Tonight, the Athletics kick off a three-game Independence Day weekend series against the Miami Marlins, who have been arguably the hottest team in baseball, as evidenced by their MLB-best 20-6 record in June. After dropping two of three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week, the A’s will look to bounce back against the Marlins in the second and final series of the team’s latest homestand.

Earlier today, the “Green and Gold” shook up their bullpen, activating Mark Leiter Jr. off the injured list and welcoming back Jose Suarez from the paternity list. The team made room in its bullpen by designating right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb and left-hander Matt Krook for assignment. The two journeymen relievers will likely either clear waivers and remain in the organization, most likely at Triple-A Las Vegas, or be claimed by another club.

Jeffery Simmons had a front-row seat as Cam Ward started his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. The All-Pro defensive tackle played 15 games in Ward’s rookie campaign.

Simmons sat down with Terron Armstead on “The Set” and made his feelings known about the Miami Hurricanes product. The host asked,

“What did you see from him (Cam Ward) in his rookie year? What would you like to see from him moving forward?”

Simmons replied,

“We know it comes with being the number one overall pick. I see and see the work continuously from Cam.

“From every day being the first one at the building. To see them type of things, you can feel and you can tell the will that he really wanna be the best he could be.

“The presence that he bring and the energy that Cam bring is rubbing off, continuing to rub off on the offense. And I’m excited for it.”

Cam Ward had a rough rookie year that saw him muster a stat line of 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.. The 2025 No. 1 pick led the Titans to just three wins, marking their fourth straight losing season.

What’s next for Jeffery Simmons and Cam Ward?

Jeffery Simmons is gearing up for his eighth season with the Titans. The Titans selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Simmons is one of the team’s best defensive players, and he’s earned one first-team All-Pro selection, two second-team All-Pro nods and four Pro Bowl invitations. He’s fresh off his maiden first-team All-Pro selection after racking up 67 total tackles (39 solo), 11.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 21 quarterback hits in 15 games.

Cam Ward has loads of room for improvement ahead of Year 2. The promising signal-caller was regularly tracked down by opposing pass rushers, and he scored just two rushing touchdowns.

Jeffery Simmons and Cam Ward will look to inspire the Titans to their first playoff appearance since 2021. The Titans last reached the postseason in the Mike Vrabel and Derrick Henry era. They’ll look to end that painful drought in the upcoming campaign.