New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) and New York Mets right fielder Brett Baty (7) argue the use of a ABS call during the sixth inning when the New York Mets played the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY.
Brett Baty was involved in a puzzling moment for the Mets in their 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on Wednesday night at Citi Field as he was charged with a phantom ABS challenge.
The third baseman struck out looking in the bottom of the sixth inning and glared in the direction of umpire Junior Valentine before quickly raising his arm in the air.
The gesture fell well short of the required helmet tap to challenge a call, but Valentine nonetheless ruled that Baty had contested the strike, and the pitch was officially reviewed.
The home plate umpire assumed Brett Baty was going to challenge, but Baty never actually tapped his helmet.
Manager Carlos Mendoza and Brett Baty argue the use of a ABS call during the sixth inning of the Mets’ 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The called strike was quickly confirmed, as a confused Baty could be seen pleading his case to the umpire.
The bizarre sequence cost the Mets their final challenge of the game, and manager Carlos Mendoza wasted little time entering the field and arguing with Valentine’s interpretation of the moment.
“He saw that he went to the helmet. I think Junior is gonna go back and take a look at the film, and pretty sure he missed it, because he wasn’t even close,” Mendoza said after the game.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 13: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on May 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images
Pinch-hitter Ceddanne Rafaela had a tiebreaking, two-run homer over the Green Monster and the Boston Red Sox beat Philadelphia 3-1 on Wednesday night while ending the home run streak of the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber at five games.
Rafaela hit a fastball from Orion Kerkering, who replaced Tanner Banks (0-3) with two outs in the sixth.
Making his second start after missing a couple of weeks due to right hamstring tightness that forced him from a start on April 20, Sonny Gray (4-1) gave up one run and two hits over six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth, working around a pair of walks, and finished a three-hitter to remain perfect in nine save chances.
Slumping Trevor Story hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who had lost three of their previous four games. He entered hitting .203 with two homers.
Justin Crawford went deep for the Phillies, who dropped to 11-4 since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson as manager after a 9-19 start.
Schwarber went 0 for 2 after tying a franchise-record by homering in five straight games.
Boston first baseman Willson Contreras returned after missing Tuesday’s series-opening loss due to a bruised right hand sustained when hit by a fastball on Sunday.
Phillies shortstop Trea Tunner didn’t start because of an illness, but walked pinch hitting in the ninth.
Philadelphia starter Andrew Painter gave up a run and four hits in five innings. He was tagged for eight runs in just 3 2/3 innings in his previous start.
Up next
Phillies LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-3, 5.98 ERA) is set to start the series finale Thursday against Red Sox LHP Ranger Suárez (2-2, 2.77), who spent eight seasons with Philadelphia before signing a $130 million, five-year contract with Boston in January.
Liam Hendriks #31 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout during the sixth inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on May 24, 2025.
Liam Hendriks is getting another chance to work his way back to the majors.
The veteran reliever signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Wednesday after being let go by the Twins before Opening Day, giving Chicago a low-risk opportunity to evaluate whether the former All-Star closer still has something left in the tank.
Hendriks, 37, struggled during a brief stint with Minnesota in spring training, allowing three earned runs while surrendering nine hits and five walks across seven appearances before his release.
“It’s, you know, essentially, just depth right now and taking a shot at somebody who’s had a lot of success and see what happens,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, per MLB.com. “He’s going to have a ways to build up.”
Liam Hendriks of the Minnesota Twins throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at Lee Health Sports Complex on March 12, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. Diamond Images/Getty Images
The signing marks another chapter in one of baseball’s most remarkable comeback stories.
Hendriks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after the 2022 season and made a triumphant return to the mound in 2023 after completing treatment.
That comeback was short-lived, however, as Hendriks underwent Tommy John surgery after making just five appearances that season, sidelining him for most of 2024.
He returned to the majors last year with the Red Sox but struggled to regain his old form, posting a 6.59 ERA across 14 appearances.
At his peak, Hendriks was one of baseball’s most dominant relievers, earning three All-Star selections while recording 114 saves from 2019-22 with the A’s and White Sox.
The Cubs’ bullpen has been hit hard by injuries, with Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey and Riley Martin all currently sitting on the IL.
Chicago’s rotation also hasn’t been healthy.
Liam Hendriks of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout during the sixth inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on May 24, 2025. Getty Images
The New York Mets experienced another scare with Juan Soto's health, but he seems to have escaped serious injury.
Soto exited Wednesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers in Queens in the seventh inning when MJ Melendez pinch hit for him. In the third inning, Soto had fouled a ball off his own leg that appeared to cause him considerable pain, but he remained in the game.
