Cavaliers update health status of injured trio
All-Star Darius Garland has missed the last four games with a sprained big toe. Fellow All-Star Evan Mobley is battling a sprained ankle, while De'Andre Hunter has a sprained thumb.
According to head coach Kenny Atkinson, all three players participated in Thursday's walk-through, and are considered questionable on the injury report heading into game three.
Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game three is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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New York Times
23 minutes ago
- New York Times
A shorter MLB season on the horizon? Plus: Rules around using Ohtani in relief
The Windup Newsletter ⚾ | This is The Athletic's MLB newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Windup directly in your inbox. For the last 64 years, the number 162 has been the standard. Could that change soon? Plus: Ohtani in relief is trickier than you might think, Ken tells us about Roman Anthony's spring training prediction, and: Are bullpens worse in the second half? I'm Levi Weaver, here with Ken Rosenthal — welcome to The Windup! We talked earlier this week about the commissioner's comments on expansion and geographic realignment, and even showed you Stephen Nesbitt's cool charts explaining how it might look with minimal upheaval. But Jayson Stark has an article today with an angle that — go figure, it's Jayson — I hadn't previously considered. If the league expands to 32 teams, it seems likely that it would adjust the schedule down, from 162 games to either 154 or 156. Advertisement Why? Well, it's math, so I'll let Jayson take it from here: 12 games apiece versus the other three teams inside the division. That's 36 games. Six games apiece versus the other 12 teams in your league. That's 72 games. Three games apiece versus the 16 teams in the other league. Now we're at 156. Bingo. Another reason he mentions: A 156-game schedule would also essentially ensure that every team gets at least one day off every week. It's also doable — with a little creative scheduling — to go back to the 154-game schedule that MLB used from 1908-1961. That would at least offset a little of the record-book confusion that would no doubt emerge from decreasing the number of games. There's more, of course. Jayson isn't in the habit of leaving stones unturned. Check it out here. From my latest column: 'I'll see you soon.' That's what outfielder Roman Anthony told Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora upon being informed at the end of spring training that he would open the season at Triple A. The Red Sox were in Monterrey, Mexico, for a two-game exhibition series against the Sultanes de Monterrey. It was the first time Anthony played on anything resembling a major-league stage. He was not yet 21. Anthony acquitted himself well, going a combined 2-for-8 with a triple and two walks. But after the series ended, Cora gave him the official word: He was getting sent down. Anthony shook Cora's hand. 'He said it with conviction: 'I'll see you soon,'' Cora recalled. 'And I was like, 'I know.'' As it turned out, 'soon' wasn't until June 9, a delay that, depending upon how the Red Sox's quest for the postseason turns out, the team might ultimately regret. The Sox were 32-35 when they promoted Anthony. They are 36-24 since. On Aug. 6, less than two months into his major-league career, Anthony agreed to an eight-year, $130 million extension. And starting tonight, he will play his first series at Yankee Stadium, assuming a place he will likely occupy for most of the next decade as a central figure in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. Advertisement Anthony, batting .283 with a .402 on-base percentage and .837 OPS, is establishing himself as a force and just getting started. His average exit velocity would rank among the league's best if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. But his uncommon maturity is perhaps best reflected in his defining trait, his plate discipline. 'Who he reminds me of, it's hard,' Cora said. 'I don't want to say (Barry) Bonds, of course. Probably (Juan) Soto, without the flashiness, early on. It's a good at-bat. He's not going to chase. Even when he doesn't get hits, you're like, holy s—, that's a good at-bat.' More here. I've been mulling this question in my mind for a while, based on admittedly circumstantial evidence: Are relief pitchers worse in the second half? The short answer: a little bit, but not drastically so. In the first half, relievers across the league posted a 4.06 ERA in 10,510 innings. In the second half so far: 4.20 in 3,317 2/3 innings. While I did find the answer I was looking for, I also found some other interesting notes, so I can't rob you of those, right? Here are the outliers … Best first-half bullpen ERA: Giants (3.14) Worst first-half bullpen ERA: Nationals (5.88) Best second-half bullpen ERA: Padres (2.11) Worst