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Two veterans embracing leadership roles amid Mets' resurgence
For a piece published Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic detailed how outfielder Brandon Nimmo and shortstop Francisco Lindor began paying for the New York Mets' team dinners on road trips amid the club's positive run of form.
"One thing I’ve tried to make a point of is getting the guys together for a dinner on the road trips," Nimmo explained. "I was like, you know what? It would be good for us to just take them out to a big-league dinner, all of us get together, it’s on me or Francisco. Francisco and I as leaders, just getting the guys together more and worrying about the other guys a little bit more."
In the spring of 2023, Nimmo and Lindor were both mentioned as potential future Mets captains due to what they offer the organization on and off the field. Such discussions occurred before the team allegedly was impacted by supposed clubhouse issues ahead of a fire sale that was executed before last summer's trade deadline.
More recently, Lindor called a players-only meeting on the same night that the Mets fell to 22-33 on the season back on May 29. New York ended the weekend at 44-44 and went into Monday afternoon's matchup at the Pittsburgh Pirates two games back in the battle for the National League's final wild-card playoff berth.
"I still have to take care of what I am doing," Nimmo continued. "But I’ve had a lot of time here now so it’s trying to pass that on to the next guys and help in any way you can. Francisco and I are in the position where we want to take the guys out and we want to build some camaraderie. … It has felt emotionally tangible. And then seeing some results on the field is nice as well."
Of course, the two can afford to pay for the occasional meal. Lindor signed a 10-year contract extension that could be worth up to $341M before the start of the 2021 season, while Nimmo inked an eight-year deal reportedly worth $162M in December 2022.
Some believe Nimmo and Lindor were robbed of All-Star Game roster spots this summer. It will be interesting to see how the two respond to that disappointment beginning with Monday's contest at PNC Park.
More must-reads:
- Brandon Nimmo, Christian Walker among notable NL All-Star snubs
- Which MLB players have the most career stolen bases?
- The 'Highest-paid MLB players' quiz
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Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Joey Ortiz Will Not Play Game 4 vs Chicago Cubs on Wednesday
For the first time since early July, the Milwaukee Brewers have lost back-to-back games, dropping both contests of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. They lost the first game 6-4 and the second 4-1. In both games, their starting pitchers, Chad Patrick and Brandon Woodruff, failed to keep their pitch counts low and Cubs hitters off the basepaths. The second game was especially frustrating as Milwaukee’s offense forced Cubs starter Jameson Taillon to throw 30 pitches in the first inning, a frame that saw them score their only run, only to swing early and often after the opening frame, allowing Chicago’s starter to get through six innings. Taillon threw just 62 pitches between the second and sixth innings, and at one point retired 11 Brewers hitters in row. But the two games were not the only things Milwaukee lost on Tuesday. It appears they will be without their starting shortstop, Joey Ortiz, tomorrow and perhaps longer. Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Joey Ortiz Has a Bone Bruise in His Knee Ortiz was 0-2 with a walk in the Game One of the doubleheader, but was pinch hit for later in the game by Anthony Seigler, who struck out. In Game Two, Ortiz was 1-3, but was not able to finish the game. He fouled a ball of his knee during his last at bat, prompting the Brewers to replace him Andruw Monasterio. Of course, Brewers fans’ minds immediately went to 2019 when Christian Yelich broke his knee cap when he fouled a ball off of it late in the season. Fortunately, x-rays revealed that Ortiz did not break any bones. Rather, he has a bone bruise which, in addition to some stomach issues, will keep him out of the lineup on Wednesday: Ortiz is hitting .233/.285/.329 with seven home runs and 43 RBI this season. It is likely that Monasterio will start in place of Ortiz.
Shaquille O'Neal makes peace with longtime enemy — mostly
Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard patched things up Sunday after years of feuding. But even while describing their rapprochement, O'Neal couldn't keep from teasing his longtime nemesis. The "Big Aristotle" was at the BIG3 playoffs Sunday to watch Howard's L.A. Riot play the Chicago Triplets. In the middle of describing to Rachel Nichols how he and Howard had made peace, O'Neal broke off his explanation to make fun of Howard for missing a dunk. The two Hall of Fame centers had sparred for years, despite their common ground as former members of the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Some of the tension seemed to be due to Howard adopting O'Neal's "Superman" nickname, though O'Neal claimed to Nichols that he was simply being tough on Howard to motivate him. That explanation doesn't account for the time O'Neal mocked Howard for playing basketball in the Taiwanese league or the decade-plus he's spent roasting Howard on his podcast, in public appearances and on "Inside the NBA." Still, it appears that the two have made peace. Despite O'Neal being left off the original list of presenters, he insisted that he'll be among a group of Hall of Famers inducting Howard Sept. 6, including Dominique Wilkins, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman and Patrick Ewing. It means that two of the most dominant big men of their eras have finally buried the hatchet. It's added a new level of interest to the Hall of Fame ceremonies, and it should be a sweet moment between O'Neal and Howard. As long as Howard doesn't mention Superman.
