Latest news with #Mendoza
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jose Butto makes return as key Mets bullpen pieces start to fall into place
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free José Buttó's final line wasn't great for the Mets on Wednesday, but the return of a proven arm was a welcome development for the club. Slowly, the Mets bullpen is regaining pieces — even as team brass searches for an upgrade or two heading to the trade deadline. Buttó allowed two earned runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning in the 6-3 victory over the Angels at Citi Field, but he was picked up by Brooks Raley — who got the final out in the seventh and two more in the eighth. 'With Buttó, I liked the velocity, and he threw strikes,' Carlos Mendoza said. 'In general, I didn't see big misses or the velo wasn't there, it just didn't go his way today.' Buttó had been sidelined with an illness since July 1. He joined the lefty Raley, whose rehab from Tommy John surgery ended last week, as another high-leverage option for the bullpen in recent days. '[Buttó] has been a big part of our bullpen, and we felt it when he went down,' Mendoza said before the game. 'This is a guy who helps you bridge the gap and get the ball to the back end of the bullpen.' José Buttó throws a pitch during the seventh inning of the Mets' 6-3 win over the Angels on July 23, 2025. Robert Sabo / New York Post Buttó owns a 2.84 ERA in 32 appearances this season. That Raley, in his third appearance off the IL, could return for two outs in the eighth after escaping trouble in the seventh was 'huge,' according to Mendoza. Raley had retired Mike Trout, the potential tying run, in the seventh. 'We are asking a lot out of him right out of the gate,' Mendoza said. 'Ideally, I didn't want to push him to [29] pitches, but that is where we were today.' Brooks Raley throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the Mets' win over the Angels. Jason Szenes / New York Post Earlier this week, president of baseball operations David Stearns identified the bullpen as a primary focus heading into the July 31 trade deadline. Justin Garza was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to clear space for Buttó. Paul Blackburn, who is rehabbing from a shoulder impingement, felt good in his minor league outing on Wednesday and will start another game for Syracuse before he's considered for a return, according to Mendoza. Delivering insights on all things Amazin's Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters The right-hander will serve as rotation insurance — and as the sixth starter when needed — in addition to long relief. Jesse Winker has not yet progressed to baseball activities as he rehabs a lower back strain, according to Mendoza. Starling Marte, in his first appearance since returning from the IL a day earlier, finished 2-for-4 with a double. Marte is 24-for-67 (.358) with an .875 OPS over his past 18 games.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Progressive Dem rep faces backlash for calling ICE 'Nazi thugs' while defending MS-13 gang member
A progressive Democratic state representative sparked controversy after referring to ICE agents as "Nazi Gestapo thugs" following an ICE operation in Providence, Rhode Island, that resulted in the arrest of a known MS-13 gang member. "The Nazi Gestapo ICE thugs kidnapped another of our neighbors in Providence this morning. This time on Alverson St.," wrote Rep. Enrique Sanchez in social media posts. "The ICE thugs damaged a couple of residents' cars as well. They think they are above the law. I strongly condemn this act of terror and will be demanding answers and seeking action tomorrow. I am tired of this s**t. Providence doesn't want ICE thugs in our city." The arrest in question was of Ivan Rene Mendoza Meza, a 27-year-old Honduran national illegally present in the U.S. and a self-admitted member of the violent MS-13 gang. ICE sources told Fox News that during the operation, Mendoza attempted to flee, causing a crash by striking ICE vehicles before running into his apartment. He was eventually surrounded and surrendered to agents. Mendoza was seen smirking in his arrest photo, seeming to be unfazed by his capture. Mendoza has a history of criminal activity, including fentanyl trafficking charges in Rhode Island. ICE Boston had previously lodged an immigration detainer against him following those charges in August 2023. However, the 6th District Court of Rhode Island declined to honor the detainer, releasing Mendoza without notifying ICE, forcing agents to locate and arrest him in the community. According to ICE Boston spokesperson James Covington, "Mendoza is a self-admitted member of MS-13 in Honduras and states he has committed crimes on behalf of the gang." ICE spokesperson Emily Covington criticized Sanchez's remarks: "Mr. Sanchez thinks so little of his community that he refers to ruthless MS-13 as his 'neighbors'? What say you, Providence? The only 'thugs' we see are the illegal terrorist gangbangers we are trying to remove from the neighborhoods of Providence." Mendoza originally entered the U.S. illegally near San Ysidro, California, in May 2019 and was quickly returned to Mexico. However, officials say he later re-entered the country unlawfully at an unknown time and place. Sanchez, who has strongly opposed immigration enforcement, taunted ICE agents on Sunday after a farmworker died from injuries sustained from a fall during an immigration enforcement raid on a California cannabis farm. "F*** ICE," Sanchez wrote. "Vallanse a la chingada ICE." "State Representative Enrique Sanchez (D), who was arrested for DUI earlier this year, calls ICE agents "Nazi Gestapo thugs" in an online rant after an MS-13 gang member facing fentanyl charges was arrested with a smile across his face," Libs of TikTok commented on Sanchez's statements. "Just Democrats supporting criminal alien gangs over American citizens." In 2023, Sanchez filed RI H5461, a bill to give illegal immigrants the right to vote in the state. However, the bill was tabled for further study a month after it was introduced.