J.T. Ginn takes the mound today at Comerica Park in Detroit against the AL Central’s Tigers. | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Fresh off a sweep by the suddenly resurgent Miami Marlins, the Athletics take on the Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit today. The Tigers enter the game with a 40-50 record and sit in fourth place in the American League Central, while the visiting A’s are 41-49 and are also in fourth place, but in the AL West.
The A’s will welcome Jacob Wilson back from a short stint on the Injured List (IL) today with an inflammation in his right thumb. He’ll re-enter the lineup batting fifth and playing his usual shortstop position.
J.T. Ginn will get the start today against the Tigers. Ginn is 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA in nineteen 2026 appearances. He has 82 K’s in 94.2 innings of work. He’ll go up against reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal for Detroit. The 29-year-old lefty is 4-4 this season with a 3.15 ERA in an injury-shortened sixty-five innings of work.
Skubal, the most coveted name tossed around as a trade deadline mover, will face this lineup for the Athletics this afternoon:
After an excellent 2025-26 season, the Buffalo Sabres have made some notable changes to their roster so far this summer. However, with the summer being so young, it would not be surprising if they continued to make moves before the start of training camp.
When looking at the Sabres' roster right now, it is clear that one of their top needs is another impactful winger. This is especially true with Alex Tuch no longer on their roster.
When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins have two wingers who the Sabres would be wise to consider targeting: Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
Both Rust and Rakell have both been creating chatter in the rumor mill as trade candidates yet again this summer. If the Sabres landed either one of these players, they would certainly help boost their top six.
Rust once again made a big impact this past season with the Penguins, as he posted 29 goals, 36 assists, and 65 points in 72 games. This was after he had 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games for Pittsburgh in 2025-26.
Rakell was limited to only 60 games last season, but he still recorded 24 goals and 48 points. He also had 35 goals and 70 pointsi n 81 games for the Penguins during the 2024-25 season.
Ultimately, with the Sabres needing forward help, it would make sense if they tried to land Rust or Rakell. It will be interesting to see if they make a push for them from here.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres walks to the dugout after striking out during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park on July 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, it’s not quite over yet. Despite snapping their eight-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon, the San Diego Padres went back to their unfortunate losing ways with an 8-0 shutout against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night. The club couldn’t manage a single run against Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt and didn’t reach second base until Jackson Merrill did so in the seventh inning.
San Diego’s Walker Buehler went five innings but surrendered seven runs to the Dbacks. It’s a worrying trend as Buehler has now given up 16 runs between his last two outings. Prior to that, the righty hadn’t given up more than a run in each of his June starts. Now Buehler is barely a serviceable back-end starter. The Friars were out of the game before they ever came to bat. They’ll need to turn things around in Game 2 tonight against Arizona. If they can’t, it will worsen the tough stretch the club has found themselves in.
Taking the mound
Zac Gallen (AZ) v. Germán Márquez (SD)
It’s unfortunate, but Gallen has been one of the worst pitchers in the league. After re-signing with Arizona this offseason, he hasn’t helped the club at all. The righty owns a 6.36 ERA through 92 innings and has just 56 strikeouts with an overblown 1.57 WHIP.
Gallen has had the worst season of his career this year. The Dbacks’ ace hasn’t been able to put it together at any point this year. He’s been even worse lately, with an 8.60 ERA in his last seven starts. The Friars should be able to tag Gallen for plenty of runs tonight.
Márquez is making his first start back after returning from the injured list earlier this week. The right-hander pitched three innings against Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night. Márquez pitched in bulk relief after Randy Vásquez exited the game early. With Vásquez now on the IL, Márquez will be taking over for the righty.
He pitched decent against L.A. in his first outing back, giving up two runs on two hits while walking three. He struggled with his command, but showed flashes of the ace-like stuff he once had. The hope for San Diego is that Márquez can quiet Arizona’s bats after a loud series opener (three home runs).
Batter up!
