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Yankees find spark, continue to torch Twins after falling flat during recent 'gut punch'

The Yankees entered Monday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins in a bit of a tailspin and in danger of falling into a tie with the Cleveland Guardians for the final Wild Card spot with a loss.

So, having yet to win a series during the month of August with a 2-7 record over its last nine games, New York needed a spark in the worst way.

Answering the call, Cody Bellinger hit a solo homer in the first inning to get the Bronx Bombers out to an early lead. After that, starter Will Warren took things from there and delivered one of the best outings his manager has seen out of him during his young career.

"Big performance," Aaron Boone said about Warren. "That’s what it’s supposed to look like right there when you get deep into the game."

With the Yankees in need of length from their starters after relying so heavily on their bullpen recently, Warren pitched into the seventh inning for just the third time this season (and his career), finishing his night after 6.2 innings and allowing two earned runs (two solo shots) on three hits, no walks and seven strikeouts.

The 26-year-old only needed 85 pitches and notched his seventh win of the season, lowering his season ERA to 4.34. It was exactly what New York needed as the rookie continues to impress in his first full season while gaining more and more confidence along the way.

"It was a really complete game I thought. Starting with the starting pitcher," Boone said. "Just a really clean game all around."

But it wasn't just Warren who helped the Yankees win their first series opener since July 11 against the Chicago Cubs -- exactly one month ago.

Along with Bellinger's long ball, Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each hit solo shots of their own with Stanton and Rice going back-to-back in the third inning. Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge also had run-scoring hits as New York banged out six runs on 10 hits in a "good team win."

"I think we’ve been needing that spark," Warren said. "We’ve been playing flat I feel like and tonight we jumped out there with the Bellinger home run and then obviously we went back-to-back.

"I don’t know, we got a spark of energy and it was like ‘alright, this is how we’re supposed to play baseball’ like the past month hadn’t been like we’re supposed to play baseball. We’ve had a gut punch lately and it was nice to get out there and play baseball the way we’re supposed to."

With how poorly the Yankees were playing, hosting the Twins couldn't have come at a better time. Not only did Minnesota have a fire sale at the trade deadline and entered Monday's game with a 56-61 record, New York has completely dominated the franchise for more than 20 years.

Since 2002, the Yanks are 124-44 against the Twins. That's a .738 winning percentage.

Boone was asked if he can explain the sustained dominance over another team and the skipper didn't have an answer.

"Not really. We’re 1-0 against them this year," he said.

Whatever the reasoning, New York will certainly take it and hope it continues for the next two games and hopefully beyond that. After all, with the Boston Red Sox losing, the Yanks are only 1.5 GB of their division rivals for the second Wild Card spot and 6.0 GB of the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East title.

With over 40 games remaining in the regular season, the Yankees still have plenty of time to make up the ground they've lost in the standings. But it'll take similar performances like the ones they got on Monday night to do it. Luckily for them, they're up for the challenge.

"Buncha guys were all putting in the work today and it’s always nice when the results show," Bellinger said.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto rocked by Zach Neto and Angels as Dodgers' NL West lead falls to 1

Los Angeles, CA - August 11: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto walks off the field during the fifth inning of a 7-4 loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium on Monday night. Yamamoto gave up six runs and six hits in 4⅔ innings. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

On the first day of spring training, at a Camelback Ranch facility adorned with ever-present reminders of the team’s 2024 World Series title, a Dodgers staff member took in the scene, then chuckled while reflecting on the club’s trek to a championship.

“Last year was not a fun year,” the staff member said. “At least, not until the end.”

Indeed, in the afterglow of the franchise’s first full-season title in more than three decades, the turbulent path getting there became easy to forget.

Last season’s Dodgers dealt with a wave of injuries to the pitching staff, inconsistencies in the lineup, and the club’s lowest full regular-season win total (98) in six years.

Fast-forward six months, and this year’s Dodgers find themselves in a similar place.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani and his agent accused of sabotaging $240-million real estate project

They are again navigating absences on the mound and in the bullpen over the last several weeks. Their offense has gone from leading the majors in scoring over the first half of the season, to suddenly sputtering over the last month and a half.

And after a 7-4 loss to the Angels on Monday, in the opener of a three-game Freeway Series at Angel Stadium, they are on pace for only 92 victories with a 68-51 record, clinging to what has dwindled to just a one-game lead in the National League West over the San Diego Padres.

Little fun. Lots of frustration.

