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Zac Gallen allowed four hits and three runs with two walks and six strikeouts across five innings in a loss to the Braves on Friday.
Things continue to be difficult for Gallen. He needed 59 pitches to get through the first two innings and it looked like the wheels were about to fall-off. Then, he found a groove and retired the final 10 batters he faced. It was a very fastball heavy approach from him, especially early, because he struggled to command his knuckle curveball. He managed to break off a few good ones, but the consistency he often has on that pitch just wasn’t there. His next chance to get back on track is scheduled to come against the Mets.
ESPN reports “a Derek Carr representative spoke with at least two teams in the market for a quarterback” this offseason.
This news comes from an article published by Jeremy Fowler and ESPN’s Saints writer, Katherine Terrell. According to the article, folks around the league do believe Carr is injured, but “not everyone believes it’s the full story” of why Carr opted for retirement. While Carr did not have permission to speak to teams, it’s reported that the team “didn’t consider it a major issue” due to his 11-year tenure in the league, and the fact that 2025 was the last year he would be receiving guaranteed money on his deal. In short, the Saints were likely headed for a split one way or another after the 2025 season. There are also some who believe that Carr and the Saints were not on good terms, in part due to his lack of a relationship with newly minted head coach Kellen Moore, who never officially committed to Carr as a starter. The two never even had a meeting in person. It’s been reported by ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio that it’s “extremely unlikely” Carr will return to play in 2026 — or ever again. That said, if his injured shoulder isn’t the sole reason for his departure, we can’t rule out a potential return if Carr, 34, gets the itch to play again.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said QB Shedeur Sanders is “willing to put in the work” this offseason.
Stefanski in a recent interview was complimentary of the Browns’ fifth round draft selection without giving away too much about how the team’s quarterback competition might play out over the next few months. “None of these guys are finished products, and Shedeur certainly has things he can work on,” Stefanski said, adding Sanders is unbothered by his slide in the 2025 NFL Draft. “But in terms of the person, in terms of the kid who’s willing to work, I think that’s who we’re getting. ... We’re getting a guy that really is not so concerned about where he landed in this draft, but he is willing to put in the work and that’s what we’re going to do.” Sanders will compete for the Browns’ Week 1 starting job with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel, who last week took reps ahead of Sanders during Cleveland’s rookie minicamp.
Rangers released RHP Adrian Houser.
The 32-year-old right-hander had an opt-out clause in his minor league deal that he planned to exercise. The Rangers would like to bring him back — preferably on another minor league pact — but Houser is now free to peddle his wares on the open market. He made nine appearances (eight starts) at Triple-A Round Rock, registering a 5.03 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 37/15 K/BB ratio across 39 1/3 innings.
White Sox released INF Brandon Drury.
The 32-year-old had been stationed on the injured list at Triple-A Charlotte since April 26 when he injured his wrist on a hit by pitch. It’s unclear if Drury plans to look for opportunities elsewhere or if this could be the end of the line for him. Prior to the injury, he was hitting .179/.319/.282 with one homer, three RBI and a 10/7 K/BB ratio through his first 47 plate appearances at Triple-A Charlotte.
Shohei Ohtani homered twice and drove in six runs on Thursday evening as the Dodgers annihilated the Athletics 19-2 in Los Angeles.
Ohtani delivered a sacrifice fly in the second inning that extended the Dodgers’ early lead to 4-2. He then helped to break the game open with a 382-foot (102.9 mph EV) three-run blast off of Jason Alexander in the third inning that made it 10-2. He victimized Alexander again the following inning — that time for a 418-foot (109.6 mph EV) two-run blast that made it 15-2. The 30-year-old superstar finished the evening 2-for-5 and is now slashing .310/.409/.673 with 15 homers, 28 RBI and 10 stolen bases. The 15 long balls tie him with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber for the most in all of baseball.
Hyeseong Kim went 3-for-3 with a double, four runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base as the Dodgers pummeled the Athletics on Thursday evening.
Kim smacked a one-out single off of Osvaldo Bido in the second inning, swiped second base and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Mookie Betts. He then delivered a run-scoring single of his own in the second inning and rode home on a three-run shot by Shohei Ohtani. Kim also walked and scored on Ohtani’s two-run shot in the third inning. He then punished catcher Jhonny Pereda with an RBI double in the eighth before scoring on Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly. He has been awfully impressive to start his big league career, hitting .429/.467/.571 with a homer, five RBI and three stolen bases in his first 30 plate appearances.