Apart from last night’s mishaps, the San Diego lineup has been effective as of late. The offense produced 15 runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in their most recent series against the division rivals. More than that, Manny Machado has had a recent power surge. The third baseman has three home runs in his last seven games.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Ty France, DH
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Samad Taylor, LF
Luis Campusano, C
Cronenworth went 2-for-4 last night against Pfaadt. The second baseman has a fantastic career when facing the Arizona righty. He’s also hit well against Gallen, batting .300 with a .917 OPS against the Dbacks’ ace (30 at-bats). Hopefully, Cronenworth will be able to continue that successful streak.
Relief corps
Thankfully, Alek Jacob was able to cover three innings for the Friars. With Arizona’s lead ballooned to seven runs by the time Jacob came in, the reliever was left on the mound for as long as possible. He threw 42 pitches, giving up just one run on a solo shot by Nolan Arenado. After him, Ron Marinaccio pitched the ninth inning. That outing from Jacob helped to salvage the bullpen for the remainder of the series.
That will allow San Diego to have plenty of options for Game 2. Kyle Hart, Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez will be available if Márquez struggles in his first start back. With no off day before the All-Star break, the club will be forced to rely on quality outings from their starters to save the ‘pen.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 20: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are returning home to take on the Atlanta Braves for the first matchup of a three-game set.
The Braves are handing the ball to Hurston Waldrop, who is making his second start of the season. Waldrop made his 2026 debut on June 26 against the San Francisco Giants, pitching two innings and giving up two hits and zero earned runs.
In his next appearance, he made his first start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals at home. He pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs, in an 11-5 loss at Truist Park. Now he’s making his first start on the road at PNC Park against the Buccos.
The Pirates will hand the ball to their ace, Paul Skenes, but he hasn’t been pitching like one as of late. In his last start, Skenes pitched four innings, giving up six hits and seven earned runs in a 10-6 loss on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 1. The Pirates have lost nine consecutive games when Skenes takes the mound, which is a big surprise given how well he has pitched in his first two seasons.
Skenes still has the stuff to be one of the best pitchers in the league, but the Pirates haven’t been able to put it together with him on the mound.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Hurston Waldrep (0-0, 3.68 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (6-8, 3.62 ERA)
BD community, chime off in the comments section below.
Claude Giroux looked around in NHL free agency and is returning to his 2025-26 team.
The Ottawa Senators announced on Tuesday, July 7, that they had re-signed the forward to a one-year deal that has $2 million in salary and up to $3 million in bonuses.
“Claude took his time to evaluate his options and his decision to re-sign with us shows his belief and commitment to our group,” said general manager Steve Staios. “He is the consummate professional and brings veteran experience to our core on and off the ice.”
Giroux, 38, will return for a fifth season in Canada's capital. He signed with his hometown Senators in 2022 after spending most of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, plus a short stint with the Florida Panthers.
He played all 82 games for the 10th time in his career and finished with 49 points as the Senators made the playoffs for the second year in a row. They were swept in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.
“I chose to come back because I want to be here. I’m excited to be an Ottawa Senator,” said Giroux. “Being around those guys for four years, we got really close. This team feels like a family. I just care for those players.”
Giroux is an alternate captain on the Senators, who need a captain after Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers.
With Giroux off the list, the top remaining free agents include Patrick Kane, Anthony Mantha and Vladimir Tarasenko.
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make the finishing touches on an incomplete roster, but there’s one free agent the team likely isn’t signing.
DeMar DeRozan hit free agency after the Sacramento Kings waived him. The team explored trade options for the DeRozan, but nothing transpired and the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.
DeMar DeRozan became a top free agent of the summer after he was cut by the Kings. Getty Images
According to ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, the Lakers aren’t considered a potential landing spot for the veteran guard.
There were rumblings regarding the Lakers’ interest in DeRozan, since the two sides had mutual interest most notably in 2021. However, DeRozan is no longer a fit for the Lakers heading into the 2026-27 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not considered to be a potential landing spot for veteran guard DeMar DeRozan after he was released by Sacramento in Monday, multiple league sources told ESPN. The Southern California native had dialogue with LAL in the past – notably in 2021.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is working to add one more critical piece to the roster. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
LA’s roster is missing a versatile wing defender and backup center. DeRozan is neither.
While the Lakers may not have any interest in DeRozan, he is a top free agent of the summer and should likely garner interest from other teams around the league.
