New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman believes manager Aaron Boone has dealt with the pr...

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman believes manager Aaron Boone has dealt with the pressure of an intense media market well during the team's inconsistent season."He has stayed levelheaded and even-keeled," Cashman said Friday, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6556650/2025/08/15/yankees-brian-cashman-aaron-boone-accountability-2/?source=emp_shared_article">Chris Kirschner and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>. "He knows how tough this sport is. He's invested in these guys heavily, as we all are."Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for some time while the storm is upon us is not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm, and collected. He's obviously done an amazing job of working through that."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Cashman also supported Boone's approach to addressing players' mental mistakes and struggles, despite the media, fans, and even Yankees legends like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez questioning whether the team is being held sufficiently accountable."I'm not an advocate of becoming Randy 'Macho Man' Savage or John Cena from WWE and providing a power drive to finish off the victim - the victim being someone struggling at the plate, struggling defensively, struggling on the mound," the 58-year-old executive added. "And now you're hearing it externally, and their family and friends are all hearing it. Then internally, now, they're getting piled on also. In many cases, you've got to understand what the atmosphere is like."The Yankees sit 6.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the division lead and 1.5 games up on the Cleveland Guardians for the AL's final wild-card spot."We're the defending American League champs trying to re-defend that," Cashman said. "Obviously, right now, we're not in control of the division. Our first goal is to try to win the American League East and automatically punch the ticket that way. If not, we'll be fighting to punch a ticket a different way."We have a lot of time on the clock, but not enough time at the same time. I don't want to misrepresent (that) there's not urgency, because there is."New York has a 23-32 record since June 13 after leading the AL East by seven games in late May following a 35-20 start.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 01: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium on April 01, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

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Cashman: Boone has done 'amazing job' navigating New York market

Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander Brandon Young lost his perfect game with two outs in the ei...

Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18702" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18702">Brandon Young</a> lost his perfect game with two outs in the eighth inning of Friday's 7-0 win after an infield single by Houston Astros second baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10610" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10610">Ramón Urías</a>.Young ended up allowing just that one hit by Urías with zero walks and six strikeouts over eight frames to collect the first win of his MLB career. The 26-year-old Texas native entered the outing 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA in 10 starts.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Brandon Young's perfect game bid ends with two outs in the 8th on an infield single. <a href="https://t.co/s3s6Ttphok">pic.twitter.com/s3s6Ttphok</a>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1956540257387569410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"Growing up here, coming to games here, having family and friends here - it's hard to put into words, honestly," Young said postgame, according to <a href="https://x.com/JakeDRill/status/1956555277739888948">Jake Rill of MLB.com</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Young and Urías were teammates earlier in the season before the latter was dealt to Houston at the trade deadline."He had a crazy performance today," Urías <a href="https://x.com/JakeDRill/status/1956558909725872412">added</a>. "He was great on the mound. He was mixing really well. That's the best that I've seen him."Astros manager Joe Espada said Urías ran the pregame meeting for hitters before facing Young to "give us some of their style and strategy," according to <a href="https://x.com/afkostka/status/1956545236714262759">Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner</a>.Only 24 perfect games have been thrown in MLB history. Domingo Germán was the last pitcher to accomplish the feat in June 2023 while playing for the New York Yankees.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 15: Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on August 15, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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Orioles' Young loses perfect game in 8th inning vs. Astros

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't concerned about his team's struggles following ...

Chicago Cubs outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12736" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12736">Pete Crow-Armstrong</a> isn't concerned about his team's struggles following Friday's 3-2 loss to the NL Central basement-dwelling Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs have gone 10-15 since the All-Star break to drop nine games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, who are riding a franchise record-tying 13-game win streak."The Cubbies are going to keep playing the same baseball we played all year," Crow-Armstrong said postgame, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6556597/2025/08/15/pete-crow-armstrong-chicago-cubs-playoff/?source=emp_shared_article">Patrick Mooney of The Athletic</a>. "It's been an interesting two weeks, but we're fine. I don't think there's any worry in the world."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Crow-Armstrong snapped a 3-for-41 slump with a three-hit performance but was caught stealing in the ninth inning after sliding off second base in the one-run loss.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
PCA had this base stolen EASILY representing the tying run in the ninth, but he overslid way too far and got tagged out <a href="https://t.co/FPIju1a9XD">pic.twitter.com/FPIju1a9XD</a>— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1956458270916288882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"It becomes the self-inflicted pressure when you feel like you're not playing your part and contributing," Crow-Armstrong said. "At the end of the day, I think that's a bit of a more selfish approach. As Couns' (Craig Counsell) has been able to remind me - and JT (<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/43" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/43">Justin Turner</a>) or whoever I've talked to - it's always just about what else I have to offer."That's the hard part about this game. You might not be getting the action in center field and feeling like you're contributing. You may not be making the right decisions on the basepaths, like I have kind of shown recently. So, when stuff starts to kind of pile up like that, it sucks."The Cubs face the Pirates two more times during the weekend series.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 15: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after being hit by a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field on August 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Crow-Armstrong: No 'worry in the world' about Cubs' slump

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Ryan Preece will start from the pole position Saturday night at Richmond Rac...

