Blue Jays Receive Devastating News on No. 6 Prospect
The Toronto Blue Jays are flying high, as they've won four straight games and six of their last 10. They also swept the Seattle Mariners on the road in their last series, ending with a 9-1 victory on Sunday.
The Blue Jays are now 20-20 and just a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox for second place in the AL East, as well as 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first. Of course, they also signed franchise cornerstone Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500,000 extension in April, giving them security for the future.
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However, their farm system took a hit this week, via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jake Bloss (39)© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
"News: Blue Jays No. 6 prospect Jake Bloss to undergo right elbow surgery to repair his UCL," he reported on Tuesday.
Bloss is 0-5 with a 6.46 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in six starts with Triple-A Buffalo this season.
The right-hander was drafted No. 99 overall out of Georgetown by the Houston Astros in 2023 before they called him up to the majors in June 2024. A month later, they traded him, Joey Loperfido, and Will Wagner to Toronto for southpaw pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.
Bloss started eight games for Buffalo after that last season, going 0-4 with a 6.91 ERA.
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The Blue Jays will start their nine-game homestand on Tuesday night. They'll first face the Tampa Bay Rays before hosting the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres.
After that, they'll hit the road to rematch the Rays and play the Texas Rangers.
Related: Blue Jays Announce Exciting Max Scherzer Injury Update
Related: Blue Jays Make Andres Gimenez Announcement After Leaving Angels Game
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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
On the NHL Draft, the Penguins, the combine and Porter Martone: Yohe's 10 observations
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Most of the NHL's general managers had already departed Buffalo by this weekend, as the conclusion of the NHL Draft Combine isn't required viewing. They made their visit to Buffalo, observed what needed to be observed, met the prospects they wanted to meet and then made their way home. Advertisement Kyle Dubas stayed a little longer. Dubas is not only the Penguins' general manager but also the president of hockey operations in Pittsburgh. While those titles illustrate Dubas' considerable importance to the Penguins' fortunes, the truth is he's a scout at heart. He missed many of his team's games last season because he wants the future in Pittsburgh to be special and was thus scouting draft prospects in every corner of Canada and the United States — and even Sweden — to see things for himself. This is Dubas' time to shine, so he stayed a little longer, got to know prospects a little better. Here are 10 observations on the Penguins and the draft based on what I saw at the combine, what I've been told by Penguins employees and conversations I've had with Dubas. • Dubas likes Porter Martone. A lot. Martone is a power forward expected to be drafted in the top 10 — maybe even in the top five — and does not figure to be available when the Penguins pick at No. 11. While Martone has dropped a bit in draft projections during the past few months, it would be a minor miracle were he to drop to No. 11, where the Penguins would absolutely select him. Most believe he'll go somewhere between No. 4 and No. 8. A power forward who dominated this season for the Brampton Steelheads (OHL), Martone played for Dubas and Canada at the recent World Championship in Sweden. Dubas likes to get to know all of the top prospects during this time of year but spent additional time with Martone in Buffalo even though he had gotten to know him in Sweden. 'Porter's different,' Dubas said with a smile. • The Penguins possess the assets to comfortably move up in the draft, should they choose. They have one second-round pick and three third-round picks. They have three second-round picks and two third-round picks in the mighty 2026 draft. They also possess a handful of veterans that teams around the league would love to acquire. Advertisement Will Dubas trade up to secure Martone? It's hard to make such a prediction and I haven't been given any indication that this is the plan. It would, however, make some sense. The Penguins have finally found themselves legitimate quantity as it pertains to their prospects. They once literally had no prospects of note. Dubas would prefer to add some quality to all of that quantity. It's something to very much keep in mind. • Here's something else to keep in mind: Dubas wants the Penguins to become bigger and more physical. He knows how brittle his team has been the past couple of seasons and what a pushover it is for teams that play a more physical brand of hockey. I'd expect him to add some raw physicality to the organization in this draft. Martone is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and I suspect he'll go around 220 pounds when he fills out in a couple of years. He's big. He's nasty. He plays with an edge. He's got million-dollar hands, but he's not afraid to drop the gloves and use those hands to do damage. In short, he plays a bit like a Tkachuk. I'm not saying he'll be that good, but who knows? He looks pretty special. His hands are what I most notice. In theory, he would seem to be precisely what the Penguins need. He's big and physical, but also plays like a Penguin, if you will. Prospects such as Martone and Kashawn Aitcheson, an abrasive defenseman for the Barrie Colts (OHL), are two players who seem to fit the profile of