If you came to this page looking for our Spurs vs. Knicks predictions, you've gone the wrong way, my friend. Because you see this article is designed to answer the hard-hitting question... who will be at the Knicks game tonight?
Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals marked the first time a championship game was held in Madison Square Garden since 1999 — and boy, did the celebs show out.
You had Spike Lee looking to strangle the refs after they missed Wemby's murder attempt, Timothee Chalamet left his main boo, Kylie Jenner, at home so he could bro out with Ben Stiller, and even POTUS Donald Trump decided "The World's Most Famous Arena" made for the perfect napping spot.
We know Trump won't be in attendance for tonight's pivotal Game 4, but there are still plenty of stylin', profilin', limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' n' dealin' son of a guns that could make an appearance, according to Kalshi — one of our best prediction market apps.
Who will attend Game 4?
The locks
Win probability
Spike Lee
-10000
99%
Timothee Chalamet
-5000
98%
Ben Stiller
-5000
98%
Jason Bateman
-3225
97%
Patrick Ewing
-2380
96%
Tracy Morgan
-2380
96%
Fat Joe
-1560
94%
Tina Fey
-900
90%
Death, taxes, and the people listed above being at an NBA Finals game hosted by the New York Knicks. The real question here is, will Timothee be able to top his iconic Game 3 fit?
Comedians/actors Chris Rock and Adam Sandler top this part of the odds, but Kylie Jenner at 77% catches my eye. The famous celeb has seemingly been attached at the hip to her man, Chalamet, during the Knicks' playoff run.
However, a brand-specific event had her on the beaches of Turks and Caicos instead of courtside for Game 3. Must be nice... Depending on her availability, expect to see Kylie and Timothee back together once more in Game 4.
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Will Taylor Swift be at the Knicks game tonight?
Reports today indicate that Taylor Swift will attend tonight's Game 4. That's right, baby, T-Swift is making an appearance at her (rumored) wedding venue to cheer on her favorite NBA team as they look to go up 3-1 over San Antonio.
Will Zohran Mamdani be at the Knicks Game tonight?
Kalshi currently sees a 4% probability of New York's mayor making an appearance (+2400). While there are no indications he will make an appearance for Game 4, Mamdani delivered good news to the city of New York on Tuesday — confirming watch parties will return outside MSG tonight.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 30: Brady Singer #51 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on May 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Have yourself a seat in a comfortable spot and take a deep, deep breath. Here at Red Reporter, we are about to dive into some Brady Singer stats, and you need to prep for those before reading.
Among the 128 MLB pitchers who have thrown at least 50 IP so far in 2026, Singer ranks dead last in HR/9 (2.78). That’s especially a problem when you factor in that his K-BB% of 8.9% ranks 108th of that group. His 23.6% HR/FB rate is also the highest in the sport, with none of those 127 other pitchers so much as crossing the 20.0% mark.
His 90.6 mph average fastball velocity ranks 3rd lowest among the 126 pitchers that have that data tracked this year. His 5.89 ERA ranks 12th, somehow…wait a second, there are a lot of Colorado Rockies pitchers ahead of him on that list. His xERA of 6.27 ranks 6th worst – again, with two Rockies ahead of him and one right behind him on that list.
His 6.79 FIP, though, is the single highest in the sport. It’s somehow vastly larger than Eric Lauer, who sits at 6.46 behind him. Unsurprisingly, his fWAR of -0.6 has been worsted only by one pitcher in the game, and that’s Chicago’s Jameson Taillon at -0.7.
It’s been simply a horror show season for Singer, the highest earning pitcher (and second highest earning player) on the 2026 Reds. On Wednesday afternoon in San Diego, he’ll get yet another chance to either vastly improve those overall numbers or, instead, rocket to the top of all the bad leaderboards in one fell swoop.
Cincinnati will be up against Padres starter Michael King, who is coming off a trio of extremely mediocre starts by the standards of anyone other than, say, Singer. He’s yielded 13 ER across 15.2 IP, with 4 dingers allowed in those outings, so perhaps it’s good that the Reds are catching him at this juncture.
First pitch is slated for 4:10 PM ET, so tune in early.
Game 4 is here as the Spurs and Knicks continue this iconic series. San Antonio avoided a potential sweep with a 115-111 win in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 35 points, while Jalen Brunson poured in 32. That was the Knicks first loss in 46 days and the two had a short turnaround with one day off ahead of Game 4. Let's take a look at my best bets for Game 4 after going 5-1 in Game 3. Game odds are via DraftKings. Best of luck!
Spurs at Knicks (-2.5): O/U 216.5
This NBA Finals is living up to the hype as every game has came down to the wire with lead changes and comebacks throughout. One thing that we haven't had yet that the NBA has so often is a blowout. The Knicks won by 10 and 1 point, whereas the Spurs by 4. I think a blowout come be coming tonight, but by who?
I have no idea. I lean the Spurs and think they even the series up, but I'd rather get value. I went under win margins and played the Spurs to win by 21 or more points at +1800 odds and the Knicks at +800. I also sprinkled Knicks -9.5 (+225) and Spurs -9.5 (+370), which are the safer options.
The first quarter was my only loss in Game 3, going Under 56.5 points by finishing with 55. Not only did Brunson and Wembanyama have chances to cash the Over in the final minute, the only points that were scored in that span was a Mitchell Robinson free throw. Go figure.
I am running it back on the first quarter Over as the Knicks want to run and struggled a tad in the opening frame with 42.1% from the field (8/19) and 25% from three (2/8). The Spurs, offensively, looked the best they have in the series, especially in the first quarter of Game 3. I will go Over 55.5 first quarter points one more time up to 56.5.
Through three games, OG Anunoby has been incredible. Anunoby averages 20.3 points per game and hit the Over on his points prop in all three games with 17, 17, then a series-high 28 points in Game 3. Coming off 28 points, I will fade Anunoby and sell high by going Under his 16.5 points line.
Outside of Brunson and Anunoby, the Knicks went 20-of-50 from the field (40%) and 7-of-25 from three (28%) in Game 3. I'd not only expect the role players to be better, but Karl-Anthony Towns to have an improved Game 4 after going Under every single of his props in Game 3.
With Towns failing to score a single point in the fourth quarter through three games mixed with Brunson's takeover ability, I'd expect those two to account for a majority of the usage and scoring tonight, including the fourth quarter to avoid going back to San Antonio tied 2-2.
Anunoby has steadily shot between 10 and 13 shots in the series and 18 total free throws. That's good usage for the third scorer on the team, but any given night, Anunoby could become the fourth or fifth leading scorer on this Knicks team. I will go Under 16.5 points down to 15.5
Pick: OG Anunoby Under 16.5 Points (1 unit)
Jalen Brunson O/U 9.5 Rebounds + Assists vs Spurs
Brunson had his second 30-point game of the series dropping 32 in Game 3's loss. Brunson had 25 shot attempts for a second-straight game and averages 27.0 for the series. On the other hand, his rebounds and assists haven't been as glamorous.
In Games 2 and 3, Brunson went Over his combo prop of 9.5 rebounds and assists finishing with 11 and 10. In the last two games, Brunson has averaged 10.0 rebound chances and 9.0 potential assists per game, so he converted over 50% of both his total rebounds and assists. That cannot be relied on, especially at the high scoring clip he's holding, not to mention Brunson's taken 17 free throws.
After two straight Overs on his combo rebounds and assists prop, I will go Under 9.5 for Brunson in Game 4. I'd play this down to 8.5 for +100 or better.
Pick: Jalen Brunson Under 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (1 unit)
De’Aaron Fox O/U 5.5 Assists vs. Knicks
De'Aaron Fox led Game 3 in assists with eight and tied teammate Stephon Castle with 14 potential assists. Castle finished with five assists and Fox eight. Victor Wembanyama even poured in six assists on 11 potential assists. So in short, the Spurs were moving the ball well in Game 3 as they had 28 assists to the Knicks' 18.
