“I want an impact arm at the end of the game…. I want to have big arms in the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings for the Yankees,” said Steve Phillips on the latest interview with MLB Radio.

Steve Phillips believes the Yankees do not have a rotation problem, especially given that their starters consistently go over 5 innings. But he says the real issue lies in the bullpen, especially in close games that go into the late innings. He believes those moments will decide how far the Yankees go this season.

And the White Sox game was a perfect example of this.

“I want to have big arms in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th innings for the Yankees.”

There’s one big hole for Brian Cashman to fill ahead of this year’s trade deadline @Yankees | #RepBX
https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/PrIXTsHbhQ

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 22, 2026

Camilo Doval gave up a grand slam to Andrew Benintendi on the first pitch. Fernando Cruz allowed a double before Tim Hill hit two batters. All this happened just in the eighth inning.

After that, the Yankees fell behind and lost the game 5-1. It showed how quickly late innings can fall apart under pressure.

The Yankees bullpen currently has a 3.33 ERA, which ranks 4^th in MLB. They allow just 0.82 home runs per nine innings, which ranks 5^th in MLB. But the strikeout rate of 8.73 Ks per nine ranks them 14^th in the league.

The Yankees have already lost 12 games this season due to late blown leads.

They also sit around 11th in the league in blown saves this year. Doval holds a 5.08 ERA with left-handed hitters batting .368 against him. Bednar and Cruz have had good stretches but still lack consistency in key moments. Like the game against the White Sox, where Cruz gave up a run in 0.2 innings.

That mix has made the bullpen, especially in late games, a bit less dependable than usual.

Because of this, late-inning arms become the real focus for the Yankees. The White Sox’s loss showed how one inning can change everything instantly. The team may have enough starters but not enough trust in tight games. Steve Phillips says that the gap is what will hurt them in October. And right now, that warning still feels very real.

Here are 3 names the Yankees can add to help them in the back end of the game

David Bednar, Jake Bird, and Mark Leiter Jr. have failed to lock down consistent late innings. This has left the Yankees exposed in close games where every pitch matters. The reality is simple: this bullpen is not built for a deep October run.

So there are a few names that Brian Cashman can add to make their team dependable in late games, especially when they are close.

The first name is Kenley Jansen. Jansen is one of the names the Yankees could turn to for stability. He has 483 career saves and a 2.20 ERA across 59 postseason appearances.

He has closed games in pressure situations for years and understands October baseball better than most relievers. The Yankees could use him in the ninth inning or even earlier in tight spots. If added, he could be the final piece that brings calm to chaotic late innings.

The second name on the list is Kevin Ginkel. Ginkel brings a different kind of solution with control and consistency.

He carries a 2.60 ERA this season with a 28.6% strikeout rate that ranks him as one of the best strong bullpen arms in the league. His slider has held hitters to a .136 average and produced a 44.2% whiff rate. He also delivered 10 straight scoreless innings during Arizona’s 2023 playoff run.

For the Yankees, he fits as a steady setup arm who can handle high-leverage moments at any point in the game.

The last name on the list is Pete Fairbanks. Fairbanks is the high-risk, high-reward option in this group.

His 6.75 ERA with Miami shows a rough season filled with inconsistency and injury. But his fastball still sits at 97.2 mph, and his slider has a 57.1% whiff rate. This changes the game. He has spent years facing AL East hitters and understands those matchups very well.

If he finds rhythm again, he could become a dangerous late-inning weapon.

Right now, the Yankees’ bullpen does not look like a championship unit. Every option brings something different, from Jansen’s experience to Ginkel’s control to Fairbanks’ raw power.

Any one of them would raise the floor of this bullpen in the very first game. Without a move like this, the late innings, especially in close games, could remain the Yankees’ biggest weakness when it matters most.

The post Brian Cashman Told to Fill Glaring Hole as Yankees Struggle Ahead of Trade Deadline appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I think Craig Breslow realizes that his time could be coming near. There’s a lot of pressure on him,” said Bob Nightengale, per Foul Territory. “I think maybe Craig Breslow is saying let’s throw these guys (scouts) out there.”

Under Breslow, the Red Sox had significantly reduced and restructured their scouting program. It was a budget-saving move, as the Red Sox also turned to video data and analytics to select players. But in the past few weeks, the presence of Red Sox scouts in games has drastically increased. It indicates a quiet shift in strategy within the organization.

Breslow’s original cuts were meant to save money, but the reversal suggests ownership is losing confidence in his cost-cutting model.

