The Mets' bats continued their impressive Labor Day weekend by pounding out 16 hits and scoring nine runs in a 9-4 victory over the Marlins. Jonah Tong, who was called upon for his first start of the 2026 season, earned a win by striking out seven over five innings.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin' Avenue, MLB.com, Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, ESPN, Faith and Fear in Flushing
The Mets optioned Justin Hagenman to Triple-A to make room for Jonah Tong on the roster.
Jon Heyman explained that the Mets' trifecta is giving the team hope that this can be a $365 million learning experience.
Abbey Mastracco wrote about 'Beat It' becoming Citi Field's answer to a lost season.

#tong #marlins #recap #amazin

The Yankees never really seemed to be serious contenders for Tarik Skubal because they are loaded with quality starting pitchers.
And besides, the L.A. Dodgers (and maybe the Milwaukee Brewers) were considered the favorites for the two-time Cy Young Award winner anyway.
Yet the Tigers and Yankees did have discussions about the 29-year-old left-hander before Detroit eventually dealt him to the Dodgers for outfielder Zyhir Hope and pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
"In their brief talks, the Tigers first asked for George Lombard Jr. (whose dad is the Tigers bench coach) then mentioned a four-player package of two big leaguers and two prospects while also saying they weren't even sure that would get it done," reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Yankees starter Will Warren was linked to several trades, including for San Diego Padres reliever Adrian Morejon, and was a potential option in any Skubal deal.

#yankees #tigers #milwaukee

As expected by fans following the third and final match in the trilogy versus Oba Femi, long-time veteran and decorated combat star Brock Lesnar has retired once again, possibly for good, from the WWE ring.
Following one of Lesnar's toughest battles in a ******* in a Cell with rising star Oba Femi, the former WWE & UFC Champion was moved to the "alumni" section on WWE's official website.
In addition to being removed from the active roster, a special video package on Lesnar was posted on WWE's Instagram, featuring the World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns, who thanked the former champion for their time in the ring and also praised Lesnar.
Aug 21, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Brock Lesnar (black top) returns to WWE to confront WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2021 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Long-time manager of Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, also shared a moment with Oba Femi on Raw as a follow-up on the match. The rising star would ask Heyman to thank Lesnar for their battles together and for dubbing him "the future of WWE" at SummerSlam.

#femi #star #reigns #heyman

Tarik Skubal is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a **** anic shift at the MLB trade deadline.
The Detroit Tigers are finalizing a trade to send the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner to Los Angeles, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan and the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Reportedly going back to the Tigers are top 100 outfield prospect Zyhir Hope, pitching prospect River Ryan and pitching prospect Brady Smith.
The deal is a pure rental, as Skubal is set to hit free agency after this season. He is expected to command a deal well into the nine figures, likely larger Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 12-year, $325 million deal that currently stands as the high water mark in total money for MLB pitchers.
The deal ends a nine-year tenure in the Detroit organization for Skubal, who was drafted in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and soon developed into a high-octane lefty arm. Every season up to 2026 saw him grow more refined to the point he was carrying the crown of MLB's top pitcher entering this year.

#season

The last place Cincinnati Reds are limping towards the August 3rd trade deadline at just 51-57, still buried in the busy National League Wild Card standings 5.5 games back of the final spot. That comes with the caveat that there are six NL clubs they'd have to jump to earn their way into that spot – the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals.
At quick glance, at least three of those clubs are likely going to be buyers at the deadline. So, the Reds are between a rock and a hard place, and anything other than a miracle win streak this weekend will likely send them into at least some mode of selling.
Per Bob Nightengale of the USA Today, that won't include moving Hunter Greene. Cincinnati's ace had seen his name pop up in trade rumors pretty much ever since Chase Burns signed his $105 million extension as the rest of the baseball world began to wonder how the typically frugal Reds would accommodate both on the payroll long-term.
That said, they've long been rumored to be shopping their litany of players who are destined to reach free agency at season's end, and that includes catcher Tyler Stephenson. He's been red-hot of late, too, slashing .339/.400/.523 dating back to June 4th, and that's caught the eye of the catching-needy New York Yankees, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Yankees are among many teams to check on 3-time All-Star/switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman. NYY is casting a wide net for catching need. Ryan Jeffers, pending free agent, seemed logical but Twins suggest they’re a buyer now. Tyler Stephenson, others are on NYY list

