Buster Olney names early favorite for potential Tarik Skubal trade
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the rumors will pick up more regarding Detroit Tigers star and reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Skubal is working his way back from having surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, and he should be back on the mound in the near future.
Whether or not the Tigers trade Skubal remains to be seen, but ESPN’s Buster Olney named the San Diego Padres as the early favorite for Skubal.
What are potential trade destinations for Tarik Skubal?@PaulHembo would LOVE the Brewers and Rays to swim with the usual suspects | @ESPNMilwaukee 👀
— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) May 28, 2026
"My early favorite, the San Diego Padres." – @Buster_ESPN https://t.co/HKSkWiuZdV pic.twitter.com/2KH1WJSrv8
The other teams previously mentioned as potential Skubal suitors are the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, along with the Padres.
As Olney mentions, Padres GM A.J. Preller is never afraid to make win-now moves, although acquiring Skubal would likely mean trading away a few prospects.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Skubal’s progress was “really encouraging” after he threw a live batting practice session, so that’s a positive development for both sides.
The Tigers are currently in last place in the American League Central as of May 28, so the chances of them sending him away might increase if things don’t turn around.
Texas Tech coach offers honest take on Brendan Sorsby situation
The Texas Tech Red Raiders might not see star quarterback Brendan Sorsby take a single snap in Lobbock this season.
Sorsby entered rehab due to a gambling addiction, and after completing his 35-day rehab, the NCAA announced that the quarterback is ineligible to play in 2026 after reports stated that he placed bets on his own team during his time at Indiana.
Sorsby and Texas Tech have decided to appeal, and the Red Raiders QB has a court date on June 1 that should decide what the future holds.
On Thursday, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire spoke about the situation with Sorsby.
“I do believe that he made a mistake, I do believe there should be consequences, but it’s my opinion that he shouldn’t be penalized for the rest of this year or his career,” McGuire said, via Chris Vannini of The Athletic.
McGuire also said that Sorsby has not been on campus since finishing his rehab, but rather is with his family.
After Sorsby finished his rehab, he posted a lengthy statement on social media, saying that he is “deeply sorry” and is “committed to the hard and necessary work ahead.”
Sorsby began his college career at Indiana and then spent the past two seasons at Cincinnati before transferring to Texas Tech this offseason.
Right now, the future is up in the air for Sorsby. If the court hearing doesn’t go his way, the only option is for him to head for the NFL Supplemental Draft in July, and he would more than likely be the first player selected in that event since 2019.
Report reveals why Grizzlies were only team to vote against tanking rules
On Thursday, the NBA Board of Governors passed new anti-tanking rules and draft lottery changes that will go into effect beginning in 2027.
The changes included flattened odds, a relegation zone including penalties for the top-three teams, and the lottery moving to 16 teams.
As it turns out, the Memphis Grizzlies were the only team to vote against the proposed changes, and ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed why they did so.
“Sources said the Grizzlies voted against the new lottery reform solely because of the new rule disallowing a team from picking top 5 in 3 consecutive years,” Charania said on Thursday.
Sources said the Grizzlies voted against the new lottery reform solely because of the new rule disallowing a team from picking top 5 in 3 consecutive years. As @BobbyMarks42 says, the Grizzlies have the more favorable 2027 first-rounder of Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah, and… https://t.co/BMbYAbr776
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2026
The changes prevent teams from having three consecutive top-five picks, but the Grizzlies have stockpiled draft picks over the past few seasons by making several trades.
One of those first-round picks was for the 2027 NBA Draft as part of the deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at this year’s deadline.
The Grizzlies also acquired several first-round picks in the trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, so the new rule hurts Memphis going forward.
In the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies have the No. 3 overall selection.
Jannik Sinner opens up about his issues during French Open loss
Jannik Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a surprising upset during their second-round match at the French Open in Paris, France, on Thursday. Sinner began the match winning the first two sets, and he led 5-1 in the third set before he fell apart and lost 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.
Amid hot conditions — it was 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the match — Sinner felt weak physically. He described himself after the match as having low energy and feeling dizzy.
“I didn’t feel very well on court, but can happen. Starting to feel very dizzy. Very low of energy. Tried to serve it out, but didn’t have a lot of energy,” Sinner said.
