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Canadiens: Joe Veleno A No Go According To Marinaro

Over the last week or so, there have been numerous reports that the Montreal Canadiens had made an offer to free agent Jo Veleno. On The Sick Podcast on Monday night, host Tony Marinaro revealed that his sources denied the claim.

According to Marinaro, the Canadiens explored the possibility, examined the player’s game, and assessed what he had accomplished so far, but ultimately, they elected to pass on the homegrown talent.

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The 25-year-old Montreal native was drafted 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2018 draft and has been the property of three teams since then. In his draft year in the QMJHL, he played with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, accumulating 48 points in just 33 games. In his final year, he exploded for 104 points in 59 games before turning pro.

He struggled to find his footing in Detroit and could never do better than 28 points in 80 games in 2023-24. Eventually, Steve Yzerman lost faith in the last first-round pick of the Ken Holland era and traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks at the previous trade deadline in return for Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith.

The madhouse on Madison couldn’t electrify the left-shot center, though, and with seven points in 18 games, he was traded to the Seattle Kraken for Andre Burakovsky on June 21. He’ll never get a chance to prove his worth to the Kraken, though, as he was put on unconditional waivers to be bought out on June 29.

He had one year left on a two-season deal, which had a $2,275,000 cap hit. Last season, he had 17 points in 74 games, and the Kraken’s decision is understandable. This doesn’t leave the pivot in a perfect place, and you’d have to think he‘ll likely have to take a league-minimum deal to get back in the NHL.

While fans are often keen for the Canadiens to sign local talent, Veleno is not what Montreal is after this off-season. The first order of business for the Habs is to find some top-six help, be it on the wing or down the middle. That’s not the kind of role the centerman could fill, even though the Tricolore could use a left-shot center for draws. That is not enough to prompt the Canadiens to make an offer to Veleno.

Photo credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

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Byron Buxton is an All-Star again. His most important superpower for the Twins is availability.

MINNEAPOLIS — For all the evidence that Byron Buxton has had an All-Star season, the supporting statistics start and end with this simple number: 73.

That’s the total of games in which the Minnesota Twins have had their dynamic center fielder in the starting lineup, putting him on pace for the second-most of his 11-year career. Availability has long been the elusive piece to make Buxton one of the most complete players in the major leagues, and his age-31 season has brought a fresh wave of all-around production fueled by good health.

“It’s a monumental return,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s been one of the top players in baseball. To be able to get prime Buxton, basically every day, that’s a whole different deal. When you actually see it and you actually get it, and it’s in front of you every day, it’s a beautiful thing.”

His second All-Star Game selection will go down as one of his greatest satisfactions in the sport, considering the path he’s taken to get here and the fact that the festivities next week will be in his native Georgia.

“Going back home to do something like this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I know I’m not going to play 30 more years to get back to Atlanta,” said Buxton, who was previously an All-Star in 2022 when the game was in Los Angeles.

Family was front of mind when Buxton was informed he’d made the team. His youngest of three sons, Baire, wasn’t born when he went the last time. The host site this year at Truist Park, the home of the Braves, is about a three-hour drive from his tiny hometown, Baxley. Then there’s his participation in the Home Run Derby, which will fulfill the wish of his oldest son, 11-year-old Brix, to deliver a towel and a drink during his breaks.

“Out of everybody there, all the people he’s going to see, that’s what he wants and cares about. So it’s the small things that add up to the big ones,” Buxton said.

With five of his 20 home runs leading off the game for the Twins, Buxton has 14 career leadoff homers to tie Chuck Knoblauch for the fourth-most in Twins history. He’s also one of only six players in the major leagues this season with at least 15 homers and 15 steals.

Buxton ranks among the top 10 batters in the American League in slugging percentage, OPS, triples, homers, runs, RBIs and steals, plus a number of other advanced statistics while providing his usual Gold Glove-caliber defense in center. He is 16 for 16 on stolen-base attempts, too, as sure of a sign his hips and knees are as healthy as ever. With 109 steals in 121 career attempts, Buxton is the only player in Major League Baseball history with more than 100 attempts and a 90% or better success rate.