The tempo of Game 3 picked up, so naturally, that fit Fox's play style. Whether or not Game 4 is similar reminds to be seen, but I'd expect Fox's assist numbers to decrease. Fox had five assists in each of the first two NBA Finals games and at least five in 16 out of 19 playoff games (84.2%). Fox totaled six or more in 10 out of 19 (52.6%), so a sharp contrast in 32.4% when you're getting 5.5 opposed to 4.5.
Five assists is the most common number Fox has landed on and he's posted at least five in 10 straight games. However, as the series goes on and Dylan Harper continues to turn heads — I'd say Fox is due for a stinker in the assists column and a good candidate to sell high on for Game 4. I like Fox Under 5.5 assists and would aim for +100 odds or better.
Pick: De'Aaron Fox Under 5.5 Assists (1 unit)
Season Record: 174-142-1 (55%) +21.07 units NBA Finals Game 1 Record: 3-1 +2.59 units NBA Finals Game 2 Record: 2-3 -1.44 units NBA Finals Game 3 Record: 5-1 +4.20 units NBA Finals Current Record: 10-5 (66.6%) +5.25 units NBA Finals Future Pick: Series Over 5.5 Games (2 units at -170 odds)
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Suns guards Royce O’Neale (00) and Grayson Allen (8) high-five after a scoring run against the Warriors during a game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Feb. 5, 2026. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
From the dawn of time we came and now, after a season that raised as many questions as it answered, we are finally here. The time of the Gathering is upon us. Until now, Royce and Grayson have coexisted as key veteran contributors off the Suns’ bench, bombing three-pointers in volume and providing experience, leadership, and consistency. Yet in the Dead Money era of Suns basketball, uncomfortable decisions must be made, as the Suns desperately seek flexibility this offseason. In the end: There can only be one.
Like the hordes of feral pigs rolling Mad Max style over the plains of Texas, the Phoenix Suns’ guard population has overrun the ecosystem. There are not enough minutes to feed the stable of hungry guards, each possessing qualities that warrant playing time and limitations that made fielding balanced rotations difficult for first-year coach Jordan Ott, who relied on running small line-ups in an attempt to field his best five. Saddled with the remnants of Bradley Beal’s time in Phoenix and a draft cupboard full of cobwebs and the echoes of regret, Phoenix is going to have to move someone if they wish to make any substantial changes to its current roster.
And change they must.
Phoenix exceeded their expected win total by nine games, buoyed by oversized performances from key players on undersized contracts. Ishbia has consistently stated that he remains committed to winning. The consensus outside the organization, from the media and fan base, seems to be coalescing around setting the bar for success at a top-six finish in the Western Conference and a competitive first-round playoff matchup.
Can Ishbia bank on Dillon Brooks being one of the best iso scorers in the league again? Is Collin Gillespie going to chase Suns’ history a second year in a row? Jordan Goodwin hit over half of his career total in threes this last season…is that a blip in time or a sign of things to come? While the 2025-26 season may go down in fan lore as a cult classic, the sequel could very well bomb if the shots don’t fall.
While attractive trade-machine deals are scarce when the Suns lack the assets to acquire a name that would charge the fanbase up, Grayson and Royce are both players who can bring back legitimate trade value relative to their expected contributions.
You can never have too many shooters, unless all of them are short and at best kind of mid on defense. Grayson or Royce’s value might be higher on another team with a different roster construction, say Orlando or Detroit. But the Suns made their hay off the three-point shot. Can they really afford to give up both Royce and Grayson, who this past season combined to account for 29% of the Suns’ regular season three-point attempts and 30% of their made three-pointers? How about if I mentioned Devin Booker’s three-point attempts dropped from 551 in 2024-25 to 370 in 2025-26, and that the only member of last year’s squad ahead of Grayson and Royce in those categories was Career Year Collin Gillespie (CYCG).
Opinions may vary, but going forward, I’m operating on the assumption that the Suns will not, and can not afford to, move both Grayson and Royce unless it was in a package for a potential All-Star, and I’m not talking Cam Johnson or Dean Wade. Cough Ja Cough. Until that trade materializes, the Suns need to leverage at least one of their valuable trade pieces to rebalance the roster. So, who should the Suns trade and who should the Suns keep?
Royce is a rock in the grade 5 rapids that has been the Suns’ past two seasons. While the KD Suns swirled down the pipes of inevitability, Royce finished the season shooting 40.6% from three on 5.9 attempts per game and backed it up the very next year on a revamped roster by shooting 40.8% on 6.7 attempts per game; both career highs. Royce gives you proven solutions in uncertain times, and he’s thrived during his tenure in Phoenix.
Not to be forgotten in evaluating Royce’s value to the Suns is his availability. When you’re starting in a $23.2 million Bradley-Beal-in-street-clothes-shaped hole, spending your money on players that play games becomes vital. Over his 9-year career, Royce has played in 70+ games 8 times, and in the lone season he didn’t reach 70, he played 69. The Suns can not afford to undervalue availability in the Dead Money Era. When you’re down 0-2 in the count, you can’t take a cut at a wild pitch.
Quick to dead the bull like a matador, a phrase lifted from Miguel’s classic song, accurately describes Royce’s defensive journey last season. He olay’d far too many ball handlers into the lane, and I’m not entirely convinced that his time at the four wasn’t spurred by trying to match him up with players he had a chance to stay in front of, especially as the Suns tried to switch five with the Oso-anchored bench unit. The whole league got the tape on the Suns, and ball handlers julienned them on the dribble drive, as Oso tried to block shots just out of his reach.
In addition to his aged reflexes, playing Royce meant sacrificing size at the four. Royce’s production on the offensive end made it impossible for Jordan Ott to find minutes for our young, Stretch Armstrong fours, without sacrificing win totals. Taking Royce out of the equation frees up minutes for Fleming and Dunn, which addresses the Suns’ lack of size with players already on the roster who are both on value contracts.
What could we gain by trading Royce? The rumor mill has been working overtime, but as John Voita noted in the case for trading Royce O’Neale, the first benefit of trading Royce O’Neale is cap flexibility. Trading his $10.9 million contract to a team that can take on extra cap space could free up the money we need to resign Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams. Three players whose signing is said to be at the top of the Suns’ offseason priority list.
Another angle is to trade Royce in order to move up in the draft.
Gregory has shown a willingness to work his way up the draft order if there’s a player he wants. In what’s predicted to be a deep but thinning draft, as players withdraw for a payday at the college level, the Suns have signaled interest in trading up to possibly secure a first-round pick. However, even the most optimistic returns for Royce don’t stretch far past the early second round or late first round picks. It’s unlikely the Suns will scoop a day one contributor that late into the draft, so replacing Royce’s three-point production would have to come from players currently on the roster.
What’s the likelihood that the Suns will be able to cobble together an additional 212 three-pointers and 520 three-point attempts? Booker can take more threes, but with teams likely riding with the “take away Book” game plan, too many of those threes are the walk-up off the dribble shots, and to be blunt, Book’s not good at those. Or maybe the young forwards will be able to pick up the slack on shooting. Suns fans cry out for Rasheer Fleming, who shot the three at 40% on 130 attempts, almost exclusively on catch-and-shoots. Can he shoot four times that amount with increased minutes and still put them through at a high percentage? Are we expecting that many open corner threes?
The hard truth of trading Royce, especially as a solo asset, is that it’s not a move that makes the Suns better. They gain the flexibility to sign other important players you might lose to free agency. They free up playing time for the Suns’ young core, which would allow the Suns to play more size and field a better defense. At the same time, they’re losing a sizable chunk of their shooting, and if they run this roster back mostly, it’s still the same roster Vegas predicted would miss the playoffs before the three-point shooting boom pushed us into the Play-In tournament.
Are the Suns still a playoff team if their three-point shooting regresses? I’m not sure. The margin for error is razor-thin, with Gregory forced to spend the next four years trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents.
So, should we trade Grayson?
“Not so fast,” I yell in my best Lee Corso voice as I put on the Grayson Allen mascot head.
