NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Day'ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Alright! Right..? The Nets, winners of two straight, were the talk of the NBA after a 23-point comeback in the second half on Saturday. It was their fifth-largest comeback in franchise history. Then, the Grizzlies out-tanked them in the first half of this back-to-back.
Fourth-worst-record in the league. 18 games remaining.
đ KEY INFO
Who: Detroit Pistons (45-18) at Brooklyn Nets (17-47) When: 7:30 PM ET Watch: YES Network
đŹ DISCUSSION
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 07: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons passes around Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on March 07, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Itâs JB Bickerstaffâs birthday, and all I want him to receive is his Detroit Pistons mauling the Brooklyn Nets. The Pistons need a get-right game in the worst way. Their performance has slipped, and some of it is regression, some of it is not locking in, and some of it is confidence. Itâs hard to fix the first, and the easiest way to fix the second is to solve for the third. That made sense in my head, anyway. The Pistons need to have a dominant defensive performance, and getting there is always easier when youâre seeing the ball go through the basket on the other end. Unfortunately, the Pistons will still be without Ausar Thompson, who remains out with an ankle sprain. Caris LeVert will be in street clothes as well. The Pistons have been in a funk since the trade deadline, but it metastasized in a dreadful performance against the Nets last week that saw the Pistons surrender a 23-point third-quarter lead. Getting back on the road to recovery requires them to annihilate the Nets.
Game Vitals
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -15
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (45-18)
Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren
Brooklyn Nets (17-47)
Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Nic Claxton
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 7: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 7, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Forget raining, itâs been pouring on this team for about a month now.
The Sixers announced that Tyrese Maxey underwent imaging that revealed a tendon injury in his right fifth finger (a.k.a the pinkie). He will be reevaluated in approximately three weeks, per the teamâs release. ESPNâs Shams Charania was the first to report.
76ers are now without Maxey, Joel Embiid (oblique) and Paul George (suspension) in midst of playoff battle currently in 8th place in the East. Maxey has averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks â and is only player with 100 steals and 50 blocks this⌠https://t.co/pXKvvWe2yV
So, Maxey will miss at least the rest of March before being checked out again. Assuming thatâs enough time to heal and heâs able to return shortly after, the first time he could see the court again could be April 1 against the Washington Wizards. Maxey suffered the injury back on March 7 colliding with Adem Bona in the final seconds of a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Thatâs assuming heâs able to come right back when heâs reevaluated and doesnât need anymore time. Regardless, this puts the Sixers in a very dangerous position in the short term. This timeline rules Maxey out for roughly 11 games already.
Theyâre of course still without Paul George, whoâs serving his suspension, and Joel Embiid, whoâs been dealing with an oblique strain. Ahead of their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach Nick Nurse said that the team expects an update on Embiid at the end of the week.
Thatâs a lot of games the Sixers need to make up shorthanded, something theyâve really struggled to do since the calendar flipped to 2026.
Losers of four of their last five games, theyâve dropped to eighth in the Eastern Conference. If they lose against the Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks, theyâll drop to nine below the Hawks having conclusively lost that tiebreaker as well.
This could be tough individually for Maxey too, whoâs played 61 games this year. He needs four more to qualify for awards and All-NBA teams. Just as everyone gears up for a playoff push, injuries may have put the Sixers in a free fall.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) â Boopie Miller scored 25 points to lead five starters in double figures, Jaden Toombs and Samet Yigitoglu each had a double-double and No. 11 seed SMU beat 14th-seeded Syracuse 86-69 on Tuesday in the opening round of the ACC Tournament.
SMU (20-12), which had lost four ACC games in a row, advances to play 24th-ranked and sixth-seeded Louisville on Wednesday in the second round.
Toombs had a double-double in the first half with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Miller added 11 points to help SMU hold a 39-38 lead at the break. Nate Kingz paced Syracuse with 17 points.
SMU pulled away midway through the second half when Jaron Pierre Jr. made three straight 3-pointers during a 13-0 run that ended in a 69-48 lead with 8:41 remaining. Pierre's fifth 3-pointer of the second half made it 79-66.
Pierre finished with 21 points for SMU. Toombs had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Yigitoglu had 12 points and 11 boards, and Corey Washington also scored 12. The Mustang reserves only attempted two shots.