what the Penguins need. They are, incidentally, two players the organization likes quite a bit. • One last thought on Martone: It's very clear that, while I'm sure he doesn't fancy the idea of dropping in the draft, he'd love to play for the Penguins. Like so many Canadian kids his age, Martone is very clearly a Sidney Crosby fan. He was gushing to anyone who would listen about getting to play on the same team as Crosby in Sweden last month. Advertisement Again, it's unlikely to happen. It's a top-heavy draft. Everyone will want those premium top-10 selections. But the Penguins have far more draft capital than other teams. Don't be shocked if they do something bold. • The Penguins have absolutely no clue what to expect in regard to the Rangers' No. 12 pick. They may deal it to the Penguins. Or maybe they won't. Absolutely nobody knows, including Dubas. I talked with Dubas about this last month in Sweden and he brought it up again over the weekend. Put simply, he's not losing sleep over it. It's a win-win for the Penguins either way. (It is a little bizarre that the Rangers have until 48 hours before the draft to make the decision. What a strange scenario.) • In conversations I've had with scouts and NHL executives, I've come to learn that one of the most interesting players in this draft is one of our own. LJ Mooney is from West Mifflin, Pa., and Logan Cooley's cousin. Ask Cooley, Vincent Trocheck or J.T. Miller, and they'll tell you Mooney is going to be a standout NHL player. His skill level is off the charts. So is his competitive fire. There is one problem, though. And it's a big one. Or a small one, to be technical: Mooney is only 5-7. Once upon a time, it was widely assumed that he'd be a first-round pick because of his raw talent and tenacity. Now many expect him to go in the third or fourth round. Fascinating player. Some teams won't take a kid that size, but it takes only one. • Everyone I've spoken with expects an early run on centers in the first round. This is pretty typical. The Penguins are certainly interested in centers such as Jake O'Brien and Brady Martin, both OHL standouts. Neither player is expected to be there when they pick at 11, however. If they don't trade up, a defenseman or winger might be the reasonable pick, especially if the run on centers goes as expected. Advertisement Given Evgeni Malkin's age and the shortage of talent at center in the organization, the Penguins would be happy to select one in the first round. But they don't want to reach. • Back to Aitcheson. He's someone to keep in mind when the Penguins pick 11th, if they don't trade up. He's an impressive kid, on and off the ice. There's a nastiness and a sturdiness to his game that the Penguins love. Let's be honest: On paper, the Penguins are soft. Really soft. Especially on the blue line. There is nothing soft about Aitcheson. Should the Penguins select him, they'd really have something brewing in their system, at least on their blue line. They love Harrison Brunicke, and for good reason. Finn Harding (Martone's teammate in Brampton) looks like a seventh-round steal last season. Two years ago, they took Emil Pieniniemi in the third round, and his stock is rising quickly. Don't forget about Owen Pickering. Bringing in Aitcheson would really solidify the Penguins defense in their system and allow them to focus heavily on forwards in the rest of the draft, should they choose that route. • Dubas is big on skill, of course. And he's always lumped in with analytics. When we think analytics, we don't think physical, tough players. We think purely of talent, right? Well, I'm telling you, Dubas wants the Penguins to be harder to play against. Something to keep in mind in this draft. • Dubas is kind of a rock star at the combine. The players all love him. Why? Well, let's count the reasons: As general managers go, he's so young (39). I imagine this makes him more relatable. Also, as general managers go, he scouts players far more than the others. He's always around tiny rinks in Ontario in January, and naturally players notice this. Many of these prospects are also from Toronto. You may have heard that Dubas is a pretty big name in that neck of the woods, especially for kids who grew up Maple Leafs fans. He's done well with limited picks in two drafts with the Penguins. In his third draft, he's got 10 or 11 picks to use, depending on what the Rangers decide. It's his time to go to work. He's certainly done his homework. (Top photo of Kyle Dubas: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
What we learned about the Buffalo Sabres at 2025 NHL Scouting Combine
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jarmo Kekäläinen isn't ready to ease into retirement. The 58-year-old was recently hired as the Buffalo Sabres' senior adviser, and part of what drew him to the team was the idea of taking an active role in assisting general manager Kevyn Adams. After more than a decade as the Blue Jackets' general manager, Kekäläinen spent the last year and a half waiting for his next job. Advertisement 'The role is important for me, because I didn't want to be looked at as somebody who's retiring or doesn't want to do work,' Kekäläinen said on the Sabres' official radio station Friday. 'I want to be 100 percent in, 24/7, doing everything I can to help Kevyn and the Buffalo Sabres.' Kekäläinen found the right job if he's looking to roll up his sleeves and work. He's now the most experienced voice in Buffalo's front office. And with Adams entering his sixth season on the job, he has some pivotal decisions to make about key pieces on the Sabres' roster. That's why Buffalo has become a team to watch this offseason. JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn are among the notable restricted free agents. Alex Tuch is eligible for a contract extension. Adding to the intrigue is Kekäläinen, who developed a reputation for making bold trades and signings during his time as the Blue Jackets' general manager. Maybe that aggressive nature will influence the Sabres' front office this summer. 