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WATCH: Mets show Jacob deGrom tribute video ahead of Friday's game against Rangers

Prior to the start of Friday's game between the Mets and Texas Rangers, New York showed a tribute video of Jacob deGrom, Friday's starter, in his first start at Citi Field since leaving in free agency following the 2022 season.

The video, about one minute and five seconds long, featured highlights from the right-hander's incredible nine-year career in New York between 2014 and 2022 and ended with the message 'Welcome Back Jacob' before transitioning to deGrom's walk-out song "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd that became iconic in New York.

DeGrom, getting loose on the field, was then displayed on the screen which resulted in a round of applause and the 37-year-old tipping his cap to the crowd.

A four-time All-Star with the Mets, deGrom went 82-57 in New York and pitched to a 2.52 ERA (0.99 WHIP) with 1,835 strikeouts in 1,522.2 IP.

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Vancouver Canucks Prospect Aleksei Medvedev Looking To Make A Strong Impression During His First Year With The Organization

During the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Vancouver Canucks used their second-round pick to select goaltender Aleksei Medvedev. The recently turned 18-year-old was drafted 47th overall, becoming the first goaltender the Canucks have chosen in the top-50 of the draft since Thatcher Demko in 2014. Listed at 6'2", 178 lbs, Medvedev has already been signed by the organization and will be heading back to the OHL next year to once again play for the London Knights. 

The last few months have been a whirlwind for Medvedev. Since being drafted, he has attended Development Camp in Vancouver and played pre-season games for the Knights. No, Medvedev is back with the Canucks and looking forward to playing in the 2025 Prospects Showcase against the Seattle Kraken. 

"Yeah, it's a great experience", said Medvedev. "It's a big opportunity for me to showcase myself and start earning the coaches' trust and build that relationship with them. So great opportunity."

NHL Training Camps can be intimidating for recently-drafted rookies. The experience includes working with new coaches and practicing against current NHL players. Luckily for Medvedev, he has current and recently graduated OHLers like Riley Patterson and Krill Kudryavtsev to lean on as he enters his first Prospects Showcase and Training Camp. 

"It's really nice, especially coming into my first rookie showcase. My first experience like this. They help a lot. They make you feel comfortable, and when you're comfortable in the room, you play better on the ice. So it's great."

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As for Training Camp, Medvedev can't wait to hit the ice in Penticton. As mentioned, he will get the opportunity to work with Vancouver's entire coaching staff, while also learning from goaltenders like Demko and Kevin Lankinen. Training Camp also provides Medvedev with a chance to face shots from NHLers, which will be a key part of his development this year. 

"I'm really excited for that. It's going to be a great experience. Those shots make you better. You can improve your reads and stuff like that. It's a different game, pro hockey, so learning that and getting to know that is a great experience."

Looking ahead to 2025-26, Medvedev is ready to help London get back to the Memorial Cup, which is being hosted in Kelowna next May. Last season as a back-up, he posted a 22-8-2 record along with a .912 save percentage and three shutouts. As for this year, Medvedev will be the Knights' starter and is ready to help London capture their third-straight OHL Championship. 

"We want to go back to the Memorial Cup. And for myself, I don't want to look too far ahead, honestly. Just want to take it day by day. When you start looking too far ahead or look into the future too much, it might not work out that well for you. So just focus on winning games and being there for my team every night. I love London. It's the best place to be. So for me, the best option is to stay in London as long as possible."

Medvedev will be a player to watch at both the Prospects Showcase and during Training Camp.  He has the potential to be an NHLer and is ready to do whatever it takes to be successful. In the end, selecting Medvedev is looking like a smart move by the Canucks as they may have found their starter of the future. 

Aleksei Medvedev of the Vancouver Canucks (Photo Credit: Kaja Antic/The Hockey News)

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News. 

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Patrick Kane Points To Clear Shift In Red Wings’ Play Under Todd McLellan

Following their subpar 13-17-4 start to last season, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman decided that a change was in order. 

Head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant coach Bob Boughner were dismissed, with Todd McLellan hired as the new head coach and Trent Yawney joining as an assistant.

Detroit's play began to shift almost immediately, and they managed to rattle off a pair of separate seven-game winning streaks as they vaulted back into a postseason position before ultimately falling short thanks to another lull in the month of March. 