second-half bullpen ERA: Rockies (6.82) Biggest improvement from first half to second: Athletics (5.50 to 3.27 — difference of 2.23) Biggest decline from first half to second: Blue Jays (3.57 to 5.87 — difference of 2.30) Takeaways: The conversation started when Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said on 'The Dan Patrick Show' that he could 'Absolutely' see Ohtani pitching in relief in the postseason. Prior later clarified that the team had discussed the possibility and looked into the rules. As it turns out, that's a very big part of the calculation. Advertisement The 2022 'Ohtani Rule,' as it is colloquially known, allows a starting pitcher who is also in the starting lineup to remain in the game as the DH, even after he is replaced on the mound. But that rule does not apply to a designated hitter who pitches in relief. In that situation, when the DH-turned-reliever is removed as a pitcher, he would also vacate his spot in the lineup (translation: a pinch hitter would take the next at-bat). Still, as Fabian Ardaya tells us here, Prior didn't rule out the idea of Ohtani pitching in, say, a closer's role — a last-three-outs situation, where his spot in the order wouldn't come back up. Ohtani has started all 95 big-league games he has pitched in, but that doesn't mean we haven't seen him in relief. Remember the 2023 World Baseball Classic? Ohtani entered the game in the ninth inning, striking out Mike Trout to end the game. Could we see that scenario again to finish, say, a World Series? It's not out of the question. More Ohtani: He had a rough night in Denver last night, allowing five earned runs in four innings as the Dodgers lost to the Rockies (8-2) for the second time in three games. Ohtani also took a comebacker off his thigh, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said — while the team had already planned to give him a day off today — he should be back tomorrow. The Pirates are calling up their top pitching prospect, 22-year-old RHP Bubba Chandler. He'll be in the bullpen — for now. We were ready to declare the Cubs dead. Well, they've won three in a row against the Brewers now, after a 4-3 win last night. Matt Shaw did it all, and Chicago is now within … ehhh, six games in the division. Also, an update on Kyle Tucker: Turns out he had a hairline fracture in his hand in June. Cam Schlittler took a perfect game into the seventh inning, but it took a pinch hit home run by Giancarlo Stanton to seal a win for the Yankees. Advertisement We ran out of room for GIFs in this edition (it's technical), but this home run robbery by Fernando Tatis Jr. is still pretty sick. Could Colt Keith's return to third base spell a solution — both now and in the future — for the Tigers? On the pods: On 'Rates & Barrels,' the crew discusses the Arizona clubhouse and the Orioles' young bats as Baltimore looks to the future. Most-clicked in our last newsletter: Brendan Kuty and Keith Law's piece on why the Yankees drafted a player who admitted to drawing a swastika on a Jewish student's door in college. 📫 Love The Windup? Check out The Athletic's other newsletters. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Why Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes Jayson Tatum will come back strong from injury
The road to recovery could be a long one for Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. However, another Celtics great, 10-time All-Star Paul Pierce, believes that Tatum is up for the challenge and fully capable of returning to full strength. Late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, Tatum suffered an Achilles tear that ruled him out for the rest of the series. And although the Celtics haven't officially shut him down for the 2025-26 season, it doesn't seem likely that he'll see the court over the next several months. Yet, none of that shook Pierce's confidence, as the 2008 NBA Finals MVP shared his thoughts on Tatum's rehab process with New England Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman on the "Games With Names" podcast. "Usually an Achilles injury will take you a whole year to get back to work," Pierce told the former wide receiver. "After a whole year, you start getting back. I mean, we got cases of it — Paul George, (Kevin Durant) — they looked good after they came back from an Achilles (injury). So I'm not worried about him getting back to where he was before he got hurt." Despite Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George and Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant both suffering brutal injuries in their primes, both future Hall of Famers remain in the league. Plus, Durant was over 30 years old when he tore his Achilles and still managed to get back to his old self. Tatum hasn't even turned 28, which bodes well for his injury maintenance. Regardless of age, recovering from an Achilles injury is a grueling ordeal that requires daily work. But, if Tatum has shown anything during his impressive career, it's that he's willing to do whatever it takes to play the game he loves. Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