Jannik Sinner explains why he felt “dizzy” during his shock second round exit at Roland-Garros 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/FHLyQ9pp7w
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 28, 2026
After leading 5-1 in the third set, Sinner lost 18 points in a row to allow Cerundolo to make it a closer match. Sinner then received some medical attention before the match resumed, at which point he lost the next three games to drop the third set.
Sinner, who entered the match on a 30-match winning streak, said he tried to conserve some energy in the fourth set. The strategy wasn’t enough, as he also lost the fifth set.
Sinner’s defeat, coupled with Carlos Alcaraz missing the tournament due to a wrist injury, means that men’s tennis will see a new major winner for the first time since late 2023. Novak Djokovic won the US Open in 2023. After that, every major was won by either Sinner or Alcaraz.
Djokovic won his second-round match at the French Open in four sets and now has a better chance to win his 25th career major with Sinner eliminated.
UCLA QB uses loophole to enter transfer portal
In 2025, the NCAA decided to eliminate the spring transfer portal window in college football. That means players could only enter the portal from January 2 to January 16 this year.
However, on Thursday, UCLA quarterback-turned-wide receiver Karson Gordon entered the portal as he used a rare loophole.
According to Pete Nakos and Alex Byington of On3, Gordon is entering the portal as a track athlete, with Thursday being the day the track and field portal officially opened.
“Despite entering the portal as a track and field athlete, Gordon can sign with any program as a two-sport athlete, meaning he can join any interested football program ahead of the upcoming Fall semester,” Byington wrote.
It’s quite the loophole for Gordon to use, but for him, it comes at a good time. UCLA has former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava back for another year, and Nico’s younger brother, Madden, is expected to be the QB1 once Nico finishes his college career.
Gordon committed to UCLA in 2023, picking the Bruins over programs such as Tulane and Boston College, although Gordon didn’t see any playing time in the first two seasons.
UCLA has listed Gordon as a WR on the roster currently, but this should be an interesting player to watch, especially this late into the college football offseason.
Gordon played high school football at Missouri City, Texas, and was a three-star recruit.
Pneumonia listed on death certificate for Kyle Busch
On May 21, NASCAR star Kyle Busch tragically died at the age of 41.
Busch was set to race at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C., on May 24, so his death was shocking to many.
Busch’s family revealed that “severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis,” which led to complications and Busch’s death.
The death certificate, which was first obtained by US Weekly on Wednesday, also stated that Busch died from pneumonia. The certificate also said that Busch had been dealing with pneumonia for “days to weeks” before his death, turning into sepsis, which “triggered disseminated intravascular coagulation.”
Reports previously stated that 911 calls said Busch was “coughing up blood” before the ambulance arrived. Busch was also found unresponsive a day before his death while using a racing simulator.
It’s been a tough time for the Busch family and NASCAR fans, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway even had a touching tribute during the eighth lap of the Coca-Cola 600.
The crowd falls silent and holds up eight fingers on Lap 8 to pay tribute to Kyle Busch.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/ajzmwGSrjv
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) May 24, 2026
Daniel Suarez, who won the Coca-Cola 600, said, “This one’s for Kyle” after he crossed the finish line in an emotional scene in Charlotte.
Richard Childress Racing has also announced that the No. 8 car will switch to No. 33, and the team will hold No. 8 for Kyle’s son, Brexton.
Cause of death revealed for Claude Lemieux
NHL veteran Claude Lemieux was found dead on Thursday at the age of 60, and new information says he died by suicide.
Lemieux, who played 21 seasons in the NHL, did not return home on Wednesday night. His son went to the family’s business — a furniture store in Lake Park, Fla., and found his dad in a rear warehouse around 3:00 a.m., according to TMZ Sports. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they responded to a suicide attempt. The county’s medical office declined to release any records related to the death, citing privacy rules surrounding suicide cases.
Lemieux, who was known for being a tough guy on the ice, had just served as the torch carrier prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
RIP Claude Lemieux
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 28, 2026
The legend carried the torch into the Bell Centre just a few days ago at Game 3 pic.twitter.com/tGb9tF5o48
Lemieux played for Montreal from 1983-1990. He then spent six seasons with the New Jersey Devils, five with the Colorado Avalanche, and he also spent time with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose.
