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As the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen navigated a slow start at the beginning of the season, it was Colin Holderman who served as a stabilizing force.
Two-time All-Star David Bednar scuffled out of the gate after a very abbreviated spring training. Aroldis Chapman started off strong initially before a case of extreme wildness hindered him at the end of April.
As Bednar and Chapman searched for answers to get back on track, Holderman was activated off the injured list and was just about untouchable from the beginning. After allowing a run in his season debut against the the Phillies on Apr. 11, he put together a stretch of 17-straight appearances without an earned run.
Through June 22, Holderman looked like a potential All-Star with a stellar 0.68 ERA in 28 relief appearances.
But Holderman has hit a rough patch over the last five or six weeks. His struggles were highlighted in the Pirates’ 6-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park. Holderman walked two batters in the seventh and recorded the first two outs before Diamondbacks designated hitter Joc Pederson hit a three-run homer on a 100 mph sinker on the outside edge of the plate. Pederson’s homer erased the Pirates’ two-run lead and put the Diamondbacks up by a run.
The pitch wasn’t in a bad location by any means, but the end result was a third-straight loss for Holderman.
“It started a little rough,” Holderman said on his outing. “We made some pitches and we were one pitch away, which I executed down and away at 100 mph. Normally that works, but he made a better swing, put it backside, deepest part of the yard. Tip the cap.”
Since June 23, Holderman has made 15 appearances and has been tagged for 12 earned runs in 14.1 innings pitched (7.54 ERA). He’s also allowed five home runs over that stretch.
In addition to Sunday’s game, Holderman was also on the hook for Friday’s loss against Arizona after surrendering the go-ahead run in the eighth.
“Not finishing. I think that’s the story of the two games we lost in this series,” manager Derek Shelton said following the loss on Sunday. “We did not execute pitches with two strikes, and we have to. If you leave the ball on the plate – I mean, this is one of the best offenses in baseball – you leave the ball on the plate with two strikes, they’re going to do damage. And we saw that.”
For the majority of the season, Holderman has been a staple of the Pirates’ bullpen. Despite his struggles in the late innings from the end of June on, Holderman remains confident.
“I think just keep going at it,” Holderman said about getting back on track. “I’ve been executing the gameplan, executing my pitches. Sooner or later, it’s going to get that one zero and we’re off to the races again. It’s just finding that next zero.”
One avenue the Pirates could explore to help Holderman navigate his rough patch is to move him out of higher-leverage situations for the time being.
The Pirates have more reliable arms in the back of their bullpen in August than they did in April. Bednar has converted 19-straight save opportunities and Chapman has been pitching well. Kyle Nicolas has emerged as a legitimate option Shelton can turn to and the Pirates acquired Jalen Beeks, who had nine saves with the Colorado Rockies prior to getting dealt.
When asked about the possibility after the loss, a disgruntled Shelton said it’s something they’ll have to think about.
“I don’t know, we’re going to have to figure [that] out,” he said. “I mean, I’m a little pi--ed about how this game went to begin with. So, try to figure that out during the off day.”
Once the off day comes on Tuesday, Shelton and the rest of the Pirates’ coaching staff should strongly consider it.
More must-reads:
- Tigers pull one-time All-Star pitcher off rehab assignment
- Las Vegas-bound A’s could return to relevance sooner than expected
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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Braves appear to have dodged $172 million bullet in free agency
In baseball, especially for clubs that do not have a limitless payroll like the Dodgers or Mets, the deals you don’t make can sometimes be even more important than the ones you do. For the Braves, there have been several examples of this. At the 2017 trade deadline, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Atlanta went hard after Jose Quintana, including Ozzie Albies and more in their offer. Thankfully, the Cubs said no thanks, or the Braves would have netted a player that pitched to the tune of a 4.36 ERA over the next three seasons for a three-time All-Star second baseman that went on to sign one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. More recently, the Braves were in on Aaron Nola a couple of offseasons ago, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan calling them a “real threat” to land the All-Star pitcher. The contact offer the Braves made was even revealed by Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The Braves, off back-to-back 100-win seasons and divisional-round ousters by the Phillies, made a six-year, $162 million offer to Nola out of the chute, a source said Sunday. It was a sensible starting point. Atlanta’s bid equaled the Yankees’ deal with free-agent lefty Carlos Rodón last winter.” Had the Braves put pen to paper with Aaron Nola, the contract would have nearly tripled the largest ever handed out by current general manager Alex Anthopoulos. At the time, his thinking was rather clear. Nola, while not quite an ace, had proven to be a workhorse. From 2018 to 2023, he never missed a start, a rarity in today’s game when injuries to pitchers almost feel inevitable. However, just a couple of years into Nola’s $172 million contract with the Phillies, and there might already be some buyer’s remorse. The 32-year-old boasts a gaudy 6.52 ERA and has missed three months due to various injuries. Over the next five seasons, Nola is owed nearly $125 million. It is a contract that has quickly soured and looks like one of the worst in baseball. The kind of contract that would slam most team’s chances at the postseason completely shut. The Phillies can afford a significant gaffe like this, given their willingness to spend. But had the Braves made this deal, we’d likely be talking about a full-blown rebuild heading into 2026.
