NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 7: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound over Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2022 in New York City. 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 Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Before Tuesday afternoon’s media day kicked off, one name was glaringly omitted from the media availability list. As some had suspected, Mitchell Robinson wasn’t going to be fielding questions from reporters. That isn’t necessarily indicative of anything, and shouldn’t be categorized as good, or bad news. But Robinson, and the Knicks, knowing just how many eyes, and questions would be on his recently injured pinky, made the call to keep him away from the media. Still, Knicks fans couldn’t have felt particularly great about seeing the longest tenured player on the team-one that should be a major factor this series-be absent from the sheet.
Shams Charania of ESPN also reported the latest on the injury, saying that he’d need to wear a pretty sizable brace in order to play. He also added, “I’m told that Mitchell Robinson fully plans, is resolute, on playing Game 1 on Wednesday night against the Spurs. The Knicks still must clear him for that game. What he has is a broken pinky, but even more specifically, damage to his fifth metacarpal.”
The latest on status of key Knicks center Mitchell Robinson for Game 1 of the Finals in San Antonio for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/bNLKaFP1Ut
Charania also spoke about the mysterious nature of the injury. “How did this all happen during the next off week? That is the question,” Charania said. “The details are murky. What I can say, what I do know, is that Mitchell Robinson hurt himself at his own home, and so it’s an ill-opportune time for an injury, of course.”
Mitchell Robinson with protection on his hand looks real comfortable with the ball. pic.twitter.com/sk4zsz05cX
Some concerns were eased though when videos of Robinson on the court started to circulate. As seen in the video clips above, Robinson is seen with a relatively minimal tape job, and is seen dribbling the ball, and even giving out firm handshakes with his right hand.
That being said, Robinson doesn’t seem to really be dunking the ball above, which is and of itself, doesn’t mean much, because why would he do it, even if he could. But as Charania mentioned, he still isn’t even cleared technically. And while Knicks fans likely expect him to play, Mike Brown also noted that he still isn’t certain of how Robinson will be listed on the injury report prior to tomorrow night’s game.
Mike Brown said he’s not sure how NYK will list Mitchell Robinson on injury report for Game 1. Brown said he’s going to talk to NYK medical staff to find out what Robinson can do in practice today. Robinson has done individual work in practice since hand injury. No contact yet.
In what has turned into a puzzling injury with all kinds of unexpected twist, and turns, the only things we truly know, are that he did injure it at home, will need a brace, and wants to play.
But if he plays, how much he plays, and how effective he will be can only be left up to speculation for the time being.
Fast bowler Nathan Ellis took a career best four-wicket haul as an understrength Australia shocked Pakistan by 41 runs in the second one-day international in Lahore on Tuesday, levelling the three-match series 1-1.
Aaron Judge has a bone bruise near his right shoulder, New York manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees game against the Cleveland Guardians. This will be the first game Judge has been out of the Yankees lineup this season.
The team later clarified that the imaging revealed a bone bruise to Judge's rib, not his shoulder. He feels the discomfort in the shoulder. It's not the first time he has had an issue with his right ribs.
The two-time reigning American League MVP underwent imaging Monday. Boone called the injury a nagging issue and said Judge could be back in a few days. A firm timeline will not be set until Judge meets with team doctors later Tuesday.
Yankees depth thin in the outfield
With Jasson Dominguez and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, the Yankees are actually very thin in the outfield right now. Tuesday night, Boone will have utility infielder Jose Caballero in right field for Judge. Spencer Jones, who had been called up last month, was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton on May 22 after struggling at the plate.
Aaron Judge's 2026 season
Judge, 34, is hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI through the Yankees' first 59 games. He's slugging .533 with an .907 OPS.
Aaron Boone on Aaron Judge's injury
“Hopefully, we’ve avoided something serious. But we’ll have an idea more when he meets with the doctor and then as the next couple of days unfold," Boone said to reporters in the Bronx.
