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Right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti joined the stable of injured Houston Astros starters on Tuesday when the team placed him on the 15-day injured list with a broken thumb.
It was a hard luck injury for Arrighetti, who took a line drive off his throwing hand while playing catch in the outfield during batting practice Monday night. The Astros have called up Luis Contreras to take his spot on the active roster, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.
Arrighetti made two starts in 2025 before his injury, going 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA over 9.2 innings. Those numbers tell the story of two vastly different starts. Arrigheti was brilliant in his first start of the season, holding the New York Mets to a run on one hit with five strikeouts in six innings. His next start was shakier as he allowed five runs on five hits and three walks against the Minnesota Twins in 3.2 innings.
Arrighetti’s injury comes at a time when the Astros have several starters still working their way back from injury. JP France is due back around the All-Star break, while Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia are both rehabbing from major surgeries.
Lance McCullers Jr. is nearing a return to the Astros
Out of all the injured Astros starters, Lance McCullers Jr. might be closest to a return. He hasn’t pitched in a regular season MLB game since 2022 as injuries and setbacks have kept him sidelined after he initially suffered a muscle strain in his right arm during 2023 spring training.
McCullers is, however, expected to make his third rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Sugar Land. He got hit hard in his second rehab start, which he made last week in Double-A, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks in 1.2 innings.
But the most important part is that he got through it healthy. If all goes well on Saturday, it shouldn’t be long before he makes his Major League return.
Astros starters have a 4.64 ERA so far this season, good for 19th in the league.
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Mets Could Steal Massive Star From Their Biggest Rival
In 2024, the New York Mets may have pulled off the biggest jersey swap of all time- acquiring massive free agent Juan Soto on an enormous 15-year, $765 million deal. However, this shouldn’t be the end of the line for New York. The team still has money, and perhaps they can use it to pay for a massive star. Big-Name Free Agent Could Be on the Radar for Mets The Biggest Bat on the Free Agent Market May Not be Kyle Tucker Sure, Kyle Tucker is a younger player with some superstar potential. Some might say that he is a superstar. However, the one very consistent bat is the bat of Kyle Schwarber. Over the last five seasons, Schwarber has hit at least 32 homers. This season is no exception, as he is on pace for 57 home runs. Schwarber strikes out a lot. However, his at-bats usually end in either a homer, a strikeout, or a walk. Schwarber remains one of the most significant game-changing bats on the market. He is heading into his age-33 season, but he reminds many of a Nelson Cruz-type bat. A bat that can last well into the late 30s. Tucker may be a good defender and a possibly excellent bat, but consistency remains on the side of Schwarber. The Mets Shouldn’t Stop at Alonso and Soto Now, the Mets may very well have to contend with another free agency of Pete Alonso. However, if the Mets have learned anything this season, they probably won’t hesitate to sign Alonso, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market. This will leave the Mets with options in free agency. Go big or play it safe and improve minimally. The Mets typically aren’t used to liking Schwarber, who seems to always be on a rival team. However, this doesn’t mean that it is impossible for him to pry away from the Phillies. Sure, the Mets can be content with the signing of Soto and, hopefully, also Alonso. But if New York wants to make the best team ever to play in Queens, New York may very well want to go after some of the bigger names on the market. If many people thought the Mets were in contention for Vladdy, then they can definitely be in contention for Schwarber. The Mets also don’t have a definitive DH, and even with some saying Soto is a potential DH in the future, Soto will likely continue to play the outfield. Schwarber would be a dream DH for New York. Schwarber Will Not Be Easy To Sign, But Neither Was Soto If there is one thing that many have learned over the last few seasons, it is that the Mets don’t just settle. The Mets have made huge trades, huge signings, and more. Schwarber has made it relatively clear that he likes Philly, and even his teammates have expressed that they want him to stay. And of course, Philly is capable of providing the money for Schwarber to stay. However, New York is even more capable. If the Mets make a good trade ahead of the deadline, young players live up to their potential, and the Mets make a big splash in free agency, then New York would be virtually unstoppable. It used to be the New York Yankees that got everything they wanted. Now, there might be a new sheriff in town. The Mets are starting to turn the corner and are becoming the new juggernaut in New York. Perhaps the Soto signing was just the beginning. Signing a free agent away from a bitter rival wouldn’t be easy. However, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time for New York.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Bruins' David Pastrnak Calls Out Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: He Just Lacks Humility'
Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the most promising players in the NHL, but now he has been called out by David Pastrnak, who stated he lacks humility. After being picked No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Draft, expectations were high in Montreal for young star Juraj Slafkovsky, and thus far, he's shown glimpses of being the elite level player many expected when he entered the National Hockey League. However, there are still some major steps to go, and in a recent interview, Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak pointed out perhaps one area where the 21-year old may need to improve moving forward. When asked about Slafkovsky and his potential, Pastrnak gave nothing but a glowing review of the young Canadiens star, but he did note that he believes Slafkovsky needs more humility. 'He's still a young player who is gaining experience in the NHL every year. This season it was already clear that he gave the team more than before...He just needs a little more humility, he should set an example for the young ones.' On the ice, there's no doubting that Slafkovsky has the presence, the size and the talent to be a true star, posting 101 total points over the past two seasons, but for whatever reason, it appears as though Pastrnak believes he needs to improve off the ice before he can take a major leap in Montreal. Ultimately, the talent is still there for Slafkovsky, and at 21-years old, he'll continue to learn off the ice, and if he can go anywhere close to living up to the potential that he's shown in his first three years at the NHL level, there's no doubt that he can be a big time star and help lead the Canadiens to significant post-season success.
Two-time Pro Bowler's record-breaking extension should make Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh happy
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves offensive linemen. The coach said, "We look at offensive linemen as weapons," after facing criticism for taking right tackle Joe Alt instead of wide receiver Malik Nabers (now with the New York Giants) during the 2024 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, the Chargers are keeping Harbaugh's arsenal stocked. Los Angeles and left tackle Rashawn Slater agreed to a four-year, $114M contract extension Sunday, via ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal includes $92M guaranteed, making him the highest-paid O-lineman in NFL history. Slater, 26, had been working to the side at training camp instead of practicing with the team since July 18. Harbaugh has used a smashmouth offense throughout his career. During the 2024 season, the Chargers tied for the league's 11th-most rushing attempts (463). L.A. will probably continue to lean heavily on its ground attack this season. It signed running back Najee Harris in free agency and grabbed North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton (pick No. 22) in the 2025 draft. Harris is on the non-football injury list because of an eye injury suffered during a fireworks accident on July 4. Keeping O-linemen who suit the run-heavy scheme is critical. Per Pro Football Focus, Slater posted an 82.8 run-blocking grade in 15 regular-season games last season, the fifth-best mark at his position. The two-time Pro Bowler is also excellent at protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. The Northwestern product has allowed just 11 sacks since the Chargers selected him with pick No. 13 in the 2021 draft (via PFF). The only concern about Slater is his injury history. He missed 14 regular-season games during the 2022 season because of a left biceps tear and battled ankle and pectoral injuries over the past two seasons. If Slater stays healthy, the Chargers should have one of the best O-lines in the NFL. PFF's Zoltan Buday ranked the unit No. 10 in the league in a story published July 7. That should make Harbaugh smile.
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