesa.

Third baseman Drew Bowser goes from High-A South Bend to Double-A Knoxville. In case you’ve forgotten, Bowser was a high school teammate of Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Catcher Logan Poteet was promoted to South Bend from Low-A Myrtle Beach.

Catcher/first baseman Michael Carico also joins South Bend from Myrtle Beach.

Shortstop Jose Silva goes from the ACL Cubs to Low-A Myrtle Beach.

Shortstop Ezequiel Pena goes from Myrtle Beach to the ACL Cubs.

Catcher Ivan Cespedes goes from the ACL Cubs to Myrtle Beach.

Catcher Henniel Alcala goes from Myrtle Beach to the ACL Cubs.

Right-hander Aiden Moffat goes from Myrtle Beach to the ACL Cubs.

Right-hander Vince Velazquez has elected free agency. He did that earlier this season and ended up re-signing with the Cubs. We’ll see what happens this time.

There’s a nice surprise in the ACL Cubs box score.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs roasted the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers), 3-1.

A quality start for Will Sanders, who got the win after allowing just one run on two hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked no one.

Jayden Murray pitched the seventh and eighth inning and retired all six hitters. He struck out one of them.

Luis Peralta came on in the ninth for the save and made it scary by giving up singles to two of the first three batters. But with two on and one out, he retired the next to batters to end the game and claim the save. Peralta struck out two.

Catcher Moisés Ballesteros tied the game 1-1 in the third inning with an RBI single. Ballesteros went 1 for 2 with two walks.

Third baseman Owen Miller got a “Little League” home run as he rounded the bases with a triple and an error in the fourth inning. Miller was 1 for 4.

Second baseman James Triantos doubled twice in a 2 for 4 game.

Mo Baller’s RBI single.

Miller rounds the bases.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies pulped the Columbus Clingstones (Braves), 12-3. Knoxville is off to a 6-1 start to the second half of the season after winning the first half.

Connor Schultz gave up two runs in the first inning, which included a solo home run. After that, the Clingstones got pretty much nothing. retiring the last 13 batters he faced. Schultz’s final line was two runs on two hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out two as he got his first win of the season.

Right fielder Alex Ramírez tied the game up 2-2 in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run, his ninth blase of the year. Ramírez also made it 4-2 with a two-run single in the third, giving him four RBI on the night. Ramírez was 2 for 5.

In the fourth inning, second baseman Hayden Cantrelle connected with the bases empty for his first home run of 2026. Cantrelle went 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Center fielder Andy Garriola chipped in a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was Garriola’s 16th home run this season. He was 2 for 4.

Shortstop Jefferson Rojas went 3 for 5 with two steals. Rojas scored three runs and drove in one.

Catcher Owen Ayers was 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. He scored one run and had one RBI.

The Ramírez home run.

Cantrelle’s first home run was not a cheapie.

I wouldn’t say home runs are routine for Garriola, but they’re not uncommon either.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs got bombed by the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 4-0.

Jostin Florentino started and took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits over five innings. All three runs came on a home run in the third inning. Florentino struck out six and walked two.

South Bend managed just five hits. Center fielder Kane Kepley was 2 for 4 with two doubles.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans got pinched by the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers), 6-3.

Starter Emilio Ramos only allowed one hit. Unfortunately, that that one hit was a three-run home run in the top of the first inning. The final line on Ramos was three runs on one hit and four walks over three innings. He struck out three.

Jhon Rosario pitched the final three innings and did not allow a run. He gave up just one hit and he walked one while striking out one.

The Pelicans managed just two hits. Second baseman Alexis Hernandez went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the eighth inning.

ACL Cubs

Lost to the Dodgers, 7-1.

Ethan Conrad made his professional debut in this game as the DH. He was 2 for 3.

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The Cavs lose defensive guard to the Brooklyn Nets

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Keon Ellis #14 of the Clevland Cavaliers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis, who they acquired this past season, has reportedly signed with the Brooklyn Nets on a guaranteed two-year, $18 million deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Cavs traded for Ellis and point guard Dennis Schroder from the Sacramento Kings for De’Andre Hunter, a move that was widely seen as a win for Cleveland. The 26-year-old Ellis brought a level of defensive intensity and energy that was severely lacking on the Cavs at the time, but he fell out of the rotation in the playoffs.

