Larry Dolan, who purchased Cleveland’s baseball franchise a quarter-century ago and whose family guided it through a name change and a heartbreaking loss in the 2016 World Series, died at 94, the team announced Monday.

Dolan purchased the team from Richard E. Jacobs in February 2000, at the tail end of a 455-game sellout streak at Jacobs Field that would end in April 2001. The team would spend its 13 years under Dolan’s control bouncing from 90-win team – they topped that mark four times and made the playoffs twice – to the middle-market struggles they took on, finishing below .500 in eight of those seasons.

In 2013, Dolan turned over control of the club to his son, Paul. In 2016, Cleveland made it to the World Series for the first time since 1997 and took a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs, yet lost the final three games – retaining the longest championship drought in Major League Baseball, dating to 1948.

‘We are saddened by the loss of our Dad, but lucky to have him as part of our lives as long as we did,” Paul Dolan said in a statement on behalf of the family. ‘He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was passionate about his family, work, our community and his love of our local sports teams, including owning the Cleveland Guardians.’

After decades of public pressure, the team changed its named from the Indians to the Guardians before the 2022 season. The club made the playoffs twice in its three seasons as Guardians, losing to the New York Yankees both times, most recently a 4-1 defeat in the 2024 American League Championship Series.

All things Guardians: Latest Cleveland Guardians news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The family also oversaw a significant renovation of now-Progressive Field, and the more open, reduced-capacity configuration helped the club land the 2019 All-Star Game.

Dolan bought the club for a reported $323 million in 2000. Its estimated value is now $1.35 billion, according to Forbes.

Said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred: ‘I am saddened by the passing of Cleveland native Larry Dolan, whose family’s quarter-century ownership has made their hometown team a consistent winner and a staple of their community.  Larry was a lifelong baseball fan who served our country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marines. He strongly believed in mentoring young people and using the Guardians as a way to impact greater Cleveland.

‘Larry also served the industry by bringing his professional expertise to the Major League Executive Council and the Ownership Committee, and he served on two labor negotiating committees.’

There is no change at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll this week, though there is some shuffling in the top five.

Auburn retains the top spot, but it is not unanimous this time. The Tigers were picked first on 28 of 30 ballots submitted, with the remaining two first-place nods going to Duke following the Blue Devils’ impressive week. They move up to No. 2 overall, nudging ahead of Florida by 15 poll points. Houston moves up a notch to No. 4, and Tennessee is back in the top five as Alabama slips to No. 6.

St. John’s climbs two positions to a season-best No. 7, and Michigan State vaults five places to No. 8 after seizing control of the Big Ten race. Iowa State and Texas Tech round out the top 10 as Texas A&M falls four spots to No. 11.

No. 14 Clemson and No. 15 Maryland continue their upward trajectory, while No. 19 Purdue and No. 22 Marquette take big falls in the other direction. Creighton returns to the poll at No. 25, as preseason No. 1 Kansas falls out.

MESA, Ariz. — Mookie Betts lowered his eyes and paused momentarily while searching for the right arrangement of words, wanting to make sure his point was clear in the Los Angeles Dodgers visiting clubhouse.

“This is not like a vengeance tour,’ Betts told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s about proving a lot of people wrong. But more than anything, it’s about proving myself right.

“So many years, I just didn’t believe in myself.’

Betts is an eight-time All-Star right fielder. A six-time Gold Glove winner. A seven-time Silver Slugger. An MVP winner. He’s a batting champion. Most important to Betts, he’s a three-time World Series champion.

It’s still not enough.

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Betts, 32, wants to show the world that he can also be a star shortstop on a World Series champion.

“I don’t know why he’d want to do that,’ San Diego Padres Gold Glove third baseman Manny Machado said. “I don’t know, man, it’s crazy what he’s trying to do. He’s a Gold Glover. He’s such a good outfielder. Why go play such a demanding postilion? It takes so much of a toll on your body.’

Betts knows all of this. He grew up as a shortstop. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a shortstop. He also didn’t last a full season as a shortstop as a pro with the Red Sox moving him to second base, and eventually right field.