This team needs Grayson Allen. He’s developed into far more than a three-point specialist and defensive irritant. The mob has decided we need a point guard to free up Book, but no one knows where to get one. A healthy Grayson Allen could be exactly what this team needs. He handles the ball, he runs pick and roll, and he’s improved his playmaking.
There aren’t a lot of potential playmakers on this roster to pick from, and Book and Grayson have an undeniable chemistry. If the goal is continuity, bringing back one of the longest tenured players aligns with that mission, and Grayson Allen brings so much to this offense when he’s on the court. It’s just that it’s been a couple of years since he’s been healthy.
Grayson’s availability has plummeted with no signs of it bottoming out. It’s been a parade of knee and soft tissue issues. He’s in, he’s out, he’s in, he’s out, and as a result, production has fallen along with his availability.
Since his inaugural year on the Suns, where Grayson played 75 games, and shot a blistering, league leading 46% from three-point range, he’s followed up with 64 games in 2024-25 and 51 games in 2025-26, a season in which we saw his three-point percentage drop to 34.9. So, which Grayson Allen can the Suns expect in the 2026-27 season? Can they afford to add another question mark, even if it’s a verified hooper like Grayson?
Despite the recent health issues, it seems safe to say that Grayson still has value on the trade market. His $18 million would match salaries with a different level of player than you could get for Royce, and you’d be hard-pressed to find many trade machine proposals involving the Suns that don’t include Grayson. One of the more intriguing options that has surfaced is trading Grayson for Cam Johnson.
On the surface, it makes a lot of sense. Cam is a forward and, as a career 39% three-point shooter, would provide spacing without sacrificing size or the minutes of other guards. But if we zoom in for a closer look, Cam has the same availability issues as Grayson and doesn’t bring any of the playmaking that could move Book off-ball. He also brings the burden of an additional salary that would have to be accounted for, either by not bringing back one of our free agents or by trading Royce for a cheaper contract. We all miss the energy of the Suns’ four finals run, but this isn’t a move that brings that back.
In the end, it’s all a balancing act. No team is interested in giving us a good deal; when you gain over here, you lose over there. Yet in the Dead Money era, there can only be one.
It all boils down to three questions: What did we get from these guys that we can’t win without? How well is our roster positioned to replace those things? What value could we gain from trading them?
There’s quite a bit of overlap when comparing the two. Both players have a proven track record of being high-percentage three-point shooters from all over the arc. Both of them are veterans and decision makers. Both guys are continuity pieces who have played multiple seasons for the Suns alongside Devin Booker. Neither of them is going to be a great defender or fix our rebounding concerns. Neither of them has a solution to replace their production on the roster, or a clear trade upgrade that would provide support in a significant area of need. Their trade value lies in gaining cap flexibility and balancing the roster size, which could address our perimeter defense, rebounding concerns, and clear minutes for our young players.
Grayson provides more versatility and could be the key to unlocking Booker’s scoring. Royce is Mr. Consistent. He’ll be available, he’ll work that pump fake, he’ll get up a ton of three pointers, and knock them down around 40 percent of the time. I think we need that.
So much about the upcoming season is up in the air. Are we going to get a second round of oversized performances from Brooks, Gillespie, and Goodwin? Do we know what we have with Jalen Green? Even Booker left last season with question marks about whether he could still wear the number one headband on a championship team and questions about whether he was even playing the right position. We need more players without question marks. Allen has question marks. If you bring back Allen, you’re rolling the dice on his health. The Suns have lost that gamble too many times to hit the atm for another 100 dollars. Not when they owe 23 million in Bradley Beal support, and their fanbase wants designer bags on a dollar tree budget.
If there can only be one. It has to be Royce.
The Quickening empowers me!
– Connor MacLeod
– Royce O’Neale
Welcome to Tom Mildenberger, who is our newest contributor at Bright Side of the Sun!
SHEPTON MALLET , ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: A old, end-of-life scrap car is placed in a crusher as it is processed at Pylle Motor Spares and Metal Processing, a licensed scrap yard in Pylle, near Shepton Mallet on September 6, 2017 in Somerset, England The UK government recently announced that it is to ban the sale all new petrol and diesel powered cars and vans from 2040 amid public health fears posed by rising levels of nitrogen oxide. The move follows similar pledges in France and has seen a number of car manufacturers offering substantial savings or 'scrappage' deals on new cars if customers trade-in older more polluting cars. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
A.J. Puk and Carlos Santana are rehabbing in Reno. Lourdes Gurriel Jr recently started his rehab assignment at Salt River Fields. The team signed Max Kepler to a deal. The clock is ticking on all these players, and in the next couple of weeks, decisions will need to be made, regarding what to do with them. There’s really three separate levels at which these choices have to be executed. Let’s look at each in turn, and see where the Diamondbacks stand.
The 40-man roster
Gurriel is, at least, already on here. Having been placed only on the 10-day injured list, that saves his spot on the 40-man roster. But Puk and Santana are both on the 60-day IL. While a positive at the time, in that they no longer counted towards the 40-man roster, in order for them to be re-activated, a spot will have to be cleared on that. Kepler, similarly, is not on Arizona’s 40-man roster, because he is still serving out the end of his 80-game suspension for a failed drug test. But when that happens, the team will also need to find a spot, if they want to keep him. All told, that’s three 40-man spots Arizona probably needs to find.
Let’s exclude the current 26-man roster from consideration here, calling their spots on the 40-man roster secure for the time being. That leaves fourteen men. Nine of them are pitchers, three are position players, and there are two on the 10-day IL: Gurriel and catcher James McCann. The latter is out with a strained quad, which led to an IL placement on May 19. Might he be moved to the 60-day IL? Quads are tricky things, especially for catchers. However, he reportedly started facing a pitching machine and doing catching drills last week. Unless there’s a set-back, 60-daying McCann – sidelining him for at least another five weeks – seems excessive. Especially with Aramis Garcia as the backup catcher.
The three position players are Jose Fernandez, Tim Tawa and Tyler Locklear. The first two were on the active roster until just a few days ago. If they were going to be DFAd, it would probably have have happened when they were taken off it (on June 5th and 1st respectively). I think it’s interesting that Locklear wasn’t activated when he came off the IL, especially given Arizona’s struggles at 1B, where their production is among the worst in the majors. But he has been merely okay in Reno: his .786 OPS in 25 games through Monday is basically team average. Still, the team traded for him for a reason, and it seems unlikely they’d cut bait as yet.
My instinct is, there’s going to be a bit of a National German Chocolate Cake Day Massacre (you know I’ll be celebrating that one tomorrow) among the minor-league pitching staff. Below, I’ve ranked the nine pitchers from most secure to most at risk, in terms of whose 40-man roster spot is in jeopardy. Generally, starters preferred over relievers, age and current level of performance also taken into account. All stats through Monday.
Brandon Pfaadt. Despite his fall from grace, definitely not going anywhere.
Mitch Bratt. Performing very well – a 2.68 ERA in 10 Reno starts is stellar. Currently on the MiLB IL with back inflammation
Yilber Díaz. Best K-rate of anyone currently in Reno – 38 Ks in 27.2 IP – but as ever, the walks (19) are an issue. Future closer potential.
Dylan Ray. A starter, and a 4.82 ERA is reasonable. He’s also young for AAA, but is on the 7-day IL for the second time this season.
Kohl Drake. A 7.80 ERA isn’t great. But he’s a starting pitcher and a left-hander, two big reasons to keep him around.
Andrew Hoffmann. Prone to the meltdown. Allowed 19 ER in twenty outings: 12 ER came in just two of those. Walks too many, but improved recently.
Philip Abner. Well, he’s left-handed and quite young. But that horrendous outing vs. Washington won’t have done his chances any good.
Kade Strowd. A rough game against the Nationals, and almost as many walks as strikeouts in Reno. Also turns 29 in September. so limited upside.
Juan Burgos. Came from Seattle with Locklear in the Suarez trade, but seems to have struggled since.