#trade #deadline

Multiple reports suggest that the Boston Red Sox are in the market for a long-term shortstop, and Jon Heyman named them the likeliest landing spot for Zach Neto during a livestream for Bleacher Report.
The Red Sox traded for Curtis Mead recently, and he is under contract through 2030. He will miss a chunk of time with a wrist injury, but figures to be the everyday second baseman when healthy. That leaves the Red Sox with Marcelo Mayer and Trevor Story as options to be the starting shortstop when they are healthy. Adding a long-term shortstop at the trade deadline could complicate things for their futures.
Not to mention, the Red Sox's top prospect, Franklin Arias, could be ready to debut very soon. Still, the Red Sox have checked in on CJ Abrams, Jeremy Peña, Otto Lopez and Neto. They seem to be determined to add a shortstop with some control, meaning they may be giving up on Story and Mayer.
Neto strikes out a ton, but has serious power. He has 19 homers this year and has 68 home runs in the last three seasons. He could take over as the everyday shortstop, and Mayer or Story could slide over to second base while Mead is out.
Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!

#shortstop #mayer #story #long

Retired wrestling legend AJ Styles made a bold point calling out WWE for not pushing new star Bron Breakker fast enough into the world ***** le scene. Breakker was viewed as a "can't miss prospect" after an epic NXT run and a hot start to his main roster career. WWE seemed ready to push Breakker to the top after storylines with Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins and CM Punk. Recent months have seen things slowing for Breakker and seemingly distanced from the main event scene.
Styles had the following to say on his podcast about being confused at WWE's logic:
"How long are we going to wait for Bron Breakker to be Heavyweight Champion? He should be next. I think that he's definitely a star right now. Why we haven't put it on him to put the rocket up his ***** and send him to the freaking moon? I don't know why we haven't done that because he is the destroyer."
The current role of Styles sees him retired from in-ring competition but active in various background roles for WWE. Styles uses his experience of well over two decades to contribute via coaching, training and scouting for the company. The new role likely makes it more pivotal on AJ's side to see obvious new stars getting truly elevated.
One noteworthy subject here goes back to WWE's overall main event. Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes are treated on a full tier above the rest of the roster. Young stars must be presented on an equal level to these three or fans will never view them as a top name.

#star #roster

Red Sox could target one of these three All-Star catchers if they buy at the MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tonight, the Boston Red Sox have a chance to make franchise history, as they look to win their 16th game in a row, breaking the previous record from 1946. Win or lose, Boston has shown that they are real contenders, and probably will be buyers at the trade deadline.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand believes so as well, as well as the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. With that in mind, here are three big name catchers Boston could target if they really want to get a star.
Imagn Images
Goodman would be the top of Boston’s list, but he does seem to come with a hefty asking price. This season, he’s slashing .257/.326/.565/.891 with 16 doubles, 31 home runs, and 57 RBI in 94 games.

#boston

Trick Williams, draped in his now customary fur coat, is unveiled under a single spotlight before making his way into WWE's famed Elimination Chamber. It's late February, and as the audience in Chicago sings "Whoop That Trick," following each beat of the 32-year-old's theme song, Williams feeds energy right back to the crowd.
Backstage on the latest season of "WWE: Unreal," which premiered Tuesday, Paul Heyman is then seen chatting with WWE executive Michael Hayes. Both men gush over the 6-foot-5, 250-pound newcomer.
"This motherf***er's going to be a monster," Heyman says.
"Just in time, too. This year is going to be a breakout."
Williams rose to stardom on the NXT scene, firmly planted his flag through a crossover run with TNA, and since debuting on the WWE main roster in January, has wasted no time establishing himself in less than a full year on "WWE Smackdown," capturing and defending the promotion's U.S. Championship.

