The England international has impressed in recent seasons for club and country, so much so that debate swirled around who should start between Rogers and Jude Bellingham for Thomas Tuchel’s side at this summer’s World Cup.
Bellingham’s remarkable form underlined his superiority, but that is no slight on Rogers, who has piled up 18 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League across the last two seasons.
Morgan Rogers poses in the Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge (Getty)
That is the ninth-most in the league and the same as Cole Palmer, his friend and new teammate with whom he shares the famous ‘cold’ celebration.
Let’s take a deeper look at what Rogers brings, where he fits in and the potential issues that could arise with the England international on board under Xabi Alonso.
Why have Chelsea signed Rogers?
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The fee for Rogers is eye-watering, of that there is no doubt as the fourth most expensive in the history of the game, and those who have cost in excess of £100m have tended to struggle to justify that investment.
Yet Chelsea’s aggression in negotiations suggests they believe Rogers can certainly fit into their system, with Alonso evidently on board and, as The Independent understands, proving decisive in the player’s decision, having strongly considered Arsenal, too.
Unlike Arsenal, though, Chelsea offer the prospect of a more fluid rotation or, you could argue, a squad with less consistency and proven quality, which should allow Rogers to impose himself quickly. That could prove attractive to the player, who may have found a clear path to playing time complicated by some of Arsenal’s newly-crowned champions, as has been the case with Eberechi Eze in his debut season at the Emirates.
Alonso will lean on his versatility: Rogers can play as a No 10, which is probably initially blocked by Palmer when he’s healthy, but Chelsea might also use him at left-wing, right-wing or even either side of a defensive midfielder in a three as a No 8.
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Morgan Rogers in action for England at the World Cup 2026 (Reuters)
There’s immense workrate to go with his final-third contributions and a willingness to keep moving, both with and without the ball.
Rogers’ production is top class, as mentioned with his 16 combined goals and assists last term, but his ability to take the shot on from range could be a precious addition for a team facing deep blocks on a regular basis.
It also partially explains his 10.37 xG+xA from last season, and he outperformed the same metric in 2024/25 too (11.68 xG+xA), with 18 combined goals and assists.
Rogers took 35 shots from outside the box last season in the Premier League, according to WhoScored, the fourth most in the league and a massive 41.6 per cent of his total efforts on goal.
By contrast, Bukayo Saka had 19 (26.8 per cent), Florian Wirtz had 15 (29.4 per cent), Antoine Semenyo had 12 (24.5 per cent) and Bruno Fernandes had 46 (54.1 per cent). Palmer’s rate is comparable after 30 of his 64 shots came from outside the box (46.9 per cent), which could offer a glimpse of how Chelsea hope to lure opponents out of a deep block and ultimately break them down.
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The plan will be for Alonso to make Rogers a pillar of his team, but at 24 years of age and with such variety to his game, Rogers also appeals as a piece of the long-term puzzle at Stamford Bridge, should things change in the dugout, with ties to the club until 2033.
The almighty premium brings trepidation, but also some comfort: there is a reason why Premier League players have an extra tax when moving inside the division. The unknown element is drastically reduced, with Rogers undaunted by the competition.
While unfamiliarity with the manager brings an element of uncertainty, his close ties to Palmer and Reece James with England, and fellow City academy graduates Tosin Adarabioyo, Jamie Gittens, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap, ensure the environment is set up for him to succeed.
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Reece James of Chelsea battles for possession with Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa (Getty)
So where does Rogers fit in to Alonso’s Chelsea?
Rogers enjoyed the luxury of Unai Emery building around him, Aston Villa’s patterns of play bounced off him, but at Chelsea, there will be an element of fitting in. That further emphasises Rogers’ willingness to run off the ball, in fact, it will be crucial for him succeeding. Think of how Pedro Neto can bring a dynamic option off the ball to capitalise on Palmer’s vision.
Xabi Alonso’s formation of choice remains uncertain before next Tuesday’s opening pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers.
In a back three/five at Bayer Leverkusen, Rogers could operate from the left of a front three. That would complicate how Alonso integrates Rogers, Palmer, Joao Pedro and, once fully fit, Estevao Willian.
In fact, it would be almost impossible for all four to start in that shape, but there is the mouthwatering potential that quartet could co-exist in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 as a No 8, as detailed above, or as one of two No 10s behind a centre-forward.
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There’s also an elephant in the room: Palmer’s fitness concerns from last season, with just 26 Premier League appearances. Chelsea now have a player that could seamlessly thrive as the leader to their attack if Palmer is unavailable for any period of time.