Lemieux won four Stanley Cups during his career. Lemieux won two titles with the Devils, and another with the Avalanche and Canadiens. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995.
NBA cracks down on tanking with new rule
The last few seasons in the NBA have brought the tanking discussion into focus. The 2025-26 NBA season was no exception, with multiple teams trying to increase their odds in the lottery, and fines were even handed down to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers.
Now, the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver are trying to eliminate such tanking actions. The NBA Board of Governors on Thursday passed new anti-tanking rules, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Some of the changes that will take effect include the lottery going from 14 to 16 teams, a relegation zone including penalties for the top-three teams, and flattened odds, among others.
The NBA makes an unprecedented move in American pro sports league by punishing the very worst teams in the draft lottery and creating a new system to incentivize winning — after months of meetings and conversations among league, ownership and team stakeholders. A radical response… https://t.co/GBKrZzc69x
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2026
The "3-2-1 lottery" is named to represent the number of lottery balls per team. Teams with a bottom-three record — the relegation area — have only two lottery balls. Teams that do not qualify for the playoffs or play-in tournament in spots four through 10 receive three lottery… https://t.co/H1BYVdQGra
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2026
The league’s anti-tanking measures are something that has picked up a lot of steam lately, and the new changes will begin in the 2027 NBA Draft and last through 2029, for now.
Here’s an interesting tidbit from Charania: “No one will be able to win the No. 1 in consecutive years or be able to win three consecutive top-five picks.”
This year, the Washington Wizards landed the top pick, and they were one of three teams with 14% odds, which was the highest.
So, at long last, Silver and the NBA have cracked down officially on the tanking efforts.
Patrick Mahomes opens up on injury recovery after participating in OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working hard to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL.
Mahomes missed the end of the 2025 season, but so far, he figures to be on track. Mahomes even participated in OTAs, a good sign for him being ready for Week 1.
On Thursday, Mahomes addressed the media and admitted he feels good as he works his way back to full strength.
Patrick Mahomes says he feels good and has enjoyed being out on the field at practice.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) May 28, 2026
He reiterated the goal is still to be ready for Week 1, but it’s all about taking each day at a time in his rehab. pic.twitter.com/8N48BFKqIC
The Chiefs posted a video on Tuesday with Mahomes wearing a jersey and a brace while dropping back to make a throw.
QB1. ⏰ pic.twitter.com/z2zGoIhIVz
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 26, 2026
Mahomes’ goal has always been to be ready for Week 1, and that continued on Thursday, although the Chiefs quarterback said he is just taking things a day at a time.
The Chiefs begin the season at home against the reigning AFC West champions, the Denver Broncos, on Monday Night Football on September 14.
If Patrick Mahomes isn’t ready, it figures to be Justin Fields, whom the Chiefs acquired in a trade with the New York Jets this offseason.
Video: Buccaneers’ Emeka Egbuka does his best Odell Beckham Jr. impression
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had 63 receptions for 938 yards with six touchdowns in his rookie season in the NFL.
With Mike Evans signing with the San Francisco 49ers, Egbuka’s numbers should go up in his second season. On Thursday, a video surfaced of Egbuka making a must-see one-handed grab that channels that of the Odell Beckham Jr. highlight-reel catch.
We know y'all have been waiting for this one… THE Emeka catch 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/DLs0ax2O8l
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 28, 2026
This play was from Tuesday, which was the first day of OTAs for the Buccaneers, so Egbuka wasted no time making his presence known for his second season in the league. Several reporters mentioned that Egbuka made a great catch, but the video didn’t surface until the Buccaneers released it on Thursday.
Egbuka, who was selected at 19 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after a standout career at Ohio State, led the team in receiving in his rookie season with a team-high in receptions, targets and yards as Evans and Chris Godwin dealt with injuries.
Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but Egbuka finished fifth in the voting with 66 points.
Now, Evans is with the 49ers, and while Godwin is back, Egbuka should be able to get past the 1,000-yard mark if he can stay healthy in 2026.
NHL legend Claude Lemieux dies at 60
The NHL world lost a legend as four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux died at the age of 60.
The NHL Alumni Association announced the news of Lemieux’s death via a social media post.
The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60.
