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The New York Mets’ bullpen was recently predicted to see a major shakeup in the 2025 MLB season.
Mets forecasted to switch closers next season
SNY’s John Harper predicted that the Mets would demote current closer Edwin Diaz for Dedniel Nunez next season (h/t The Sporting News’ Jon Conahan):
“Diaz’s strong finish in 2024 made it easier to forget his up-and-down season but his shaky spring has resurrected concerns about whether he can still be an elite closer. His velocity has been down slightly and his inability to prevent baserunners from stealing at will against him is looming as a potentially costly problem.
“Núñez, meanwhile, returned this spring from the flexor tendon injury that shut him down after he emerged as a surprise bullpen weapon in 2024, throwing 98 mph again,” Harper wrote.
Mets may need to explore multiple options at closer
The Mets saw Diaz blow four saves last year, all of which came in the month of May. He was able to regain steam after seeing time in the eighth inning in spurts.
In 2025 Spring Training, the 31-year-old has earned an inflated 5.40 ERA along with a 2.40 WHIP across 3.1 innings pitched. Diaz has not been able to shake off his woes from 2024.
Thus, Nunez, who was ultra-efficient last year with a 2.31 ERA to show for, could be a fitting option to deploy in the ninth inning. Though he only notched one save on the campaign, he’ll be a talent that Mets manager Carlos Mendoza looks to once he recovers from his right forearm injury, should Diaz continue to play poorly.
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TODAY'S BEST
Brewers All-Star Closer Predicted To Be Finalist For Major MLB Award
The Milwaukee Brewers are closing in on winning their fourth National League Central title in the last five years. They have already punched their ticket to the postseason for the seventh time in the last eight years. They have the best record in Major League Baseball at 93-59 and lead the second-place Chicago Cubs by five games with 10 remaining on the 2025 regular season schedule. A lot of players have emerged as stars, which has helped them stay in postseason contention after the losses of Devin Williams and Willy Adames last offseason. Before his injury, closer Trevor Megill was having a very strong season. Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts that the All-Star will finish third in the race for NL Reliever of the Year honors. Brewers Closer Predicted To Finish 3rd For Major Award "Major League Baseball awards the top reliever in the National League with the Trevor Hoffman award. The BBWAA will introduce a Reliever of the Year award to its annual award schedule starting in 2026," Bowden wrote. "Megill has had a solid year for the team that has led the NL in wins for much of the season. Before going on the IL on Aug. 27 with a right flexor strain, he had 30 saves and a 2.54 ERA." Megill certainly had put together a very strong season and could potentially have garnered more consideration for the award if not for his injury. His status for the postseason remains in question after hitting a bump in the road with his rehab. He had appeared in 49 games with the Brewers this season and had averaged 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Without him, the Brewers have had to scramble with their bullpen a little bit. But if they can get him back and healthy in time for the postseason, they'll have a great chance to make a deep run into October for the first time since 2018. Not since then have the Brewers gotten past the NLDS, and if Megill can return, their chances of making a deeper run will increase. Regardless, he had put together a very strong season before landing on the injured list. It will be interesting to see how the 31-year-old right-hander's rehab process goes and if he will ultimately be able to make it back in time for the playoffs.