The 26-man roster
The next problem is going to be finding slots for everyone on the active roster. Let’s start with Puk, since he’s the only pitcher among the quartet, and there is a fairly easy solution there. As mentioned previously, the top of the D-backs bullpen has been excellent so far. The latest arrival was Drey Jameson, who took Pfaadt’s spot after the starter was optioned to Reno. His appearance in the Washington series didn’t exactly inspire confidence, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in an inning of work. Having only been recalled on the 6th, he seems the clear candidate to give up his spot for Puk.
On the position player side, LuJames Groover is the most obvious candidate for similar reasons, and will probably be going back down to Reno when Santana is available. It’s an infielder for an infielder, and with Santana being a switch-hitter, handedness isn’t particularly important. When Lourdes is ready, I’d not be surprised to see Adrian Del Castillo optioned out to Reno. I’ve a feeling the team may want to keep Gurriel off the field, given this is already his second IL stint of the year, and use him more as a DH. Del Castillo is a lefty though while Gurriel is a righty. If the team wants to remain balanced, and Gurriel is considered able to play the outfield, optioning Tommy Troy instead makes sense.
If that does happen, then making room for the final man would become relatively easy, with left-handed Del Castillo being replaced by left-handed Kepler, largely in the DH spot. So while the ordering may be uncertain, it looks as though Groover, Troy and Del Castillo will be the ones to give up their spots on the position player side, as and when necessary to make room for the returning players and new arrival.
The roles
I touched briefly on this above, mentioning whether Gurriel is going to keep playing the field, or become our primary DH. Given the problems with his legs, I would be inclined to keep him at DH where possible. While Gurriel has struggled at the plate this year (OPS+ just 66), he might have the best overall track record among the right-handed candidates there. The problem would be, DH starts vs. LHSP are going to be the minority. What do you do the rest of the time with a man who is earning $13 million this year, whether or not he plays?
That isn’t a particular problem with Kepler, who is likely earning little more than league minimum. If he doesn’t hit down in Reno – and there’s a non-zero chance of that – then the team can simply let him go, with no damage except to their reputation. Presuming that isn’t the case, and he joins the active roster, then he’ll likely get starts at DH against RHSP. Even with the low bar at 1B (the D-backs are dead last in OPS there, and it’s not close), it’s hard to see much time for Santana, except as a late-inning defensive replacement. I would not be surprised if he comes back, fails to hit and the D-backs release him before the trade deadline.
The most interesting situation will be Puk, and whether he’ll take over as closer from Paul Sewald. The latter has been almost perfect in save situation (15 of 16), but a FIP of 4.00 and a minuscule .137 BABIP suggests there may be a Paulpocalypse approaching. The latter is the third-lowest of the 360 pitchers with 20 IP this year. That might be good reason to transfer the closer’s mantle to A.J. as soon as possible, rather than continuing to roll the dice. But that’s what the poll below is for. How do you think the team should handle the closer’s situation when A.J. Puk returns? Make your selection below, and explain your decision in the comments.
Feb 19, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Reiver Sanmartin (48) poses during Photo Day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Some day game roster moves: lefty reliever Reiver Sanmartin, who’d been placed on the 60-day IL with a right hip flexor strain back in Spring Training, has returned from his rehab assignment and is now on the active roster. To make space for him, the Giants needed to clear both a 40-man spot and a 26-man roster spot.
Outfielder Will Brennan became the 40-man roster casualty as the Giants designated the 28-year old outfielder for assignment. The “speedster” stole 0 bases in 11 games with the Giants and was just 2-for-23 at the plate with 0 walks and 3 strikeouts. I confess ignorance about the financial ramifications of his split contract. He would’ve earned $900,000 if he’d spent the whole year in the majors or $400,000 if he played the whole year in the minors, but if he goes unclaimed (as I suspect he will), does that mean the Giants are on the hook for the prorated portion of the $900,000, as that’s a major league salary and seemingly guaranteed? Or because it was a formally split one, does that mean he’s only guaranteed the prorated portion of $400,000 because that’s where he was located at the time of the DFA? or is there some Giants both optioned Tristan Beck back to Triple-A Sacramento and designated for assignment outfielder Will Brennan. The difference would be about $250,000 ($450,000 if the majors is guaranteed vs. $200,000 for the minors).
But enough about Will Brennan.
Tristan Beck was optioned to Triple-A to clear the requisite spot on the major league roster and as someone who was once a Beck booster I believe his time on the team has likely come to an end. In this latest callup, he had just two scoreless appearances out of 6 and a 7.88 ERA (4.73 FIP) in 8 innings of work. Just 3 strikeouts, too.
He never had a great fastball, but it averaged down around 94 as opposed to 95 and batters teed off on it pretty good, slugging 1.091 off of it on 10 batted balls out of 56 times it was thrown. He’s been a bit better in Triple-A this year (3.91 ERA in 23 IP with a 9.0 K/9), but at 30 years old, he’s definitely entered “fungible reliever” territory.
So now the Giants turn to Reiver Sanmartin as their third lefty reliever in the bullpen, slotted behind Erik Miller (4.19 ERA / 3.77 FIP) and Sam Hentges (1.92 / 4.92). His 4-year major league career prior to 2026 had been on the Reds exclusively, where he had a 5.66 ERA (4.45 FIP) in 84.1 innings pitched. He had an 8.22 ERA with the River Cats in 7.2 IP but 8 strikeouts against just 2 walks. He is not a velo arm. He’s a contact pitcher by arsenal, featuring a 92-94 mph sinker, high-spin slider, and a changeup. Firmly in the Scott Alexander or Joey Lucchesi mold. Obviously, there’s something in the Giants’ scouting that tells them this pitch-to-contact type of arm is effective, even if the results for the team hasn’t shown up. A reminder that that Giants are 22nd in K/9 (8.03) but 4th in groundball rate (45.2%) yet 22nd in ERA (4.47). From 2022-2025, they were 12th (8.67 K/9), 1st (47.5%), and 12th (3.96), respectively.
Sanmartin missed all of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He made just one appearance in 2025, back on September 2nd.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 04: Ronald Acuna, Jr. (13) of the Atlanta Braves loses his bat after striking out during the Thursday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The big advantage of having a blazing two-plus months and MLB’s best record? You can afford to ease off the gas here and there. The disadvantage? Your fans have to watch a team that sometimes eases off the gas. While I have no idea how long Ronald Acuña Jr. will actually be out as a result of his latest run-in with injury, it’s possible that it’s less than ten days and this is a precautionary, if warranted, Injured List placement:
Atlanta today also placed OF Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and selected INF Rowdy Tellez to the major league roster. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated RHP Jhancarlos Lara for assignment.
This is Acuña’s second IL placement for a left hamstring issue this year. He previously missed about two weeks in May with a similar ailment. He had a .333 wOBA (111 wRC+) and a massive .380 xwOBA before his first IL stint, and then returned and posted a much more fortunate .390 wOBA (150 wRC+) with more or less the same inputs (.376 xwOBA). What will he do for his third act? Stay tuned, but it won’t start until at least ten days from now. On the season, he has 0.9 fWAR in 235 PAs, which is a pretty good rate for a player in general, but is well below what we’re used to from him — dragged down by his own defensive issues, and the lingering ball-in-play issues from April.
Taking Acuña’s spot on the active roster is Rowdy Tellez, a veteran of eight MLB seasons that signed a minor league deal with the Braves a week before Opening Day. Tellez has a career 98 wRC+ and 0.1 fWAR, which makes sense given that a league-average bat isn’t very useful if you aren’t providing any defensive value. He’s put up a 123 wRC+ in 207 PAs in Gwinnett. My main thought is: if Dominic Smith can be blessed with the bounty of the 2025 Braves and become a fan-favorite masher, why not Tellez? The answer? Well, he and Smith can’t both be in the lineup at the same time…
Part of the roster math here sees Jhancarlos Lara get DFAed. I have no real knowledge about Lara, but people used to talk about him as being exciting back in 2023, when he was striking out a million dudes as a starter in A-ball. Since then, he’s really fallen apart with ballooning walk rates and dwindling strikeout rates; even moving to a swingman and then a relief role didn’t salvage much. Lara was pitching out of the Double-A bullpen earlier this year and putting up ghastly numbers like an FIP and xFIP both in the 7.00s.
