TOMBSTONE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27, 2014: A sign hangs over the entrance to the site of recreated gunfights in historic Tombstone, Arizona, known as 'The Town Too Tough to Die.' The town, featuring staged gunfights and reenactors dressed in 1800s western attire, is a popular tourist attraction. It is the site of the famed 1881 'Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.' (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
TWINS
DIAMONDBACKS
Trevor Larnach – LF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Byron Buxton – CF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Kody Clemens – RF
Corbin Carroll – RF
Josh Bell – DH
Gabriel Moreno – C
Royce Lewis – 1B
Lourdes Gurriel – LF
Brooks Lee – 3B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Victor Caratini – C
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Tristan Gray – SS
Jordan Lawlar – CF
Luke Keaschall – 2B
LuJames Groover – DH
Connor Prielipp – LHP
Michael Soroka – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP Yilber Díaz
Placed on the 15-day injured list: RHP Ryne Nelson (strained right elbow; retro to June 16)
Well, that was an unexpected surprise this afternoon. There had been no apparent word of any problem with Nelson after his last start. He went a solid seven innings and 95 pitches on June 15th, getting the win against the Angels. However, Nelson said the issue popped up in the third inning, but he was able to pitch through it at the time. It’s a problem affecting a flexor tendon, the ones which let you curl your fingers. According to Jack, it’s “strained but not torn,” and he will be shut down for at least 4-6 weeks, before getting another MRI. There will also need to be significant time thereafter to get him back up to starting length. September seems likely for a Nelson return.
For now, Yilber Diaz returns from the wilderness, for his first appearance in the majors since a solitary game last year, on April 25. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings, which largely sums up the control issues Diaz has had. He had an excellent winter in the Venezuelan league, with a 1.08 ERA over 16.2 innings, with a K:BB of 23:8. Reno hasn’t been quite as kind: a 4.50 ERA and a 43:21 K:BB across 32 innings. It’s really a question of whether or not he can throw strikes. Major-league hitters are going to be more patient than the ones in Triple-A. Although Diaz’s time here is likely to be relatively brief.
That’s because the team will need a starter to replace Nelson’s spot in the rotation. That should have been – as noted in ish95’s preview – on Sunday. Presuming the team sticks with that (and the off-day yesterday gives them a bit of flexibility), that will probably mean the return of Brandon Pfaadt from Reno. It might still be a relatively short outing, because Pfaadt was still very much getting stretched back out down there. He last outing lasted only 3.1 innings and 45 pitches. I’d therefore expect something around 60 pitches on Sunday, so hopefully the rest of the bullpen will be lightly used tonight and tomorrow. They might be busy in the series finale.
And, no, I will not be discussing the World Cup at this time… 🙁
The Lakers have several questions to answer this summer.
One of those looming matters is whether to retain guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists. He shot 49% from the field.
Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season but can agree to a deal with the Lakers prior to the start of free agency July 1. If the two can’t reach an agreement, Reaves will test the free agent market.
Austin Reaves’ future with the Lakers remains uncertain as contract negotiations begin. AP
He’s already been linked to a four-year, $179 million offer from the Nets, according to reports on Reaves last week. Now, Sam Amick of The Athletic revealed another Eastern Conference team is reportedly in pursuit of the 28-year-old.
The Pistons, a team that fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals, is hoping to find a playmaker and shooter this offseason.
Reaves fits the bill.
“Detroit, which is believed to be among the suitors for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves if he makes it to unrestricted free agency, is also said to be interested in the Oklahoma City Thunder’sIsaiah Joe,” Amick writes.
The likelihood of Reaves landing in Detroit depends on how negotiations unfold with the Lakers in the coming weeks. It remains unclear how much the Lakers are willing to offer the guard, especially given the team’s clear need for a premier center this summer.
Additionally, the Lakers will have to resolve the LeBron James situation. The next few months will be telling for general manager Rob Pelinka, who faces immense pressure to transform the squad into title contenders.
In terms of Reaves, his status on the free agent market will be made clear by the start of next month.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Angels on June 6. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was away from the team Friday for the birth of his second child.
He was out of the lineup for the series opener against the Orioles, but the Dodgers did not opt to put him on the paternity list, temporarily playing down a player instead. The team said it expects Ohtani back at some point this weekend.
Ohtani pitched Wednesday, so he should be back with the team well before his next turn in the rotation.
With Ohtani out, rookie Ryan Ward served as the designated hitter Friday, batting seventh. And right fielder Kyle Tucker moved up to the leadoff spot that Ohtani usually occupies.
Entering Friday, Ohtani owned the second-highest OPS (.962) in the National League, among qualified hitters. And his 1.47 ERA ranked No. 2 among pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings, despite giving up seven combined earned runs in his past two starts.
Ohtani has been pitching through a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. And last week he missed a game to address a bout of inflammation in his left knee, which he thinks may have stemmed from mechanical problems in his pitching delivery.
Will Smith to get injection for neck
Catcher Will Smith (stiff neck) will get an injection to address his neck injury, manager Dave Roberts said. Recent imaging came back “fine,” Roberts said, and didn’t reveal anything “really bad.”
Smith said last week, before undergoing imaging, that he was diagnosed with an “inflamed disk.”
Smith — remaining on the injured list past the minimum stint, despite the Dodgers’ initial optimism — will be sidelined through the weekend, and he may not make the trip to Minnesota on Monday, which kicks off a three-city trip.
Edwin Díaz throwing off mound
Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz pitches against the Washington Nationals in April. (Nick Wass / Associated Press)
Closer Edwin Díaz (elbow surgery) has progressed to throwing off the mound. He threw a 15-pitch bullpen on Friday, all fastballs, at 91-93 mph, Roberts said.