"It's not going well for us right now,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “We got to find a way to snap out of it. No one's going to feel sorry for us. So it's on us to find our way out of it, and we need to do it."

Monday’s game was a lost cause from the start.

Despite getting an extra day of rest this week, after flipping places in the rotation with Tyler Glasnow for Sunday’s loss against the Toronto Blue Jays, Yoshinobu Yamamoto turned in one of his worst starts in the majors.

He gave up a home run to Zach Neto on his first pitch of the night, and another run later in the first inning after two walks (one of them on a missed third strike call from home plate umpire Dan Iassogna) and a Yoán Moncada single.

Then, in the fifth, his outing completely fell apart. Five of the first seven batters of the inning reached base (four singles and a hit by pitch). Four runs crossed the plate (including two on a Mike Trout single). And after Yamamoto walked his fifth batter with two outs, manager Dave Roberts was forced into an early hook, removing Yamamoto after 4⅔ innings and six runs (the most Yamamoto has yielded in his 41-game MLB career).

“[The early runs] kind of threw me off rhythm,” Yamamoto, whose earned-run average rose to a season-high 2.84, through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “As the game went on, I was trying to make a few adjustments. But unfortunately, I didn't make them."

The Dodgers’ lineup didn’t do much better.

Over the first six innings, they failed to figure out Angels right-hander José Soriano and his upper-90s mph sinker, managing just two hits while striking out six times.

Angels shortstop Zach Neto celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the sixth inning Monday against the Dodgers.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the sixth inning Monday against the Dodgers. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

By the time they finally put a runner in scoring position in the seventh, the deficit had grown to 7-0 on Neto’s second home run of the night (this time off Alexis Diaz). And even then, they came up empty, with Alex Freeland grounding into an inning-ending double-play against former Dodgers reliever Luis García with the bases loaded.

Eighth-inning home runs from Shohei Ohtani (his 42nd of the season, and the 100th of his career at his old home stadium in Anaheim) and Muncy (a three-run drive inside the right-field foul pole) put the Dodgers on the board at long last.

But it was far too little, much too late — allowing the Angels (57-62) to improve to 4-0 against the Dodgers this season after sweeping a series at Chavez Ravine back in May.

“This was a bad loss for us,” Muncy said. “There's not really a way of getting around that.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walks off the field after pulling Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walks off the field after pulling Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the game in the fifth inning Monday. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

When coupled with Sunday’s maddening defeat to Toronto (a defeat that left Roberts outwardly perturbed in his postgame news conference), the last 48 hours have represented another backward step in a Dodgers’ campaign that is quickly growing full of them.

It has zapped whatever momentum was building after the team’s two series-opening victories against the AL East-leading Blue Jays last weekend. It has dropped the club to 12-19 since the Fourth of July, the fifth-worst record in the majors over that span. And, most consequentially, it has opened the door for the Padres (who were 8½ games back of the Dodgers as recently as July 2) to inch closer to the division lead ahead of their visit to Dodger Stadium on Friday.

“You hate to say that yesterday's loss carried over to tonight, and you got to give credit to Soriano and the way he threw the baseball,” Roberts said. “But, yeah, I mean, you win yesterday, and you feel even better about coming into today. But now you're looking at losing two games in a row.

“There definitely has to be some urgency. I don’t think anyone is blind to the fact that the standings are the standings. It’s gotten a lot more interesting. So we’ve got to go out there and play good baseball. I definitely feel that our guys are starting to feel that urgency. It’s been long enough of middling baseball — as far as overall team wins and losses.”

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers' inability to improve bullpen at trade deadline haunts them again

The only silver lining: The Dodgers overcame similar struggles last year, doing just enough down the stretch to win the division and march all the way to an unlikely championship.

But they were hoping to avoid such headaches this year, and mount a more enjoyable title defense.

With less than two months remaining in the season, that dream has come and gone.

The Dodgers can still win another World Series. But the road to this point has been anything but a breeze.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Former Kings Defender Signs PTO With Minnesota Wild

On Monday (Aug. 11) afternoon, former Los Angeles Kings' defender Jack Johnson was revealed to have signed a professional tryout (PTO) contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Johnson, who is 38 years old, spent parts of six seasons with the Kings between 2006 and 2012 before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has also played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Rangers, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Through 1228 career games, Johnson has scored 77 goals and added 265 assists for 342 points, which comes out to a 0.28 points-per-game average.