The 23-year-old reportedly isn’t enticed by the current Lakers offer, which leaves Pelinka with the tall task of maneuvering players in order to acquire more cap space to sign Kuminga. That’s easier said than done, but the Lakers have limited options as many free agents are already off the board.
MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 01: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
There are precious few things that Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler cannot defeat. That includes venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which shut him down in August of last season and cost him most of the month of April in 2026.
At age 36, you may have begun to wonder if the end was near for the three-time All Star. Oh, how far from the case that has been.
Through 13 starts since his return on April 25th, Wheeler sports a 2.36 ERA – a mark that would be his best over the course of a single season. His 3.30 FIP is right in line with his 3.29 career mark, and his 2.3 BB/9 is actually lower than his 2.5 per 9 mark across his brilliant 12 year career. The injury, it would seem, was merely a hiccup over which he would rise again to regain his elite form.
Wheeler will start for the Phillies in Tuesday night’s series opener at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds. Fortunately for the ol’ Redlegs, they’ll be sending out a starter who’s been almost as hot as Wheeler for that period of time, too.
Andrew Abbott will toe the rubber in the series opener, the southpaw having pitched to a 2.71 ERA in his 12 starts dating back to the final week of April. The first four weeks of April were positively abysmal from the former All Star, but he’s once again regained the form that has him outperforming all of his peripherals through deception, precision, and an elite ability to induce soft contact. That’s what we’ll hope to see from him again tonight as he faces a Phillies lineup stacked with hitters who mostly excel from the left side of the plate.
First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up to begin:
The Lakers filled their backup center spot by signing veteran Kevon Looney to a one-year, $3.9-million deal, adding a three-time champion and former UCLA standout to the frontcourt. (Rob Gray / Associated Press)
The Lakers got their backup big man when Kevon Looney signed a one-year, $3.9-million deal on Tuesday, people not authorized to speak publicly told The Times.
The 6-foot-9 Looney won three championships with the Golden State Warriors, in 2017, 2018 and 2021. He played last season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Looney, 30, is an 11-year veteran who went to UCLA. He’s a strong rebounder, very good defender and sets solid screens for teammates.
Looney will be the backup behind starter Walker Kessler, who was acquired in a trade from the Utah Jazz and agreed to a four-year, $130-million deal. The Lakers traded last season’s starting center, Deandre Ayton, and backup Jaxson Hayes signed with the Jazz.
The Lakers now have a 14-man roster and have room for another player.
Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Lakers are after, according to people with knowledge of the situation who said L.A. is looking at a two-year, $20-million deal for Kuminga, the sort of athletic wing player the Lakers need to start at small forward.
He has the size (6-7) and is young (23). He averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds and shot 33.3% from three-point range last season while playing for the Warriors and Atlanta Hawks.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been busy this summer, finding deals and bringing in players to help mold the purple and gold into championship contention. His latest move is adding a former three-time NBA champion into the fold.
Los Angeles agreed to sign veteran free agent center Kevon Looney to a one-year deal worth $3.9 million, Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar told ESPN.
Looney was one of the top available backup centers in the free agency pool, a position that L.A. needed to address. The Lakers made a deal to get Walker Kessler as their starter. They dealt last year's starting center, Deandre Ayton, to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks. Last year's backup center, Jaxson Hayes, signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Utah Jazz.
Looney brings an array of experience and winning pedigree, having been a part of the Warriors dynasty with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. He's an asset expected to thrive in pick-and-roll action with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, when they play staggered minutes together.
Last year, Looney joined the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $16 million deal (the second year was a team option), which allowed him to reunite with former Warriors teammate Jordan Poole. Looney signed with New Orleans, instead of remaining in the Bay Area, because he felt like his playing time, especially during the 2025 NBA playoffs, was limited and that the Warriors were not utilizing him in ways that suited his strengths, even against favorable matchups, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
In his 11th NBA season, Looney only appeared in 21 games for the New Orleans Pelicans, where he averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Looney's career averages include 4.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals in 17 minutes. He's not known for his offense, but can still finish at a high level when given the opportunity. Looney has a career 57% field goal percentage.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to try to stay in postseason contention without rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin.
