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Logan Gilbert holds down Reds as Mariners win again
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Gilbert pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to earn his first victory of the season as the Seattle Mariners topped the visiting Cincinnati Reds 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Julio Rodriguez had two hits to move his batting average past .200 and threw out the Reds' Elly De La Cruz at third base to potentially prevent a big inning as the Mariners won their second in a row, matching a season high. They beat the Reds 9-3 on Monday.

On Tuesday, Gilbert (1-0) allowed one run on three hits. The right-hander walked one and struck out six.

The Reds loaded the bases in the ninth on two walks and an error before Mariners reliever Tayler Saucedo entered with two outs and got pinch-hitter Tyler Stephenson to fly out to center to earn his first save.

The Reds also threatened with two outs in the seventh. Jake Fraley drew a walk, ending Gilbert's night. Reliever Andres Munoz walked De La Cruz on five pitches.

Pinch-hitter Nick Martini lined a single to center, but Rodriguez charged the ball, caught it on one hop and fired to third, where Josh Rojas made a diving tag to nab De La Cruz just before Fraley, who had inexplicably slowed, crossed the plate.

The Mariners opened the scoring in the fourth as Mitch Garver was hit by a pitch and rookie Jonatan Clase hit a run-scoring double to left with two outs.

The Reds tied it in the fifth after Spencer Steer led off with a single. Fraley reached on a fielder's choice and De La Cruz grounded a single to right, sending Fraley to third. Fraley scored on Fairchild's groundout to second.

Seattle regained the lead in the bottom of the inning off former Mariners reliever Emilio Pagan (1-1). Rodriguez lined a single to left and, an out later, Mitch Haniger grounded a single to left. A walk to Cal Raleigh loaded the bases and another walk to Garver scored the run.

The Mariners tacked on a run in the sixth as J.P. Crawford grounded a one-out single to left and moved to second on a wild pitch. A two-out walk to Jorge Polanco extended the inning, and Haniger lined a run-scoring single to center to make it 3-1.

Reds starter Hunter Greene didn't factor into the decision, leaving after four innings and 98 pitches with the score tied at 1-1. The right-hander gave up four hits, walked three and fanned eight.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect
MLB

Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles has learned that the New York Yankees have asked the Pittsburgh Pirates about Oneil Cruz. In what may or may not have been a related matter, Pirates scouts were in Toronto on Tuesday night to observe Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, according to MLB Marathon. Yankees Ask About Pirates Star, as Pirates Scout Yankees Prospect Hiles further reports that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington isn’t inclined to move Cruz. However, as the saying goes, everybody has a price. The Pirates would love to emerge from the deadline with one or more controllable, major league-ready hitters. Cruz could be moved if Cherington is overwhelmed by the return. Yankees Asked Pirates About Oneil Cruz We’d previously reported that the Yankees have asked the Pirates about five players. Make that six. At six-foot-seven, 240 pounds, the left-handed batting Cruz, 26, has natural talent that would make any scout’s mouth water. After Wednesday’s game, Cruz is batting .219/.319/.419, 16 HR, and 40 RBI, with a major league-leading 33 stolen bases. Blessed with speed, power, and a strong arm, he regularly registers high Statcast marks for velocity, whether off the bat or from his arm. His 57.9 percent hard-hit rate far surpasses the major league average. He got a chance to show off his power to the nation as a participant in this year’s Home Run Derby. He didn’t win, but he had some of the most impressive shots. Cruz can also be frustrating at times. Despite substantially reducing his chase rate to 26.9 percent, he carries a 31.9 percent strikeout rate. He’s had mental lapses in the field and instances where his effort has been called into question. Cruz began his career as a shortstop. After committing 24 errors there in 2024, he was moved to center field late in the season. He’s learning the position on the fly. So far, he’s been charged with -4 Fielding Runs Above Average, -7 Defensive Runs Saved, and a major league-leading seven outfield errors. Where Cruz Fits with the Yankees (If At All) Where Cruz fits with the Yankees is a puzzling question. There doesn’t seem to be room in their outfield. He’s certainly not replacing Aaron Judge. Nor does he seem to be a significant upgrade over their other outfielders or designated hitter Ben Rice. Rice, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger are left-handed batters. Jasson Dominguez is a switch-hitter. Thus, Cruz doesn’t seem to be even a platoon option. Where the Yankees can use an upgrade is on the left side of their infield. That’s why they’ve inquired about Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Third baseman Oswald Peraza is hitting a weak .147/.208/.237, 3 HR, and 13 RBI. Shortstop Anthony Volpe was once highly touted for his potential. However, playing regularly for three seasons now, he has a lifetime slash line of .224/.288/.379. His 13 home runs for 2025 are nothing to sneeze at, but in addition to his otherwise woeful batting performance, he also leads major league shortstops with 13 errors and has been a frequent target of fan vitriol. In light of the above, one wonders whether the Yankees would move Cruz back to his original shortstop position. That would be a gamble because Cruz last played the position, and not well, in August 2024. Cruz and the Yankees might be a gamble regardless of how he’s deployed. The rough fans and media in New York won’t respond kindly to his propensity for striking out and occasional brain cramps. Pittsburgh crowds can be tough, too, but nothing like what Cruz would likely encounter in the Bronx. The Yankees should strongly consider the potential impact on Cruz. Pirates Looked at Cam Schlittler Schlittler is a six-foot-six, 225-pound right-handed starting pitcher whom the Yankees called up earlier this month. His major league career consists of two starts. In 10 1/3 innings, he’s given up five earned runs on 11 hits, two of which were home runs, and five walks while striking out 10. Last Sunday, we reported on speculation that Schlittler and outfielder Spencer Jones could be the return in a deal for Hayes and David Bednar. At that time, Jones was rated the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect and Schlittler was ranked No. 6. Since then, MLB Pipeline has revised its prospect lists. Schlittler had been propelled to No. 3, and Jones dropped to No. 4. Some Pirates observers might find it odd that the Pirates, pitching-rich at the major and minor league levels, would scout another pitcher. However, a deal involving Mitch Keller or Andrew Heaney would leave a hole in the rotation. No. 1 prospect Bubba Chandler was projected to arrive in Pittsburgh this summer, but he’s struggled of late. The asking price for Cruz might be a hitter and a pitcher from the Yankees prospect list. Schlittler, 24, features a fastball that’s touched 98 mph and on which scouts have hung a 60 rating. The fastball’s movement makes it difficult to lift in the air. He also offers two effective breaking pitches with his slider and curveball. Scouts are less enthusiastic about his changeup. In 2023, he was the pitcher of the year in both the High-A and South Atlantic League and the Yankees organization. Before he got the call, this year he had a 2.82 ERA and 1.213 WHIP across two minor league levels. The Last Word One thing’s for sure: Yankees GM Brian Cashman won’t spend this trade deadline sitting on his hands. As I write this, the Yankees are 56-46, four games out of first place in the American League East Division and would be the top Wild Card entry if the season ended today. On the other hand, Cherington will be busy unloading expiring contracts. He’ll listen on controllable pieces like Cruz, Hayes, and Keller, but with this Pirates season so far gone, he doesn’t necessarily have to move them if he doesn’t like the deal. Time will tell whether there’s a match between the two clubs.