Johnson looks to continue his long career by earning a contract with another new team.

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Schwarber hits his 42nd homer as Phillies rally past Reds

CINCINNATI — Kyle Schwarber hit his 42nd homer of the season, a two-run shot that highlighted a four-run eighth inning, as the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 Monday night, extending their winning streak to four games.

Schwarber’s 42nd homer moved him past Shohei Ohtani and into the NL lead. The Dodgers faced the Angels later Monday night. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh leads the AL and MLB with 45 homers. Schwarber has 97 RBIs this season.

Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (8-3) allowed only three hits through seven innings. But, with two outs in the eighth, he allowed RBI doubles by Weston Wilson and Trea Turner. Schwarber followed with a two-run shot off Tony Santillan to complete the rally.

Abbott bounced back after a rough outing on Wednesday when he allowed four earned runs and a pair of homers in a 6-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Against the Phillies, he retired the first 12 batters he faced before J.T. Realmuto doubled leading off the fifth.

The Reds went ahead 1-0 when TJ Friedl doubled and scored on Gavin Lux’s single in the first. It was the only run allowed by Phillies starter Taijuan Walker in his six innings.

Orion Kerkering retired the Reds in order in the ninth for his third save in seven chances. Jordan Romano (2-4) earned the victory for Philadelphia, which moved six games ahead of the idle New York Mets in the division.

Key moment

With one out in the seventh, Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte prevented the tying run from scoring when he threw out Bryce Harper attempting to score from third on Nick Castellano’s fly ball.

Key stat

Schwarber, who was born in nearby Middletown, Ohio, has 13 career home runs at Great American Ball Park, the most of any road ballpark.

Up next

Phillies LHP Ranger Suárez (8-5, 2.94 ERA) will face Reds RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 5.43 ERA) on Tuesday.

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Yankees ace Gerrit Cole throws off flat ground as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by making 20 throws off flat ground on Monday.

“It felt really good today,” Cole said before New York opened a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. “I was fairly accurate and I had a good time.”

Cole began his throwing program five months after getting an internal brace inserted into his elbow in an operation by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

The normal rehabilitation time is about 14 months and Cole had been building up to getting off flat ground for the past few weeks. Cole said his initial progressing will last for a few months before he can off a mound, and then he will get shut down and expects a normal offseason.

“It’s a big one, first day throwing,” Cole said. “I’ve been building up to it for a few weeks. So It’s nice to get outside and get it accomplished and have it go well.”

A 34-year-old right-hander with a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts, Cole’s arm initially was in a cast following the surgery and then a brace. The brace was removed in mid-April and Cole had been undergoing about 90 minutes to two hours of rehab.

Cole has thrown 1,954 innings over 12 major league seasons, plus an additional 133 1/3 innings in 22 postseason starts. His procedure was reconstruction of the ligament with an internal brace, which is designed to promote stability.

Cole is signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028, and is in the dugout for home games. He also joined a YES Network broadcast for a few innings during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 17.

“Excited for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s done a good job with the rehab and this is one of those cool markers along the way that is significant to hit. So excited for him.”

Cole’s 2024 season debut was delayed until June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.

Cole went for tests after allowing a pair of home runs in his second spring training start this year, against Minnesota on March 6.

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Yankees blast four home runs to beat Twins, 6-2

The Yankees bounced back after dropping their third series in a row over the weekend by beating the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, 6-2.

Here are the takeaways...

-All or nothing seemed to be the biggest theme in this one with five different players hitting five solo homers. Cody Bellinger got things started by hitting his 21st bomb of the season in the bottom of the first inning. The solo shot off Zebby Matthews was the first hit of the game and gave New York a 1-0 lead.

Matthews would allow two more home runs in his 5.2 innings of work -- back-to-back solo shots by Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice in the third. Stanton lifted his 11th of the season on the first pitch he saw while Rice crushed his 17th of the year on a 2-2 slider and sent it 415 feet to right field.

When Matthews wasn't letting up long balls, though, he was striking out New York's hitters, finishing with nine strikeouts to match his career high. His night was over after issuing his first walk of the game and throwing 99 pitches (68 strikes).

-On the other side was Will Warren who had a similar performance as Matthews. Like Matthews, Warren's night mostly consisted of strikeouts or solo home runs. To his credit, the rookie right-hander was slightly better than his competition and only allowed two solo shots -- one to Byron Buxton in the sixth and another to Trevor Larnach in the seventh -- in 6.2 innings. He also struck out seven while walking none on 85 pitches (60 strikes).