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Ryan Preece will start from the pole position Saturday night at Richmond Raceway while trying to lock <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-richmond-playoffs-hamlin-dillon-b843c0799a11bbe891180ae8be0325eb">in a spot for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs</a>. 
Preece earned his second career pole in 212 Cup starts with a lap at 121.381 mph around the 0.75-mile oval in his No. 60 Ford.
“What a great car,” said Preece, whose previous pole came at Martinsville Speedway in April 2023.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
With two races remaining in the regular season, Preece still can make the playoffs through the points standings, but a win would secure an automatic berth.
Tyler Reddick, who can lock into the 16-driver playoff field on points with a strong result Saturday, qualified second. AJ Allmendinger will start third despite his No. 16 Chevrolet failing prerace inspection twice, which resulted in a loss of pit stall selection and the ejection of car chief Jaron Antley.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five in qualifying.
Sweeping the top three starting spots, Preece, Reddick and Allmendinger were joined by six other winless drivers qualifying in the top 15: Brad Keselowski (sixth), Alex Bowman (ninth), Michael McDowell (10th), Austin Dillon (11th), Chris Buescher (12th) and Carson Hocevar (15th). It’ll be a tougher slog to get to the front for Ty Gibbs (22nd) and Kyle Busch (28th).
Three-time Cup champion Joey Logano, a two-time winner at Richmond, will start last in the 38-car field after being unable to turn a lap in qualifying. Logano hit the Turn 4 wall in practice because of a right-front tire problem on his No. 22 Ford.
Starting position is critical at Richmond, which tends to have long green-flag stretches when it’s easy to fall a lap down. Last August’s race had only three caution flags, which is tied for the fewest on a short track since the 2022 debut of the Next Gen car.
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 15: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger/Kleenex Ford, poses for photos after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 - Practice at Richmond Raceway on August 15, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.

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Preece earns pole position in hunt for playoff spot at Richmond

NASCAR playoff desperation reached a controversial peak at Richmond Raceway last year.  At the me...

NASCAR playoff desperation reached a controversial peak at Richmond Raceway last year.At the mercy of securing a victory to make the 16-driver field that competes for the Cup championship, Austin Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the final two corners of the last lap <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-richmond-austin-dillon-6452ef2e180434775e24225feb2aeb6f">to claim his first win in nearly two years</a>.The celebration was short-lived <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-dillon-richmond-cup-series-e2e2634f00d194d4ab201adfe9e3a056">as NASCAR revoked Dillon’s playoff eligibility three days later</a> in determining the Richard Childress Racing driver <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-austin-dillon-55ff2e1a8e175d3747e49b88a4b64fe7">“crossed a line” with rough driving</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“NASCAR drew a line in the sand,” Hamlin said Friday. “They’re not afraid to make hard decisions, and I think that’s very, very important to the governing of the sport, so it’s not a circus. And so I do feel a little bit better about it now than 12 months ago."Certainly, that was the first time we’d seen something like that, and NASCAR had a precedent to set. If you let that go, you open up a floodgate of crazy things that would be bad for the relevance and legitimacy of the sport. Everyone probably has a little better understanding now because of the ruling.”As NASCAR’s premier series returns Saturday night to Richmond, Virginia, with two races remaining in the regular season and three open slots in the playoffs, did Dillon’s win establish the new boundary of what’s permissible in pushing for a victory that guarantees a berth in the 10-race run to the title?For the Cup driver who has gone to greater lengths than anyone in aggressively moving rivals this season, the question is moot.“I think that was sort of a freak deal,” Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar said. “If you had them rerun the same play, I don’t think he gets both of them.“I don’t think we’ll ever see someone get one guy and then turn down and get the second guy. That was one of those once in a blue moon or lifetime things that was a perfect storm of chaos. They were all in the most perfect spots for him to win by all means necessary. It would be really hard to ever replicate.”If Richmond were to deliver another combustible finish, few are as willing to tangle with the competition as Hocevar.The Spire Motorsports driver has gotten sideways with a seemingly endless list of drivers — Ross Chastain, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Zane Smith <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-hocevar-fined-mexico-city-comments-12bdc6089cc54d4098c239848687cf53">are among the most aggrieved</a>. Sunday at Watkins Glen International, Hocevar angered Brad Keselowski in qualifying and then collided multiple times with teammate Michael McDowell during the race.Though he planned to iron out differences with McDowell, the 23-year-old Hocevar seems unconcerned about crossing a veteran with his No. 77 Chevrolet for a win.“I don’t take a head count of who’s frustrated with or mad at us,” he said. “It’s constantly changing by the week.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-michigan-carson-hocevar-b5f6d489b474e83947173c3a734ee18d">Despite a solid second season in Cup</a> with career-high second-place finishes at Atlanta and Nashville, Hocevar is 22nd in the points standings because of multiple mechanical failures. His only path to the playoffs is automatically qualifying with a win, which also holds for Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs and Keselowski.At least one winless driver (and possibly as many as three) will make the playoffs on points. Tyler Reddick could clinch a playoff spot Saturday without a victory. In the battle for the final provisional spot, Chris Buescher leads Roush Fenway Keselowski Ford teammate Ryan Preece by 34 points.“If you’re in position and have the opportunity to win, I don’t want to think about what I should have done differently,” Preece said. “You need to be a racer and not leave anything on the table. You’ve got to do it with respect, but at the same time, a half-lap can change your entire season.”Ranked 28th in the standings, Dillon is in the same win-or-else position at Richmond as a year ago and is no less confident about the No. 3 Chevy’s chances on the 0.75-mile oval.“I’m pumped,” he said. “I just want to see if we can be as successful as last year. It was still a big day, and I’ll always remember it as one of my favorite wins. We got the trophy, just not the NASCAR playoffs spot.”Celebration cautionXfinity Series points leader Connor Zilisch underwent surgery Tuesday morning on the broken collarbone <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-watkins-glen-zilisch-collarbone-0b392919e3424619e5d2f69d6a2c69cf">he suffered in a hard fall while celebrating his Aug. 9 victory</a> at Watkins Glen International. Though it’s unclear if Zilisch will return for the Aug. 22 race at Daytona International Speedway, his injury has made an impact with drivers now mindful of their exuberance upon exiting their cars in victory lane.“That was so frightening, so I think we’ll all think about it more,” Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry said. “We’ve been strapped in the car for three or four hours. You get out, and it’s no different than being on a plane and standing up for the first time. Your legs are a little shaky.”Team Penske’s Austin Cindric said it might be a “rookie mistake” for a winner to leave the window net dangling outside the car (Zilisch got his left foot caught in the net trying to climb atop his roof).“I think about what happened to Connor often because the saying goes big trees fall hard,” said Cindric, who stands 6-foot-3. “That’s a long way for a big, tall guy to fall. It’s kind of an upsetting thing to watch and feel helpless about it.”<remove></remove>___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, and Noah Gragson, driver of the #4 ArmorGuard Ford, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 - Practice at Richmond Raceway on August 15, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.