In 29 games with the Cavs, Ellis averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game on 49.1% shooting from the floor. That shooting percentage is the best of Ellis’ career, though his 35.5% three-point shooting figure was the lowest of any other season.

While this move may look puzzling, the Cavs have a number of free agency fires burning that they are working to figure out. The pending departure of Dean Wade was likely higher on the to-do list than re-signing Ellis, which allowed the former University of Alabama guard to seek out a fresh opportunity.

The rebuilding Nets can offer much more playing time, and the reported contract Ellis signed reflects that. The second year has a mutual option, while maintaining the $18 million guarantee. It is unconventional, but it allows the Nets to re-sign Ellis or move on and open a roster spot. The Cavs are in championship-or-bust mode, and it may not have been as likely that Ellis would see such consistent playing time as he would see on a rebuilding squad.

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Anaheim Ducks Extend Seven RFAs Qualifying Offers, Four Not Tendered

Monday, June 29 at 2 PM PST, qualifying offers for pending NHL RFAs were due for clubs to retain the rights to their RFAs. If pending RFAs were not tendered qualifying offers by the aforementioned deadline, they are scheduled to become UFAs on July 1 at 9 AM PST if they are unsigned before then.

The Anaheim Ducks had 11 pending RFAs due QOs, but only tendered seven of them.

Report: Ducks Sign A.J. Greer to Four-Year Contract

Ducks Acquire A.J. Greer from Panthers

Among the players who were qualified were goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets, center Leo Carlsson, goaltender Calle Clang, left winger Cutter Gauthier, defenseman Tyson Hinds, defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, and left winger Sasha Pastujov.

The NHL roster players (Carlsson, Gauthier, Mintyukov, Hinds) were no-brainers to receive QOs, as were the two AHL roster players (Buteyets, Pastujov). Clang (24) was a bit of a surprise to receive a QO, as he recently signed a two-year contract with Rogle BK in the SHL, the club he played for before making the jump to North America to play for the San Diego Gulls in the AHL.

It appears the Ducks’ logic behind Clang’s QO is to retain his rights should he benefit from a reset in his home nation of Sweden and, in the future, express interest in returning to North America.

The four players who did not receive QOs are defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka, defenseman Kyle Masters, center Jan Mysak, and right winger Jaxsen Wiebe.

Biakabutuka (24) was a piece sent Anaheim’s way from the St. Louis Blues along with a 2027 second-round pick in exchange for long-time Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round pick. During his time in the Ducks organization, Biakabutuka played just 11 games in the AHL with the Gulls and 75 games in the ECHL with the Tulsa Oilers.

Masters (23) was acquired just two days before he wasn’t tendered a QO, on the second day of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, along with a sixth-round pick (Noah Kosick) from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the signing rights to defenseman John Carlson. His signing rights have since been traded back to the Canes in exchange for the signing rights to AHL center Noah Philp (27).

Mysak (24) was acquired by Anaheim two years ago from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jacob Perreault. Like Clang, Mysak signed a two-year contract to play in the SHL for HV71. Over two and a half years with the Ducks organization, he played 138 games with the Gulls.

Jaxsen Wiebe (24) signed an entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent in March 2023. He yo-yoed between the AHL and ECHL during his time in the Ducks organization.

Anaheim Ducks Free Agency Preview

2026 Anaheim Ducks Draft Grades, Analysis

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on McTavish/Zellweger Trades, 2026 Draft & More

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Pair of long balls by Mets catching duo provides offense in 3-0 win over Blue Jays

The Mets evened up the series against the Toronto Blue Jays with a shutout victory on Tuesday night, winning by a score of 3-0.

Here are the key takeaways...

-- For a second straight night in Toronto, offense came at a premium as the Mets and Blue Jays entered the fifth inning in a scoreless draw. Both pitchers, Nolan McLean and Kevin Gausman, were at the top of their game but did have to pitch out of some trouble early on. 

For McLean, that came in the second and fourth innings when the Blue Jays twice began two-out rallies to put runners in scoring position. Each time, though, the rookie escaped by getting the final out of the inning to keep Toronto off the board.

-- On the other side, after retiring the first seven batters he faced, Gausman allowed a one-out double to Brett Baty in the third and then got lucky with two consecutive lineouts that had exit velocities above 100 mph. 