“I think I would have been really good,’ Betts says, “but I never had the opportunity. I couldn’t throw then either. Nobody told me how to throw then. And for myself, I didn’t think I could it either.

“There was no positivity instilled in me.’

Couldn’t he have fought it?

“I’m 18,’ he flatly said. “They’re going to tell you what to do.’

Now 11 years after making his major-league debut, Betts is ready to show that he can be the shortstop he envisioned all along.

“When I was moved to right field, I believed in myself, and got pretty good out there,’ Betts said. “So, I’m taking the same concept. I got the opportunity now.

“And I’m going to make the best of it.’

And this time, unlike his teenage years, he not only believes he can do it, but he’s got the entire organization believing too.

“Mookie is Mookie, he’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen,’ Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy says. “He looks great out there. He’s starting to look more natural.

“Mookie is just different. This kind of challenge is really fun for him. He really enjoys it. And when you look at how he approaches it, having so much fun trying to be as good as he can get, there’s no question in anyone’s mind here that he’s going to be a very good defensive shortstop.’

‘I don’t know of anything he can’t do’

It was a year ago when Betts came into camp as a second baseman, abandoning right field, but three weeks into spring training, shortstop Gavin Lux badly struggled. Betts was moved to shortstop, a position he hadn’t played since 2012 in Class A. Betts played 65 games at shortstop, was erratic defensively with nine errors, suffered a broken wrist and when he returned was back in right field.

He looked uncomfortable at times. He struggled with his footwork. He made the necessary plays, but eight of his errors came on throws. He was improving, but slowly.

This time, he came to camp prepared to be a star shortstop. He spent the winter dedicated to making the transition. He spent three days visiting former Gold Glove shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in Texas where he’s an assistant coach at the University of Texas. He went to Arizona to work on his arm slots and defensive angles with Dodgers coach Chris Woodward. And he took ground balls almost every day at local high schools near his Los Angeles home.

He showed up at camp looking “two levels better’ than a year ago, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“Let’s put it this way, I don’t know of anything he can’t do,’ said San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, his former teammate with the Red Sox. “This guy is an athlete, man. He can bowl. He can golf. He can play basketball. He can do it all.

“He would have been a great second baseman for us, but Dustin Pedroia was there. So he went to right field where he was spectacular. I just think he’s always had that itch of coming back to the infield.’

Betts spoke to Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes and Roberts in the offseason. He insisted he wanted to try it again. The Dodgers encouraged him and with Betts moving back to shortstop, it freed up spots to sign outfielder Michael Conforto and bring back Teoscar Hernandez.

Betts arrived two weeks before most of his teammates to work defensively with Muncy and backup shortstop Miguel Rojas. Never does a day go by where Betts isn’t soliciting advice from Rojas, or Rojas isn’t providing instruction.

The two of them talked for nearly 10 minutes after their spring-training game against the Cubs the other day, talking about footwork, throwing, with Rojas ending the conversation telling Betts to call him any time of the day or night he wants to talk about the position.

“I already think he’s one of the top 10 shortstops in the game because of his bat,’ Rojas said. “Not everything is always going to go great, but you look at him, and he’s so much more comfortable. He’s got experience now. He was able to work on it in the offseason. And he never tired of getting better.

“He wants to be one of the best players in the world, and what he’s doing is just amazing.’’

If Betts pulls this off, he would become only the 22nd player since 1900 to play at least 100 games in right field and shortstop, further elevating his legacy for Cooperstown.

“Mookie wants to be the best player in baseball,’’ Roberts said, “and I don’t see why he wouldn’t want that.

“If you play shortstop, with his bat, that gives him a better chance.’

‘The most selfless superstar’

Betts already has achieved one of the greatest collections of awards and honors in history, but to make the All-Star team as a shortstop, well, it would be historical considering he had gone 12 years without playing the position until last season.

“You can make it mean whatever you want it to mean,’ Betts said, “but I guess it’d be more cool than anything. The All-Star team is a blessing, but I don’t really care about all of those accolades now. When I get older, I can take a step back and look at it, but what I really want is to win five or six rings. That’s why I’m playing.