His home run on June 11 was measured at 479 feet, the second-longest in MLB this season and the longest of his career. The only setback was a concussion that cost him 11 games in May, stemming from an outfield collision with teammate Carlos Correa. After topping the 100-game mark in 2024 for only the second time in his career, Buxton has not only built on that injury-prevention progress but experienced the full benefits of being consistently healthy enough to play. Only twice has Baldelli slotted Buxton as the designated hitter this year.

“Once you get those at-bats and get back into the groove of things, you tend to start taking off,” Buxton said.

The Twins, who took a 43-47 record into their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, would be in big trouble without him.

“He does it at the highest level, everything he does,” Correa said. “He’s fun. He’s electric, full of energy, and our team needs that.”

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Red Sox All-Star Alex Bregman eyeing return without rehab starts

BOSTON — Alex Bregman believes he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and be back in Boston’s lineup before the All-Star break.

The two-time All-Star third baseman, who has been sidelined since May 24 with a strained right quad, said there’s even a chance his return could happen by the end of this week.

“Trending toward a return here pretty quickly,” Bregman said after Boston’s 9-3 win over the Rockies. “Whether it’s the end of this week or first game after the break. One of those two. But hoping it will be the end of this week.”

Boston finishes it’s three-game series with Colorado , then hosts Tampa Bay for a four-game series to conclude its first-half schedule.

Boston had high hopes for Bregman entering the season after he signed as a free agent to a three-year, $120 million deal during the offseason. And he had had been on a torrid pace to start the season, hitting .299 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs before suffering his injury.

His injury is similar to the one he sustained to his left quad strain in 2021 with Houston, which cost him 58 games. But unlike that injury, Bregman said he is hopeful he can return to action without a stint in the minors.

Though, he said an ultimate decision will be made after a consultation with the medical and training staff.

“We’re still going to talk about it as a group,” Bregman said. “I think we’re going to have another discussion (Tuesday). But I feel like I can go play and get ready to go.”

The timing synchs up with Bregman being named to his third All-Star team as a reserve. But, he said he doesn’t think there’s any chance he’d be able to participate.

While he said he may make an appearance and take his son to the home run derby, he’ll spend the rest of the break maintaining his fitness in preparation for the second half of the season.

“What I need to do is hopefully be back playing by the end of this week and use the All-Star break to continue to build up, work on my leg and make sure that we continue the progression the right way.”

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Blue Jays at White Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for July 8

Its Tuesday, July 8 and the surging Blue Jays (53-38) are in Chicago to take on the White Sox (30-61) in Game 2 of their three-game series.

Chris Bassitt is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Aaron Civale for Chicago.

The Jays took the opener, 8-4, breaking the game open with a five-run sixth inning. Jose Berrios battled long enough to earn his fifth win of the season and Joey Loperfido cracked his first home run of the season to pace the offense.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Rate Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, CHSN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Blue Jays at the White Sox

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (-177), White Sox (+147)
  • Spread:  Blue Jays -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Pitching matchup for July 8, 2025: Chris Bassitt vs. Aaron Civale
    • Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt (8-4, 4.32 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Yankees - 5.2IP, 3ER, 8H, 3BB, 9Ks
    • White Sox: Aaron Civale (1-5, 4.91 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 at Dodgers - 5IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at White Sox

  • The Blue Jays are on an 8-game win streak at the White Sox
  • The Under is 29-24-2 in the White Sox's matchups against American League teams this season
  • The Blue Jays have covered in 4 of their last 5 on the road, profiting 1.61 units
  • Bo Bichette is riding a modest 4-game hitting streak (5-18)
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 5-24 (.208) this month
  • After going 12-22 over the 1st 5 games of the month, George Springer is hitless in his last 2 games (0-9)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago White Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Three NHL RFAs Who Could Get The Biggest Cap Hits Before Or In Arbitration

The NHL’s 2025 free-agent frenzy is winding down, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t intriguing scenarios still playing out. 

That includes RFAs who haven’t agreed to a new deal with their current teams and could be headed to salary arbitration, where an arbitrator will decide on a one- or two-year contract and the average annual value.

