Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound Sunday for his second start as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It was a strong effort in another abbreviated outing for the two-way star, who’s working his way back to a normal pitching load after undergoing UCL surgery in 2023.
Sunday’s outing was also limited to a single inning. But Ohtani didn’t allow a hit while recording his first two strikeouts in a Dodgers uniform.
The inning got off to an efficient start for Ohtani, who induced a first-pitch groundout from leadoff hitter C.J. Abrams. Projected All-Star James Wood made Ohtani work as the second batter of the day and reached first on an error by outfielder Mookie Betts on a 2-2 count. Wood was the only batter to reach base against Ohtani.
Ohtani worked No. 3 hitter Luis Garcia Jr. to a 2-2 count. He then induced a swinging strike three on a sweeper that sunk low and inside. Garcia attempted to check his swing but failed and was called out.
Shohei Ohtani gets his first strikeout as a member of the Dodgers 🔥
Ohtani then faced cleanup hitter Nathaniel Lowe. He threw a splitter in the dirt that got away from catcher Dalton Rushing, allowing Wood to advance to second. But Wood would get no farther.
On the seventh pitch of the at-bat with a 2-2 count, Ohtani threw an 88 mph cutter that swept across the plate low and outside. Lowe swung and missed and went back to the dugout with an inning-ending strikeout, Ohtani’s second of the day.
It turned out to be Ohtani’s final pitch, as manager Dave Roberts replaced Ohtani on the mound with Ben Casparius for the second inning.
Ohtani threw 18 pitches, including 12 strikes, with two swinging strikeouts and no walks, hits or runs allowed. His fastball topped out at 99 mph, and he threw an arsenal of pitches that also featured his cutter, sweeper and splitter.
It was an encouraging outing for the three-time All-Star pitcher, who hasn’t handled a full load on the mound since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Since that start for the Angels, Ohtani underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.
Ohtani joined the Dodgers as a free agent the following offseason and had an MVP year at the plate during a World Series championship campaign for the Dodgers. He returned to the mound last week after a layoff from pitching of almost two years.
The Dodgers have eased Ohtani back with bullpen and batting-practice sessions. They’re now limiting his time on the mound as a starter, with the hope of increasing his workload as the season progresses and they seek a second consecutive World Series title.
Through two outings, the pitching comeback for Ohtani appears to be going to plan.
Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound Sunday for his second start as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It was a strong effort in another abbreviated outing for the two-way star, who’s working his way back to a normal pitching load after undergoing UCL surgery in 2023.
Sunday’s outing was also limited to a single inning. But Ohtani didn’t allow a hit while recording his first two strikeouts in a Dodgers uniform.
The inning got off to an efficient start for Ohtani, who induced a first-pitch groundout from leadoff hitter C.J. Abrams. Projected All-Star James Wood made Ohtani work as the second batter of the day and reached first on an error by outfielder Mookie Betts on a 2-2 count. Wood was the only batter to reach base against Ohtani.
Ohtani worked No. 3 hitter Luis Garcia Jr. to a 2-2 count. He then induced a swinging strike three on a sweeper that sunk low and inside. Garcia attempted to check his swing but failed and was called out.
Shohei Ohtani gets his first strikeout as a member of the Dodgers 🔥
Ohtani then faced cleanup hitter Nathaniel Lowe. He threw a splitter in the dirt that got away from catcher Dalton Rushing, allowing Wood to advance to second. But Wood would get no farther.
On the seventh pitch of the at-bat with a 2-2 count, Ohtani threw an 88 mph cutter that swept across the plate low and outside. Lowe swung and missed and went back to the dugout with an inning-ending strikeout, Ohtani’s second of the day.
It turned out to be Ohtani’s final pitch, as manager Dave Roberts replaced Ohtani on the mound with Ben Casparius for the second inning.
Ohtani threw 18 pitches, including 12 strikes, with two swinging strikeouts and no walks, hits or runs allowed. His fastball topped out at 99 mph, and he threw an arsenal of pitches that also featured his cutter, sweeper and splitter.
It was an encouraging outing for the three-time All-Star pitcher, who hasn’t handled a full load on the mound since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Since that start for the Angels, Ohtani underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.
Ohtani joined the Dodgers as a free agent the following offseason and had an MVP year at the plate during a World Series championship campaign for the Dodgers. He returned to the mound last week after a layoff from pitching of almost two years.
The Dodgers have eased Ohtani back with bullpen and batting-practice sessions. They’re now limiting his time on the mound as a starter, with the hope of increasing his workload as the season progresses and they seek a second consecutive World Series title.