'It all depends on where the team's at in its development and growth, and then when the window opens, I think you need to be aggressive because the window to win with a team is never open forever,' Kekäläinen said of his aggressive nature. 'It's that certain period of time, your core players' prime, and that's when you need to be aggressive to make sure you surround them with the right mix to win.' Here are some other odds and ends from the NHL Scouting Combine. 1. For the second straight year, the idea of the Sabres trading their first-round pick should be on the table. With pressure to win now in Buffalo, a ready-made player is more valuable than making another draft pick. The tricky part is that the Sabres aren't the only team thinking that way. The Blue Jackets, Canadiens and Canucks, who all have picks in the middle part of the first round, are in the same situation. Of course, the Sabres are picking higher, so their pick might hold more value. But the availability of so many first-round picks changes the supply and demand dynamic. Even Utah seems open to moving the No. 4 pick. There also aren't a ton of teams that are truly committed to collecting draft picks and rebuilding. The one team that stands out is the Penguins, who already have the No. 11 pick in the draft. They would make sense as a trade partner for the Sabres. A veteran like Bryan Rust would be a perfect addition for Buffalo, and the Sabres have the picks and prospects that could interest the Penguins. Advertisement But without many suitors willing to part with a good enough player to warrant moving the pick, the Sabres may end up in a similar spot they were in last summer. The supply and demand equation doesn't seem to be in their favor at the moment. 2. The Sabres were among the teams that met with Czech defenseman Radim Mrtka at the combine. A 6-foot-6 right-handed defenseman like Mrtka is always going to be in high demand in the NHL Draft. Mrtka, who played in the WHL this season, is not known as an overly physical or nasty defenseman, but he had an interesting explanation for that. He said that as one of the bigger players growing up, he took a lot of penalties for his rough style of play, so he tried to tone it down a bit. Now it's an aspect of his game he's trying to build up more as he moves up to higher levels. Given his size and playing strength, it's reasonable to expect that Mrtka can develop into a physical, shutdown defenseman. He's on Buffalo's radar with the No. 9 pick, but there's a chance he goes earlier than that. 3. Brady Martin feels like he might not last until the Sabres' pick at No. 9. He had four different teams take him out to dinner this week: the Bruins, Flyers, Mammoth and Predators. Those teams are all picking from four to seven in the first round, so it's becoming more difficult to imagine him being on the board when the Sabres are on the clock. Martin's combination of physicality and goal-scoring touch makes him an attractive option for those teams picking high in the draft. He also showed off his big personality during interviews this week. 4. Roger McQueen, a 6-foot-5 center for the Brandon Wheat Kings, said the back injury that limited him to 17 games this season is behind him. McQueen said he was dealing with a fracture and then a muscle strain that developed as a result of that fracture. That shouldn't carry the same long-term concerns that other back injuries might. If McQueen is on the board at 9, the Sabres might be in the position to take the risk on a top-10 talent in the draft. 5. The Sabres did meet with Alex Tuch's reps at the combine this week. It's still too early to say what will come of that, but that Tuch is open to negotiating is a start. He's eligible to sign an extension on July 1 and has a ton of leverage coming off one of the best seasons of his career. We outlined his contract situation earlier this offseason. 6. We detailed the JJ Peterka situation over the weekend. He's not someone the Sabres are eager to trade, but teams around the league keep calling. Bowen Byram is the other name to watch this summer. Also a restricted free agent, Byram is another player teams are asking about. The Sabres are still high on him, though. The difference between Byram and Peterka is that Byram is only two years away from unrestricted free agency. He might be reluctant to sign away some of his UFA years without a clear path to a bigger role in Buffalo. Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power eat up most of the top power-play minutes. The one path I see to a long-term solution is Byram playing alongside Dahlin. At times, that has been a dominant pair for the Sabres. But if Adams is looking to make a significant move to shake up this roster, moving Byram is one way to do that. 7. Last year, the Sabres managed to trade down in the first round. That helped them land an extra second-round pick that they flipped for Beck Malenstyn. If the Sabres move back from the No. 9 pick, there are a few names I'll be watching. One is Barrie Colts defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who met with the Sabres and has the mean streak they could use in their pipeline. He's left-handed, but that shouldn't hold the Sabres back. Among the forwards, Everett's Carter Bear stands out due to his competitive and physical style of play. The Achilles laceration he dealt with this year is the only concern, but that risk wouldn't be as significant in the middle of the first round. Later in the first round, Jack Nesbitt, who met with the Sabres, is another forward willing to play a hard-nosed game and make plays around the net. His blend of skill and physicality could make him a top-25 pick.
