After a special rookie season, including becoming the Mets rookie hit leader, Carson Benge is being recognized for his performance.
Benge was named a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday night.
The 23-year-old dazzled in his first season in Queens, hitting .282 with a .776 OPS over 156 games. He became the first Mets rookie to record a 20-20 season, finishing with 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases, in addition to his 22 doubles, three triples, and 65 RBIs.
Not only did Benge impress at the plate, he was one of the best defenders in baseball. He was worth seven DFS and one OOA, plus he recorded 10 outfield assists (tied for sixth in MLB) and had a .982 fielding percentage.
Overall, Benge finished his rookie season with a 4.3 WAR.
The two other finalists for NL ROY are the Cincinnati Reds' Sal Stewart and the St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt.
For those comparing stats, Stewart hit .263 with 32 home runs, 25 doubles, and 111 RBI, posting a 1.8 WAR. Wetherholt owned just a .242 batting average with 17 homers, 15 doubles, and 51 RBI, but was strong on defense with a .996 fielding percentage over 131 games to give him a 4.5 WAR.
The NL Rookie of the Year winner, voted by the BBWAA, will be announced on Monday, Nov. 9.
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period on March 20, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks will meet for the first time in the 2026-27 regular season. The Avalanche come in on a two-game winning streak after victories over the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames last week. Conversely, the Blackhawks are on a two-game losing streak with losses to the Red Wings and Bruins. Will the Hawks buck the trend, or will the Avalanche stack another win, this time a divisional one?
now you can rep the spirit of Chicago in our brand new Hometown Remix jersey 💚 get yours now, in-store and online
The Avalanche got back to a relatively healthy lineup against the New Jersey Devils, but it lasted about 2 periods as defender Josh Manson struggled to leave the ice, and he was later announced as missing at least 8 weeks with a lower-body injury. Colorado has recalled Keaton Middleton from the Colorado Eagles, but Evan Rawal reports it’s strictly to have an extra defender for the back-to-back.
No injuries, Avs say. They want an extra defenseman for the back-to-back. https://t.co/ZHATMORvoX
Colorado has looked better since Nic Roy returned to the lineup, as his arrival has created a more balanced forward group. Moreover, the first power-play unit scored last time out on a nice shot from Martin Necas. The goal came with Necas inhabiting the flank that we are used to seeing MacKinnon on. Let’s see whether his staying on that dot is a focused approach or a one-off.
This is a game the Colorado Avalanche should win (on paper), so it will be interesting to see how they come out, as the Avalanche have struggled to start on time, especially in road contests.
Artturi Lehkonen’s 11 goals in 14 games put him on pace for 60+ goals this season. Obviously, the chances of that happening are slim to none, but it’s reasonable to track whether he reaches 30 goals for the first time in his pro career, and he’s on a torrid pace. Speaking of 30-goal seasons, Gabe Landeskog is also on track toward the third of his 13-year career.
Note: Tonight’s lineup is still hard to pin down. The Avs sent Gavin Brindley back to the AHL after the Calgary game, and Logan O’Connor out for personal reasons. It’s unclear if LOC made the trip, as he’s still listed as day-to-day with no word otherwise.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago will be without former Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram tonight, so he will miss out on rocking the new Hometown Remix kits officially announced this morning. Chicago’s is all green, and I know the history and all, but to me it just looks like a practice jersey.
#Blackhawks D-man Bo Byram will not play this evening against the Colorado Avalanche.
It looked like the addition of Byram, accompanied by the existence of Connor Bedard and the Patrick Kane reunion, might be enough to get Chicago back to being a playoff team, but with Byram unavailable for most of October and Bedard missing the first six games of the season, they haven’t been able to garner any early-season returns.
The Hawks felt like their last game was their best performance, that being the OTL to the Boston Bruins, so perhaps they are building toward something now that Bedard is back. The first overall pick in 2023 had a goal and an assist against the B’s and will have a tough test tonight against Colorado.
It’s looking like Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Spencer Knight, but only Spencer’s start has been officially confirmed. With Colorado on a back-to-back, the divisional game feels more important, so you go with your starter, Blackwood, who’s looked better and better as the season has gone on. How about that glove save against Calgary?
Spencer Knight is in the starter’s crease at morning skate. Blackhawks host Avalanche tonight.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 22: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to keep the momentum going from their recent win over the Milwaukee Bucks, as they take on the injury-riddled Oklahoma City Thunder.