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Laura Washington: Chicago mayoral wannabes are already edging to the gate
Elections, elections. They never seem to stop coming at us. The next Chicago mayoral election comes in February 2027 — 19 months from now. The race unofficially kicked off last week. While no contestant has formally announced, the wannabes are already edging to the gate. Starting with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Word is, she has been mulling a challenge to Mayor Brandon Johnson for months. Before her three-term stint as the state's chief financial officer, this high-energy politician served as an Illinois state representative and the city clerk for Chicago. She ran for mayor in 2019, coming in fifth in a nine-candidate field. If Mendoza were reelected as comptroller in November 2026, she would take office just months before the Feb. 23 mayoral election. Running for one office while turning around to bid for another is bad optics, not to mention a perilous juggling act. Hence, she called the news media to a restaurant in the Little Village neighborhood last week to announce that she would not seek a fourth term. Mendoza has pledged to serve out her current term, but she is surely testing the waters for a second mayoral run. 'I'm definitely leaving the door open,' she told reporters. She has plenty of not-so-indirect criticisms of Johnson's leadership. 'I think that Chicago is in dire need of competency, someone who understands the needs of the city,' she told reporters. 'I think we've had two very unsuccessful mayors in a row. So, Chicagoans, let me just say that Chicagoans deserve better; they deserve a lot better.' Johnson pushed back when he was asked about her comments: 'I don't think much about her candidacy,' he said. 'In fact, she tried this already, and apparently Chicagoans did not think too much of her candidacy, either.' Touché. Still, a chorus of critics and supporters alike has been weighing in on Johnson's tenure, spurred on by his low performance ratings in recent polls. A series of missteps and controversies have hamstrung Johnson's progressive agenda. Potential challengers are making the rounds to test the political waters. Given Johnson's vulnerabilities, he's sure to face a raft of challengers. Our incessantly talkative mayor isn't saying much about 2027, but he has heard the message. He's been hitting events and rallies in the city's African American neighborhoods, to bulk up his strongest base. The potential competition is getting itchy. That includes contenders such as Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He is running for reelection in November 2026 and was endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party last week. He's widely believed to be hankering for a mayoral run. Unlike Mendoza, Giannoulias declined to pick a lane. Chicago business owner Willie Wilson has continued his philanthropic ways, hosting gas and grocery giveaways, writing op-eds and boosting his profile. He cultivates the limelight, with three previous runs for mayor and even a try for president of the United States. While Wilson captured about 10% in his mayoral forays, he may not be able to resist a fourth time around. Maria Pappas, the flamboyantly popular baton-twirling Cook County treasurer, has been feeding mayoral rumors, declaring at one point that she was open to a draft. Will Paul Vallas return for a grudge match? He lost the 2023 runoff to Johnson by 4 points. Since then, he has been a ubiquitous and angry Johnson critic. He would lean on his experience as a former Chicago Public Schools CEO and City Hall budget chief. That didn't work the first time, but who knows? Brendan Reilly, Bill Conway and Brian Hopkins are high-profile aldermen who know how to maneuver a microphone and have cultivated deep ties to the downtown corporate types. Their problem: If they mount a mayoral run, they must give up their City Council seats. That would be a rare move for a sitting City Council member. Janice K. Jackson, who also served as a CPS CEO, is stepping down from a four-year stint as the founding CEO of Hope Chicago, a nonprofit that offers debt-free college scholarships and wraparound services to students and parents. She has just been named executive director of Aspen Institute's education and society program. Jackson, who earned solid reviews for her leadership at CPS, could tout that experience in an appeal to voters. My wild card: Lisa Madigan. The former Illinois attorney general might resume her political career with a mayoral run. She left office in 2019 after serving four terms as the state's chief legal officer and previously served her North Side district as an Illinois state senator. Now in private practice at the law firm Kirkland and Ellis, Madigan could bring credibility and credentials to a serious campaign. Yes, Michael Madigan, the disgraced former Illinois speaker of the House, is her father. The sins of the father should not be visited on the daughter. While a certain U.S. president might wish so, elections are not going anywhere. More to come in the race for City Hall, and soon.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jeff McNeil giving Mets flexibility after another solid start in center field
