Latest news with #MajorLeague
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Phillies' Andrew Painter Speculated to Make MLB Debut After All-Star Break
Phillies' Andrew Painter Speculated to Make MLB Debut After All-Star Break originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the most anticipated Major League debuts on the horizon. With Andrew Painter continuing to get work in the Minor Leagues, the date for his MLB debut gradually gets closer. But, there has been no set date for his debut on the mound. Advertisement However, in a recent article from Paul Casella on from his Phillies Beat newsletter, an updated timeline was given along with Casella's speculation on the specific series in which Painter will make his debut. Casella writes, "The plan has always been for Painter to make his MLB debut in 'July-ish.' Thomson may have provided a bit more clarity recently on when exactly we might see Painter in the big leagues." "While the situation remains fluid," Casella continued, "Thomson indicated that the club plans to use the all-Star break to let Painter rest and recharge." The Phillies' plan for July has been known for some time. But Rob Thomson and the Phillies haven't given a specific time in July when Painter would get the call. Advertisement But, Casella believes that the All-Star break, which runs from July 14th to the 17th, is the sign that Painter's window to get called up has started. He sees the Phillies calling up Painter in one of the two series immediately following the All-Star break. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (76) during photo day at BayCare Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images While nothing has been set in stone yet, the date after the All-Star break is a reasonable speculation given the Phillies' current situation. With Aaron Nola on the injured list and Taijuan Walker moving back to the bullpen, there is room for Painter. But, Mick Abel is getting called back up to the big leagues for his second go as a Phillies starter. His performance could provide more clarity on when Painter receives the call to the big leagues. Advertisement If Abel performs well, the Phillies might slow-play Painter's MLB debut. But if Abel struggles, the Phillies could feel the pressure and call up Painter earlier than the anticipated July series after the All-Star break. The Phillies play two series at home following the All-Star break, a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels and a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. With Casella's report, Painter's debut will possibly fall during either of those two series. The Phillies face the New York Yankees in New York in the next series, so the Phillies might have Painter pitch later in the homestead to avoid a tough second matchup for the top Phillies prospect. Casella's report provides some clarity on when Painter could make his highly anticipated MLB debut. Advertisement Related: Phillies' Rob Thomson Defends Questionable Decision Amid Luzardo's Outing Related: Phillies' Jesus Luzardo Sends Strong Message Amid Career Worst Outing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Heinrich Klaasen retires from all international cricket; prioritises work-life balance
CAPE TOWN: South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen on Monday announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect as he aims to strike a work-life balance, prioritising his commitments in franchise leagues across the globe. The 33-year-old Klaasen had announced his retirement from Test cricket in January last year and has now also decided to quit the white ball formats having represented the Proteas in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is in which he scored 2764 runs. "It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what's best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with," Klaasen announced on his Instagram. One of the most sought-after batters in the T20 leagues, Klaasen had recently represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and scored a ton in the concluding league game. His next assignment will be Major League Cricket in the United States for Seattle Orcas later this month. Klaasen, who played in the T20 World Cup final against India, termed playing for the national team as his "biggest privilege". "From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country and it was everything that I have worked for and dreamed about as a young boy," Klaasen said in his emotional statement. Someone who is known for his towering sixes and game-changing knocks as a finisher in the T20 universe, the decision is hardly surprising, as the hectic international calendar is taking a toll on the physical and mental health of the players.