Through two outings, the pitching comeback for Ohtani appears to be going to plan.
Chisholm ended the day 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. He also showed off his wheels and aggressiveness in New York’s three-run eighth inning, scoring on a chopper to the drawn in infield by sliding into home thanks to an error by Gary Sanchez. After initially being called out as the ball beat Chisholm, home plate umpire Jansen Visconti quickly reversed the call.
“I mean, that’s what I live for,” Chisholm said of coming through in the big moment and making things happen. “That’s how I grew up playing baseball in high school, little league — that’s how I played, and I feel like there’s no need to change.”
On the go-ahead double, Chisholm attacked a 3-0 fastball with runners on first and third after getting the green light with New York needing a spark offensively. The plan worked as Chisholm blasted one 384 feet high off the right-center field wall, just barely missing a three-run bomb.
Despite the aggressiveness in the at-bat, the third baseman wasn’t trying to do too much in that situation as a fly ball would’ve gotten the job done.
“I was just trying to drive in the run,” he said. “You know, we’re down one run in the bottom of the eighth — we’re either trying to go into the top of the ninth tied or winning — so 3-0 count, he hadn’t thrown me a fastball the whole at bat, I’m only looking for one pitch. I’ve been seeing pitches really well out of the hand and I saw it out of the hand and I just tried to hit a fly ball to center field, honestly.”
He’s not kidding about seeing the ball well right now as the 27-year-old is batting .358 over his past 15 games. During that time, he’s driven in 10 runs and scored seven, putting him right in the action.
Entering the eighth inning down 2-1, Chisholm had all the confidence in the world that the Yankees would be able to break out and find a way to win the game.
“For me, ever since I’ve gotten here, we have a lot of comeback games,” he said. “It was ridiculous last year, how many times we came back. So I feel like, any time I step on the field wearing this uniform with the guys that come on the field with me, we can come back from anything. We came back from nine one time and I was like, ‘Yeah, we can do anything.’”
Sunday’s win meant a series victory for New York, which has now won three out of its past four games following a six-game skid that included three straight shutout losses. Since then, the Yanks have scored 23 runs and look to be back on track at 45-32 and a 2.5-game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays.
“Everybody goes through a rough stretch,” Chisholm said. “We all do it.”
Kevin Durant confirmed his move at a media event in New York on Sunday [Getty Images]
Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant will join the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster move from the Phoenix Suns.
The 36-year-old forward will join the Rockets at the start of July in a deal involving eight other players.
In exchange, guard Jalen Green and small forward Dillon Brooks will move to Phoenix – who will also gain the 10th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft and five future second-round picks, according to reports in US media.
Speaking at a media event in New York on Sunday Durant told reporter Kay Adams: “Being part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it.
“Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.
“They had a great season last year. Love their leadership. I felt like I’d be a good addition.”
Durant is a four-time Olympic champion with the United States and was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2014.
Last season the Suns could only finish 11th in the Western Conference, with Durant averaging 26.6 points, six rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots a game.
The Rockets finished second in the Western Conference but were knocked out of the play-offs in the first round.
They are coached by Ime Udoka, who signed a long-term deal last week to remain as Houston’s coach. Durant and Udoka previously worked together with the Brooklyn Nets and on the US Olympic squad.
Durant is the seventh highest-scoring player in NBA history and won his two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, taking the NBA Finals MVP award on both occasions.
The Rockets sped up their timeline on Sunday, acquiring superstar Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, this year’s 10th overall selection and multiple second-round picks.
After a hard-fought seven-game series that sent the young Rockets packing in the first round, getting Durant alleviates the inconsistent shot-making and crunch-time follies that stunted their growth.
Phoenix, on the other hand, moves on from a forgetful era in which the trio of Booker-Durant-Beal amounted to one first-round exit and missed the playoffs this season.
Let’s discuss the fantasy implications of the blockbuster trade on the heels of what’s sure to be an exciting close to the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
“I’m a fan of Durant slotting into the PF spot in Houston because it makes its offense more dynamic. It has all of the other pieces covered — now, it’s about whether the Rockets want to run it back with the same young unit or make a splash. Either way, KD still thrives from a fantasy perspective with the Rockets.”
My stance hasn’t wavered now that the deals have been executed. I expect Durant to be a late-first-rounder in fantasy, and if he stays healthy, he should finish within the top 15 (he hasn’t finished less than 12th in per-game value since his rookie season).
