Friday night Orioles vs. Dodgers live game chat

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 13: Trey Gibson (43) of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch during an MLB game against the San Diego Padres on June 13, 2026 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Orioles have struggled when facing winning teams this season. Here we are with them opening a three-game series, on the road where they’re also bad, against the team with the best record in all of baseball, the Dodgers. The on-paper stuff doesn’t point to an Orioles series victory, or perhaps to any Orioles victories at all.

All that the Orioles need to do is play better than they have been playing. The frustrating big picture thing about them this season is that doesn’t seem like it should be so hard, and yet, they keep on not playing better, or at least not playing better for long enough to really prove anything. The thing that I keep coming back to is how they’ve yet to win more than three games in a row. You know who else never won more than three games in a row? The 52-110 Orioles of 2021.

It would behoove the Orioles to play well tonight, because Yoshinobu Yamamoto lurks tomorrow and there’s probably not an “end the no-hitter in the ninth inning and still win” miracle waiting for them – certainly not as a walkoff win, since they’re on the road. Another Japanese pitcher is up for the Dodgers in this one: Roki Sasaki, a 24-year-old righty who’s veered between good and bad outings this year. His last one was bad and he has a 4.76 ERA for the season. Hit some homers against this guy.

Game recap note: This game will not be recapped until after your recap writer (that is, me) has gone to sleep and woken up on Saturday morning. I’m hoping to wake up and need to find things to say about an awesome game. Don’t wait up for the recap!

Orioles lineup

  1. Taylor Ward – DH
  2. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  3. Pete Alonso – 1B
  4. Samuel Basallo – C
  5. Leody Taveras – RF
  6. Colton Cowser – CF
  7. Coby Mayo – 3B
  8. Jackson Holliday – 2B
  9. Jeremiah Jackson – LF

Trey Gibson is the starting pitcher tonight. He’ll have to make do with an infielder in the outfield.

Note the lack of Adley Rutschman in the starting lineup. Manager Craig Albernaz said the Orioles are giving Rutschman a full day off after he took a thrown baseball in his ear while running to first base in Sunday’s game against the Mariners. They will re-evaluate him tomorrow.

Dodgers lineup

  1. Kyle Tucker – RF
  2. Andy Pages – CF
  3. Freddie Freeman – 1B
  4. Mookie Betts – SS
  5. Max Muncy – 3B
  6. Tommy Edman – LF
  7. Ryan Ward – DH
  8. Dalton Rushing – C
  9. Alex Freeland – 2B

Dodgers on Deck: Saturday, June 20 vs. Orioles

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 16: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) waves to the crowd before the MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 16, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Dodgers turn to their ace on Saturday night against the Baltimore Orioles, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto coming off two gems in a row.

Yamamoto retired his final 22 batters faced to beat the Angels on June 6 at Dodger Stadium, then retired his first 23 in a row against the White Sox in Chicago, taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning last Saturday. After pitching eight innings against the Angels and 8 1/3 frames against the White Sox, Yamamoto this Saturday will try to be the first Dodgers pitcher with three straight starts of eight or more innings since Hyun-jin Rui from May 1-12, 2019.

Left-hander Trevor Rogers starts for Baltimore.

Saturday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Orioles
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 7:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Justin Verlander gets scratched from start in latest injury setback for Tigers: ‘Not a matter of days

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander in a gray uniform throwing a pitch.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game Monday, March 30, 2026, in Phoenix.

Things just can’t seem to go right for Justin Verlander this season.

Verlander, 43, strained his left hamstring during a bullpen session on Wednesday, an injury that will likely cause him to miss “weeks,” Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch said, according to The Athletic.

The nine-time All-Star has been on the injured list since April with left hip inflammation, and was set to make his first start back on Sunday before his most recent injury.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander walks in the dugout during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“This is not a matter of days,” Hinch said. “It’s a matter of weeks. We’re going to need a full rehab process to get him back to throwing again.

“Obviously, frustrating news for him and for us, given the excitement that was building around his start on Sunday.”

Verlander told reporters that his hip is starting to feel good, and called his strained hamstring “unfortunate.”

“My hip actually feels fairly good,” Verlander told reporters, according to MLB.com. “All of a sudden, my hamstring was bugging me and I had to cut my bullpen short. Anytime I’m not able to get my work in, it means something’s definitely off, so we decided to get it looked at, and there’s a strain.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game Monday, March 30, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Darryl Webb

“Just really unfortunate, man. It just sucks. I don’t know how else to say it.”