Aaron Judge's rib injury history
The Yankees captain played through a partially collapsed lung and a stress fracture of his first right rib during the 2019 postseason. He suffered the injury on a diving catch attempt on an Albert Pujols fly ball on Sept. 18 and received pain injections to get through the playoffs. The fracture was not diagnosed until March 2020, when Judge complained of shoulder soreness during spring training. He missed all of the first part of the COVID-19 interrupted spring training in 2020 with the issue.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 31: A detailed view of the #21 Roberto Clemente Award patch on the back of his cap and the major league baseball gold logo man patch on the jersey is seen worn by Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees has he looks on against the Athletics while wearing Oakley sunglasses at Sutter Health Park on May 31, 2026 in Sacramento, California. As a special privilege, all past recipients of the Clemente Award are permitted to wear a commemorative “21” patch on the back of their caps for the remainder of their careers in honor of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente's legendary humanitarian legacy. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, that explains a lot about the stuff that needed explaining. Aaron Judge was sitting out tonight’s game against Cleveland for the first time all year, and manager Aaron Boone let us know why: a bone bruise.
I share Boonie’s hope that this is a day to day concern, though it does raise more questions. Yankee players playing through pain only for the injury to linger or worsen has been a hallmark of Boone’s time as manager, and that it now involves the team’s most important player is only going to increase that scrutiny. We also have to reckon with how much that injury may have tamped down Judge’s usual MVP-level performance. It’s worth noting that Hoch later told us that it was the Captain’s right shoulder, or top hand, which typically helps drive more power into your swing than the bottom hand.
Aaron Judge has been “dealing with some shoulder soreness” for weeks, Aaron Boone said. It became “more than that” during the Sacramento series. Imaging shows a bone bruise. He will meet with a team doctor. Could be a day to day situation, Boone said.
In particular, the way this shoulder soreness has lingered also makes me skeptical about recovery. I don’t want to have both Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on the IL at the same time, but if a shorter, immediate stint is the best path to getting 100 percent Judge back, I’ll take that over a strained day-to-day process where they try to wait something out.
Whatever path the Yankees end up taking, any game without No. 99 in the lineup, even if he’s a .950 OPS instead of a 1.050 OPS, is going to be felt. Someone else further down the line will have to step things up, starting against the Guardians in a couple hours. In the meantime, they’ll line up Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and José Caballero from left to right in the outfield, with Paul Goldschmidt sliding into the No. 2 spot in the lineup against the lefty Joey Cantillo.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 16: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics before the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 16, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As you well know, Jordan Wicks’ two starts as a Cub this year were.. uh… less than successful.
With Edward Cabrera and Matthew Boyd due back soon and Javier Assad available, it’s likely someone else will take the next rotation turn that would have been Wicks’.
As a result, Wicks was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa today to make room for what will likely be an extra reliever for a few days until that starter is needed.
That reliever is right-hander Tyler Ferguson, who the Cubs acquired from the A’s last month, so he’ll be facing his old team if he gets into a game before Friday. With the A’s this year, Ferguson pitched in just one game, throwing 1.1 innings and allowing four runs. Last year he posted a 4.66 ERA and 1.328 WHIP in 56 relief outings for the A’s, and at Iowa this year he’s appeared in six games, throwing 7.2 innings with a 3.52 ERA and 1.174 WHIP.
As noted, this is probably only for a few days until the Cubs next need a starter for the spot Wicks was occupying. As always, we await developments.
It was a surprise not to see Aaron Judge’s name in the Yankees’ lineup against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
Manager Aaron Boone met with reporters later in the afternoon and gave his explanation, and it’s not what Yankees fans want to hear.
Per Boone, Judge is dealing with a bone bruise in his upper right rib, and feeling it through his right shoulder. The good news, though, is that Judge is currently day-to-day.
“He’s been, kind of the last couple of weeks, dealing with some shoulder soreness, just kind of nagging,” Boone said. “And then over the weekend, the last couple of games in Sacramento, I think it became a little more than that, where I noticed on some swings and stuff.
“So, we got some imaging last night. We think overall good news, showing a bone bruise. He’s going to meet with the doctor tonight, so hopefully, a day-to-day situation. Could be a few days, could be longer. I don’t know for sure.”
Boone said that there’s not one exact moment when Judge suffered an injury, but it’s fair to say it’s “probably something that’s been affecting him a little bit here recently.”