The fantasy values for Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet remain the same, if not slightly better, because of Durant’s arrival. Adding one of the most efficient scorers ever lightens the offensive burden. The gravity and attention KD brings, even as he’s turning 37 this fall, will help the offense flow more fluidly and likely lead to more assists and better ball movement.
The biggest winner is Tari Eason. A per-minute beast who easily racks up fantasy production is a player I’m expecting to see a boost in minutes and opportunity now that Brooks is gone. I think he’s the more natural fit at SF than Jabari Smith Jr.
I think Smith is the player most negatively impacted on Houston. He was great off the bench for the Rockets in the postseason so that could stick as his preferred role with so much fire power in the starting unit.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ hands were tied, as Durant is an aging star with one year left on his deal. They didn’t have much bargaining power, but to see them only come back with the 10th pick of the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft plus Green, Brooks and second-round picks is a bit disappointing. Like you couldn’t get one of Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Cam Whitmore or Reed Sheppard?!?!
Still, I like Green’s chances of improving his fantasy game with a change in scenery.
Green is durable, having played at least 67 games across his first four seasons. While availability is key for any format, Green is a player I prefer in points leagues because most of his value is derived from scoring.
He finished 79th in points leagues, averaging 31 fantasy points per game last season. Scoring shouldn’t be a problem in Phoenix, with 18 FGA and 29% usage per game now vacated in the offense without KD. With such a light and uninspiring frontcourt, I’d expect the Suns to increase their pace and lean on a three-guard lineup led by Booker. Although, it appears Bradley Beal could be on his way out.
For category leagues, fantasy managers need to see more efficiency gains. He’s never shot better than 42% from the field, but it’s nice to see Green’s been working on his mid-range game this summer. Having vets like Booker and Beal (for now) should help him round out his game with better decision-making and shot selection. Improving efficiency would make up for the middling rebounds, assists and lack of stocks he provides.
I’m higher on Booker after this trade, moving him up to a mid-second rounder since he’ll generate so much offense for this team. Beal carries too much injury risk to get excited, but his stock didn’t go down in this scenario. Brooks isn’t a factor for me in any format.
Let’s see what the Suns do in the NBA Draft; otherwise, this deal should be the start of an epic summer in the Association.
The Rockets sped up their timeline on Sunday, acquiring superstar Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, this year’s 10th overall selection and multiple second-round picks.
After a hard-fought seven-game series that sent the young Rockets packing in the first round, getting Durant alleviates the inconsistent shot-making and crunch-time follies that stunted their growth.
Phoenix, on the other hand, moves on from a forgetful era in which the trio of Booker-Durant-Beal amounted to one first-round exit and missed the playoffs this season.
Let’s discuss the fantasy implications of the blockbuster trade on the heels of what’s sure to be an exciting close to the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
“I’m a fan of Durant slotting into the PF spot in Houston because it makes its offense more dynamic. It has all of the other pieces covered — now, it’s about whether the Rockets want to run it back with the same young unit or make a splash. Either way, KD still thrives from a fantasy perspective with the Rockets.”
My stance hasn’t wavered now that the deals have been executed. I expect Durant to be a late-first-rounder in fantasy, and if he stays healthy, he should finish within the top 15 (he hasn’t finished less than 12th in per-game value since his rookie season).
The fantasy values for Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet remain the same, if not slightly better, because of Durant’s arrival. Adding one of the most efficient scorers ever lightens the offensive burden. The gravity and attention KD brings, even as he’s turning 37 this fall, will help the offense flow more fluidly and likely lead to more assists and better ball movement.
The biggest winner is Tari Eason. A per-minute beast who easily racks up fantasy production is a player I’m expecting to see a boost in minutes and opportunity now that Brooks is gone. I think he’s the more natural fit at SF than Jabari Smith Jr.
I think Smith is the player most negatively impacted on Houston. He was great off the bench for the Rockets in the postseason so that could stick as his preferred role with so much fire power in the starting unit.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ hands were tied, as Durant is an aging star with one year left on his deal. They didn’t have much bargaining power, but to see them only come back with the 10th pick of the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft plus Green, Brooks and second-round picks is a bit disappointing. Like you couldn’t get one of Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Cam Whitmore or Reed Sheppard?!?!
Still, I like Green’s chances of improving his fantasy game with a change in scenery.
Green is durable, having played at least 67 games across his first four seasons. While availability is key for any format, Green is a player I prefer in points leagues because most of his value is derived from scoring.