In his only start this season, Verlander gave up five earned runs and walked two batters in 3⅔ innings pitched.

Verlander, who is currently the oldest active MLB player, signed a one-year, $13 million deal to return to Detroit, which drafted him with the No. 2 pick in 2004.

After being called up in 2005, Verlander spent 13 years with the Tigers, earning both a Cy Young and MVP award for his stellar 2011 season, which saw him win the pitching Triple Crown.

Verlander was then traded to the Astros midway through the 2017 season, where he won two more Cy Young awards in 2019 and 2022.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Verlander signed a historic two-year, $86.6 million contract with the Mets but made just 16 starts for the Amazin’s before being dealt back to Houston.

Blooper carries Tigers to victory in series opener over White Sox

Jun 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) dives safely into home plate to score a run against the Chicago White Sox in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

After a less-than-stellar trip to Houston, the Tigers home and had an off day to sit there and think about what they’ve done, mister. But, since the sport rolls on, the American Central-leading Chicago White Sox came to town (and yes, that looks weird to me too) for the opener of a three-game weekend series on a windy Friday night which promised to make fly balls an adventure. After the lead changed hands a couple of times, a well-timed, well-placed, 2-run blooper was the difference in a 4-3 Tigers win.

Tarik Skubal made his second start since coming off the Injured List; his first one wasn’t great, but there must have been some rust that he had to shake off. When healthy this year he’s usually been the same ol’ Cy Skubal, with an ERA of 2.81 (154 ERA+), a WHIP of 0.979, and seven walks given-out in 48 innings coming into tonight’s game.

Brandon Eisert was an opener for Erick Fedde; Eisert’s in his second full season in the major leagues, after spending a bit of time with the Blue Jays in 2024. He’s opened a few times this year, so this wasn’t anything new for him. Fedde was drafted by the Nationals and spent several ho-hum years there; he then went to South Korea in 2023 and had an ERA of 2.00 with a 20-6 record. He came back to North America after that season and hasn’t been able to duplicate the success he had in Korea; maybe he can’t find any good japchae here.

Randal Grichuk, who is only in the major leagues because he hits lefties, hit a lefty: a solo home run in the top of the first put Chicago up 1-0.

Matt Vierling got that run back and added one with a two-run home run after a Dillon Dingler single, putting the Tigers up 2-1 in the bottom of the first.

In the top of the fourth Junior Pérez, in his fourth major-league at-bat, hit a single — his first major-league hit — to right field. Who fielded it? Trei Cruz, making his major-league debut tonight. That’s always nice to see. But then Pérez tried to steal second, forgot it was Dingler back there, and was thrown out stealing. Whoops! Pérez wasn’t done yet, though.

Skubal got into a little trouble in the fifth: a pair of singles to start the inning put runners on the corners. Tristan Peters then hit a ground ball to second base; an on-the-field call of a 4-6-3 double play would have traded two outs for the runner from third scoring, but upon review the out at first was overturned, tying the game with only one out instead. A single and a walk loaded the bases; a grounder was hit to Colt Keith at third who came home with the throw for the second out. Skubal had Colson Montgomery at a 1-2 count and he pulled the string on a low changeup for strike three. A fired-up Skubal — always a sight to see — was seen shouting at the White Sox dugout after the strikeout, and I don’t think he was exchanging chocolate-chip cookie recipes.

Pérez, in his fifth major-league at-bat in the sixth, took Skubal deep to the left-centrefield seats for a solo home run to put Chicago up 3-2, which was surprising. With two outs in the sixth Skubal gave way to Drew Anderson, who got Luisangel Acuña to strike out looking. Skubal’s final line: 5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Not bad, but not very Skuballish.

Meanwhile, Fedde was mowin’ ‘em down, retiring nine straight before a Dingler leadoff single in the sixth. A one-out Riley Greene walk put two runners on base for the first time all night for the Tigers; Spencer Torkelson popped up to second base for the second out. But Kerry Carpenter hit the bloopiest of bloopers to short centrefield, scoring both Dingler and Greene to put the Tigers up 4-3.

I mean, that was a really bad decision for Peters to dive for that ball, but I will absolutely take it ten times out of ten.

