Sports
Mets' Pete Alonso gets another chance for big day vs. Nationals
Sep 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a three-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The New York Mets learned Tuesday night that trying to win games without Francisco Lindor is a lot easier when vintage Pete Alonso appears.
The Mets will look to continue solidifying their spot in the National League wild-card race by completing a sweep of the visiting Washington Nationals Wednesday night, when the NL East rivals conclude a three-game series.
Jose Quintana (9-9, 3.91 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against fellow left-hander DJ Herz (4-7, 3.70 ERA).
Alonso homered and finished with five RBIs Tuesday as the Mets rolled to a 10-1 win.
The lopsided victory was part of a fruitful evening for the Mets (83-68), who moved two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the race for the third and final NL wild card by virtue of the Braves’ 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
New York also moved into a tie with Arizona for the second wild card thanks to the Diamondbacks’ 8-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies. The Mets have the tiebreaker against Arizona by winning the season series 4-3.
The best news for the Mets might have been a long-awaited breakout performance from Alonso, who hadn’t collected more than two RBIs in a game since Aug. 14. He hit .226 with six homers, 13 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 106 at-bats over the subsequent 30 games.
Alonso was 4-for-11 without an extra base hit in the previous three games, a span in which the Mets scored just seven runs while Lindor was limited to one inning due to a sore back. But with Lindor watching from the bench again Tuesday, Alonso blooped a two-run single in the fourth inning before hitting a 375-foot, three-run homer in the sixth.
Alonso has 33 homers and 86 RBIs. Outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he has never finished with fewer than 37 homers or 94 RBIs in a season.
“He’s that type of player, he’s that type of hitter where he can carry a team, he can do damage,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s got the ability to get RBIs. Today was a good game for him.”
The defeat continued a frustrating series for the Nationals (68-83), who will finish with a losing record for the fifth straight season since winning the 2019 World Series. Washington lost its 1-0 lead in the eighth inning of Monday’s 2-1, 10-inning loss.
Rookie James Wood gave the Nationals a short-lived lead by beating out the back end of a potential double play ball in the fourth inning Tuesday, allowing a run to score for a 1-0 lead, but the first five Mets batters reached during a four-run bottom of the frame.
“Obviously, that’s not how we envisioned this game going,” Wood said. “But we’ve just got to be able to learn from it and take it into (Wednesday) and be better.”
Quintana earned the win in his most recent start last Friday, when he tossed seven scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 11-3. He is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in seven career starts against the Nationals, including a 1-0 record over 14 scoreless innings in two starts this season.
Herz also earned the win last Friday after giving up one run over five innings in the Nationals’ 4-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. The rookie, who made his big league debut against the Mets on June 4, is 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in two starts against New York.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
Jul 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) makes a diving stop during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to tightness in his lower back.
A starter for the American League in the All-Star Game last week, Witt left the Royals’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday with back spasms. The roster move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Being without their best player for any length of time is likely the crowning blow for the Royals, who at 42-60 have a better record than only the Los Angeles Angels (41-60) and Colorado Rockies (41-61) heading into play Wednesday.
Because of the relative weakness of the AL Central, the Royals are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians. But with a little more than two months to play and a dozen games to make up, Witt’s injury should insure the Royals will be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Veteran starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are projected to be coveted by contenders, though the Royals have said they are not inclined to move either right-hander.
In 94 games this season, Witt is batting .289 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He has 103 hits and 22 doubles, scoring 51 runs.
His 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues.
Witt is a three-time All-Star and the winner of two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He won the AL batting title in 2024 when he led the majors with a .332 average.
Kansas City’s shortstop since 2022, Witt has a career average of .288 with 118 home runs, 412 RBIs and 178 stolen bases in 720 games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted 32-year-old Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. He is a well-traveled utility infielder who has not played in the major leagues since 2023.
He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder hitting .328 in 38 games this year, are expected to share duties at shortstop.
The Royals also transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list, designated center fielder Kameron Misner for assignment and traded right-hander Nate Pearson to the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Max Martin.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