Over his last 18 games, Judge is hitting an uncharacteristic .206 with a .309 slugging percentage, hitting just one home run during that span.
Time will tell whether or not Judge ultimately needs a stint on the IL, but for now, the hope is that a few days of rest will do the job.
"Hopefully, this is something that we get calmed down here and put it behind us," Boone said.
Carlos Lagrange of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders delivers a pitch during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
According to the YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees are shifting flame-throwing pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange to the bullpen. The 23-year-old had made 11 starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, but will now begin to adjust to pitching in relief.
It’s a clear signal from the Yankees, who will see if Lagrange can help improve their bullpen from within. Lagrange’s numbers as a starter this year are nothing to write home about, a 4.41 ERA in 49 innings with 63 strikeouts against 25 walks, but the young fireballer still profiles as one of the best bets to contribute to the Yankee bullpen down the stretch. That’s thanks to his pure power stuff; Lagrange has been the hardest thrower in the minors this year, dialing things up to 103 mph, to go along with a 60-grade slider.
All that said, while Lagrange’s shift to relief may make it seem that a promotion to the bullpen in the Bronx is imminent, it’s very possible that the Yankees let Lagrange take some time to adapt to his new role. Moving Lagrange to the bullpen now gives the young pitcher ample time to make adjustments, and gives the club time to fully evaluate the state of their roster and farm system before making moves during trade deadline season. That the Yankees are willing to commit him to this role so early shows both foresight, and confidence in Lagrange’s ability to make an impact at the highest level as soon as this summer.
Though there’s still hope that Lagrange could contribute as a starter in the future, he’s most valuable to the Yankees right now as a reliever, and it’s exciting to see that his time in the majors could begin sooner rather than later. Lagrange’s road to the bigs is clear as long as he can keep things on the rails working out of the ‘pen for Scranton.
Two of the best teams in the American League open a three-game series as the New York Yankees (36-23) and the Cleveland Guardians (34-27) take the field tonight in the Bronx.
Cleveland sends left‑hander Joey Cantillo to the mound, carrying a 4‑2 record and a 3.57 ERA into his 13th start of the season. New York counters with right‑hander Cam Schlittler, who has been one of the most dominant arms in baseball so far, entering the night at 7‑2 with a stellar 1.50 ERA and 0.85 WHIP.
If you are not familiar with this year’s version of the Yankees, know that they are being led on offense by Ben Rice. Yes, Aaron Judge is healthy and playing every day, but his numbers are simply not as good as the ones Rice is putting up. The first baseman is hitting .306 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs. But Rice and Judge are not alone. The Yankees are hitting .243 as a team and lead the American League in runs scored. They have plated 305 runners which is 21 more than the second most productive offense in the league (Minnesota with 284).
Cleveland, meanwhile, scores a little over one run less per game than New York (4.1 vs. 5.2). Jose Ramirez is their leader. The veteran, though, has started slow hitting just .234 to date. Travis Bazzana (.294), Chase DeLauter (.268), and Brayan Rocchio (.293) have picked up the slack for their captain. Their bats and the Guardians’ pitching staff, ranked among the league’s best with a 3.74 ERA, keeps them competitive in nearly every matchup.
Cleveland will need to be exceptional to knock off a Yankees’ team that is hitting and pitching as well as any team in baseball right now.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Time: 7:05PM EST
Site: Yankee Stadium
City: New York, NY
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, CLEGuardians.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Guardians
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-225), Cleveland Guardians (+183)
Jose Ramirez has hit safely in his last 3 games (3-12) and in 5 of his last 6 (5-21)
Chase DeLauter is 8-22 over his last 5 games
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Guardians
The Guardians are 32-29 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 30-29 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 30 times in Cleveland’s 61 games this season (30-31)
The OVER has cashed 26 times in the Yankees’ 59 games this season (26-30-3)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Guardians
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Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Guardians:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 7.5.
Team Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees’ Team Total OVER 4.5 runs
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After a 27-year drought, the New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals and against a familiar opponent — the San Antonio Spurs.