Global News
4 days ago
- General
- Global News
Meet a Canadian who is nearly 80 and will be graduating for the first time
Cap-Pelé,N.B. resident Jeannette Cormier was surrounded by people decades younger than her when she decided to enroll in an adult learning program in her late 70s. She's now passed all her courses and is getting ready for her first-ever graduation ceremony, where she will receive her Canadian Adult Education Credential — equivalent to a high school diploma. 'I wanted to start again and do what I was supposed to do,' she said in an interview. Cormier said math was her favourite subject when she attended school as a child at a one-room schoolhouse in rural New Brunswick. She had to drop out at 10-years-old, working for her parents until she started having children when she was 15. 'I had to look after my children, so I didn't have a chance to go back to school,' she said. Story continues below advertisement Cormier raised five children, including the late Rhéal Cormier, a former Major League baseball player who played for Canada in the 1988 Olympics. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Her son Ola Cormier, now 62-years-old, recalled how she would show a lot of interest in her children's schoolwork and speak about wanting to resume her studies throughout the decades. A few years ago, he encouraged her to resume her studies. 'I said, 'Mom, why not? You can finish high school, there's no age limit,'' he said. While there were some bumps in the road, Jeannette never gave up. 'Sometimes I would bring my books home and I would study almost until 11 o'clock at night,' Jeannette said with a laugh. 'Believe me, I was tired doing it but I did it just the same.' Her home-care worker, Nicole Cormier, said it was inspiring watching Jeannette study for her last test. 'She just never quits!' Nicole said of Jeannette. 'I was always amazed at her memory. She remembers everything.' Nicole said she was thrilled when Jeanette found out she passed her final test. 'I think (Jeannette) is very inspiring and we shouldn't put limits on ourselves. You can do anything at any age,' she said. Story continues below advertisement For Jeannette, it's simple. 'If you want your dream, you have to go out and get it!' she said. Jeannette will be surrounded by friends and family at an upcoming graduation ceremony in Moncton on June 18. Ola has ordered a graduation banner for her to display in front of her home. 'For her, she finally achieved her dream and for me it's very emotional,' he said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'A major league shortstop, on a championship club.' Why Dodgers don't plan to move Mookie Betts
Before the start of the season, Dodgers first base and infield coach Chris Woodward pulled Mookie Betts aside one day, and had him envision the ultimate end result. 'You're gonna be standing at shortstop when we win the World Series,' Woodward told Betts, the former Gold Glove right fielder in the midst of an almost unprecedented mid-career position switch. 'That's what the goal is.' Advertisement Two months into the campaign, the Dodgers believe he's checking the requisite boxes on the path towards getting there. 'I would say, right now he's playing above-average shortstop, Major League shortstop,' manager Dave Roberts said this week. 'Which is amazing, considering he just took this position up.' Read more: Shaikin: 'Another log on the fire.' Yankees eager to avenge World Series meltdown against Dodgers Betts has not only returned to shortstop this season after his unconvincing three-month stint at the position last year; but he has progressed so much that, unlike when he was moved back to right field for the stretch run of last fall's championship march, the Dodgers have no plans for a similar late-season switch this time around. Advertisement 'I don't see us making a change [like] we did last year. I don't see that happening,' Roberts said. 'He's a major league shortstop, on a championship club.' 'And,' the manager also added, 'he's only getting better.' It means that now, Betts' challenge has gone from proving he belongs at shortstop to proving he can master it by the end of the season. The goal Woodward laid out at the beginning of the year has suddenly become much more realistic now. And over the next four months, Betts' ability to polish his shortstop play looms as one of the Dodgers' biggest X-factors. 'Getting to that, even when he's as good as he is now, there's still a lot to learn,' Woodward said. 'He's done good up to this point. So how do we maintain that [progress]?' Advertisement In Year 1 of playing shortstop on a full-time basis last season, Betts' initial experience was marked by trial and (mostly) error. He struggled to make accurate throws across the diamond. He lacked the instincts and confidence to cleanly field even many routine grounders. In his three-month cameo in the role — one cut short by a midseason broken hand — he committed nine errors and ranked below-league-average in several advanced metrics. 