Anderson carried on and had a decently-uneventful seventh inning, and Will Vest came on for the eighth. He’s been shaky lately, and walking the leadoff batter in a one-run game isn’t quite what we all had in mind, but it happened (especially since Vest got ahead of him 0-2 first). Vest then got Edgar Quero to hit a perfect grounder to second base, and a crisp double play was turned to erase the baserunner. Another grounder to second base precipitated the third out of the inning, and whadda ya know, Vest got the job done.

After failing to get any insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, Kenley Jansen was brought in to try and nail down the save against the bottom of the order. He got a ground ball to first (and covered the bag himself), got a ground ball to second, and ended things with swinging strikeout of Peters. That’s how you do it, folks.

Final score: Tigers 4, White Sox 3

Notes and Observanes

  • As you may have heard, Trei Cruz is a third-generation Major League Baseball player, following his grandfather José Cruz, and his father, José Cruz Jr. Welcome to The Show, young man!
  • Tarik Skubal’s left-right splits are truly bizarre this year. It may be SSS (Small Sample Size) at work, but check this out: coming into tonight, righties (146 plate appearances) have hit .190 with a .512 OPS. Lefties (41 PA): .359 average, .954 OPS.
  • You know that Family Guy scene in which Stewie (the baby) keeps irritatingly calling for his mom? Yeah, our kid is in that phase right now.
  • Today is Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865, a major in the US Army in Texas ordered that the Emancipation Proclamation be enforced in that state, despite it being officially put into effect by the federal government on January 1, 1863. Since Texas was pretty far out west and there weren’t many Union troops out there during the Civil War, enforcement of Emancipation was pretty lacklustre, and it was on that date in 1865 that it was permanently enshrined in the state.

Game #76: Angels at A’s Game Thread

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics throws a pitch in the second inning during a regular season game against the Colorado Rockies at Las Vegas Ballpark on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The A’s came away with the first W in the first game of the series last night, riding a fantastic outing from their rookie starting pitcher to their 37th win of the season. They’ll have a chance to bump that number up a digit and get back to the .500 mark tonight. First they’ll have to take care of business against their division rival, the Los Angeles Angels.

The team will turn to lefty Jeffrey Springs this evening, hoping the veteran can turn things around. It’s been a rough June so far for Springs as he’s allowed 15 runs over his past three starts.

Here’s how the team will line up tonight:

Why make major changes after yesterday? It’s the same batting order as last night, though with one change. Lawrence Butler returns to the starting nine, playing right field. That’ll send Carlos Cortes to the DH spot and send Jonah Heim to the bench. Other than that, same lineup as yesterday. Let’s hope for the same early result.

Los Angeles will counter with their ace in Jose Soriano. The right-hander, now in his fourth season, has dominated this year and will bring a 2.79 ERA into this contest. He’s already successfully faced the A’s once this year so they’ll be hoping for some revenge tonight.

And the Halo’s lineup this evening looks like this:

Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

Diamondbacks vs. Twins discussion

TOMBSTONE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27, 2014: A sign hangs over the entrance to the site of recreated gunfights in historic Tombstone, Arizona, known as 'The Town Too Tough to Die.' The town, featuring staged gunfights and reenactors dressed in 1800s western attire, is a popular tourist attraction. It is the site of the famed 1881 'Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.' (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today’s Lineups

TWINSDIAMONDBACKS
Trevor Larnach – LFKetel Marte – 2B
Byron Buxton – CFGeraldo Perdomo – SS
Kody Clemens – RFCorbin Carroll – RF
Josh Bell – DHGabriel Moreno – C
Royce Lewis – 1BLourdes Gurriel – LF
Brooks Lee – 3BNolan Arenado – 3B
Victor Caratini – CIldemaro Vargas – 1B
Tristan Gray – SSJordan Lawlar – CF
Luke Keaschall – 2BLuJames Groover – DH
Connor Prielipp – LHPMichael Soroka – RHP

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

  • Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP Yilber Díaz
  • Placed on the 15-day injured list: RHP Ryne Nelson (strained right elbow; retro to June 16)

Well, that was an unexpected surprise this afternoon. There had been no apparent word of any problem with Nelson after his last start. He went a solid seven innings and 95 pitches on June 15th, getting the win against the Angels. However, Nelson said the issue popped up in the third inning, but he was able to pitch through it at the time. It’s a problem affecting a flexor tendon, the ones which let you curl your fingers. According to Jack, it’s “strained but not torn,” and he will be shut down for at least 4-6 weeks, before getting another MRI. There will also need to be significant time thereafter to get him back up to starting length. September seems likely for a Nelson return.