-- New York had another chance to score in the fourth inning when Juan Soto walked to lead off the frame before Bo Bichette singled to right field for his first hit of the series against his former team. Francisco Lindor followed with a groundout to first base that advanced the runners to second and third, but Jared Young and A.J. Ewing both struck out against Gausman to end the threat as the Mets’ RISP issues continued.

-- To get around those problems, Francisco Alvarez, the designated hitter, led off the fifth with a solo bomb to finally get New York on the board and give the team its first lead of the series. Later in the inning with two outs, Carson Benge singled in front of a walk to Soto for another chance with RISP, but Bichette lined out.

-- Staked to a lead, McLean went out for the bottom of the fifth and worked around an infield single for a shutdown inning. In the sixth, he did the same thing, this time maneuvering past a one-out walk. The right-hander’s night was done after six terrific innings in which he allowed no runs on five and two walks while striking out seven. He threw 91 pitches (63 strikes). 

McLean’s outing was much needed, with it coming on the heels of allowing six earned runs last time out against the Chicago Cubs. 

-- Still nursing a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning, Luis Torrens doubled it immediately with a solo shot of his own against lefty reliever Mason Fluharty. The home run was the catcher’s second of the season and meant the Mets’ catching duo provided all of the game's offense up until that point with two swings.

-- After Brooks Raley pitched a scoreless seventh inning as the first reliever out of the bullpen, Luke Weaver retired the side in order in the eighth to extend his scoreless streak to 24 consecutive innings. He’s now three innings away from tying Mark Guthrie’s franchise-record 27 consecutive scoreless innings by a relief pitcher, which he did in 2002.

-- New York tacked on a run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Baty, and despite scoring three runs, it still managed to go 0-for-7 with RISP. The Mets are 0-for-16 in those situations this series and have scored four runs over the two games so far.

-- Devin Williams got his 12th save of the season after closing things out in the ninth inning.

Game MVP: Nolan McLean

McLean got back on track with a sizzling start and held his opponent scoreless for the second time in his last three starts. He lowered his ERA to 3.78 and is 5-5 on the season.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets finish their series with the Blue Jays in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon, with first pitch set for 3:07 p.m. on SNY.

RHP Freddy Peralta (5-6, 4.53 ERA) goes up against LHP Patrick Corbin (2-4, 5.09 ERA).

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Luke Kennard signs two-year, $13 million deal with Suns

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers are set to lose one of the best shooters on their roster and in the NBA.

Luke Kennard came to LA at the deadline and immediately provided elite shooting and scoring off the bench. But as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he is reportedly leaving the Lakers and joining the Suns, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Entering the offseason, Kennard re-signing with the Lakers seemed very possible. He spoke fondly about the Lakers during his exit interview, calling the franchise special. From the team’s side, it was reported that the Lakers were interested in retaining Kennard.

The Lakers losing Kennard is a massive blow as he was a very productive player. Also, with LeBron James out of LA, the roster is suddenly missing multiple players who were a part of it last year. With Kennard making so little, this seems like a deal the Lakers could’ve matched. However, that is not the case, and Kennard will continue his career in Phoenix.

During the regular season, Kennard was a laser for the Lakers. He converted on 53.3% of his attempts and made 47.8% of his shots from deep, making him the league leader in 3-point percentage.

During the playoffs, Kennard elevated his game. In Game 1 against the Rockets, he had a great performance, scoring 27 points in LA’s surprising win.

Kennard remained an effective player throughout the playoffs. He averaged 11.5 points, which was higher than his regular-season average of nine points with the Lakers. His shooting from beyond the arc also remained high, making 47.4% of his threes.

Now that Kennard is gone, the Lakers will have to find another player they can rely on for outside shooting to be an offensive boost for the team. Considering how slim the free agency market is, that will be a difficult thing to accomplish.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Suns add elite shooting with Luke Kennard signing

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns entered free agency with one open roster spot and one glaring need, adding shooting to a team that had just traded away two of its best perimeter threats. With Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale headed to Charlotte, Phoenix needed to replace some of the spacing and bench scoring it lost in that deal while restoring some balance to the roster.

They’ve now done exactly that. The Suns are signing veteran sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a two-year, $13 million contract. The second year is a player option.

