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Henrik Zetterberg Discusses His New Advisory Role with Timrå in Sweden

Yesterday it was announced that former Red Wings player Henrik Zetterberg is returning to his childhood club Timrå IK as an advisor. The news created a lot of excitement in Sweden, and Zetterberg did several interviews throughout the day following his appointment to the new role. Among others, Henrik spoke with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The original interview can be found here.

After spending a year in Detroit following the end of his playing career, Zetterberg has settled down in Sweden. He has made his home in the south of the country and has lived a quiet life in the years since retiring from hockey. Gaining more attention is not the purpose of his new role, and the humble Zetterberg said that the attention wasn’t something he was seeking when the role was announced.

“It’s not the public attention I’m seeking by taking on this role as an advisor. I’ve actually had this role for about a year now in Timrå, but we haven’t really made much of it publicly. I love hockey and have a strong connection to Timrå. Now we’ll be a team working to push Timrå forward, and I’ll focus on being a sounding board for young players and their coaches in the club to help them develop. I’ll also continue supporting Kent Norberg (GM of Timrå) with thoughts and opinions on potential signings. It’ll be fun to see what kind of development we can achieve together,” says Henrik Zetterberg.

Several of his former Detroit teammates have gone on to start careers in management and coaching. Zetterberg was asked about his future plans and whether a role as a sporting director or GM is something he envisions down the line. However, he was quick to play down those speculations.

“I have no plans to take over after ‘Nubben’ (current GM at Timrå) that’s not something I’m thinking about at all. I want him to stay in Timrå forever, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. My passion lies in helping younger players make the same journey that I once did.”

Henrik Zetterberg was also asked about his connection with the Red Wings and whether he might use his current role to help Detroit. His former captain and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidström is also based in Sweden while serving as Detroit’s Vice President of Hockey Operations. The connection to Detroit is still there, but there is no official collaboration between Zetterberg and his former club at this point.

“Of course I’ll probably have thoughts and questions during the season. I have people around me who have worked in hockey and have a lot of experience. Almost everyone on the Red Wings staff today are my former teammates, and I feel like I always represent Detroit since I played there for so many years. But we’ll see how that can help me in my professional role.”

Finally, Zetterberg was asked how he expects Timrå to perform this season. The team has lost valuable pieces during the offseason, including Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen, who have both left for the NHL.

“There’s no denying that losing Filip Hållander and Oliver Kapanen is a big blow for the club. They did a lot for the team last season. But we have other guys who are very talented and maybe flew a bit under the radar last year. Now it’s up to them to take the lead and push the club forward. Timrå is in a good position to surprise, but they might not be a top team just yet. There are many strong top teams. I don’t need to name them, it’s obvious who they are.”

Oliver Kapanen played 18 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season but returned to Timrå on loan. The season was a success for Kapanen, who recorded 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games. It’s an impressive points tally in the defensively minded SHL.

Filip Hållander returns to Pittsburgh with the ambition of earning a roster spot with the Penguins. He has played in three NHL games for Pittsburgh and has also appeared in 104 AHL games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Swedish center is coming off a brilliant SHL season, finishing second in the league in both goals and points with 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games for Timrå.

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Ex-Maple Leafs Prospect Fraser Minten To Participate In Bruins Rookie Tournament Despite Ending Last Season In NHL

Despite having 25 games of NHL experience over two seasons, Fraser Minten was announced as part of the Boston Bruinsrookie tournament roster this week. Speaking to reporters at Warrior Ice Arena, Minten was asked how it came to be that he would take part in the tournament. It turns out Minten didn’t volunteer. He’s just following Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s orders.

“I got a phone call saying you will participate,” Minten said with a smile.

Minten, originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with their first pick (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, impressed the club enough that he made Toronto's opening night roster during the 2023-24 season. He played in four games before being returned to the junior league. The following season, Minten looked more polished, putting up two goals and two assists in 15 games.