The real question, though: are you ready for more Eli White?
RICHMOND, VA - APRIL 26: Cesar Perdomo #57 of the Richmond Flying Squirrels pitches during the game between the Somerset Patriots and the Richmond Flying Squirrels at CarMax Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Mitrani/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Apologies for going a few days without roundups for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates. Thankfully, Tuesday was a full day, with all seven teams in action, so there’s still lots to talk about!
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
High-A Eugene LHP Luis De La Torre (No. 14 CPL) was named Pitcher of the Week in the Northwest League after a 12-strikeout performance last week. Congrats!
AAA Sacramento (38-24)
Sacramento River Cats beat the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros) 5-4 Box score
What’s the pitching equivalent of “one to measure, two to rake?” Whatever it is, it’s a philosophy that LHP Matt Wilkinson apparently abides by. Wilkinson, acquired earlier this year in the Patrick Bailey trade, was promoted to AAA after just 9 games in AA. And in his AAA debut, he was unable to make it out of the 2nd inning.
But things went much, much better with his second take. The burly southpaw was sensational on Tuesday, striking out 9 Space Cowboys in 5 innings, while throwing 53 of 81 pitches for strikes. Tugboat gave up just 4 baserunners on the day: a pair of singles, a walk, and a hit batter.
Unfortunately — but kind of humorously — all 4 of those allowed baserunners were in succession. After Wilkinson retired the first 2 batters he faced, he gave up back-to-back singles, hit a batter, and then issued a 4-pitch, run-scoring walk. But after that? He retired 13 consecutive batters to finish his day, which included striking out the side in both the 2nd and 4th innings. And with that, Tugboat is off and motoring in AAA!
Matt Wilkinson was on cruise control after a busy first inning yesterday against Sugar Land. A season-high nine Ks in five innings of one-run work for Tugboat, retiring the final 13 batters that he faced. No footage of the ninth strikeout due to a broadcast issue. pic.twitter.com/gupBGcIBEs
— Giant Prospective (@giantprospectiv) June 10, 2026
Things went less well for the pair of pitchers on the 40-man roster who threw. Recently-optioned RHP Wilkin Ramos threw just 12 of 26 pitches for strikes while failing to get through an inning, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs, while recording 2 outs. RHP Ryan Walker got the save, but gave up 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run, with no strikeouts. Walker has been pitching quite well with Sacramento, where he has a 1.93 ERA, a 3.80 FIP, and just 3 walks in 9.1 innings … given how awful San Francisco’s bullpen is, I’m in favor of bringing him back … just not for the 9th inning.
A very boring day on offense. Designated hitter Will Brennan had the only multi-hit game, as he went 2-4 with a strikeout, but I think most Giants fans have seen enough to want Brennan to stay put as depth in AAA. He could be a roster casualty given that center fielder Jared Oliva (who went 1-5 with 2 strikeouts) will be coming off the 60-Day IL soon, and the Giants won’t need as much as outfield depth when Heliot Ramos and Harrison Bader get healthy. And as I write this, the news comes in that Brennan has been designated for assignment.
Catcher Drew Cavanaugh (No. 19 CPL) continues to look oh so comfortable at the level, and went 1-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch. In their recent ranking of the top prospects in the organization last week, Fangraphs noted that “there are people within the organization who think he’s the player most likely to emerge from the pile of upper-level catchers as the club’s starter.” The lefty is up to a 1.166 OPS and a 196 wRC+ through 21 games with the River Cats, and has done a tremendous job limiting strikeouts this year (he had a 27.4% strikeout rate across 4 levels last year, and just a 19.8% rate in AAA this season). I think we’ll see him make an MLB debut at some point this year, especially since Daniel Susac (No. 20 CPL) has been struggling on offense lately, Jesús Rodríguez (No. 16 CPL) got optioned/demoted, and Eric Haase could be dealt at the deadline.
AA Richmond (37-20)
Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) 1-0 Box score
The Squirrels may have lost, but it was still perhaps the best game on the farm this year from a pitching standpoint. Richmond was truly and utterly sensational from the start of the game to the finish.
It began with the starter, LHP Cesar Perdomo. A week after having one of the best pitching performances of the year on the farm, Perdomo one-upped himself with what I feel quite confident calling the best pitching performance of the year for a Giants prospect. The 24-year old from Venezuela took down 7 shutout innings while throwing just 85 pitches, 65 of which went for strikes. In those 7 innings, Perdomo allowed just 1 batter to reach base, when he gave up a 3rd-inning single.
And the cherry on top? Of the 22 batters he faced, Perdomo struck out 13 of them!
HAVE A NIGHT, DOMO‼️
Cesar Perdomo has struck out 1⃣3⃣ batters tonight, tying a Flying Squirrels single-game record! pic.twitter.com/QG6CPOE5Bt
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) June 10, 2026
June has been sheer dominance for Perdomo, who in his last start pitched 6 shutout innings with 4 baserunners and 9 strikeouts. Perdomo’s numbers this year are phenomenal: he has a 3.35 ERA, a 2.45 FIP, and 68 strikeouts against just 18 walks in 53.2 innings. He’s also made huge strides: after striking out 8.3 batters per 9 innings in High-A a year ago, he’s all the way up to 11.4 in AA this season. Of the 39 Eastern League pitchers with at least 40 innings thrown this year, Perdomo is 3rd in strikeouts per 9, and 2nd in FIP (behind former teammate Joe Whitman in both cases). Just an incredible year.
The bullpen was awesome, too, if a little chaotic. LHP Jack Choate (No. 37 CPL) had the lone hiccup, but even it was kind of funny and impressive: he gave up the winning run in the 8th inning, despite not allowing a hit or a walk, and striking out 2 … but he hit a pair of batters and committed an error. RHP Ben Peterson, recently promoted to AA, struck out a pair in the 9th inning, while allowing a hit. He has a stunning 23 strikeouts in just 13 innings since getting promoted.
In all, Richmond pitchers had 17 strikeouts on the day, while allowing just 2 hits and 0 walks. They deserved better than to lose the game!
Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t help them. The Squirrels had just 6 hits, and 0 extra-base hits. Center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL) led the way by going 2-4, as he continues to round into form. Davidson hit quite a rough patch there for a while, but has opened up June with a 7-game hitting streak, during which time he’s gone 12-30 with 5 home runs, 1 double, and just 4 strikeouts. That’s brought his OPS back to .814 and his wRC+ to 110.
Eugene was the lone member of the Giants Class-A teams that didn’t shine on the pitching front, but they still won, which made them first-half champions in the Northwest League. Still, there were some exciting things there. LHP Jacob Bresnahan (No. 11 CPL) is still trying to find a groove this year, after missing the start of the season with an injury. He wasn’t great in this game, as he allowed 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs in just 4.2 innings, but he did strike out 6 batters. With a 4.80 ERA and a 5.05 FIP, it’s looking very unlikely that Bresnahan makes it 3 straight seasons with Pitcher of the Year honors in his league, but the 11.4 strikeouts per 9 innings are a reminder as to why the Giants are so high on the southpaw, who turns 21 later this month. There’s a lot to like there, even if right now he’s issuing too many walks and giving up too many dingers.
RHP Ubert Mejias pitched quite well in relief, striking out 4 batters in 3 innings, while throwing 31 of 42 pitches for strikes. Impressive! Mejias did allow 4 hits though (all singles), which tagged him for a run. It was nice to see Mejias settle in, as he got absolutely rocked in his High-A season debut (this was his 2nd appearance at the level this year, after 1 appearance in 2025). As a result of that, his numbers look hilarious with Eugene this year: in 5 innings, he’s allowed 10 hits, 3 homers, and 6 earned runs … but has 8 strikeouts and 0 walks.