'Last year,' first baseman Freddie Freeman said when reflecting on Betts' initial foray to the shortstop position, 'it was like a crash course.' In Year 2, on the other hand, Betts has graduated to something of a finishing school. Unlike last year, when the former MVP slugger switched positions just weeks before opening day, Betts had the entire offseason to prepare his game. Over the winter, he improved the technique of his glovework while fielding balls. He trained on how to throw from lower arm slots than he had in the outfield. He focused on keeping a wider and more athletic base in order to adapt to funny hops and unexpected spins. He established a base of fundamentals that, last year, he simply didn't have; providing renewed confidence and consistently he's been able to lean on all season. Advertisement 'Preparation,' Betts said recently about the biggest difference in his shortstop play this year. '[I have been able] to prepare, have an idea of what I'm doing, instead of just hoping that athleticism wins. At this level, it doesn't work like that. So you have to have an idea of what you're doing. And I work hard every day. I'm out there every day early. Doing what I can to be successful.' Read more: Dodgers' bullpen melts down in eighth inning as trip ends with loss to Guardians Such strides have been illustrated in Betts' defensive numbers. He currently ranks seventh among qualified MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, his three errors to this point tied for the fewest among those who have made at least 50 starts. His advanced metrics are equally encouraging, ranking top-five in outs above average and defensive runs saved. 'He looks like a major league shortstop right now,' Roberts said, 'where last year there were many times I didn't feel that way.' Advertisement A finished product, however, Betts is still not. There are subtle intricacies he has yet to fully grasp, such as where to position on relay throws from the outfield. There are infrequent, higher-difficulty plays he's yet to learn how to handle. One important teaching moment came early in the season, when Betts' inability to corral a hard hooking one-hopper in a game against the Washington Nationals led to him and the coaching staff adding more unpredictable fungo-bat fielding drills into his daily pregame routine. 'It just kind of prompted a conversation of, 'You're gonna get different types of balls, and those are pretty rare. But what's the process of catching that ball? And What do we need to practice?'' Woodward recalled, leading to changes that were enacted the very next day. Advertisement 'The drills we do now, I don't know if anybody else can make them look as easy as he now does,' Woodward added. 'When he first started, you could tell, 'Oh man, it's uncomfortable.' But now, I smoke balls at him … and he's just so under control.' Another moment of frustration came last Sunday in New York, when Betts athletically snared a bouncing ball on his forehand up the middle … but then airmailed a backhanded, off-balance flip throw to second base while trying to turn a potential double play. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base during Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. (David Dermer / Associated Press) 'That was the first time ever in my life I've had to do that,' Betts said days later, prompting him to seek out more advice from Woodward and veteran shortstop teammate Miguel Rojas. 'Miggy was telling me I can't stress about it, because he got to mess that play up in high-A [when he was first learning the position]. Woody told me he got to mess that play up in double-A. I'm messing this play up for the first time ever in my life — in the big leagues.' Advertisement For Betts, it can be a frustrating dynamic, having to endorse inevitable such struggles as he seeks his desired defensive progress. 'I definitely feel I've grown a lot, just from the routine perspective,' he said. 'But I don't want to hurt the team, man.' Which is why, in the days immediately after, he then incorporated underhand flip drills into his pregame work as well. 'You're going to have to go through those moments to learn, to understand,' said Rojas, who has been a sounding board for Betts ever since last year's initial position switch. 'I don't consider that an error. I consider it a mistake that you're gonna learn from. Because that play is gonna happen again.' Advertisement 'It's like life in general. It's about learning from your mistakes,' Freeman echoed. 'And not that that [flip play] was a mistake. But it's like, 'Now I know how to adjust off of that.' If he was not even trying to attempt things, then you'll never know what you can really achieve out there. I think he's learning his limits of what he can do. And I think that's the key to it.' Such moments, of course, also underscore the inherent risk of entrusting Betts (who still has a grand total of only 132 career MLB games at shortstop) with perhaps the sport's most challenging position. It's one thing for such a blunder to happen in a forgettable late May contest. It'd be far less forgiving if they were to continue popping up in important games down the stretch. There's also a question about whether Betts' focus on shortstop has started to have an impact on his bat, with the 32-year-old currently hitting just .254 on the season while suffering incremental dips in his underlying contact metrics. Advertisement The root of those struggles, Betts believes, stems more from bad habits he developed while recovering from a stomach virus at the start of the season that saw him lose almost 20 pounds. Then again, even though he has been able to better moderate his daily pregame workload compared to the hours he'd spend every day fielding groundrs last season, he is still 'learning a whole new position at the big-league level,' Freeman noted, 'and all his focus has been on that.' It all creates a relatively tight needle for Betts and the Dodgers to thread the rest of the year. Betts not only has to make continued strides on defense (and prove, at a bare minimum, he won't be a downgrade from the team's other in-house options, such as Rojas or Tommy Edman). But, he also get his swing back in a place to be an impact presence at the top of the lineup. 