Kennard, who is 30 years old, essentially replaces a very similar player the Suns just sent out. Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard were teammates at Duke, although Allen stayed for all four seasons while Kennard declared for the 2017 NBA Draft after his sophomore year. He was ultimately selected 12th overall by the Detroit Pistons. Now he arrives in Phoenix to fill the role vacated by Allen.

While Kennard doesn’t possess the same level of physicality or the ability to get to the rim consistently, he is the better three-point shooter. Over a nine-year NBA career that has spanned five different teams, Kennard has shot 44.2% from beyond the arc. He’s led the NBA in three-point percentage three different times, with his best season coming in 2022-23, when he split time between the Clippers and Grizzlies and shot an absurd 49.4% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. He is a one-dimensional player. He’s a pure shooter.

During the Lakers’ 10-game postseason run this past spring, Kennard averaged 11.5 points while shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc. He’s not going to wow you defensively or protect the rim, and he’s not an exceptional playmaker. His job is simple. Come off the bench and shoot. That’s exactly what the Suns are asking him to do.

What this does to the Suns’ cap sheet is push them back over the first apron, with their projected payroll now sitting at approximately $214.9 million. It also completes the standard roster, as Phoenix has now filled all 15 roster spots heading into next season. The only remaining opening is one two-way contract. That spot could ultimately go to Sam Hoiberg or Corey Camper Jr., both of whom the Suns have already signed to Exhibit 10 contracts.

But at this point, the roster is complete. From a contractual standpoint, they’ve put themselves in a good position. The roster now contains plenty of mid-tier, tradable contracts, giving the organization flexibility as it moves forward. In that regard, they’ve operated the right way. Still, you never know. A transaction could be lurking in the shadows.

The depth chart feels balanced, even if there are still legitimate questions about the team’s defensive viability, where the shot volume will ultimately come from, and what the Phoenix Suns will actually look like during the 2026-27 season.

Now comes the fun part. For the rest of the summer, we’ll do what we always do. We’ll theorize, speculate, and try to figure out what this team can become once the games finally begin.

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Early Schlittler implosion leads to big win for Tigers

Jun 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Tigers took the second game of the series against the Yankees 9-3 with thanks to a dazzling start from Tarik Skubal.

Start spreading the news… the Tigers were back in the Bronx for game two of their series against the Yankees, hoping to clinch the series win nice and early. It was going to be a pitchers’ duel for the ages though, with Cam Schlittler on the mound for the Yankees, up against Tarik Skubal for the Tigers. They would be hoping to carry through their hot bats from Monday night.

Those hot bats certainly came to play. With two outs in the first, Kerry Carpenter homered to center. It really looked like Spencer Jones had nabbed it over the wall, but it bounced out of his glove for a home run.

Riley Greene wasted absolutely no time getting in on things, like his way of saying, “I missed out on all the fun yesterday, it’s my turn.”

Colt Keith singled. Then, a very lengthy at-bat from Spencer Torkelson ended with a Tork Bomb to left, and it seemed very likely that Schlittler–who hadn’t given up more than one run in the first before this game–would not be long for his start. He got the final out of the inning, but it took him 36 pitches to get through a single inning.

In the home half, the Yankees retaliated with a two-out home run by Ben Rice.

The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the top of the second, but the Yankees did the same in the home half of the inning, so perhaps both pitchers were evening out after their first inning faux pas.

Or, perhaps not. Dingler singled to start the third, and then with one out, Greene hit another home run. Schlittler did get the final two outs, but the Tigers were up 6-0.

Skubal was looking good in the bottom of the inning, going through the lineup in order.

In the fourth, James Outman took a two-out walk, but the Tigers weren’t able to convert the baserunner. In the bottom of the inning, Tarik Skubal was showing precisely why he has two Cy Young awards, tunneling pitches that went from 100mph to 81 back-to-back and making Ben Rice look a little silly after getting that first-inning home run. Just looking really good. He went through the side in order.

Dingler opened the fifth with a leadoff double and that was it for Schlittler. Ryan Yarbrough came on to replace him. Yarbrough got the rest of the side out in order, leaving Dingler stranded. Skubal once again got the Yankees 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fifth.

The Tigers were right back on their game in the top of the sixth with a leadoff single from Torkelson. McKinstry reached safely on a throwing error from Jose Caballero, which allowed McKinstry and Torkelson to advance to scoring position. Outman then came in and hit a home run to score three. Three outs followed, but the Tigers were doing pretty well.