Kingz led Syracuse (15-17) with 25 points and Tyler Betsey added 15. The Orange shot 9 of 34 from distance (26%).
Up next
Syracuse ends the campaign on a six-game losing streak.
SMU split the regular-season series with Louisville as both teams won at home.
LAS VEGAS (AP) â Lauren Whittaker scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Gonzaga to a 76-66 win over Oregon State in the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game on Tuesday.
The second-seeded Bulldogs (24-9) will make their 16th trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2024 after winning their 11th WCC Tournament before joining the renewed Pac-12 next season.
Whittaker, a freshman and conference player of the year, was 9-of-20 shooting with three 3-pointers. Allie Turner scored all 14 of her points in the second half and Ines Bettencourt added 12.
Jenna Villa scored 20 points for the fourth-seeded Beavers (23-11), making 9 of 10 free throws but going just 4 of 15 from the floor. Tiara Bolden added 19 points and eight rebounds and Lizzy Williamson had 12 points and nine rebounds.
There were 15 lead changes and 10 ties, the final deadlock coming with six minutes remaining before Whittaker completed a three-point play. Her basket with two minutes to go made it a four-point edge. From there, the Bulldogs wrapped up the win, making 9 of 10 free throws while the Beavers were just 1 of 4 at the line and 1 of 7 from the floor.
Turner hit two 3-pointers and scored 10 points in the third quarter. Whittaker added nine and the Bulldogs took a 53-49 lead into the final period.
Whittaker's 3-pointer gave Gonzaga a 18-17 first-quarter lead. The Beavers outscored the Bulldogs 11-3 over the final eight minutes for a 28-27 halftime edge.
The teams split their two regular-season games. Gonzaga had reached four straight NCAA Tournaments before the Beavers beat them in last yearâs semifinals en route to winning the tournament.
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks gives instructions to his team during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (21-43) stay on the road on Tuesday night, this time facing off against the Atlanta Hawks. Dallas has the leagueâs longest losing streak, currently sitting at seven games. Their opponent, meanwhile, is red-hot, winning six straight. This is an important game for both teams and will be worth tuning in for even if youâre highly invested in the tank
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
WHAT: Becoming one with road games.
WHERE: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
WHEN: 6:30 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
The injury report for the Dallas Mavericks tonight is easily the best itâs been in months. The two-way players are all doubtful, so Moussa Cisse wonât play. And of course Dereck Lively and Kyrie Irving are out. Everyone else is not on the report at all.
The Atlanta Hawks will be without Jonathan Kuminga, who is missing the game due to a knee bruise.
This game should be a test for the Dallas tank. The Hawks are playing their best basketball of the season and Dallas has looked really out of sorts the last few losses. To the point that watching them feels fruitless. They need just one thing to go their way to get a win, but I have real concerns about their ability to stop Jalen Johnson, who poured in 35 points in his last game on Saturday. The Hawks will have had two days off, a rarity in the NBA comparatively, so they should come out looking spry.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Letâs go Mavs!
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Michael Lorenzen #24 of Team Italy laughs with Vinnie Pasquantino #9 in the dugout during a game against Team Brazil during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park on March 07, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The knockout stage of this yearâs World Baseball Classic is taking shape as we enter the final two days of pool play.
Game No. 1: Israel (×Ö°×Ö´×× Öˇ×Ş ×ִ׊ְ×רָ×Öľ×) at The Netherlands (Nederland)
Venue: loanDepot Park â Miami, Florida, USA
First Pitch: 5:00 PM MDT
TV: Fox One App
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Carlos Lequerica vs LHP Ryjeteri Merite
Game No. 2: Canada at Puerto Rico
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium â San Juan, Puerto Rico
First Pitch: 5:00 PM MDT
TV: Tubi
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Jordan Balazovic vs RHP JosĂŠ de LeĂłn
Game No. 3: Italy (Repubblica Italiana) at United States
Mar 4, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow against Team Mexico during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Tyler Glasnow continued his march toward pitching in the Dodgersâ opening series, pitching into the fifth inning in a 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch.
Glasnow allowed a home run on his second pitch of the game, to Diamondbacks outfielder and leadoff batter Jordan Lawlar, but was otherwise stingy. He gave up only one more hit (a single) and a walk, and struck out five, and was so efficient that he even faced (and retired) one batter in the fifth inning to get to his pitch limit. Glasnow needed 60 pitches to complete his 4 1/3 innings, only nine more pitches than he used in 2 2/3 innings last Wednesday against Mexico.