For now, Yilber Diaz returns from the wilderness, for his first appearance in the majors since a solitary game last year, on April 25. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings, which largely sums up the control issues Diaz has had. He had an excellent winter in the Venezuelan league, with a 1.08 ERA over 16.2 innings, with a K:BB of 23:8. Reno hasn’t been quite as kind: a 4.50 ERA and a 43:21 K:BB across 32 innings. It’s really a question of whether or not he can throw strikes. Major-league hitters are going to be more patient than the ones in Triple-A. Although Diaz’s time here is likely to be relatively brief.

That’s because the team will need a starter to replace Nelson’s spot in the rotation. That should have been – as noted in ish95’s preview – on Sunday. Presuming the team sticks with that (and the off-day yesterday gives them a bit of flexibility), that will probably mean the return of Brandon Pfaadt from Reno. It might still be a relatively short outing, because Pfaadt was still very much getting stretched back out down there. He last outing lasted only 3.1 innings and 45 pitches. I’d therefore expect something around 60 pitches on Sunday, so hopefully the rest of the bullpen will be lightly used tonight and tomorrow. They might be busy in the series finale.

And, no, I will not be discussing the World Cup at this time… 🙁

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Lakers’ Austin Reaves linked to Pistons after Nets’ $179 million offer

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Lakers player Austin Reaves pointing to his head during a game

The Lakers have several questions to answer this summer.

One of those looming matters is whether to retain guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists. He shot 49% from the field.

Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season but can agree to a deal with the Lakers prior to the start of free agency July 1. If the two can’t reach an agreement, Reaves will test the free agent market.

Austin Reaves’ future with the Lakers remains uncertain as contract negotiations begin. AP

He’s already been linked to a four-year, $179 million offer from the Nets, according to reports on Reaves last week. Now, Sam Amick of The Athletic revealed another Eastern Conference team is reportedly in pursuit of the 28-year-old.

The Pistons, a team that fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals, is hoping to find a playmaker and shooter this offseason.

Reaves fits the bill.

“Detroit, which is believed to be among the suitors for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves if he makes it to unrestricted free agency, is also said to be interested in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Joe,” Amick writes.

The likelihood of Reaves landing in Detroit depends on how negotiations unfold with the Lakers in the coming weeks. It remains unclear how much the Lakers are willing to offer the guard, especially given the team’s clear need for a premier center this summer.

Additionally, the Lakers will have to resolve the LeBron James situation. The next few months will be telling for general manager Rob Pelinka, who faces immense pressure to transform the squad into title contenders.

In terms of Reaves, his status on the free agent market will be made clear by the start of next month.

Shohei Ohtani out of Dodgers' lineup vs. Orioles for birth of his second child

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Angels on June 6.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Angels on June 6. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was away from the team Friday for the birth of his second child.

He was out of the lineup for the series opener against the Orioles, but the Dodgers did not opt to put him on the paternity list, temporarily playing down a player instead. The team said it expects Ohtani back at some point this weekend.

Ohtani pitched Wednesday, so he should be back with the team well before his next turn in the rotation.

With Ohtani out, rookie Ryan Ward served as the designated hitter Friday, batting seventh. And right fielder Kyle Tucker moved up to the leadoff spot that Ohtani usually occupies.

Read more:Dodgers' walk-off stuns Orioles as Dalton Rushing helps cap wild comeback

Entering Friday, Ohtani owned the second-highest OPS (.962) in the National League, among qualified hitters. And his 1.47 ERA ranked No. 2 among pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings, despite giving up seven combined earned runs in his past two starts.

Ohtani has been pitching through a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. And last week he missed a game to address a bout of inflammation in his left knee, which he thinks may have stemmed from mechanical problems in his pitching delivery.

Will Smith to get injection for neck

Catcher Will Smith (stiff neck) will get an injection to address his neck injury, manager Dave Roberts said. Recent imaging came back “fine,” Roberts said, and didn’t reveal anything “really bad.”

Smith said last week, before undergoing imaging, that he was diagnosed with an “inflamed disk.”

Smith — remaining on the injured list past the minimum stint, despite the Dodgers’ initial optimism — will be sidelined through the weekend, and he may not make the trip to Minnesota on Monday, which kicks off a three-city trip.

Edwin Díaz throwing off mound

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz pitches against the Washington Nationals in April.
Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz pitches against the Washington Nationals in April. (Nick Wass / Associated Press)

Closer Edwin Díaz (elbow surgery) has progressed to throwing off the mound. He threw a 15-pitch bullpen on Friday, all fastballs, at 91-93 mph, Roberts said.

