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New York Times
7 minutes ago
- New York Times
Owen Caissie, Cubs' top prospect, debuts in Toronto as offense continues its struggles
TORONTO — About 90 minutes before first pitch, Owen Caissie strolled through the bowels of the Rogers Centre and entered the Cubs' clubhouse. The 23-year-old slugger was about to make his big-league debut, batting fifth as the designated hitter in a Cubs lineup searching for the rhythm that made one of the best teams in baseball earlier this season. Advertisement Caissie's thunderous bat could not save an offense desperate for a clutch hit, though, as the Cubs lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Thursday afternoon. Caissie's call-up came due to some bad news after Miguel Amaya badly sprained his ankle in Wednesday's victory. Despite avoiding the worst, the catcher is headed to the injured list just two days after he returned from an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for nearly 12 weeks. The Canadian-born Caissie — his high school is about 35 miles from the Rogers Centre — made his debut in front of a large contingent of family and friends. His parents, who live in Burlington, Ontario, made the short drive to catch their son's big-league debut. 'It means everything,' Caissie said, getting choked up talking about his parents. 'They support me a lot. To do it at home is pretty cool. They just sacrificed pretty much everything for me. They love me so much.' Caissie found out late Wednesday night that he'd been called up and caught an early flight to Toronto. Despite getting to the ballpark later than normal, he felt he had enough time to get prepared for his debut. 'Ecstatic,' Caissie said about finding out he was joining the Cubs. 'It's every kid's dream. People are still chasing that dream. I'm just fortunate the Cubs gave me that opportunity.' First pitch of your MLB career, you line one into the gap off a future Hall of Famer in front of your family and friends just miles away from your hometown … And this happens. Better luck next time, Owen Caissie (@Cubs) — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 14, 2025 Caissie went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and called his performance 'fine,' but would have preferred to get the win. In his first at-bat in the second inning, at 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 pounds, Caissie stood in the box with an upright stance, his shock of red hair poking out from under his helmet. An imposing figure known for his elite power and top-of-the-line exit velocities, Caissie didn't hesitate to unleash his vicious swing. He took a cut at the first pitch he saw and drove it into the left-center field gap. However, left fielder Davis Schneider made an impressive diving catch to steal what looked like a sure double. Advertisement 'Just hit the ball and run,' Caissie said of his thoughts on that first at-bat. 'Schneider made a great play. A welcome-to-the-league moment, I guess.' It wasn't just Caissie who suffered through those moments on Thursday. Matthew Boyd was brilliant on the day, pitching seven innings and making just one mistake, an 0-2 curveball he hung to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who crushed it to left for a two-run homer. The Cubs had five hits, four for extra bases, but could muster just one run on a solo homer from Michael Busch. In the eighth inning, the first two batters reached and moved to second and third on a wild pitch. The two, three and four hitters were due up: Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker and Carson Kelly. With the tying run 90 feet away, all three struck out. 'The inning started off well,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'We created nothing against (starter Max Scherzer), hit some balls well, but ultimately nothing. Then, yeah, we just didn't get the job done. Simple as that.' That's become a frustrating theme of late for the Cubs. Early in the season, this team made sure no opponent felt safe with any lead. But since the break, they haven't had a single comeback victory. Yet again, the Cubs failed to come through with a big hit. They made solid contact at times, but ultimately went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Eight games out in the division, the Cubs still hold the National League's top wild-card spot and are five games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds, who are the first team out of the playoffs. Memories of similar offensive collapses are starting to creep up. Those who have watched this team over the years know that these stretches can linger for far too long. Chicago's offense must turn things around, especially with the way its starting pitching is performing. If it doesn't, it may be more than the division it squanders away. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nicklas Backstrom Appearing In Vintage Form As He Opens Campaign With Brynäs
Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom may not have played for the last two seasons, but he hasn't missed a beat. Starting anew with his hometown team, Brynäs IF, in the SHL, Backstrom is looking a lot like his usual, vintage self and put on a show in a preseason game against Timrå IK. The 37-year-old recorded two assists in a 4-1 win, including this highlight-reel saucer pass to former Anaheim Ducks winger Jakob Silfverberg on a power play. Backstrom signed a contract with Brynäs earlier this summer, marking his return to professional hockey after missing his final two seasons with the Capitals due to ongoing complications following hip resurfacing surgery. "Right now, my body feels great. I've been on the ice all summer. I feel ready to take on that task," Backstrom said of returning, adding, "It's hard to say, but I myself feel that I'm hopefully a good hockey player and can contribute as much as possible." Nicklas Backstrom Reflects On His Health, Journey & Return To The Ice With Brynäs: 'I Feel Energized... Body Feels Great' After missing the last two seasons with the Washington Capitals, Nicklas Backstrom is making his long-awaited return to the ice in fitting fashion with his hometown team, Brynäs IF. Back in his home country of Sweden, Backstrom is also playing with a handful of former Washington teammates, including Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Christian Djoos and Michal Kempny, as well as Capitals prospect Aron Dahlqvist.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Undrafted Ex-Oilers Forward Hangs Up The Skates
EDMONTON – When it's time, it's time. The Edmonton Oilers know that timing is everything. They were on the wrong side of it when the dual offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway struck last summer. They were on the right side of it with the acquisitions of Jake Walman, Mattias Ekholm, and Zach Hyman. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Not everyone who plays in the NHL stays in the NHL—one former Oilers player who knows that all too well is Patrick Thoresen. Trending Oilers Stories Who's Really Sweating in Edmonton Over McDavid? Edmonton Oilers fans might want to take a deep breath before starting any 'panic threads' about Connor McDavid's contract. Oilers Looking at 3 Potential PTO Options Former Oilers' Prospect Leaves the NHL REPORT: Oilers Checked In On Top Goalie Prospect 3 Oilers Goalie Targets That Don't Make Them Better Oilers Interested In A New Defender Prospect? - Community Post If you were the Edmonton Oilers, would you be interested in this young defender prospect? Thoresen was an undrafted NHL player who spent time with the Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers. After collecting 24 points in 106 games, he would ultimately take his talents overseas to several different leagues and teams before calling it a career. The former Oilers forward spent time in the Swiss League, KHL, SHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan. This last season was spent with Djurgardens IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan in 2024-25. He was the leading scorer on a team that featured Marcus Kruger and recently drafted prospects Viktor Eklund and Anton Frondell. Thoresen recorded 41 points in 48 games. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.