“Really positive day for Edwin,” Roberts said.
When Díaz underwent the procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow in late April, the Dodgers eyed a post-All-Star break return. And they won’t push for an aggressive build-up, with the long-term in mind.
Short hops
Left fielder Teoscar Hernández (strained left hamstring) is on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment early next week, Roberts said. ... Left-hander Blake Snell (elbow surgery) is progressing in his throwing program after undergoing a NanoNeedle scope procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow in mid-May. He is close to throwing off a mound, Roberts said.
Jonathan Toews, one of the most accomplished players of his generation and the longtime face of the Blackhawks franchise, officially announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons.
The 38-year-old made the announcement Friday following one season with his hometown Jets, bringing an end to a career that included three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals and a reputation as one of hockey’s premier leaders.
“I have to say I’m satisfied; I’m fulfilled. I’m so thankful and grateful for the career I had,” Toews said. “But at this point, it’s one thing to be healthy and to have the hunger. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have the skillset to continue to play at this level and be an offensive player the way I know I can.
“But it’s just come to the point where it’s taken such a toll, I’m just kind of ready to let the stress level go down.”
Jonathan Toews skates the 2010 Stanley Cup onto home ice before the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 9, 2010. Tribune News Service via Getty I
Toews was selected third overall by Chicago in the 2006 NHL Draft and quickly became one of the league’s rising stars.
Just one year after making his NHL debut, he was named captain of the Blackhawks, becoming the third-youngest captain in NHL history at the time.
He spent 15 seasons with Chicago before returning for one final campaign with his hometown Jets in 2025-26.
His greatest success came during Chicago’s early to mid-2010s, where he captained the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015, helping transform the franchise into one of the NHL’s dominant teams of the era.
Jonathan Toews celebrates after the Blackhawks scored a goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Getty Images
Chicago’s 2010 title was particularly significant because it ended a Knicks-like 49-year Stanley Cup drought for the organization.
Toews was named playoff MVP that year and received the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 29 points during the postseason.
Toews will undoubtedly earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, too.
In addition to his aforementioned accolades, he won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2013 and was a six-time All-Star between 2009 and 2017, and he was named one of the league’s greatest 100 players in 2017 before even turning 30.
Jonathan Toews skates during the second period action against the San Jose Sharks at Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images
Representing Canada, Toews won Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, along with a World Championship in 2007 and a World Cup of Hockey title in 2016.
By age 22, he had become the youngest member of hockey’s prestigious Triple Gold Club for players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship and the Stanley Cup.
Toews finishes his career 383 goals, 529 assists and 912 points in 1,149 games.
He also appeared in 137 playoff games, recording 119 points and starring on several Blackhawk playoff teams.
Your Diamonbacks starter tonight is one Michael Soroka, a Canadian from Calgary who was a goalie in youth hockey because OF COURSE he was. Soroka throws a low-90s fastball, a sinker, and a breaking ball that Savant calls a slurve, FanGraphs a curve. All three of them are effective pitches. An All-Star before injuries derailed him for a few years, Soroka was coming off two so-so seasons when the Diamondbacks signed him to a one year, $7.5M contract. So far it’s working out pretty darn well.
United Here Local 17 will be holding a concessions strike on Monday for the Twins/Dodgers game at Target Field. They’re asking fans to bring their own snacks. Here’s a reminder of what you can/can’t bring, by Kamie Roesler.
At issue are the fact that many concession workers are paid minimum wage ($16.37/hour in Minneapolis) and none have employer-provided health insurance. They’re also upset that Delaware North uses several volunteer vendors at the stadium. (Charities can provide volunteer staff and get a percentage of their sales.)
They’re also upset that Delaware North just fuquing sucks and always has. Remember, this is the company that, after they lost their contract to provide services at Yosemite National Park, SUED THE PARK SERVICE for the rights to names like “Yosemite National Park.” (It was a shakedown, and Delaware North got $12 million from it.)
Delaware North had the gall to issue a statement blaming the union’s “greed” in complaining about the free labor. Oh, I think we know who’s got the “greed” going on here. (For one thing, since Delaware North IS using volunteer labor, they could then take that savings and pay their regular workers more!)
This company has sucked since forever, Matt’s mentioned it here and Zach here and I did years ago but I can’t find it. Of course TEAMS could demand that companies pay players a certain amount, but TEAMS aren’t going to do that because they are all bast***s.
So I wish the strikers well, although I don’t think they’ll get anything. The poor never win in ‘Murica.
Are the Diamondbacks asking for massive amounts of public money? Are they a professional American sports team? The latest giveaway is at least $500 million, and could be more. Neil deMause, as usual, has you covered.
Some minor-league baseball players in York, PA, got snippy and refused to play in Pride-themed uniforms. Apparently also, some Giants players recently prayed away the gay by writing Bible quotes on their Pride-themed hats. Which quote? Was it this one?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Nah, I doubt it was that one.
The recently-swept Rangers remain the only MLB team that doesn’t have a Pride night. They do, as of this year, have a statue based on a guy who loved posing for despicable photos to stand against integrating public schools. FanGraphs’ Davy Andrews has a very thorough story here.
Finally, not baseball, but Minnesota sports-related: the Lynx have a rookie, Olivia Miles, who is absolutely dazzling the heck out of everybody in the league. Here’s a The Guardian piece on Miles. Here’s one from our siblings at Canis Hoopus. I liked this summation of sports fandom by Thilo Latrell Widder:
“Being good when you expect it is standard, and stressful. Being bad when you’re anticipating good is soul crushing. Being bad when you could see it coming is an exercise in futility. Only being good when you thought you’d be awful is fun.”