The Washington Commanders made a massive mistake that could've fixed a position, and they saw it backfire on Monday night
Adam Peters has done a great job revamping the Washington Commanders' roster and building around franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, but there are still a couple of positions that need to be improved. One of the positions most talked about this offseason has been the depth in the wide receiver room with the absence of Terry McLaurin, and Noah Brown is dealing with an injury. There were additions made to the position the last two offseasons, but the answer could've already been on the team, and we saw that Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals when WR Mitch Tinsley treated the secondary like a Pop Warner football team. Tinsley put on a SHOW If he's going to make the Bengals roster like he's expected to, according to reports, there's absolutely no way he wouldn't be on the Commanders roster over guys like Michael Gallup, Chris Moore, and K.J. Osborn, who have done nothing this preseason. The part that stings was that Tinsley already made the previous Commanders roster in 2023 as an undrafted rookie, and spent 2024 on the practice squad before being released. He's been the buzz of training camp for the Bengals, and the whole team, including star QB Joe Burrow, is pushing for him to make the team. He should have no problem making the roster after being named a captain for the preseason game in his return to Washington, and then putting on a show in primetime. Tinsley had some of the most impressive catches I've seen that showed his athleticism and body control. One touchdown flashed his ability to adjust his body in the air as he plucked the pass out of the air after turning his body mid jump. Then he would deflect a pass towards himself just to catch it as he's falling down, and Mossed a Commanders safety in the endzone with a full extension catch while getting both feet in. Tinsley finished the game with five catches for 73 yards, two touchdowns, and an insane highlight reel. Tinsley could've been the answer in the WR room The Commanders have been waiting around for someone in the wide receiver room to solidify the last roster spot or two, but nobody has done it yet, with only one preseason game left. McLaurin, Samuel, Brown, Lane, and McCaffrey are locks, but that's only five receivers, and they could keep seven to be safe. Lane looks like he can produce in his rookie season, but there are still question marks on who else can step up apart from McLaurin and Deebo. Tinsley was around the team and learning the offense for two years. This could have been a breakout season for him on the Commanders, but now it looks like he will have his best season yet as a Bengal. Hopefully, someone else produces this season so the Commanders don't regret this decision even more.
Veteran QB not a 'lock' to make the Patriots roster
It’s been assumed that Joshua Dobbs would serve as Drake Maye‘s primary backup in 2025, but the veteran quarterback may not have a roster spot secure. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Dobbs is not a “lock” to make the Patriots roster. As Volin notes, Dobbs has struggled during training camp and the preseason. He completed only five of his 12 pass attempts in the preseason opener, and he followed that up with two pick-sixes during joint practices with the Vikings. Those performances prompted coach Mike Vrabel to admit that the veteran “has to be more consistent.” Further, Dobbs doesn’t have any prior experience to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, so it’s not like the veteran can help Maye with installing the new system. Plus, the backup is attached to only a $1.7M salary for the 2025 campaign, so there aren’t any financial hurdles that would accompany his release. Of course, there are also a handful of things working in Dobbs’ favor. For starters, the rest of the team’s depth consists of UDFA Ben Wooldridge. Dobbs brings more experience than many backup QBs, as the 30-year-old has garnered 15 starts across seven years in the NFL (including one last year with the 49ers). He also looked much better in the team’s second preseason game, completing 11 of 16 passes for 106 yards and a score. More notes out of New England… While rookie Jared Wilson once seemed prime to open the season as the Patriots left guard, that may no longer be the case. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald notes that Ben Brown has seemed to pass his rookie teammate at the position, and the veteran garnered the starting spot during the team’s second preseason contest. Brown struggled in 10 starts at center for the Patriots in 2024, but the team’s lack of OL depth may mean they don’t have a better choice. Much has been made of the tough decisions the Patriots will face at the wide receiver position, and an unexpected name has quickly inserted themselves into the picture. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, UDFA Efton Chism has likely played his way on to the 53-man roster. The Eastern Washington product has been a standout this preseason, hauling in 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Chism making the roster would seemingly push Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker off the squad.
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