The club placed the 20-year-old rising star on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to an issue with the knuckle on the ring finger on his left hand. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Griffin is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.
Griffin, who made his major league debut in April before signing a lengthy extension, injured the finger in the early portion of a victory over Washington on Sunday. He remained in the lineup and finished with two hits before a postgame exam detailed the extent of the injury.
Tomczyk said the injury was to the sagittal band, which stabilizes the ring finger. Griffin will keep the hand in a splint for about six weeks before resuming baseball activities.
The injury is the second significant setback for Griffin during a promising rookie season. He missed most of June with a strained right forearm.
“He’s really been a big part of our success,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “I think for him to learn through this, too, every single player goes through injuries. He’s just had a couple tough ones at the beginning. I know he’ll be stronger after going through it.”
When healthy, Griffin has been a revelation for the Pirates, looking every bit the franchise cornerstone they hoped he’d be after selecting him in the first round of the 2024 draft. Griffin is hitting .276 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 59 games.
Jared Triolo will primarily fill in at shortstop for Pittsburgh, which entered Tuesday at 46-45 and in the middle of a large swath of National League teams in the postseason mix.
Griffin joins an increasingly crowded injured list that includes center fielder Oneil Cruz and first baseman Spencer Horwitz.
Pittsburgh called up infielder Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Griffin’s spot on the roster.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown formed one of the NBA’s best duos for many years. But that tandem is no longer intact after the Boston Celtics traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers last week for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
It was a stunning trade that saw Brown go to a longtime Celtics rival, one that knocked Boston out of the 2026 playoffs with a Game 7 win at TD Garden back in May.
Tatum spent nine seasons as a teammate of Brown’s in Boston after being drafted in 2017.
He reacted publicly to the trade for the first time Tuesday night at an event in Newton where he was promoting his new children’s book.
“To be honest, it’s weird,” Tatum told the crowd, as seen in the video player above. “You play on a team with a guy for nine years, who I was fortunate enough to go to the Finals with twice, and win a championship, and push each other to be the players that we are today.
“The NBA is an incredible business, it’s an incredible job, but there are some downsides to the business that we’re in. And moments like this, where you just kind of feel like you’re going to be on the team with somebody, because that’s all you know.
“And then it’s just like, one day you find out that they’re no longer on your team anymore. And we’re all humans. We feel all those emotions. Going into the facility, and knowing that you have different teammates, and somebody that you’ve been to war with, essentially, is on a different team.”
He continued: “It’s tough. But it just makes you appreciate the moments and times that we had. Obviously, it came to an abrupt ending, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t super successful. Some great years, obviously, that he gave to the city and to the organization.”
Tatum and Brown helped the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals five times and the NBA Finals twice during their time together, including a championship in 2024.
The Celtics’ roster will look plenty different next season. In addition to Brown’s departure, the C’s have added George (trade), Mitchell Robinson (free agent) and Mike Conley Jr. (free agent) to the team so far this offseason.
“The tough part is you miss teammates, but then you have new teammates, and you want to welcome those guys and accept them and move forward with them,” Tatum said. “So there is a balance there.”
Former NBA star Lamar Odom is expected to enter a plea deal in a DUI case in Las Vegas, according to his defense attorney.
Odom, 46, was arrested Jan. 17 and later charged with driving under the influence, speeding and failure to stay in a driving lane. He pleaded not guilty in March.
Odom plans to enter a no-contest plea that will reduce his initial DUI charge to a reckless driving charge, according to his attorney, Michael Becker. Through a no-contest plea, Odom will accept the terms of the Clark County District Attorney’s Office without admitting guilt.
Former Lakers player Lamar Odom attends the Lakers-Rockets game during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
He was scheduled for a bench trial Tuesday in Las Vegas Justice Court, but the court hearing was continued for a plea entry later this month. He is not expected to appear in person, according to Becker.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately return requests for comment.
On Jan. 17, a Nevada State Police Highway Patrol trooper observed Odom speeding along a Las Vegas highway and switching lanes without a turn signal, according to the arrest report. When pulled over, Odom allegedly had bloodshot eyes and smelled of marijuana, the trooper said in the arrest report.