#going

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez will start for the National League in the MLB All-Star game on Tuesday, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.
Sanchez will get the start in his home stadium with the All-Star game being held at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.
A starter for the American League has not yet been announced or reported. Yankees pitcher Cam Schittler was believed to be a candidate to start, but New York manager Aaron Boone announced Sunday that he won't pitch in Tuesday's All-Star game.
This story will be updated.

Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez gets huge All-Star starter news originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies are sending six players to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game happening in Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park on July 14.
Brandon Marsh is a starting outfielder, and Kyle Schwarber is likely the starting designated hitter with Shohei Ohtani backing out of the All-Star Game due to injury. But the NL's starting pitcher job was still up in the air for Cristopher Sanchez.
However, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Sanchez got a major announcement as he's reportedly the NL's starting pitcher for the All-Star Game.
"Breaking: Phillies superstar pitcher Cristopher Sanchez will be the National League starting pitcher for Tuesday's All-Star Game in Philadelphia," Heyman reports.

The Yankees have lost 15 of their last 20 games as they continue to play without superstar right fielder Aaron Judge.
But one MLB Insider says the Yankees have a date in mind for re-imaging on the stress fracture in Judge's right first rib.
"We don't know when Judge is coming back," Jon Heyman of the New York Post said on The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. "...They won't even say when he's getting the reimaging… I've heard they do have a date in mind, which can change. But they don't want to say anything for whatever reason."
Judge was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 4. The Yankees said at the time that Judge would be reimaged in 4-6 weeks to determine a level of healing, and the appropriate next steps.
Next Thursday, July 16, will mark exactly six weeks from June 4.

Bronson Reed is still on the shelf recovering from a torn triceps, but a Fourth of July social media post has WWE fans paying close attention to his rehabilitation progress. Reed shared a new photo on Twitter celebrating Independence Day while posing with an American flag and wearing merchandise from Steve Austin, giving a shoutout to the Texas Rattlesnake for the gear. “Heard its America’s birthday. Shout out to steveaustinBSR for his swag. WWE #America ,” Reed wrote.
The post quickly generated discussion, with many fans noting that Reed appeared noticeably leaner and more muscular than he had in recent months. Reed’s absence from WWE programming dates back to February, when he suffered the torn triceps during a Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match on the February 23 episode of Raw against Jey Uso and The Original El Grande Americano.
Reed was reportedly scheduled to win that match before the injury forced a change in plans. Those plans ultimately called for Uso to pick up the victory instead. Reed subsequently underwent successful surgery to repair the damage.
Before being sidelined, Reed had been one of Raw’s more prominent figures as a member of The Vision alongside Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory under the leadership of Paul Heyman. His spot within that faction and the momentum he had built heading into WrestleMania season made the timing of the injury unfortunate. No return timeline has been officially announced, but the physical condition he is showing in his social media posts suggests he is progressing well through his recovery.
Related Headlines

Yankees lose ex-Brewers pitcher to MLB free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees own the best record in the American League and have a strong starting rotation.
Their bullpen could be an area of focus at the upcoming trade deadline.
On Friday, the Yankees lost bullpen depth in the minors.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that right-hander Peter Strzelecki opted out of his minor league deal with the Yankees and is now a free agent.

Dylan Cease reportedly agrees to 7-year, $210 million deal with Blue Jays
Yahoo Sports

Few MLB pitchers are more frustrating than Dylan Cease. When he's on, Cease looks like a future Hall of Famer and perennial Cy Young contender. When he's off, he looks like a back-end starter incapable of finding the zone.
The Toronto Blue Jays are betting that the "on" version is Cease's true form. Cease reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $210 million deal with Toronto on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
With the contract, Cease joins the reigning AL champions — and a franchise

Doubt it has to do with the error. Also Donay doesn’t catch for specific guys. Heyman catches weekend games. Probably because of how late last night went due to the weather delay and the quick turnaround to today’s game.