He finished 79th in points leagues, averaging 31 fantasy points per game last season. Scoring shouldn’t be a problem in Phoenix, with 18 FGA and 29% usage per game now vacated in the offense without KD. With such a light and uninspiring frontcourt, I’d expect the Suns to increase their pace and lean on a three-guard lineup led by Booker. Although, it appears Bradley Beal could be on his way out.
For category leagues, fantasy managers need to see more efficiency gains. He’s never shot better than 42% from the field, but it’s nice to see Green’s been working on his mid-range game this summer. Having vets like Booker and Beal (for now) should help him round out his game with better decision-making and shot selection. Improving efficiency would make up for the middling rebounds, assists and lack of stocks he provides.
I’m higher on Booker after this trade, moving him up to a mid-second rounder since he’ll generate so much offense for this team. Beal carries too much injury risk to get excited, but his stock didn’t go down in this scenario. Brooks isn’t a factor for me in any format.
Let’s see what the Suns do in the NBA Draft; otherwise, this deal should be the start of an epic summer in the Association.
As Indiana called timeout after Oklahoma City’s bucket, Haliburton was visibly in tears and frustrated, needing to be helped off the court with no weight put on his right leg.
The 25-year-old started the game on a hot note, scoring nine points in five minutes on 3 of 4 3-point shooting.
Haliburton entered the game playing on a calf strain he suffered earlier in the series. However, he didn’t sit out any game and kept playing through it.
Reactions from the NBA world came in almost immediately, ranging from Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox to Vince Carter and Grant Williams, among several more.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered Achilles tears earlier in the postseason.
As Indiana called timeout after Oklahoma City’s bucket, Haliburton was visibly in tears and frustrated, needing to be helped off the court with no weight put on his right leg.
The 25-year-old started the game on a hot note, scoring nine points in five minutes on 3 of 4 3-point shooting.
Haliburton entered the game playing on a calf strain he suffered earlier in the series. However, he didn’t sit out any game and kept playing through it.
Reactions from the NBA world came in almost immediately, ranging from Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox to Vince Carter and Grant Williams, among several more.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered Achilles tears earlier in the postseason.
It was clear Kevin Durant’s days in Phoenix were numbered and even more clear the Houston Rockets were in need of a No. 1 offensive option after falling in the first round as a No. 2 seed.
The Rockets were the one team in the Durant sweepstakes that had the draft capital and existing talent that would be attractive in a trade, and upon first blush it doesn’t seem like it took a lot to get a future Hall of Famer — a late 30s historic player, but a historic player nonetheless.
Durant heads off again, staying in the West, and will team with Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and so many other young players and vets with the hope the Rockets will be playing on this day a year from now.
Leave it to Durant to steal Oklahoma City’s thunder on the day it could win its first championship — it’s kind of poetic, if not cruel.
Shipping off Jalen Green, who struggled in the playoffs and wasn’t the most consistent performer even before the lights got bright, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the coming draft and five future seconds feels light considering how great Durant still is.
Things didn’t work out for Kevin Durant in Phoenix. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Chris Coduto via Getty Images
There are many ways to look at this, given that Houston didn’t have to put more into the trade (of course, the money would’ve had to match given the CBA implications): Was the market for Durant that depressed because his teams have largely underachieved in the past few years? Or did Houston merely have the ultimate come-up, a steal of a deal for a player who’s still got a few good years left in his body and the organization was willing to press the fast-forward button on team development because opportunities like this don’t come around often?
Miami and San Antonio, the other teams on Durant’s list, clearly didn’t press all their assets to the table, and you wonder if they were worried about Durant’s future or even if his affect on winning isn’t as great as it used to be.
For someone who’s still a top-10 player, there wasn’t an outright bidding war, and you have to wonder why. He did average 26.6 points on 52.7% shooting (43% from 3) while adding 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
Does he drive winning or merely influence it? The Rockets didn’t have those concerns, but the answer will bear out next season.
Fortune favors the bold, and the Rockets made a beautiful move — one would assume this will come with a two-year extension for Durant, who’s entering the final year of his contract next season.
These NBA Finals have shown us even 68-win teams can be pressed to the limit, and perhaps the Rockets see a path to accelerate to the Finals by adding Durant. Sometimes the drama can be overblown, but even if it does seem to follow him, consistency in performance drowns out the noise.
He’s not just one of the league’s historic scorers, because that would indicate past tense. He’s still one of the best at getting his shot when you need a bucket, still a threat to hit the 50-40-90 club again — most recently during the 2022-23 season when he was traded from Brooklyn to Phoenix.