The big news in the last couple of days has been players turning down their player options to become free agents. Trae Young was the biggest name (though he is expected to re-sign with Washington), and more are on the way, including the Lakers' Austin Reaves.
However, not everyone is taking that path.
Memphis wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will pick up his $21.6 million player option, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. This was expected because KCP was not going to find an offer that large on the open market.
Caldwell-Pope was a highly sought-after 3&D wing who has a couple of rings for his efforts (2020 Lakers, 2023 Nuggets), but the 33-year-old's game has fallen off over the past couple of seasons, particularly his 3-point shooting. With the Grizzlies last season, he played in 51 games (he had finger surgery in February that ended his season) and averaged 8.4 points per game, shooting 31.6% from beyond the arc.
Because he's on a good-sized expiring contract, expect Caldwell-Pope's name to pop up in a lot of trade rumors this season as the Grizzies make over their roster.
If you don't remember seeing Russell in a Wizards' uniform, that's because you didn't. He came to Washington from Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis trade, but the Wizards told Russell he didn't have to report to the team. So he didn't and, by mutual agreement, sat out the rest of the season.
This move by Russell makes sure he gets paid off his contract, but we may never actually see him suit up for the Wizards — they already have Young and Bub Carrington at the point (and could draft another next week). Russell could end up part of any draft night or free agency trades, and barring that it is possible the sides work out a buyout.
Jun 17, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers to the plate in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger...
Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night, with the team announcing he was away on paternity leave for the birth of his second child.
The two-way star is expected to rejoin the club later during this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Dodgers added in a statement.
Because of that, Ohtani is not being placed on the official paternity list for now, leaving the Dodgers’ roster a man short for Friday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.
The leave signifies the arrival of Ohtani’s second child, after he and his wife, Mamiko, welcomed a daughter last April.
Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night, with the team announcing he was away on paternity leave for the birth of his second child. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A new baby will only be the latest significant development in what was already shaping up to be an historic season for the four-time MVP.
Entering Friday, Ohtani ranked second in the National League in OPS as a hitter, trailing only Juan Soto with a .963 mark to go along with 15 home runs, 42 RBIs and a .296 batting average.
On the mound, the right-hander has also been one of the best pitchers in the sport, owning a 7-2 record and 1.47 ERA. While Ohtani isn’t qualified as a pitcher (with only 73 2/3 innings through the team’s first 75 games), only Milwaukee Brewers flame-thrower Jacob Misiorowski has a lower ERA among pitchers with at least 70 innings.
Lately, Ohtani has been playing through some minor physical issues.
In his last several starts, he has battled a blister on his right middle finger. While he has insisted it hasn’t impacted him, it has become visibly bloody on several occasions.
More concerning was the left knee inflammation that Ohtani forced Ohtani out of one game early last week, and sidelined him for another game a day later.
Ohtani said he believed the knee issue was the result of flawed pitching mechanics during a June 10 start in Pittsburgh, the day before his knee began to swell up on him.
But, even with manager Dave Roberts saying this week that the issue wasn’t completely behind the 31-year-old superstar, Ohtani made his next pitching start as scheduled on Wednesday, when he tossed six innings and took an at-bat late in the game after not starting as DH.
Turns out, behind the scenes, he had even more important matters to attend to.
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 10: Miles Mastrobuoni #21 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners announced today they have selected INF/OF Weston Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma and designated INF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.
Wilson, who’s played parts of seasons in the big leagues since 2023, was signed to a minor-league contract by the Mariners five days ago, on June 14, and played just two games with the Tacoma Rainiers before coming up. His most significant big-league experience came with Philadelphia in 2025, when he appeared in over 50 games for the Phillies. Like Mastrobuoni, Weston is a true superutility player who can play both infield and outfield – he’s largely played third base and left field – but unlike Mastrobuoni, he is a right-handed hitter. Boston will be throwing three lefties over the series in Seattle, prompting the move. Wilson will be in the lineup tonight, giving J.P. Crawford a rest day as he continues to work back from a stint on the IL with an injured hand.
It’s a really tough break for Mastrobuoni, who like Jhonny Pereda before him, was simply a victim of the numbers game. The Mariners are incredibly lefty-heavy as a roster and team are deliberately stacking left-handed starters against them for that reason, relegating players like Luke Raley, who struggles against lefties, to the bench.
It’s especially tough for Mastrobuoni – who my phone’s transcription app refers to as “Mister Bunny” or “Master Boney” depending on who’s speaking – as he played a pivotal role in the Mariners’ series win yesterday, making a spot start in left field – a position he doesn’t know well – and contributing at the plate. I have written before about how Mastrobuoni was one of the rare productive pinch-hitters for the Mariners last year, something he was working his way back to for brief time with the team after being recalled on June 10. Postgame yesterday, Mastrobuoni received praise from his manager, Dan Wilson, as well as his teammates, many of whom spoke on the importance of the role players like Mastrobuoni have on a team as decimated by injuries as the 2026 Mariners.
Starter Bryan Woo, who was helped out by several plays made by Mastrobuoni in the outfield, praised Mastrobuoni as a reflection of team health overall:
“It’s just the DNA of a good team and also close-knit clubhouse that you have guys that go down, and the next guy comes up and does his job and helps the team run, and that’s all you can really ask for, regardless of whether you see the results on the field or not. Like Mastro coming out and playing the left field that he did today – I don’t know if he’s played left field since coming up, he’s played first and third, also positions that he’s not comfortable at, and he goes out in left field and makes play after play after play. So it’s just, staying ready, and then when the opportunity comes, taking advantage of it.”
Colt Emerson was even more direct.
“Guys like that are the reasons why we succeed and we win games.”
Now it will be up to Weston Wilson – not to be confused with Will Wilson, another third baseman who stepped in at times to help the Mariners before going on the 60-day IL with his own injury, a fractured thumb – to continue that streak of role players who help the team win games while several players remain on the shelf.