Fraser Minten's Remarkable Journey From Under the Radar Before Training Camp to the Maple Leafs' Opening Night RosterFraser Minten's Remarkable Journey From Under the Radar Before Training Camp to the Maple Leafs' Opening Night RosterThe Maple Leafs didn't expect their second-round pick to make the team this year, but Fraser Minten's performance at training camp was hard to deny.

But as the Maple Leafs sought to add depth for a playoff push, the club traded Minten to Boston along with a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. As it became clear the Bruins weren’t destined for the postseason, they called up Minten. He played in six games and scored one goal.

'More Backcheck And There'll Be A Greater Paycheck': Maple Leafs React To Losing Players And Prospects On Trade Deadline Day'More Backcheck And There'll Be A Greater Paycheck': Maple Leafs React To Losing Players And Prospects On Trade Deadline DayDENVER — The Toronto Maple Leafs made some big moves ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade deadline. The Leafs acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins.

Minten didn’t take part in the development camp the Bruins held in the summer that featured a lot of prospects his age. Given he’s about to embark on his first training camp in Boston, he understood the reasoning for the early attendance.

“I haven’t been here for a while, even for me but for them they haven’t seen me play a ton as much as other guys,” Minten said. “It just gives them a chance to get a look at me and my game.”

A look at Boston's depth chart shows a third-line center spot ripe for the taking for Minten, the role he played in Toronto. As the Bruins go through a bit of a rebuild after eight consecutive seasons of being in the playoffs, the opportunity is there for the former Maple Leafs draft pick to take another step in his development.

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Brad Marchand has long dreamed of playing for Team Canada at Winter Olympics

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand is hopeful to do something next year that has been on his checklist for a long time.

The 37-year-old NHL veteran and future Hockey Hall of Famer wants to suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Marchand was one of 26 forwards and 42 total players who were invited to Hockey Canada's Orientation Camp last month in Calgary.

He was also one of five Panthers players to receive an invite, along with forwards Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The last time NHL players participated in the Olympic Games was in 2014 in Sochi.

Canada won gold, but Marchand was not there.

Like this year, Marchand was also part of that team’s orientation camp, but that was as far as his Olympic dream would go that year.

To say he’s been feeling the hunger to represent his country and compete for a gold medal in the time since would be an understatement.

"There's nothing I want more than to play for the Olympic team," Marchand said during last month’s camp in Calgary, per NHL.com. "That drive has been there since I went to that (orientation) camp in (2013) and didn't make that team. Since then, it's been my goal, my driving force every year, every summer. That's why I was so disappointed in '18 and then the next one. Everything I have done for the last 12 years has been for this tournament."

Now fully healthy and fresh off an incredible run with Florida during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as a strong showing for Team Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand is ready to make his Olympic dream come true.

If and when the opportunity comes, Marchand understands just how rare and unique a position it would be for him to find himself.

"I think you really understand how fragile these opportunities are," he said. "They're not a given. Even when you think you're going to go, it doesn't mean you're going. The last one we thought we were going for sure. It's the end of December, a month and a half before we're leaving, and it gets pulled from us. The one before that, someone's decision allows us to not go again. You could have an unbelievable NHL career and play for a very long time and not have an opportunity to play in these games."

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Photo caption: Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

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Flyers Decline to Comment on Potential Carter Hart Reunion

(Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

In spite of recent reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are not prepared to comment on any potential reunion with or interest in former goalie Carter Hart.

On Wednesday, during their state of the franchise press conference, Flyers president Keith Jones and governor Dan Hilferty fielded questions on all things Flyers.

Hart, 27, was recently acquitted of sexual assault and is a free agent, though the NHL has not officially reinstated him or the other four players involved in the Hockey Canada trial in London, Ontario.

That's about as much as the Flyers know, too, despite a recent report that claimed they were one of many teams interested in the veteran goalie.

"Well, at this point, we're going to make no comment on that situation. The NHL's made it clear that they'll speak first. But, right now, we're not prepared to comment at all about the Carter Hart situation," Hilferty said. "The NHL has told us they are running the show."

Hilferty and Jones were specifically asked as to whether they would consider inquiring on Hart and if the Flyers were allowed to talk to their former player if reinstated, but Hilferty, with the answer quoted above, shut those questions down as reasonably as possible.