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) May 28, 2026
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and would make his NHL debut just a few months later… pic.twitter.com/iohlATU6qz
The news comes just days after Lemieux carried out the torch at the Bell Centre in Montreal prior to Game 3 of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
Tu es chez toi ici, Claude Lemieux! 👏
— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 26, 2026
Welcome home, Claude Lemieux!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fQvfhZSNUB
Lemieux was selected at No. 26 overall by the Canadiens in the 1983 NHL Draft, and he played with the franchise until 1990, including being part of the Stanley Cup-winning team in 1986.
Lemieux then spent five seasons with the New Jersey Devils before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche right before the 1995-96 NHL season. Lemieux also spent time with the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks, with the Sharks being the final team he played for before retiring in 2009.
The Sharks also posted a message on social media after Lemieux passed away.
“The entire Sharks organization is saddened to learn of the passing of Sharks alum and NHL legend Claude Lemieux. Our thoughts are with the Lemieux family,” the Sharks wrote.
Lemieux won two titles with the Devils and another with the Avalanche, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995.
Following his retirement, Lemieux became a certified NHL agent, and he represented players such as Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.
NBA analyst drops ‘agonizing’ take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a back-to-back NBA MVP winner and is one game away from his second straight NBA Finals appearance.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been a superstar since coming to OKC, but he has drawn a lot of criticism lately due to flopping.
On Thursday, NBA analyst Mike Greenberg said that watching Gilgeous-Alexander play is “agonizing” and “not fun” during an episode of “Get Up!”
Mike Greenberg on SGA:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 28, 2026
“Sometimes watching him play is agonizing. It is not fun…. You have to understand that for the rest of us, watching this style of play is not like watching Steph, it’s not like watching Michael Jordan. It’s just not. We’re watching to be entertained.”… pic.twitter.com/i231Ek5RnF
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks called Gilgeous-Alexander a “little frail” and questioned his free-throw trips after the Suns were swept by the Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Last postseason, fans chanted “Free Throw Merchant” at Gilgeous-Alexander during the Western Conference Finals, although the Thunder star said it was a “compliment.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was second in the NBA in free-throw attempts in the regular season, only behind Luka Doncic, although Gilgeous-Alexander played four more games than the Los Angeles Lakers star.
In the Thunder’s Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs, Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 free-throw attempts, and he also had 17 attempts in the Game 1 win over the Suns.
The Thunder will try to finish the Western Conference Finals on Thursday with Game 6 against the Spurs at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
1 Eastern Conference team named ‘potential bidder’ for Austin Reaves
Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves is set to hit free agency, and he could command a massive deal this summer.
While Reaves could return to the Lakers, there have been reports of teams making near-max offers to the former undrafted star. One “potential bidder” has emerged, which is the Brooklyn Nets, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
“One potential bidder to watch this summer, sources said, is the Brooklyn Nets, who will enter the offseason with more than enough salary cap space to accommodate a max-type player,” Bontemps wrote.
The max value projects at five years and $239 million, but Bontemps reported that several scouts and executives think Reaves’ deal will be around five years and $200 million.
The Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks were also previously linked to Reaves, but the Lakers star admitted he wanted to “run it back” with LA.
Reaves was undrafted after playing college basketball at Oklahoma, but he has become a key piece of the Lakers’ rotation. This season, he averaged 23.3 points with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in the regular season, although he played a career-low 51 games due to injuries.
Right now, the expectation by many is that Reaves will return to LA, and it remains to be seen if LeBron James will wear the purple and gold again or play elsewhere if he decides to add another year to his legendary NBA career.
John Calipari, Arkansas lose star player to NBA Draft
John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks will be without two stars from this year’s team.
Darius Acuff Jr. is looking like a top-10 pick, and now Meleek Thomas has decided to remain in the 2026 NBA Draft.
NEWS: Arkansas' Meleek Thomas kept his name in the 2026 NBA Draft at the NCAA withdrawal deadline, a source told DraftExpress.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 28, 2026
The 6'4, 19-year-old guard made the SEC All-Rookie team, averaging 15.6 PPG on 42% from 3 in 31 MPG. pic.twitter.com/pS4vOCCjzQ
Thomas finished his freshman season and averaged 15.6 points per game with 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Thomas started 21 games for Arkansas and averaged just over 30 minutes, so he was a key piece for the Razorbacks on their way to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Thomas’ best outing came against Missouri when he scored a season-high 30 points with seven rebounds.
