Deadspin | Phillies place RHP Zach Pop (calf) on injured list Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images The Phillies placed right-hander Zach Pop on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain. The move is retroactive to Monday for the 29-year-old reliever, who has no decisions and a 3.68 ERA through seven appearances this season. Pop is 8-6 with a 4.83 ERA in 170 career games (one start) with the Miami Marlins (2021-22), Toronto Blue Jays (2022-24), Seattle Mariners (2025), New York Mets (2025) and Phillies. Philadelphia recalled left-hander Kyle Backhus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Backhus, 28, has appeared in four games this season for the Phillies, giving up three runs on four hits in three innings of work. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #place #RHP #Zach #Pop #calf #injured #list

Deadspin | Phillies place RHP Zach Pop (calf) on injured list
Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Phillies placed right-hander Zach Pop on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain.

The move is retroactive to Monday for the 29-year-old reliever, who has no decisions and a 3.68 ERA through seven appearances this season.

Pop is 8-6 with a 4.83 ERA in 170 career games (one start) with the Miami Marlins (2021-22), Toronto Blue Jays (2022-24), Seattle Mariners (2025), New York Mets (2025) and Phillies.

Philadelphia recalled left-hander Kyle Backhus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

Backhus, 28, has appeared in four games this season for the Phillies, giving up three runs on four hits in three innings of work.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Phillies #place #RHP #Zach #Pop #calf #injured #list

Sports news April 16, 2026

Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Phillies placed right-hander Zach Pop on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain.

The move is retroactive to Monday for the 29-year-old reliever, who has no decisions and a 3.68 ERA through seven appearances this season.

Pop is 8-6 with a 4.83 ERA in 170 career games (one start) with the Miami Marlins (2021-22), Toronto Blue Jays (2022-24), Seattle Mariners (2025), New York Mets (2025) and Phillies.

Philadelphia recalled left-hander Kyle Backhus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

Backhus, 28, has appeared in four games this season for the Phillies, giving up three runs on four hits in three innings of work.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Phillies #place #RHP #Zach #Pop #calf #injured #list

