The Mets are finalizing a deal to snag the infielder amid the Cubs’ trade deadline fire sale on Friday, along with pitcher Trevor Williams, according to multiple reports on Friday.

The trade is pending medical review, with outfielder Pete Crow Armstrong going to Chicago.

Baez likely becomes the Mets’ shortstop as Francisco Lindor heals up from a stint on the IL with a right oblique strain. When the $341 million star returns to the lineup, Baez would shift to second base – a move he’s already said he’d be cool with.

“If I go to free agency, I’d like to play with Francisco Lindor,” Baez said Tuesday during an interview with Mega 106.9 FM. “I loved playing with him in the [2017 World Baseball Classic]. That’s the only option I’d take to play second base.”

The 28-year-old Gold Glove infielder has swatted 22 homers this season while batting .292 and driving in 65 runs over 91 games with Chicago. He’s slated to enter free agency at the end of the 2021 season.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The 58-year-old coached in the NFL for 24 years, working for the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders, Seahawks, Texans and Broncos before joining Robert Saleh’s Jets staff as passing game coordinator to help develop rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.

Knapp was struck by a motorist while riding his bike over the weekend, sustaining “major injuries,” according to police.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The team traded its longtime defenseman to the Red Wings on Friday, receiving forward Richard Panik and a second-round pick (No. 52) in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Leddy, coming off a strong postseason, was expected to be made available in the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft. The veteran blueliner has one season remaining on his seven-year, $38.5 million deal at a $5.5 million cap hit.

The trade — which includes Detroit paying half of Panik’s $2.75 million salary for the next two seasons — frees up $4.125 million in cap space for the cash-strapped Islanders, who have no shortage of players awaiting new contracts for next season.

Six Islanders veterans are pending free agents, headlined by forward Casey Cizikas and winger Kyle Palmieri, with decisions also to be made on other former Devils Travis Zajac, Andy Greene and Cory Schneider, plus Brayden Coburn. Forwards Michael Dal Colle and Anthony Beauvillier are restricted free agents, as are defenseman Adam Pelech and goalie Ilya Sorokin.

With Leddy out of the picture, the Islanders are expected to protect blueliners Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Scott Mayfield in the July 21 expansion draft. Teams’ lists are due Saturday.

Panik, who was dealt to the Wings by the Capitals at the trade deadline, likely will slot into a middle-six role on the Island. The 30-year-old will be joining his sixth NHL team since entering the league in 2012-13. He posted four goals and 13 points with Detroit and Washington last season.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Sherman rang the doorbell to the Redmond, Wash. house and tried to open the door, and became visibly frustrated at not getting in.

“Come through,” the former Seattle Seahawks and 49ers cornerback yelled. “Come through, b—h.”

He then tried to force his way in, unsuccessfully.

“That s-t real cute,” he said, before trying to open it again.

The 33-year-old was released from jail without bail on Thursday, with his pending felony charge of domestic violence residential burglary reduced, leaving him to face four misdemeanors, according to multiple reports.

Sherman was arrested Wednesday morning for the incident, which followed a reported DUI incident and involved three separate 911 calls. In one, his wife, Ashley Moss, claimed he was considering taking his own life.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The No. 6 seed called it quits in her first-round matchup with Aliaksandra Sasnovich, in too much pain to continue after slipping and hurting her left ankle during their first set.

Williams lost her footing while hitting a forehand during the fifth game against Sasnovich. She braced herself with her racket, willing herself to her feet and walked off the court in tears.

The legend was met with a standing ovation from the Wimbledon crowd, waving as she exited.

The match ended at three games apiece.

“Of course I’m so sad for Serena; she’s a great champion,” Sasnovich said. “It happens sometimes in tennis, but all the best for her and her recovery.”

The injury means Williams’ pursuit of Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam wins remains ongoing, with the clock ticking on the 39-year-old’s illustrious career and her title count at 23.

In June, Williams fell to Elena Rybakina in the fourth round of the French Open. She has not won a major singles title since the 2017 Australian Open.

Her Wimbledon withdrawal marks only the second time in her career she has exited a Grand Slam in the first round.

Williams has won seven singles Wimbledon titles, her last coming in 2016. She reached the finals in 2018 and ’19.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Nationals ace Max Scherzer was inspected by umpires twice at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia — the second time at the behest of Phillies manager Joe Girardi.

Scherzer, who was visibly disgruntled by both checks, engaged in a staredown with Girardi after the fourth inning. The Philly skipper responded by hopping out of the dugout and inviting Scherzer to engage him directly.

