2 months ago
Major League Baseball's trade deadline always focuses on the loudest teams and the loudest names. Tampa Bay missed on Tarik Skubal and pivoted to Freddy Peralta instead. A month later, that consolation prize is beginning to look suspiciously like exactly what the Rays needed.
MORE: Top MLB prospect, 20-year-old catching phenom called up late Monday night
Aug 26, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Peralta wasn't good in New York.
He carried a 4.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 113 2/3 innings before the Mets dealt him to Tampa Bay on August 2 for three prospects – Aidan Smith, Gary Gill Hill and Émilien Pitre. All three ranked among Tampa Bay's Top 30 prospects.
#prospects
MORE: Top MLB prospect, 20-year-old catching phenom called up late Monday night
Aug 26, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Peralta wasn't good in New York.
He carried a 4.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 113 2/3 innings before the Mets dealt him to Tampa Bay on August 2 for three prospects – Aidan Smith, Gary Gill Hill and Émilien Pitre. All three ranked among Tampa Bay's Top 30 prospects.
#prospects
2 months ago
Mark Vientos continued his rehab stint with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and had his best game with the club.
The young Mets slugger went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs. He also hit a home run against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Vientos' first hit came in the first, smashing a single to score Emilien Pitre from second and give Syracuse an early 1-0 lead. His longball came in the fifth with the bases empty. He smashed a changeup in the middle of the plate 409 feet to give Syracuse a 6-1 lead at the time.
It was a great offensive day for Vientos, who started at DH, and he needed it. He was hitless over his first three minor league games in his current rehab ******* ignment and Mets interim manager Andy Green had some pointed things to say about the slugger and his future role on the team.
"I was very forthright with him when he started the rehab ******* ignment that a lot of that will be dictated by how others perform and also by how he performs," Green said Wednesday. "Still think there's a very bright future for him out there if he wants to grab a hold of it. That's on him."
#first #give
The young Mets slugger went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs. He also hit a home run against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Vientos' first hit came in the first, smashing a single to score Emilien Pitre from second and give Syracuse an early 1-0 lead. His longball came in the fifth with the bases empty. He smashed a changeup in the middle of the plate 409 feet to give Syracuse a 6-1 lead at the time.
It was a great offensive day for Vientos, who started at DH, and he needed it. He was hitless over his first three minor league games in his current rehab ******* ignment and Mets interim manager Andy Green had some pointed things to say about the slugger and his future role on the team.
"I was very forthright with him when he started the rehab ******* ignment that a lot of that will be dictated by how others perform and also by how he performs," Green said Wednesday. "Still think there's a very bright future for him out there if he wants to grab a hold of it. That's on him."
#first #give
2 months ago
German baseball player Max Kepler, who was suspended by the MLB for 80 games in January after a positive doping test, has suggested that contaminated meat could have caused his result.
The 33-year-old from Berlin has only been allowed to play in the top North American league again since the end of June.
"The substance was in my sample. I have no idea how it got in there, but I am responsible for it," former Minnesota Twins star Kepler said in an interview with broadcaster Sport1.
He tested positive for epitrenbolone, which is an anabolic steroid found in products sold in bodybuilding shops. But it is also used to promote growth when breeding cattle.
"Our theory ... was contaminated red meat. Because there have been cases in the past that were also won. In those cases, a meat source was found in restaurants that athletes ate at and that contained steroids," Kepler said.
#cases #german #north
The 33-year-old from Berlin has only been allowed to play in the top North American league again since the end of June.
"The substance was in my sample. I have no idea how it got in there, but I am responsible for it," former Minnesota Twins star Kepler said in an interview with broadcaster Sport1.
He tested positive for epitrenbolone, which is an anabolic steroid found in products sold in bodybuilding shops. But it is also used to promote growth when breeding cattle.
"Our theory ... was contaminated red meat. Because there have been cases in the past that were also won. In those cases, a meat source was found in restaurants that athletes ate at and that contained steroids," Kepler said.
#cases #german #north
2 months ago
Here is everything Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship said after day 14 of training camp, including how his style of play compares to fellow safety Jalen Pitre, his thoughts on the upcoming joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders and his experience with the Texans so far.