In their last trip to the championship series, the Knicks lost in five games to the Spurs, who began their run of five titles in 15 years.
Postseason success has been a more agonizing story for the Knicks, who made the playoffs only seven times in the 22 seasons following their 1999 Finals defeat.
They have since made the postseason in four consecutive years. They made the Eastern Conference Finals the past two seasons, breaking through to the title round this year with a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the NBA Finals beginning Wednesday, June 3, here's a look at the Spurs' championship history:
When was the last time the Knicks won a championship?
In 1973, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in a series that featured Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Phil Jackson, Dick Barnett, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and
Gail Goodrich.
After the Lakers won 115-112 in Game 1, the Knicks captured the championship with four consecutive victories, closing out the series with a 102-93 road victory in Inglewood, California (the last NBA game played by legendary Wilt Chamberlain).
How many championships do the Knicks have?
Two titles for a franchise that began playing with the 1946-47 season (in the Basketball Association of America; joining the NBA when it was formed in 1949).
1970: 4-3 over the Los Angeles Lakers; MVP: Willis Reed
1973: 4-1 over the Los Angeles Lakers; MVP: Willis Reed
When was the last time the Knicks were in the NBA Finals?
The most recent appearance was in 1999, a 4-1 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
New York Knicks NBA Finals history
This will mark the Knicks' ninth trip to the NBA Finals. The Knicks' six championship round appearances that ended without a title:
1999: Lost 4-1 to the San Antonio Spurs; MVP: Tim Duncan
1994: Lost 4-3 to the Houston Rockets; MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon
1972: Lost 4-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers; MVP: Wilt Chamberlain
1953: Lost 4-1 to the Minneapolis Lakers
1952: Lost 4-3 to the Minneapolis Lakers
1951: Lost 4-3 to the Rochester Royals
1999 NBA Finals: Knicks vs Spurs
In their first NBA Finals meeting 27 years ago, the Spurs won the championship in five games over the Knicks.
San Antonio, which had an NBA-best 37-13 record in a 50-game regular season shortened by a lockout, entered as the favorite over New York, which barely made the playoffs as the East's eighth seed with a 27-23 record.
San Antonio marched to the NBA Finals with an 11-1 record, defeating Minnesota 3-1, the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 and the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0.
New York had a tougher road, escaping with a 3-2 first-round win over Miami on a clutch jumper by Allan Houston, and then advancing past Atlanta 4-0 and Indiana 4-2.
The Spurs opened the NBA Finals with consecutive double-digit victories at the Alamodome. The Knicks won 89-91 in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.
The Spurs closed it out with two wins in a row. Duncan scored 31 points in a 78-77 clinching victory in Game 5.
Knicks vs Spurs head-to-head history, record
The Knicks are 2-1 against the Spurs this season, including a 124-113 victory to win the NBA Cup on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas.
San Antonio won 134-132 at home on Dec. 31 behind 36 points by Julian Champagnie. In Madison Square Garden on March 1, New York won 114-89 with 25 points from Mikal Bridges and 24 from Jalen Brunson (snapping an 11-game winning streak for the Spurs).
In regular-season meetings, there have been 107 games between the Knicks and Spurs, who lead the series 60-47.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Josh Sborz #66 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Relief pitchers Ryan Brasier and Josh Sborz, two veteran righthanders who have been pitching for Round Rock on minor league deals, have each exercised their right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents.
June 1 is the date specified in the current CBA as the final date when a player who has at least six years of service time, as Brasier does, and who signed a minor league contract, may automatically opt out of his contract. Sborz does not have the service time accrued to automatically have the contractual right to opt out, but presumably it was included in his minor league deal with the Rangers.
The 38 year old Brasier has put up a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings over 22 appearances for the Express, with 23 Ks against 6 walks. He put up a 4.50 ERA and 3.17 FIP in 26 innings for the Cubs last season.
Sborz did not pitch in the majors in 2025 due to his recuperating from shoulder surgery. He had a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings over 12 appearances between Frisco and Round Rock last year. In 16.1 innings over 15 appearances for Round Rock and Frisco this year, Sborz has allowed 13 runs, striking out 17 batters and walking 12. Reports indicate that he has still not recovered the velocity he had pre-surgery.