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Controversial limits of rough driving could be tested again at Richmond

The Washington Nationals designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment Thursday.  Lowe w...

The Washington Nationals designated first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9902" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9902">Nathaniel Lowe</a> for assignment Thursday.Lowe was the highest-paid player ($10.3 million) on the active roster coming into the campaign after an offseason trade with the Texas Rangers. He went on to produce the worst numbers of his seven-year career.The 30-year-old recorded 16 homers, 68 RBIs, and a .665 OPS over 119 games with the Nationals. He's still arbitration-eligible through 2026.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lowe was a 2022 Silver Slugger and 2023 Gold Glover with the Rangers.Outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17319" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17319">Dylan Crews</a> was also reinstated from the 60-day injured list after being out since mid-May with an oblique injury. The 2023 No. 2 pick entered this season as one of the NL Rookie of the Year favorites before his extended absence.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 20: Nathaniel Lowe #33 of the Washington Nationals looks on during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on July 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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Nationals DFA Lowe, reinstate Crews after almost 3-month absence

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't envision his club sitting in second place in the ...

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't envision his club sitting in second place in the NL West in mid-August.However, that's exactly where the Dodgers find themselves after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324866" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324866">losing 6-5</a> to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday to drop all six games of the Freeway Series this season. The defending World Series champions were the favorites to repeat after a huge offseason and led the division by nine games July 3, but they've gone 12-21 since to fall one game behind the San Diego Padres."We put ourselves in this spot," manager Dave Roberts said postgame, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-second-in-nl-west-heading-into-padres-series">Sonja Chen of MLB.com</a>. "But no, I wouldn't have expected us to be in second place right now."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> allowed four earned runs with seven strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings and added an RBI triple against his former team Wednesday. He isn't happy about where the Dodgers are in the standings either."Obviously, it doesn't feel good to fall into second place and to lose a lot of these games," Ohtani said through his interpreter. "We're doing everything in our power, having meetings, doing everything that we can to try to right the ship. We just have to do a better job."The Dodgers host the Padres for a three-game series starting Friday. The two clubs finish their season series with another three contests in San Diego on Aug. 22-24."I think that we've clearly dominated the division in the last decade," Roberts said. "Geographically speaking, winning a division, I think that they're trying to overtake us. ... That certainly brings out emotion. They got us a few years ago in the postseason and that was something, and we got them (last year)."Los Angeles defeated San Diego in five games during last year's NLDS en route to the title.

ANAHEIM, CA -AUGUST 12, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) towels off the sweat in the dugout against the Angels in the fifth inning at Angel Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Anaheim, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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Roberts 'wouldn't have expected' Dodgers to be in 2nd place

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Ryan Blaney bested Shane van Gisbergen in Cup Series road course qualif...