Question: On how his time with the Texans has been so far
Reed Blankenship: "I think it's been great. I feel like we have a lot of fun. One of my main things coming in here was trying to be a voice on the defense, to be a communicator. I found out really fast, I think it was in OTAs, where it was one play and there was a check. I started checking to something and Azeez [Al-Shaair] was like, 'What's this guy doing?' And then he corrected me, but I'm like, 'Okay, there you have a communicator.' I just want to let him know that I want to be on the same page. We're going to work in unison, but we're going to get everybody lined up. It's been great. It's been fun. There's a lot of different personalities, especially in the defensive back room and I just feel like I can get along with a lot of guys and just keep the vibes high."
Q: On his leadership and communication style
Blankenship: "I've always lived by being a follower before a leader. Obviously, in Philly, I was fortunate enough to be a captain and there were a lot of people before me. I've had [Darius] Slay [Jr.], I had Marcus Epps; I had a lot of these older vets that led the way for me. I just want to sit back and watch how they lead, especially coming to a place like this. Obviously, there are established leaders and stuff, so it would be wrong for me to come in and try to step on people's toes. Obviously, I had success there in Philly. Coming here, I want to bring the same thing, but I'm not going to say, 'Oh, we did this a different way,' or, 'We need to do this because it worked here.' Everything's different. The organizations are different. Players are different. At the end of the day, you just want to be as smooth as possible. As I said, be on the same page. Communicate, be on the same page. At the end of the day, enjoy football and have fun."
#blankenship #obviously
Question: On how his time with the Texans has been so far
Reed Blankenship: "I think it's been great. I feel like we have a lot of fun. One of my main things coming in here was trying to be a voice on the defense, to be a communicator. I found out really fast, I think it was in OTAs, where it was one play and there was a check. I started checking to something and Azeez [Al-Shaair] was like, 'What's this guy doing?' And then he corrected me, but I'm like, 'Okay, there you have a communicator.' I just want to let him know that I want to be on the same page. We're going to work in unison, but we're going to get everybody lined up. It's been great. It's been fun. There's a lot of different personalities, especially in the defensive back room and I just feel like I can get along with a lot of guys and just keep the vibes high."
Q: On his leadership and communication style
Blankenship: "I've always lived by being a follower before a leader. Obviously, in Philly, I was fortunate enough to be a captain and there were a lot of people before me. I've had [Darius] Slay [Jr.], I had Marcus Epps; I had a lot of these older vets that led the way for me. I just want to sit back and watch how they lead, especially coming to a place like this. Obviously, there are established leaders and stuff, so it would be wrong for me to come in and try to step on people's toes. Obviously, I had success there in Philly. Coming here, I want to bring the same thing, but I'm not going to say, 'Oh, we did this a different way,' or, 'We need to do this because it worked here.' Everything's different. The organizations are different. Players are different. At the end of the day, you just want to be as smooth as possible. As I said, be on the same page. Communicate, be on the same page. At the end of the day, enjoy football and have fun."
#blankenship #obviously
3 months ago
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rays fans and fans across the country.
The Rays were buyers in a sellers market for the 2026 trade deadline, and came away with four key additions:
Rays acquire RHP Freddy Peralta from Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Emilien Pitre, and RHP Gary Gill Hill
Rays acquire C/1B Liam Hicks from Marlins for INF Brayden Taylor, SS Adrian Santana, and RHP Jacob Kisting
Rays acquire RHP Tyler Wells from Orioles for RHP Michael Forret
#nation #throughout
The Rays were buyers in a sellers market for the 2026 trade deadline, and came away with four key additions:
Rays acquire RHP Freddy Peralta from Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Emilien Pitre, and RHP Gary Gill Hill
Rays acquire C/1B Liam Hicks from Marlins for INF Brayden Taylor, SS Adrian Santana, and RHP Jacob Kisting
Rays acquire RHP Tyler Wells from Orioles for RHP Michael Forret
#nation #throughout
3 months ago
The Rays had an extraordinarily busy trade deadline in 2026, and in a pleasant surprise, they were the ones buying and not selling — and better yet, the Rays did so without trading any of their top prospects.