Warren left the game with a 3-2 lead and his outing was good enough to secure his seventh win of the season (7-5). It was also the fourth straight start where he's allowed two earned runs or fewer.

The offense relied less on the long ball in the bottom half of the seventh and strung together three hits and a walk against reliever Brooks Kriske, who got the final out of the sixth, to start the frame which resulted in two more runs. Ryan McMahon doubled to lead things off, Anthony Volpe walked (after a wild pitch advanced McMahon to third) followed by Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge singling them home.

-Jazz Chisholm Jr. ended the scoring with a bang by smacking another solo shot to lead off the eighth inning. It was the Bronx Bombers' fourth home run of the game and Chisholm's 20th of the season.

-The Yanks finished with 10 hits on the night with every player in the starting lineup besides Paul Goldschmidt getting at least one hit. Stanton and Rice each had two hits.

-Following Warren, Luke Weaver and David Bednar combined for 2.1 perfect innings while striking out four.

-Both teams combined for six home runs and 23 strikeouts.

Game MVP: Will Warren

The righty turned in another quality start and is pitching the best he has all season.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees continue their series with the Twins on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

LHP Carlos Rodón (11-7, 3.35 ERA) will go for New York while Minnesota has yet to announce a starter.

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Why Nathan Légaré Will Enter Devis Training Camp With New Mindset

 

Nathan Légaré made his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden, arguably the most famous arena in the world, in the winter of 2024. 

Besides the game itself, a 5-1 New Jersey victory, he remembers playing against one of his best buddies, New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafrenière, and a piece of advice his New Jersey Devils teammate Justin Dowling shared before his rookie lap. 

"He told me to not step on the puck on the ice," Légaré said during a phone interview with The Hockey News. "It would have been funny if I did."

The 24-year-old appeared in three games with the Devils before returning to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League, where he spent the majority of the 2024-25 season. While it was a brief NHL stint, it provided a boost for Légaré. 

"There is more confidence about my game now," he explained. "Especially, now that I have played a couple of games in the NHL. That is a check mark, but the next one is to stay in the NHL and be a full-time NHLer. That is the mindset right now." 

The Devils acquired the versatile forward on March 11, 2024, from the Montreal Canadiens. In his first full season with the Comets, he earned a single-season career high of 25 points. 

In the AHL, Légaré found himself throughout Utica's lineup from top line to fourth, playing both wing and center. In the NHL, he considers himself a bottom-six player who can provide energy and kill penalties. 

For his call-up, he knew what could separate him and make an impression on the coaching staff in New Jersey. 

"For me, it is my physical presence," he shared. "I think in my first NHL game, I had five or six hits. That is part of my game, and when I am physical, that is when I play my best hockey. 

"That was the big thing in Utica," he continued. "I was scoring goals at the end of the year, but I was also playing a physical game. I got in six fights, plus two in preseason. I think that is a good number for me. I am not looking for a fight, but when the situation is there, I think you have to do it. I know this year in the American League, teams are getting bigger, and we are going to need that physical presence. I am willing to do it. I am not going to say I am going to square off every night, but when the situation is there and my team needs me to fight, I am willing to do it."  

Légaré had a total of six hits in his NHL debut, which tied Paul Cotter for the most among Devils skaters that night. In three games, he logged 12 hits. 

New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) on XNew Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) on XANOTHA ONE. We have re-signed F Nathan Légaré to a one-year, two-way contract. 📰: https://t.co/h7tNfBiH9n

With so many depth players leaving the Devils in free agency, the Montreal native sees an opportunity in New Jersey, but has a practical perspective.

"Everybody wants to make the New Jersey Devils, but at the same time, I think you have to be realistic," he said. "It is not the end of the world if you go back to Utica. You work hard, and you never know what can happen."

During his time with the Devils organization, Légaré has seen that hard work will lead to positive outcomes. 

"That is what I like the most about the New Jersey Devils," he said, "They call the next guy up who deserves to get the call-up. You never know, it can be a guy on an AHL contract. I think about Samuel Laberge. Two years ago, he was on an AHL deal, signed a new deal, and got the call-up. It is pretty motivating for everybody in the organization. I think that is why all the guys arrive prepared for camp."

Seeing players' efforts being rewarded, coupled with a newfound confidence, Légaré admitted that his mindset has shifted as he prepares for training camp in one month. 