Thomas was a five-star recruit who played at Overtime Elite, and he chose Arkansas over UConn and Pittsburgh, his hometown team.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had Thomas ranked at No. 26 in his top 100 prospects list, so it looks like Thomas should be a first-round choice. Woo has Thomas projected to go to the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 28 in his latest mock draft.
The 2026 NBA Draft begins on Tuesday, June 23, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
NBA insider reveals why Victor Wembanyama escaped punishment
Victor Wembanyama’s pockets are safe from an unexpected expense amid the NBA Playoffs.
Wembanyama avoided getting slapped with a fine by the Association over his actions following the San Antonio Spurs’ 127-114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Tuesday.
The former top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft only received a warning from the league for “violating media access rule,” according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Meanwhile, NBA insider Chris Haynes believes Wembanyama’s outstanding behavior in the past helped the French star avoid a much more serious punishment than a slap on the wrist
“He was voted by the [Professional] Basketball Writers Association for being one of the most accommodating players to media. They let him off the hook this time,” Haynes said during an appearance on NBA TV.
Back in April, Wembanyama was awarded the 2025-26 Magic Johnson Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
At that time, PBWA president Howard Beck said that Wembanyama personifies the kind of “superstar who is just as thoughtful and engaging off the court as he is dominant on the court.”
Wembanyama was seemingly neither dominant on the court nor engaging with reporters on Tuesday, as he shot 4-for-15 for 20 points in Game 5 before blowing past the media.
Video: Former Laker reduced to tears after a dramatic championship overseas
Stanley Johnson did not pan out as an NBA star, but he found success overseas.
The former Arizona Wildcats star, who was a first-round pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2015 and had a stop with the Los Angeles Lakers, reached the top of Japan’s B.League this week, as he helped the Nagasaki Velca win the championship.
The B.LEAGUE shared a clip showing an emotional Johnson in tears after Nagasaki defeated the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the best-of-three championship series.
ブザーが鳴り、ベンチで泣き崩れたスタンリー・ジョンソン。
— B.LEAGUE（Bリーグ） (@B_LEAGUE) May 26, 2026
シーズンを通してインパクトを残した男が、歓喜の涙を流す。@n_velca#Bリーグ #りそなグループ #Bリーグファイナル https://t.co/Qeq3JtL7cR pic.twitter.com/UEtdj7on7R
Johnson and the Velcas stumbled right out of the gate of the B.League Finals, as they lost Game 1, 71-69. But Nagasaki responded by winning the next two games to claim the title. In Game 3, Johnson came off the bench and scored 9 points on 3/11 shooting with 4 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists in 32 minutes of Nagasaki’s 72-64 win.
Just based on his reaction, the championship Johnson won with Nagasaki will stick with him for a long time. His basketball journey in Japan appears to have a profound effect on him, and it’s something he can definitely be proud of.
It will be interesting to see whether Johnson’s success in Japan will lead to another NBA call.
At only 29 years old, he can still take another shot at making it back to the league.
Johnson played his first four-plus seasons in the NBA with the Pistons, who later traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans. He also spent time with the two seasons with the Toronto Raptors before signing with the Lakers in 2021. Johnson last saw action in the NBA in the 2022-23 campaign with the San Antonio Spurs.
Lane Hutson had a vulgar quote about the Canadiens’ Game 4 loss
What the Montreal Canadiens’ offense lacked on Wednesday, Habs defenseman Lane Hutson made up for with profanity following their 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
“It’s pretty self-explanatory. S—-y, s–t game,” the 22-year-old blueliner told reporters about Montreal’s loss, via BarDown.
Lane Hutson didn’t mince his words when asked about the Habs’ performance in their Game 4 loss. #StanleyCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/DKfeVpxFBm
— BarDown (@BarDown) May 28, 2026
Things have gone south for the Canadiens since their 6-2 win in Game 1 of the series. The Hurricanes eked out back-to-back overtime wins in Game 2 and Game 3 before finally winning in convincing fashion in Game 4.
Hutson’s frustration can largely be attributed to Montreal’s disjointed attack. The Hurricanes dominated the possession battle with 43 shots on goal to just 18 by the Habs, who also came up empty on two power-play opportunities.