Let’s break down three RFAs who, either by arbitration or by the next contract they sign, could be getting the biggest cap hits of any RFA on their next deal.

Bowen Byram, D, Buffalo Sabres

Far and away the most talked-about RFA, Byram can no longer sign an offer sheet after the Sabres elected for arbitration over the weekend.

Byram’s qualifying offer is $4.62 million for one season, but the offer expires by July 15.

That said, Byram will almost certainly earn more than that after averaging 22:42 of ice time and recording 38 points this past season.

Byram could choose to sign a two-year contract extension that would lead him to become a UFA afterward. But he could also sign a long-term contract extension with Buffalo or, more likely, with a new team for far more than he made this past season. 

That’s the expectation we have for Byram – a trade away from the Sabres, and a five- to seven-year contract extension with a new team at between $7 million to $8 million per year.

Lukas Dostal, G, Anaheim Ducks

For a while now, Dostal has been considered the goalie of the future in Anaheim. After Ducks GM Pat Verbeek traded veteran John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings on June 28, Dostal is the goalie of the present. He now has all the negotiating leverage he could ask for.

The 25-year-old improved his numbers to a 3.10 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 54 appearances this past season. Those aren’t Vezina Trophy-worthy but could improve as the Ducks improve around him. But there’s no question that Dostal’s salary of $812,500 this past season will be dwarfed by his next deal.  

Dostal filed for arbitration, which could take place between July 20 and Aug. 4, according to NHLPA.com. RFAs can sign at any time between now and their arbitration date, and we anticipate Dostal will sign well in advance of his hearing. The Ducks don’t have the leverage here, and a new deal that pleases Dostal for the next few years should happen fairly quickly.

As Cam York Re-Signs With Flyers, Which NHL RFA Defensemen Are Left?As Cam York Re-Signs With Flyers, Which NHL RFA Defensemen Are Left?The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed RFA defenseman Cam York to a five-year contract on Monday.

Gabriel Vilardi, RW/C, Winnipeg Jets

After earning about $3.43 million this past season, Vilardi filed for arbitration, putting him on course to get a handsome raise. The 25-year-old posted career highs in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) in 71 games this past season, and he’s a vital part of the Jets’ offensive attack.

Vilardi currently slots in as Winnipeg’s first-line right winger, and he led Jets forwards in power-play ice time per game. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff also has a proven track record of securing his players on long-term contracts that look like bargains from the get-go. Winnipeg has more than enough salary cap space to accommodate Vilardi’s next payday, and the only question here is what kind of term Vilardi signs for.

If Cheveldayoff wants to re-sign Vilardi on a short-term contract, the annual average salary Vilardi gets will be significantly higher than it would be on a long-term pact. But in either case, Vilardi will get at least $6 million per season, and likely more than $7 million. 

His history of injuries may be a factor, as Vilardi has yet to play more than 71 games in any of his six NHL seasons. But keeping Vilardi happy is part of Cheveldayoff’s challenge, and we don’t see him poisoning the waters with a key component of Winnipeg’s competitive puzzle.

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Cubs at Twins prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 8

Its Tuesday, July 8 and the Cubs (54-36) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (43-47).

Shota Imanaga is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Simeon Woods Richardson for Minnesota.

Chicago took two of three against St. Louis over the weekend. The National League Central leaders have won seven of their last ten games. The Cubs' offense has been consistently lethal this season ranking second in runs scored with 492. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads that potent attack with 23 HRs and 67 RBIs.