“Really positive day for Edwin,” Roberts said.

When Díaz underwent the procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow in late April, the Dodgers eyed a post-All-Star break return. And they won’t push for an aggressive build-up, with the long-term in mind.

Short hops

Left fielder Teoscar Hernández (strained left hamstring) is on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment early next week, Roberts said. ... Left-hander Blake Snell (elbow surgery) is progressing in his throwing program after undergoing a NanoNeedle scope procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow in mid-May. He is close to throwing off a mound, Roberts said.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

NHL legend Jonathan Toews officially retires after 16 seasons: ‘I’m fulfilled’

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Jonathan Toews skates the 2010 Stanley Cup onto home ice before the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 9, 2010. , Image 2 shows Jonathan Toews skates during the second period action against the San Jose Sharks at Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Image 3 shows Jonathan Toews celebrates after the Blackhawks scored a goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
toews

Jonathan Toews, one of the most accomplished players of his generation and the longtime face of the Blackhawks franchise, officially announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons.

The 38-year-old made the announcement Friday following one season with his hometown Jets, bringing an end to a career that included three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals and a reputation as one of hockey’s premier leaders.

“I have to say I’m satisfied; I’m fulfilled. I’m so thankful and grateful for the career I had,” Toews said. “But at this point, it’s one thing to be healthy and to have the hunger. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have the skillset to continue to play at this level and be an offensive player the way I know I can.

“But it’s just come to the point where it’s taken such a toll, I’m just kind of ready to let the stress level go down.”

Jonathan Toews skates the 2010 Stanley Cup onto home ice before the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 9, 2010. Tribune News Service via Getty I

Toews was selected third overall by Chicago in the 2006 NHL Draft and quickly became one of the league’s rising stars.

Just one year after making his NHL debut, he was named captain of the Blackhawks, becoming the third-youngest captain in NHL history at the time.

He spent 15 seasons with Chicago before returning for one final campaign with his hometown Jets in 2025-26.

His greatest success came during Chicago’s early to mid-2010s, where he captained the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015, helping transform the franchise into one of the NHL’s dominant teams of the era.

Jonathan Toews celebrates after the Blackhawks scored a goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Getty Images

Chicago’s 2010 title was particularly significant because it ended a Knicks-like 49-year Stanley Cup drought for the organization.

Toews was named playoff MVP that year and received the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 29 points during the postseason.

Toews will undoubtedly earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, too.

In addition to his aforementioned accolades, he won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2013 and was a six-time All-Star between 2009 and 2017, and he was named one of the league’s greatest 100 players in 2017 before even turning 30.

Jonathan Toews skates during the second period action against the San Jose Sharks at Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images

Representing Canada, Toews won Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, along with a World Championship in 2007 and a World Cup of Hockey title in 2016.

By age 22, he had become the youngest member of hockey’s prestigious Triple Gold Club for players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship and the Stanley Cup.

Toews finishes his career 383 goals, 529 assists and 912 points in 1,149 games.

He also appeared in 137 playoff games, recording 119 points and starring on several Blackhawk playoff teams.

Gamethread 77: Twins at Diamondbacks

You remember this hombre. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Time: 8:45 Central
Weather: 103° outside, They Have A Roof
Opponent’s SB site: AZ Snake Pit
TV: Steve Wozniak TV. Radio: By the time I get to Phoenix, she’ll be in the Twins’ bullpen

Your Diamonbacks starter tonight is one Michael Soroka, a Canadian from Calgary who was a goalie in youth hockey because OF COURSE he was. Soroka throws a low-90s fastball, a sinker, and a breaking ball that Savant calls a slurve, FanGraphs a curve. All three of them are effective pitches. An All-Star before injuries derailed him for a few years, Soroka was coming off two so-so seasons when the Diamondbacks signed him to a one year, $7.5M contract. So far it’s working out pretty darn well.

United Here Local 17 will be holding a concessions strike on Monday for the Twins/Dodgers game at Target Field. They’re asking fans to bring their own snacks. Here’s a reminder of what you can/can’t bring, by Kamie Roesler.

At issue are the fact that many concession workers are paid minimum wage ($16.37/hour in Minneapolis) and none have employer-provided health insurance. They’re also upset that Delaware North uses several volunteer vendors at the stadium. (Charities can provide volunteer staff and get a percentage of their sales.)