Flyers: Where Is Egor Zavragin?Flyers: Where Is Egor Zavragin?Top Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Egor Zavragin has yet to play for his KHL club, SKA St. Petersburg, in the early goings of the 2025-26 season.

The Flyers already have a bit of a logjam working in goal anyway, with Sam Ersson and Dan Vladar expected to be the two main netminders on the NHL roster and Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov working in behind them.

Plus, Hart is nearly two years removed from his last competitive hockey game and NHL appearance at this point, so any potential reunion, which already lies in the hands of the NHL, is not going to be straightforward.

Until the NHL makes its decision, the show will go on in Philadelphia, with Vladar debuting for the Flyers imminently and Ersson hoping for a return to form.

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Ramp to Camp: Whose Celtics tribute video are you most looking forward to?

Ramp to Camp: Whose Celtics tribute video are you most looking forward to? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Watching the second apron force the Boston Celtics to break apart their championship core this summer wasn’t easy for anyone in the organization. But the department we felt most for? The video editors in charge of putting together all the tribute videos that will roll whenever a beloved player returns to TD Garden this season.

There should be at least four instances this winter where a hush falls over the Garden crowd and a 60-second montage of highlights from that player’s time in Boston will roll on the Jumbotron. Fans will roar for key moments, particularly when the Larry O’Brien Trophy or a parade shot is included, and some of the standing ovations will last longer than the videos themselves.

The Celtics’ video squad routinely crushes these assignments, and it’s fun to watch players on both teams take a break from the action to cherish the moment. There’s simply going to be a lot of them this season. 

The good news for Boston’s video group: None of the returns occur in calendar year 2025, so there’s some time to work with. January could feature three returning heroes. Luke Kornet is slated to return with San Antonio on January 10; Jrue Holiday is expected back with Portland on January 26; and Kristaps Porzingis should travel here with Atlanta on January 28.

If and when Al Horford eventually signs with the Golden State Warriors, then he would return to TD Garden on March 18. You’ve got ample time to secure your tissues.

Five ‘reunion games’ Celtics fans should circle on 2025-26 schedule

For Day 9 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to pick which tribute video they are most excited to watch at TD Garden this season.

If we’re being honest, we’re excited that each video ought to be a little different.

Good luck trying to distill all the hilarious moments from Kornet’s Boston tenure down to 60 (or even 90) seconds. A supercut of his best celebrations would eat up all the available time. Trying to shoehorn a witty soundbite or two would really put the video editors in a bind. But we suspect that video will feel like a smile-inducing celebration.

Holiday’s video will likely be a little bit more buttoned up, but ought to highlight just how vital he was to Boston’s 2024 postseason success. The key plays Holiday made in the Indiana series alone could fill the allotted time. 

All we ask for with the Porzingis video is some sort of highly dramatic transition, maybe some black and white footage of him hobbling off the court against Miami, then flashing to his WWE-style walkout before Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks. Goosebumps. We expect Porzingis to be smiling throughout the video and fans to roar at every opportunity. This one will feel like a party.

Then there’s Horford. How do you summarize his impact over seven seasons and two tenures in one TV timeout? Horford made Boston a destination for free agents when he signed here in 2016. He accelerated the development of multiple variations of this roster, routinely delivering this team to the Eastern Conference Finals before finally getting over the hump in 2024.

This will undoubtedly be the most emotional of the bunch. And if Horford’s son, Ean, is perched next to him on the visitor’s bench, it’s going to get dusty in the Garden real quick.

Maybe it’s fitting Horford would go last among returning players. While we’re excited for the smiles that Porzingis and Kornet will elicit, it’s unlikely anything can top the emotion that will flow when Horford returns. 

Here’s what our panel had to say:

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

If we’re talking entertainment factor, it’s a tight race between Kristaps Porzingis (cue the WWE-style entrance!) and Luke Kornet. (Can we get another attack ad, Luke?)