The Twins have basically been treading water all season. After losing two of three to Miami early last week, Minnesota took two of three from Tampa over the weekend. At four games under .500 the Twins sit tied for second in the American League Central but 14 games behind the front-running Tigers.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Twins

  • Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: MARQ, MNNT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cubs at the Twins

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Cubs (-142), Twins (+119)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for July 8, 2025: Shota Imanaga vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
    • Cubs: Shota Imanaga (5-2, 2.78 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 vs. Cleveland - 5.1IP, 3ER, 4H, 0BB, 4Ks
    • Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson (4-4, 4.41 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 at Miami - 5IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Twins

  • The Cubs have won 7 of their last 10 games
  • 7 of the Twins' last 8 games against the Cubs have gone over the Total
  • The Twins have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight home games
  • This is just the 4th start for Shota Imanaga since April 29
  • Kyle Tucker was 2-10 against St. Louis this past weekend

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Twins

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Cubs and the Twins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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NHL Free Agency: 4 Ex-Blackhawks Still Looking For New Homes

One week has now passed since the start of NHL free agency. Because of this, the majority of this year's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who hit the market have signed their new contracts. 

Yet, there are still some players who remain unsigned at this point in the summer. Four of them just so happen to be former Chicago Blackhawks players, so let's take a look at each of them now. 

Joe Veleno 

The Blackhawks traded Joe Veleno to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Andrei Burakovsky late last month. Shortly after, the Kraken bought out Veleno, and no team has signed him since he hit the free-agent market. Yet, when noting that he is a former first-round pick and still only 25 years old, this certainly has the chance to change. 

Teams looking for help down the middle in their bottom six could consider signing Veleno. In 74 games this past season split between the Detroit Red Wings and Blackhawks, he had eight goals, nine assists, and 139 hits. During his 18-game stint with Chicago, he had three goals and seven points. 

Craig Smith

Craig Smith was traded by the Blackhawks to the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline in the move that brought Veleno to Chicago. Now, just like Veleno, he remains without a contract at this point of the off-season. 

Teams looking for more experience and overall forward depth could consider signing Smith to a short-term deal. While his offensive numbers have dropped in recent years, he still could be a decent depth player to have around. In 59 games last season split between Chicago and Detroit, he recorded nine goals and 18 points. 

Jan Rutta 

Former Blackhawks defenseman Jan Rutta is still available for the taking. The 6-foot-3 blueliner spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks, where he posted three goals, nine points, 81 blocks, and a minus-3 rating in 53 games. 

Teams looking for a bottom-pairing, right-shot defenseman could consider signing Rutta to a short-term contract. The veteran blueliner is still a serviceable stay-at-home defenseman, and it doesn't hurt that he has two Stanley Cup championships on his resume.

In 80 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks from 2017-18 to 2018-19, Rutta had eight goals, 26 points, and a minus-1 rating. 

Jack Johnson 

Jack Johnson is another former Blackhawks blueliner who is currently a UFA. The 38-year-old defenseman just completed his 19th NHL season, where he posted six assists and a minus-13 rating in 41 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

If Johnson elects to continue his NHL career, a team out there could consider bringing him in as an extra defenseman on a one-year deal. However, if he ends up hanging up the skates, the 2005 third-overall pick has had himself a nice career. 

In 58 games with the Blackhawks during the 2022-23 season, Johnson posted four assists, 75 hits, and a minus-25 rating. 

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Rafael Devers skipped first base workouts with Giants legend

Rafael Devers skipped first base workouts with Giants legend originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

David Ortiz apparently isn’t the only MLB legend to get snubbed by Rafael Devers.

San Francisco Giants great Will Clark tried to help Devers get acclimated to first base, but the former Boston Red Sox slugger skipped workouts with Clark on three consecutive days. Red Sox radio voice Will Flemming told the story during Monday’s WEEI Afternoons radio show, recalling Boston’s series in San Francisco following last month’s blockbuster trade.

“He’s going to hit home runs, of course he is,” Flemming said of Devers. “They don’t yet know what is going to happen with the player. I was there the second day, Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base, and Raffy didn’t show up. So, that’s the person these guys have been dealing with for a long time.”

Flemming’s story was confirmed by Clark himself. The six-time All-Star spoke on the No Filter Network about Devers no-showing workouts at first base.

“Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out early, at all. Period, not all. In fact, he didn’t even hit on the field,” Clark said. “Everybody’s like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Will. I’m so sorry.’”

Clark didn’t take Devers’ absence personally. In fact, he didn’t blame Devers for not wanting to take reps at first base with the Boston media in town to monitor his every move.