Blues fans might recall Frank Lampard’s injury enabling Michael Ballack to prosper throughout the 2007/08 campaign.
If Alonso does utilise a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, then there will be an appetite to trial a front four made up of Rogers, Palmer and one of Estevao, Pedro Neto or new signing Geovany Quenda from the right, with Joao Pedro leading the line.
One potential Alonso dilemma may be around how he provides width if Rogers is parked out on the left. In a 3-4-3, that should not be too much of an issue, with Pedro Neto, Quenda or even Valentin Barco able to hug the touchline. Should Chelsea play a back four, then opponents may find joy by crowding the middle third of the pitch.
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Morgan Rogers will link up with Cole Palmer at Chelsea (PA Archive)
Should Chelsea be concerned about anything?
Well, it depends on their expectations and, at that fee, what constitutes success? Realistically, will Rogers kick on and become a Ballon d’Or contender as would dictate being the fourth most expensive player in the sport’s history? Probably not. But with regular production and thriving as a contributor for a team looking to eventually get back into the title picture, that appears realistic.
One of the unknowns for Rogers in a team not built around him, with fewer touches, will be his efficiency. Previously a high-usage player, it is therefore understandable that, as ESPN notes, he was dispossessed more times (80) than any player in the league and coughed the ball up the third-most (72) in the middle or attacking third.
Ultimately, that is just a consequence of Rogers attempting something audacious or trying to be creative in the final third, which is what you want from your most talented players. Given Chelsea have greater depth in that department than Villa, they should be able to better survive those leaner spells of production and ride the Rogers wave when he hits top gear.
How can Chelsea afford Rogers without European football?
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The £117m fee is obviously quite stunning and more than just inflation, though it is not a Premier League record, with Liverpool’s £125m deal for Alexander Isak from last year remaining the most expensive.
While Liverpool were careful with their spending until last year’s splurge, Chelsea have spent lavishly in recent years, including another £47m spent on Marco Palestra this summer.
But the simple maths of Chelsea’s transfer dealings show that they have already brought in a hefty amount from sales with Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid (£52m), Andrey Santos to Manchester United (£50m), Tyrique George to Everton (£24m) and Enzo Maresca’s compensation to join Man City worth £17m.
More could be yet to come with Trevoh Chalobah linked with a move away, while Enzo Fernandez’s future is unclear, while Alejandro Garnacho could join Villa in a separate deal, with Uefa’s rules clear on deterring player exchanges at inflated fees, with any deals within 45 days of each other classified as such.
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But beyond swap deals, Chelsea can simply be creative when it comes to Financial Fair Play, applying all of the money generated from sales immediately to the accounts, while spreading the Rogers fee out across five years, with just £23.4m due this year. The pay-off comes down the line if Chelsea ever struggle to generate immediate revenue from sales, though the world class Cobham academy is an asset that should provide comfort in this regard.
The international coaching carousel is in full swing. Jurgen Klopp was officially unveiled as Germany head coach on Friday, tasked with reviving a national team that has struggled to recapture the heights of its 2014 World Cup triumph. Italy have also turned to a legend, appointing 2006 World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo to lead the Azzurri as they look to end years of disappointment on the global stage. And in France, Zinedine Zidane is expected to be named Les Bleus’ new head coach on Tuesday.
Top track and field athletes compete at Morton Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, 25th and 26th July at the 154th edition of the 123.ie National Senior Track and Field Championships.
With the Birmingham 2026 European Championships next month athletes continue their pursuit of European qualification.
Among the most notable will be Tallaght AC’s Rhasidat Adeleke who will bid for the qualification standard in the 200m. She will face stiff competition in the event this weekend with Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC), the fastest Irish female over the distance this season with 22.83 seconds, and Newport AC’s Sharlene Mawdsley, who is also entered in the 400m event.
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Sarah Lavin goes for 11th title
A potential showdown between Mark English (Finn Valley AC) and Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) in the men’s 800m could be among the most anticipated events on the two-day schedule.
Clonliffe Harriers’ Cathal Doyle aims to secure a fifth consecutive outdoor 1500m title, though he will face stiff competition from the likes of Nick Griggs (CNDR Track) and Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC).
UCD AC’s Sarah Healy and Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) hold entries in the 800m and 1500m, while Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) will bid for an 11th outdoor 100m hurdles crown.