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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Ryan Blaney bested Shane van Gisbergen in Cup Series road course qualifying by three hundredths of a second on Saturday, capturing the pole position at Watkins Glen International.
Blaney turned a lap of 1 minute, 11.960 seconds in the No. 12 Ford, edging van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Chevrolet (1 minute, 11.993 seconds).
Starting first in Sunday’s 110-lap race at Watkins Glen was a surprise for Blaney, who has only three top 10 finishes on the 2.45-mile track. The 2023 Cup champion is mired in a 22-race slump without a top-five finish on a road course.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
“What a cool pole,” said Blaney, who earned the 150th Cup pole position for Team Penske. “I’m a pretty average road racer, and I work really hard to get better at it and try to figure out ways to be better. We’ve got to find a little bit of race pace, but it’s nice to have one-lap speed. It’s fun when you can sit on the pole at a place where I’m not very good.”
Bidding for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-watkins-glen-van-gisbergen-01bee36125fa507f6e8f33477c14babd">his fourth consecutive Cup victory on a road or street course</a>, van Gisbergen will start second after having won from the pole at Mexico City, Chicago and Sonoma.
“Man, it’s amazing how close it all is for a road course,” van Gisbergen said. "My laps were OK, and there probably were some things I could have fixed. Decent start for tomorrow."
Chase Briscoe, who had started on the pole position <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-cup-series-iowa-speedway-aecc1eaa69bb578395be468a63b71c83">the past two weeks at Iowa Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway</a>, qualified third in the No. 19 Toyota, followed by Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet and Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet.
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York.

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Blaney knocks off van Gisbergen for pole at Watkins Glen

On the NASCAR tracks with the most circuitous sequence of turns, Shane van Gisbergen has shown a ...

On the NASCAR tracks with the most circuitous sequence of turns, Shane van Gisbergen has shown a remarkably sublime sense of direction.But the Trackhouse Racing driver still needs help navigating his new life in the United States — such as the recent announcement of a 2026 street race in San Diego.“I don’t even know where that is,” the Auckland, New Zealand, native said with a laugh. “I had to find it on a map. It’ll be cool to go. I’ve never been there and get to experience all new things.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Cup Series rookie is an old hand on road courses, which he mastered with 80 victories and three championships from 2007-22 in Supercars (the top racing series in Australia and New Zealand). Those results caught the eye of Trackhouse founder Justin Marks, who took a flier on putting van Gisbergen in a Cup car for the inaugural Chicago Street Race in July 2023.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-chicago-street-4acaf42ff0e156d01fd92d059f2ab9d2">After stunning NASCAR at Chicago</a> as the first driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in 1963, van Gisbergen relocated to NASCAR last year. He has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-mexico-city-van-gisbergen-c76b9181c08ed133373917a145b4a078">won at Mexico City</a>, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-van-gisbergen-cup-chicago-street-d1ab5225af0ef7b0ab6e8aa19bd05779">Chicago</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-sonoma-van-gisbergen-d095c5cad06270678796b3d62ddd984d">Sonoma</a> this season, securing a playoff berth for the No. 88 Chevrolet <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-trackhouse-van-gisbergen-extension-062d8998697d00c39ccdaba423c722c6">and a multiyear extension at Trackhouse</a>.With a victory Sunday at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile road course in New York, the 36-year-old van Gisbergen would join 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win four consecutive Cup races on road or street courses.Though van Gisbergen has only 37 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series, his four victories already rank third among active drivers on street or road courses.“These guys have egos, and they are not OK with this,” NASCAR on NBC analyst Steve Letarte said after van Gisbergen’s win at Sonoma last month. “When we go to Watkins Glen, I think it’s basically 35 against one, because they’ll be like, ‘What can we do to bury this guy?’”It starts with getting close enough to rough up van Gisbergen, who has qualified first in his three wins. He won at Mexico City by 16.567 seconds, the Cup Series’ largest margin of victory in more than 15 years and the largest gap on a road course in more than 45 years.He faced <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-sonoma-van-gisbergen-d095c5cad06270678796b3d62ddd984d">more pressure at Sonoma on multiple late restarts</a>, but runner-up Chase Briscoe raced him cleanly (and then compared van Gisbergen's road course skills with Michael Jordan in his prime).“I feel like everyone races really well, and I really love the racing here,” van Gisbergen said. “I don’t feel like anyone targets me on the track and tries to take me out, but I feel like we’re the benchmark, which is really awesome. But the best thing on the road course is I’ve never really raced the same guy. Every week, there’s someone different. The spread of talent is quite high here.”Chris Buescher is the only Cup driver to have gotten the best of him. Racing at Watkins Glen last year in a part-time Cup schedule, van Gisbergen missed a corner entry “by centimeters” and lost to the Roush Fenway Keselowski driver on a last-lap pass.“I studied it a lot, and that was painful,” van Gisbergen said. “I’m quite self-analytical, and even when I think of it now, it frustrates me.”He also is a humble perfectionist in addressing his inexperience on oval tracks, which comprise the bulk of the NASCAR schedule. On the advice of 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick, van Gisbergen has spent his summer racing Tuesday nights at Charlotte Motor Speedway against preteens in miniature stock cars on a quarter-mile oval.<a href="https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/media/news/fireworks-fast-finishes-firsts-cap-off-champions-night-cook-out-summer-shootout.html">He recently earned his first win</a> on the short track, whose four turns encourage the full-contact racing that largely is absent on road courses.“I had 12-year-olds bump me and know exactly how to place their car, and I’d never hit anyone on purpose to pass them,” said van Gisbergen, who made his oval debut only two years ago. “It’s a skill that we don’t get taught because you’re not allowed to do it (in Supercars). So yeah, it’s been really beneficial and a lot of fun. It’s just more racing and more combat.”He figures to be battle-tested when the Cup playoffs begin in three weeks. The first round is held exclusively at ovals, where van Gisbergen has an average finish of 26.7, but he will start the playoffs with a points cushion because of his wins.He is confident of advancing to the second round simply by avoiding mistakes at tracks located in Darlington, South Carolina, suburban St. Louis and Bristol, Tennessee — while also enjoying their divergent cultures.“Australia is the same size country, but from one side to the other, there’s not much difference in the accents,” van Gisbergen said. “Here, it’s very diverse, and the way people talk is so different. Every part of the country feels like a different country. It’s been an awesome experience just trying to learn about it.”<remove></remove>___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 06: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, poses with the NASCAR Chicago Street Race trophy after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 06, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Van Gisbergen aiming for elite company at Watkins Glen International