“I know what the (expletive) happened,” Clark said. “I said, he didn’t want to go out and be at first base and be 20 feet in front of their freaking dugout with what went on in Boston, and now he’s working with me at first base. He didn’t want to have to go through all that (expletive) through the press in the media. So, I completely understand.”

The Red Sox’ relationship with Devers worsened after chief baseball officer Craig Breslow asked him to replace the injured Triston Casas at first base — a position he has never played in his nine-year career — after already moving him from third base to designated hitter. However, Devers immediately changed his tune upon his arrival in the Bay and stated his willingness to play anywhere on the field.

Devers has since taken some practice reps at first base with the Giants, but he has yet to play the field in a game with his new club. Clark vows to make sure Devers is ready to play first base if and when San Francisco asks him to play the position.

“But Rafael Devers, the next time I’m in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base, just letting you know that,” Clark said. “Even if I gotta go grab you by the (expletive) back of the neck and drag your ass out there, you will be at first base.”

After a rocky start to his Giants tenure, Devers has started to heat back up in July. He’s slashing .320/.419/.440 with three doubles, four RBI, seven strikeouts and four walks through seven games this month. He’ll take a seven-game hit streak into Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

As for Devers’ former team, the Red Sox will look to earn their fifth straight win when they host the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

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Yankees Notes: Jazz Chisholm Jr. moving back to second base; Luis Gil set for rehab assignment

The Yankees are making a change on the infield for the series-opening game Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners: Jazz Chisholm Jr. is moving to second base and Oswald Peraza is coming in at third, manager Aaron Boone said on the Talkin' Yanks podcast.

DJ LeMahieu, who had been at second base for all 45 games he played this year since his season debut in mid-May, will start as the odd man out, but will be in consideration for starts at third.

Boone said that he believes Chisholm will stay at second as the Yankees "continue to work through" the infield defense.

"Again, depending on all the moving parts and things that could possibly happen, but I think right now, I wanna move him back over there," the manager said of Chisholm.

The change in infield alignment comes after weeks of questions about the Yanks' defense as it became clear that Chisholm's struggles at the hot corner were going to continue (including a pair of throwing errors during the weekend's Subway Series), and some recent shoulder soreness was not going to help matters.

Chisholm, named an All-Star reserve, began the year at second base after he spent the majority of his time at third base for the first time in his career after arriving in a trade-deadline deal from Miami last season. In 251 innings at second this year, he had 3 outs above average, 3 defensive runs saved, and a +2 fielding run value. LeMahieu posted a minus-1 OAA, two DRS, and a zero FRV through 324 innings at second.

At third base, Chisholm had a minus-3 OAA, minus-3 DRS, and a minus-2 FRV over 238 innings. Peraza, who has also been fine at second this year, has 2 OAA, 4 DRS, and 1 FRV in 228.2 innings.

Speaking to The Athletic last Tuesday in Toronto, Chisholm said that he had "only worked at second base" during offseason drills and that the Yankees explicitly told him he would be their second baseman.

“Everybody knows I’m a second baseman,” Chisholm said. “Of course, I want to play second base, but whatever it takes to help the team win. If that’s what the team chooses, that’s what I gotta do. I don’t write the lineups. You feel me?

“I’m playing every day, so it’s hard to be upset. Yes, I know I’m a second baseman. Yes, I know I’m better at second base, but at the end of the day, I still have to play third. I just have to deal with it."

Boone said last week that the team would consider making a change, while supporting LeMahieu and Chisholm as "really talented defenders wherever they line up."

Chisholm began the year at second base, but when he returned from a stint on the IL, he said he was asked to move back to third base to accommodate LeMahieu.

"[Boone] told me he wanted me at third base. He really wanted me at third base. I'm a team guy. I'm here to win a ring. I'm not here to fight over positions," Chisholm said in late May. "We've got some of the best players in the world on our team… I'm just here to help us win."

Luis Gil to begin rehab Sunday

Last year's AL Rookie of the Year will begin his rehab assignment on Sunday and will be built up as a starter, Boone said on Tuesday. The right-hander has been out with a lat injury since late March.