Max Schuemann was hit by a pitch to start the home half. Ali Sanchez then singled, bumping Schuemann to third. Paul Goldschmidt hit into a double play, but Schuemann scored as well. Skubal got the final out of the inning, and all things considered, one extra run isn’t the end of the world. Don’t make me regret writing that, Tigers.

Yovanny Cruz came in for the Yankees in the seventh, and got the side out in order. Skubal’s day was done after six innings, going 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB 9 K, 1 HR on 87 pitches (a note on the 1 ER – the second run was charged as an error to McKinstry well after the fact, so the run wasn’t credited to Skubal). A nice night from him overall, truly. Jacob Waguespack came in from the Tigers’ bullpen to replace him. With one out, Jasson Dominguez singled. Anthony Volpe then grounded into a force out, eliminating Dominguez. Waguespack got the final two outs of the inning and no runs scored.

The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth. In the home half, Waguespack got the side out in order.

Jake Bird was the Yankees pitcher for the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Hao-Yu Lee, then Kevin McGonigle singled right behind him. A popout and a double play ended the inning. Tyler Holton was out of the bullpen to hang onto the Tigers’ lead. Amed Rosario got a one-out walk. With two outs, Rosario advanced to second on defensive indifference. Dominguez then singled to score Rosario, with a little help from an ugly failed catch attempt by Carpenter. Anthony Volpe singled, pushing Dominguez to third. Holton finally got out of the inning with just the one run scored, and the Tigers officially won the game and the series, with one more to play tomorrow afternoon.

Final: Tigers 9, Yankees 3

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Cam Schlittler allows four home runs in Yankees' 9-3 loss to Tigers

Cam Schlittler was tagged for four home runs and the Yankees bats continued their week-long slump in their 9-3 loss to the Tigers on Tuesday night.

The Yankees have lost six in a row and end June with a 12-14 record. 

Here are the takeaways...

-Schlittler had a rocky start. After getting the first two outs quickly, Kerry Carpenter hit a ball deep into right-center field. Spencer Jones timed it perfectly and had the ball in his glove, but the ball dislodged over the wall when he hit the wall to give the Tigers the lead. Riley Greene followed up with a no-doubt 424-foot bomb into the second deck in right field. 

Two batters later, Spencer Torkelson took Schlittler deep (405 feet) over the left field wall to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead. It took Schlittler 36 pitches to get out of the first inning.

Greene would get Schlittler again in the third, with a two-run shot. Schlittler would pitch into the fifth and, after allowing a leadoff double to Dillon Dingler, manager Aaron Boone pulled his young star. 

Schlittler allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters across four-plus innings. 

It's the first start this season that Schlittler has allowed more than one home run. He allowed six in his first 17 starts. It's also a career high in earned runs (6).

-Ryan Yarbrough was the first man out of the pen for the Yankees. After getting out of Schlittler's trouble in the fifth, the defense betrayed him. Jose Caballero, starting at second with Jazz Chisholm Jr. out after Monday's collision with Jasson Dominguez, threw a would-be double play into left field. James Outman followed with a three-run shot, putting Detroit up 9-1. 

-In his first game after being recalled, Yovanny Cruz struck out three in his two perfect innings of work. Jake Bird worked in and out of trouble in his one inning of work.

-Going up against Tarik Skubal down four runs is difficult, but Ben Rice got the Yankees on the board with a two-out solo shot in the first. The only other run the Yankees would get off of Skubal would be in the sixth. After Max Schuemann was hit by a pitch to lead off, Ali Sanchez hit a grounder to Zach McKinstry, but the shortstop whiffed on the groundball, putting runners at the corners with no outs. Paul Goldschmidt hit into a double play, but Schuemann scored. 

The Yankees' third run came in the ninth. After Amed Rosario walked, he scored on a Dominguez fly ball single that fell in front of a diving Karpenter in right field. 

The Yankees had four hits, the first time they eclipsed three in five games.

Game MVP: Riley Greene

Greene's two home runs accounted for three of the Tigers' nine runs.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees and Tigers wrap up their three-game set in the Bronx on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.

Will Warren (7-3, 3.75 ERA) will take the mound against Troy Melton (4-1, 2.39 ERA).