During an outing against the San Francisco Giants last September, Treinen had “Charlie Kirk” written between two cross symbols on the side of his Dodgers hat days after Kirk was assassinated at an event on a college campus in Utah.
As he first told the Los Angeles Times, and later confirmed to The California Post, Treinen received a warning from a league official following the outing regarding an MLB policy against putting messages of any kind on game uniforms.
Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said he was “chastised” by Major League Baseball last year, after writing Charlie Kirk’s name on his hat in a game following the conservative political activist’s killing. Getty ImagesDuring an outing against the San Francisco Giants last September, Treinen had “Charlie Kirk” written between two cross symbols. x/@@JonnyRoot_
“They called me and said that they have issues with people writing stuff on the hats,” Treinen told the California Post on Friday.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” MLB said in an initial statement that was widely released to media outlets Monday.
“To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear the hat in future games is not disciplinary and had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message,” the league added in a follow-up statement on Tuesday.
In Treinen’s case from last year, he said he was not otherwise disciplined, but was told by MLB that he could be fined for putting any message on his uniform again.
In Treinen’s case from last year, he said he was not otherwise disciplined, but was told by MLB that he could be fined for putting any message on his uniform again. x/@@JonnyRoot_
During the Dodgers’ own Pride Night game earlier this month, Treinen did not wear the team’s Pride-themed hat when he took the mound for a ninth-inning appearance against the Angels on June 5.
“My job is to abide by the rules,” Treinen told the LA Times regarding that decision. “Ultimately, the only rule we have is to wear our team-issued uniform. So that’s what I chose to do.”
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the New York Knicks in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs had a fantastic 2025/26 season that almost resulted in a title, but that doesn’t mean everything was perfect. The downside of having such a talented and stacked roster is that inevitably someone will want more touches or minutes, and it turns out rookie Dylan Harper was that guy, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
Harper voiced displeasure earlier in the season about a lack of playing time and his role, but those increased as the season progressed and the rookie gained more experience.
It’s not shocking to hear that the clear-cut No.2 overall pick of a great draft class wasn’t happy with coming off the bench and playing a support role for around 20 minutes a game when he was clearly capable of more. You don’t get to be as good as Harper is at basketball without supreme confidence in your abilities and extreme competitiveness, so no one should blame the rookie for wanting more responsibility, especially on a team that early on wasn’t expected to be a contender.
It’s good to hear that, as his role increased and the Spurs proved to be an elite squad, his displeasure seemingly disappeared, but it’s also hard not to wonder if his great postseason performance will have him once again wanting more. Harper was terrific in the playoffs and especially in the Finals, showing that he’s not just a likely future star but also someone who can contribute on the biggest stage right now. And he clearly knows it, which could put the Spurs in a predicament.
If Harper wants to start, Mitch Johnson will face a tough decision. San Antonio has De’Aaron Fox as one of its starting guards. The veteran is on a maximum contract, and, while arguably not as gifted, he’s more well-rounded than Harper. Stephon Castle is the team’s best point-of-attack defender, and he wouldn’t be able to consistently play off the ball to accommodate Harper as the main ball handler because of his lack of range. Devin Vassell had arguably his best season as a do-it-all swingman who was by far the best shooter on the backcourt. Who gets relegated to the bench? It’s not an easy question to answer.
Now, Harper may be fine with a sixth-man role for now as long as he gets more touches and finishes games. His performance in the postseason was impressive enough to suggest he might be ready for more responsibility than the typical second-year guard, but as the youngest and the one with the shortest track record of production, he could be fine with paying his dues as long as he gets more opportunities to grow his game and to act as the closer at times. It might actually be for the best to bring him along slowly, taking advantage of the depth at guard to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on him.
Hopefully, Harper will see it that way and will be happy starting next season as a super sub and the prohibitive candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. If he is, the Spurs won’t be forced to make any tough decisions. If he isn’t, the possibility of trading Fox to make room for the young guard becomes more realistic. While it doesn’t seem like the best idea to move on from the veteran guard this summer, Harper has looked like a future star, and keeping him happy should be one of the franchise’s biggest priorities.
The Spurs have aced the hardest part of any rebuild: getting enough talent to contend. Now, general manager Brian Wright and coach Mitch Johnson will have to figure out how all the pieces fit and who will need to sacrifice or be sacrificed to optimize how things work on the floor and in the locker room.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (35-41), who have won three of their last four series, will open a three-game weekend series with the Cleveland Guardians (40-35) tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Tatsuya Imai (3-3, 6.43 ERA) will make his 10th start of the season tonight for the Astros opposite RHP Tanner Bibee (2-7, 3.96 ERA) and the Guardians.
ABOUT IMAI: RHP Tatsuya Imai has proven to be tough to hit at the Major League level, as he’s held opponents to a .227 (29×128) average with 37 strikeouts in 35.0 innings…he’s had flashes of brilliance, including starting a no hitter on May 25 at TEX (0ER/6IP) and fanning nine on April 4 at ATH (0ER/5.2IP)…in January, the Astros signed Imai to a three-year deal…in 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the NPB in Japan, where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games.
VS. THE GUARDIANS: The Astros and Guardians have played each other in the regular season 100 times in their franchise histories, with the two teams splitting those matchups with 50 wins apiece…those games have also been evenly split in Houston (25-25) and Cleveland (25-25), which includes a 22-22 record at Daikin Park.
MAKING THE PLAYS: The Astros have committed the fewest errors (29) and own the best fielding percentage (.989) in the AL…1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in 75 games and 529 total chances.