Here's a recap of the Rays moves, and with all of them happening in August:
Rays acquire Freddy Peralta from Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Emilien Pitre, and RHP Gary Gill Hill
Rays acquire C/1B Liam Hicks from Marlins for INF Brayden Taylor, SS Adrian Santana, and RHP Jacob Kisting
Rays acquire RHP Tyler Wells from Orioles for RHP Michael Forret
#rays #METS #pitre
Here's a recap of the Rays moves, and with all of them happening in August:
Rays acquire Freddy Peralta from Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Emilien Pitre, and RHP Gary Gill Hill
Rays acquire C/1B Liam Hicks from Marlins for INF Brayden Taylor, SS Adrian Santana, and RHP Jacob Kisting
Rays acquire RHP Tyler Wells from Orioles for RHP Michael Forret
#rays #METS #pitre
3 months ago
The Houston Texans had four different players who recorded four interceptions last season, including both of their starting safeties - Calen Bullock and Jalen Pitre.
Even though Bullock and Pitre are still with the Texans, they decided to increase their safety depth by signing Philadelphia Eagles starter Reed Blankenship in the offseason.
After spending four seasons with the Eagles, including the 2024 season when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. While he has not recorded an interception in the postseason, he does have nine career interceptions, including four in 2024.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter said Blankenship has been a good addition to the team and has meshed well with the other players.
"Any time you can add a really good football player to your team, it's great," Lassiter said. "Reed is a good football player. He came in and he meshes really well with us. He plays with confidence. He plays fast. He plays physical. He's just like one of us. We get along really well. We communicate really well. It's going to be real fun this year."
#well #plays #bullock #pitre
Even though Bullock and Pitre are still with the Texans, they decided to increase their safety depth by signing Philadelphia Eagles starter Reed Blankenship in the offseason.
After spending four seasons with the Eagles, including the 2024 season when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. While he has not recorded an interception in the postseason, he does have nine career interceptions, including four in 2024.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter said Blankenship has been a good addition to the team and has meshed well with the other players.
"Any time you can add a really good football player to your team, it's great," Lassiter said. "Reed is a good football player. He came in and he meshes really well with us. He plays with confidence. He plays fast. He plays physical. He's just like one of us. We get along really well. We communicate really well. It's going to be real fun this year."
#well #plays #bullock #pitre
3 months ago
Jalen Pitre has been wearing the Guardian Cap since suffering his first concussion with the Houston Texans.
Everyone knows what it looks like, mainly because every hit is so impactful that it's hard to miss.
Now, he's partnering with the brand for the 2026 season.
Pitre was named by an official partner with Guardian Sports, an Atlanta-based sports safety equipment company known for protecting players with the soft-shell cover over the helmet. According to the press release, Pitre will work as an advocate for "player protection and proactive safety measures in football while encouraging long-term health on and off the field."
"Protection is the most important thing," Pitre said in a statement released by the company. "Be proactive. Don't wait until after you get a concussion. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to protect myself. This is about continuing to push the game forward. Think about your safety now because that's what you'll have when you leave the game."
#pitre #safety #sports #protection
Everyone knows what it looks like, mainly because every hit is so impactful that it's hard to miss.
Now, he's partnering with the brand for the 2026 season.
Pitre was named by an official partner with Guardian Sports, an Atlanta-based sports safety equipment company known for protecting players with the soft-shell cover over the helmet. According to the press release, Pitre will work as an advocate for "player protection and proactive safety measures in football while encouraging long-term health on and off the field."
"Protection is the most important thing," Pitre said in a statement released by the company. "Be proactive. Don't wait until after you get a concussion. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to protect myself. This is about continuing to push the game forward. Think about your safety now because that's what you'll have when you leave the game."
#pitre #safety #sports #protection
3 months ago
Today's the big day, folks. It's Monday, August 3 and it's time to get locked in since the deadline is officially at 6:00 p.m. ET. Will the Braves make a huge splash? Will AA surprise us? Will it all be a big dud? It's time to figure it all out! Keep it locked here as we'll be trying to parse all of the major rumors of the day, whether they're Braves-related or just intriguing for the bigger picture. Let's get into it, folks!