“So, if that means I’ve got to go to left field one day, I’ll go to left. If I need to go to second, I’ll go to second. I’m 32 years old. I believe in myself wherever I go.’’

If the Dodgers change gears, and decide they’d be better off having Betts playing second base or right field, Betts won’t complain.

“The beauty of Mookie,’ Friedman said, “is that he’s the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around.’

If Betts has his druthers, he not only will be playing shortstop now, but for the duration of his career. Derek Jeter was still playing shortstop at the age of 40, so why not Betts? He spent the entire winter preparing his body for the demands of shortstop, not just for 2025, but well beyond.

“Hell yeah,’ Betts says. “I believe that I’m only going to get better and better. I believe in myself.’

And now, 14 years after being drafted as a shortstop out of Overton High School in Nashville, so does everyone else.

“I just feel so prepared now,’’ Betts says. “I can go home and sleep and not stare at video all day trying to figure things out. I’m giving it my all so I can lay my head down at night knowing that my work prepared me for any balls coming my way.

“I know I can do this. I really do.

“I’m excited to prove people wrong.’

Once again.

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Is time running out on the ‘Tush Push’ play in the NFL?

According to Troy Vincent Sr., the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, one anonymous team has submitted a proposal to ban the play that the Philadelphia Eagles have made infamous. NFL Network’s Judy Battista reported on Vincent’s comments on Monday.

For the last few years, the Eagles’ version of the quarterback sneak has become a crucial part of their offense. With their excellent offensive line, physically strong quarterback and perfected execution, Philadelphia has been able to run the play successfully just about any time they’re in need of two or fewer yards.

To run the play, quarterback Jalen Hurts takes the snap and surges forward behind his dog-piling offensive line while running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert push him from behind.

The high success rate of the play has made it an unpopular one for opposing teams, as well as certain fans and members of the media. Now, one team – which is still anonymous – is trying to get it banned.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Representatives from NFL football operations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposal, so it’s unclear exactly what this anonymous team hopes to outlaw.

Perhaps they’re trying to rid the NFL of the quarterback sneak play entirely, or they hope to ban the Eagles’ variation, which includes the extra pushing from behind the ball-carrier. Maybe that team is fine with every other team attempting a quarterback sneak, so long as it isn’t Philadelphia.

How do rule changes work in the NFL?

For the ‘Tush Push’ ban proposal to become an official rule, it will first be reviewed by the NFL competition committee, which includes various team owners, front office officials and even active head coaches. According to the NFL, the committee is instructed to consider the following questions about a new rule or rule change:

Does the change improve the game?
How will it be officiated?
How will it be coached?
Can the player apply the rule on the field?
Does the change enhance player protection?

Once the NFL competition committee outlines how the rule change will be implemented, all 32 team owners vote on whether or not to adopt the rule at an annual league meeting. The new rule must have a 75% approval rating (24 of 32 teams) to pass.

Last year’s rule changes included the implementation of the NFL’s new kickoff format as well as a ban on hip-drop tackles.

NFL draft season has officially arrived once again with the start of the scouting combine this week in Indianapolis.

With the draft itself now exactly two months away, teams have already put in plenty of legwork into evaluating the upcoming class of prospects. But the testing, on-field work, interviews and medical evaluations will put a process that largely goes on behind closed doors into the spotlight, as four days of drills will all be broadcast on national television.

Not all top attendees will participate in every part of the event, with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders among those already set to bow out of on-field work. But while the effects of players’ performances is seldom readily evident — especially given that the medical checks and interviews aren’t divulged to the public — there are always a few standouts who build a substantial buzz for themselves.

With that in mind, here are 10 players who could be the biggest stars of this year’s combine:

QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

From an athletic standpoint, Milroe is likely in a class of his own in this year’s quarterback group. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder can rip throws into tight windows and push the ball downfield with ease, displaying a rapid release. He also is a major threat on both designed runs and scrambles, forcing defenses to account for his game-breaking speed. The finer points of the position often escape him, as he still struggles to throw with anticipation and doesn’t often operate with rhythm in the pocket. But the combine should serve as a showcase for his upside, and there’s little question that he should test very well.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

Even in a deep class for running backs, Tuten stands out as a big-play threat. The 5-11, 209-pounder averaged 6.3 yards per carry last season, and he can get to the second level by utilizing his contact balance and toughness before unleashing his long speed. The 40-yard dash and vertical leap should reinforce just how explosive the former track standout is, while he can also demonstrate his fluidity as a runner during drills.