Gil pitched to a 3.50 ERA and 1.193 WHIP in 151.2 innings over 29 starts last season. He had 171 strikeouts to 77 walks. He struggled during the postseason, allowing six runs on eight hits (two home runs) in eight innings over two starts with four strikeouts and five walks.

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Mariners at Yankees prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 8

Its Tuesday, July 8 and the Mariners (48-42) are in Bronx to open a series against the Yankees (49-41).

Logan Gilbert is slated to take the mound for Seattle against Will Warren for New York.

The Yankees take the field having won just three of their last ten games. As a result, they have fallen into second place in the American League East sitting 3.5 games behind the Blue Jays.

The Mariners have won three in a row to climb to within 6.5 games of Houston in the American League West. Seattle's strength is their starting pitching and their All-Star catcher, Cal Raleigh. The breakout star leads the majors with 35 home runs.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mariners at Yankees

  • Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: RSNW, YES

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mariners at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Mariners (+106), Yankees (-126)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for July 8, 2025: Logan Gilbert vs. Will Warren
    • Mariners: Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 vs. Kansas City - 4.2IP, 1ER, 3H, 3BB, 7Ks
    • Yankees: Will Warren (5-4, 5.02 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 at Toronto - 4IP, 8ER, 10H, 4BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mariners at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with winning records
  • 5 of the Mariners' last 7 games against the Yankees have stayed under the Total
  • The Yankees are showing a profit of 2.73 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games in the Bronx
  • Anthony Volpe is 3-26 (.115) through 6 games in July
  • Cody Bellinger is riding a 12-game hitting streak (19-52)
  • Julio Rodriguez is just 2-23 (.087) through 6 games in July

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mariners and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Mariners and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Seattle Mariners at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Rumor: Kings Among Teams Connected To Rasmus Andersson

The Los Angeles Kings have made some additions to their blue line after losing Vladislav Gavrikov this summer, but they have been linked to another defender as the offseason continues.

In a recent article from The Fourth Period, the Kings were connected to Calgary Flames' defender Rasmus Andersson.

Andersson, who is 28 years old, scored 11 goals and added 20 assists for 31 points through 81 games last season. Through 536 career games, he has scored 47 goals and added 184 assists for 231 points.

He is considered one of the strongest all-around defensemen in the NHL, and while there were rumblings the Kings had a strong trade on the table for Andersson, it doesn't sound like there is mutual interest from Andersson in playing for the Kings.

Time will tell if the Flames choose to trade Andersson, but until they do, the Kings seem likely to remain involved as a team with interest this offseason. 

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NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest Buzz On The Devils And Penguins

Entering the off-season, the New Jersey Devils were expected to pursue additional scoring punch after their offense declined last season.

It was among the reasons why the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated them from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games. 

It was assumed the Devils might draw from their defense corps for trade bait to land a scoring forward. In March, there was conjecture suggesting a promising blueliner, such as Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey, might be available after Johnathan Kovacevic signed a five-year contract extension. 

However, a more notable Devils defenseman could be available. During his season-ending episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman wondered about Dougie Hamilton's future in New Jersey. 

Friedman said he'd heard that Hamilton's name was “out there” in the trade market, adding the Devils had spoken to a couple of teams about the 32-year-old puck-moving blueliner. He thinks there's a low percentage chance that Hamilton gets moved but pointed out his no-movement clause reverted to a 10-team trade list on July 1. The Devils also paid him his signing bonus on July 1. 

Hamilton carries an average annual value of $9 million through 2027-28. A skillful, mobile rearguard, he has reached or exceeded 40 points in eight of his 13 NHL seasons, but injuries have also plagued him in recent years.

The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa said trading Hamilton would leave a hole in the team’s top four, and they don’t need to rush any potential move. That said, if Nemec and Casey are ready to take over on the right side, then DeRosa said Hamilton could be moved for the right offer.

Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, trade speculation continues to swirl around the rebuilding Penguins, especially after they shipped goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks on July 1. 