New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams acknowledged nothing is going right for him at the momen...

New York Yankees reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11736" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11736">Devin Williams</a> acknowledged nothing is going right for him at the moment after his struggles continued during Friday's 5-3 defeat to the Houston Astros.Williams allowed three runs in the 10th inning, including a two-run homer to outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8748" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8748">Taylor Trammell</a>, to take the loss after coming into the frame in a tie game.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Taylor Trammell makes it a 3-run 10th inning for the <a href="https://twitter.com/astros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astros</a>! (MLB x <a href="https://twitter.com/chevrolet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chevrolet</a>) <a href="https://t.co/YNXhGU0X5n">pic.twitter.com/YNXhGU0X5n</a>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1954003050424615073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"Not making pitches," Williams said postgame following the Yankees' sixth loss in their last seven contests, according to <a href="https://x.com/snyyankees/status/1954017227809730960">SNY</a>. "It's pretty simple. I stink right now."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Williams has now allowed more earned runs this season (28) than he did combined between 2022 and 2024 (26) while with the Milwaukee Brewers. Over his last five appearances, the 30-year-old owns a 15.42 ERA with two losses and two blown saves.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Each of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yankees?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yankees</a>' last three losses have featured either a blown save or a loss from Devin Williams. On Monday, he gave up a game-tying home run in the 9th to Joc Pederson. They lost in the 10th. On Tuesday, he gave up a go-ahead, two-run single to Rowdy Tellez in the 8th.…— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxTGoodman/status/1954006572713001093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"I'm not gonna say it's as high as it's ever been," the former two-time All-Star added when asked about his confidence, according to <a href="https://x.com/GaryHPhillips/status/1954019575692992975">Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News</a>. "Obviously, not the way that things have been going. But I just need to put some good ones together, get the ball rolling in the right direction."Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team is looking for the right situations to use the right-hander amid his slump."Obviously, right now several struggles in a row," Boone said, per <a href="https://x.com/YESNetwork/status/1954012083789373728">YES Network</a>. "We just try and find softer landing spots - harder to do that right now when you have a shorter outing by the starter and you're piecing it together, and you got a guy down. ... We'll try and find good spots for him to get him back to being a big part of the 'pen, which he should be."The skipper added: "We're kinda short down there at that point. We got five innings out of the starter and then you're trying to get back in it and get through - staying away from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9025" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9025">(David) Bednar</a> today and probably even <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9004" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9004">(Mark) Leiter Jr.</a> ... It didn't work out tonight."Williams owns a career-worst 5.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 17 saves with 56 strikeouts over 44 innings during the 2025 campaign. He's slated to hit free agency in the offseason.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2025 in New York City.

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Yankees' Williams laments rough patch: 'I stink right now'

The New York Yankees activated outfielder Aaron Judge from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.  Judg...