Defending 100m champion Bori Akinola (UCD AC) hopes to successfully defend his 100m title, but will face the in-form Seán Aigboboh (Tallaght AC) and Benjamin Richardson (Waterford AC) who also hold entries for the 200m. Richardson arrives at the Nationals with the fastest times over 100m and 200m this season, having clocked 10.06 seconds and 20.25 seconds respectively.
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Tuthill one of field event stars
The field events will feature many of Ireland’s leading international athletes. Twenty-two year-old Olympian Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) is among the headline entries and has established herself as one of the country’s most consistent performers.
She has moved within touching distance of Eileen O’Keeffe’s national hammer record of 73.21m after improving her personal best to 72.73m this season. She will arrive at Morton Stadium seeking a fifth outdoor title.
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates recovering a fumble by Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Images. with Blake Cashman pictured.
PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.
The P/PTSD Perspective: July 25th, 2026
1) Blake Cashman is Injured Again, Apparently: In Blake Cashman, the Vikings boast a formidable LB1 who does essentially everything well. His main flaw is that he’s not often available for an entire season. Only once has he hit sixteen games in a season. He has never hit seventeen games in a season. Can that change as he goes into a contract season?
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after an interception against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
2) The Vikings Have a Clear Path Off of Bad Contract After 2026: Last year, Will Fries wasn’t good enough. Do note, though, that he was coming off injury and from within an offensive line that had a pile of shuffling around him. Plus, Chris Kuper got shown the door, suggesting that the 0-line coach wasn’t doing a good enough job. Can Mr. Fries reach his potential in 2026?
3) Justin Jefferson Opens Up on the Vikings’ QB Competition: Quite possibly, nobody will have a better take on the QB1 battle than Justin Jefferson. After all, he’s the main man catching passes. Anybody who wants to be a long-term starter in Minnesota has to build a strong rapport with the all-time great receiver.
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after a play in front of Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
4) Vikings Predicted to ‘Give Up’ on 2025 Draft Choice: Embracing a new GM means welcoming change. Sounds obvious, perhaps, but worth noting since some difficult decisions could be coming. Does that mean a 2025 draftee gets sent packing?
5) The Caleb Banks Selection Might Have Been a Mistake by the Vikings: Connecting the dots on how things go poorly here isn’t super difficult. The powerful DT has a pile of talent but was considered a reach at No. 18. The criticism/concern rests in his lack of health and lack of refinement. But there’s huge upside here, as well. Give the kid a chance. He’s his own man and doesn’t deserve to get judged based on the poor drafting of recent years.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
For Anthony Joshua, his fight tonight in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prenga is regarded as no more than a stopover to his mega fight against Tyson Fury.
Ever the diplomat, Joshua will deny this, saying he is training hard and focusing completely on the Albanian.
It is to be expected. What else can Joshua say? That Prenga is a big lug that he will walk through without a fuss?
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If anything, Joshua will sing the praises of Prenga, just as he would any other opponent who does not raise his ire.
Every man who steps in the ring represents a threat, Joshua will remind us. But does Prenga really?
According to Prenga and his team, he does. While we can’t expect them to say anything differently, there is a quiet confidence which makes the Prenga camp secure enough to slip under the radar, unnoticed. While everyone will be focusing on Joshua, Prenga will quietly be preparing for an event that seemed unfathomable earlier in the year.
As a world title will not be on the line, no one should begrudge the 35-year-old underdog this opportunity. You can even make a compelling case that he has earned it by toiling in small clubs since he turned professional 10 years ago, in compiling a 20-1 (21) record. That one defeat came in Prenga’s fifth fight, way back in 2017, so can probably be disregarded, but what is worth a mention is that it is the only professional fight Prenga has not won by knockout.
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Based strictly on that, Prenga has to be given at least a puncher’s chance against Joshua, who has been stopped on a couple of occasions.
Prenga turned pro in Germany, where he boxed a few times, and then had some matches in Canada. In 2022, he became entrenched on the East Coast of the United States and boxed mostly in New Jersey. This is where he now resides and where he is training for Joshua under the guidance of Muhammad Salaam.
Until now, Prenga has largely been fighting just to pay his bills, waiting and waiting for a breakthrough that looked like it would never come. That is until he joined forces with his current manager, Keith Sullivan.
Sullivan, a New York-based attorney, manages several fighters, most notably welterweight Paddy Donovan, who he co-manages with Andy Lee. Between that and running a law firm, Sullivan’s plate was full when Prenga approached him.
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“Kristian and I had been speaking for about the last year. We finalised an agreement for me to take over management of his career last February,” says Sullivan.
Although Prenga was largely unknown, his situation was less than desperate.