Still, a full season beginning with Training Camp next week under McLellan should pay off for the Red Wings in the words of Patrick Kane. 

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

"It's a good situation for me, especially coming in with Todd McLellan as a coach," Kane said recently during the NHL's Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. "I played a lot better under him when we made the switch. The team started playing more aggressive and playing better. Playing in the top six, playing on the power play. As you get older you want to win and I think we can do that there."

Kane’s resurgence under McLellan was clear, as he tallied 16 goals and 29 assists in the second half of the season following the coaching change. 

Vladimir Konstantinov Scheduled To Make Rare Special Public Appearance Vladimir Konstantinov Scheduled To Make Rare Special Public Appearance The career of bruising Detroit Red Wings defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov was tragically cut short less than a week after the 1997 Stanley Cup victory because of a limousine accident that very nearly claimed his life. 

As for ending the club’s lengthy postseason drought, which dates back to 2016, the season after Kane helped the Chicago Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup in six years, Kane believes the Red Wings can achieve that this season.

"That's the goal, to get into the playoffs," he said. "We really feel we're on the verge and we should do it this year." 

Over an 82-game pace, the Red Wings’ 26-18-4 record would have translated to 96 points, enough for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference behind the Ottawa Senators (97 points), and comfortably ahead of the Montreal Canadiens (91 points), who ultimately claimed that spot. 

Kane once again agreed to sign a one-year contract extension to remain with the Red Wings, which will be his second full season with the club he joined as a free agent in December 2023. 

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What we learned as Justin Verlander shines in Giants' walk-off win vs. Dodgers

What we learned as Justin Verlander shines in Giants' walk-off win vs. Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — To get back to the postseason, the Giants are going to have to go through the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re off to a strong and thrilling start. 

On a raucous Friday night at Oracle Park, the Giants won 5-1 when Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th. They will face the Dodgers seven times over 10 days, and on night one, at least, the rivals did nothing to stop their momentum. 

The end of a tense game was absolutely insane. After tagging on a shallow fly ball and getting thrown out to end the ninth, Grant McCray unleashed a rocket from right field to cut down the potential go-ahead run at third in the top of the 10th.

In the bottom of the inning, Bailey came up with the bases loaded and crushed a Tanner Scott pitch into the seats in left.

With the win, the Giants picked up a game on the entire NL Wild Card field. Counting the tiebreaker, they’re just 1 .5 games behind the New York Mets, who dropped a seventh straight game earlier Friday. 

The Giants jumped out to an early lead when Willy Adames smoked a double into the left-center gap, scoring Rafael Devers, who had reached with his 102nd walk of the season. The ball was bobbled at the track by center fielder Andy Pages, but Matt Williams was on it the whole way and aggressively waved Devers, who scored without a throw.

Justin Verlander entered as one of the game’s hottest starters and extended his scoreless streak to 18 innings before Michael Conforto opened the top of the seventh with a solo shot to dead center. It was the second homer at Oracle Park this season for Conforto, who hit three at home all of last season as a Giant. Here are three more things to know …

Ageless

Verlander gave up three balls at 100+ mph in the top of the seventh, but after Ben Rortvedt hit a double off the left field wall, manager Bob Melvin showed faith. The Giants intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani and Verlander was left in to face Mookie Betts, who flew out softly to right on Verlander’s 105th pitch. 

On a night when Verlander reached 20 years of MLB service time, a truly outrageous number, he looked like he was still in his prime. He allowed just one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four. Verlander’s slider was as good as it’s been all year; he threw it 25 times and got 20 strikes and eight whiffs. 

The latest dominant start lowered Verlander’s ERA to 3.94. This is just the second time it has been under 4.00 all year. It was 3.60 after his first start of the year but ballooned from there.

The Other Side

Before the game, Melvin said he couldn’t imagine a better weekend of pitching matchups. In Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, there are three pitchers who should get down-ballot Cy Young votes. Verlander and Clayton Kershaw — who faces Webb on Saturday — are locks to be first-ballot Hall-of-Famers. Tyler Glasnow, who will face Ray on Sunday, might win a Cy Young one year if he can stay healthy for 33 starts. 