New York Times
4 hours ago
- New York Times
Blue Jays are the hottest they've been since 2022. Here are 6 reasons why
The Toronto Blue Jays have rattled off their hottest streak of the season and the team's best 13-game stretch since September 2022. Even after dropping the series finale Sunday in Minnesota 6-3, the Jays have won 10 of their last 13 games and four straight series. Toronto (35-30) is still navigating questions at the back of the rotation and injuries to top hitters, but plenty is going right these days. Here are the six numbers that encapsulate the Blue Jays' success in this two-week hot streak. Advertisement I could've chosen basically any offensive category to kick this off. The Blue Jays entered Sunday leading baseball in average, on-base percentage, OPS, runs scored and wRC+ over the last two weeks. The Jays have seven players hitting over .300 since May 26. To put this team mark in context, the Jays hit .239 from May 26 to June 8 last year. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the only Toronto hitter batting over .300 in that stretch — Isiah Kiner-Falefa was second at .283. The 2024 Jays didn't have a single month with a team average over .255. They hit .268 this May and, before Sunday's loss, sat at .262 in June. The Jays rattled off this 10-3 run despite one homer and six RBIs from Guerrero, the lineup's expected engine. Eight Toronto bats have a homer in the last two weeks, but Addison Barger and George Springer lead the way. The pair embodies what's gone right for Toronto's lineup lately. Springer and Barger both posted an OPS under .700 last season — well-below-average hitters — before finding new power in 2025 with the help of Toronto's hitting coaches. Springer's tweaks have come more in approach, ambushing fastballs and sacrificing swing-and-miss for rekindled power. Barger unlocked his upside with a move back to his old swing, bringing back the wide stance and serious pop. The result has been the kind of secondary power Toronto lacked in the last two seasons. With Barger and Springer blasting, the Jays can not only survive relatively quiet stretches from Guerrero but thrive through them. Another Springer extra-base hit. The power of the Hartford Whaler batting gloves 👀 — Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 8, 2025 Eric Lauer has been an unexpected stabilizer for a Blue Jays rotation in desperate need of depth. He owns a 2.08 ERA on the season and hasn't allowed a run in three relief appearances during Toronto's streak. Toronto is 5-2 in games in which Lauer has thrown multiple innings. 'He's done a great job of being flexible,' manager John Schneider said. 'I think there are certain guys that are kind of built for that.' Advertisement Schneider compared the lefty to former Blue Jay Ryan Yarbrough, with the ability to throw single innings, join a rotation or take on a role in between. It would be 'ideal' to slide Lauer into a stable starting spot, Schneider said, but pushing Lauer deeper is a risk. The southpaw has allowed a batting average against under .160 in his first 50 pitches this season, jumping to .235 from pitch 51 to 75. His career splits are equally stark. Lauer may be best suited for this constantly available bulk role, able to pitch two to four innings multiple times a week. But questions at the back of Toronto's rotation may push Lauer into full and longer starts. He's made two so far. Last year, Toronto's catchers ranked 21st in wRC+ and 15th in OBP. This year, they're in the top eight in both metrics. Amid Toronto's 10-3 run, Alejandro Kirk, Ali Sánchez and Tyler Heineman got on base in nearly 40 percent of plate appearances. 'We've got the best two-catcher duo in the big leagues,' Kevin Gausman said of Kirk and Heineman. 'I think a lot of guys would say that was probably something we didn't know was going to happen. It's been incredible for us.' Kirk is having his best offensive season since an All-Star and Silver Slugger campaign in 2022, but it's Heineman's sporadic dominance that has truly surprised. Heineman won't hit .429 with a 1.066 OPS all year, but there are indicators the 33-year-old journeyman has found something new. He's hitting pitches harder on average and has the two hardest-hit balls of his career this season. Heineman came into 2025 with one career barrelled ball in 1,071 pitches. He's got three barrels already this season. The Blue Jays' best bullpen month last year was a 3.40 ERA in August. Over the last two weeks, Toronto's relievers have posted the second-best bullpen ERA in the American League. Advertisement The Jays don't have a single reliever who's allowed more than three earned runs over the last 13 games. Four active Toronto arms haven't let up a score in this stretch as a reliever. Yariel Rodríguez has been the best of the bunch, throwing 5 2/3 shutout innings in the last two weeks. He hasn't allowed a run since May 4. The Blue Jays have beaten up on struggling teams such as the Athletics and Rangers during this multi-week stretch, but it wasn't all bottom feeders. Overall, the four teams Toronto toppled in this run had a combined win rate of .515 before their series against the Jays. Toronto took two of three games against both the Phillies and Twins, a pair of teams that sat in postseason position before facing the Blue Jays. On the season, the Jays have a 15-21 record against winning teams, but they'll have more opportunities to improve it this week. Toronto's next two opponents, the Phillies and Cardinals, are on pace to win more than 90 games. (Photo of Addison Barger, left, and Myles Straw: Cole Burston / Getty Images)