Releasing Christian Wilkins Proves Spytek, and the Raiders Mean Business
NFL

Releasing Christian Wilkins Proves Spytek, and the Raiders Mean Business

Since taking over as the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, John Spytek and Raiders Head Coach, Pete Carroll, have emphasized how critical it will be for them to establish a new culture for their team. After years of subpar play, the Raiders needed to improve their culture equally as much as they needed to improve their roster. Spytek wasted no time significantly improving the Raiders' roster, adding Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty this offseason. Although a culture change usually takes more than offseason, the Raiders may have expedited the process by releasing veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The organization and Wilkins were not on the same page in regard to his rehab, pushing the Raiders to make a drastic move. While drastic, the move appears to align with Spytek's intended composition of the Raiders' roster. At the NFL Combine months before Wilkins' recent release, the Raiders' general manager explained what he would take into consideration when assembling the Raiders' roster. While Spytek likely figured Wilkins would be part of the team at the time, his words rang true following the veteran defensive tackle's release. “I think we're going to have a lot of positive energy. The guys that love to compete and play with passion are going to have a chance at our place. And the guys that maybe don't have that love of the game, they like it, it's a means to an end, there probably won't be as many places or spaces for them at our place," Spytek said. "I think we want to set the tone with our film. When people watch a week or two out for our games coming, like they want to know, like this is going to be a battle, this is going to be physical, this is going to be old-school football." It is challenging to maintain positive energy when a player who has only played five games with the Silver and Black fails to uphold their end of a contract worth over $100 million. Shortly after releasing Wilkins, the Raiders issued the following statement. "We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins. This franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season." The Raiders' words spoke loudly enough, but they did not say nearly as loudly as the actual move of releasing Wilkins. Full details of why the Raiders decided to move on from Wilkins after just one season remain unclear, but one thing is clear: the Raiders' new-look front office means business. Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and Instagram @HondoSr and weigh in on this take. While here, check out our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE to discuss this take

Steelers Teammates Are Noticing Great Differences From Aaron Rodgers: 'A Guy That's Bought In'
NFL

