Latest news with #VeteranPlayer
Washington Post
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
He's back! 41-year-old reliever Jesse Chavez returns again for his seventh stint with Braves
ATLANTA — Jesse Chavez has returned yet again for his seventh stint with the Atlanta Braves, including his second this season. The Braves added the 41-year-old reliever to their major league roster before Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. It is the sixth move to add the veteran right-hander to Atlanta's roster since 2021 and the seventh overall since 2009.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Still Has Hopes for Struggling Veteran Fan Favorite
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Still Has Hopes for Struggling Veteran Fan Favorite originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to yet another stellar start in 2025, leading the entire MLB with their 54-32 record through 86 games. The Dodgers hold an eight-game lead in their division, and have been led by many of their stars in 2025. Advertisement However, one Los Angeles mainstay has struggled in 2025. Dodgers' veteran utility player Kiké Hernández has had a rough start to the season. Hernández is hitting just .206 with a .660 OPS, and he's struggling even more against left-handed pitching, hitting just .188, which has been his strength throughout his career. However, Dave Roberts recently gave his vote of confidence in the veteran, that he trusts Hernández will be able to turn it around. 'Part of [Hernández'] role on the team is to be productive versus left-handed pitchers," Roberts said (h/t "He's shown it throughout his career. I think that giving (Michael) Conforto a day here or there versus a lefty, giving Max (Muncy) a day here or there versus a lefty, I think that makes a lot of sense.' Advertisement Roberts acknowledged that giving some other guys a shot is in the cards, but that Hernández's track record speaks for itself. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The veteran is in his 12th year in the MLB, and his ninth with the Dodgers. He's become a fan favorite in Los Angeles with his stellar defensive play and timely production in the postseason. In his career with the Dodgers, he's never been one of the stars at the plate during the regular season. His career average in Los Angeles is just .237 with a .719 OPS. However, he ranks in the 79th percentile among qualified players in Outs Above Average, and his postseason hitting has helped the Dodgers win in October. Advertisement Hernández has played postseason baseball in nine of his 12 years in the MLB and holds an impressive .278 BA with an .874 OPS, and 15 home runs to go with 35 RBI. In the Dodgers' World Series run last season, the veteran hit .294 with an .808 OPS, and the year prior, he hit .375 in the postseason. The Dodgers' fan favorite may be struggling this season, but he's earned the trust and hope of his manager based on his track record throughout his career and the postseason. Plus, there are plenty of other stars to carry the weight as Hernández works through his struggles. It's also worth noting, last season Hernández started the first half of the season hitting .191, and finished the season with a .274 BA. So, there's reason for optimism that the Dodgers' veteran will eventually break out of his slump. Advertisement Related: Dodgers Prospect Dud Expected to Be Wanted During MLB Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider reveals trade deadline test for DJ LeMahieu's Yankees future
Insider reveals trade deadline test for DJ LeMahieu's Yankees future originally appeared on Athlon Sports. DJ LeMahieu's home run in Sunday night's loss to the Red Sox offered a glimpse of the veteran's offensive spark, but behind the scenes, the New York Yankees are quietly watching a bigger challenge unfold. According to longtime baseball insider Joel Sherman, LeMahieu isn't just competing against opposing pitchers, he's racing against Father Time as well. Advertisement LeMahieu turns 37 on July 13, just three weeks before the trade deadline, and Sherman notes that the window for him to demonstrate his value may be closing fast consistently. While no Yankees official publicly acknowledges this pressure, it is becoming obvious. LeMahieu has until mid-July to prove he can be counted on to contribute at a high level. "He has a month, maybe a drop more, to show he is still a starting player in whom the Yankees can invest faith," Sherman wrote. At 37, age begins to factor heavily into a player's ability to be productive. For a team like the Yankees, with championship aspirations, it's a brutal reality. LeMahieu is a two-time batting champion who has shown veteran leadership in that clubhouse for almost six years now. New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu reacts against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2025. © John Jones-Imagn Images LeMahieu has a .278 batting average, 76 home runs, 310 RBIs, and 386 runs scored in 692 games since joining the Yankees in 2019. Notably, he won the 2020 AL batting title with a .364 average. However, over the past two seasons, his offensive production has declined as he has been limited by injuries, with a .259 average, one home run, and 8 RBIs in 2025. Advertisement LeMahieu has heavy support in that clubhouse. Aaron Judge calls him one of his most respected teammates. Aaron Boone has backed him all along. Sunday's homer was a reminder that LeMahieu still has pop and offensive potential, but Sherman's report underscores a quiet urgency around his performance. The Yankees' front office will be closely evaluating every game in this stretch as they decide whether LeMahieu fits into their playoff and offseason plans. For LeMahieu, the coming weeks aren't just about hitting well or making plays; it's about keeping his career alive. Related: Yankees Jazz Chisholm, Jr. Shuts Down Red Sox Controversy Ahead of Series Related: Yankees Closer Pushing Recovery With New Treatment Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