"Last year (at training camp), it was making a good first impression because I was traded (in March)," he said. "This year, they know what I can bring and they saw what I was able to do during the season. For me, it is more of a game-changer now, and hopefully, I can crack the lineup at camp.

"I don't want to look too much at the depth chart," he continued. "I just want to focus on my game. That is what I did last year, and it ended up working for me. That is how I want to go into camp. Like I said, you never know what can happen." 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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NHL Insider: Oilers Have Reached Out About Red Wings’ Goalie Prospect

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has managed to assemble one of the deepest prospect pools in the National Hockey League, which includes two highly regarded goaltenders expected to develop into future starters. 

2023 First Round selection Sebastian Cossa and 2023 Second Round selection Trey Augustine are both considered to have tremendous potential and could form one of the league’s most formidable tandems in the coming seasons.

While Detroit’s championship window hasn’t realistically opened yet, a team that has lost back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals has reportedly contacted the Red Wings and expressed alleged interest in acquiring one of their goaltending prospects.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Appearing on The Sekeres & Price Show, League Insider Cam Robinson - Content Director and Director of Film Scouting for Elite Prospects - revealed that he’s been told the Oilers have reached out to Detroit about potentially acquiring Cossa to present to their fans as their goaltender of the future.

"I've heard that they're looking a little more long term, and their field of vision is a little wider here," Robinson said of the Oilers. "I've been told they've contacted Detroit, I believe the first person they asked about was Trey Augustine and think it was just a non-starter. Steve Yzerman and company really love that kid, and they should."

"But they have a 6'6", 6'7" former first rounder in Sebastian Cossa sitting there, who is slowly been progressing up the way, played a full season in the East Coast League," Robinson continued. "They're not soured on him by any means, but I think they're hoping that he'd be quicker along the path, and the fact that they have Augustine there in the Red Wings system potentially allows him to be an expendable chip." 

Cossa has already begun his professional career in the American Hockey League after having played for the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings and the ECHL's Toledo Walleye. This past season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Cossa amassed a record of 21-15-5 while posting a 2.45 goals-against average. 

But Cossa's numbers weren't as strong down the final stretch of the regular season, and he faltered during the Calder Cup Playoffs, finding himself benched after surrendering nine goals in just two games. 

Meanwhile, Augustine has thrived not only with the Michigan State Spartans but with the United States in international play. 

"If Edmonton does want to get themselves someone that they can tag as like, 'Here's our goalie of the future that's maybe only a year or two years away', he'd be a great bet to go on," Robinson concluded. 

Unless the Oilers were to present Yzerman with a Godfather-style offer he couldn’t refuse, the chances of Detroit trading Cossa are remote. At the same time, Yzerman did not sound optimistic about Cossa seeing NHL action in the 2025-26 season.

"Today, I’m not prepared to say he’s going to play in the NHL next year," Yzerman said on April 29 of Cossa. "He’s got to do more." 

If the Oilers want to acquire a young goaltender with a high ceiling, they’ll have to find a deal elsewhere, as the Red Wings aren’t going to be parting ways with either Cossa or Augustine. 

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Correa plays 1st game in Houston since trade as Bregman visits for 1st time since joining Red Sox

HOUSTON — Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman were back at Daikin Park on Monday.

But while Correa was making his triumphant return home after the recent blockbuster trade that brought him back to the Houston Astros from the Minnesota Twins, Bregman was in the ballpark for the first time as a visitor after signing with the Boston Red Sox this offseason. Monday is the opener of a three-game series between the teams.

“That adds an extra little bit of what it’s going to mean for our fans,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “Both players, what they’ve done for this organization, it’s incredible, right? Bregman, he’s one of the best players that ever wore this uniform, and now we get Carlos back, coming in here and (helping) us win the division. It’s going to be electric here.”

Bregman, drafted second overall by the Astros in 2015, spent his first nine seasons in Houston where he helped the team to eight playoff berths, including seven trips to the AL Championship Series, four World Series appearances and two championships. The third baseman was named an All-Star twice in Houston, won a Gold Glove last season and a Silver Slugger Award in 2019 when he came in second in AL MVP voting.

Bregman was asked about the timing of them both returning to Houston on the same day.

“I was shocked at the news during the trade deadline and it was awesome and it looks like he’s fit right back in,” Bregman said. “He’s a great player, a leader, great teammate. It’s always difficult to compete against him because he’s such a good competitor, but we’re gonna give it our best shot today.”