In fact, Carolina’s shots on goal in Game 4 were equal to all the shots the Canadiens mustered from Game 2 to Game 4, according to OptaSTATS.
For all their struggles, the Canadiens still have a heartbeat in the series, and they will look to extend their season and guarantee at least one more game in Montreal when they face the Hurricanes in Game 5 on Friday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
White Sox pitcher makes history with absurd pitch efficiency
Chicago White Sox pitcher David Sandlin had an unforgettable debut in the big leagues.
Sandlin pitched a gem in his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., and it was not just any other strong performance on the mound. The 25-year-old right-handed hurler had a start like no other in at least the last 38 years.
Via OptaSTATS: “David Sandlin of the @whitesox threw 61 pitches in 6.0 innings in his MLB debut tonight (10.2 per inning). That’s the fewest pitches per inning by any pitcher in his MLB debut (min. 6.0 IP) since pitches were first tracked in 1988.”
Sandlin allowed just an earned run on one hit (a home run by Byron Buxton in the first inning) with four strikeouts and a walk to help the White Sox beat Minnesota, 15-2.
Moreover, Sandlin recovered from the home run he gave up to Buxton by retiring 18 consecutive batters, the most by a White Sox pitcher in his MLB debut in at least the last 100 years, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
It also surely helped Sandlin’s confidence that the White Sox’s offense gave him ample run support, with Chicago scoring two runs in the second and third innings before erupting for five more in the fifth frame.
The White Sox called up Sandlin on Tuesday, via Elijah Evans of Just Baseball and Future Sox, and he proved himself ready for the big stage with a stellar outing.
Video: Rays pitcher vomits all over the mound in his team debut
The Tampa Bay Rays are experiencing some baseball malaise. Meanwhile, one of their pitchers literally looked sick on the mound during his team debut on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md.
Jonathan Heasley, making his first appearance in a Rays uniform, had a vomiting episode while pitching in relief in the fifth inning of the finale of the Orioles series.
The 29-year-old right-handed pitcher was getting ready to throw a pitch before he started throwing up. A Tampa Bay staff member then went out to the mound to get Heasley some water and check on his condition.
Here is a video of that moment.
Rays pitcher Jonathan Heasley puked on the mound in his team debut pic.twitter.com/ouBaO9Mdd6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 28, 2026
Apparently, it was not the first time that Heasley had such a moment during a game.
“Heasley actually talked to this about us pregame when he arrived here,” Rays Baseball reporter Ryan Bass shared during the broadcast. “This is something he is actually regularly known for. He actually did hurl on the field when he was with Durham [in Triple-A].”
“He said when he used to play high school football, it would happen regularly. He just has a weak stomach. It sometimes happens when his nerves kick up a little bit. He said, ‘I’m totally fine.’”
Heasley somehow managed to stay in the game and finish it, but he had a barf-worthy performance overall, as he allowed five earned runs on eight hits with just two strikeouts through four innings in an 11-2 loss to the Orioles.
The Rays, who dropped to 34-19, have now lost four games in a row after getting swept by the Orioles.
Dodgers get rough injury news on Teoscar Hernandez
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to soldier on without Teoscar Hernandez for at least the foreseeable future.
Hernandez hurt his hamstring while trying to leg out a single on Wednesday during the second inning of their game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. The veteran slugger immediately grabbed at his left hamstring after stepping on first base.
Teoscar Hernández appeared to injure his left hamstring while running to 1B in the 2nd inning of tonight’s Dodgers vs Rockies game.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 28, 2026
The very last thing you want to see. pic.twitter.com/a7S8uDChCB
Hyeseong Kim came in and finished the game in place of Hernandez in left field as the Dodgers won 4-1.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that the team is still unsure of the severity of Hernandez’s injury but did state that initial testing with the outfielder went well.
“We’re gonna get a scan tomorrow,” Roberts said. “Obviously, it’s an IL. There’s just no timeline, but something like that obviously is gonna be a few weeks at the minimum.”
Hernandez entered the game batting .278 with 7 home runs and 31 RBIs across 50 games. The injury to Hernandez came just a day after Kike Hernandez hurt his oblique against the Rockies.