Odom denied drinking alcohol and told the trooper that the passenger was smoking marijuana, according to the report. The trooper found the field sobriety tests “unsatisfactory,” saying Odom failed to touch the tip of his nose with his finger and lost his balance.
Las Vegas, NV General views photos from outside the regional justice center where Lamar Odom was scheduled to appear before the court for his DUI charge. ACES / BACKGRID
Odom won championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks during a 14-year NBA career.
His 2013 marriage to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian was tabloid fodder, and the couple’s wedding was showcased on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” They divorced months later. That same year, Odom was arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles. He later pleaded no contest and received three years of probation.
In 2015, Odom made headlines after suffering a medical episode during a stay at a legal brothel in Nevada called Love Ranch. In the arrest report, Odom allegedly told the trooper that he had 12 strokes and six heart attacks and was “poisoned at the brothel in Pahrump.”
The Warriors are losing a valuable member of their frontcourt to NBA free agency.
After center Quinten Post signed a three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors reportedly have decided not to match it, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, citing sources.
Golden State had until 8:59 p.m. PT on Tuesday to match the Grizzlies’ offer sheet. Instead, the 2024 No. 52 overall pick out of Boston College appears to be on his way to Memphis.
The Golden State Warriors decided not to match Quinten Post's three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies, allowing the 7-footer to join Memphis, sources tell ESPN. The Grizzlies add Post to a reshaped frontline that includes No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey,… https://t.co/rQ5KYqV2YE
Per Charania, it’s the first time since 2020 that an NBA team has lost a player to an offer sheet, when the Sacramento Kings declined to match the Atlanta Hawks’ four-year, $72 million offer to Bogdan Bogdanovic.
In two seasons with the Warriors, Post averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.9 minutes across 109 games (49 starts). The 7-foot stretch big man was a key 3-point threat for Golden State, shooting 36.4 percent from behind the arc on over four attempts per game.
Though he carved out a significant role in the Bay, the Dutch native was set to enter the 2026-27 NBA season as the No. 3 center on the Warriors’ depth chart, behind returning veterans Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.
In the end, as Golden State persists in their courtship of LeBron James this offseason, general manager Mike Dunleavy apparently decided $30 million was more than they were willing to offer Post right now.
After nine seasons in the NHL, former Chicago Blackhawks forward David Kampf is heading overseas.
HC Litvinov of the Czech Extraliga has announced that they have signed Kampf to a three-year contract.
Kampf heading overseas comes after he posted two goals, six points, 45 hits, and a 52.3 faceoff winning percentage in 40 games last season split between the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals. The Capitals traded his signing rights to the Buffalo Sabres as part of the sign-and-trade to land Alex Tuch, but Buffalo chose not to sign Kampf.
Kampf spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with the Blackhawks from 2017-18 to 2020-21. In 235 games with the Blackhawks over that span, he posted 17 goals, 41 assists, and 58 points.
Following his time with the Blackhawks, Kampf had stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canucks, and Capitals. In 576 career NHL games, he posted 50 goals, 99 assists, 149 points, and 498 hits.
Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux (28) gets the shot away against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first overtime in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
James Guillory-Imagn Images
OTTAWA, Ontario — Claude Giroux is returning to the Ottawa Senators after agreeing to terms Tuesday on a contract for next season with a $2 million salary that can be worth up to $5 million in bonuses.
“Claude took his time to evaluate his options, and his decision to re-sign with us shows his belief and commitment to our group,” Ottawa general manager Steve Staios said. “He is the consummate professional and brings veteran experience to our core on an off the ice.”
Giroux, 38, was linked in free agency to the Philadelphia Flyers this summer, but a reunion did not materialize. He spent his first 15-plus NHL seasons with them from 2008-22 before getting traded at the deadline to Florida.
The Hearst, Ontario, native played the past four seasons with the Senators. Going back to Ottawa makes Giroux a candidate to succeed Brady Tkachuk as captain, following his trade last month to the Panthers to play with his brother, Matthew.
“I chose to come back because I want to be here,” Giroux said. “Being around those guys for four years, we got really close. This team feels like a family. I just care for those players.”
Giroux’s 1,165 regular-season points rank 60th in league history and are the eighth-most among active players.