Raiders' Pete Carroll admits disappointing truth about Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes and expectations when they took Boise State phenom Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. It's becoming increasingly rare to see running backs drafted so high, but after watching him post one of the single greatest seasons in college football history, he looked more than worthy of that honor. So far, however, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist has looked quite mortal in his first two games in the pros. Ashton Jeanty hasn't gotten off to a fast start in the NFL He logged 38 yards and one score in his NFL debut, and then logged just 43 yards on 11 carries in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. That's why Raiders head coach Pete Carroll had to admit that they needed to take things slowly with Jeanty. While he acknowledged that they hadn't done much to put Jeanty in a position to succeed, he remains optimistic about the RB's prospects. "We're just getting started (with Jeanty)," Carroll told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He's breaking into the NFL. He's figuring it out. He'll get more carries. We have to run the ball more effectively. We only got (68 yards), and that's not enough. We need more than that. We're bringing (Jeanty) along. More will come." Ashton Jeanty knows he has to do better Jeanty is averaging 2.7 yards per attempt, which is a far cry from his 6.4 yards per carry in college. At least he knows he has to be better, and he believes it's just a matter of time before he gets used to the speed of the pros. "Last week it was on me, I didn't do a good job of reading the plays. I'll put it on myself again this week," Jeanty said. "Just getting used to the speed, honestly. Last week kind of felt like I was moving a little slower, this week felt better. Still not there yet, but once it happens, it will be good." Jeanty continued commenting on the situation on Wednesday. He didn't mince words. Jeanty has posted the fewest rushing yards (81) among players with at least 30 carries, and his next chance to turn the page will come in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders' beatable run defense.
Kyle Shanahan has surprising Brock Purdy update — 49ers are confident in QB situation regardless
Tucker Kraft injury update: Concerning update emerges on Green Bay Packers TE
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft suffered a left knee injury in Thursday’s practice, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Kraft will have the injury fully evaluated, but it is not believed to be a long-term issue. Kraft, 24, is Green Bay’s leading receiver through its first two games of the 2025 season. He has tallied 11 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Kraft had a true breakout game in last Thursday’s 27-18 Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders, catching six passes for a career-high 124 yards. Among NFL tight ends, Kraft has been elite. He is first in yards per route run (3.26) and yards per target (14), and second in yards per reception (17.5), yards after catch (73) and yards after catch per reception (9.13), according to Fantasy Points Data. “I been screaming his name since last year, man,” running back Josh Jacobs said of Kraft, via Packers.com. “The way that he comes in and he works his butt off. And really how he step up this year as a leader, I think, is special. He didn’t leave. He came the whole offseason, stayed here, he was in the building every day. Workouts and OTAs, he’s first in line. He’s running hard. I think that he’s getting everything that he put in and I’m happy for him.” Tucker Kraft suffers knee injury, Green Bay offense already without proven playmaker Should Kraft miss any time, Luke Musgrave will be in line for a bigger role. Musgrave has three catches for 36 yards this season. The Packers are already set to be without wide receiver Jayden Reed, who underwent surgery earlier this week for a broken collarbone and a Jones fracture in his left foot. Reed is out indefinitely, leaving Green Bay without its top wideout from last season. Injuries might be the only thing that can slow down the Packers, who have jumped out to a 2-0 start with convincing victories over the Commanders and the Detroit Lions. The Packers go on the road to play the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 on Sunday.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys Star Dead Wednesday At 79
The Dallas Cowboys lost a two-time Super Bowl champion this week. Former Cowboys D.D. Lewis passed away this Tuesday. He was 79. Prior to becoming a superstar for "America's Team," he was an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year at Mississippi State. That led to him being a sixth-round pick in the 1968 NFL Draft. When it was all said and done, he appeared in five Super Bowls as a member of the Cowboys. He had 15.5 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries and eight interceptions in 186 career games. "D.D. was a great player," former Cowboys star Thomas Henderson said. "He kept me from the weakside because he played it so well. D.D. was a tough guy and I wanted his job Day 1, but I never could get it because he played [coach Tom] Landry’s defense and I couldn’t interrupt that. So I ended up on the strong side, which was better for me because I got to box every down." Earlier this Wednesday, Mississippi State released a statement on Lewis and his legacy. He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. "We mourn the passing of Bulldog legend D.D. Lewis," Mississippi State said. "An All-SEC standout and 1967 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he played 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, appeared in five Super Bowls, won two, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001." Lewis was beloved in Dallas. Back when Lewis was making plays for the Cowboys, he dropped an incredible quote about playing at Texas Stadium. "Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch his favorite team play," Lewis said. There's no question Dallas fans appreciated Lewis' passion and commitment to the franchise. We'll see if the Cowboys honor him before their Week 3 game. Our thoughts are with the Lewis family at this time.
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