“Kristian’s fan base in the New York and New Jersey area is incredibly loyal and passionate, which gave him local financial leverage” says Sullivan.
“I pitched Kristian to various top promoters as a legitimate heavyweight with an exciting style. After knocking on the door a few times, Matchroom eventually reached out and we quickly worked on a deal quietly [for the Joshua fight].
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Prenga is grateful to Sullivan for securing Joshua so soon after their association became official. However, the bottom line is that when all is said and done, all anyone will remember is what took place in the ring. Prenga is more than happy with that being the case.
“Opportunities like this don’t come often,” he says. “I have spent my entire career preparing for moments exactly like this. I see it as the night I will shock the world.
“I know the work I will put in; I know how strong I am. Heavyweight boxing only takes one moment, and I truly believe I have the tools, power and mentality to create the moment.”
Although Eddie Hearn has already said that Prenga’s power is a concern, the reality is that he was selected to face Joshua because he is not seen as a serious threat – or even a threat at all. With 16 consecutive knockouts to his record, Prenga at least looks statistically strong, even if the naked eye test indicates the big Brit is on another level.
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“I think so, yes,” says Prenga when asked if Joshua is overlooking him. “But I’m not coming to survive or collect a paycheque, I am coming to win.”
Sullivan is giving his man every tool at his disposal to do so.
“Kristian will have an experienced team around him covering every aspect of preparation: boxing trainers, strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery, sparring, and overall strategy. We are bringing in the right people to simulate Joshua’s size, athleticism and style.”
“Pressure is a privilege. Big crowds don’t intimidate me,” he says. “Are Joshua’s fans loyal enough to travel to Saudi Arabia? The Albanian fans will be there with me. I’ve dreamed about fighting on stages like this my whole life.
“I’m not going to disrespect him [Joshua], because he’s achieved a lot, but like every fighter, he’s human. I believe when he’s forced into uncomfortable situations and has to fight at a pace he doesn’t like, vulnerabilities appear.”
Prenga would rather focus on what he does well, than on what Joshua does not.
“My greatest strength is my mentality,” he says. “I’ve had to fight for everything in life and in boxing.”
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Whatever Prenga’s mindset is, the fact is that at 6ft 5in and around 260lb, he does match Joshua from a physical standpoint. Whether that translates into success inside the ring is another matter.
“Physically, I have real heavyweight power and toughness, but mentally, I never break,” he insists.
”Albania has proud fighting people, and they’ve supported me from day one. To beat a global name like Joshua would be a massive moment for Albanian boxing and for every Albanian around the world.”
If Prenga were to pull off the shock of all shocks, there is a reasonable chance, he would have to prove it was more than an illusion. Joshua has a rematch clause in the event Prenga won. For now, though, Prenga is only focused on this fight and has no desire to talk about what comes after.
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If there is a mystique to this fight, it is in Prenga being the mystery man. His knockouts can be viewed on YouTube, but are they the result of him being a puncher or his opponents not being able to stand up to one?
The only notable on his ledger is Joey Dawejko, who Prenga stopped in five rounds in 2024.
Prenga is elusive when asked what his strategy will be for Joshua. “Are you working for AJ?” Prenga laughs. “You want my game plans? Can you give me Joshua’s in return?
“Know this: I am not going in there just to stand around and admire him. I’m going there to compete, impose myself, and take over when the opportunity comes.
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“If you don’t know who I am now, you will after I beat Joshua.”
In a lot of ways, LeBron James picking the Philadelphia 76ers is a storybook ending.
On Saturday morning, fans of the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are feeling scorned by their former hero. James brought two championships to Miami and broke Cleveland’s 52-year professional sports title drought. Both teams were in contention for James, who joined his fourth franchise in the Sixers for what he says is his final decision.
Fans in Miami thought LeBron would return to close that chapter the right way. Others in Cleveland believed that LeBron’s hometown deserved the farewell tour, and the chance for another ring.
But the documentary will end with LeBron in Philadelphia. Seriously. A film crew has been following LeBron for nearly a decade. It’ll have footage of LeBron playing with Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia uniforms.
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Certainly it’ll take some getting used to. But by the end of the season? LeBron could be facing his former teams, the Cavaliers and the Heat, in the NBA postseason. In pursuit of a fifth championship, LeBron decided that bringing a title to a fourth organization would be more powerful to his legacy than winning another one in Cleveland or Miami.
And that’s what makes this decision so polarizing. The Cavs and the Heat are both contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland was on the doorstep of making it back to the NBA Finals without LeBron for the first time in the history of the Cavs. The New York Knicks swept them out of the conference finals, but the Cavs showed signs of improvement in Kenny Atkinson’s second year coaching the team.