MLB, ESPN have agreement for network to sell all out-of-market and some in-market games: Sources
Major League Baseball and ESPN have a framework agreement that would give the network the exclusive rights to sell all out-of-market regular-season games digitally and in-market games for five clubs over the next three years, sources briefed on the discussions told The Athletic. ESPN would continue to broadcast around 30 regular-season games, but 'Sunday Night Baseball' would move to a different night during the week. The games on the network would remain exclusive, meaning viewers would only be able to watch these matchups through ESPN. The agreement would begin next season. Advertisement The deal is not yet signed, and its full completion is not expected until September. The exact amount that ESPN will pay is not known, but it is substantial. MLB and ESPN declined to comment. The expected agreement arrives after ESPN opted out of the final three seasons of its deal with MLB, in which the network paid an average of $550 million per year for 'Sunday Night Baseball,' eight-to-12 first-round playoff games and the Home Run Derby. Following ESPN's opt-out in February, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred described the network as a 'shrinking platform' as part of an explanation to owners. It appears that Manfred and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro have moved past their differences. Pitaro has stated on numerous occasions that he would like ESPN to help solve the local sports issues that have developed as many regional sports networks struggle, as fewer viewers subscribe to cable and other distributors. With cable diminishing, ESPN debuted its direct-to-consumer product Thursday that costs $29.99 per month and does not require a cable, satellite or YouTube TV-type subscription. The added features of its new app are available to most, but not all, customers who subscribe traditionally. Netflix remains the heavy favorite to pick up the Home Run Derby for the next three years, while NBC and Apple are considered the top landing spots for 'Sunday Night Baseball' and the first round playoff games. Under the framework of an agreement between MLB and ESPN, ESPN would have as part of its direct-to-consumer offering. It is not fully clear yet if out-of-market subscribers who pay for the package through cable or other linear subscription would still be able to receive that way. For digital consumers, fans are likely to need an ESPN direct-to-consumer subscription to go along with The overall new pricing for is not yet decided, but is expected to be similar or slightly cheaper than the current $29.99 per month rate. Advertisement If the deal is signed, ESPN will have the full rights to in- and out-of-market games for five teams. The Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are the clubs under MLB control. Fans would likely need to subscribe to ESPN either directly or through an operator, and then, for an added price, they would be able to receive their local teams' games. The ESPN-MLB deal could eventually include MLB Network, but that is not set yet. MLB Network may be part of an add-on combo offering where it could be included in an ESPN bundle. ESPN has been the long-time home of 'Sunday Night Baseball,' which features top teams with no other games played at the same time. NBC/Peacock and Apple have been the top contenders to succeed ESPN. Apple already has Friday night exclusive doubleheaders. MLB's leaders are still trying to find the right price and distribution models for this package and its playoff rights. What Netflix is expected to pay for Home Run Derby is not yet known, but sources briefed on the expected terms said it has met what MLB is looking to be paid for the event. All of the deals that MLB is making are expected to be three years, as the league wants to line up its entire national and international rights, plus the World Series and playoffs, to auction off at once and begin in 2029. The move for continues the $80 billion-plus spending spree that Pitaro and ESPN have been on since he began as the network's chairman a little more than seven years ago. ESPN made four separate deals with the NFL. One of the agreements gave the NFL a 10 percent stake in the network, which is valued at an estimated $2.5 billion. In the deals, ESPN added three more NFL games per year, access to Red Zone and ownership of NFL Network. The Department of Justice has to sign off on portions of the agreements, such as NFL Network, meaning they won't go into effect until next year, at the earliest, and possibly not until 2027. ESPN also acquired rights to WWE's top event each month, including WrestleMania. The two sides announced this week that it would begin next month. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