August 2 – Atlanta Braves acquire RHP Tyler Mahle from San Francisco Giants for RHP Anthony Molina
August 2 – Chicago Cubs acquire RHP Kevin Gausman from Toronto Blue Jays for INF Ty Southisene and OF Brett Bateman
August 2 – Tampa Bay Rays acquire RHP Freddy Peralta from New York Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Émilien Pitre and RHP Gary Gill Hill
August 2 – New York Yankees acquire INF Luis García Jr. from Washington Nationals for RHP Yorvanny Cruz, RHP Jake Bird, RHP Jack Cebert and RHP Ben Grable
#Braves #acquire #folks #keep
August 2 – Atlanta Braves acquire RHP Tyler Mahle from San Francisco Giants for RHP Anthony Molina
August 2 – Chicago Cubs acquire RHP Kevin Gausman from Toronto Blue Jays for INF Ty Southisene and OF Brett Bateman
August 2 – Tampa Bay Rays acquire RHP Freddy Peralta from New York Mets for OF Aidan Smith, INF Émilien Pitre and RHP Gary Gill Hill
August 2 – New York Yankees acquire INF Luis García Jr. from Washington Nationals for RHP Yorvanny Cruz, RHP Jake Bird, RHP Jack Cebert and RHP Ben Grable
#Braves #acquire #folks #keep
3 months ago
Mired in last place in the NL East, the New York Mets continued their sell-off ahead of Monday's MLB trade deadline, trading Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays for three prospects on Sunday after trading A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins earlier in the week.
Peralta, 30, has been a major disappointment this year, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA that would be the second-worst of his career. His 1.48 WHIP would be a career-worst.
He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, however, so the Rays are hoping the two-time All-Star is on the upswing and can return to form. He's set to be a free agent this winter, so he's a rental for Tampa Bay.
Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!
The Rays tapped into their deep farm system to acquire Peralta, sending outfielder Aidan Smith (their No. 15 prospect), right-hander Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) and infielder Émilien Pitre (No. 27) to the Mets.
#Baseball
Peralta, 30, has been a major disappointment this year, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA that would be the second-worst of his career. His 1.48 WHIP would be a career-worst.
He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, however, so the Rays are hoping the two-time All-Star is on the upswing and can return to form. He's set to be a free agent this winter, so he's a rental for Tampa Bay.
Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!
The Rays tapped into their deep farm system to acquire Peralta, sending outfielder Aidan Smith (their No. 15 prospect), right-hander Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) and infielder Émilien Pitre (No. 27) to the Mets.
#Baseball
3 months ago
On the eve of the 2026 MLB trade deadline, the Tampa Bay Rays have bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets in exchange for three prospects: OF Aidan Smith, INF Emilien Pitre, and RHP Gary Gill Hill.
Peralta, 30, was acquired by the Mets prior to the start of the 2026 season. The veteran hurler had been the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers for several years prior to the trade. Unfortunately, Peralta's time in Flushing has been less than ideal, compiling a 4.99 ERA | 4.45 FIP over 22 starts during his Mets' tenure. During his time Milwaukee from 2020 through 2025, Peralta was stellar, compiling a 3.33 ERA | 3.60 FIP; the Rays hope to get this version of the veteran hurler.
Heading to New York are three prospects.
Outfielder Aidan Smith was acquired by the Rays as part of the return for Randy Arozarena at the 2024 trade deadline. There was hope that he'd develop into a premier prospect and looked on his way to doing so registering a 158 wRC+ immediately following the trade. However, Smith has been unable to rise past High-A and holds a 68 wRC+ on the season.
Infielder Emilien Pitre was the Rays 2nd round pick in 2024 and has been an above-average offensive perfomer since joining the Rays organization thanks to an excellent ability to draw walks which significantly boosts his on-base percentage. He recently received a promotion to Double-A where he was hitting .323/.451/.492 over 163 plate appearances.