Soto, serving as the designated hitter, hit again in the sixth inning but grounded out to Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez.
MJ Melendez is pinch-hitting for Juan Soto in the 7th inning.
Soto fouled a ball off his ankle in the 3rd inning but completed his at-bat, and also took his at-bat in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/1BFVDufczS
He was then lifted in the seventh, finishing his night 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He was seen on the SNY broadcast back in the dugout following his removal from the game.
The Mets won Wednesday's game 3-2 in 10 innings on Carson Benge's walk-off single.
The injury update seems like positive news for the now 17-25 Mets. They floundered without their $765 million man when Soto was out from April 4-21, losing 12 straight games at one point.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Oracle Park on May 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this four-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters tonight’s game with a 2.76 ERA, 4.52 FIP, with 47 strikeouts to 18 walks in 45.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in six innings.
He’ll be facing off against Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani, who enters tonight’s game with a 0.97 ERA, 2.52 FIP, with 42 strikeouts to nine walks in 37 innings pitched. His last start was in the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros on May 5th, in which he allowed two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings.
May 13, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) hits a three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
After squeezing out a tight 2-1 win over the Red Sox in game one of this series, it was Boston’s turn to win on the margins. Trevor Story led the way with two fantastic plays in the 5-6 hole to prevent hits and he took Painter deep on a middle-middle sinker. Ceddanne Rafaela hit the big home run and the Phillies’ offense didn’t have much in the tank outside of a Justin Crawford home run.
Andrew Painter entered his eighth major league appearance with something to prove after getting crushed against the powerful Athletics offense. Luckily, the Boston Red Sox came into this game ranked 29th in wRC+, 28th in OPS, and 29th in home runs. There aren’t many opponents that look like an easier matchup on paper than this one for the rookie right hander, who entered this outing with a 6.89 ERA overall.
Painter looked the part of a solid back-of-the-rotation starter with five innings of one-run ball, a Trevor Story home run in the second inning. He seemed to a real rhythm right after that home run. He ended off the inning by striking out Caleb Durbin with Marcelo Mayer on second base. In the third, he generated two ground balls, one of them being a double-play ball from Willson Contreras.
His fifth and final inning of the night was his finest. He got Connor Wong to chase the tight slider for a strikeout, Caleb Durbin looked like a bad fisherman on the two-strike slider he swung at, and got Jarren Duran on an inside fastball.
Painter showed a different pitch mix in this one. In 62 pitches of work, he threw just 15 four-seam fastballs and six sinkers. He relied on sliders and sweepers to keep the Red Sox lineup off balance and generate more swing and miss. This also might help explain why Don Mattingly had a quick hook for him, with the potential that the Red Sox would be able to make a significant adjustment the third time through the order.
In that span, Sonny Gray matched the rookie pitch for pitch but could not record a shutdown third inning right after Boston took the lead. Justin Crawford worked a two ball count and got a 91 mph fastball right down the middle and put a fantastic swing on it to straightaway center field.
The Phillies offense struggled to handle Gray’s mix outside of that. The sweeper and curveball kept the Phillies offense off-balance enough to produce some ugly swings. One stat that might symbolize the issues is that Gray got 4 whiffs on nine swings with his sinker. That is probably more about how he was mixing his pitches, and the Phillies offense rather than how nasty the pitch is.
It was a battle of the bullpen’s with Painter going five and Gray going six. The Phillies deployed Tanner Banks but he gave up a single to left handed hitting Wilyer Abreu. When Red Sox manager Chad Tracy elected to hit Ceddanne Rafaela for Masataka Yoshida, Mattingly countered with Orion Kerkering.
One thing you should probably not to do a hitter who takes big hacks and chases 36% of the time is throw a fastball right down the middle.
That would be all for either offense as the bullpens handled the opposing lineups for the rest of the night. Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock worked scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Whitlock specifically made an impressive catch in foul territory to end that frame. It all set up for Aroldis Chapman to close out the ninth.
It wasn’t easy for him, Kyle Schwarber walked on five pitches because Chapman couldn’t find the zone and took second base on a wild pitch. Bryce Harper and Adolis Garcia went down swinging. Mattingly elected to deploy Trea Turner, who wasn’t in the lineup to begin the same, for Brandon Marsh. While Marsh has been hitting lefties better than Turner this year, it did make sense to have a right handed hitter in that spot. Turner stood there for four pitches and walked down to first base.
Alec Bohm was the Phillies’ last chance and eventually had the chance to tie the game with a single. Schwarber and Turner ran a double steal to put runners on second and third.