But few Celtics have meant more to the organization over the last decade than Horford. I’m getting goosebumps now just thinking about the rousing ovation he’ll receive from the TD Garden faithful — even if he’s in a Warriors uniform.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

Al Horford’s should be the longest. They could do two tributes in two separate timeouts for his two tenures. Seeing Horford progress from the Isaiah Thomas era through the championship season will be the most stirring for everybody in attendance.

Porzingis’ will be the most electric. He might go nuts. Kornet’s will be the funniest. Holiday’s will be straightforward and solid. He’ll give a nice wave.

But Al’s will be the best.

Sean McGuire, Web Producer

It’s between Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford for me, but I’m going to give a slight edge to Porzingis.

I could see his allergies really acting up in late January, and I could see the Celtics-Hawks crowd that night trying to one-up the Celtics-Blazers crowd from two nights prior. Additionally, the cinematic photos of blood pouring from Porzingis’ head will never not be cool.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

Al Horford.

There is no better example of a professional than Horford. He has had an underrated career and has been such a key piece to the Celtics in both his tenures here. He isn’t flashy and the loudest voice in the room, but he may have been the most consistent.

His tribute will definitely tug on the heartstrings the most.

Jim Aberdale, Supervising Producer, Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis without a doubt.

He really took to the Boston experience and, in turn, the fans reciprocated. And it’s a lock he’ll come with some great soundbites — always appreciated by the crew creating the pregame and postgame shows.

Max Lederman, Content Producer

Al Horford was the first major free agent to ever sign with the Celtics. He added instant credibility to the team when he arrived and embraced the city and fans like he was born here.

His tribute video will almost certainly be the most emotional, and sometimes it’s good to cry.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

From a content standpoint, Luke Kornet for sure. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis will be fun. But I feel Al Horford deserves a truly emotional evening.

History will show that he was one of the most important players in Celtics history. He came here as a free agent and started to shift the tide on how other players viewed the organization. And Brad Stevens’ trade for Horford in 2021 that sent out Kemba Walker might be one of the great trades of all time. It gave you a leader and an overly productive big for a championship team while shedding money to make other key moves.

Horford defined professionalism and deserves the love from Celtics fans. 

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

Jrue Holiday, because he’s the one I was most disappointed to see go. A quiet assassin, he deserved a better ending than what the Second Apron forced upon him. 

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Leicestershire promoted, Nottinghamshire beat Worcs: county cricket – as it happened

Leicestershire up after draw, Notts win to set up heavyweight showdown with Surrey

Yorkshire are making a Horlicks of their first innings – Davey and Gregory have reduced them to 41-4, still trail by 400.

A couple of wickets at New Road – now will this get tasty? The busy McCann gone for 28 and Joe Clarke for a nine-ball duck. 74 needed and dot balls abounding.

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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Daniel Palencia sidelined with shoulder strain

In this week's Closer Report, the Cubs lost breakout closer Daniel Palencia to the injured list with a shoulder injury. And the Tigers will once again lean on Will Vest in the ninth inning with Kyle Finnegan sidelined. That and more as we run down the last week in saves around the league.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1

Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners

Chapman struck out four batters in one inning against the Diamondbacks on Sunday for his 29th save of the season. He then surrendered a run on two hits on Wednesday against the Athletics, the first hits he's allowed over 17 appearances since July 23. What the 37-year-old left-hander is doing in his 16th season is incredible, posting a 1.14 ERA, a 0.67 WHIP, and an 81/14 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings.

Muñoz converted back-to-back saves against the Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday with a pair of scoreless innings. The 26-year-old right-hander is up to 34 saves with a 1.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 71/25 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings. Setup man Matt Brash has posted nearly identical numbers behind Muñoz, recording 21 holds with a 1.73 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 52/16 K/BB rate over 41 2/3 frames.

Tier 2

Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres

Duran recorded three more saves for the Phillies this week, giving him a career-high 28 to go with a 1.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 70/18 K/BB ratio across 63 innings. Meanwhile, Díaz made one appearance this week, locking down a save against the Reds on Friday as he worked around two walks and a hit with two strikeouts.