The offense was more solid than exceptional, but Eugene’s quartet of highly-ranked prospects, who fittingly fill the top spots in the order, all had good days. Right fielder Trevor Cohen (No. 15 CPL) went 1-4 with a strikeout, but drew a walk and bopped his 20th double of the season. Last year’s 3rd-round pick has an .808 OPS and a 124 wRC+ in his debut full season. Shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL) also went 1-4 with a double, while also getting hit by a pitch and not striking out. Level has adjusted well to High-A so far, as he’s hit safely in all 7 games with the Emeralds, going 11-31 with 4 doubles and just 5 strikeouts (he hasn’t drawn a walk yet, but he’s been hit 3 times). Notably, Level played shortstop with High-A for the first time on Tuesday, as he had only played second base in his opening series with the team. It seems as though the Giants will switch he and Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) on a series by series basis, rather than a game-by-game one.
Speaking of which, Kilen played second for the first time this year, and went 1-3 with a double and a walk. The reigning 1st-round pick is now up to a .774 OPS and a 111 wRC+, with just a 13.3% strikeout rate. Rounding things out was center fielder Dakota Jordan (No. 5 CPL), who had a mixed bag of a day … the powerful righty hit 1-4 and struck out 3 times, but also blasted a 2-run home run, showing off his sensational power. The 2024 4th-rounder has a .790 OPS and a 113 wRC+ on the year, but also has a 30.6% strikeout rate.
San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports (A’s) 7-1 Box score
And now we return to our regularly scheduled pitching dominance. And this one began with someone who I would argue is the top pitching prospect in the organization: RHP Keyner Martinez (No. 10 CPL).
It’s been an up-and-down season for Martinez, following his breakout in 2025. But Tuesday was firmly in the “up” category, as the 21-year old Venezuelan breezed through 5 innings, giving up just 2 singles, a walk, and an unearned run, while striking out 8 batters. After a tough May, Martinez has started June on a dominant foot, as his 1st start of the month featured 9 strikeouts in just 4 innings, with an unearned run.
There’s no denying the magic in Martinez’s arm. He’s now up to 67 strikeouts in 41.1 innings, resulting in a 14.6 K/9 mark that ranks 3rd out of the 419 Minor League pitchers with at least 40 innings thrown this year.
It hasn’t been a flawless year for Martinez, who is allowing 5.0 walks per 9 innings, has seen his ground ball rate drop by more than 10 percentage points (to 38.6%), and has both an ERA and an FIP that begin with a 4 (4.57 and 4.05, respectively). But my goodness is he exciting.
The bullpen was great, too. More than great, actually; perfect! RHP Mauricio Estrella tossed 3 perfect innings while striking out 4 batters, while RHP Trey Seeley K’d all 3 batters that he faced. Estrella’s overall numbers have been more good than great, as he has a 3.74 ERA and a 3.62 FIP, but the recently-turned 22 year old has phenomenal walk and strikeout numbers: 42 and 7, respectively, in 33.2 innings.
As for Seeley, it was his debut at Low-A, and what a debut it was! The 23-year old was a 14th-round pick in last year’s draft, and pitched 7 times in the Complex League with middling results this year, before moving to San Jose. Perhaps he just needed to face better competition!
The pitching stole the show, but the hitting was good, too. Catcher Junior Barajas had a really nice game, hitting 2-5 with a solo home run and a strikeout.
A left-handed hitter taken in the 11th round last year, Barajas earned high praises entering the year, and started the season red hot, but he’d really cooled off lately, posting just a .573 OPS in May after a .940 OPS in April. Most notably, he bashed 4 home runs in his first 8 professional games … then went 31 straight games without a dinger. Until Tuesday! The cold stretch tanked his numbers to a .741 OPS and an 83 wRC+, but there’s still so much potential in his bat, to go along with some awesome defense and leadership behind the dish.
Two other hitters had great games: third baseman Dario Reynoso continued his stellar season by hitting 2-3 with 2 stolen bases, while also striking out once, while designated hitter Jeremiah Jenkins went 1-2 with a double, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Reynoso, a right-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic who recently turned 21, has a sensational 1.003 OPS and a 148 wRC+, with 9 stolen bases in 11 attempts, though he’s still striking out at a 30.5% clip. Jenkins, a lefty from Maine who was taken in the 14th-round of the 2024 draft and just turned 23, has an .828 OPS and a 113 wRC+, but is striking out 33.1% of the time.
Arizona Complex League (12-15)
ACL Giants lost to the ACL Athletics 12-2 (7 innings) Box score
Well, this was just a bad game, and there’s no reason to dwell on it. The ACL Giants sent 5 pitchers to the mound, and all 5 struggled, en route to 15 hits and 12 runs in just 6 innings of action. RHPs Brayan Narvaez and Matt Dunaway, the latter of which is on a rehab assignment from High-A, struggled the most, as each gave up 3 runs in just an inning of work, without a strikeout.
The offense wasn’t all that much better. Designated hitter Yulian Barreto had a funny game in which he didn’t register an official at-bat, as he had a sacrifice fly and was hit by a pitch twice. Second baseman Jose Ramos had the best day, as he went 2-4, while shortstop Luis Hernández (No. 6 CPL) went 1-3, but was caught stealing and committed an error.
Moving on…
Dominican Summer League Black (4-3)
DSL Giants beat the DSL Red Sox Blue 15-5 (7 innings) Box score
Well, this is a much better game. The pitching wasn’t great, with the best performance coming from RHP Frank Quiroz. A 19-year old from the Dominican Republic who was a late addition to this year’s international signing class, Quiroz got rocked in his first 2 games of the season. But this one went much better, as he tossed a no-hit inning with 2 strikeouts, though he also walked 2.
The offense, on the other hand, was awesome, with 14 hits in 7 innings, half of which went for extra bases. Left fielder Franco Willias went 2-4 with a 3-run home run, a walk, a stolen base and a strikeout, while third baseman Boris Sarduy hit 1-3 with a 2-run blast and a walk. Both players are having exceptional seasons: Willias, a 21-year old, has a 1.029 OPS and a 119 wRC+, though it’s his third pass through the DSL (he performed well in the first two attempts); Sarduy, a 19-year old, has a 1.111 OPS and a 176 wRC+. It’s very early, but after really struggling with strikeouts in his first two years, Sarduy is K’ing much less frequently this season.
Designated hitter Keiberg Camacaro hit 2-4 with a double, a walk, and 2 stolen bases, while catcher Diego Alambarrio went 2-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk. Camacaro, who is only 19 but is in his fourth season in the DSL, is easily having his best year, with an .899 OPS, a 125 wRC+, 6 stolen bases in 8 attempts, and, like Sarduy, a dramatically reduced strikeout rate. Alambarrio, who just turned 18, has a .950 OPS and a 127 wRC+; he was great in his debut last year, but only played 9 games.
Dominican Summer League Orange (5-2)
DSL Giants Orange beat the DSL Mariners 8-7 Box score
Another rough pitching performance, though RHP Gerson Rivero stood out in earning the save, as he struck out 2 batters in a scoreless inning, with a hit allowed. Rivero, who recently turned 18, was part of last year’s signing class but this was his professional debut. Quite an introduction!
The stars were on offense, though, and there were a trio of them. Third baseman Albert Jimenez had the biggest day, as he went 2-4 with a 3-run home run, a sacrifice fly, and 5 runs batter in. Jimenez, a 19-year old righty, entered the season with 7 career home runs in 81 DSL games over two seasons. This year? He already has 5 home runs in just 7 games, giving him a 1.580 OPS and a 218 wRC+.
Shortstop Yeison Oviedo hit 3-5 with 2 doubles and 2 strikeouts, while right fielder Yoxander Benitez went 3-4 with a walk. Oviedo, an 18-year old in his second season, has a 1.071 OPS and a 163 wRC+ after struggling in his debut last year; Benitez, a 19-year old in his third season, has a 1.029 OPS and a 160 wRC+ as he looks to prove himself following two below-average years.