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A big issue in India is education: WADA I&I director Younger on India’s doping problem <div id="content-body-70869350" itemprop="articleBody">The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been aggressively pursuing a policy to eliminate the spread of steroids and performance enhancing drugs across the world with its Operation Upstream since 2022. In these efforts, its Director of Intelligence and Investigations (I&I), Gunter Younger, has been the key figure behind the project’s success.According to WADA’s own admission, the operation under its Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN) initiative has so far managed to dismantle 88 illicit laboratories and seize almost 90 tons of performance-enhancing drugs – or 1.8 billion doses – involving more than 20 countries and several law-enforcement agencies including the INTERPOL and Europol.Younger spoke to Sportstar on a range of subjects on the sidelines of the GAIIN conference in New Delhi.Excerpts:Q: If we purely look at the Indian context, there are always athletes that get caught and are penalised. However, there is never a deterrence or action against the coaches who actually supply the Performance Enhancing Drugs substances. Is the WADA looking at bringing the coaches and officials also into the ambit of investigations?A: Yes. It’s been a concern for many years on how to get to the coaches and the doctors involved. The issue we have is that we focus on the athletes, test them. If they test positive, we have a voluntary interview and that’s all we can do. The athlete is actually the victim of the system. The only way to change that is not to go from bottom up. We want a top down impact. We now target the supply chains because the doctors and the coaches need to get the PEDs somewhere. And then we go down and target the coaches, the doctors and protect the athletes, because that is our ultimate goal.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/world-anti-doping-agency-wada-india-conference-policy-measures-changes-monitoring/article70869167.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WADA admits to doping concerns in India, indicates close monitoring of process</a>Q: A cynic would say, if at all an athlete does dope, at least there should be commensurate results to justify it. But India is a strange paradox because despite topping the doping charts repeatedly, there is little by way of sporting achievements. How do you look at this?A: The thing is, there are two categories of athletes who dope and we have to distinguish between them. One who come into the doping net because of using a contaminated supplement or substance that they are not aware of. There are a lot of reasons, it’s not intentional. These are the ones we would address first through education. That’s always a pity and these are not the ones we want to target. Countries which have a strong education programme have less of these kinds of cases.I think a big issue in India is education. You have 22 languages, it’s very complex and I think this is where you need to improve and we want to help. The second type is the sophisticated doper. These are far more high-level, far more advanced, and these are usually the ones hard to get. These are the ones we want to target.Q: It will always be tempting for officials to look for shortcuts. There’ll always be those more interested in protecting the offenders because it gives them short term results. In such a scenario, can you explain WADA’s working and equations with the different agencies, not just the National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) but others as well, whether it’s the enforcement agencies or the different sports federations?A: Many international federations now have relations or partnerships with the International Testing Agency, which gives them the independence of testing programmes. It also protects the federations from being accused of perhaps protecting their elite athletes because yes, it’s a conflict. So I think we’re going the right way. And we are also trying, from the other side, through the NADOs, because an athlete can be tested both by a NADO and an international federation. On one hand, they cannot just protect the athletes because the NADO might test them as well. I think the most important way to avoid this conflict is to have a multi-faceted testing process.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/india-doping-sports-wada-conference-minister-mansukh-mandaviya-statement-nada-testing-figures/article70868550.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Doping is no longer an individual act but an organised multinational enterprise: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya</a>The most dangerous part is always the perception. For example, in the case of the Chinese swimmers a few years ago, we from the I&I are focusing on facts. It was clear from our side that it was a contamination case. It was not something they wanted to protect. So we always have to be careful.We are not naive. If there are any issues or suspicions, we will go after every country, as we did with Russia.Q: Every time there’s talk of doping and performance enhancing, talk veers around to the Enhanced Games. How do you look at it?A: That’s always the ultimate question. Should we let everyone dope? My counter question would be, which age do we start? Do you want a 12-year-old to get doped? Eight-year-old? But for cheaters, it’s in their nature. If you start with 12, they will start doping with nine and eight. I think that’s not the solution. We are completely against it because sport is not just about the elite athletes. Sport is what we are as a society. And we are categorically against any kind of approval or legal recognition for something like that.Q: With increased advancements in testing, is there a trade-off to be made between correcting the violations of the past and protecting the future?A: It’s an interesting question because when you look at our sophisticated dopers, they know how to bypass the rules. They use methods and substances that are not known, it’s not always easy to be ahead of these guys because they know exactly what we’re looking for. So this is why we from the I&I are big supporters of long-term storage of samples. Not just because we can catch those dopers a couple of years later. Sometimes it’s painful, especially for the athletes, like with the Russians, after 10 years, they get their medals back.But information isn’t always available. Methods of detecting substances is getting better and better. We use them to not only catch the dopers who weren’t detected earlier but also to calibrate the systems in a way that we can detect these kind of things in the future. From an I&I point of view, we push back as much as we can. It’s a circle. Of course, there’s a statute of limitations after 10 years but we try to be better for the future.Published on Apr 16, 2026</div> #big #issue #India #education #WADA #director #Younger #Indias #doping #problem

Paul addressed James’ free agency on his Game Over Podcast with Max Kellerman, saying “outside of one organization, maybe two. I’ve heard from every team in the entire league.” What teams is James realistically considering? It’s all on this whiteboard:

It’s fascinating to see it all laid out like this. James’ first option is the Philadelphia 76ers, where he would fit in between Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. His next option is the Miami Heat, where he would start alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo. The Cavs are there of course, too, which would put James in a lineup with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Finally, there’s the Denver Nuggets, with Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic.

Here’s a clip of Paul talking about the 76ers, and saying “everything changed” after the Jaylen Brown trade:

The Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks are also on the board. On the Knicks, Paul said: “If the Knick hadn’t won, there would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”

The Warriors still feel like the frontrunner to me. Golden State’s plan was put in motion when Draymond Green opted out of his player option, and remember, Green’s agent is also Paul. It feels like LeBron would love to play with Stephen Curry, but landing Davis could be the holdup. The Wizards suddenly have a lot of power after their buy-low trade for Davis at the deadline. Washington could leverage Golden State for a bunch of future assets, or watch their LeBron dreams fade away if he doesn’t think the team can actually contend without Davis.

LeBron has indicated that happiness — not money — will be the driving factor in his decision. It feels like that means a lot of teams have a realistic shot at him even if they don’t have cap space.

Where would LeBron have the best chance to win his fifth ring? The Warriors wouldn’t rate too highly by that metric in my opinion with such an old team. I’d probably say Minnesota or Philadelphia. Maybe the Celtics even after trading Jaylen Brown?

LeBron’s decision is coming soon. It’s going to be fascinating to watch whatever team he chooses.