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SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 25: Zach LaVine #8 and Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings look on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 25, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (4-2) play host to the winless Sacramento Kings (0-6) on Monday night. Dallas has had two full days off following a thrilling win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night. The Memphis Grizzlies thumped the Kings by nearly 30 points on Halloween. Here’s the main things to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Sacramento Kings
WHAT: Trying to extend the winstreak
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA and League Pass
The injury report is mixed for the Mavericks. Leading the way is Kyrie Irving, who was downgraded to doubtful on Monday afternoon. The internet is annoyed at this, he’s had two days off, so injury management doesn’t make a ton of sense. I suspect Dallas thinks they can win without him, so this is a risk. Santi Aldama is also doubtful; as he’s returning from knee surgery, I bet we see him this week. Dereck Lively, Sergio De Larrea, and Tarik Biberovic are all out.
The Kings will not have Maxine Raynaud, Keegan Murry, or Ben Simmons. Zach LaVine is listed as questionable as of this writing with elbow inflammation.
Dallas should have an easy time of this one but that’s based on what we’ve seen so far. I have a feeling the Mavericks may take the Kings lightly, at least to kick off the game. Whoever guards Acuff Jr. is in for a tall task, given his bright green light shooting the ball. If he gets hot from deep, that’s the only real way I see Dallas falling to the Kings tonight. If you want a deeper preview, head back out to the main page.
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Injury report news
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BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 20: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 20, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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
It’s a cross-borough contest tonight at Madison Square Garden when the Knicks (2-4) host the Nets (1-5) tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are stinging from another close loss, their second to the Sixers. Meanwhile, the Nets are celebrating their first W of the season, having beaten the Pacers yesterday. Tonight will be our first up close look at Julius Randle in a Brooklyn uni, and he’s expected to be motivated to score a 30-10 double-double. No stars appear on the injury report. Jose Alvarado is questionable for the Knicks with an ankle sprain. The Nets will be without Egor Demin (leg) and Mikel Brown Jr. (rest).
According to my sources, the Nets have not beaten the Knicks since January 2023. Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG and YES. This is your game thread. This is Nets Daily. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Practice good humanity. And go Knicks!
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 and Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets high five during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 31, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics
November 2, 2026
Location: Toyota Center —Houston, Texas
Time: 7:30 PM CST
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
Probable starting lineups
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 30: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on October 30, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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
There’s a lot for Nets fans to take in at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, whether they’re making the trip across the river or watching from home.
Brooklyn finally snapped its five-game losing streak to start the season, earning its first win Sunday evening. But there’s another unfriendly reminder waiting at the Garden: the Knicks’ 2025-26 championship banners hanging in the rafters. Adding insult to injury, the Nets haven’t beaten their crosstown rivals since January 2023, a streak that has now reached 14 games.
Julius Randle’s return adds another layer. The former Knick played a significant role in helping turn the franchise around, and he deserves credit for that. How the Garden crowd receives him, though, is another story. Particularly in the crosstown rivals colors.
The Knicks are off to a bit of a strange start that looks awfully familiar for hungover championship teams. Some of the little things go out the window when you’re the last team standing. Lost amid the triumph are tired legs. Still, Jalen Brunson is a bonafide superstar and the Nets will endure something they haven’t ever had to before: face the defending champion New York Knicks.
On their home floor.
Game Info & How to Watch
Who: Brooklyn Nets (1-5) at New York Knicks (2-4)
When: 7:30 PM ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV/Streaming: YES Network, MSG Network, DAZN
Radio: ESPN Radio, WFAN
Nets vs. Knicks: Who’s Out?
Brooklyn Nets
Egor Dëmin: OUT — Right leg bone bruise
Joshua Jefferson: OUT – G League Assignment
Ben Saraf: OUT – G League Assignment
Tyler Bilodeau: OUT – G League (Two-Way)
Grant Nelson: OUT – G League (Two-Way)
New York Knicks
Jose Alvarado: QUESTIONABLE — (left ankle sprain)
To be updated.
💬 Discussion
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Steph Curry says Draymond Green’s ejection did exactly what it looked like it did: it lit a fire under the Warriors.
Green was thrown out early in the third quarter of Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center, after he shoved Suns center Khaman Maluach to the ground beneath the rim and then scuffled with Dillon Brooks, earning two technical fouls. Golden State trailed 67-57 at the time. The Warriors then scored 42 points in the third quarter to tie the game, and Curry had 18 of them, on the way to a 116-113 win and a fifth straight victory.
Draymond Green was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls on this sequence pic.twitter.com/u8IIgeTAGY
Curry credited Green for setting the tone, even in his absence.