Home run tracker
8 — Dakota Jordan — [High-A] 5 — Junior Barajas — [Low-A] 5 — Albert Jimenez — [DSL] 1 — Franco Willias — [DSL] 1 — Boris Sarduy — [DSL]
Wednesday schedule
Sacramento: 5:05 p.m. PT at Sugar Lang (SP: John Michael Bertrand) Richmond: 4:05 p.m. PT vs. Harrisburg (SP: Greg Farone) Eugene: 6:35 p.m. PT vs. Spokane (SP: Niko Mazza) San Jose: 7:05 p.m. PT at Stockton (SP: Jordan Gottesman)
Feb 17, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Gonzalez poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The WNBA and Major League Baseball are in full swing as summer nears and both have a hint of Ole Miss flavor to them.
The Chicago White Sox called up Jacob Gonzalez on May 31st, not to play short stop or even second base, but to be their starting first baseman after the injury to star rookie Munetaka Murakami. That call would have likely gone to Tim Elko, who made his debut last season, but he is currently injured and Gonzo has been on a tear in the minors, forcing his way to the bigs.
Gonzalez was batting .317 with 19 home runs in the minors and since his debut, he’s hitting .333 with a home run. He got his first career hit in his first career game and hit his first home run on June 6th.
(Side note for those interested, Madison Central product Braden Montgomery made his MLB Debut on June 9th. He had two hits, the second being a walk off home run in the tenth inning against the MLB-best Atlanta Braves).
Nick Fortes is with the Tampa Bay Rays this season and is currently batting .260 with a home run and 14 RBI. His average is an improvement from his time in Miami last season.
I was pumped this off-season when I saw the Braves had claimed Ryan Rolison from the Rockies. Then they let him go. Now, he is dealing for the Chicago Cubs with a 2.35 ERA across 23 innings pitched and a 5-1 record.
Over in the WNBA, Cotie McMahon is playing roughly 17 minutes a night for the Washington Mystics, contributing six points and two rebounds per game.
Also for the Mystics, Shakira Austin is doing her thing averaging just over 15 points and eight rebounds per game.
UFC CEO Dana White is friends with the president and the two have discussed for more than a year the idea of bringing mixed martial arts to the White House.
Their relationship dates to UFC’s infancy as White reorganized the company and led its rise into national prominence.
The cage and stage will themselves be surrounded by thousands of temporary seats, including ringside space for a full marching band that can set the entire scene to blaring music. The Zac Brown Band will perform the National Anthem.
The fight card is part of a series of events celebrating the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4, 1776. Other planned events include an IndyCar race that will pass by the White House.
How to watch UFC Freedom 250
The main card airs live only on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.
There was some initial discussion that the show would be simulcast on television via CBS. The show instead will only air domestically on the subscription service. Paramount, which is controlled by the Ellison family, also close allies of Trump, this year became the new home to UFC events across the United States
It was a shift away from UFC’s long-time pay-per-view model. Paramount and UFC parent company TKO said the change will allow the mixed martial arts programming to reach more consumers nationwide.
Paramount+ plans start at $8.99 a month.
Who is on the card?
The card has been panned by fans online as underwhelming and features just two championship fights.
Brazil’s Alex Pereira will meet France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria then takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.
There are five other fights on the main card that include former title-fight participants Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis and former 135-pound champion Sean O'Malley.
What about the weather?
White says the outdoor show will go on rain or shine.
The mid-week forecast on Weather.com called for rain showers early with overcast skies late Sunday and temperatures around 70 degrees around the time of the first fight.
The main venue has 4,500 seats but thousands more are expected to watch in the open air at the Ellipse, a prominent public park south of the White House.
Whenever LeBron James is asked on the record about his legacy — and, more specifically, the GOAT debate between him and Michael Jordan — he tends to kind of brush it aside, while still sounding confident. He understands, ultimately it's an eye of the beholder discussion.
"I'm not taking nobody over me… There's no question. But I think Mike will say the same thing. Rest his soul, Kobe will say the same thing. Magic will say the same thing. Bird will say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt. Kareem. I don't think none of us are going to take somebody else.
"If there's a general manager and he's eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it's gonna be hard not to take me, champ."
The challenge with the GOAT debate — aside from the issue that Jordan's career has become mythologized by things like "The Last Dance" documentary, and some fans treat him like a basketball deity — is that it's not just about statistics or skill sets or even championships. Influence on the perception of the game and on the global basketball market — shoe and apparel sales — all factor in.
LeBron gets that and understands Jordan's influence.
"You ask somebody that grew up in the Jordan era, they're gonna say Jordan… You ask somebody who grew up in the LeBron era… they're still gonna say Jordan… Listen, to each his own…
"I can tell you this. I never step my feet in another man's shoes, saying, 'OK, well, s***, I got to do better than him.' My journey is my journey. I do what I do. I know what I've brought to the table. From a basketball standpoint, an inspiring standpoint, an influential standpoint, I know I can walk in any room."
How much longer will LeBron play?
LeBron isn't hanging on NBA rosters to set records by playing in a 24th NBA season, during which he will turn 42 — he is still impacting winning. He was a deserving All-Star last season who averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 assists and 7.2 rebounds a game. In the playoffs, with the Lakers' Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out injured, LeBron took on the lead playmaker role again, averaging 23.2 points and 7.3 assists a game to lead the Lakers past the Rockets in the first round.
The expectation in league circles is that LeBron will return for at least one more season, but when TIME asked about it, you can hear a LeBron pulled in two different directions at this point in his career.
"I love being out there and competing at the highest level, which the postseason is… Playing the game that I love and having fun, enjoying the competition, was something that you always live for, no matter where you are in your career…
"I've spent a lot of time sacrificing… I spent a lot of time putting in the work of my own individual craft, and I've had to give up a lot of family time. So a big part of the next 10 years won't be me getting it back, because you can't get time back. But my daughter is 11 years old. I'm going to pour into her. I'm going to pour into my wife. Because I wanted to be the greatest that ever played this game, I've had to not be the complete husband and complete dad that I want to be."
Most likely LeBron remains with the Lakers "because he is so entrenched" with the organization (he's been there eight years) and with his family in Los Angeles, report Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Adding to his incentives to stay is the fact that his son, Bronny James, remains on the Lakers roster. However, the Warriors are "legitimately interested" in pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and (once he's healed from his torn ACL) Jimmy Butler in the Bay Area, according to the report.
As it seemingly always does, it will come down to money — and specifically how big a haircut LeBron is willing to take from the $52 million he made last season. With some roster manipulation, the Warriors could offer LeBron the $15.1 million mid-level exception (but that would hard-cap the Warriors at the first tax apron, forcing them to round out the roster with minimum-salary contracts).
The Lakers have LeBron's Bird rights and can offer however much they want. However, the organization is prioritizing re-signing Austin Reaves (also a free agent) and retooling the roster with players who better fit around Luka Doncic and his skill set. That's all easier said than done — two-way wings like the Lakers seek are in high demand across the league. Lakers fans may want to prepare themselves for a more status quo offseason than they hope, league sources told NBC Sports.
Either way, it's easier to envision LeBron returning to the Lakers on something like a two-year, $50 million contract with a player option on the second year and a no-trade clause than it is picturing him going to Golden State (or returning home to Cleveland). Still, everything is on the table.
Jeremy Lin addresses past Kim Kardashian dating rumors.
Former Knicks guard Jeremy Lin said the team declined a request from Kim Kardashian for him to appear on reality television after “Linsanity” took over New York in 2012.
During a Tuesday appearance on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, Lin recalled Kardashian’s request when Torre asked him about rumors that they were dating during the “Linsanity” craze — when Lin led the Knicks to 10 wins in 13 games and averaged over 22 points and nine assists after he was called up during the 2011-12 season.
“I think basically, she at that time, was filming her show … I don’t know if it was ‘Keeping up With the Kardashians’ or whatever show was happening back then,” Lin said. “But I know that she was kind of looking for a New York athlete to kind of be on this show essentially.