That earned Girardi an ejection.

Scherzer waved goodbye to Girardi, holding his hat and glove in the air to taunt him.

It wasn’t the first snarky display from the Washington hurler, who slumped his shoulders while being given a once-over after the first inning. In the bottom of the fourth, after recording his seventh strikeout of the evening with a 3-1 lead, Scherzer threw his hat and glove to the ground and offered to take off his pants when Girardi requested another check.

Umpires declined to take Scherzer’s hat or glove.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom was the first to be checked under MLB’s new protocols, getting inspected by umpire during Monday’s start against the Braves.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

“What’s up people,” Nassib said in a video posted to Instagram on Monday. “I’m at my house in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but finally feel comfortable getting it off my chest. I really have the best life, the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for.

“I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I will do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting and compassionate and I’m going to start by donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project. They’re an incredible organization, they’re the number one suicide-prevention service for LGBTQ youth in America.”

The 28-year-old defensive end was a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, taken No. 65 overall by the Cleveland Browns out of Penn State.

He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing a three-year, $25 million deal with Las Vegas in 2020.

In 2014, former University of Missouri star Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. He never appeared in an NFL game and retired a year later due to what he described as mental health reasons.

Nassib’s brother Ryan, a former NFL quarterback, was drafted by the Giants in 2013 and was with the team for four seasons.

“Hey everyone, happy Pride Month,” Carl Nassib wrote in a message posted along with the groundbreaking video. “Right now, I am in a moment of gratitude and relief. Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years. Only until recently, thanks to my family and friends, especially Connor, Cason, and Francis, did it seem possible for me to say publicly and proudly that I’m gay. I am also incredibly thankful for the NFL, my coaches, and fellow players for their support. I would not have been able to do this without them. From the jump, I was greeted with the utmost respect and acceptance.

“I truly love my life and cannot understand why I have been blessed with so much. I feel especially thankful to have had so much support when many who came before — and many even now — do not. I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredibly people who have paved the way for me to have this opportunity. I do know know all the history behind out courageous LGBTQ community, but I am eager to learn and to help continue the fight for equality and acceptance.

“I hope everyone can understand that I am just one person. I am a lankly walk-on who is living his dream. I only have a small window to achieve greatness in my sports and I owe it to my team, coaches, and Raider fans to be completely locked in and at my best for the upcoming season. I’m a private person, so I’d ask the media to give me some space as I navigate this exciting time in my life. Please do not take it personally if I decline an interview or am unable to answer your questions.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

A day after ace Jacob deGrom exited his start against the Cubs after just three innings with shoulder soreness, the Mets ace had an MRI read by two doctors, who said the results were “normal,” and “no concern,” according to manager Luis Rojas on Thursday.

DeGrom played catch, and will go through his routine ahead of his next start — though there are no promises he’ll take the bump for it.

“Right now we’re not thinking of an IL stint and we’ll see how he feels,” Rojas said. “We’re going to go day-by-day.”

In his first start returning from right flexor tendinitis, deGrom fanned eight Chicago batters over three innings on Wednesday, but left the dugout with a trainer.

“This is getting old,” deGrom said. “I want to be out there as long as I can be out there, I felt really good tonight early on.”

Despite the injury, the 32-year-old dropped his historically low ERA to 0.54 with the abbreviated start.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The Rangers have agreed to hire Gerard Gallant as their next head coach, The Post’s Larry Brooks first reported on Monday.

Gallant, 57, most recently coached the Vegas Golden Knights from 2017-2020 after stints behind the Florida Panthers’ and Columbus Blue Jackets’ benches. He was considered the front-runner in the Rangers’ search, and holds a 270-216-4-51 career record over parts of nine NHL seasons.

Gallant led Las Vegas to the Stanley Cup final in the franchise’s first season.

He will succeed David Quinn, who was fired following the 2020-21 season. Quinn was canned days after the Rangers fired GM Jeff Gorton and team president John Davidson, both of whom were replaced by Chris Drury.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The veteran Knicks guard surprisingly received a first-place vote in the 2020-21 award voting, account for all 10 of his points in the standings. That vote reportedly came via consensus fan vote, according to the Associated Press.

Rose, who won the MVP in 2011, averaged 14.7 points per game to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists over the 2020-21 season, including 14.9 points per game in 35 games after being traded from the Pistons on Feb. 8.