Minnesota Vikings Lose 2 Potential Practice Squad Members To Waiver Claims
The Minnesota Vikings struck out on this cycle’s waiver claims, coming away empty despite hopes of bolstering their roster. Meanwhile, two recent cuts—linebacker Dorian Mausi and cornerback Reddy Steward—were claimed by other teams, meaning Minnesota not only missed adding talent but also lost out on bringing back a pair of young players they likely viewed as developmental depth. In the big picture, it’s a minor blow, not a crisis, but one that nudges roster decisions heading into Week 1. Minnesota Vikings: The Waiver Wire Misses The waiver wire operates on a priority system based on the previous season’s standings, with the worst teams getting first dibs on available players. For a Minnesota Vikings team that made the playoffs in 2024, their position in the waiver order puts them behind quite a few franchises when it comes to claiming players. This system is designed to promote parity, but it also means that successful teams often watch potential contributors get snatched up by teams with higher priority. It’s the NFL’s way of saying “success has its price,” and that price sometimes includes missing out on players who could help your roster. The specific players the Vikings targeted haven’t been officially disclosed, but the fact that they put in claims suggests these weren’t random lottery tickets. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff identified players they believed could contribute to their 2025 campaign, whether as depth pieces or potential starters depending on the position. Missing out on these claims likely means the Vikings saw something they liked—perhaps a player whose skill set matched a specific need, or someone whose contract situation made them an attractive addition. The evaluation process that goes into waiver claims isn’t casual; teams do their homework before committing to adding a player and taking on their contract. Why These Claims Mattered for the Vikings Every roster spot matters in the NFL, but some matter more than others depending on timing and team needs. The Vikings, coming off a season where they showed both promise and areas for improvement, were likely targeting players who could address specific depth concerns or provide competition at positions where they needed it most. The waiver period often reveals organizational priorities. Teams don’t waste time putting in claims for players they don’t genuinely want, so the Vikings’ attempts suggest they identified real opportunities to improve their roster. Whether those opportunities were at positions of immediate need or longer-term development projects, the fact remains that Minnesota saw value they couldn’t secure. From a competitive standpoint, missing these claims means other teams in the NFC North or broader NFC could potentially benefit from players the Vikings wanted. That’s not necessarily a huge concern, but in a division where the Lions, Packers, and Bears are all trying to build sustainable success, every small advantage matters. The financial aspect can’t be ignored either. Waiver claims often represent cost-effective ways to add talent, especially when compared to free agency or trade markets. Players claimed off waivers typically come with manageable contracts, making them attractive options for teams trying to balance talent acquisition with salary cap management. What’s Next for Minnesota? The Vikings aren’t sitting around feeling sorry for themselves about missed waiver claims. Professional football moves too quickly for that kind of dwelling, and O’Connell’s staff will already be looking at alternative solutions to address whatever needs these potential claims were meant to fill. Free agency remains an option, though it typically comes at a higher cost than waiver claims. The trade market could also provide opportunities, especially as teams finalize their rosters and identify players who don’t fit their immediate plans. Minnesota has shown they’re not afraid to make deals when the right opportunity presents itself. Practice squad signings offer another avenue for adding players. While these moves don’t provide immediate roster spots, they allow teams to develop players and maintain flexibility for future call-ups. The Vikings have been active in this area before and likely will continue to scour practice squads for hidden gems. The bigger picture suggests this is more about missed opportunities than actual setbacks. The Vikings enter 2025 with legitimate playoff aspirations and a roster that O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah have carefully constructed. Missing out on a couple of waiver claims doesn’t fundamentally alter their trajectory or ceiling. What it does highlight is the competitive nature of roster building in today’s NFL. Every team is constantly looking for edges, and the fact that the Vikings were active on the waiver wire shows they’re taking that search seriously. Sometimes you win those battles, sometimes you don’t. The Long View Missing out on waiver claims stings in the moment, but it’s rarely remembered by season’s end unless those players go on to have significant impacts elsewhere. The Vikings’ success in 2025 won’t be determined by who they didn’t get off waivers in August—it’ll be decided by how well their current roster performs when the games matter most. O’Connell and his staff have shown they can adapt and find solutions. If these missed claims represented real needs, expect Minnesota to address them through other means. The season is long, rosters change, and opportunities arise in unexpected ways throughout the year. For now, it’s a minor disappointment in what promises to be an eventful season. Nothing more, nothing less.