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free On Monday, David Stearns suggested that the need for center field help had been somewhat diminished because of Jeff McNeil's growing comfort at the spot. On Tuesday, for just the second time this season, McNeil was penciled in as the Mets center fielder for a second straight day. The club says that their confidence is growing in the longtime infielder in center, but cautioned that he probably will not grow into an everyday option at the demanding position. Playing McNeil on the grass allows the Mets to find spots for Brett Baty (who started at second base), Ronny Mauricio (third) and Mark Vientos (DH), all of whom have shown more with the bat than Tyrone Taylor. McNeil, meanwhile, has continued to hit and has played an acceptable center field, impressive for a 33-year-old who is in the 20th percentile in sprint speed, according to Statcast. 'Not only making the routine plays, but some of the plays, the balls in the gap, he cuts the ball [off] and keeps that runner at first,' manager Carlos Mendoza said of McNeil before he went 0-for-3 in the 3-2 win over the Angels. 'Just things like that that he continues to get more comfortable as he continues to play out there.' McNeil, who entered play with an .814 OPS, being able to frequently play center to squeeze another bat into the lineup and put Taylor (.572 OPS) on the bench would solve a Mets offensive problem and would dissuade Stearns from making plenty of calls for help with center field. Jeff McNeil catches a fly ball in center field during the Mets' win over the Angels on July 21, 2025. Getty Images But the prospect of significant time in center field for McNeil, who has dealt with many injuries including to his hamstring in his eight MLB seasons, gives Mendoza pause. 'We have to be mindful. … We have to take care of him as well,' Mendoza said. 'TT will continue to get reps there. He's a really good player.' The Mets activated Starling Marte off the injured list. Starling Marte (right) celebrates with Pete Alonso (center) and Francisco Lindor after the Mets' 3-2 win over the Angels on July 22, 2025. Corey Sipkin for New York Post Marte did not start, but Mendoza said the righty could pinch hit or serve as DH in the coming days. Marte had been sidelined since July 6 with a knee bruise that was suffered on a rare day Marte played the outfield. Mendoza said the injury might have surfaced from playing the field, but he also said Marte was playing nearly every day at that point in the season. Delivering insights on all things Amazin's Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Mendoza said he 'wouldn't hesitate' to play Marte in the field again. 'After the [gel] shot, we feel like — he feels like — he's in a good spot,' Mendoza said. The Mets placed Brandon Waddell on the 15-day injured list with a right hip impingement that the lefty suffered while slipping on the mound in Friday's loss to the Reds.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Fernando Mendoza: Preseason scouting report for the new Indiana QB
There's a Lot To Like, but Ball Security Needs Improvement in 2025 Mendoza is an exceptional passer when given time and space to operate, but his game has clear limitations thanks to mostly average tools. He has good size at 6'5', 225 pounds, but he will need to get stronger and quicker to avoid traffic in the pocket. As a passer, Mendoza is solidly above average. His arm strength is borderline excellent, and he can pick defenses apart when his protection holds up. He routinely delivers throws with plenty of zip and is at his best in the intermediate area, working off play-action. He's highly effective in rhythm and doesn't lose arm strength or accuracy on designed rollouts. He'll need better deep ball consistency, as deep shots tend to be underthrown or behind the target, and he also needs to work on his touch when layering throws. That said, Mendoza is still a highly accurate and effective passer. Check out my full Fernando Mendoza preseason report and grade on my Substack. His processing is borderline NFL-ready, but his anticipation and decision-making must improve. There were multiple awful interceptions on last year's film simply because he didn't recognize a linebacker sitting underneath the target. Mendoza is not a running threat, but is smart enough to take advantage of what the defense gives him. His average athleticism and speed show in space, so don't expect him to be part of the rushing attack at Indiana. Overall, Mendoza's passing ability is solid, and his average athletic tools are tolerable given his NFL-ready arm strength and accuracy. His processing and anticipation must be more consistent in 2025, but Mendoza has a chance to be high on NFL draft boards next spring.