The nomadic nature of his career obscures his individual excellence, and it’s a risk the Rockets are willing to take. The Suns were Durant’s preferred destination the last time he wanted out, and were a picture of dysfunction since.
How much of that was Durant or was he a bystander in the circumstances? It doesn’t appear that he’s an active agent of chaos, and there’s probably only but so much he could’ve done in his last two situations.
In Brooklyn, he couldn’t have been expected to wrangle Kyrie Irving and James Harden when relationships with the franchise went sour for various reasons. In Phoenix, owner Mat Ishbia appears to suffer from “new owner syndrome” — firing coaches after a year and bringing in several members of the org with Michigan State ties.
Ishbia’s learning curve was accelerated by bringing in Durant days upon taking over, and it’s not unheard of. The Bradley Beal trade, however, crippled the franchise because the Suns can’t get off his contract due to the no-trade clause that got him to Phoenix in the first place.
The Suns are the cautionary tale of this new collective-bargaining agreement, of going so deep into the second apron that all options to improve the team are limited. After an 8-1 start to the season, it was apparent they rolled snake eyes on the Beal trade and on head coach Mike Budenholzer, and that Durant wouldn’t be long given how little time he has left in his basketball body.
It’s hard to see where the Suns go from here. They lost draft capital in trading for Durant, so perhaps they’ll flip Green or Brooks to a third team, given their glut of shooting guards with incumbent star Devin Booker and Beal still on the roster.
For Durant, he’s not too dissimilar from fellow graybeards Stephen Curry and LeBron James in the desire to play meaningful basketball as their careers wind down, but he’s never appeared as desperate as James nor as steadfast as Curry as far as wanting to do it in one jersey.
Joining with Thompson is intriguing. The two-year vet is one of the unique talents in the league — an athletic marvel who loves to play defense and is ornery as all hell, but doesn’t yet have the offensive package No. 1 options possess.
That’s where Durant can step in and alleviate pressure from all the youngsters who were blinded by the bright lights against the Golden State Warriors in Round 1 of the 2025 playoffs. They had to hear the cheers in the hallways of the Toyota Center as the veteran team knew just how to outlast and outwit them, because they didn’t have the sweat equity, shotmaking or experience to win.
That changes with Durant, as well as their own scars from that series. Head coach Ime Udoka will not let them forget it, not for a second.
Udoka’s leadership perhaps allows Durant to come in and “just hoop,” as he frequently claims. Durant has to fight off the notion he’s “not a leader.” Hopefully for his sake the infrastructure in Houston won’t call for him to be uncomfortable vocally.
It doesn’t always appear Durant welcomes expectations, but every team he has selected since leaving Golden State in 2019 had the label of contender because of Durant’s mere presence.
It’s no different in Houston, even if it’s far too early to crown any team the favorite for next season given the summer hasn’t begun. (Although oddsmakers are doing their best.)
Durant has his next town, another restart, another chance to shake free of whatever’s chasing him. Perhaps Houston is his last stop.
ST. LOUIS — The Cincinnati Reds are preparing to call up top pitching prospect Chase Burns to start during their series against the New York Yankees this week.
Burns, a 22-year-old right-hander, has rapidly moved through the minor leagues after Cincinnati drafted him with the No. 2 pick last year from Wake Forest. Burns is 7-3 with a 1.77 ERA in 13 starts at three minor-league levels this year, including two with Triple-A Louisville.
“It’s kind of hard to come up with a reason why we shouldn’t,” Reds manager Terry Francona said Sunday. “They tried to throw a lot at him. He just kind of handled everything.
The Reds’ rotation is short-handed after starters Hunter Greene and Wade Miley went on the injured list earlier this month.
Nick Lodolo is scheduled to start Monday’s series opener against New York, and the 6-foot-3 Burns is in line to make his debut Tuesday.
“It’s another game, but it is a major league team, He’s going to have a lot of firsts, but he’s handled everything so far,” said Francona, whose team entered Sunday with a 39-38 record and in fourth place in the NL Central.
“And I think there’s an excitement, and, you know, I think the front office, they’re trying to help us win, and I think we appreciate that.”
Cincinnati also made a series of roster moves before Sunday’s game at St. Louis, recalling right-hander Yosver Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville and bringing back third baseman Jeimer Candelario (lumbar spine strain) from a three-week rehab assignment.
Right-hander Chase Petty was optioned to Louisville, and second baseman Garrett Hampson was designated for assignment.
The Cardinals recalled right-hander Gordon Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis and optioned right-hander Andre Granillo to Memphis.