ON ASSIGNMENT: RHP Ronel Blanco, who’s recovering from right elbow surgery, began a minor league rehab assignment for the FCL Astros earlier today…he worked 3.0 scoreless innings in his start, allowing one hit and one walk with five strikeouts.
WEISS OUTRIGHTED: Announced on Wednesday, RHP Ryan Weiss cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Sugar Land…Weiss was designated for assignment by the Astros on June 12.
ON THE LEADERBOARD:DH Yordan Alvarez leads MLB in OPS (1.070), SLG (.642), and total bases (176), and ranks tied for first in extra-base hits (39)… in the AL, he ranks first in batting average (.325), first in hits (89), first in homers (24), second in RBI (55), second in OBP (.428), fourth in walks (46) and seventh in runs (50).
ON-BASE MACHINE: OF Yordan Alvarez is on a 24-game on-base streak (dating back to May 22), in which he’s batting .371 (33×89) with nine homers, 24 RBI, 15 walks, a .462 OBP and a 1.181 OPS…this ranks as the fifth-longest streak of his career and his longest since he posted a 26-game streak from Aug. 2-Sept. 2, 2024.
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker ranks third in the AL in RBI (52), behind only 1B Nick Kurtz (57) and teammate DH Yordan Alvarez (55)… he also ranks tied for sixth in the AL in extra-base hits (33) and in total bases (139), and tied for seventh in homers (18).
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE:SS Jeremy Peña is batting .288 (30×104) with four doubles, four home runs, 21 runs scored, 15 RBI and an .801 OPS in 28 games since being activated from the IL on May 18…the Astros are 16-12 since his return.
SEÑOR CIEN: IF Isaac Paredes, who recently reached 500 career hits and 100 career homers, recorded his 100th career double on Tuesday vs. DET…he is now just the fourth Mexican-born player in MLB history with 500 career hits, 100 doubles and 100 home runs, joining IF Vinny Castilla, IF Jorge Orta and IF Aurelio Rodríguez.
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 1-0 with four saves and a 1.29 ERA (1ER/7IP) in seven appearances this season…he’s allowed just three baserunners (one walk, two hits) and has fanned 11…
Hader had a delayed start to the season, missing the first two months with left biceps tendinitis.
ON THE FARM: Astros No. 10 prospect OF Lucas Spence had the first two-homer game of his career last night for Double A Corpus Christi…Spence is having a strong season with the Hooks, hitting .270 with 10 doubles and 30 RBI in 41 games…in 14 games in June, Spence is hitting .377 with five doubles, four homers, 19 RBI and a 1.115 OPS.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1972 – RHP Larry Dierker makes history with a one-hit, 3-0 shutout over the Mets in the ‘Dome…Dierker’s gem gave the Astros one-hitters in back-to-back games for the first and only time in franchise history as Jerry Reuss had one-hit the Phillies, 10-0, the day before…the back-to-back one-hitters also tied an MLB record, which has only happened 12 times in modern MLB history.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, June 19, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
3 Feb 2001: The North American team poses for a picture before practice for the NHL All-Star Game at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Captain Mario Lemieux of Pittsburgh sits in the center of the front row. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT | Getty Images
The past thirty years of Avalanche hockey have featured incredible highs, and some very, very dismal lows.
As an avid fan of The Simpsons, I’ve witnessed plenty of “best of times” moments, but also been subjected to a smattering of unpleasant “blursts” of times. In this first of an ongoing off-season series, I take a look back through the past thirty years, highlighting one moment that stands among the best, and comparatively, the worst (or blurst, if you will) each season.
Here are the best and blurst moments from the second five years of Colorado Avalanche history.
2000-2001
The Best: Mission Accomplished (June 9, 2001)
The Avs knew the clock was ticking coming into the 2000-2001 season, and they didn’t let a second of it go to waste. They set franchise records in regular season wins (52) and points (118), clinched their second Presidents Trophy, and secured the top seed in the playoffs.
The motto for the Avs entering the postseason was as sharp as a skate blade: Mission 16W.
A four-game sweep of the Vancouver Canucks set the stage for a dramatic seven game series against Los Angeles. The Avs would emerge victorious, but at a significant cost (more on this later). An overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Five sent the Avs to the Stanley Cup Final, where they would face the defending champion New Jersey Devils, who finished as the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
The Avs certainly didn’t make things easy for themselves. Trailing in the series 3-2, they won a pivotal Game Six in New Jersey to tie the series and set the stage for a dramatic Game Seven back in Denver.
Alex Tanguay became a household name for Avs fans everywhere upon scoring the first two goals of the game. Joe Sakic added an insurance goal on the power play, and that was all the Avs needed to complete their mission, defeating New Jersey by a 3-1 decision to claim the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.
After being summoned by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Sakic paused for the traditional pose, then without missing a beat, made the finest pass of his career, handing the Stanley Cup to Bourque.
All of you reading this are probably hearing ESPN’s Gary Thorne’s legendary call in your head right now: “And after twenty-two years…Raymond Bourque!”
Patrick Roy would win his fourth Stanley Cup (and a record-setting third Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP), but the fondest memories of this Stanley Cup Final—and the undisputed best moment of the season—are of the one player who waited twenty-two years to win his first.
The Blurst: Peter Forsberg Ruptures Spleen (May 4, 2001)
The Avs seemingly exorcised their Game Seven demons by clinching a berth in the Western Conference Final after being taken to the limit by Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the euphoria of this victory would soon evaporate, as news broke that Peter Forsberg had ruptured his spleen and was rushed into emergency surgery mere hours after the game.