On a one-two count, Bohm could not lay off on Chapman’s whiffle ball sinker and struck out to end the night.
After scoring 22 runs against the Rockies in three games at home, the Phillies have scored just three runs through the first two games of this series and their pitching just couldn’t save them tonight.
The 20-23 Phillies are supposed to play the final game of this series tomorrow night with Jesús Luzardo going against Ranger Suarez. The battle of who the Phillies let walk and decided to pay on a long term contract extension.
Franco, donning the promotional green, white and red Mets jersey of the Italian flag, didn’t complete the follow-through on this throw, and it sailed well high and wide and eventually made its way to the backstop in Flushing.
All the Brooklyn native could do was laugh, shrug his shoulders and extend his arms in disbelief as he walked toward home plate for a handshake with Mets catcher Hayden Senger.
The embarrassing miscue was certainly odd from someone who had so much success in the big leagues. But the Mets Hall of Famer’s daughter, Ella, provided an explanation on X. She said it was the first time Franco has thrown a baseball since undergoing shoulder surgery — asking fans to “cut him some slack.”
Amazin’s great John Franco is all smiles despite throwing a wild first pitch before the Mets’ 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for NY Post
John Franco's first pitch for Italian Heritage Night was *just* a bit outside pic.twitter.com/IwREmr4wLM
It didn’t stop her from having some fun at her dad’s expense, writing on X: “Dude I’m crying.”
“This reminds me of 50 cent I have not stopped laughing (crying laughing emoji), she added.
Franco played 21 MLB seasons, including 14 with the Mets. The St. John’s alum, who was drafted by the Dodgers in 1981 and debuted with the Reds three years later, was a four-time All-Star and two-time Rolaids Relief Award winner.
Former Met closer John Franco throws out the first pitch before their 10-inning win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
He last played in the majors in 2005 at the age of 44 for the Astros, finishing with a 90-87 record and a 2.87 ERA.
His wild pitch comes with the home team also struggling.
The injury-riddled Mets improved to 17-25 but still remain in last place in the National League East.
There was a familiar face at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
Jason Heyward was reporting for his first day of in-person duty in his new job.
The Dodgers hired Jason Heyward as a special assistant in their front office. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Dodgers have hired Heyward, the recently retired 16-year MLB veteran and former All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder, as a special assistant in their front office — a role that will allow the 36-year-old to begin what he hopes is a second career as a front office official.
“I asked for an opportunity to learn,” Heyward said. “I have a goal of potentially one day being in the front office.”
Heyward said his interest in a front office future was piqued during the final few seasons of his career, growing fascinated as an older player by all the intricacies that go into running an organization.
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“As I came down the stretch over the last few years, it was watching different roles, having to make bullpen moves, having to make lineup matchups and things like that,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Let’s continue to have conversations on those and see what I can bring as a former player to that side of things.’”
For now, Heyward’s role with the Dodgers is open-ended. He will get the opportunity to experience several different front-office departments (on Wednesday, he was shadowing Dodgers vice president of scouting David Finley). He will also travel to the team’s minor-league affiliates to work with young players.
“I think it’s awesome to be a line of communication,” he said, “and be a resource to not just the players but also the front office.”
As for his long-term goals, he said it “would be amazing” to one day become a general manager or president of baseball operations with an MLB club.
“Again, I don’t know what that route looks like right now today, coming here without much experience in it,” he said. “But that’s what I’m here to work toward.”
While Heyward spent most of his playing career with the Braves (who drafted him 14th overall in 2007) and Cubs (where he won a World Series in 2016 and continues to live), he made a significant impact with the Dodgers over his two-year tenure with the team in 2023 and 2024.
As a player, Heyward served a critical role with the Dodgers as a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Getty Images
During that time, he served a critical role as a veteran leader in the clubhouse. And though he was DFA’d late in the 2024 season –– just months before the team won its first of two consecutive World Series titles –– people around the organization still credit him with helping set a standard that has underscored much of their recent success.
“I’m excited for Jason to be back in the organization,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s got the clubhouse part covered, so part of it is working with the front office guys and getting to see the other side of things and how it operates. He’s going to be very helpful.”
After retiring as a player following a short stint with the Padres last year, Heyward said he reached out to several teams inquiring about a front office role this offseason.
The Dodgers, he noted, were the one that gave him the best opportunity to learn.
“I understand there’s a lot I have to learn on this side of things,” he said. “It’s great to be a player, it’s great to have that experience. I think that will help me along the way. But at the same time I knew it was important to learn to scout, how to evaluate players, learn the R&D, analytics, terminologies and things like that.”