Heâs the first Dodgers pitcher this spring to pitch more than three innings in a Cactus League game.
Roki Sasaki is pitching in a B game today, where he'll build up to four innings. Dave Roberts expects Sasaki's performance to "continue to trend up" by the end of spring and reiterated: "I just donât see a world where he doesnât break with us as a starter."
Also of note on Tuesday, Brock Stewart threw a bullpen session Tuesday morning at Camelback Ranch. After shoulder surgery in October, Stewart wonât be ready for opening day. But that heâs already throwing bullpen sessions at least puts him on the radar for potential addition to the roster at some point in early to mid-April, if all goes well.
The Dodgers have their first off day of camp on Wednesday (with another coming on March 19), then are back at Camelback Ranch on Thursday night against the Cincinnati Reds (6:05 p.m., SportsNet LA).
Cade Horton got cuffed around pretty good, serving up six hits, including three home runs. Horton worked 3.2 innings and threw 60 pitches. Was he working on mechanics or location? Maybe. Hopefully this is just a âlet it all hang outâ Spring Training outing and nothing more. Hereâs some good analysis of Hortonâs spring.
In case you care, hereâs video of the other two homers, by Corey Seager and Josh Smith, though you canât really see Hortonâs pitches here nor, really, any Cubs:
Andrew McCutchen, whoâs trying to make the Rangers as a non-roster invitee at age 39, doubled in a run in the fifth inning off Ryan Rolison, whoâs not going to make the Opening Day roster.
The Cubs didnât really do much against Jacob deGrom (but then, who does?), who threw three innings and struck out five, allowing singles to Kevin AlcĂĄntara and Michael Conforto. Here are deGromâs five Kâs [VIDEO].
The two singles were the only Cubs hits until Shawâs homer. A sacrifice fly by Chas McCormick scored another run in the sixth.
Ethan Roberts threw a 1-2-3 sixth inning with a strikeout. Collin Snider threw a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts. The Cubs scored a third run on a double by Kade Snell in the eighth. The Cubs really like Snell, who was their fifth-round pick last year out of the University of Alabama.
The Cubs return to Sloan Park Wednesday afternoon for a matchup with the Royals. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs and Mitch Spence goes for Kansas City. Game time Wednesday is 3:05 p.m. CT and once again, thereâs no TV or radio for this game, though I will be attending so will recap what I see in Mesa. Wednesdayâs Cubs game is the last one this year that wonât have any broadcasts. All the rest of the spring games will have either a radio or TV broadcast or both.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 08: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards blocks a shot in the first quarter against Kasparas Jakucionis #25 of the Miami Heat at Capital One Arena on February 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET. Chat about it in the comments below!
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 7: Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles past Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at the United Center on December 7, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors return home after a 1-2 road trip to take on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. The game will be played at 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State looks to rebound after a demoralizing 119â116 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night. As has often been the case for this version of the Warriors, the offense largely lives and dies by its perimeter shooting. That trend showed up again in this matchup, as 52 of their 99 shot attempts came from beyond the arc. Golden State knocked down just 16 of those threes, finishing the night at 30.8 percent from deep.
However, what continues to haunt them is their free-throw shooting. For a team that ranks sixth in the league in free-throw percentage, the Warriors struggled at the line, converting just 14-of-21 attempts on the night.
Making matters worse, the loss came against a Jazz team that entered the game with just two wins in their last 10 games and currently sits second-to-last in the Western Conference with a record of 20â45. Head coach Steve Kerr reflected on the defeat after the game.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Golden State never âgot controlâ of Utah defensively. Highlighted the Jazzâs 27 free throws and said âour defense let us downâ and that it was âfunâ to see Seth Curry return.
The Warriors did receive a pleasant surprise with the return of Seth Curry to the rotation. He made an immediate impact, knocking down an open corner three in the first quarter and finishing the night with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Having said that, he will be held out of tonightâs game as the team remains cautious with him on the second night of a back-to-back.