Suarez surrendered a run against the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday but was able to hold on for his 36th save. After making a scoreless appearance in a non-save situation on Monday, he gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer against the Reds on Tuesday, pitching for the third time in four days. Behind Suarez, Mason Miller made three scoreless appearances. He's now posted a 1.17 ERA with a 29/6 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings since joining the Padres on August 1.

Tier 3

David Bednar - New York Yankees
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Ryan Walker - San Francisco Giants
Abner Uribe - Milwaukee Brewers
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Bryan Abreu - Houston Astros
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates

Bednar surrendered a run in a non-save situation against the Astros last Thursday, then bounced back with back-to-back saves against the Blue Jays, including three strikeouts in a four-out save on Saturday. He's up to 22 saves, five with the Yankees, with a 2.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 76/16 K/BB ratio over 54 2/3 innings.

Fairbanks had a rough series at home against the Guardians, giving up two runs on Thursday before giving up a run to take the loss on Saturday. He bounced back in Chicago on Tuesday, tossing a scoreless inning for his 25th save of the season. Meanwhile, Jansen pitched two clean outings to convert two saves. And in Kansas City, Estévez locked down three saves, giving him 39 with a 2.45 ERA across 62 1/3 innings.

Walker had a rough outing on Saturday against the Cardinals, giving up three runs to blow a save chance and take a loss without recording an out. He recovered with a scoreless outing on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks to convert his 15th save. Rookie right-hander Joel Peguero has stepped up in a big way as the Giants have had to overcome some injuries in the bullpen. Peguero has tossed 12 1/3 scoreless innings with an 11/1 K/BB ratio while working his way into high-leverage situations.

With Trevor Megill still on the 15-day injured list, Uribe continues to operate as the Brewers' closer. He picked up a save with a clean inning against the Pirates on Friday. Megill threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and is aiming to return next week.

Pagán has a busy week on the mound, making four appearances in five days. Only one was in a save situation. He converted his 27th save of the season with a clean inning against the Padres on Tuesday. In Cleveland, Smith also pitched four of five days, picking up three saves to give him 12 on the season with a 3.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 90/19 K/BB ratio across 64 2/3 innings.

Scott took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, giving up a walk-off homer in the ninth inning. He was then charged with a blown save on Saturday before bouncing back with a save against the Rockies on Monday. Abreu also hasn't been at his best, giving up eight runs over his last five outings. He surrendered two against the Blue Jays on Tuesday to blow the save before recovering with a save on Wednesday.

Iglesias continued his strong second half with two scoreless outings, picking up a pair of saves to give him 25 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 64/12 K/BB ratio across 59 2/3 innings. And Hoffman made two scoreless appearances this week, picking up a win against the Astros in the tenth inning on Tuesday.

Vest should take the primary share of all the save chances in Detroit after Kyle Finnegan landed on the 15-day injured list with a right adductor strain. Vest saw no save chances this week. He tossed a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the White Sox on Sunday. Santana also didn't see a save chance, instead pitching two scoreless innings in a pair of non-save situations.

Tier 4

Andrew Kittredge/Brad Keller - Chicago Cubs
Shawn Armstrong - Texas Rangers
Jose Ferrer - Washington Nationals
JoJo Romero/Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Calvin Faucher/Ronny Henriquez/Tyler Phillips - Miami Marlins

In a tough blow to the Cubs' bullpen, Daniel Palencia's breakout season may have been cut short as he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. The 25-year-old right-hander had converted 22 saves with a 3.00 ERA over 51 innings. Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge should be in the mix for saves to fill in for Palencia. Kittredge got the save chance on Wednesday against the Braves, tossing a clean inning with one strikeout, while Keller picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth inning.

In Texas, Armstrong is up to eight saves after converting two this week. Meanwhile, Ferrer made three scoreless appearances this week, picking up two saves to bring him to eight on the year with a 3.89 ERA over 69 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals continue the matchups game in the late innings, with O'Brien picking up a save this week. Romero still leads the team with seven. It's even messier in Miami, where Lake Bachar converted the team's only save this week.