Commanders shot at big roster upgrade runs through Adam Peters connection
Waivers came and went without the Washington Commanders securing any players who didn't quite make the grade elsewhere. Securing desired targets was always going to be difficult at No. 29 in the order, which immediately turned attention to the potential veteran pool. This seemed like a much more realistic proposition. Adam Peters is depending heavily on veteran players this season, and the Commanders have among the league's oldest rosters. That's come in for criticism, but it was the only option after years of woeful drafting from the previous head coach, Ron Rivera. The Commanders' roster looks top-heavy once again. Some position groups are deeper than others, but more might be needed before Week 1 against the New York Giants arrives. If the general manager wants to add another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels with someone he knows well, the perfect possibility just became available. Commanders should take a look at Kendrick Bourne after Patriots release Kendrick Bourne's time with the New England Patriots officially fizzled out. The AFC East club tried to work out a trade with the Minnesota Vikings to get something back in return. When they went with Adam Thielen instead, they had no choice other than to release him. Bourne came up as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Peters was one of the front-office figures who identified the pass-catcher as someone who could potentially make an impression. He rewarded the franchise with four years of solid production before securing a decent contract in New England. After a hot start with more than 800 receiving yards, Bourne's influence has diminished. Injuries didn't help his cause, but it's clear he was being sent to the fringes in favor of others. What Peters must figure out is whether this was scheme-related or if there isn't much left in the tank. The Commanders have had a lot of success with experienced retreads down on their luck. Most have thrived in a strong culture with an exceptional support system around them. Washington might be content with taking five wideouts through, especially after signing undrafted rookie Ja'Corey Brooks to the practice squad, but bringing him in for a workout wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Peters is probably comfortable enough with what he has for now. But if he thinks Bourne can assist, he won't hesitate to bring him into the fold. More Commanders news and analysis
Dallas Cowboys cut standout rookie in under 24 hours after he made the 53-man roster in a risky move
I did not see that one coming. On Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys cut undrafted rookie Zion Childress after the cornerback made the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, per ESPN's Todd Archer. Childress, a preseason standout, was the only Cowboys' undrafted rookie that survived cuts. And for good reason. The former Kentucky Wildcat was sticky in coverage and physical defending the run. He also showed off a knack for blitzing, often pressuring the quarterback over three preseason games. However, the Cowboys claimed two defensive backs in the initial waiver wire period on Wednesday: Trikweze Bridges and Reddy Stewart. It appears the Cowboys are much higher on the two newcomers than on Childress. The team could've opened multiple roster spots by placing CB Caelen Carson and RB Phil Mafah on Injured Reserve as expected. Instead, it's cutting Childress and CB Andrew Booth. For Childress to land back on the Cowboys, he needs to clear waivers to be signed to Dallas' practice squad. That could be a tough task as the rookie put on impressive film over the course of the preseason. We'll see if he goes unclaimed. Earlier in the preseason, Childress appeared a legitimate candidate to start at nickel in Week 1 while Dallas navigated injuries to the position. Ahead of next week's matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles, there's a chance Trevon Diggs is able to play, which would pair him outside with newcomer Kaiir Elam. In such a scenario, DaRon Bland would take over the slot. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
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