The Red Sox suddenly assigning scouts to games could mean Craig Breslow is beginning to realize that his seat is getting hot, says @BNightengale… pic.twitter.com/eRvWCO1imP

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 22, 2026

In March 2025, the Red Sox reportedly reduced their amateur scouting department to 22 members from the previous 34. However, they hired four more scouts later. But the changeup did not bring the results they wanted. After a brief playoff run last year, the Red Sox have suffered badly this year, as key players like Roman Anthony (.229 BA) and Garrett Crochet (6.30 ERA) failed to make an impact. Furthermore, Crochet is under a six-year, $170 million contract that runs through 2031, with a club option for the remaining years.

But the Red Sox suddenly assigning scouts to MLB games amid speculation of becoming sellers before the August 3 trade deadline is indicative. The Red Sox may not hit reset mode at all, as everyone thought. Instead, they might be looking to trade away pieces to bring in players who can help them salvage their season.

In a USA Today column, Nightengale pointed out, “The Red Sox scored three or fewer runs in 55.6% of the games, going 3-12 (.200 winning percentage) in those games, before manager Alex Cora was fired this season. They have also scored three or fewer runs in 55.6% of the games under interim manager Chad Tracy, going 5-20 (.200 winning percentage).”

So whether there will be anything left to save by the time the trade deadline rolls around depends on how the Red Sox perform in the upcoming months. It will perhaps also decide whether Breslow keeps his job in Boston. Though Sam Kennedy had assured a few weeks earlier that firing Breslow is not even on the table, it’s not set in stone. The Red Sox ownership would likely not give any warning if they decide to fire him anyway. The Philadelphia Phillies also ended up firing Rob Thomson despite Dave Dombrowski saying otherwise before.

At this point, nothing better than a turnaround can cement Breslow’s job. However, if not saving the season, acquiring top talent for the future can be his next best option.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have received a positive update about their 29-year-old star, Romy Gonzalez.

Romy Gonzalez ready to resume rehab

Romy Gonzalez’s timeline for returning to the MLB scenario has gone through ups and downs in the past couple of days. After a shoulder surgery in March, he has missed the entire season till now. However, he had started his much-awaited rehab assignment. Gonzalez’s first rehab start was successful; he drove in two runs. But he hit a setback in the next.

During his second rehab game on Friday, hip flexor soreness forced him to shut down midway, after only two plate appearances. However, Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reported that Gonzalez will resume his rehab on Tuesday. He will start with Triple-A Worcester. If all goes to plan, Gonzalez can return to the Red Sox lineup by the end of June.

In his 96 games last season, Gonzalez was electric for the Red Sox. He slashed .305/.343/.483 with 35 extra-base hits in 341 plate appearances. The Red Sox could definitely use Gonzalez’s bat if he had retained his form after the injury.

The post Craig Breslow’s Red Sox Job Turns Murky as Team Makes Sudden Decisions, Says Insider appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Arguably. Because the Blue Jays’ 1B, apart from batting at .279 with a .735 OPS, has hit only 4 home runs this season. Ben Rice, for the New York Yankees, has a 1.004 OPS while hitting 22 HRs so far. But more than 1.4 million votes have put Guerrero over Rice, who has only managed 882,772 votes till Monday. 

When the first official update arrived on June 15, Guerrero was just over 603K votes while Rice was 170 shy of 510K. Guerrero’s votes more than doubled in a week, and the trend extends across the entire infield. The entire infield and DH category has Toronto players either at the top or in the second position. 

Ernie Clemente has over 2 million votes. The Blue Jays’ 2B has a .751 OPS. Ezequiel Duran (Texas Rangers) has a .750, Jose Altuve (Houston Astros) managed .707, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees) has a .719 OPS. Yet, these three together have fewer than three-fourths of the votes of Clemente. 

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has played just 11 games this season. He has a .200 batting average and a .598 OPS. Yet he is 2nd in his category. Meanwhile, Dillon Dinger from the Detroit Tigers earned fewer votes despite 18 HRs and 55 RBIs this season. 

Latest American League All-Star ballot update pic.twitter.com/MM9xEuC9jg

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 22, 2026

It’s not just about first base. Almost the entire voting system has fueled huge fan frustration. But this isn’t new. In fact, the baseball community goes through this almost every year. And the fact that MLB allows a person to vote 5 times a day makes it entirely illogical for many fans. 

Call for banning fan votes rises as Guerrero and Jays take tremendous lead

Fans are largely unhappy with Guerrero leading the 1B in AL. They believe there are far more deserving candidates for the position, with one fan pointing out, “Kurtz being that low is crazy.”

Nick Kurtz is 4th in the same category. The A’s first baseman is batting at .290. He has 19 homers and managed 61 RBIs this season. Munetaka Murakami is between him and Rice. The Chicago White Sox infielder recorded 20 HRs and a .938 OPS. 