'It's a lot to take on, to be a shortstop in the big leagues,' Freeman said. 'But once he gets everything under control, I think that's when the hitting will pick right back up.' Read more: Max Muncy, Michael Conforto come alive on offense as Dodgers defeat Guardians Advertisement It figures to be an ongoing process, one that could have season-defining implications for the Dodgers' World Series title defense. Still, in the span of two months, Betts has shown enough with his glove for the Dodgers not to move him — making what started as a seemingly dubious experiment into a potentially permanent solution. 'People around baseball should be paying a little more attention to the way he's been playing short,' Rojas said. 'He's had a lot of different plays that he's been able to kind of see in games,' added Roberts. 'He's a guy that loves a challenge, and he's really realized that challenge and keeps getting better each night." Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
‘A major league shortstop, on a championship club.' Why the Dodgers don't plan to move Mookie Betts
Before the start of the season, Dodgers first base and infield coach Chris Woodward pulled Mookie Betts aside one day, and had him envision the ultimate end result. 'You're gonna be standing at shortstop when we win the World Series,' Woodward told Betts, the former Gold Glove right fielder in the midst of an almost unprecedented mid-career position switch. 'That's what the goal is.' Two months into the campaign, the Dodgers believe he's checking the requisite boxes on the path towards getting there. 'I would say, right now he's playing above-average shortstop, Major League shortstop,' manager Dave Roberts said this week. 'Which is amazing, considering he just took this position up.' Betts has not only returned to shortstop this season after his unconvincing three-month stint at the position last year; but he has progressed so much that, unlike when he was moved back to right field for the stretch run of last fall's championship march, the Dodgers have no plans for a similar late-season switch this time around. 'I don't see us making a change [like] we did last year. I don't see that happening,' Roberts said. 'He's a major league shortstop, on a championship club.' 'And,' the manager also added, 'he's only getting better.' It means that now, Betts' challenge has gone from proving he belongs at shortstop to proving he can master it by the end of the season. The goal Woodward laid out at the beginning of the year has suddenly become much more realistic now. And over the next four months, Betts' ability to polish his shortstop play looms as one of the Dodgers' biggest X-factors. 'Getting to that, even when he's as good as he is now, there's still a lot to learn,' Woodward said. 'He's done good up to this point. So how do we maintain that [progress]?' In Year 1 of playing shortstop on a full-time basis last season, Betts' initial experience was marked by trial and (mostly) error. He struggled to make accurate throws across the diamond. He lacked the instincts and confidence to cleanly field even many routine grounders. In his three-month cameo in the role — one cut short by a midseason broken hand — he committed nine errors and ranked below-league-average in several advanced metrics. 'Last year,' first baseman Freddie Freeman said when reflecting on Betts' initial foray to the shortstop position, 'it was like a crash course.' In Year 2, on the other hand, Betts has graduated to something of a finishing school. Unlike last year, when the former MVP slugger switched positions just weeks before opening day, Betts had the entire offseason to prepare his game. Over the winter, he improved the technique of his glovework while fielding balls. He trained on how to throw from lower arm slots than he had in the outfield. He focused on keeping a wider and more athletic base in order to adapt to funny hops and unexpected spins. He established a base of fundamentals that, last year, he simply didn't have; providing renewed confidence and consistently he's been able to lean on all season. 'Preparation,' Betts said recently about the biggest difference in his shortstop play this year. '[I have been able] to prepare, have an idea of what I'm doing, instead of just hoping that athleticism wins. At this level, it doesn't work like that. So you have to have an idea of what you're doing. And I work hard every day. I'm out there every day early. Doing what I can to be successful.' Such strides have been illustrated in Betts' defensive numbers. He currently ranks seventh among qualified MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, his three errors to this point tied for the fewest among those who have made at least 50 starts. His advanced metrics are equally encouraging, ranking top-five in outs above average and defensive runs saved. 