“Everything’s on the table,” he added of what his future might hold. “It is a process, starting from the ground up … But it is nice to have an opportunity to learn for what I think is the best.”
Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) twists his ankle on a swing during the third inning.
The Mets have yet another injury worry on their hands.
Juan Soto exited Wednesday’s game against the Tigers at Citi Field in the seventh inning, four frames after fouling a ball off his right foot.
During his third inning at-bat, Soto hobbled out of the batter’s box and hopped around to regain feeling in his foot.
Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) twists his ankle on a swing during the third inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He briefly took a knee while manager Carlos Mendoza and trainer Joe Golia came out to check on him. Soto eventually stood up on his own power and limped back to the plate.
He went on to strike out with two runners on base.
The four-time All-Star came out for one more at-bat and grounded out. He finished the night 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Soto may join a lengthy list of Mets regulars on the mend, including Francisco Alvarez, whom the team placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday after he sustained a right meniscus tear.
Mets outfielder Juan Soto is considered "day-to-day" after X-rays came back negative on his ankle/foot after he fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers.
"We got good news there," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game. "He’s day-to-day so we’ll see how he comes tomorrow and whether he’s a player for us and in the starting lineup, but we’ll see."
Soto, who was DHing, left the game for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and was replaced by MJ Melendez with runners on first and third and two outs in a tie game.
The foul ball occurred in the third inning and after getting looked at by team trainers, Soto finished his at-bat by striking out against Framber Valdez. Soto was able to take his next at-bat in the sixth inning, grounding out softly to the pitcher, but after New York tied the game at 2-2 on Bo Bichette's single, Soto was replaced for Melendez.
"I was concerned as soon as he got hit because he got him pretty good there," Mendoza said. "We went out there and you could tell that he was in pain. And then just that second at-bat didn’t look right. And then when I saw the trainer came my way I knew something was up… So I’m glad that we got good news."
For the second time in as many nights, a Mets hitter left the team’s game early after suffering an injury in the batter’s box, as Juan Soto fouled a ball of his lower leg in the bottom of the third. The ball appeared to hit the front of his ankle and the top of his foot.
Serving as the Mets’ designated hitter tonight, Soto was able to remain in the game for a bit and take his at-bat in the bottom of the sixth. There was a point during that at-bat that his ankle didn’t look comfortable, though. And when his turn came up in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and third, two outs, and the Mets having just tied the game at two, MJ Melendez was sent up to pinch hit for him.
Last night, Francisco Alvarez left the Mets’ game early after suffering an injury on a swing that turned out to be a torn meniscus in his right knee. Here’s hoping Soto just needs some ice and some rest and doesn’t end up on the Mets’ ever-expanding list of players on the IL.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 07: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals California vacation continues Wednesday night as Matthew Liberatore will start the game for St. Louis. J.T. Ginn will take the mound for the Athletics. First pitch at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park is scheduled for 8:40pm central time and the game will be televised on Cardinals.tv.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Henry Bolte #33 of the Athletics takes batting practice before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park on May 12, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s are back at it looking to put an end to this two-game losing streak. At 21-20 the A’s are close to the .500 mark and would like to avoid hitting that threshold tonight. They’ll face the St. Louis Cardinals again in this one and with the Mariners just one game behind and on a two-game winning streak the Green & Gold need a win if they want to remain in pole position in the AL West.
Taking the ball for the home squad this evening in the middle game of the series will be right-hander J.T. Ginn. Coming off a horrible start, Ginn absolutely bounced back in a huge way his last time on the mound, pitching eight full innings of one-run baseball against the Phillies last week. That was clearly his best start of his young career as he punched out eight Philly batters with the only run coming off a solo home run to superstar slugger Kyle Schwarber. Nothing to be ashamed of there and plenty to be proud of his most recent outing. How will the young righty follow that performance up?
The Athletics’ lineup this evening shakes out like this:
Tonight is going to be a memorable one. We have a big league debut this evening as outfielder Henry Bolte draws the start for his first big league game tonight manning center field. Manager Mark Kotsay is also clearly not afraid to throw the well-regarded Bolte into the middle of the lineup as he’ll be batting fifth tonight, right behind Brent Rooker, who will grab his glove and head to left field. Langeliers is DH’ing but in there and him ‘Bangeliers’ and Nick Kurtz lead things off atop the batting order. They’re followed by right fielder Colby Thomas, who is quietly on a decent 5-for-15 stretch with one homer. And as a right-handed hitter it helps that the opposing starter is a left-hander (lefty hitters Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler are on the bench tonight against a lefty, but they both could use the off day as a mental reset).