All of them have better stats than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And the same goes for almost all the other Blue Jays candidates. 

“Dingler & McGonigle both being robbed bc Blue Jays got a bot farm for voting,” read one comment. 

Just like his teammate, the Tigers’ SS Kevin McGonigle is 3rd in his category. He is batting at .283 and has managed an .820 OPS. Andrés Giménez, the Toronto shortstop, is just above him with a .232 AVG and .648 OPS. 

It’s hard not to notice the pattern. Especially when so many Blue Jays are leading the categories. 

“The entire blue jays infield is top 2 in each position, fan voting got to go. Ben rice should be the starter for first base no question,” wrote a fan. 

Another social media user reflected the same frustration, saying, “Blue jays in top two in all 6 non-OF positions. Reminds me of Royals fans stuffing ballot box for all their guys year after winning World Series.”

MLB experienced one of the worst examples of ballot stuffing in 2015. The Kansas City Royals fans managed to put 7 of their players in leading positions in their respective categories. 

The Royals lost the 2014 World Series to San Francisco but won in 2015. Now, ironically, the Blue Jays suffered a World Series defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. It would be a wild guess to say that Toronto fans are trying to indicate something here. 

“An entire country is improperly swaying voting results,” another fan offered some bitter truth. 

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only team from Canada, and the remaining 29 are US-based. This means the other clubs represent cities or states, while the Jays represent an entire nation. 

But there’s nothing wrong with that. However, the problem here is that the US fans are divided among too many teams, and the Canadians are unified by one. That’s what makes the huge difference in fan voting. 

Even then, most baseball lovers would have accepted such passion and loyalty, unless there were more deserving players from other teams. That’s what the people are protesting and calling to ban fan voting. Besides, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his team are 3rd in their own division with a below .500 record. 

So far, there hasn’t been any improvement since last week’s update. And Phase 1 will end on June 25. Many fans are waiting for the June 29 to July 2 window so they can attempt to overturn some of the snubbing during phase 2. 

The post MLB Fans Vent Frustration as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Surpasses Ben Rice in Crucial Race appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“Stearns has done some good things. Now, has it all worked out? No, it has not all worked out. But [if] you change your head of baseball operations, you’re kind of starting all over again,” Ken Rosenthal delivered a clear warning in a Foul Territory podcast on Monday.

The Mets had a good first half last season with a 55-42 record. But they lost 37 games after the All-Star break and threw away their chances of a postseason. While the fans expected better results, their disappointment started early with New York at 7-19 in April. The Mets are currently 26th in MLB with a .232 batting average and have a -31 run differential. And most people point toward their flawed roster development. 

Many diehards believe that the franchise stripped the clubhouse of its identity when they let go of homegrown stars like Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was traded away in November after batting at .262 with 25 HRs. Marcus Semien arrived from the Texas Rangers as part of that deal but is struggling with a .219 AVG and .626 OPS. 

The Mets spent $126 million on Bo Bichette, and he hasn’t been as productive as expected. In fact, his .658 OPS has already created some noise about him forfeiting his last two years of the contract. 

Moving on from David Stearns because of this season might not be the appropriate move, says @Ken_Rosenthal.

"You've had some good things happen under him. He just needs to make better decisions." pic.twitter.com/nEXD3o9Hee

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 22, 2026

The front office also earned some solid criticism for roping in players like Luis Robert Jr. and Jorge Polanco. Both are historically injury-prone and are currently sidelined. While the team expects Robert to return in the second half, there is no update on Polanco’s return. 

Fans have been calling for Stearns’ exit since last season. That noise has only intensified this season as the Mets have yet to find an answer for their ongoing struggles. Many believe that a brutal firing is inevitable.

Some have suggested that the team should think about the future and start rebuilding.

While that has been the buzz around the Mets, Rosenthal has warned Stearns to be cautious, since an overhaul might replace him as well. But he has also warned the franchise that it might not be the best idea.

Firing the head of baseball ops can significantly disrupt whatever flow the franchise has managed so far. That’s why the analyst suggested the Mets continue with him till the next season and see if Stearns can make some improvements in the offseason.

And he has some solid reasons for backing David Stearns.

Rosenthal points to Mets’ young core as reason for patience toward Stearns

His biggest point of argument is the Mets’ farm system.

Rosenthal pointed out how Stearns helped create “an environment where A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge in particular could come up.” 

The Mets called up Ewing after Roberts suffered an injury. He managed 33 hits and 14 runs in 37 games, recording a .722 OPS. Benge has the same OPS, but he recorded 42 runs through 20 extra bases, including 9 homers. 