According to ESPN, Forsberg had begun noticing a mark near his ribs after the Avs lost Game Five in Denver, but it would take an additional six days before feeling any pain. He was bleeding internally and the procedure to remove his spleen was performed. As a result, he would not return for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The loss of Forsberg was certainly a major blow to the Avs, especially after their second round victory. Avs fans began to wonder if Forsberg’s absence could derail yet another shot at the Stanley Cup. These worries would eventually subside, as the Avs cruised past the St. Louis Blues and emerged victorious over New Jersey in the Stanley Cup Final.
Although he didn’t play another game in the postseason, the now-spleenless Forsberg returned for the postgame ceremony after the series-clinching victory to raise the Stanley Cup with his teammates.
It’s not often that a blurst has a happy ending. This is one of them.
2001-2002
The Best: The Return of Peter the Great (April 18, 2002)
The news that Peter Forsberg would miss the entire season cast a major pall over the Avs as they began another defense of the Stanley Cup. However, on the cusp of the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the news that Forsberg would be activated in time for start of the Western Conference Quarterfinals immediately boosted the Avs’ hopes for another extended playoff run, one that could produce a second straight title.
After an absence stretching over eleven months, Forsberg returned to action against the very team the he last faced in the playoffs a year earlier: the Los Angeles Kings. Both teams would again go the distance, with the Avs emerging victorious in another Game Seven finish.
In the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Jose Sharks, both teams traded victories through the first six games, but Forsberg proved to be the difference-maker in Game Seven, scoring the game’s only goal to send the Avs back to the Western Conference Final, where they would meet the Detroit Red Wings.
Despite coming up short against Detroit, Forsberg’s return cannot be understated. In twenty postseason games, he led all skaters in assists (18) and points (27)—both career highs—while finishing second in goals scored (9, tying Joe Sakic). Only Brett Hull scored more goals (10) than Forsberg during that postseason.
Peter the Great’s best, unfortunately, wasn’t enough for the Avs to defend their Stanley Cup title.
The Blurst: Patrick Roy’s Statue of Liberty Gaffe (May 29, 2002)
The Avs led their Western Conference Final series 3-2 over Detroit going into Game Six, and had a chance to clinch their second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. With time winding down in the first period, Detroit pressed hard offensively, but had not yet broken through Roy.
Roy, who was notorious for his “Statue of Liberty” pose after making an emphatic save, pulled out the trademark maneuver after making a point blank save on Yzerman. However, Roy failed to secure the puck in his glove, and unknowingly dropped it to the ice. Brendan Shanahan immediately pounced on the puck, jamming it into the unguarded net behind Roy.
The gaffe was not just the turning point in the game, but of the entire series. The Avs would lose Game Six by a 2-0 decision, following this effort with an utterly humiliating 7-0 loss to Detroit at Joe Louis Arena in Game Seven.
Plenty of fingers can be pointed to a lack of scoring (how does a team this talented go scoreless for two whole games, especially against your most hated rival?), but Roy’s baffling blurst is where the series was truly lost.
2002-2003
The Best: Patrick Roy Plays 1000th Regular Season Game (January 20, 2003)
Whether it’s scoring fifty goals in a season, iron man streaks, or breaking franchise records, milestone moments in a player’s career deserve recognition.
Reaching a milestone that no one has ever achieved before? Now, that’s special.
Patrick Roy accomplished that feat in this game, as he became the first goaltender in League history to appear in 1000 career games. The Avs hosted a special pregame ceremony celebrating Roy’s achievement prior to facing off against the Dallas Stars. He received a silver stick and a commemorative gift, with his children on hand at ice level for the occasion.
As for the game itself, the contest ended in a 1-1 draw (remember those?), snapping a five game home losing streak.
Three other goaltenders (Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Roberto Luongo) have since eclipsed the 1000 game mark, but St. Patrick will forever be known for reaching it first.
The Blurst: A Game 7 Meltdown Against Minnesota (April 22, 2003)
Haven’t we seen this movie before? (Yes, five years earlier.)
The powerhouse Avs, poised for another deep run in the Stanley Cup, held a 3-1 series lead against an upstart Minnesota Wild club who had reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
The Avs hosted Game Five with their eyes on a second round appearance. Minnesota, however, took the fight to the Avs, having scored the first three goals of the contest. Despite battling back, the Avs would lose by a 3-2 decision, sending the series to St. Paul for Game Six.
Both teams didn’t budge for the first two periods, but Minnesota scored a pair of goals to take the lead in the third period. Colorado rallied to force overtime, but Minnesota scored the game-winner in the overtime session, winning by another 3-2 decision.
In Game Seven, both teams traded goals in the second and third period, but this game wouldn’t be decided in regulation. With just under five minutes played in overtime, Andrew Brunette had room to make a move on Patrick Roy uncontested, and his backhand effort in the crease eluded Roy, giving Minnesota its third straight 3-2 victory to win the series.
This blurst sent Patrick Roy into retirement, and with him, the Avs’ halcyon days were now in short supply.
2003-2004
The Best: Paul Kariya and Teemu Selänne Flock to Colorado (July 4, 2003)
This one might be a bit of a reach, since this technically took place prior to the season.
When news broke that both Paul Kariya and Teemu Selänne had negotiated sweetheart contracts to play together in Colorado, the buzz was as high as ever leading up to the first game of the 2003-2004 season. The Avs were immediately christened as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
After the signings were announced, Avs GM Pierre Lacroix told the Associated Press, “Over the last 36 hours, these two athletes expressed their strong desire to come to Denver and play for the Avalanche,” Lacroix said. “Obviously, we were stunned.
“We were able to do all of this without changing any of the (salary) structure that we have for the coming season.”
The hype machine was in full swing, as the Avs prepared for one last hurrah in the final season under the then-current collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, and both had very different viewpoints on what the future would hold (spoilers).