Rose was not the lone Knicks forward to get some love. Most Improved Player Julius Randle earned 20 total points with a third-place vote, five fourth-place votes and nine fifth-place tallies.

Nets star James Harden was the only member of Brooklyn’s Big 3 to get some recognition among voters, finishing with a single fifth-place vote.

Jokic, the Nuggers star, became the first Serbian and third Europeam to win the Maurice Podoloff Trophy with 91 first-place votes and 971 total points, far outpacing the 76ers’ Joel Embiid (one first-place, 586 points) and Golden State’s Stephen Curry (five first-place, 453 points).

LeBron James also garnered a fifth-place vote, making it 18 consecutive years with at least one MVP vote.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The 17-year-old New Jersey high school junior remains tied for the lead at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, posting an even-par second-round 71 on Friday in the morning rounds. She stands at 4-under with the late group pairings playing their second rounds now.

Ganne, who has carded nine birdies through 37 holes, posted three birdies early in her Friday round, but carded three bogeys on the back nine — including a second straight extra stroke in the par-4 18th hole — that left her even for the day.

It comes on the heels of a four-under 67 to open the tournament, which made Ganne the first amateur to lead or co-lead after any round of the tournament since 2006.

The 138 (four-under) through two rounds had her tied with fellow American Megan Khang after Friday’s morning rounds.

Not that the soon-to-be Stanford student’s rise should be shocking to anyone.

Despite her youth, Ganne has already picked up plenty of experience on the big stage — she entered the tournament at No. 3 in the Rolex AJGA rankings and 71st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She’s a four-time finalist in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Championship took part in Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos, owner of a MLB-leading .364 batting average as of Friday afternoon, believes the league “doesn’t care” about the growing issue of pitchers using foreign substances on the ball to increase their spin rate.

“Is it illegal or is not illegal to put stuff on a ball?” Castellanos said on “The Chris Rose Rotation” podcast Thursday. “It’s illegal. The league obviously knows that they are doing it, but the league doesn’t care. They don’t care because if it was really a problem that they wanted, they would put people in the bullpen to check gloves, to check hats, whatever. The league would do something about it. But honestly, I don’t think it’s that important to them.”

MLB has seen several high-profile incidents this season. Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was investigated for doctoring balls, while Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos had his hat confiscated over an alleged substance on the brim.

The league-wide batting average of .236 would be an all-time low.

Owners met for two days this week to discuss the issue, coming to a consensus on how to increase enforcement against pitchers using foreign substances.

“It’s just the league has to figure out if it wants it to be illegal or not and stick by it,” Castellanos said. “For the pitchers to say, ‘Well, we need it for control, so we don’t hit you in the head,’ you know, fine, drill me. I’m on first base. That helps my OPS and I get paid for that. Sacrifice some velocity for some control.

“But if the league just says that, ‘Oh, you’re not supposed to be doing that,’ but you see pitchers… just tell us that you don’t give a shit so hitters know.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The Indians pitcher was placed in the injured list on Tuesday, sustaining a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb after he ripped off his undershirt following his Sunday start and caught the digit on a chair at his locker.

“He was, I think, probably rather aggressively ripping off his shirt,” manager Terry Francona told media on Tuesday. “He called [athletic trainer] James Quinlan, and James called me. It was pretty swollen yesterday.”

An X-ray revealed the injury, leaving the righty to meet with a hand specialist on Wednesday.

Plesac, 26, is 4-3 through 10 starts on the season with a 4.14 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Video shows batter Elvis LeBron — a former Cubs prospect who has a history of “bad behavior,” according to MLB Insider Hector Gomez — pushing an umpire and knocking him to the ground with his bat, then throwing his helmet at him after being ejected from a Liga Campesina de San José de Ocoa game. 

As if his message weren’t clearly sent, LeBron chased after the ump with his bat as both teams attempted to intervene.

The pair appeared to have a long discussion prior to LeBron’s at-bat, ending in LeBron getting himself tossed. He then blitzed the ump, who reportedly tried to finish the game before going to the hospital. The ump was released, according to the report.

LeBron, after walking off the field surrounded by teammates, was arrested by police, per Gomez.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

In the 4-2 loss to the Capitals, which came two days after Tom Wilson cheap-shotted his way against the Blueshirts, the teams took part in a wild rematch at the Garden that included six first-period fights and totaled 141 penalty minutes.

Wilson and his teammates were forced to answer for his punching of a defenseless Pavel Buchnevich and throwing Artemi Panarin to the ice on Monday, which resulted in Wilson receiving just a $5,000 fine from the NHL.