The first game lived up to the hype, with Yamamoto matching Verlander through seven. Six days after losing a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth at Camden Yards, Yamamoto allowed just one hit and struck out 10 Giants. He has 20 strikeouts and just two hits allowed in his last two appearances. 

Costly Save

With two runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth, Andy Pages hit a grounder that looked headed for the hole at short. Matt Chapman cut it off with a dive and made a strong throw to first baseman Dominic Smith, who did the splits while receiving it. The play saved at least one run and ended the inning, but it proved costly. 

Smith went down right away and grabbed at his right leg. He tried to jog it off as the Dodgers challenged the call, but he eventually walked slowly off the field and went right back to the clubhouse with head trainer Dave Groeschner. Wilmer Flores hit for Smith in the bottom of the inning and the Giants later announced it was a right thigh injury. 

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Formal Agreement in Place to Sell The Trail Blazers To Tom Dundon

James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Portland Trail Blazers franchise will be sold to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. 

The price of the sail is expected to exceed $4 billion, as Dundon will own his second professional sports team. 

Dundon admitted last month that he’s “very excited” about the sale. 

The Trail Blazers’ valuation is listed at $3.65 billion according to CNBC’s latest Official NBA Team Valuations.

Dundon purchased a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017 and became the team's majority owner in 2018, as the franchise has seen unparalleled success since his arrival.

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The Wraparound: Do The Detroit Red Wings Have A Breakout Player In Waiting?

The Wraparound is your show for rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.

Do The Detroit Red Wings Have A Breakout Player In Waiting? by The WraparoundDo The Detroit Red Wings Have A Breakout Player In Waiting? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jake Tye discussed in today's episode:

0:00: What team can make the best pitch to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a Sidney Crosby trade?

5:22: Breaking down Dustin Wolf’s extension with the Calgary Flames

8:28: Could Marco Kasper have a breakout season with the Detroit Red Wings?

11:20: Will Michael Misa make the San Jose Sharks’ lineup this season?

15:09: Will Kirill Kaprizov end up testing free agency next summer?

19:45: Have the Philadelphia Flyers built a good foundation for the future?

23:45: What will Jack Eichel’s next contract look like with the Vegas Golden Knights?

26:45: After signing Alexandar Georgiev, how will the Buffalo Sabres organize their goaltending depth chart?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Winnipeg Native Reece Vitelli Returns Home, Aims For Impact Role With Hometown Moose

Winnipeg native Reece Vitelli aims to carve out a meaningful role on his hometown team this upcoming season. 

The Winnipeg Jets organization is filled with intriguing storylines across every level of its development system from the early stages in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals, all the way up to the NHL, where star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is making headlines as a frontrunner for the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player. 

Amid the spotlight on big names and major accolades, there are also compelling narratives emerging from the AHL, where rising talents are quietly shaping the future of the franchise. One such storyline centers around Reece Vitelli, the newest member to the Manitoba Moose and a hometown native of Winnipeg. 

Six Jets Crack The Athletic's Top-150 Players ListSix Jets Crack The Athletic's Top-150 Players ListOn Thursday, The Athletic revealed its list of the Top-150 players currently serving in the NHL.

After spending three seasons throughout the AHL and ECHL in the Arizona Coyotes organization, Vitelli returned home with a call up to the Manitoba Moose towards the end of last season. The 24-year-old forward is excited for the chance to play at home once again and is looking forward to working on carving out a meaningful role at the AHL level. 

"It's definitely cool to come home and play, my whole goal last year was to get called up somewhere and then I heard it was, it was back in Winnipeg, It was truly cool and to have those last few months here was something I'll never forget for sure,” Vitelli said.

Moose sign forward Reece VitelliMoose sign forward Reece VitelliA good day in Moose land 🫎Winnipegger Reece Vitelli posted three assists in 15 games with the #MBMoose to close out the 2024-25 season. He also notched 52 p...

The former Prince Albert Raider has been spending the off-season improving on his shot as Vitelli has struggled scoring at the AHL level with a pair of goals in just 36 games. When asked on how to transition his game from the ECHL to the AHL, he noted it was confidence that’s the biggest factor. 