#rays #aidan #emilien #pitre
Peralta, 30, was acquired by the Mets prior to the start of the 2026 season. The veteran hurler had been the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers for several years prior to the trade. Unfortunately, Peralta's time in Flushing has been less than ideal, compiling a 4.99 ERA | 4.45 FIP over 22 starts during his Mets' tenure. During his time Milwaukee from 2020 through 2025, Peralta was stellar, compiling a 3.33 ERA | 3.60 FIP; the Rays hope to get this version of the veteran hurler.
Heading to New York are three prospects.
Outfielder Aidan Smith was acquired by the Rays as part of the return for Randy Arozarena at the 2024 trade deadline. There was hope that he'd develop into a premier prospect and looked on his way to doing so registering a 158 wRC+ immediately following the trade. However, Smith has been unable to rise past High-A and holds a 68 wRC+ on the season.
Infielder Emilien Pitre was the Rays 2nd round pick in 2024 and has been an above-average offensive perfomer since joining the Rays organization thanks to an excellent ability to draw walks which significantly boosts his on-base percentage. He recently received a promotion to Double-A where he was hitting .323/.451/.492 over 163 plate appearances.
#rays #aidan #emilien #pitre
3 months ago
Nate Tice sits down with Domonique Foxworth to cover how the NFL game is evolving over time, including the biggest issues the league faces entering the 2026 season.
Nate & Domonique cover how NFL training camp attempts to prepare players for the rigors of a season with less and less full contact, the future of NFL defenses (and why it might be built around the safety position), what Domonique watches for when watching ball, changing offensive tendencies and how defenses can pick them apart and the most under-appreciated NFL "rule breakers" on defense (including Kyle Hamilton and Jalen Pitre).
Later, Domonique provides his insight as former president of the NFLPA as the duo dive into the state of the NFL Player's ****** ociation: What should be the hardline issues players are fighting for in the next CBA? Could there be a labor strike looming? How do NFLPA execs decide what's worth fighting for?
(1:40) - How NFL training camp is evolving, preparing for a long season
(12:50) - How the NFL game is evolving: players, tendencies, trends
#evolving #season #nflpa
Nate & Domonique cover how NFL training camp attempts to prepare players for the rigors of a season with less and less full contact, the future of NFL defenses (and why it might be built around the safety position), what Domonique watches for when watching ball, changing offensive tendencies and how defenses can pick them apart and the most under-appreciated NFL "rule breakers" on defense (including Kyle Hamilton and Jalen Pitre).
Later, Domonique provides his insight as former president of the NFLPA as the duo dive into the state of the NFL Player's ****** ociation: What should be the hardline issues players are fighting for in the next CBA? Could there be a labor strike looming? How do NFLPA execs decide what's worth fighting for?
(1:40) - How NFL training camp is evolving, preparing for a long season
(12:50) - How the NFL game is evolving: players, tendencies, trends
#evolving #season #nflpa
4 months ago
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Max Kepler homered to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night, his first home run since returning from an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Kepler hit a 94 mph four-seam fastball from Padres starter Walker Buehler 417-feet into the right field bleachers to give the Diamondbacks a 6-0 lead in the third inning. Kepler also had an RBI single in the first inning for a four-RBI night.
"I think it was just what we needed — one swing of the bat," Kepler said of his homer. "I'm ready to go, to swing, to hack."
Kepler was suspended in January for a positive test for Epitrenbolone, a metabolite of Trenbolone that's contained in some products used in body-building stores and has been used in products to promote cattle growth.
He was activated by the Diamondbacks on June 25.
Kepler hit a 94 mph four-seam fastball from Padres starter Walker Buehler 417-feet into the right field bleachers to give the Diamondbacks a 6-0 lead in the third inning. Kepler also had an RBI single in the first inning for a four-RBI night.
"I think it was just what we needed — one swing of the bat," Kepler said of his homer. "I'm ready to go, to swing, to hack."
Kepler was suspended in January for a positive test for Epitrenbolone, a metabolite of Trenbolone that's contained in some products used in body-building stores and has been used in products to promote cattle growth.
He was activated by the Diamondbacks on June 25.