#Rich #Paul #reveals #LeBron #James #free #agency #finalists #whiteboard #podcast">

Rich Paul reveals LeBron James’ free agency finalists on whiteboard during podcast The NBA is hanging on The Decision 4.0 to find out where LeBron James will play for the 2026-27 season. James might turn 42 years old in December, but he still feels like a top-50 player in the world, and there are a ton of contenders who could use his services. James is believed to be choosing between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors for next season, but we now know he’s considering even more teams after his agent Rich Paul leaked a whiteboard detailing his “realistic” options.Paul addressed James’ free agency on his Game Over Podcast with Max Kellerman, saying “outside of one organization, maybe two. I’ve heard from every team in the entire league.” What teams is James realistically considering? It’s all on this whiteboard:It’s fascinating to see it all laid out like this. James’ first option is the Philadelphia 76ers, where he would fit in between Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. His next option is the Miami Heat, where he would start alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo. The Cavs are there of course, too, which would put James in a lineup with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Finally, there’s the Denver Nuggets, with Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic.Here’s a clip of Paul talking about the 76ers, and saying “everything changed” after the Jaylen Brown trade:The Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks are also on the board. On the Knicks, Paul said: “If the Knick hadn’t won, there would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”The Warriors still feel like the frontrunner to me. Golden State’s plan was put in motion when Draymond Green opted out of his player option, and remember, Green’s agent is also Paul. It feels like LeBron would love to play with Stephen Curry, but landing Davis could be the holdup. The Wizards suddenly have a lot of power after their buy-low trade for Davis at the deadline. Washington could leverage Golden State for a bunch of future assets, or watch their LeBron dreams fade away if he doesn’t think the team can actually contend without Davis.LeBron has indicated that happiness — not money — will be the driving factor in his decision. It feels like that means a lot of teams have a realistic shot at him even if they don’t have cap space.Where would LeBron have the best chance to win his fifth ring? The Warriors wouldn’t rate too highly by that metric in my opinion with such an old team. I’d probably say Minnesota or Philadelphia. Maybe the Celtics even after trading Jaylen Brown?LeBron’s decision is coming soon. It’s going to be fascinating to watch whatever team he chooses. #Rich #Paul #reveals #LeBron #James #free #agency #finalists #whiteboard #podcast

mwasimuddin125 0

The NBA is hanging on The Decision 4.0 to find out where LeBron James will play for the 2026-27 season. James might turn 42 years old in December, but he still feels like a top-50 player in the world, and there are a ton of contenders who could use his services. James is believed to be choosing between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors for next season, but we now know he’s considering even more teams after his agent Rich Paul leaked a whiteboard detailing his “realistic” options.

Here’s a clip of Paul talking about the 76ers, and saying “everything changed” after the Jaylen Brown trade:

LeBron’s decision is coming soon. It’s going to be fascinating to watch whatever team he chooses.

#Rich #Paul #reveals #LeBron #James #free #agency #finalists #whiteboard #podcast">Rich Paul reveals LeBron James’ free agency finalists on whiteboard during podcast

The NBA is hanging on The Decision 4.0 to find out where LeBron James will play for the 2026-27 season. James might turn 42 years old in December, but he still feels like a top-50 player in the world, and there are a ton of contenders who could use his services. James is believed to be choosing between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors for next season, but we now know he’s considering even more teams after his agent Rich Paul leaked a whiteboard detailing his “realistic” options.

Here’s a clip of Paul talking about the 76ers, and saying “everything changed” after the Jaylen Brown trade:

LeBron’s decision is coming soon. It’s going to be fascinating to watch whatever team he chooses.

#Rich #Paul #reveals #LeBron #James #free #agency #finalists #whiteboard #podcast

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.

“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.

“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.

ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way

When asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.

“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.

(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title">

“He’s just something else”: Former World Champion Damon Hill backs Antonelli to win F1 Drivers’ title Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its wayWhen asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)Published on Jul 03, 2026 #Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title

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Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.
“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.
“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.
ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way
When asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.
“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.
(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)
Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title">“He’s just something else”: Former World Champion Damon Hill backs Antonelli to win F1 Drivers’ title

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.

ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way

(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title

Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin aims to continue recent success vs. Pirates Jun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft. Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters. “For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.” On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory. Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin. “I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.” Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players. The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts. Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction. “I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.” In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings. The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order. Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday. Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games. “The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates">

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Jun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft.

Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters.

“For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.”

On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory.

Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin.

“I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.”

Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players.

The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts.

Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction.

“I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.”

In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order.

Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday.

Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games.

“The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates">Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin aims to continue recent success vs. Pirates

Jun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft.

Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters.

“For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.”

On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory.

Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin.

“I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.”

Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players.

The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts.

Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction.

“I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.”

In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order.

Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday.

Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games.

“The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates

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