"It all comes down to confidence, I think coming in last year, I was just trying to just play my game and everything, but also, trying to not make mistakes and stay in the lineup and stuff, so hopefully try and come into the year and just be more confident with the puck and know that I have that skill I can make plays and just help produce more offense for the team," he said. 

When describing his play style, Vitelli used a comparison on the current Jets roster as a player that can be used in multiple positions, up-and-down the ice and make an impact in different ways. 

"My biggest assets is probably my speed, my skating, I like to use my feet a lot, and get the forecheck first and and be reliable, and kind of just be a Swiss army knife out there, play anywhere the team needs me to play and to be reliable, in all those, those different positions, kind of like an Anthony Cirelli kind of player or even Alex Iafallo up with the Jets too,” Vitelli explained ”They're playing in a lot of different positions, penalty kill and getting thrown on the power play and that kind of thing, so those are definitely some guys that I look up too."

One of the most interesting aspects of Vitelli’s career so far has been the players that he’s been on the same team as that have broken out into big roles at the NHL level. The notable two are Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring, who Vitelli played with during his time with the Coyotes AHL affiliate in the Tuscon Roadrunners. He stated that he could tell the players were going to make a difference in the NHL some day during their time playing together. 

"Obviously great players, you can tell by how they play, and they're great people, too,” Vitelli said “Great teammates,I  had a blast playing with them in Tucson and it was a fun two years with them, so it was super good and they're just great players and they're definitely gonna help out Buffalo this year."

The hope is now the narrative turns to Vitelli and now he gets his chance to make an impact, this time closer to home than ever before. Moose head coach Mark Morrison has a system more reliant on aggressive forechecking in speed, according to Vitelli and he noted this goes well with his game. Hopefully Moose fans can rally behind one of their local hometown players and help him keep his confidence to play well enough to stay at the AHL level.

Moose Defenseman Dawson Barteaux Eyes Full-Time Role With Hometown Team in 2025Moose Defenseman Dawson Barteaux Eyes Full-Time Role With Hometown Team in 2025Manitoba Moose Defenseman Dawson Barteaux aims for a full-time role in third season with his hometown team. 
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Carlos Mendoza reflects on Jacob deGrom's career with Mets: 'It was a show'

Even though he never managed the right-hander in Queens, Carlos Mendoza understands the significance and impact that Jacob deGrom has in Mets lore.

So, before the former Met returns to the mound at Citi Field for the first time since leaving New York in free agency after the 2022 season, the skipper was asked what deGrom, who made 209 starts in the orange and blue, means to the Mets.

"He represented a lot and meant a lot to this organization," Mendoza said. "You’re talking about a homegrown player and what he was able to do while he was up here -- he was an ace. 

"You felt good about your chances every time he took the baseball. It was a show. This is a guy that people came to the ballpark to watch him pitch. Special."

For most of his nine-year stint in New York, deGrom was the best pitcher in the game. From the moment he made his debut in 2014, a season that ended with him winning Rookie of the Year, the Mets knew they had something special.

Despite his selection in the ninth round out of Stetson University where he played shortstop, it didn't take long for the right-hander to come into his own. After a few great seasons following his rookie campaign, deGrom turned otherworldly and dominated the league unlike any other pitcher of his time.

From 2018 to 2019, deGrom made 64 starts and won the Cy Young award in back-to-back seasons after pitching to a 1.70 ERA in '18 and a 2.43 ERA in '19 and totaling 524 strikeouts in 421 IP. 

Shockingly, his record was 21-17 during that stretch with the Mets consistently unable to give him any run support -- making his numbers even more impressive with how stressful the innings were.

Overall, deGrom went 82-57 in New York and pitched to a 2.52 ERA (0.99 WHIP) with 1,835 strikeouts in 1522.2 IP. He was also a four-time All-Star and  regularly finished in the top 10 for the Cy Young award as well as two top 10 finishes for MVP.

Injuries towards the end of his time with the Mets, including making just 11 regular season starts in 2022, his final season in New York, concerned and precluded the club from offering him the massive deal he was hoping for and eventually got with the Texas Rangers, signaling the end of his career as a Met.

New York was proven right in the short-term with deGrom only making nine starts for Texas in his first two seasons with the Rangers due to injury. 