Tier 5

Keegan Akin - Baltimore Orioles
Justin Topa/Cole Sands - Minnesota Twins
Sean Newcomb - Athletics
Andrew Saalfrank/Jake Woodford - Arizona Diamondbacks
Jordan Leasure/Mike Vasil - Chicago White Sox
Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies

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Dodgers sweep Rockies to keep growing NL West lead, but Will Smith is a late scratch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on September 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Thayer/For The Los Angeles Times)
Mookie Betts celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the eighth inning Wednesday. (Eric Thayer / For The Times)

At some point, the Dodgers hope, they will be able to field a fully healthy lineup.

A late scratch on Wednesday to catcher Will Smith, however, meant it would have to wait at least a couple more days.

Despite activating Tommy Edman from the injured list pregame, and proceeding to sweep the Colorado Rockies with a 9-0 win that stretched their National League West lead to three games, the Dodgers were left dealing with another injury headache Wednesday, removing Smith from the starting lineup just 15 minutes before first pitch after swelling developed around the bone bruise he has been dealing with in his right hand.

“Not overly concerned,” manager Dave Roberts said of Smith’s status, “but we’ve got to get that swelling under wraps.”

Smith’s absence hardly hampered the Dodgers in their fourth straight win.

Their lineup exploded for four runs in the second inning and five in the eighth behind a huge night from Mookie Betts, who continued his recent tear with a four-for-five, five-RBI performance that included a run-scoring double early and a grand slam to put things away late. Betts is now on a 16-game on-base streak, has multiple RBIs in five-straight contests, and is batting .352 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs over his last 32 games.

Read more:Strong rehab outing could put Roki Sasaki back in Dodgers' postseason roster contention

Behind the plate, Ben Rortvedt filled in to catch Blake Snell’s scoreless six-inning, 11-strikeout start, which continued a dominant run from a Dodgers’ rotation that now has a 1.18 ERA over the last six games.

And thanks to a loss earlier in the day by the San Diego Padres, the team grew its lead atop the division for a second day in a row, effectively taking a 3-½ game NL West lead (when accounting for its head-to-head tiebreaker over San Diego) with 16 games to play.

“That was a big home series sweep, to get us going … get us moving in the right direction,” Snell said. “All of us have been looking forward to getting it going. This was a really good step.”

Yet, after activating Max Muncy off the injured list Monday, and welcoming Edman back into the fold Wednesday afternoon, the Dodgers were finally on the verge of having a full-strength squad for the first time since early July.

Instead, they were reminded of the tenuous reality of their oft-injured roster — and the difficulty of trying to manage Smith’s hand in particular.

It had only been a week since Smith first got hurt, when a foul ball in Pittsburgh ricocheted off his dangling throwing hand behind the plate and left him with a bone bruise that sidelined him until Tuesday — though didn’t require an injured list stint. Smith had looked OK in his return to action that night, lining a double in his first at-bat while helping Emmet Sheehan carry a no-hitter into the sixth. He was back in the original lineup the Dodgers posted Wednesday, as they sought a series sweep over the 106-loss Rockies.

The issue, it appeared, might be behind him.

But then, when the Dodgers emerged from the dugout Wednesday night, it was Rortvedt who went to squat behind home plate. 

“Literally 15 minutes before the game, as he’s getting ready, his hand started to swell up,” Roberts said. “After [his pregame] hitting, getting dressed, getting ready for the game, that’s when it started to show itself. He tried to get out there and throw. It just didn’t respond well.”

After Smith first got hurt, Roberts cautioned his injury could linger for the rest of the season. After Wednesday, he said the team would monitor Smith on Thursday’s off day –– and potentially send him for an MRI –– then decide on Friday whether he’ll play in this weekend’s series-opener in San Francisco.

“We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Roberts said.

Miguel Rojas slides home to score a run in the second inning.
Miguel Rojas slides home to score a run in the second inning. (Eric Thayer / For The Times)

Smith’s hand won’t be the only injury the Dodgers (82-64) will have to manage down the stretch.

While Edman returned from an ankle injury that had plagued him all year, and sidelined him since its own flare-up on Aug. 3, Roberts said pregame he was still curious to see how the utilityman looked.