The New York Yankees activated outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4773" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4773">Aaron Judge</a> from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.Judge's return comes after he spent the minimum number of days on the IL. He was initially sidelined on July 26 with a flexor strain in his right elbow from a throw a few days earlier.The two-time AL MVP will have to exclusively DH for the foreseeable future due to the nature of his injury. There's no timetable for when he can return to the outfield, although the Yankees said Monday that he might be able to start playing catch soon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Judge, 33, was in the midst of another monster season before being sidelined. He's hitting .342/.449/.711 with 37 homers and 85 RBIs, and entered Tuesday leading the majors in all four slash line categories plus OPS and total bases, while topping AL hitters in runs scored. His efforts make him the favorite to be named the league's MVP for the third time in four years.The Yankees also placed outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5662" href="/mlb/players/5662">Austin Slater</a> on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain. Slater, making just his second start with the Yankees after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox, exited Monday's game after coming up lame while running out a ground ball in the first inning.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Austin Slater has been removed from the game after his first at-bat with an apparent hamstring injury <a href="https://t.co/OmqN1N74Yg">pic.twitter.com/OmqN1N74Yg</a>— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1952524479118151866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Yankees also reinstated right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9004" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9004">Mark Leiter Jr.</a>, recalled reliever Yerry de los Santos, and designated pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10601" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10601">JT Brubaker</a> for assignment.Trade deadline addition <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13863" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13863">Jake Bird</a> was also <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3320693" href="https://thescore.com/news/3320693">demoted </a>to Triple-A in a separate move after allowing seven runs, including a walk-off homer against the Rangers, over his first three appearances with New York.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 21: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles in the first inning during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Judge set to return Tuesday vs. Rangers

The New York Yankees optioned reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A on Tuesday.  Bird, who was acquired ...

The New York Yankees optioned reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13863" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13863">Jake Bird</a> to Triple-A on Tuesday.Bird, who was acquired at last Thursday's trade deadline, allowed six earned runs on four hits (two home runs) with two walks and four strikeouts over two innings (three appearances) after joining the Yankees.The 29-year-old surrendered a walk-off homer in Monday's loss to the Texas Rangers. New York has now lost four straight games since the deadline despite overhauling its bullpen, also bringing in former All-Star closers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9025" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9025">David Bednar</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12516" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12516">Camilo Doval</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Yankees traded prospects Roc Riggio and Ben Shields to the Colorado Rockies for Bird.Right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9004" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9004">Mark Leiter Jr</a>. took Bird's spot in the bullpen after the former returned from the injured list amid a flurry of moves.

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 02: Jake Bird #59 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

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Yankees demote deadline acquisition Bird to minors

The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies declined to meet the Athletics' pr...

The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies declined to meet the Athletics' price for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16437" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16437">Mason Miller</a> before the 2024 All-Star closer was dealt to the San Diego Padres ahead of last Thursday's trade deadline, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6535779/2025/08/05/padres-deadline-analysis-rosenthal-notes/">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>.The Yankees reportedly balked at the Athletics' ask of top prospects <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17330" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17330">George Lombard Jr.</a> or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15572" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15572">Spencer Jones</a> as headliners in a package that also would have included young pitchers. The Yankees ended up landing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9025" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9025">David Bednar</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12516" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12516">Camilo Doval</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13863" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13863">Jake Bird</a>, but they've lost four straight since the deadline due to multiple bullpen meltdowns. Bird was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday after giving up seven runs in three appearances with his new club.The Phillies didn't want to include top pitching prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15744" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15744">Andrew Painter</a>, reports Rosenthal. Philadelphia pivoted to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10794" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10794">Jhoan Duran</a> to bolster its bullpen in a deal that shipped Mick Abel and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19106" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19106">Eduardo Tait</a> to the Minnesota Twins.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Mets and Athletics had "substantial" discussions about a Miller trade, a source told Rosenthal. However, that deal never materialized and the Mets ended up adding relievers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9598" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9598">Ryan Helsley</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5041" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5041">Tyler Rogers</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9551" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9551">Gregory Soto</a>.The Padres picked up Miller and left-handed starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13688" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13688">JP Sears</a> by trading Leo De Vries, the No. 3-ranked prospect in baseball by MLB.com, plus right-handers Braden Nett, Henry Baez, and Eduarniel Núñez to the Athletics.Miller, who's under team control through the 2029 season, owns a 3.14 ERA with 48 saves and 13.2 K/9 over three years in the majors. The 26-year-old sits in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity and strikeout percentage.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 01: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres reacts after pitching against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Petco Park on August 01, 2025 in San Diego, California.

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Report: Yankees, Mets, Phillies targeted Miller before A's-Padres deal

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes Derek Jeter's and Alex Rodriguez's remarks about th...