WR Savion Williams, TCU

At 6-5 and 225 pounds with explosive burst, Williams offers an imposing package of traits, as he has been likened to a supersized Cordarrelle Patterson. But that comparison also highlights that the all-purpose threat has yet to put everything together as a receiver, as he has struggled with drops and refining his route-running. In testing, however, Williams should have no trouble showing off his upside, as his rare blend of strength and build-up speed should be evident to any onlookers. The gauntlet drill, however, will be an important part of his on-field work.

WR Isaiah Bond, Texas

In transferring from Alabama, Bond sparked plenty of comparisons to Xavier Worthy as the next undersized speedster for the Longhorns. But Texas’ attack afforded him limited opportunities to showcase his downfield abilities, as the 5-11, 180-pounder notched just 34 catches for 580 yards in 2024. Still, expect the former Georgia high school track champion — who once ran a 10.48 100-meter dash — to place among the fastest 40-yard times, even though threatening Worthy’s record of 4.21 seconds seems like a long shot.

WR Arian Smith, Georgia

The search for the fastest 40 time at this year’s combine might start and end with Smith. The 6-0, 185-pound target qualified for the 2021 NCAA Track and Field Championships with a blistering 10.10 run in the 100 meters before he decided to focus on football full-time. After he averaged 17 yards per catch in his long-awaited breakout campaign last season, teams will certainly be drawn to the prospect of incorporating him as their next big-play threat.

G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Offensive line performances at the combine can often be overlooked, but Jackson might be an exception. The former five-star recruit shifted over to left tackle out of necessity during the Buckeyes’ national title run, and he’s been on the upswing ever since. The 6-4, 320-pounder is a smooth mover who should show off his impressive strength as well as fluidity, which should further aid his push into the first round.

DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

The 6-5, 281-pounder already is enjoying a pre-draft ascension after displaying his singular blend of physical tools during Senior Bowl practices. His rise should continue — and even perhaps accelerate — at the combine, where he might post one of the best weight-adjusted 40-yard dashes of all attendees. With rare explosiveness, Stewart could also post top marks in the vertical leap and broad jump.

DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Nose tackles typically don’t command the spotlight in Indianapolis, but Grant is certainly an outlier at his position. The 6-3, 342-pounder could be this year’s Jordan Davis as the massively built defensive lineman who builds substantial buzz thanks to his surprisingly fast movements, with the speed to chase down ball carriers in the open field. Like Davis, he’s inconsistent and hasn’t reached his potential as pass rusher, but the event should allow him to show off what he’s capable of.

CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Any list identifying likely top performers at the combine has to include the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Hunter’s skill set can’t be fully captured in this forum, as his otherworldly ball skills — whether at cornerback or receiver, though he’s listed at the former for the workout — don’t truly shine through outside of a game setting. But the 6-1, 185-pounder still should be able put on a show with his superlative speed and leaping ability.

S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

His physical traits are nearly ideal for the position, as a 6-3, 227-pound safety with outstanding range and recovery speed can handle any number of coverage assignments. He’s a work in progress against the run and is still learning to become a more instinctive defender, but he’s a strong candidate to post one of the top overall testing profiles during the week. This could be his ticket into solidifying a spot somewhere in the first round.

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2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid is known for being injury-prone, and that hasn’t changed in 2025.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ star big man is dealing with a knee injury that caused some problems for him during the team’s Thursday night contest against the Boston Cetlics. Embiid checked in for 27 minutes during that game, but did not perform up to his usual standards, recording just 15 points on 33% shooting. After the game, Embiid admitted that he was struggling with his knee. Still, that didn’t stop him from competing in the team’s Saturday night tilt against Brooklyn, where Embiid played 31 minutes, tallying 14 points and seven rebounds. However, he did not play for the entirety of the fourth quarter, which is shocking considering the game resulted in a two-point loss for Philadelphia.