Then there’s Nolan McLean, who made his debut last year. The starter has a 3.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 2026. The 24-year-old homegrown righty has established himself as one of the most dependable arms on the roster. 

These instances do make a strong case for David Stearns. But as the overall performance of the team suggests, this has not been enough. 

Rosenthal isn’t asking for blind faith in the man. His suggestion for having patience with Stearns comes with the most practical condition. 

“Stearns clearly is going to have to make better decisions,” the analyst made his stance clear. 

But if the situation doesn’t improve, the analyst expects the New York Mets to find a replacement for David Stearns next year.

The post Mets Warned Against Brutal David Stearns Move Despite New York’s Turbulent Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“Breaking: Per the transaction wire, Benny Montgomery has retired from professional baseball. Sources within the #Rockies organization have confirmed that the club’s 2021 first-round pick has elected to step away from the game,” Eli Whitney of Blake Street Banter reported.

Breaking: Per the transaction wire, Benny Montgomery has retired from professional baseball.

Sources within the #Rockies organization have confirmed that the club’s 2021 first-round pick has elected to step away from the game. @blakestbanter

— Eli Whitney (@eliwhtney17) June 22, 2026

The Rockies drafted Montgomery straight out of his high school, Red Land HS, in 2021. He was the eighth pick overall in the first round. Montgomery’s raw power and athleticism projected him as the pick for the Rockies in the 2021 class, where Jackson Merrill and Sal Frelick were available. However, Montgomery could only make it to Double-A before he retired.

With the Rockies currently being the worst in MLB, they might hit reset mode soon, and their prospects may get a call-up. Clearly, Montgomery did not want to test that theory. Nevertheless, Montgomery’s slash line this year reads .203/.272/.372 with 7 homers and 22 RBI in 41 games.

After being promoted to Double-A Hartford in 2024, he could never really get the best of Double-A pitching, striking out 209 times in three seasons and hitting 13 home runs. His inconsistent health had a huge role to play.

Montgomery suffered from a groin injury in 2022 when he was playing at the Single-A level. But it did not end there, as his luck ran out again in 2024 when he was promoted to Double-A and was hitting .283. He dislocated his shoulder, an injury that might have derailed his entire baseball career. Upon returning from injury, he never quite regained his touch as he registered a .201 batting average last season.

Now, scheduled to become a minor league free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, Montgomery opened the year back in Hartford. But after 41 games this season, the 23-year-old has arrived at the shocking and sudden decision to quit baseball. But Montgomery is not the first young player to retire this season.

The Blue Jays’ 26-year-old prospect, Ryan Jennings, also retired this month. He was a reliever at Triple-A Buffalo and on the verge of an MLB debut. Meanwhile, the Rockies are making roster moves amid a disastrous season.

The Rockies optioned Sterlin Thompson to Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies announced a couple of roster moves recently. It included activating Mickey Moniak and optioning Sterlin Thompson in a corresponding move.

Thompson, the Rockies’ No. 13 prospect, was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in May 2026. In his first 27 major league games, he hit .232 (16-for-69) with two homers and 10 RBI. However, with Moniak ready to be activated, Thompson’s time in the big leagues was up. He will now head to Triple-A again.

The Rockies reinstated Moniak on Monday from the 10-day IL. He developed right-ankle tendinitis after crashing into the center field wall in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 12. Before his injury, Moniak was having a strong season, batting .280 and having launched 12 homers.

The post 23YO MLB Phenom Retires From Baseball in Surprising Decision appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“If someone came to me from the Red Sox and made a decision that that’s the direction that this team was going to go, I would be open for a conversation,” Sonny Gray told The Boston Globe. “Whatever happens from then, only time will tell. But I would be open to a conversation.”

Gray is in the final year of his 3-year, $75 million contract, which he originally signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. His contract has a $30 million mutual option for 2027 and a $10 million buyout. However, after the Cardinals traded him to the Red Sox, Gray reworked his contract to hold a no-trade clause. The team would need his agreement before they could decide to trade him. Under the current contract, Gray earns $31 million in 2026. But with the way things are going in Boston, Gray is reportedly ready to consider waiving his no-trade clause.

Gray has done so previously as well. When the Cardinals were rebuilding last offseason and wanted to trade him, he waived his no-trade clause. He handed Chaim Bloom a list of teams for which he would agree to do so. From there, things progressed enough to land him in Boston. The Cardinals even gave him $20 million to shoulder some of his salary this season.