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes Derek Jeter's and Alex Rodriguez's remarks about the team's recent mental mistakes and struggles were warranted. "Look, we're the Yankees," Boone said Sunday, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-boone-responds-to-derek-jeter-alex-rodriguez">Bryan Hoch of MLB.com</a>. "When we lose games, if it's in and around a mistake, that criticism is fair game. At the end of the day, we have all the pieces to be a really good team. That's on me and all of us to get the most out of that."Boone's comments come after Jeter and Rodriguez called out the Yankees on Saturday following a sloppy loss to the Miami Marlins, which included a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3319474" href="https://thescore.com/news/3319474">baserunning gaffe</a> by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9520" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9520">Jazz Chisholm Jr.</a> that resulted in a double play.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"They make way too many mistakes," Jeter said. "And you can't get away with making that number of mistakes against great teams. It just doesn't happen. They had baserunning mistakes today - you saw (<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8203" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8203">Trent Grisham</a>) getting thrown out at home plate. You can't continue to do it. You have to clean it up."Rodriguez added: "If any one of us made a mistake, we would be sitting our butt right on the bench. I see mistake after mistake, and there's no consequences."Boone, who said he won't bench Chisholm for the play, pushed back on the notion the Yankees don't have accountability in the clubhouse."I would disagree a little bit with the accountability factor, but the reality is, we're focused every day on being the best we can be," Boone said. "That's how we have to do it. But I understand when it doesn't happen, or we don't have the record that I think we should have, or certainly people think we should have - that comes with the territory."Jeter played with the Yankees for 20 years, winning five World Series en route to becoming a Hall of Famer. Rodriguez, who was a member of New York's last championship run in 2009, suited up for the Bronx Bombers for 12 seasons.

BRONX, NY - JULY 25: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 25, 2025 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

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Boone responds to criticism by Jeter, A-Rod: 'Comes with the territory'

The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on the 15-day injured list Sunday wit...

The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17570" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17570">Jacob Misiorowski</a> on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left tibia contusion before his scheduled outing versus the Washington Nationals.Misiorowski was hit on his shin by a liner last Monday during a start against the Chicago Cubs. He stayed in the game but only pitched four innings.The 23-year-old phenom said he expects to miss two starts due to the injury, according to <a href="https://x.com/cyrthogg/status/1952015890264015192?s=12">Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>. The IL designation is retroactive to July 31.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Misiorowski owns a 2.70 ERA with 12.7 K/9 over 33 1/3 innings (seven starts) this season for the NL Central-leading Brewers. He set a new record for fastest rise from MLB debut to All-Star after being selected to participate in this year's Midsummer Classic after just five starts.Right-hander Logan Henderson was recalled to take the Misiorowski's spot on the active roster.

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 25: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Brewers' Misiorowski lands on IL with tibia contusion

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired reliever Seranthony Domínguez and cash from the Baltimore Orioles ...

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9732" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9732">Seranthony Domínguez</a> and cash from the Baltimore Orioles for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, the teams announced.To make room for Domínguez on both the active and 40-man rosters, the Blue Jays designated veteran reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4316" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4316">Chad Green</a> for assignment.Domínguez didn't have to travel far to join his new team, as the Blue Jays and Orioles are in the midst of a four-game series at Camden Yards. He switched clubhouses between games of Tuesday's doubleheader, and made his way to the visitor's bullpen in a Blue Jays uniform during the nightcap.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Seranthony Domínguez was traded between games of the Blue Jays-Orioles doubleheader He walked past his old teammates to get to the Blue Jays bullpen 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/PVMgOIbBoL">pic.twitter.com/PVMgOIbBoL</a>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1950338016976744743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Domínguez owns a 3.24 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 1.34 WHIP with a 11.7 K/9 rate and two saves across 43 appearances for Baltimore this season. While he's put up a career-high 5.2 BB/9 rate, the right-hander's fastball is averaging nearly 98 mph this year while his 34.3% whiff rate sits in the 95th percentile. He'll add even more firepower to the back end of a Toronto bullpen that entered Tuesday with the second-highest K/9 (9.8) in the majors.The 30-year-old also brings a stellar playoff resume to the AL East-leading Blue Jays. Domínguez owns a lifetime 1.02 ERA and 0.78 FIP with 27 strikeouts over 17 playoff appearances. He was a key member of the Philadelphia Phillies' 2022 NL pennant-winning bullpen.Domínguez is earning $8 million this season in the final year of an extension he originally signed with Philadelphia in 2023.The Blue Jays are one of several contenders known to be chasing bullpen help ahead of the deadline. Even after adding Domínguez, Toronto is continuing to pursue a deal for St. Louis Cardinals closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9598" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9598">Ryan Helsley</a>, sources told <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1950299671102181658">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a>.Watts-Brown was ranked as Toronto's No. 10 prospect by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/bluejays/">MLB.com</a> prior to the trade. The 23-year-old right-hander put up a 3.54 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 113 strikeouts across 19 minor-league starts this season, split between High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire.Green, meanwhile, lost his spot on the Blue Jays' roster after struggling to a 5.56 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 45 appearances this year. The 34-year-old is earning $10.5 million this season.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 10: Seranthony Domínguez #56 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates after a victory against the New York Mets during game two of a double header at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 10, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Orioles trade Domínguez to Blue Jays

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley is getting attention from multiple clubs ahead of Thursda...