My guess is that the Rangers would be happy to re-sign either player to a minor league contract, should they decide that there isn’t a better opportunity elsewhere.
The San Diego Padres are searching for ways to jumpstart the offense. Today, they brought up one of the top hitters at their Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, in Jase Bowen. In the corresponding move, the Padres sent Ramon Laureano to the injured list with hip inflammation.
Pirates drafted Bowen in 2019
The Pittsburgh Pirates originally drafted Bowen in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a two-sport star (baseball and football) and committed to play both for Michigan State. However, Bowen elected to take the Pirates’ high bonus offer and begin his professional baseball career.
He has 2,345 minor league at-bats with 86 HR, but Bowen has only a 7.5% walk rate and a high 23.6% strikeout rate. Bowen chose to leave the Pirates organization and signed a minor league deal with the Friars this winter. He was invited to major league camp during Spring Training, and his performance in Cactus League games put him on the front office’s radar for a possible in-season major league call-up.
Bowen was a key contributor in the Chihuahuas’ offensive attack
This season in El Paso, Bowen is hitting .292/.362/.600 with 13 HR, 36 RBI, and 121 wRC+ in 49 games. This level of production was enough to convince the Padres’ front office to give him a chance in the majors.
Initially, they project him to be a versatile fourth outfielder, as Bowen can play all three outfield positions. Now, the organization hopes to utilize his speed at the top of the order. Bowen has averaged close to 25 stolen bases in five full minor league seasons.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammate Jorge Mateo #2 after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With a matchup of Bryce Elder vs Kevin Gausman on the mound in game 1 of the series against Toronto and of the two-series homestand, the Braves are once again rolling with Jorge Mateo over Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop. Mateo is the hot hand and has been legitimately very good for Atlanta this season, providing solid defense at shortstop and surprisingly good offense.
Meanwhile the Blue Jays roll with George Springer leading off at DH and Vladdy batting third and playing first, though their offense has really struggled this year. Vladdy seems to have some batted ball luck that has gone against him, but Toronto hasn’t been the dominant team they hoped for. Let’s hope they stay that way for at least the weekend.
A year after finishing second for the award to Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar in 2025, Werenski put together another outstanding season for the Blue Jackets that pushed him into the top spot among voters in the Professional Hockey Writers Association over Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar and Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin.
"I think the biggest thing for me last year, being a finalist, is I wanted to prove to not only myself, but to everyone, that last season wasn’t a fluke and I could do it again," Werenski said. "I felt like I always had the talent, but in terms of my full game, I felt like last year was ... really my first breakout year, and I wanted to prove to myself that it wasn't just a one-off."
Mission accomplished.
"Obviously, we fell short of our ultimate goal, which was making the playoffs, but we made strides, and I definitely proved that it wasn’t just a fluke, and it wasn’t just a one-year thing and I can play at that level, and I can be in the conversation with those great defensemen," Werenski said. "Really proud of it."
The Norris Trophy voting tabulations were announced June 2 by the NHL, which released the news along with a video of Werenski getting the Trophy in a surprise visit from a camera crew June 24 while he and his wife, Odette, hosted a family get together with their newborn son, Hudson.
"I think the only people who knew were Odette and my brother [Brad], so just seeing my parents' reaction, everyone that was over, that’s the best part about it all is how surprised they were," Werenski said. "I definitely, maybe, thought something was coming, but like I said, until you actually see that it's here, and you hear the words, 'You're the Norris winner,' it's just in your mind. It's just a thought."
Werenski is the first Blue Jackets defenseman and sixth American-born player to win the Norris Trophy, joining Rod Langway, Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes. He trains with Hughes in Detroit during offseasons, and they became even closer while leading the U.S. to an Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2024.
"He just kept telling me all year, like, ‘This is yours to lose,’ and, ‘Go for it,’ and it gave me a ton of confidence," Werenski said. "So, I thought that was cool that I'm going to be up there with my peers and guys I've played against and guys that have pushed me to be better."
Older names included on the trophy left an impression, too, including former Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, a seven-time Norris winner. Werenski, who's from the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, grew up watching Lidstrom play. Now, their names are linked forever on the same trophy.