They’re also upset that Delaware North just fuquing sucks and always has. Remember, this is the company that, after they lost their contract to provide services at Yosemite National Park, SUED THE PARK SERVICE for the rights to names like “Yosemite National Park.” (It was a shakedown, and Delaware North got $12 million from it.)

Delaware North had the gall to issue a statement blaming the union’s “greed” in complaining about the free labor. Oh, I think we know who’s got the “greed” going on here. (For one thing, since Delaware North IS using volunteer labor, they could then take that savings and pay their regular workers more!)

This company has sucked since forever, Matt’s mentioned it here and Zach here and I did years ago but I can’t find it. Of course TEAMS could demand that companies pay players a certain amount, but TEAMS aren’t going to do that because they are all bast***s.

So I wish the strikers well, although I don’t think they’ll get anything. The poor never win in ‘Murica.

Are the Diamondbacks asking for massive amounts of public money? Are they a professional American sports team? The latest giveaway is at least $500 million, and could be more. Neil deMause, as usual, has you covered.

Some minor-league baseball players in York, PA, got snippy and refused to play in Pride-themed uniforms. Apparently also, some Giants players recently prayed away the gay by writing Bible quotes on their Pride-themed hats. Which quote? Was it this one?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Nah, I doubt it was that one.

The recently-swept Rangers remain the only MLB team that doesn’t have a Pride night. They do, as of this year, have a statue based on a guy who loved posing for despicable photos to stand against integrating public schools. FanGraphs’ Davy Andrews has a very thorough story here.

Finally, not baseball, but Minnesota sports-related: the Lynx have a rookie, Olivia Miles, who is absolutely dazzling the heck out of everybody in the league. Here’s a The Guardian piece on Miles. Here’s one from our siblings at Canis Hoopus. I liked this summation of sports fandom by Thilo Latrell Widder:

“Being good when you expect it is standard, and stressful. Being bad when you’re anticipating good is soul crushing. Being bad when you could see it coming is an exercise in futility. Only being good when you thought you’d be awful is fun.”

Futility, thy name is 8:45 on Apple TV.

Grizzlies' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wizards' Russell pick up player options for next season

The big news in the last couple of days has been players turning down their player options to become free agents. Trae Young was the biggest name (though he is expected to re-sign with Washington), and more are on the way, including the Lakers' Austin Reaves.

However, not everyone is taking that path.

Memphis wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will pick up his $21.6 million player option, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. This was expected because KCP was not going to find an offer that large on the open market.

Caldwell-Pope was a highly sought-after 3&D wing who has a couple of rings for his efforts (2020 Lakers, 2023 Nuggets), but the 33-year-old's game has fallen off over the past couple of seasons, particularly his 3-point shooting. With the Grizzlies last season, he played in 51 games (he had finger surgery in February that ended his season) and averaged 8.4 points per game, shooting 31.6% from beyond the arc.

Because he's on a good-sized expiring contract, expect Caldwell-Pope's name to pop up in a lot of trade rumors this season as the Grizzies make over their roster.

Also picking up his $6 player option is Wizards' point guard D'Angelo Russell, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer.

If you don't remember seeing Russell in a Wizards' uniform, that's because you didn't. He came to Washington from Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis trade, but the Wizards told Russell he didn't have to report to the team. So he didn't and, by mutual agreement, sat out the rest of the season.

This move by Russell makes sure he gets paid off his contract, but we may never actually see him suit up for the Wizards — they already have Young and Bub Carrington at the point (and could draft another next week). Russell could end up part of any draft night or free agency trades, and barring that it is possible the sides work out a buyout.

Shohei Ohtani away from Dodgers for birth of second child

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitches in the fifth inning.
Jun 17, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers to the plate in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger...

Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night, with the team announcing he was away on paternity leave for the birth of his second child.

The two-way star is expected to rejoin the club later during this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Dodgers added in a statement.

Because of that, Ohtani is not being placed on the official paternity list for now, leaving the Dodgers’ roster a man short for Friday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The leave signifies the arrival of Ohtani’s second child, after he and his wife, Mamiko, welcomed a daughter last April.

Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night, with the team announcing he was away on paternity leave for the birth of his second child. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A new baby will only be the latest significant development in what was already shaping up to be an historic season for the four-time MVP.