St. Louis Cardinals closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9598" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9598">Ryan Helsley</a> is getting attention from multiple clubs ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays are pursuing Helsley, sources told <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1950214496670363754">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a>.The Cardinals are <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3315830" href="https://thescore.com/news/3315830">reportedly</a> willing to listen to offers for the 2024 MLB saves leader, third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2381" href="/mlb/players/2381">Nolan Arenado</a>, and right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3012" href="/mlb/players/3012">Sonny Gray</a>, among others.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Arenado's name has come up in discussions with the Houston Astros, but there's no momentum toward a trade as of Tuesday morning, reports <a href="https://x.com/jonmorosi/status/1950209046964760712">Jon Morosi of MLB Network</a>. The Astros tried to acquire Arenado last offseason, but the eight-time All-Star used his no-trade clause to block the deal.Helsley owns a 3.00 ERA with 21 saves and 10.3 K/9 over 36 appearances in 2025. The two-time All-Star can test free agency at the end of this season.The Cardinals enter Tuesday's action 3.5 games out of the NL's final wild-card spot and nine games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. However, St. Louis has played better than expected after the front office signaled during the winter that the club would prioritize its minor-league system over the major-league roster.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 25: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field on August 25, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cardinals defeated the Twins 3-2.

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Report: Yanks, Dodgers, Jays among clubs targeting Cards' Helsley

The Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers are interested in acquiring two-time...

The Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers are interested in acquiring two-time All-Star closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9025" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9025">David Bednar</a> from the Pittsburgh Pirates before Thursday's trade deadline, reports <a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2025/07/29/pirates-trade-rumors-david-bednar-mitch-keller-tigers-rangers-phillies-yankees/stories/202507280038">Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</a>.The Pirates want another team's top-five prospect, at the very least, as a return for Bednar, sources told Hiles.Pittsburgh and the Toronto Blue Jays have also talked about different trade scenarios involving a Pirates reliever, sources told <a href="https://x.com/jonmorosi/status/1950200137789120548">Jon Morosi of MLB Network</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Detroit's bullpen ranks 26th in baseball with a combined 0.7 fWAR. Bednar alone owns a 1.3 fWAR this season.Texas has blown the fifth-most saves with 18, while Philadelphia's leader in saves is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8362" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8362">Jordan Romano</a>, who has eight but owns a ghastly 6.99 ERA in 2025.Bednar has authored a 2.37 ERA, 1.96 FIP, and 17 saves with a career-high 12.1 K/9 over 42 appearances this season. The 30-year-old is arbitration-eligible through the 2026 campaign.

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 21: David Bednar #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after pitching the final out in the ninth inning during an MLB game against the Detroit Tigers on July 21, 2025 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Report: Tigers, Phillies, Rangers eyeing Pirates' Bednar

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is a popular name with Thursday's trade deadline aroun...

Cleveland Guardians outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12614" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12614">Steven Kwan</a> is a popular name with Thursday's trade deadline around the corner.Kwan is attracting "a ton" of interest, a source told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6521551/2025/07/28/mlb-trade-deadline-guardians-clase-brewers/">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>.The Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres are believed to be among the clubs vying for the two-time All-Star, according to Rosenthal.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Guardians will reportedly set a high asking price for the 27-year-old because he's under team control through the 2027 campaign.Cleveland's chances of trading Kwan and 2020 AL Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9542" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9542">Shane Bieber</a> likely increased after Major League Baseball <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3316860" href="https://thescore.com/news/3316860">placed</a> star closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/11259" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/11259">Emmanuel Clase</a> on leave Monday amid a gambling investigation, notes Rosenthal.Kwan is slashing .287/.351/.411 with nine homers, 37 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 100 games this season. He's also walked more times (39) than he's struck out (37). Defensively, he sits in the 100th percentile in arm value and 72nd percentile for arm strength.The Guardians enter Tuesday's action four games out of the AL's final wild-card spot and nine games behind the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 30: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians leads off first base against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

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Report: Kwan attracting 'a ton' of interest ahead of deadline

The Chicago Cubs signed president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to a multi-year contract exten...

The Chicago Cubs signed president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to a multi-year contract extension Monday.Hoyer's previous deal was set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.The 51-year-old executive is responsible for bringing core pieces such as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8173" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8173">Kyle Tucker</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12736" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12736">Pete Crow-Armstrong</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12484" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12484">Michael Busch</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13692" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13692">Seiya Suzuki</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5401" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5401">Dansby Swanson</a> to the NL Central-leading Cubs.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I'm excited to keep building the momentum we have and to work with a terrific baseball operations staff to consistently deliver a championship-caliber team to this great city," Hoyer said in a statement.Hoyer has been with Chicago since 2012. He was originally hired as the team's general manager before he was promoted to his current role in 2020."Jed and his baseball operations stuff have built a healthy player development organization and put on exciting, playoff-contending team on the field," Cubs owner Tom Rickets added.Hoyer was also a member of the front office when the club won the 2016 World Series.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 01: Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer speaks to the media during a press conference at Wrigley Field on October 01, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Cubs extend Hoyer on multi-year deal

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Tom Ruminski

News Editor

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