The promising Red Sox acquired Gray while sending Richard Fitts and minor leaguer Brandon Clarke to the rebuilding Cardinals. But things have turned since then, as now the Cardinals hold a playoff spot and the Red Sox are the second-worst team in the AL. As there is a high chance that the Red Sox will hit reset mode, Gray believes that holding the veto power with a no-trade clause is an earned thing.

“Having the ability to be in control of your own situation is very, I feel like, earned. In my experience, it always starts with just a conversation,” Gray told The Boston Globe.

Gray’s experience and performance certainly vouch for his ability. At 36 years old, the Red Sox starter holds an 8-1 record with a 3.12 ERA across 13 starts. Though his strikeout rate has dropped significantly from last year, he holds a stellar walk rate at 6.0%. In his last recorded win against the Texas Rangers, the All-Star gave up only one earned run.

However, Gray is in the final year of his contract, and he will become a free agent unless the club option is exercised. And a club option has not been exercised in MLB for more than a decade. The last time it happened was in 2014, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Aramis Ramirez. So, Gray walking at the end of this season is pretty much confirmed. By trading him, the Red Sox can have the opportunity to get the right-handed infielder they want.

Atlanta Braves: A potential landing spot for Sonny Gray

The Atlanta Braves are once again on the lookout for a frontline starter with Spencer Strider sidelined. Strider is shut down for at least four weeks with right elbow inflammation and is currently on the 15-day IL.

While Chris Sale and Bryce Elder are holding the fort down, the Braves still need an impact starter. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Atlanta would be the perfect landing spot for Sonny Gray.

The Braves (48-28) still hold the top spot in the league despite the recent losses against the New York Mets and the Giants. With the strong numbers he put up this season, Gray would be the perfect fit.

Furthermore, there is a geographical advantage too. Atlanta is only a few hours away from Nashville, where Gray lives in the offseason. His family also resides there. However, when asked about it, the pitcher did not confirm anything.

He reportedly said, “I don’t necessarily want to look too far ahead at that. It is a fair question.”

Ultimately, it will depend upon whether the Red Sox decide to put one of their best pitchers on the trade market.

The post “Only Time Will Tell”- $31M Red Sox Star Opens Up on MLB Future as Trade Deadline Approaches appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I think just execution was really bad. At this point, my coaches, teammates, and the fans all deserve better than what I’m putting out there,” said Emmet Sheehan after the 12-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Emmet Sheehan is going through a rough stretch right now. The Dodgers right-hander allowed 6 earned runs on 8 hits across 3⅓ innings during Sunday’s 12-1 loss against the Orioles. He walked 3 batters, struck out 4, and threw only 47 strikes in 82 pitches. His ERA climbed to 5.32 as Baltimore handed the Dodgers their second straight loss.

“Execution was just really bad. At this point, my coaches, teammates, the fans..they all deserve better than what I’m putting out there right now.”

Emmet Sheehan (L (3-5), 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 82 P) recaps his outing in the #Dodgers 12-1 loss to the Orioles. pic.twitter.com/8MALnN6qol

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 21, 2026

Sheehan never looked fully comfortable after trouble arrived immediately in the first inning. The Orioles loaded the bases before many fans had settled into their seats in the first inning. Taylor Ward opened with a single, Gunnar Henderson followed with a double, and Pete Alonso drew a walk. Baltimore scored 2 runs in the opening inning and kept pressing throughout the game. Ward later homered in the second inning, while Colton Cowser added a solo homer in the third.

By the fourth inning, Sheehan had put two more runners on base before Dave Roberts removed him. After the game, Sheehan did not make excuses for the performance. But the right-hander also made it clear that effort is not the issue.

“I can tell you I’m giving 100%. That’s never going to change. That’s all I can say,” he added.

Sheehan believes consistency remains the biggest issue behind his struggles. He said his secondary pitches had felt better in other outings, but Sunday was a step backward.

“I think just being a little more consistent with my mechanics and more consistent on where I’m putting the ball,” Sheehan said when discussing improvements.

Walks became a major problem against Baltimore, and falling behind hitters repeatedly made recovery difficult. The Orioles took advantage of those mistakes and finished with 15 hits in the game. Roberts shared a similar view when discussing Sheehan’s outing afterward.

“In total, it just hasn’t been where we need it to be. Where he wants it to be,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers manager added that Sheehan is still searching for answers but will receive another start. However, pitching was not the only issue on Sunday, as Los Angeles managed just 1 run. With Sheehan struggling early and the offense going quiet again, the Dodgers never gave themselves a chance to climb back into the game.

Things the Dodgers will have to improve on before the next game

Something is clearly bothering Dave Roberts right now. The Dodgers manager watched his team score just one run during Sunday’s 12-1 loss against Baltimore.