Unfortunately, neither Kariya or Selänne were able to provide the offensive impact that many expected when the contracts were announced. Injuries hampered Kariya’s production, as he mustered a paltry 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 51 games with the Avs. Despite playing with nagging knee issues, Selänne scored 16 goals and added 16 assists for 32 points over 78 games, all while his role was diminished by head coach Tony Granato. The pair mustered four assists combined (Kariya had three, Selänne only one) during the Avs first round loss to the Nashville Predators.
While the signings definitely gave off vibes of being a best, they may as well have been a blurst, had something much worse never taken place that season.
The Blurst: A Violent Night in Vancouver (March 8, 2004)
March 8, 2004, is one of the darkest dates in franchise history.
When the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Avs that night at GM Place (now Rogers Arena), all pretense of gamesmanship one comes to expect during a hockey game were dropped, showcasing something far more perverse.
After Steve Moore had injured Canucks captain Markus Näslund three weeks earlier on February 16, comments of retribution from members of the Vancouver roster were aimed at Moore, vowing to even the score with him. No penalty was assessed to Moore for his hit on Näslund, which incensed Canucks head coach Mark Crawford.
“That was a cheap shot by a young kid on a captain, leading scorer in the League, and we get no call. We get no call! That is ridiculous!” Crawford said in postgame comments that night.
Other, more inflammatory remarks were directed at Moore. Brad May bluntly said, “There’s definitely on [Moore’s] head,” while assistant captain Todd Bertuzzi said, “That kid is a piece of shit.”
The rhetoric grew to such incendiary levels that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman personally attended the next meeting between the Avs and Canucks at Pepsi Center on March 3. Playing to a 5-5 draw, both teams made nice in front of Bettman. careful not to draw any unwanted attention.
Five days later in Vancouver, all niceties were left at the door.
In front of packed house, Steve Moore and Matt Cooke fought each other early in the first period. The bout was brief, with Moore getting the better of Cooke. Both received fighting majors.
The “code” had been upheld, and that’s where this tale should have ended. It didn’t.
After Moore’s fight with Cooke, the Avs would score five consecutive goals—four on goaltender Dan Cloutier, and another on Johan Hedberg—in the balance of the period. Moore scored the fifth and final goal in that period.
It would be the final goal of his professional career.
With the Avs holding a commanding 8-2 lead in the third period, Bertuzzi skated behind Moore, pulled on the back of his sweater, then unleashed a hard punch to the back of Moore’s head. The blow sent Moore face first to the ice, defenseless, with Bertuzzi still holding onto him.
Bedlam ensued. Avs forward Andrei Nikolishin immediately raced to Moore’s defense, punching Bertuzzi and attempting to pull him off the defenseless Moore. Canucks forward Sean Pronger and defenseman Mattias Öhlund entered the picture to go after Nikolishin. May fought with Avs defenseman Kurt Sauer. Hedberg beckoned to Avs goaltender David Aebischer, who refused to indulge him. Meanwhile, Avs head coach Tony Granato unleashed a verbal tirade against Crawford, who ignored him while smirking behind the Vancouver bench.
The damage had already been done. Moore was unconscious and bleeding on the ice, requiring medical intervention. He would later be taken to a local hospital, where he would be diagnosed with three cervical vertebrae fractures, facial cuts, and a concussion. The injuries stemming from Bertuzzi’s attack eventually forced him to retire.
“The Vancouver Canucks vowed they were going to get Moore,” the late Peter McNab said on the Avalanche broadcast that night, shock and anger in his voice, to stunned viewers who watched the attack unfold in real time. “They got him.”
As for Bertuzzi, he offered a public apology to Moore in a press conference held in Vancouver on March 10. The next day, the NHL suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely. The IIHF followed suit, effectively banning Bertuzzi during the lockout that wiped out the 2004-2005 season (spoilers). Upon the NHL’s return to action for the 2005-2006 season, Bertuzzi was reinstated. He would play another ten years in the NHL before retiring.
A settlement was reached between Moore and Bertuzzi in 2014. The terms of the settlement remain confidential.
A courtroom may have seen a settlement, but this sordid situation will always feel unsettling.
This event deserves to be called something infintely more damning than a blurst.
2004-2005
The Best: The 2004 World Cup of Hockey (August 30-September 14, 2004)
After an eight year hiatus, the World Cup of Hockey returned to the international stage. While this technically didn’t occur during the course of a standard NHL season (the reason why is below), it is the brightest spot in an otherwise bleak hockey landscape that year.
Eight countries participated in the event. Canada, Slovakia, Russia, and the United States made up the North American group, while the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Sweden comprised the European group.
Several pre-match games were played prior to the preliminary rounds for both groups. Canada won the North American preliminary round, while Finland narrowly edged out Sweden for the top spot in the European preliminary round.
In quarterfinals play, Finland and the United States advanced to a semifinal match by eliminating Germany and Russia, respectively. Canada shut out Slovakia to face the Czech Republic, who handily defeated Sweden. Finland and Canada would meet in the final at Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arenea) in Toronto on September 14. Joe Sakic would score the opening goal for Canada, and Adam Foote would assist on Shane Doan’s game-winning goal, defeating Finland by a 3-2 score.
Seven players for the Avs participated in the event: Foote (Canada), Sakic (Canada), Milan Hejduk (Czech Republic), Ossi Väänänen (Finland), Peter Forsberg (Sweden), Steve Konowalchuk (United States), John-Michael Liles (United States).
Unfortunately, this would be the best that hockey would get as summer began to wind down.