Entering Friday, Ohtani ranked second in the National League in OPS as a hitter, trailing only Juan Soto with a .963 mark to go along with 15 home runs, 42 RBIs and a .296 batting average.

On the mound, the right-hander has also been one of the best pitchers in the sport, owning a 7-2 record and 1.47 ERA. While Ohtani isn’t qualified as a pitcher (with only 73 2/3 innings through the team’s first 75 games), only Milwaukee Brewers flame-thrower Jacob Misiorowski has a lower ERA among pitchers with at least 70 innings.

Lately, Ohtani has been playing through some minor physical issues.

In his last several starts, he has battled a blister on his right middle finger. While he has insisted it hasn’t impacted him, it has become visibly bloody on several occasions.

More concerning was the left knee inflammation that Ohtani forced Ohtani out of one game early last week, and sidelined him for another game a day later.

Ohtani said he believed the knee issue was the result of flawed pitching mechanics during a June 10 start in Pittsburgh, the day before his knee began to swell up on him.

But, even with manager Dave Roberts saying this week that the issue wasn’t completely behind the 31-year-old superstar, Ohtani made his next pitching start as scheduled on Wednesday, when he tossed six innings and took an at-bat late in the game after not starting as DH.

Turns out, behind the scenes, he had even more important matters to attend to.

Mariners select INF/OF Weston Wilson; DFA INF Miles Mastrobuoni

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 10: Miles Mastrobuoni #21 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mariners announced today they have selected INF/OF Weston Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma and designated INF/OF Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.

Wilson, who’s played parts of seasons in the big leagues since 2023, was signed to a minor-league contract by the Mariners five days ago, on June 14, and played just two games with the Tacoma Rainiers before coming up. His most significant big-league experience came with Philadelphia in 2025, when he appeared in over 50 games for the Phillies. Like Mastrobuoni, Weston is a true superutility player who can play both infield and outfield – he’s largely played third base and left field – but unlike Mastrobuoni, he is a right-handed hitter. Boston will be throwing three lefties over the series in Seattle, prompting the move. Wilson will be in the lineup tonight, giving J.P. Crawford a rest day as he continues to work back from a stint on the IL with an injured hand.

It’s a really tough break for Mastrobuoni, who like Jhonny Pereda before him, was simply a victim of the numbers game. The Mariners are incredibly lefty-heavy as a roster and team are deliberately stacking left-handed starters against them for that reason, relegating players like Luke Raley, who struggles against lefties, to the bench.

It’s especially tough for Mastrobuoni – who my phone’s transcription app refers to as “Mister Bunny” or “Master Boney” depending on who’s speaking – as he played a pivotal role in the Mariners’ series win yesterday, making a spot start in left field – a position he doesn’t know well – and contributing at the plate. I have written before about how Mastrobuoni was one of the rare productive pinch-hitters for the Mariners last year, something he was working his way back to for brief time with the team after being recalled on June 10. Postgame yesterday, Mastrobuoni received praise from his manager, Dan Wilson, as well as his teammates, many of whom spoke on the importance of the role players like Mastrobuoni have on a team as decimated by injuries as the 2026 Mariners.

Starter Bryan Woo, who was helped out by several plays made by Mastrobuoni in the outfield, praised Mastrobuoni as a reflection of team health overall:

“It’s just the DNA of a good team and also close-knit clubhouse that you have guys that go down, and the next guy comes up and does his job and helps the team run, and that’s all you can really ask for, regardless of whether you see the results on the field or not. Like Mastro coming out and playing the left field that he did today – I don’t know if he’s played left field since coming up, he’s played first and third, also positions that he’s not comfortable at, and he goes out in left field and makes play after play after play. So it’s just, staying ready, and then when the opportunity comes, taking advantage of it.”

Colt Emerson was even more direct.

“Guys like that are the reasons why we succeed and we win games.”

Now it will be up to Weston Wilson – not to be confused with Will Wilson, another third baseman who stepped in at times to help the Mariners before going on the 60-day IL with his own injury, a fractured thumb – to continue that streak of role players who help the team win games while several players remain on the shelf.

Dodgers reliever was warned by MLB after Charlie Kirk hat message last year

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said he was “chastised” by Major League Baseball last year, after writing Charlie Kirk’s name on his hat in a game following the conservative political activist’s killing.

During an outing against the San Francisco Giants last September, Treinen had “Charlie Kirk” written between two cross symbols on the side of his Dodgers hat days after Kirk was assassinated at an event on a college campus in Utah.