Steelers Teammates Are Noticing Great Differences From Aaron Rodgers: 'A Guy That's Bought In'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting quarterback situation that has been monitored by NFL fans throughout the 2025 offseason. The organization was in pursuit of four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers for over three months, and the quarterback finally signed a one-year deal. He was then in Pittsburgh for mandatory minicamp. He is the unquestioned starter heading into the 2025 season, and he is coming off of a quietly good season with the New York Jets in 2024 statistically. He was bouncing back from a serious injury, so it should be expected for him to play even better in 2025. Rodgers got better as the 2024 season went along after missing all of 2023, and he is now further removed from his Achilles injury. He has a decent amount of weapons on Pittsburgh's offense, and the team is expected to rely on its run game and defense once again. Rodgers won't be asked to do too much, which should be a recipe for success for the 41-year old quarterback. Will Howard spoke to the media in Latrobe, PA on Thursday morning, and he had nothing but great things to say about the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh. The 41-year old has been heavily criticized in the media in the past for being a bad teammate, but every report that has come out of Pittsburgh has suggested otherwise. Rodgers has already expressed his willingness to mentor Howard and show him the ropes as he goes through his rookie season, which is something that has gotten a lot of the fan base in Pittsburgh excited about the addition of Rodgers. Rodgers has always been misunderstood throughout his career. He has been blamed for countless things that simply weren't his fault. It seemed that everything that went wrong with the Jets was somehow because of the quarterback, despite the fact that the Jets organization has been one of the worst in all of sports over the last decade or so. The fan base in Pittsburgh was frustrated with the way Rodgers handled his free agency, as he seemed to drag out his signing with Pittsburgh. The quarterback said he was dealing with some things in his personal life that made him want to take his time, which some fans took issue with. After these new comments from Howard, the fans should completely flip in their opinions on Rodgers. He is approaching this job with the Steelers in a positive manner, he is bought in, and he is helping the younger guys on the roster. Steelers’ Offense Has A Chance To Be The Best Its Been With Aaron Rodgers The offense in Pittsburgh has been inconsistent, and sometimes absolutely stagnant in recent years. The run game has fallen apart at times, and the quarterback play has been abysmal on occasion. That shouldn't be the case in 2025, as Rodgers' experience and talent should be able to take the unit to the next level, especially if the offensive line can take a step forward. This will open up the run game, which will only help the offense as a whole. Rodgers will have an absolute animal to throw to on the outside in DK Metcalf, as well as some speedsters in Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Pittsburgh also rosters one of the best tight end rooms in the league with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington. Rodgers will be able to end his career on a high note with these weapons, and the near-decade long draught of playoff success could come to a close.

NFL

5 (Early) Takeaways from Jets Training Camp So Far

Practices have started in Florham Park, and the Aaron Glenn era has officially begun. While it’s still very early, there are already plenty of storylines taking shape. From injuries and position battles to coaching changes, here are five takeaways from Jets Training Camp so far. 1. Justin Fields Injury Update and the Quarterback Depth Justin Fields left practice on Day Two with a toe injury during team drills. The initial scare had him carted off the field (as a front seat passenger), but an update from the team indicates the injury is minor and that Fields is considered day-to-day. In the meantime, veteran Tyrod Taylor stepped in with the starters. His experience makes him a reliable option, and undrafted rookie Adrian Martinez has also gotten some work. Rookie Brady Cook has seen action as well, though we can tell you he’s struggled during the first few practices. 2. Is There a True Competition at Center? Josh Myers took first-team reps at center on Day Two. This raises the question: Is there an actual competition brewing? Myers has experience snapping to Fields from their Ohio State days, so the early reps may have been based on familiarity. Still, it’s something to monitor as the Jets look to stabilize the interior of the offensive line. 3. Defense Sets the Tone Early According to KRL’s Day Two camp report, the defense made a strong impression by disrupting passing lanes and applying pressure throughout team drills. Quincy Williams stood out with physical coverage, and the unit as a whole seemed to be flying around with purpose. It’s still early, and players are not in full pads, but the defensive energy has been noticeable. With Glenn’s aggressive philosophy and returning talent across the board, the defense looks ready to carry its weight again in 2025. 4. A New Practice Structure Under Aaron Glenn Day One of camp revealed a different structure under Aaron Glenn. The Jets opened team drills by splitting the roster across parallel fields. The first-team offense and defense worked on one field, while the second, third, and fourth units rotated on another. It allowed for a faster pace, more reps for younger players, and a more efficient use of time. Glenn and his staff are focused on evaluation, and this format gives them a broader look at the full roster. 5. Special Teams Spots Up for Grabs With Greg Zuerlein and Thomas Morstead no longer on the roster, special teams is wide open. Neither kicker got reps during day one, but punters Austin McNamara and Matt Hayball were both active on Day One. It’s unclear who has the edge in either competition yet, but those positions will be key in preseason games. For now, it’s a true evaluation period. Final Thoughts The pads haven’t come on yet, but early in Jets training camp, we’re already seeing how this new coaching staff is putting their stamp on the team. There’s a long way to go before final rosters are set, but these early takeaways are setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be an interesting summer in Florham Park. Want more Jets insight? Join the conversation in our JetNation forums, the largest independent community of New York Jets fans. The post 5 (Early) Takeaways from Jets Training Camp So Far appeared first on JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog Forum.

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