Seth Curry is OUT tonight after playing his first game in over 3 months last night @NBCSWarriors
Moses Moody remains out. Draymond Green, De'Anthony Melton and Quinten Post are questionable, and Gary Payton II is probable
Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis will be available
The Warriors will have Kristaps Porzingis available after a one game absence. Porzingis played 23 minutes in the Warriorsâ game against the Thunder on Saturday, marking his first return since missing the previous six games due to an illness. His shooting and rim protection have been a welcome sight during his limited time with the team, and should be something to build on as they take on the Bulls who are 2-8 in their last 10 games.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 15: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 15, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers had plans for Adou Thiero this season that involved potential rotation minutes. But as the saying goes, even the best laid plans can go to waste.
The result has been a season with lots of stops and starts, little rhythm and effectively no impact on the parent Lakers.
However, there is a bit of good news as the season nears itâs end. A bit of an extended stint in the G League for Thiero has helped him find his groove, most recently with a 25-point outing, prompting quesitons about him to head coach JJ Redick at practice on Monday.
Lakers rookie Adou Thiero is coming off a 25-point game on 10-for-12 shooting (5-for-5 from 3) with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in the G League. Could there be minutes on the Lakers? JJ Redick: âDefinitely want to get him opportunities. Those opportunities are not there right now.â pic.twitter.com/sYDzSlLyez
Thiero shined in South Bayâs game against the Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday, scoring his 25 points on 10-12 shooting from the field and an especially eye-catching 5-5 shooting from three. He added six rebounds, a pair of assists and a pair of blocks.
â Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) March 9, 2026
While that was his most impressive line in recent outings, he has strung together some solid outings. Across his last four games in the last two-and-a-half weeks, Thiero is shooting 26-35 (74.3%) from the field. Heâs only taken threes in two games, but has not missed any of his six attempts.
The most encouraging thing is how fluid he looks on the court. Thatâs the type of thing that only comes with time and he certainly looks back to his athletically overwhelming best.
The question the Lakers are facing now is whether itâs more valuable to have Thiero continue to get reps in the G League or bring him up to the parent Lakers for spot rotation minutes. Considering how well heâs playing right now and how inconsistent his minutes would be in the NBA, you can see the rationale for keeping him where heâs at.
This has already effectively been a lost season in many respects for Thiero. Let him finish things strong, carry some momentum in the summer and start things off with a big Summer League in July.
Mar 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) talks with guard Amen Thompson (1) during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors
March 10, 2026
Location: Toyota Center â Houston, Texas
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time: 7:00 CST
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Feb 24, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus (76) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
From the moment the Detroit Tigers signed left-hander Enmanuel de Jesus to a minor league deal and camp invite back in December, it was clear they wouldnât be able to stash him in the minor leagues and off the 40-man roster for long. As it turned out, interest from other teams forced the issue and so the Tigers added him to the 40-man roster on Tuesday, moving right-hander Troy Melton to the 60-day injured list as the corresponding move.
De Jesusâs deal was designed to pay the veteran $1.3 million if he played in the major leagues this season. Minor league deals like that are typically only given to players who have some interest from other teams, and they invariably come with a timetable. We expected that the Tigers would have until sometime in late April to decide to add him to the 40-man roster or De Jesus would be able to opt-out and sign wherever he chose. Those may still be the terms of the deal, but as it turns out, De Jesus also had the right to accept another deal this week. With offers coming in to pitch overseas after his outstanding showing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, the Tigers made the call on Tuesday to purchase his contract and add him to the 40-man roster.
The 29-year-old came up in the Boston Red Sox organization before briefly bouncing around with the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Marlins, the latter of which gave him his first major league cup of coffee back in 2023. Offers were not particularly compelling at that point, and so De Jesus moved to South Korea to pitch in the KBO in 2024 and 2025.
With the Kiwoom Heroes in 2024, De Jesus made 30 starts, compiling a 3.68 ERA. He came back to the KBO with the KT Wiz in 2025, making another 30 starts with a 3.96 ERA. Those two seasons had major league teams interested, but unlike Cody Ponce or the Tigers own Drew Anderson, two 2025 KBO standouts who got major league deals this offseason, De Jesus didnât draw much the same level of offers. Instead the Tigers were able to bring him to camp on a minor league deal, and the southpaw did his part by showing out in Grapefruit League action and in the World Baseball Classic.