Bolte isn’t the only one making a debut this evening. Second base will be handled by journeyman infielder Michael Stefanic, who will be making his first big league appearance of the year. The light-hitting second baseman/third baseman has bounced around in recent years and didn’t hit much in his time with the Aviators (.250/.351/.355 with two homeruns), but the A’s don’t need him to be a star. Just hold down the fort when you’re in the lineup. He’ll be joined in tonight’s starting nine along with catcher Jonah Heim, who draws is second start with the A’s, and fellow infielders Zack Gelof (third base) and Darell Hernaiz (shortstop)
As for St. Louis’s starting pitcher tonight, it’ll be lefty Matthew Liberatore for them this evening as the fifth-year big leaguer will get the ball for his ninth start for the Cards. The 26-year-old has been uneven for the Red Birds through the first month-plus, posting four starts with one run allowed (plus another two-run showing), but also three outings where he’s yielded four or more runs. That adds up to a decent 4.07 ERA. The A’s will be hoping to get the lesser version of Liberatore in this one though he’s on a small roll with quality starts in his last two outings. He shut down the A’s in his lone start against us last season, pitching into the sixth inning while allowing no runs on just four hits in an eventual Cardinals win.
Mostly the same hitters in the top half that were in there last night, just some minor lineup adjustments. Let’s hope they messed up their mojo and aren’t able to put up another 6-spot in this one.
A win puts us two games over the .500 mark and assures that the team will remain in first place at least for one more day. If you’re scoreboard watching during the game the second-place Mariners are going up against fellow AL West rival Astros so we’re rooting for a Houston victory over our Seattle counterparts. Let’s go A’s!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 5: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball while being defended by Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Lakers could justify getting swept by the Thunder as them losing because they didn’t have Luka Dončić available, that would be a foolish take.
Sure, Luka would’ve helped, and perhaps the Lakers would have won a game or two with him, but the gap is still considerable between them and OKC.
When push came to shove against the Thunder, the Lakers’ depth chart shrank and they didn’t have enough players who could perform at a high level consistently.
Now that the offseason has arrived, they can focus on addressing their roster’s weaknesses.
Based on an article by Dan Woike of The Athletic published Tuesday morning, it is clear that the Lakers will be looking for bigs and wing players this summer.
Those priorities remain, according to league sources. There is a desire for better center play, true lob threats who mimic the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (with cleaner injury histories). There is a desire for true two-way defensive players, wings with athleticism and energy on the defensive end and a sweet shooting stroke on the offensive side of the ball. And there’s a desire to lock in a long-term secondary playmaker next to Dončić.
While Deandre Ayton was a solid starter for LA, he was unable to consistently elevate his game. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, but was unsatisfied with his role at times in the season. Also, he was often benched late in games as Jaxson Hayes was outplaying him. This happened regularly, including in Game 4 against OKC.
While Hayes was able to step up he also isn’t a consistent center the Lakers can rely on. So, upgrading that position to someone who can always be a great option at the five would be ideal.
The wing depth is even more dire for the Lakers than the center one is. Jarred Vanderbilt is a very limited offensive player, and Jake LaRavia was abysmal in the playoffs. After playing all 82 regular-season games, he didn’t play in the final two playoff contests, as his production plummeted to essentially nothing.
No one understands these weaknesses more than the Lakers’ front office. During Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka’s exit interview, he outlined how the franchise must improve this offseason.
“The archetype of the roster we want is going to be retrofitted around Luka and the things he needs,” Pelinka said. “Clearly, he’s that leader and player for the future that we want to build the right way around.”
Right now, center play is inconsistent, and the wings they need are not on the roster. The weaknesses are clear, the Lakers understand them and this is the time of year to address them.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 13: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox is greeted in the dugout with a Wally the Green Monster hat after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Fenway Park on May 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox won a baseball game in which they didn’t obtain an early lead!!!!
If you want to learn more, continue reading!
STUDS
Willson Contreras: I’ve always been a fan of dudes who play good defense and hit, which isn’t exactly shocking information but there haven’t been very many of them around these parts over the last few seasons. Contreras is an absolute delight to watch, no matter if he’s making great defensive plays or trying to murder people on the other team.
Wilyer Abreu: #ILoveWilyerAbreu
Ceddanne Rafaela: I’ve got the sniffer out on why he didn’t initially start this game — swinging through a pitch above his head in the opening game of this series would have been enough to bench him for a night. Rafaela brushed that off, though, and bombed a pinch-hit home run that swung this game in the good guys’ favor.