“We know what he brings, and he lit a fire underneath us to respond,” Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke on “Warriors Postgame Live” after the win. “Once he goes out, it’s on us to pick up the slack. Play competitive basketball with that same toughness.”
Curry had been quiet before that. He scored nine points on 2-of-7 shooting in the first half, then made a 3-pointer 15 seconds into the third quarter and scored 18 points in eight-plus minutes. He finished with a game-high 34 points, his third straight game with at least 31. Curry said the credit belongs to more than him.
“Obviously, like you said, I got it going, but it was [Charles] Bassey, [De’Anthony] Melton, [Brandin Podziemski], [Yaxel Lendeborg], everybody,” Curry added. “Will Richard, another game where he comes in and is just disruptive on defense, and by committee everybody showed up.”
The depth showed. Charles Bassey scored a career-high 19 points off the bench, Brandin Podziemski added 20, and Yaxel Lendeborg followed his 37-point game against the Clippers with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Curry also pointed to the circumstances. Curry and Green had rested the night before, but many of their teammates were playing the second night of a back-to-back, and Phoenix was coming in rested.
“It was a combination of that moment, we got to have our brother’s back when he defends us, but it was also understanding that this was one of those games where most of the guys were on a back-to-back and Phoenix had been off for a couple of days, they started 1-3, so we knew they were going to come out playing desperate,” Curry said. “They played unbelievable in the first half, so we just tried to, as they say, weather the storm, just execute.”
The Warriors erased a 17-point deficit and won without Green for most of the night. After an 0-3 start, they now have the five-game win streak they never had last season.
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 25: Cincinnati Reds Infielder Sal Stewart (27) smiles during the MLB regular season game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 25, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart has been named one of the three finalists for the 2026 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. That’s not just obvious conjecture, either – it’s on the books, as Major League Baseball revealed on Monday afternoon that Sal, New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge, and St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt will each finish in the Top 3 of voting turned in by the Baseball Writers Association of America this year.
Your 2026 @officialBBWAA NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award finalists:
The writing had been on the wall for months that these three would likely end up the finalists, though each managed to make their way to this point in very different fashion.
Sal, of course, burst out of the gate with a fury in April, taking home NL Rookie of the Month honors after a torrid first month of the season. He hit a swoon mid-year, though, before once again rocketing to the same honor for the month of August to become the obvious frontrunner for the end of year award. He topped 30 homers and 100 RBI, thresholds that have made rookies virtual locks for winning in each season in which that has happened, though his September slump and defensive positional adjustment as a primary 1B has him lagging behind his peers in terms of WAR.
Wetherholt surged due to the latter, his defense at shortstop legitimately Gold Glove worthy. His offense doesn’t stack up as well next to Sal, but as a premium defender he’s already cemented a solid baseline value that may sway enough voters who lean on analytics his way. However, he finished the season in a slump (.619 OPS across his final 62 games) and even missed a pair of weeks due to injury in September.
If I were to be honest and remove my homer lense, I think it’d be hard for me not to suggest that it’s Benge that deserves the honor. His 118 OPS+ this season actually tops Sal’s 117 mark, and he did it while posting a 20/20 season that saw him hit .282 with a .346 OBP and solid positional defense all across the outfield. The former 1st round pick is, quite literally, precisely the kind of outfielder the Reds have been searching for over and over again for decades now, and the Mets stumbled right into him.
It’s a pretty classic stage for argument, really. The slugging 1B with piles of traditional counting stats. The defensive whiz whose value came from many places other than his bat. The all-around building block who does everything pretty well. And don’t forget that the team who’s rookie wins the honor gets draft pick compensation at the end of the 1st round of the 2027 MLB Draft (and the bonus pool money that comes with it)!
We’ll find out which one takes home the award next Monday, November 9th.
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets takes batting practice prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Courtney Kramer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s official: Carson Benge has been named one of three finalists for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, along with the Reds’ Sal Stewart and the Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt. The winner will be announced live on MLB Network on November 9.
The NL ROTY race is the most hotly contested of this year’s major awards cycle, with each of the AL awards having clear frontrunners and the other NL awards expected to result in a pair of unanimous decisions (the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong for MVP and the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski for Cy Young). Stewart led the field in offensive counting stats, posting 32 homers and 111 RBIs, the most by a rookie since Pete Alonso drove in 120 for the Mets in 2019. Wetherholt, despite a late-season trip to the 10-day injured list that that hindered his chances, still managed to lead all NL rookies with 4.6 fWAR on the back of his 100th-percentile Fielding Run Value and 91st-percentile Baserunning Run Value).