More than the result, it was the quality of the at-bats that frustrated him. Los Angeles continues to have one of baseball’s deepest lineups on paper, but several key hitters are not producing. Roberts believes opposing pitchers have become far too comfortable against his offense.

“The mindset of being offensive and scaring pitchers out of the strike zone, I think for us it’s very in between,” Roberts said.

“Pitchers just start to get that rhythm, that comfort, and that just shouldn’t be the case with our lineup.” The frustration was visible throughout the weekend series. Baltimore pitchers consistently worked ahead in counts and avoided major damage.

Roberts feels his hitters are not forcing enough mistakes right now.

Kyle Tucker’s final at-bat Saturday perfectly showed the problem Roberts described. Tucker came up, representing the tying run, with two outs in the ninth. Orioles’ reliever Yennier Cano threw three consecutive splitters outside the strike zone.

Tucker chased all three pitches and struck out to end the game. The Dodgers expected much more from Tucker, who has struggled to find consistency throughout the season. But the concerns do not end with Tucker.

Mookie Betts has battled offensive struggles, while Will Smith remains sidelined with neck inflammation. The lineup has become so thin that Andy Pages has been pushed into a larger role despite a difficult June. Roberts, however, does not blame the younger players.

“I would argue that at certain times they’re doing just as good, if not better, than some other guys,” Roberts said.

Help could soon arrive through returns from Teoscar Hernández, Smith, Brock Stewart, and Evan Phillips, giving the Dodgers hope for better days ahead.

The post Dodgers Pitcher Admits “Really Bad” Outing as Orioles Hands Shutout Defeat appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“We talk every day. We’re good,” Vitello said of Devers after the game, per Coach Yac on X. “I’d rather have guys like Webb that you have to rip them off the field, as opposed to vice versa.

“I don’t have any problem with Raffy. We talk every day; he’s one of the most entertaining guys to be around. He wants to stay in the game.”

During the Giants’ 2-1 loss on Sunday, Devers recorded a leadoff walk against the Miami Marlins’ reliever Lake Bachar. It was a one-run game, and Vitello wanted the Giants to have the best chance at tying the score. So he sent Jonah Cox to pinch-run for the Giants’ 1B. But he was having none of it and kept wagging his pointer finger towards the dugout, signaling Vitello not to send Cox.

Tony Vitello on Rafael Devers not wanting to come out of the game in the ninth inning:

“I’d rather have guys like Webb that you have to rip them off the field, as opposed to vice versa.”

: @NBCSGiants pic.twitter.com/ByyXkmuUys

— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) June 21, 2026

Devers, who began the series as the designated hitter before playing first base in the final two games, repeatedly wagged his finger toward the dugout and appeared to gesture for Cox to return. However, once the substitution was announced, the decision became official and could not be reversed.

“Once we announce the move, the move is made. Just going with our best effort to win the game. (Devers) was signaling over to us he was good to run,” Vitello told reporters postgame, per Coach Yac.

“Obviously, would like Jonah to get a bag. He’s relatively quick to the plate. But on a double, going on our best chance to win the game.”

Vitello later added, “In a perfect world, you’d like to see Cox get a bag at second, if he can. At the very least, if you go down, you go down swinging with your fastest guy.”

The Giants manager also revealed that Devers had been dealing with some leg soreness, which factored into the decision to remove him from the bases.

However, Cox never had an opportunity to use his speed. Jung Hoo Lee flied out in the next at-bat, and Willy Adames grounded into a game-ending double play, sealing Miami’s 2-1 victory and completing a three-game sweep of San Francisco.

Cox, who was called up from Double-A on June 1 after stealing 27 bases in Triple-A, represented the Giants’ best option to get into scoring position in a one-run game.

Had Cox eventually scored, the Giants would have only tied the game and forced extra innings. Removing Devers from the lineup also meant San Francisco would have been without one of its most productive hitters had the game continued beyond the ninth, which may have contributed to his frustration.

The only run the Giants scored came on Casey Schmitt’s RBI single in the third inning. Logan Webb turned in another strong outing, allowing two runs on five hits across eight innings, but the effort ultimately went unrewarded as the Giants’ offense struggled to capitalize.

Despite the loss, Webb’s ERA dropped to 3.35.

The Giants finished their six-game road trip with a 2-4 record and fell to 31-46 on the season, remaining fourth in the NL West. Vitello, in his first MLB season after making the jump directly from Tennessee, has now seen his club swept in consecutive road series.

Meanwhile, an MLB insider has predicted that Rafael Devers might land on the trade market.