Well, it appears that his absence was an ominous foreboding of what was to come.

Here are the latest updates on Embiid’s knee injury.

Joel Embiid injury updates

Embiid sat out during the Sixers’ most recent practice, but the team, previously listing him as questionable, has him listed as out on Monday.

According to reports, the Sixers’ anticipated plan of action for Embiid to miss a few games in order rest his knee up throughout the season, isn’t enough. The team is now consulting doctors and looking for alternative approaches.

Is surgery in Embiid’s future?

It’s likely that Embiid will have to undergo surgery at some point, but both Embiid and the Sixers seem to want to push it off as far as possible so that Embiid can play out the rest of this season. Most experts seem to agree that it would be best for Embiid’s long-term success that he has surgery done. However, that doesn’t appear to be Philadelphia’s top priority at the moment.

When do the Sixers play next?

Following the Sixers’ contest against the Bulls tonight, its next game is set for Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. Following that contest, the Sixers will have a two-game homestand through March 3 against the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers.

Embiid’s status against Chicago could play a major factor in whether or not he will participate in any of those upcoming games.

While many eagle-eyed players have welcomed their new ability to challenge balls and strikes calls in spring training games this year, the Cincinnati Reds aren’t joining in the fun.

Manager Terry Francona told reporters last Friday that he doesn’t want his major leaguers initiating the challenges because they won’t have that option during the 2025 regular season.

MLB has implemented a trial program this spring in which a pitcher, catcher or batter can call for a replay review of an umpire’s ball or strike call they disagree with. The Automatic Balls and Strikes (ABS) system has previously been used in the minor leagues and the challenge provision will be in place throughout the Class AAA level this coming season, but its use in the majors is at least another year away.

‘I’m OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they’ve done it,’ Francona said. ‘It’s not a strategy for (the MLB teams), so why work on it? I don’t want to make a farce of anything, but we’re here getting ready for a season and that’s not helping us get ready.’

Not every spring training ballpark has access to the new ABS system. In Arizona, the five dual-team stadiums (including the Reds’ and Cleveland Guardians’ home in Goodyear) have it. In Florida, eight different parks are equipped with ABS technology.

All things Reds: Latest Cincinnati Reds news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Another New York Yankees tradition is falling by the wayside this baseball season.

After last week relaxing the team’s longstanding policy on facial hair, the Yankees will not be playing Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ over the stadium loudspeakers after a loss. The change took effect Sunday after a 4-0 spring training defeat to the Detroit Tigers, when Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’ serenaded the fans at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

The club said it will still play ‘New York, New York’ after Yankee wins as usual, but ‘will be rotating through a number of different songs’ after a loss, according to a team spokesman.

The musical tradition dates back to 1980 when then-owner George Steinbrenner heard Sinatra’s 1979 recording of the iconic tune at a Manhattan nightclub.

After Steinbrenner wrote a letter to Sinatra and received permission to use his version of the song, the club began playing it regularly at Yankee Stadium after games.

All things Yankees: Latest New York Yankees news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The change isn’t as stunning as the one current owner Hal Steinbrenner announced last week in amending the club’s ban on beards and long hair, a policy that began in 1976 and continued well after George’s death in 2010.

Though the cosmetic changes won’t have an impact on the games themselves, the Yankees will be looking to revive another somewhat dormant tradition this season – winning the World Series. The storied franchise has claimed a record 27 championships, but none since 2009.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — At some point, Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp will reflect on playing against Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.

But that moment must wait until after both clubs meet again Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup first-round series at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami leads the series 1-0 on aggregate score thanks to a goal by Messi during a frigid match at SKC last Wednesday. If SKC hopes to pull off an upset, they’ll have to score at least two goals and beat Inter Miami by a goal Tuesday night.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t kind of a cool factor of playing against somebody that you grew up watching, that you view as the top of the top,” Pulskamp, who played with the U.S. Soccer team at the Paris Olympics, said of Messi. “You know in the back of your mind that it’s a player that has a special ability, but you know there’s other players that have special abilities as well that you have to be aware of.