As he first told the Los Angeles Times, and later confirmed to The California Post, Treinen received a warning from a league official following the outing regarding an MLB policy against putting messages of any kind on game uniforms.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said he was “chastised” by Major League Baseball last year, after writing Charlie Kirk’s name on his hat in a game following the conservative political activist’s killing. Getty Images
During an outing against the San Francisco Giants last September, Treinen had “Charlie Kirk” written between two cross symbols. x/@@JonnyRoot_

“They called me and said that they have issues with people writing stuff on the hats,” Treinen told the California Post on Friday.

The league’s uniform policy has been in the spotlight again this week, after MLB issued similar warnings to four Giants pitchers who wrote bible verses on their hats during that club’s recent Pride Night game.

“The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” MLB said in an initial statement that was widely released to media outlets Monday.

“To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear the hat in future games is not disciplinary and had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message,” the league added in a follow-up statement on Tuesday.

In Treinen’s case from last year, he said he was not otherwise disciplined, but was told by MLB that he could be fined for putting any message on his uniform again.

In Treinen’s case from last year, he said he was not otherwise disciplined, but was told by MLB that he could be fined for putting any message on his uniform again. x/@@JonnyRoot_

During the Dodgers’ own Pride Night game earlier this month, Treinen did not wear the team’s Pride-themed hat when he took the mound for a ninth-inning appearance against the Angels on June 5.

“My job is to abide by the rules,” Treinen told the LA Times regarding that decision. “Ultimately, the only rule we have is to wear our team-issued uniform. So that’s what I chose to do.”

Report: Spurs’ Dylan Harper ‘voiced displeasure’ with role, minutes early in rookie season

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the New York Knicks in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Spurs had a fantastic 2025/26 season that almost resulted in a title, but that doesn’t mean everything was perfect. The downside of having such a talented and stacked roster is that inevitably someone will want more touches or minutes, and it turns out rookie Dylan Harper was that guy, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.

Harper voiced displeasure earlier in the season about a lack of playing time and his role, but those increased as the season progressed and the rookie gained more experience.

It’s not shocking to hear that the clear-cut No.2 overall pick of a great draft class wasn’t happy with coming off the bench and playing a support role for around 20 minutes a game when he was clearly capable of more. You don’t get to be as good as Harper is at basketball without supreme confidence in your abilities and extreme competitiveness, so no one should blame the rookie for wanting more responsibility, especially on a team that early on wasn’t expected to be a contender.

It’s good to hear that, as his role increased and the Spurs proved to be an elite squad, his displeasure seemingly disappeared, but it’s also hard not to wonder if his great postseason performance will have him once again wanting more. Harper was terrific in the playoffs and especially in the Finals, showing that he’s not just a likely future star but also someone who can contribute on the biggest stage right now. And he clearly knows it, which could put the Spurs in a predicament.

If Harper wants to start, Mitch Johnson will face a tough decision. San Antonio has De’Aaron Fox as one of its starting guards. The veteran is on a maximum contract, and, while arguably not as gifted, he’s more well-rounded than Harper. Stephon Castle is the team’s best point-of-attack defender, and he wouldn’t be able to consistently play off the ball to accommodate Harper as the main ball handler because of his lack of range. Devin Vassell had arguably his best season as a do-it-all swingman who was by far the best shooter on the backcourt. Who gets relegated to the bench? It’s not an easy question to answer.

Now, Harper may be fine with a sixth-man role for now as long as he gets more touches and finishes games. His performance in the postseason was impressive enough to suggest he might be ready for more responsibility than the typical second-year guard, but as the youngest and the one with the shortest track record of production, he could be fine with paying his dues as long as he gets more opportunities to grow his game and to act as the closer at times. It might actually be for the best to bring him along slowly, taking advantage of the depth at guard to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on him.

Hopefully, Harper will see it that way and will be happy starting next season as a super sub and the prohibitive candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. If he is, the Spurs won’t be forced to make any tough decisions. If he isn’t, the possibility of trading Fox to make room for the young guard becomes more realistic. While it doesn’t seem like the best idea to move on from the veteran guard this summer, Harper has looked like a future star, and keeping him happy should be one of the franchise’s biggest priorities.

The Spurs have aced the hardest part of any rebuild: getting enough talent to contend. Now, general manager Brian Wright and coach Mitch Johnson will have to figure out how all the pieces fit and who will need to sacrifice or be sacrificed to optimize how things work on the floor and in the locker room.