MLB insider predicts Rafael Devers trade

The Giants acquired Devers from the Boston Red Sox last season in a blockbuster deal, taking on the remainder of the star slugger’s long-term contract in hopes of revitalizing their offense.

However, his first full season in San Francisco has not gone according to plan.

Devers has slashed .238/.302/.433 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs and 35 extra-base hits through 77 games. His .433 slugging percentage would represent a career low over a full season, while his 29.6 percent strikeout rate is significantly higher than his career average.

According to a report citing MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the Giants could consider moving Devers if they continue to slide out of contention.

“One year after acquiring Rafael Devers, the San Francisco Giants are open to trading him to another team and dumping his salary,” stated Mark Feinsand of MLB.com per Boston Strong.

Devers is owed approximately $211 million through the 2033 season, making any potential trade a complicated proposition. San Francisco also surrendered notable young talent, including Kyle Harrison and James Tibbs III, to acquire him from Boston.

The Giants had hoped Devers would anchor the middle of their lineup after he hit .272 with the Red Sox before the trade, but the expected offensive turnaround has yet to materialize.

Since acquiring Devers, San Francisco has struggled to gain traction in the playoff race. Entering Monday, the Giants sat nine games back of a National League Wild Card spot.

For now, though, Vitello made it clear that Sunday’s visible disagreement does not signal any deeper issues.

The post Giants Manager Breaks Silence After Rafael Devers Expresses Frustration In Dramatic Incident appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I just had nowhere to go,” the Yankees shortstop told reporters. “In Spring Training, for me as a shortstop receiving throws, we’re trying to be spot on with that rule. That’s not coming from us; that’s coming from the league. They tell us that’s a rule.

“He told me he didn’t want to watch the replay on the screen,” Volpe added of first-base umpire Brian O’Nora. “He said the throw took him there. It’s up to him.”

At the bottom of the third inning, Volpe drew a leadoff walk against Reds starter Chase Burns. Moments later, Burns caught him leaning off first base with a pickoff move. O’Nora initially ruled Volpe safe, but Cincinnati successfully challenged the call, and the out was overturned.

Volpe immediately argued that Reds first baseman Sal Stewart had blocked his path back to the bag before receiving the throw.

The play proved especially costly when Ben Rice launched his 22nd home run of the season in the very next at-bat. With the game scoreless at the time, Volpe believed the overturned call effectively took a run off the board.

“It’s a huge play in the game,” Volpe said. “It took a run off the board.”

According to MLB Rule 6.01(h), a fielder cannot impede a runner’s path to a base while not in possession of the ball. However, an exception exists if the fielder is moved into the runner’s lane by the momentum of an incoming throw while attempting to field it.

"I just had nowhere to go."

– Anthony Volpe after being called out on a controversial pickoff against the Reds pic.twitter.com/lSspFauNIg

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 21, 2026

That’s why the 1B umpire refuses to take a second look at the giant screen video. He said that the momentum of the ball naturally put the fielder in Anthony Volpe’s path. 

However, the 25-year-old infielder argued that they practiced not to block the runner’s path. 

And the fact that Rice hit a homer just after Volpe was out adds salt to the burn. Both teams were scoreless before the play, and had Volpe remained on the base, it would have earned them a 2-0 lead instead of just one run. 

And such controversies are new in the major league

In fact, the Reds’ own shortstop, Elly Antonio De La Cruz, faced something similar about a month ago. During their May 4 game against the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati SS fell prey to a smart ploy by the Cubs pitcher and infielder. The camera from above showed the fielder standing almost between the base and De La Cruz during the play. And the same accusation of blocking the runner’s path had arisen. 

“I think the league sends videos of plays that are in violation of that rule. It’s just something that when we can control it, we try to take care of that,” Volpe added in the hope that MLB would take note of such confusion. 

Why the Yankee believed the ruling conflicted with MLB’s own emphasis

“Obviously, you don’t want to mess up your shoulder or mess up something siding back in the first,” Anthony Volpe stated in the postgame interview. 

He, or any runner for that matter, has to try to make it back to the bag while avoiding a touch from the fielder. Sliding safely to the base is a challenge on its own, and we have seen several players getting injured in the process. 

The New York Mets SS Ronny Mauricio suffered an injury to his finger while sliding to first base with his hands stretched in front of him. Javier Báez from the Detroit Tigers had it worse as he was carted away after an ankle sprain. And the Cleveland Guardians’ 3B José Ramírez jammed his left shoulder while sliding to third base. 

All of these are from 2026 only. And the list has grown over the years. That’s why the Yankees manager sympathized with Volpe. 

“By the letter of the law, he’s blocking the base,” Aaron Boone said. “Are you really gonna get that call very often? Probably not.”