‘And then, afterwards you can, you can take that moment and kind of reflect on it being a cool moment.”

Messi, the reigning MLS MVP and Argentine World champion, is expected to start and play against Sporting Kansas City. But it’s unclear how much he could play.

Messi has played every minute of Inter Miami’s last two matches, and Tuesday’s match will mark the third in six days. Including five preseason matches, Inter Miami will play eight matches in 40 days.

Although the series is in Inter Miami’s favor, coach Javier Mascherano wants his team to play without relying on it’s one-score cushion.

“No, 1-0 gives absolutely nothing,’ Mascherano said. ‘In fact, we prepare for the match, thinking that the match in 0-0.’

Obviously, slowing Messi down will be key for Sporting Kansas City — the club is 0-2 against him in two matches the last year, with him scoring in both. SKC coach Peter Vermes has routinely praised Messi when asked about the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

As much as Vermes said he’ll plan to be organized defensively to deny Messi the ball and not give away possession in transition, he knows Messi can find a way to enforce his will.

‘There’s so many different coaches that have tried over the years, but you really just can’t put a game plan in for him because he’s one of those players, which there’s not very few, that can change the outcome of the game on their own,” Vermes said.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City match Tuesday?

The match will be available to watch FS2 in English and ViX in Spanish.

What time does Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City match begin?

The game will begin at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina) on Tuesday night.

Who leads the Inter Miami-Sporting Kansas City Champions Cup series?

Messi scored the only goal in Inter Miami’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the first-round series.

What score does Inter Miami, Kansas City need to advance?

Inter Miami would advance to the next round with a win or draw by any score.

Kansas City would advance by scoring two or more goals in a one-goal victory at Chase Stadium.

If SKC is up 1-0 after regulation, the match will be tied on aggregate score and go to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

Who does Inter Miami or Sporting Kansas City face in next round?

Jamaican league champions Cavalier FC earned a bye to the round of 16 in the Champions Cup tournament, and await the winner of Inter Miami-Sporting Kansas City.

Juan Soto needed just one spring training at-bat to fulfill New York Mets’ fans wildest dreams, hitting a home run in his second exhibition swing after signing a $765 million contract.

Yet the spring training injury bug has already hit another, arguably more important area: The starting rotation, where the Mets will be down two arms by opening day.

Left-hander Sean Manaea – re-signed to a three-year, $75 million deal this winter – has a strained right oblique and will be shut down from throwing for two weeks, manager Carlos Mendoza announced to reporters Monday morning.

That will likely put Manaea back at square one in his spring buildup, and with less than three weeks until opening day from his projected return to throwing, should result in Manaea starting the season on the injured list.

Now, the Mets are down two starters, after right-hander Frankie Montas – signed to a two-year, $34 million deal – suffered a high-grade lat strain that figures to cost him the first two months of the regular season.

All things Mets: Latest New York Mets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

They have the depth to withstand the losses – so long as several question marks are answered in Grapefruit League play.

Ace Kodai Senga is already wowing observers by hitting 98 mph on the radar gun one year after a shoulder injury, and left-hander David Peterson should slot in behind him without incident.

Beyond that, the club is relying on former Yankees closer Clay Holmes to convert to the rotation. And for Paul Blackburn, ideally just rotation depth to start the year, to man the No. 4 spot after his 2024 season ended early due to a spinal fluid leak.

And suddenly, right-hander Tylor Megill and Los Angeles Angels castoff Griffin Canning – both considered rotation depth in a best-case scenario – may figure into the picture early in the year.

Manaea’s injury doesn’t appear to be severe enough to force the Mets to consider external options. Yet it certainly creates a suboptimal situation to begin the season. Manaea pitched 181 2/3 innings last season, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a Game 3 victory over Philladelphia in the NL Division Series.

New York re-signed Manaea on Dec. 23, and his $75 million guarantee trailed only Max Fried and Blake Snell for left-handed pitchers on the market.