However, in his age-37 season, deGrom has been healthy all year for the first time since 2019 and continues to dominate like he did for the Mets for so many years with "electric stuff" and his "ability to command the baseball."

"You’re still looking at 98, 99 (mph) with the fastball," Mendoza said.

And with New York struggling mightily and having lost six straight games, it now has to contend with its former ace to try and get back on track and stabilize what has been a worrisome free fall.

"He meant a lot to the fanbase and organization, but here we are today (hoping to) find a way to beat him," Mendoza said. "... It's a tough matchup."

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Philogene fires hat-trick in Ipswich’s rout of rock-bottom Sheffield United

Jaden Philogene scored a hat-trick as Ipswich thrashed the Championship’s bottom side Sheffield United 5-0. The heavy defeat heaps pressure on to Blades head coach, Rubén Sellés, who has now lost all five matches since taking over at Bramall Lane in the summer.

George Hirst and Jack Clarke were also on the scoresheet as Ipswich chalked up their first win of the season and their first at Portman Road since beating Chelsea in the Premier League in December.

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Where Knicks stand after signing Malcolm Brogdon

The Knicks are signing veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, which will see the veteran receive strong consideration for a roster spot.

Landry Shamet, who agreed to terms to re-sign with the Knicks on Thursday, will also get strong consideration for a roster spot.  

If the Knicks want to keep both Brogdon and Shamet, they will have to trade one of their own players to create the roster spot.

Trading either Pacôme Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap space to sign both Shamet and Brogdon. (There are other combinations of players the Knicks could trade to create the space to add both veterans, but those two are being mentioned because it would be the most direct path for the Knicks to take if they wanted to keep both vets.)

I’d be surprised if the Knicks made a move like that ahead of training camp. I’d assume that they let things play out in training camp/preseason before making decisions on final roster spots. It’s also worth pointing out that they have always held McBride in high regard and haven’t been receptive to any past trades involving the now 25-year-old.  

As things currently stand, the Knicks have enough room under the second apron to keep a veteran free agent like Shamet, Brogdon, or Garrison Matthews and to sign a rookie to a minimum deal. The rookie needs to have been drafted by the Knicks. So the plan heading into camp is for New York to sign Mohamed Diawara to that rookie deal.

The Knicks have also had other veteran free agents in for workouts lately. Thomas Bryant, who played well against New York in the Eastern Conference Finals with Indiana, has been in New York for open gym workouts and really impressed the Knicks, per SNY league sources.

Bryant is the best big man free agent left on the board. The Knicks don’t have a rotation role for him at the moment. But they are certainly fans of the 28-year-old.

I’d expect New York to host some other veterans for workouts ahead of camp. As noted on Thursday, big man Trey Jemison III is also squarely on the Knicks’ radar ahead of training camp.

With Brogdon aboard, there will certainly be a competition in preseason for the open roster spot. If two of the veteran players separate themselves from the pack, the Knicks will have to trade one of their rostered players to bring those vets in. Certainly something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.  

As for Brogdon, the Knicks were looking for depth at point guard, and they did well to land the veteran at this point in the offseason. When healthy, Brogdon had a solid season last year for the Wizards. He averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists per game. But he was limited to 24 contests (13 starts) due to injury.

During his nine-year career, which has also included stints with the Bucks, Pacers, Celtics, and Trail Blazers, Brogdon has averaged 15.3 points and 3.6 assists. His agreement with the Knicks was first reported by ESPN.

This offseason, in addition to Brogdon and Shamet, New York added guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele.

Jake Fischer earlier reported the Knicks’ interest in Bryant. I’m sure the Knicks would love to have Bryant in camp, but they have depth at center – Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Ariel Hukporti – so there is no room in the rotation for Bryant.

The Knicks, it should be noted, will also be able to add a veteran free agent later in the season because they will be able to fit the pro-rated contract under the second apron.

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Buehler joins Phillies' fun in winning debut vs. Royals

Buehler joins Phillies' fun in winning debut vs. Royals  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Walker Buehler stepped right into the Phillies’ winning ways Friday night. 

The 31-year-old righty made a victorious debut at Citizens Bank Park as the Phils became the first MLB team to rack up 50 home wins this season with an 8-2 decision over the Royals. They’ve lost just 23 times in Philadelphia. 