Benge, the most well-rounded of the bunch, led the majors in Arm Value and became the 18th rookie to record a 20/20 season (the first was former Mets World Series champion Tommie Agee). Benge bolstered his case by batting .321 with an .896 OPS over his final 48 games, and .396 with a 1.080 OPS over his 13 games.
Nolan McLean, who posted a 3.16 ERA with 194 strikeouts over 179.2 innings after his cup of coffee in the majors in 2025, will likely finish in fourth place — just shy of finalist status. McLean was named a Gold Glove Award winner on Sunday night, becoming the first rookie pitcher ever to win the award.
The 23-year-old Benge is the Mets’ first finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award since Kodai Senga finished as runner-up to the D-backs’ Corbin Carroll in 2023. Benge is also the first Mets position player to receive any votes for the award since Andrés Giménez, who finished tied for seventh in 2020. The Mets have had six winners over their 65-year history: Tom Seaver (1967), Jon Matlack (1972), Darryl Strawberry (1983), Dwight Gooden (1984), Jacob deGrom (2014), and Alonso (2019).
The BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) announced the finalists for the major 2026 awards during a live broadcast on MLB Network on Monday evening.
The finalists consist of the top-three vote getters for each of the five major awards across both leagues. For the first time, BBWAA writers will be voting for a Reliever of the Year. Winners will be announced at the dates below.
November 9: Rookie of the Year Award
November 10: Manager of the Year Award
November 11: Cy Young Award, Reliever of the Year Award
From free agency and roster deadlines to a potential MLB lockout, here’s everything you need to know about the key dates and biggest questions surrounding the 2026-27 offseason.
Remember Ben Hutton? Well, the former Vegas Golden Knights defenseman might be getting another chance to stick around in the NHL.
The New York Islanders announced Monday that they've signed Hutton to a professional tryout (PTO), giving the 33-year-old a chance to earn a spot on their roster.
Hutton spent the last five seasons in Vegas. And if you're good at math, you've probably already figured out that he was part of the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup-winning team in 2023.
He wasn't exactly the guy everyone was buying jerseys for, but Hutton was one of those players you didn't mind seeing in the lineup. He knew his role, didn't need much attention and was there when the Golden Knights needed him.
And believe it or not, he actually had his best goal-scoring season last year.
Hutton scored six goals in 55 games, a career high, and added nine assists to finish with 15 points. He also played seven games during Vegas' run to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, recording one assist.
For a guy who spent much of his time in Vegas as a depth defenseman, that's not a bad way to finish his tenure.
Hutton has been around the NHL for quite some time, too. He broke into the league with the Vancouver Canucks in 2015 and later played for the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs before joining the Golden Knights in 2021.
He's played 575 NHL games over his career, putting up 139 points on 30 goals and 109 assists.
And while his numbers probably won't blow anyone away, Hutton does have something a lot of players would love to have on their résumé: a Stanley Cup championship.
He also has a gold medal from the 2016 IIHF World Championship with Canada, so winning isn't exactly unfamiliar territory for him.
Whether he ends up sticking with the Islanders remains to be seen. A PTO doesn't guarantee a contract, and Hutton will have to earn his place.
But for Golden Knights fans who remember him from that 2023 championship team, it's good to see a familiar face getting another opportunity.
Nov 1, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) reacts after a LA Clippers foul during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Golden State rookie forward Lendebrog really Yaxcelled last night in his 37-point, 4 rebound, 6 assist effort in the Warriors’ 124-112 win over the Clippers. After the game, he confessed that he caused himself some grief by briefly pursuing a 40-point night.
I’ve never been a stat chaser in my life. […] I’m a guy that loves ethical hoops. I’m a guy that loves efficient basketball and I kind of, like, didn’t do for that the last 2-3 minutes. […] If it comes to me, it does. If I don’t get it, then I wasn’t meant to get it that day.
He correctly noted that after he did try to take some threes to get there the Clippers came roaring back late. I will point out, though, that he was being egged on largely by his teammates, specifically De’Anthony Melton, and it’s here that I will put a pin in praising the rookie for speaking with a degree of humility and poise that makes him extremely likable.
Melton gets that not many opportunities like a 40-point night come along in a players’ career — unless they happen to wind up like LeBron James, etc. — and was, in my mind, simply pushing his teammate to grab an achievement that was in a bucket’s reach. I don’t see a problem with that, and it’s a credit to Melton for being supportive of a rookie teammate rather than antagonistic. Last week, Take Two posted a video of Yaxel being interviewed by some NBA vets (Drew Gooden and Aaron Gordon) and they made it clear that the game is a lot different today than it was when they got started, specifically in the arena of rookie hazing; but, you never know with these things. It’s at least a positive to see that his teammates like him as much as the fans have started to.