'He looks like a major league shortstop right now,' Roberts said, 'where last year there were many times I didn't feel that way.' A finished product, however, Betts is still not. There are subtle intricacies he has yet to fully grasp, such as where to position on relay throws from the outfield. There are infrequent, higher-difficulty plays he's yet to learn how to handle. One important teaching moment came early in the season, when Betts' inability to corral a hard hooking one-hopper in a game against the Washington Nationals led to him and the coaching staff adding more unpredictable fungo-bat fielding drills into his daily pregame routine. 'It just kind of prompted a conversation of, 'You're gonna get different types of balls, and those are pretty rare. But what's the process of catching that ball? And What do we need to practice?'' Woodward recalled, leading to changes that were enacted the very next day. 'The drills we do now, I don't know if anybody else can make them look as easy as he now does,' Woodward added. 'When he first started, you could tell, 'Oh man, it's uncomfortable.' But now, I smoke balls at him … and he's just so under control.' Another moment of frustration came last Sunday in New York, when Betts athletically snared a bouncing ball on his forehand up the middle … but then airmailed a backhanded, off-balance flip throw to second base while trying to turn a potential double play. 'That was the first time ever in my life I've had to do that,' Betts said days later, prompting him to seek out more advice from Woodward and veteran shortstop teammate Miguel Rojas. 'Miggy was telling me I can't stress about it, because he got to mess that play up in high-A [when he was first learning the position]. Woody told me he got to mess that play up in double-A. I'm messing this play up for the first time ever in my life — in the big leagues.' For Betts, it can be a frustrating dynamic, having to endorse inevitable such struggles as he seeks his desired defensive progress. 'I definitely feel I've grown a lot, just from the routine perspective,' he said. 'But I don't want to hurt the team, man.' Which is why, in the days immediately after, he then incorporated underhand flip drills into his pregame work as well. 'You're going to have to go through those moments to learn, to understand,' said Rojas, who has been a sounding board for Betts ever since last year's initial position switch. 'I don't consider that an error. I consider it a mistake that you're gonna learn from. Because that play is gonna happen again.' 'It's like life in general. It's about learning from your mistakes,' Freeman echoed. 'And not that that [flip play] was a mistake. But it's like, 'Now I know how to adjust off of that.' If he was not even trying to attempt things, then you'll never know what you can really achieve out there. I think he's learning his limits of what he can do. And I think that's the key to it.' Such moments, of course, also underscore the inherent risk of entrusting Betts (who still has a grand total of only 132 career MLB games at shortstop) with perhaps the sport's most challenging position. It's one thing for such a blunder to happen in a forgettable late May contest. It'd be far less forgiving if they were to continue popping up in important games down the stretch. There's also a question about whether Betts' focus on shortstop has started to have an impact on his bat, with the 32-year-old currently hitting just .254 on the season while suffering incremental dips in his underlying contact metrics. The root of those struggles, Betts believes, stems more from bad habits he developed while recovering from a stomach virus at the start of the season that saw him lose almost 20 pounds. Then again, even though he has been able to better moderate his daily pregame workload compared to the hours he'd spend every day fielding groundrs last season, he is still 'learning a whole new position at the big-league level,' Freeman noted, 'and all his focus has been on that.' It all creates a relatively tight needle for Betts and the Dodgers to thread the rest of the year. Betts not only has to make continued strides on defense (and prove, at a bare minimum, he won't be a downgrade from the team's other in-house options, such as Rojas or Tommy Edman). But, he also get his swing back in a place to be an impact presence at the top of the lineup. 'It's a lot to take on, to be a shortstop in the big leagues,' Freeman said. 'But once he gets everything under control, I think that's when the hitting will pick right back up.' It figures to be an ongoing process, one that could have season-defining implications for the Dodgers' World Series title defense. Still, in the span of two months, Betts has shown enough with his glove for the Dodgers not to move him — making what started as a seemingly dubious experiment into a potentially permanent solution. 'People around baseball should be paying a little more attention to the way he's been playing short,' Rojas said. 'He's had a lot of different plays that he's been able to kind of see in games,' added Roberts. 'He's a guy that loves a challenge, and he's really realized that challenge and keeps getting better each night.'