With their fifth straight win, the 88-60 Phillies surged closer to clinching the NL East. The Mets’ loss to the Rangers dropped the Phils’ magic number to three.

Buehler pitched five good innings, allowing five hits and one run. He walked one Royal and struck out three.

“He fits right in,” Bryce Harper said. “He fits into that mold of a Philadelphia baseball player. It’s just a lot of fun to be around somebody that’s won in his career, has obviously pitched in big situations, big moments deep into the postseason. Getting a guy like that in our clubhouse is huge for us.”

Kansas City did grab a lead in Buehler’s first inning as a Phillie. Bobby Witt Jr. singled up the middle, stole second base with two outs and scored on Maikel Garcia’s RBI knock. 

The Phillies bounced back with a run against Michael Lorenzen in the second inning. Otto Kemp lined a leadoff double and eventually came home on Rafael Marchan’s sacrifice fly. 

Buehler worked around a solid four-seam fastball that averaged 93.8 mph and threw strikes on 26 of his first 35 pitches. Even with that zone-attacking approach, the Royals didn’t hit many balls on the nose vs. Buehler. They had one ball in play with an exit velocity over 100 mph through four innings, which was five fewer than the Phillies.

“Most of this year and even last year, I struggled a lot with the fastball command,” Buehler said. “I’ve thrown one way my whole life since I was 10 years old and I think the last two years, coming off of (Tommy John surgery) rehab, I just haven’t thrown that way. If I can get my arm to the slot, move the way I want and all this baseball mumbo-jumbo stuff, the feel of everything kind of comes back and makes sense to my hand and my brain.

“There’s room for an uptick, hopefully. To be able to execute and make some pitches is I think a great first step.”

The Phils went on top by teeing off against Lorenzen to begin the bottom of third. 

Harper laced an opposite-field two-run homer. Brandon Marsh then drove a high sinker to the same region as Harper’s dinger, raced to third base, slid in safely and pumped his fist in exultant celebration. Kemp singled to left through the Royals’ drawn-in infield.  

The fourth inning was even worse for Lorenzen. Marchan, Harrison Bader and Kyle Schwarber all doubled, the Phils stretched their advantage to 6-1 and Lorenzen exited. The Phillies reached double-digit hits for the fourth game in a row. 

The bullpen comfortably got the job done.

Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar combined to record the last 12 outs. Bryson Stott’s two-run long ball in the seventh inning made the Phils’ route to the finish line even a little less stressful.

The one late-inning negative for the Phillies was Edmundo Sosa’s exit in the seventh with right groin tightness, which manager Rob Thomson said he’d been dealing with “a little bit” recently.

“He’ll be day-to-day,” Thomson said. “We’ll check him out tomorrow. I just saw him favor it a little bit while he was on defense, so I checked him out. He said, ‘Yeah, it’s a little sore.’ Precautionary for now. We got him out of there.”

Bohm moving through rehab process 

Thomson said pregame that Alec Bohm will “hopefully” be able to return as soon as his 10-day injured list stint ends. The Phils placed Bohm on the IL on Monday with left shoulder inflammation. 

“He’s running,” Thomson said. “He’s going to do some glove work today. Hopefully, tomorrow he’ll start swinging the bat.”

Kemp started his fifth consecutive game at third base without Bohm and went 2 for 4. He’s had an excellent stretch since rejoining the Phillies, going 7 for 20 with two home runs and six RBIs. 

On deck 

The Phils’ Taijuan Walker (4-8, 4.03 ERA) and Kansas City’s Ryan Bergert (2-2, 3.48) will start Saturday night. Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24 ERA) and Noah Cameron (3.00 ERA) are slated to pitch Sunday afternoon’s series finale.

Once the Royals leave town, the Phillies will embark on their final road trip of 2025, a six-gamer with series against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. 

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Buehler joins Phillies' fun in winning debut vs. Royals

Buehler joins Phillies' fun in winning debut vs. Royals  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Walker Buehler stepped right into the Phillies’ winning ways Friday night. 

The 31-year-old righty made a victorious debut at Citizens Bank Park as the Phils became the first MLB team to rack up 50 home wins this season with an 8-2 decision over the Royals. They’ve lost just 23 times in Philadelphia. 