Correa, who waived his no-trade clause to return to Houston, is back after playing for the Twins since 2022. The top pick in the 2012 draft, he spent his first eight seasons with the Astros, pairing with Bregman for many of those years to transform the Astros from league laughingstock to perennial contender. He’s been great in the nine games since the trade and entered Monday batting .405 with 15 hits, including two homers and six RBIs.

He said returning to the team where his career began after being gone for four years is surreal.

“It’s a second chance to come back here and put on this uniform and it’s a chance that I will never take for granted,” he said. “I’m gonna go out there and give it my best every single day I go out there.”

Correa, who has been slowed by injuries in recent years, said he’s feeling rejuvenated since rejoining the Astros and moving to third base after spending his entire career playing shortstop.

“Being at third base I don’t get as tired, so I feel like my legs are a lot fresher,” he said.

Bregman, who spent years playing third base in Houston while Correa was at shortstop, has no doubt that he’ll excel at his new position.

“He’s going to do great over there,” Bregman said. “He’s got an incredible arm. We always used to say if he catches the ball, the guy is out because of how good the arm is and he’s going to make the transition great. He’s a Platinum Glove winner at shortstop, so third base should be pretty easy for him.”

Though Bregman faced the Astros recently in Boston when the Red Sox swept a three-game series, he admitted that Monday would be emotional because of all the memories he made here. He spoke of what stuck out to him the most from his time in Houston.

“I’d say the championships and just seeing how resilient the city is and how it comes together when times are tough,” he said. “And the people are great, my teammates, the coaches, everything, all the memories in the clubhouse, busting our tail trying to find a way to win a baseball game every single day, the everyday grind of it, it was fun for us.”

As for Correa, he’s soaking up every minute of being back with the team. The best part, he said, is reuniting with close friend and second baseman Jose Altuve.

“As soon as I got to Boston, I gave him a big hug and I told him I missed him,” Correa said. “He’s an unbelievable player, but the human side of it, I get to hang out with him after the games, we get to go eat after the games (and) we just talk shop. It’s something that I definitely missed a lot and I get to do it again so I’m not gonna take it for granted.”

Altuve shares his sentiments.

“I’m really excited he’s back,” he said. “I really enjoyed my time playing with him and I’m going to enjoy playing with him again and we’re all excited about him.”

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Yankees not yet sure when Aaron Judge will return to outfield

Aaron Judge continues to work towards a return to right field, but the Yankees do not yet know if he will be able to man the position this weekend in St. Louis.

Before Monday’s game, manager Aaron Boone ruled out Judge for the outfield during this week’s series at home against Minnesota.

Ever since Judge hit the injured list last month with a right flexor strain, the team has been optimistic that he would return to the field before long. “Sooner rather than later” continues to be the public messaging.

But privately, the team is genuinely unsure when it might happen. The timing is important because as long as Judge is limited to designated hitter duties, right field is Giancarlo Stanton’s only path to playing time. The reeling Yankees are hardly in a position to sit Stanton, one of their best hitters.

The location of the Yankees’ next series could create extra incentive for Judge to return this weekend.

Right field at Yankee Stadium is relatively small, which is suited to Stanton’s current level of speed and range. Busch Stadium in St. Louis presents far more ground to cover.

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Former Met Johan Santana named Team Venezuela's pitching coach for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Former Met Johan Santana is joining Team Venezuela's coaching staff as their pitching coach for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Santana, who pitched for the Mets from 2008-2012, is a two-time Cy Young award winner and four-time All-Star. He won both of his Cy Young awards with the Minnesota Twins where he began his career and spent eight seasons.

In his first season in New York, the left-hander led MLB with his 2.53 ERA and led the NL with 34 starts and 234.1 innings pitched. Santana went on to go 46-34 during his career with the Mets and pitched to a 3.18 ERA. He also threw the first no-hitter in franchise history on June 1, 2012 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now 46 years old, this will be Santana's first opportunity as a coach for professional players. And although rosters have not been released yet, some possible pitchers that will play for manager Omar Lopez and Team Venezuela include starters Pablo Lopez, Ranger Suarez, Eduardo Rodriguez and Martin Perez, as well as relievers Jose Alvarado, Robert Suarez, Jose Buttó and Brusdar Graterol.

With a lineup that could feature players such as Ronald Acuña Jr., Jose Altuve, Salvador Perez, Eugenio Suarez and more like Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña, Team Venezuela will likely be a formidable team in the tournament.