Edman slotted in center field on Wednesday — where he tracked down a fly ball on the game’s first pitch — and will likely see most of his playing time there for at least the foreseeable future. Roberts noted that, unlike earlier this year when Edman was mainly limited to infield duties, the quick reactions required at second base might be tougher on his ankle now.

“Getting off the ball is something I'm going to be really mindful of watching,” Roberts said of Edman. “Once he gets to full speed, it's a lot easier [to decide what he can handle].”

With Edman in center, the Dodgers also ran out a new outfield alignment, with Andy Pages moving to left field and Michael Conforto dropping to the bench.

Roberts said Conforto will still see playing time against right-handed pitchers (the Rockies started left-hander Kyle Freeland on Wednesday). He also didn’t close the door on eventually flipping Pages (who had three hits Wednesday, including an RBI double in the second to open the scoring) and Teoscar Hernández (who went deep in the eighth for his third home run in the last two nights) in the corners, though noted he is keeping Hernández in right for now thanks to his improved defensive play in recent weeks.

Read more:Hernández: Can starting pitching carry the Dodgers in October? Dave Roberts may not have a choice

“Teo played the season last year in left field, so we've shown that we can win a championship with him in left field,” Roberts said. “Not quite there yet, but thinking about it.”

Despite the moving pieces, it all brought the Dodgers closer to the lineup they envisioned having at the start of this season, the one they’ve floundered with offensively (entering the night ranked just 26th in the majors in scoring since July 4) while playing without.

"I think that we've all been waiting for our guys to come back to health and see what we look like,” Roberts said.

Still, they won’t be at full strength again until Smith is. Wednesday was a reminder that his health remains in doubt.

Next steps for Sasaki

After his much-improved rehab outing with triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Roki Sasaki was en route back to Los Angeles on Wednesday to meet with club officials about what his next steps will be.

Roberts said that could include finding the rookie right-hander, who finally rediscovered his 100-mph fastball Tuesday after lacking velocity and battling a shoulder injury previously this year, an opportunity to start a big-league game for the first time since April. Or, potentially pitching out of the bullpen, which is how the 23-year-old would likely be used if he were to be included on the postseason roster.

Before that latter scenario could become reality, of course, the Dodgers will need to see Sasaki have some sort of success back in the majors, where he had a 4.72 ERA in eight starts at the beginning of the season before going on the IL.

Nonetheless, Roberts described Sasaki’s rehab outing on Tuesday as “great for the Dodgers, great for Roki's confidence, great for the organization.

“Mostly it was great for Roki,” Roberts added. “Just to really let it eat, let it fly, have some success and know that he can be the guy that he's known to be."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Adam Silver says NBA needs clear evidence Clippers made secret deal before lowering boom on Ballmer

Adam Silver in dark suit and tie gestures as he speaks on a stage.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the Sports Business Journal World Congress of Sport in Nashvillein April. (George Walker IV / Associated Press)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday pulled back the reins as allegations swirled about the Clippers circumventing the salary cap by orchestrating an endorsement deal for star forward Kawhi Leonard.

Silver, speaking to the media after a previously scheduled meeting of all 30 team owners in New York, said an NBA investigation would need to uncover clear evidence that the Clippers violated rules for owner Steve Ballmer to be punished.

"The burden is on the league if we are going to discipline a team, an owner, a player or any constituent members of the league," Silver said. "I think, as with any process that requires a fundamental sense of fairness, the burden should be on the party that is, in essence, bringing those charges. ...

"I think as a matter of fundamental fairness, I would be reluctant to act if there was sort of a mere appearance of impropriety."

The Clippers and Ballmer are under league investigation after it was alleged last week on the podcast of Pablo Torre that Leonard was paid $28 million for a do-nothing endorsement role by Aspiration, a sustainability firm that had agreed to a $330-million sponsorship deal with the Clippers and had offered $1 billion for naming rights to the arena that instead became the Intuit Dome.