During the Linsanity run, Kim Kardashian reportedly requested access to Jeremy Lin — but Lin now recalls the Knicks "immediately declined":
"She was looking for kind of, like, a New York athlete."
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) June 10, 2026
“So this is what I’ve heard and I don’t know if it’s true or not … that request did come in to the Knicks and that is a real request.
“Again, I don’t know if this is true or not. This is what was told to me afterwards because the request came in to the Knicks and they immediately declined it without asking [me] because they were like, ‘We’re not allowing our young second-year player to go down this route right now.'”
Former Knicks guard Jeremy Lin during an appearance on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast on June 9, 2026. YouTube
Torre aired a 2012 news headline by Syracuse.com that said: “Is Jeremy Lin Dating Kim Kardashian? ‘Linsanity’ Romance Rumors Fly.”
Lin — who is a guest analyst with ESPN for the 2026 NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs — did not directly address the dating buzz.
Torre also showed a 2012 interview with former ESPN host Rachel Nichols, who asked Lin what the weirdest paparazzi moment he had during “Linsanity.”
The cast of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” in February 2012. E! Entertainment
“The stuff about me dating Kim Kardashian, I have no idea where that came from,” Lin said at the time, adding that he didn’t think he was her type.
Lin also turned down the cover of GQ magazine at the time.
“I just want to make sure that I’m not doing a disservice to my team by milking all of the attention because at the end of the day that’s not what I love. I love playing basketball,” Lin told Nichols.
Kim Kardashian during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on June 7, 2026 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. WireImage
Kardashian began dating her ex-husband, rapper Kanye West, in the spring of 2012. She married then Nets player Kris Humphries in 2011 for 72 days.
The Skims founder and West settled their divorce in 2022, and she is currently dating Formula One star, Lewis Hamilton.
Lin, who announced his retirement from professional basketball in an Instagram post last August, revealed in 2023 that he and his partner married “a couple years ago.”
They welcomed a son in 2024.
Knicks guard Jeremy Lin drives down court during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on on March 20, 2012. Anthony J. Causi
Lin had stints with the Warriors, Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, Hawks and Raptors after going undrafted out of Harvard.
He was part of the 2019 Raptors team that won the franchise’s first championship.
Lin later went on to play for the Beijing Ducks.
He most recently played for the New Taipei Kings of the P. League+ in Taiwan, alongside his brother Joseph Lin.
Apr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) on the mound during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images
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Kris Bubic has been a hot topic of conversation lately. Bob Nightengale reported that the Athletics were interested in the Royals’ pitcher. It’s difficult to know what a reasonable asking price for Bubic might be, but one marker might be the Guardians trade of an injured Shane Bieber last year. They managed to get back Khal Stephen, who was the Blue Jays’ fifth-best prospect at the time of the trade. Stephen is now considered the Guardian’s sixth-best prospect and has a 3.44 ERA, though only an 11.1% K-BB% in AA as a 23-year-old.
That would probably be the best possible outcome for the Royals, though Bubic figures to need to be healthy if KC makes a trade; he doesn’t have the history of excellence that Bieber has.
The Royals, of course, might not ultimately even be sellers. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 and 6 of their last 8 to put themselves only 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in a messy, messy American League. But if they are sellers, Bubic doesn’t figure to be the only starting pitcher on the staff to get some attention. Per an article on Bleacher Report, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are likely getting some attention, too.
The Trade: Kansas City Royals send RHP Seth Lugo and RHP Michael Wacha to the Chicago Cubs for IF Jefferson Rojas, OF Kevin Alcántara and RHP Jaxon Wiggins
If the Royals could get better prospects for Lugo and Wacha, perhaps they’d be better off extending Bubic. His injury history should drive the price down some. Perhaps even to the point where if he continues to be unable to hold up in the rotation, the team would be able to move him to the bullpen without feeling like they were overpaying. They’d certainly have the money on hand to keep Bubic if they dumped Lugo’s and Wacha’s salaries.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 04: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves stands on the mound during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park on June 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chris Sale’s former team road tour continues and concludes this series as he’s set to take the mound at Rate Field against the Chicago White Sox. It goes without saying, and he probably already thinks this way as an ace, but going six innings / giving some length tonight would be ideal after last night’s extra-innings heartbreaker. We’ve been so wowed by the aggressive bullpen management to date, but the downsides of it appeared yesterday after the team was hamstrung by Grant Holmes’ early exit and the desire for more rest for the high-leverage relievers. In theory, the arms Walt Weiss wanted to stay away from yesterday are rested, so all should be in play tonight except for Dylan Dodd and Raisel Iglesias. ICYMI, Carlos Carrasco (DFA) and Tyler Kinley (IL , right elbow inflammation) are out, JR Ritchie and James Karinchak are in.
Sale (8-4, 2.23 ERA) was the losing pitcher last week on Thursday, where the Braves failed to complete a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in their single loss of the homestand. But the 7-2 score is deceptive – Sale was charged with three earned runs in his 5.2 innings of work. Sale exited, the bullpen threw up zeroes in the sixth, seventh, and eighth, and the bats got us within one before Things Happened. It was a weird one. Sale was throwing as hard as ever, extra-rested as he was, but he gave up ten hits for the first time since 2021. There’s nothing more frustrating than death by a thousand soft singles. Something to keep an eye on: this is Sale’s first outing pitching on regular rest since the Braves have started building in those extra days starting in April. His record against his original team is 2-2 with a 2.92 ERA.
Only two White Sox have faced Chris Sale before: Randal Grichuk is 6-for-27 in his career against Sale with two homers and a .781 OPS. Drew Romo has 3 at-bats with a strikeout. But as we saw last night, this White Sox lineup is unfortunately very fun and very legit.
As of this posting (~2:30 pm ET), the White Sox have yet to confirm their starting pitcher. Likely taking the ball for Chicago will be the righty Davis Martin (8-2, 2.61 ERA), who’s outperforming an xERA of 3.65. He throws a six-pitch mix, relying on a four-seamer 26.4% of the time, followed by the sinker and changeup in almost equal measure with a slider, cutter, and curveball in there as well. Only three Braves have seen Martin with very limited data. Mike Yastrzemski is 2-for-4 with a double and a walk, Jorge Mateo 1-for-1 with a homer, and Ha-Seong Kim is 0-for-2. We will likely see a lineup shakeup anyway to accommodate for the day-to-day status of Ronald Acuña Jr. (left hamstring tightness). But in whatever configuration, let’s hope this is the version of the Braves that gives Chris Sale run support. The Braves were meant to feast off of Fedde last night, which didn’t come to pass – I’m inviting anyone else not named Matt Olson to launch multiple homers out of Rate Field, please and thank you.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rayni Shiring/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
What to make of a starting pitcher with more wins than earned runs allowed in June? A day following seeing Eric Lauer masterfully navigate a lineup incredibly susceptible to left-handed pitching, Shohei Ohtani makes his 11th start of what’s currently a season defined by his otherworldly pitching accomplishments, with six wins and five earned runs allowed in 61 innings.
While the Pirates lineup carries stark splits, featuring a 112 wRC+ against right-handers that goes down to 88 against southpaws, Ohtani’s dominance knows no limits, going through opposing lineups like a hot knife through butter. After shockingly—in large part thanks to the offense’s shortcomings—losing back-to-back games between the end of April and the beginning of May, Ohtani puts to the test a streak of four wins, allowing all of one run in this period.
Despite this winning streak, one could argue for the similarities between Ohtani and Paul Skenes as starters let down by their offenses when you consider the respective qualities of these teams. Following last night’s Dodgers win, the Pirates are now 6-8 when Skenes takes the mound, absurd numbers for a team that has improved to hover around .500 in what’s an insanely competitive NL Central. For Ohtani, those four straight wins have carried the Dodgers into a solid but unspectacular 6-4 record in Ohtani starts. There is nothing wrong with a .600 record, far from it, but to contemplate that the reigning champs have had this many losses in Ohtani starts when he’s been untouchable is still a bit of a surprise.