With their fifth straight win, the 88-60 Phillies surged closer to clinching the NL East. The Mets’ loss to the Rangers dropped the Phils’ magic number to three.

Buehler pitched five good innings, allowing five hits and one run. He walked one Royal and struck out three.

Kansas City did grab a lead in Buehler’s first inning as a Phillie. Bobby Witt Jr. singled up the middle, stole second base with two outs and scored on Maikel Garcia’s RBI knock. 

The Phillies bounced back with a run against Michael Lorenzen in the second inning. Otto Kemp lined a leadoff double and eventually came home on Rafael Marchan’s sacrifice fly. 

Buehler worked around a solid four-seam fastball that averaged 93.8 mph and threw strikes on 26 of his first 35 pitches. Even with that zone-attacking approach, the Royals didn’t hit many balls on the nose vs. Buehler. They had one ball in play with an exit velocity over 100 mph through four innings, which was five fewer than the Phillies.

The Phils went on top by teeing off against Lorenzen to begin the bottom of third. 

Bryce Harper laced an opposite-field two-run homer. Brandon Marsh then drove a high sinker to the same region as Harper’s dinger, raced to third base, slid in safely and pumped his fist in exultant celebration. Kemp singled to left through the Royals’ drawn-in infield.  

The fourth inning was even worse for Lorenzen. Marchan, Harrison Bader and Kyle Schwarber all doubled, the Phils stretched their advantage to 6-1 and Lorenzen exited. The Phillies reached double-digit hits for the fourth game in a row. 

The bullpen comfortably got the job done.

Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar combined to record the last 12 outs. Bryson Stott’s two-run long ball in the seventh inning made the Phils’ route to the finish line even a little less stressful.

Bohm moving through rehab process 

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said pregame that Alec Bohm will “hopefully” be able to return as soon as his 10-day injured list stint ends. The Phils placed Bohm on the IL on Monday with left shoulder inflammation. 

“He’s running,” Thomson said. “He’s going to do some glove work today. Hopefully, tomorrow he’ll start swinging the bat.”

Kemp started his fifth consecutive game at third base without Bohm and went 2 for 4. He’s had an excellent stretch since rejoining the Phillies, going 7 for 20 with two home runs and six RBIs. 

On deck 

The Phils’ Taijuan Walker (4-8, 4.03 ERA) and Kansas City’s Ryan Bergert (2-2, 3.48) will start Saturday night. Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24 ERA) and Noah Cameron (3.00 ERA) are slated to pitch Sunday afternoon’s series finale.

Once the Royals leave town, the Phillies will embark on their final road trip of 2025, a six-gamer with series against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. 

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Jett Luchanko Injury Update: Top Flyers Prospect Will Return Soon

(Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

Top Philadelphia Flyers center prospect Jett Luchanko will be out for rookie camp, but his return to the ice should be imminent.

According to an update released by the Flyers Thursday, Luchanko, 19, is expected to be ready for the start of training camp next week.

The 2024 first-round pick was, however, held out of Thursday's rookie camp practice session for precautionary reasons, potentially related to the groin injury that held him out of development camp two months earlier.

Luchanko is not expected to play against the New York Rangers in the first rookie series game between the two teams Friday night, which effectively rules him out for the second game Saturday, too.

To that end, defenseman Oliver Bonk, who also didn't participate on the ice at development camp in early July, is also out against the Rangers for Friday night's game. 

It would appear that the Flyers truly are just exercising the most caution to ensure two of their recent first-round picks have every opportunity to compete for an NHL roster spot, starting with training camp next week.

Flyers Brass Not Giving Up On Aleksei KolosovFlyers Brass Not Giving Up On Aleksei KolosovThe Philadelphia Flyers may appear set at the goalie position at the NHL level this year, but anything can happen, and the book isn't closed on prospect Aleksei Kolosov yet.

Luchanko will either have to make the NHL or return to the OHL this season, whereas Bonk will be turning pro and will be closer to home under the watchful eye of the Flyers, whether he's in the NHL or in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Watch for Luchanko to return to the ice for the Flyers within the week as training camp creeps around the corner.