Most of the conjecture concerns veteran forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Both are signed through 2027-28 with Rust carrying a $5.125 million average annual value and Rakell $5 million. 

Rust frequently surfaced in the rumor mill after his no-movement clause expired on July 1. Meanwhile, Rakell carries an eight-team no-trade list for the remainder of his contract. 

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Rust is drawing plenty of interest, but he remains loyal to the Penguins. He also indicated that Rakell wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic thinks both players will still be in the Penguins' lineup when the regular season begins in October. However, he wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them was gone by next year's trade deadline.

DeRosa wrote that with Rakell putting up a career-high 35 goals and 70 points this past season, his trade value is higher now.

Yohe considers Rust and Rakell as “valuable commodities who are in their 30s.” He expects they could each fetch a first-round pick.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Posted on

Mets at Orioles Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 8

Its Tuesday, July 8 and the Mets (52-39) are in Baltimore to open a series against the Orioles (40-49).

Clay Holmes is slated to take the mound for New York against Brandon Young for Baltimore.

The Mets enter the series fresh off a weekend that saw them take two of three against the Yankees at Citi Field. As dominant as New York has been in Queens (33-14) they have endured some struggles on the road (19-25). They enter the series one game behind the Phillies in the National League East.

While probably the biggest disappointment in baseball this season, the Orioles are arguably playing their best baseball of late having won three straight and six of their last ten. That said, they still sit 12.5 games out of first place in the American League East.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Orioles

  • Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Time: 6:35PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, MASN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (-126), Orioles (+106)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for July 8, 2025: Clay Holmes vs. Brandon Young
    • Mets: Clay Holmes (8-4, 2.99 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 vs. Milwaukee - 5.1IP, 2ER, 3H, 4BB, 1K
    • Orioles: Brandon Young (0-3, 7.02 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/1 at Texas - 4IP, 3ER, 6H, 2BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Orioles

  • The Orioles have won 3 straight home games against the Mets
  • The Under is 24-19-1 in the Mets' road games this season
  • The Mets have failed to cover the Run Line in 10 of their last 12 matchups against the Orioles
  • In 4 appearances this season, Brandon Young has yet to finish 5 innings
  • Jackson Holliday was 5-14 in the series this past weekend against Atlanta
  • Juan Soto was 4-11 with 1HR in the weekend series against the Yankees

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Orioles

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Mets and the Orioles:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Posted on

Former Carolina Hurricanes Netminder, AHL Hall-of-Famer Michael Leighton Hired By Detroit Red Wings

Yet another former Carolina Hurricanes netminder has found themselves with an NHL coaching gig.

Michael Leighton, who played for the Canes organization from 2007-2010, is joining the Detroit Red Wings as their new goaltending coach.

The journeyman netminder played 110 NHL games with four NHL franchises and 507 AHL games with 12 different teams. 

Leighton, who was also recently named an AHL Hall-of-Famer, holds the record for AHL shutouts with 50 and also for the most saves in a single game, stopping 98 in a five-overtime game in 2008.

Not only that, but the 44 year old tied the NHL record for shutouts in a single playoff series, with three in five games against the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. That same postseason, Leighton helped bring the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final.

The former goalie joins the likes of Justin Peters (Ottawa) and Sean Burke (Vegas) as former Hurricanes netminders with NHL coaching gigs. There is also Mike Bales (Buffalo) served as Hurricanes goaltending coach from 2017-2019.

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Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.     

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Open organisers poised to move tee times amid concerns of loyalist parade disruption

  • More than 2,000 participants expected on 19 July march

  • ‘We are working on plans,’ says R&A

The R&A is considering a plan to start the third round early at the Open Championship this month, to minimise disruption from a planned loyalist parade in Portrush. More than 60 bands and 2,000 participants are expected to begin their march through the town streets shortly after thousands of spectators would be leaving the sold-out Royal Portrush, if organisers stuck to typical tee times.

The R&A has been concerned for some time about the logistical challenges associated with the simultaneous events on Saturday week. Significant congestion for people leaving the course, or thousands choosing to depart early to avoid this, have been uppermost in the thoughts of the major tournament’s organisers.

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