The Blurst: Bettman Cancels Season (February 16, 2005)
Two days after Canada’s victory at the World Cup of Hockey, and one day after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the League’s Board of Governors unanimously voted to lock out the players, citing the Players’ Association unwillingness to come to terms on a finanical framework for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Both sides would continue negotiating throughout the work stoppage, but were unable to find any common ground. As months ticked by, the prospect of saving the season grew more and more remote. The lockout forced players to sign contracts in other professional leagues across Europe and Russia. Finally, in a press conference held on February 16, Bettman announced the cancellation of the 2004-2005 NHL season. In the wake of the cancellation, the Stanley Cup would not be awarded for the first time since 1919.
On July 13, nearly five months after the season was cancelled, both parties agreed on a new contract, ending the stalemate. The new bargaining agreement, which saw the implementation of a $38 million dollar salary cap, was signed on July 22. Now with cost certainty in place, difficult decisions loomed on the horizon for many teams throughout the League, and the Avs were no exception.
Changes were about to sweep across the roster, some more shocking than others.
Was there a best (or blurst) from the second five years of Avalanche hockey that was overloooked? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is officially one week away.
Whatever occurs at this year’s draft will heavily dictate the trajectory of the Vancouver Canucks organization moving forward. The team has already voiced their commitment to rebuilding, meaning whoever they’ll end up selecting with the third-overall pick will be a cornerstone in Vancouver’s future.
Plenty of high-end talent will still be available at third-overall, though it’s still unknown who the Toronto Maple Leafs (1) and San Jose Sharks (2) will select with their prior picks. The potential options available to Vancouver include the following:
- Caleb Malhotra: Energetic two-way centre who scored 29 goals and 55 assists in 67 games with the Brantford Bulldogs in 2025–26, son of new Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra.
- Chase Reid: Puck-moving right-shot defender who has averaged over a point-per-game with the Soo Greyhounds his past two seasons in the OHL.
- Ivar Stenberg: Highly-skilled offensive winger whose performance both for Frölunda HC and Sweden on international levels have put him in contention for going first-overall by some scouts.
- Keaton Verhoeff: 6’4 right-shot defenceman who captained Canada’s U-18 squad at the U-18 World Junior Championship, put together six goals and 14 assists in his first 36 games in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota.
Third-overall is only one of a few intriguing picks the Canucks have. Vancouver also owns the 24th selection in this year’s draft thanks to the Quinn Hughes trade conducted with the Minnesota Wild. Some of the notable prospects projected to be available by this pick are:
- Liam Ruck: Offensively-talented forward who put up 45 goals and 59 assists in 68 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL alongside twin brother Markus.
- Mathis Preston: Board-battler forward with a strong shot who played for both the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, racking up a season total of 18 goals and 26 assists.
- William Håkansson: 6’4 left-shot defenceman who is best known for the defensive side of the game, utilizes his size and skating stride to help defend.
- Egor Shilov: Offensive centreman who scored 32 goals and 50 assists in his first season in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigers, drives play and makes offence happen.
Vancouver also holds two other picks within the first two-round of the draft: 33rd-overall (own pick) and 41st-overall (from the San Jose Sharks). The players available around that point will vary, but generally-speaking, these prospects are expected to be drafted sometime during the second round.
- Maddox Dagenais: 6’4 centre who averaged a point-per-game pace in the QMJHL this season with 30 goals and 32 assists, strong in the faceoff dot.
- Markus Ruck: CHL’s points-leader in 2025–26 with 21 goals and 87 assists in 68 games, can create offence as a playmaker while maintaining a solid defensive presence as a winger.
- Casey Mutryn: Two-way power-forward who spent the season with the U.S. National Team Development Program, set to play for Boston College for the 2026–27 season.
- Jaxon Cover: High-motor, no-quit winger who scored 20 goals and 32 assists in his first full OHL season with the London Knights.
- Alexander Bilecki: Left-shot defenceman who performs well in the O-zone, scored nine goals and 20 assists in his sophomore OHL season with the Memorial Cup-champion Kitchener Rangers.
The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft begins on June 26 at 4:00 pm PT. Rounds 2–7 will take place on June 27, starting at 8:00 am PT.
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The video board shows the 20th overall pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets is about to be announced in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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43-year-old led French side to Conference League semis
Burnley pushing to bring in Craig Bellamy as head coach
Gary O’Neil is poised to become Ipswich’s new head coach, with the 43-year-old expected to return to England from Ligue 1 Strasbourg.
There are only minor details to sort with O’Neil primed to succeed Kieran McKenna, who announced his wish to depart Ipswich after leading them to the top flight for a second time.
Reports are now beginning to trickle out that the interest in Peterson is not one-sided, as one “well-placed insider” told Marc Stein that the Wizards are giving the Kansas guard “increased consideration.”
Peterson is a highly polarizing prospect in the NBA Draft, as he consistently pulled himself out of games while playing for Kansas, initially described as having cramping issues.
Darryn Peterson will only meet with the Washington Wizards. NBAE via Getty Images
He later said that the cramping was due to excessive creatine usage and was so bad that he was begging team staff to call 9-1-1 while dealing with extremely painful cramping.
Peterson said he believes that creatine usage is the underlying issue that created the problems.
Stein added that multiple draft experts believe that the Wizards are legitimately considering Peterson as the No. 1 draft pick on Tuesday’s NBA Draft.
Peterson was originally the No. 1 high school prospect according to 247 Sports before his standing began to shift due to cramping issues and pulling himself out of key moments in games.
If Peterson does go No. 1, the Utah Jazz would surely be thrilled to snag AJ Dybantsa at No. 2 overall, considering Dybantsa played just 45 miles south of Salt Lake City for BYU.
Dybantsa’s family has been in Utah since his senior year in high school at Utah Prep, where he was the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2025.
AJ Dybantsa is very familiar with Utah. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
There had been some more buzz surrounding Cameron Boozer as the top pick after a strong first year at Duke.
Boozer was one of the best players in college and the No. 3-ranked prospect.