“I definitely think we felt the need to take matters into our own hands a little bit,” Rangers coach David Quinn said.

Washington not only willingly engaged, but took home the victory, thanks to T.J. Oshie’s hat trick.

Rangers rookie Morgan Barron notched his first NHL goal in the loss, with defenseman Zac Jones netting his second big-league helper on the play in the waning minutes of the third.

Alexis Lafreniere scored the other goal for New York.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

On Tuesday, after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering of George Floyd. The now-former Minnesapolis police officer was filmed in May with his knee on the neck of Floyd for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. He was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Sports leagues and figures shared their statements and messages on social media shortly after the verdict was made public.

“ACCOUNTABILITY,” LeBron James tweeted.

“Justice and Accountability!,” Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns shared. “Things I never thought I would see. There’s much more work to do, but this is an amazing start working toward the reform this country NEEDS!”

Outside the NBA community, numerous athletes echoed similar sentiments.

“Justice served on all counts,” NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace wrote. “Good. Still a ton of work to do. Continue to rest peacefully #GeorgeFloyd”

“Let’s make this the new normal,” former WNBA player, broadcaster, and Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery tweeted. “Accountability is served #GeorgeFloyd.”

Tennis star Naomi Osaka was less revelatory over the highly anticipated verdict.

“I was going to make a celebratory tweet but then I was hit with sadness because we are celebrating something that is clear as day,” she wrote. “The fact that so many injustices occurred to make us hold our breath toward this outcome is really telling.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Umpire Ron Kulpa admitted he erred in awarding first base to Michael Conforto on a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Marlins on Thursday — one that allowed the Mets a controversial 3-2 walk-off win.

“The guy was hit by a pitch in the strike zone,” Kulpa, who was behind the plate, told a pool reporter. “I should have called him out.”

He didn’t get much of an argument from Conforto.

“There may have been a little lift in my elbow, just out of habit, out of reaction, and it just barely skimmed the edge of my elbow guard,” the Mets outfielder said of the Anthony Bass slider that inadvertently won the game. “I tend to lean over the plate when I get into battle mode.”

Marlins manager Don Mattingly argued the call but was told the play was not reviewable.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The Mets’ second baseman launched a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning that tied the score 2-2 against the Marlins on Thursday, and the 29-year-old celebrated with an epic bat flip.

Not only did it keep the Amazins from their third loss in four games to start the season — they’re .500 after walking off on Michael Conforto’s bases-loaded hit-by-pitch that scores Luis Guillorme — but it was the perfect way for McNeil to break out of an early season slump.

The dinger marked McNeil’s first hit of the season, ending a 0-for-10 start to the season.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

Shortly after Major League Baseball announced it would be moving the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta amid backlash over new Georgia voting laws, the Braves said they were “disappointed” by the decision. 

“This was neither our decision, nor our recommendation and we are saddened that fans will not be able to see this event in our city,” the team said in a statement released on social media. “The Braves organization will continue to stress the importance of equal voting opportunities and we had hoped our city could use this event as a platform to enhance the discussion. Our city has always been known as a uniter in divided times and we will miss the opportunity to address issues that are important to our community. 

“Unfortunately, businesses, employees, and fans in Georgia are the victims of this decision. We will continue to support the community legacy projects which have been planned are in process.”

MLB cited “restrictions to the ballot box” among its reasons for moving the All-Star Game and the MLB Draft out of Atlanta, though a new home for the game has yet to be announced.

Democrats and advocacy groups have argued the Georgia legislation — signed into law last week — disproportionately affects minorities. In an interview with ESPN, president Joe Biden said he would back MLB commissioner Rob Manfred if he moved the game in an ESPN interview, calling the new regulations “Jim Crow on steroids.”

“I have determined the best way to demonstrate our value as a sport is relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft,” Manfred said in a statement.

“MLB fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn

The Nets star had posted 17 points with eight rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes against his former team, leaving the game with 4:48 remaining.

“We’re gonna monitor it. I don’t have a lot to tell you,” coach Steve Nash said after the 120-108 win that put the Nets alone atop the Eastern Conference standings. “We feel confident it’s not a long-term thing.”

The Nets had better hope not.

Harden carried the Nets while they were without two members of their Big 3, including Kevin Durant — sidelined since Feb. 13 with a hamstring strain. A Harden absence would put even more pressure on Kyrie Irving, who returned on Monday from family leave.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Michael Blinn