Boone acknowledged that Burns possesses one of the league’s best pickoff moves, but noted that the Reds right-hander is also slow to the plate, something the Yankees otherwise exploited throughout the afternoon.

New York stole six bases against Burns and Cincinnati’s bullpen, its highest single-game total since 2013. Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each swiped two bags, though José Caballero was thrown out after oversliding second base in the second inning.

Despite their aggressiveness on the bases, the Yankees struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities. They finished 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on Sunday and went just 2-for-32 in the three-game series. By the sixth inning, they had gone hitless in 24 consecutive at-bats with runners in scoring position dating back to Friday night’s game.

“Oof,” Boone said when informed of the statistic. “I’ll take the opportunities. We’ll cash in. Even these last two days where they’ve held us down, I feel like we’ve had good at-bats and given ourselves opportunities. We just haven’t had that hit.”

Austin Wells echoed that sentiment.

“The ball just didn’t really roll the way we needed it to in those certain situations,” Wells said. “Up and down, I felt like we had good at-bats. They got through it today.”

Defensive lapses compounded the Yankees’ offensive struggles late in the game. In the eighth inning, a misplay involving Jazz Chisholm Jr., Volpe and Caballero allowed Spencer Steer to advance to third base, before Noelvi Marte’s run-scoring double down the right-field line extended Cincinnati’s lead to 4-1.

The Yankees remain atop the AL East at 46-30, holding a two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays despite dropping the series to a Reds team that entered Sunday in last place in the National League Central.

Volpe, meanwhile, entered the game batting .258 over his previous 28 contests.

As the Yankees head to Detroit looking to halt their three-game skid, Volpe hopes the conversation sparked by Sunday’s controversial call leads to greater clarity around one of baseball’s most debated rules.

“As an infielder, you’ve got to be locked in on that rule,” Volpe said.

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“Blake Treinen is going on the IL with right elbow inflammation, per the Dodgers. Chayce McDermott will take his spot on the active roster,” an insider offered the latest update via social media. 

37-year-old Blake Treinen was great last Friday, helping the Dodgers record a 6-5 win against the Baltimore Orioles. There was no issue during or after the game. However, this Saturday, he was placed on a 15-day IL due to issues with the range of motion in his elbow. According to manager Dave Roberts, it was just wear and tear leading to an inflammation in his elbow. The imaging revealed no structural damage for Treinen. 

He is in his final year of a two-year, $22 million extension. The reliever has suffered many injuries since joining the LA side in 2020. His shoulder surgery kept him out for almost two years after just five games in 2022. He has missed games due to hip and forearm injuries in the last two seasons as well.

While this is the first time he is taking a trip to the IL this season, the situation is far worse for the team. The right-handed veteran has been quite effective (4-1) this season with a 3.52 ERA. He has one save and has held five more while striking out 25 batters over 23.0 innings.

Blake Treinen is going on the IL with right elbow inflammation, per the Dodgers. Chayce McDermott will take his spot on the active roster.

— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) June 21, 2026

Losing him is a bitter blow because the Dodgers have a huge pitching crisis. Last week, the team had 10 hurt pitchers. Now, that number has jumped up to 12. Key arms like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Edwin Díaz, and Evan Phillips, among others, remain sidelined. 

Roberts and the team are trying their best to manage the bullpen effectively. And if you zoom out a bit, the overall numbers are incredible. The Dodgers are the second-best team in MLB with a 3.34 ERA. They are leading the majors with a .211 opposition batting average. 

But these numbers came through some tough decisions.

The Dodgers are thin on alternatives

Just days before Blake Treinen suffered an injury, the team’s biggest superstar, Shohei Ohtani, struggled with five hits and four runs during his start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite his poor outing and a bleeding blister in his pitching arm, the manager sent him to the mound for one more inning to reduce the pressure on the bullpen. 

This means that Treinen’s injury is adding more pressure to the already stretched rotation. And the Dodgers are thin on alternatives. 

The front office called up Chayce McDermott, who is a high-upside, high-strikeout pitcher. The right-hander recorded 39 Ks over 22.0 innings in the minors this season. He throws very fast, reaching up to 98 miles per hour. But McDermott also struggles with command and a high walk rate. He already allowed 19 walks this season. He walked 45 batters last season, which was better than the 60+ he walked in the three years before 2025.

But that is still not convincing enough. Especially with a 5.73 ERA in 2026.

The only good part is that Blake Treinen’s injury isn’t too serious. But the Dodgers need to survive his downtime before better reinforcements arrive. While their overall numbers are quite impressive, they need to ensure the same dominance in October to make it 3-in-a-row. 

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