"One of the first names I looked for was Nick Lidstrom," Werenski said. "It’s not hard to find because he’s on there seven times, but that's probably the one that I really looked for right away. I grew up watching him, obviously, being from Detroit. I knew how special a player he was, and to win it once is an incredible feeling, but to do what he did is ... it’s insane."
He doesn't turn 29 until July, and he's become an elite offensive defenseman. His defensive play certainly factored into finishing first, but Werenski's unique offensive acumen is what put him over the top with 81 points on 22 goals and 59 assists in 75 games. Leading the Blue Jackets in scoring for the second consecutive season as a defenseman swayed enough voters to complete a memorable 16-month span.
Despite the Blue Jackets stumbling from playoff contention, he helped the U.S. win gold on a play he sparked in overtime of the gold medal game, stealing the puck from Canadian superstar Nathan MacKinnon and sending a pass to Hughes' brother, Jack, for the golden goal in a 2-1 victory.
Months earlier, Werenski also helped the U.S. break a long championship drought in May 2025 at the men’s world championships in Stockholm, Sweden, giving him two international gold medals playing for the U.S. in less than a year's time. Prior to that, he also helped the U.S. win a silver medal at the NHL's inaugural 2025 Four Nations Face-Off.
During each gold medal celebration, Werenski made sure to honor deceased former Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau along with his U.S. teammates, displaying his No. 13 jersey each time and taking it a step further in the Olympic celebration by carrying two of Gaudreau’s three young children onto the ice for the team's victory photo.
Three months later, Werenski became a father for the first time when Odette gave birth to Hudson. Now, on top of those career and life milestones, Werenski is the first Blue Jackets defensemen to win the Norris Trophy and a first-time recipient of the award, which is named after James E. Norris, a longtime Red Wings owner.
"You know, I think if you look back to [2025] world championships, even as far [back] as [Four Nations] two seasons ago, it’s been an awesome year and a half for me," Werenski said. "It’s a long list of accomplishments, and you know, I wouldn't be here without a great support system, and a great family and great friends, and this just caps off a really great two seasons for me, and I feel very honored. I feel very blessed."
Since the Jackets selected him eighth overall in 2015, Werenski has matured into a homegrown superstar and now the NHL’s top defenseman. That’s why former GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who drafted him, made Werenski the Blue Jackets’ top defenseman and highest-paid player July 29, 2021, by signing him to a six-year contract worth $59.5 million.
That deal, which has two seasons left, was announced about a month after Kekalainen traded Werenski’s former defense partner, Seth Jones, to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Jackets received an enticing return package that allowed them to draft forward Cole Sillinger 12th overall in 2021 and defenseman David Jiricek sixth overall in 2022, but the deal also made Werenski their top defenseman.
Aside from injuries that limited his availability for two years (2021-2023), Werenski has capitalized on the opportunity to play a huge role. In the past two seasons combined, he ranks second among all NHL defensemen in points [163], third in goals [45], fifth in assists [118], first in shots [558] and second in ice time [26:41].
He also tops every all-time defensive scoring record for the Blue Jackets by sitting first in points [465], goals [135], assists [330] and power-play goals [29] while also leading in games played [642] by defensemen.
Unlike many of his blue-line peers around the NHL, though, Werenski has skated with numerous partners on the Blue Jackets’ top defensive pairing since Jones left. The past two years, it's been Dante Fabbro for most of 2024-25 followed by a combination of Damon Severson, Ivan Provorov, Denton Mateychuk and Fabbro this past season.
Unfazed by the rotation, Werenski plugged along for another remarkable campaign that finished with a coveted NHL trophy. He's not done, either. Far from it.
"I don’t want to stop here," Werenski said. "I feel like the second you get complacent is the second you get passed up, and I want to keep playing for a long time. I want to play for my son, for my family. There’s so much motivation out there, and I still haven’t won the ultimate goal, which is the Stanley Cup. I really haven’t played in the playoffs or had much success in the playoffs, ever, so there's more motivation than ever for me to be even better next season to try and play in the playoffs."
Kurt Helin