Aspiration turned out to be a fraudulent company, and co-founder Joseph Sanberg has agreed to plead guilty to defrauding multiple investors and lenders.

Read more:Clippers considered naming dome after bankrupt firm at center of Kawhi Leonard allegations

Silver said he would hesitate to take action against the Clippers if even a shred of doubt about the situation remains following the investigation, which will be conducted by a law firm experienced in probing wrongdoing by sports franchises, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz.

"Bringing in a firm that specializes in internal investigations adds a level of expertise and creates separation between the league and the investigation of a team," said Michael McCann, a sports law expert and a visiting professor at Harvard. "The investigators have a background in prosecutorial work, insight into what documents to request and questions to ask."

McCann and other legal experts said the investigation would center on whether Ballmer's $50-million investment into Aspiration was a quid pro quo for the firm to turn around and give Leonard $28 million in cash and $20 million in Aspiration stock to essentially do nothing.

Ballmer is embarrassed by the allegations and about his apparent infatuation with Aspiration — which entered into a $330-million sponsorship arrangement with the Clippers and was nearly awarded naming rights to what became the Intuit Dome, only to be revealed as a fraudulent company run by scam artists.

McCann said the investigation would need to uncover concrete evidence that Ballmer or someone else representing the Clippers directed Aspiration to make the deal with Leonard. The only evidence presented on Torre's podcast was hearsay — an audio clip of an anonymous former Aspiration employee saying that someone else in the company told them the endorsement deal "was to circumvent the salary cap, LOL. There was lots of LOL when things were shared.”

LOL typically is used in written communication, so if the allegation was made in an email or text, the next step for investigators would be to interview the person who wrote it and determine whether Ballmer was involved.

Read more:Questions over Kawhi Leonard payments put focus on NBA salary cap

The investigation presumably will examine all of this. Silver tends to be methodical when conducting a probe and is expected to act on what can be proved, not on the perception of wrongdoing. But he also is charged with protecting and growing franchise values. Anything that could damage the integrity of the league would be a huge concern to him and team owners.

"Silver has quite a few very interesting relationships to protect and to nurture: other owners, his corporate sponsors, the media networks that are distributing the content," said David Carter, a USC professor of sports business and principal of the Sports Business Group. "Everybody attached to the league is interested in getting to the bottom of this. So he has to balance different stakeholder interests and he is very good at doing that.

"So I have a feeling he will — working with the law firm — get to the bottom of it and then decide to what extent if any punishment is warranted. He’ll do that with the intent of making sure he’s protecting the interests of the other owners."

Leonard joined the Clippers in July 2019 on a three-year, $103-million contract after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title. The 6-foot-7 forward from Moreno Valley signed a four-year, $176.3-million extension in 2021, when Aspiration made its sponsorship deal with the Clippers and Ballmer invested and became a minority owner in the company.

After signing a three-year, $153-million extension a year ago, Leonard will have been paid or is under contract for $375 million in career salary over 14 years with three teams.

Read more:NBA probing allegations that firm paid Kawhi Leonard $28 million to evade the salary cap. Clippers strongly deny claims

The NBA looked into allegations that the Clippers paid Leonard or his representative and uncle, Dennis Robertson, a side deal when he first joined the team in 2019. No wrongdoing was found, although this week the Toronto Star reported that Robertson made demands of the Raptors in 2019 "that line up almost perfectly with what Leonard reportedly got from Aspiration."

The Star reported that Robertson demanded $10 million a year in sponsorship income but that Leonard didn't want to do anything for the money. The Raptors rejected the demand, and Leonard signed with the Clippers.

Should the Clippers be found guilty of circumventing the salary cap, they could be forced to forfeit draft picks and be fined heavily. Ballmer and other team executives could be suspended, and perhaps Leonard’s contract could be voided.

Silver will proceed carefully.

"The goal of a full investigation is to find out if there really was impropriety," he said. "In a public-facing sport, the public at times reaches conclusions that later turn out to be completely false. I'd want anyone else in the situation Mr. Ballmer is in now, or Kawhi Leonard for that matter, to be treated the same way I would want to be treated if people were making allegations against me."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.