But getting back to Yaxel’s comments after the game. This is some special stuff. He’s certainly making strides on the court, but this is, what, his third post-game presser with some memorable commentary? “Lost all respect” for Luka, “try not to wet the bed” after the Luka rematch, and last night? We are not even 10 games into the season!
It sure does feel like we’re on the ground floor of… something. Hopefully, something special. At least, that’s how it’s trending. But “ethical hoops” is an interesting self-tag. The game’ll humble you, the notion of ethical hooping is tricky in its own right — it is, effectively, a smarty pants way of saying “not a ball hog” — and players and fans are always looking for a vector for their venom. How he reacts to the jeers and mockery will be the real test of character, because how he’s playing all but guarantees a backlash.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Wiggins #2 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Hawks (3-4) aim at redemption against a severely shorthanded Indiana Pacers (2-5) team tonight.
Injury report:
A player health update presented by @emoryhealthcare for tonight’s game at Indiana:
Jalen Johnson (left ankle sprain): Out Jock Landale (left hip strain): Out Mouhamed Gueye (left foot fracture): Out Henri Veesaar (torn right ACL): Out pic.twitter.com/c2nObyJSmm
Kingston Flemings will also miss this game due to a one-game suspension he picked up for an offense he committed last game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Luguentz Dort
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Start Time: 7:30 PM EDT
TV: Peachtree TV (WPCH), Atlanta News First (WANF)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming:Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Drew Anderson #38 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Comerica Park on September 22, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today is the deadline for option decisions, as well as for reinstating players off the 60-day injured list. The Tigers just released their flurry of moves, most notably exercising their $10 million club option for 2027 on RHP Drew Anderson, and declining their 2027 option on RHP Kenley Jansen. They’ll pay the veteran closer, just two saves shy of becoming the third closer in MLB history to reach 500 for his career, two million to buy out the $12 million club option. In addition, they made a surprise move, signing RHP Jacob Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million guaranteed deal for 2027. Waguespack’s contract comes with an extra $200K in potential bonuses he can earn next season.
Probably the most surprising part of the Tigers decisions today was the fact that they reinstated seven of eight players from the 60-day injured list. The only player they didn’t reinstate was left-hander Bailey Horn, who had Tommy John surgery during the season and is expected to miss all of the 2027 season. He was placed on unconditional release waivers along with RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long.
The Tigers did reinstate OF Kerry Carpenter, OF Parker Meadows, OF Wenceel Perez, OF Matt Vierling, RHP Reese Olson, RHP Will Vest, and INF Trey Sweeney. OF Corey Julks was outrighted and is now a free agent, while RHP Yilber Diaz was designated for assignment.
Some of the players they kept still aren’t going to make it through the offseason, as the Tigers 40-man roster now stands full at 40 players. Keeping Carpenter, Meadows, Vest, and Olson were obvious moves, but hanging onto Matt Vierling yet again doesn’t appeal to me at all. Sweeney and Perez don’t really have much path to a future role either. And of course we have no real updates on any of their medical conditions.
The Tigers still have to add prospects Josue Briceño and Max Anderson to the 40-man soon, and so two more players will have to come off the 40-man to make that happen. And of course any free agent signings or claims of players who have to go on the 40-man will require a corresponding move to open a spot.
One real surprise here to me is Waguespack. He was certainly effective for the Tigers, putting up a 2.49 ERA, but the 32-year-old just doesn’t get many whiffs and isn’t notably good at limiting hard contact either. Yilber Diaz is still wild but has a lot hotter stuff and is six years younger.
Still, this is only temporary housekeeping, and further moves will alter the 40-man roster anyway. Waguespack is a little cheap insurance for now, until we see if there are major moves in free agency or whether everyone is largely waiting for the lockout. It still seems fairly likely that the Tigers will try to pursue a one-year deal with another starting pitcher for depth before the December 1 lockout. They’ve gone after a cheap depth starter early in the offseason with some regularity in the Scott Harris years.
The Detroit Tigers today made the following transactions:
– Exercised their 2027 club option for RHP Drew Anderson. – Declined their 2027 club option for RHP Kenley Jansen. – Signed RHP Jacob Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million guaranteed major league contract for the 2027…
To make room on the 40-man roster: – LHP Bailey Horn and RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long have been placed on unconditional release waivers. – OF Corey Julks has been outrighted off the 40-man roster and is now a free agent. – RHP Yilber Diaz has been designated for assignment.
Eric Samulski