De Jesus had already impressed in camp with his excellent command of a solid though modest pitch mix. His outing for Team Venezuela on March 8 solidified his standing as a pitcher of interest. De Jesus struck out eight over five innings of one-run ball with no walks and just two hits allowed as Team Venezuela defeated Team Israel. That set a record in strikeouts for Team Venezuela, putting a stamp on the performance. While the competition wasnât particularly tough, it was again De Jesusâs excellent command and ability to execute his game plan that really stood out. As a result, franchises in Asia were reportedly calling for his services this week, and the Tigers had to decide whether they were going to add him to the roster or not.
The decision was made easier by the fact that Melton, who was expected to be a force in the bullpen and perhaps swing back to a starting role if needed during the season, has been dealing with an elbow issue that has kept him off the mound since early in spring camp. Asked about his status over the weekend, manager A.J. Hinch mentioned only that Melton was doing âplyo ball stuff,â making it clear that his status and timetable remained uncertain. On the one hand, the fact that he was doing arm strengthening work was a positive sign that Melton may avoid surgery. On the other, it looked more and more like Melton would need more rehab time and then a slow progression to build up his arm, followed by rehab outings at the Triple-A level. As his timeline started to stretch into May, the Tigers realized they wouldnât lose anything by moving him to the 60-day injured list to open a spot for De Jesus, making the decision a pretty simple one.
De Jesus is working with both fourseam fastballs and sinkers between 92-94 mph and showing outstanding command of both pitches. He backs the two fastball types with an 86 mph cutter, and a good circle changeup averaging 85 mph this spring. The changeup has late fade and seems to have plenty of deception, making it his best pitch of the bunch as hitters donât seem to pick it up well off the same sightlines on which heâs throwing the fourseam and sinker. Less often heâll break off a slower slider to try and get some chase down and away from left-handed hitters.
Itâs not an overpowering set of pitches, and big league hitters will be the proving ground for his mistakes, but de Jesus learned how to really pitch in the KBO, and appears to be pretty deceptive as well. Heâs worked the edges of all four quadrants of the strike zone with both fastball types, while consistently bending the changeup and cutter just off the edges to either side of the plate. His easy delivery and apparent lack of tells, along with that feel for his full set of pitches has allowed him to keep hitters off balance. There have been few good swings against him from anyone this spring.
Take a look at his highlights from the WBC. Youâll see little but paint.
For now, the Tigers just had to pick up de Jesusâs contract to prevent him from signing elsewhere. He still has to make the Opening Day roster, but thatâs looking like a near lock right now. Weâll assume that de Jesus will be in the Tigersâ bullpen on Opening Day along with fellow lefty Tyler Holton. Between de Jesus and Drew Anderson, that would give them two depth starters working out of the bullpen, giving Hinch a lot of flexibility to help get his rotation through the early part of the season when most injuries occur. They could also choose to keep Brant Hurter in the bullpen as well, giving them three multi-inning relievers who can handle either-handed hitters.
That setup leaves Holton, Will Vest, Kenley Jansen, and Kyle Finnegan free to handle the late innings and high leverage scenarios. With two long relief style lefties in the pen of the quality of de Jesus and Hurter, the Tigers could have them follow right-handed starters Justin Verlander, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize, forcing managers to decide if they want to replace left-handed hitters in the lineup with right-handers to try and get to the Tigersâ bullpen in the middle innings. If they choose to empty their bench to stack up their right-handed hitters against de Jesus and Hurter and fail to seize a lead, then that opens up the late innings for the Tigersâ right-handed high leverage arms. When Framber Valdez or Tarik Skubal start, then the Tigers can pivot to Drew Anderson to follow them, forcing the same type of decision on opposing managers.
It wonât always work out like that, but with Anderson, Hurter, and de Jesus all looking like guys who could win a fifth starterâs gig with a lot of lesser teams around the league, the depth of the Tigersâ pen would be in great shape. Theyâd also still have one spot left to rotate their best remaining arms through as they try to develop another reliever out of their prospects and minor league free agent signings. The Tigers could also choose to option Hurter for a while, and just use Anderson and de Jesus as the middle relievers, giving them two open spots in the pen for single inning relievers.
They donât have to make the final decision for another two weeks, but Enmanuel de Jesus has made a great case for himself so far. Barring any trouble, he appears destined for a spot in the Tigersâ pen on Opening Day. Hopefully, Troy Melton has avoided any major injury and will be able to join him sometime in May. A hard-throwing right-hander with a good breaking ball would really tie the whole relief corps together.