The Heat have remained consistent playoff contenders even after LeBron left South Beach. LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers beat the Heat in the bubble to win the 2020 NBA Championship. So there’s a complicated history. But a return to Miami to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo would’ve improved the Heats’ title odds in this improved Eastern Conference.
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Yet LeBron chose Philly, a team that traded for Brown just a few weeks ago. They’ll hope Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe continues to develop. They’ll really hope Joel Embiid can stay healthy.
But it’s a storybook ending for LeBron because he picked the most stacked roster. It’s something he’s done in every decision since he left the Cavs the first time back in 2010.
The Heat assembled a super team with LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He returned to Cleveland as Kyrie Irving emerged as one of the best young guards in the sport, and the Cavs lucked into the No. 1 overall draft pick, something that could be traded for Kevin Love, who was an MVP candidate the year before.
Many fans were quick to assume that LeBron’s move to Los Angeles was about establishing his business ventures off the court. In Cleveland, some reporters discussed the likelihood of LeBron leaving for Hollywood during the 2016 championship parade. It felt like an inevitability.
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But it was also a spot for LeBron to have plenty of control over a young roster of moveable assets. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart were packaged with three first-round draft picks (including No. 4 overall in 2019) so LeBron could team up with Anthony Davis.
The Sixers have floated the idea of trading Embiid, who has struggled to stay healthy, for the last few years. Also, if their objective is to win a title with Brown and LeBron in these next two seasons, a young star like Edgecombe could become available if the pressure cooker gets really hot to land another proven commodity.
LeBron’s deal with the Sixers is a two-year minimum deal with a player option. There’s no promise when the end of his career will be. There’s no certainty the Sixers will win a ring, or do enough in Year 1 to prove to LeBron to return to Philadelphia for another year.
In September, Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn collide in one of the biggest fights of the year, and former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has offered his thoughts on the fight.
Benn has not boxed at welterweight since his failed drugs test in October 2022 and he is also yet to register a stoppage win in the five fights above 147lbs that have followed. As a result, he has been keen to return to his natural division, hoping he can rediscover his knockout power.
Speaking on the ‘Fight Your Corner’ Podcast, Bellew looked ahead to the fight and admitted that the outcome could depend on how focused Garcia is and which version of the champion turns up.
“With Garcia, it’s the left-hook that is the real power shot with him. My only issue with this fight is that you don’t know which Ryan Garcia is going to turn up.
“If the Ryan that got in with Rolly Romero turns up, that is going to lose, that is not going to be enough. I rate Rolly, as well, Rolly is a good fighter but is Ryan interested? Is he bothered?
“Mentally, I think that Ryan is all over the place and mentally, I think that Conor Benn is so strong. To get through what he went through for all them years, mentally, he is so, so strong.”
Despite those comments, Bellew maintained that, in his eyes, Garcia remains ‘an overwhelming favourite’ due to his speed and trademark left-hook.
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“Garcia is the favourite and he is the overwhelming favourite because of the qualities and the fundamentals that he has; lightning speed and a vicious left-hook.”
Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Despite initial apperances, DragonSword Awakening is not a gacha game. However, the game does use generative AI for translation purposes, though as per its Steam page no generative AI was used in the game’s content. It is an action adventure RPG (role playing game) with open world elements. Also, similar to Wuthering Waves, the art style is very reminiscent of anime.
Here’s everything we need to know about this game before you start playing it.
What type of game is DragonSword Awakening?
Play as Lute as you try to save the continent (Image via Hound13 Inc. || Steam)
There are no gacha elements in the game, meaning that you need to only purchase it and any related DLC. It is a PC game, set in an open world that focuses around a character named Lute. As per the plot of the game, he is travelling towards Orbis, which is the first human kingdom. Naturally, there are evil forces to overcome which is where you, as the player, comes in.
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So in DragonSword Awakening you will explore the open world, fighting monsters, adding allies to your party, and growing stronger. You aren’t exactly beholden to the story either or you can complete some side quests so that you can level up.
DragonSword Awakening: Genre and core gameplay loop
Combat footage (Image via Hound13 Inc. || Steam)
As you progress throughout the game, you will unlock more characters besides Lute, like most role playing games. Each of them have different attributes that will provide some benefits either in combat or otherwise. Additionally, in order to traverse the open world you can even unlock different mounts.
The combat of the game is very hack ‘n’ slash with different swords and other bladed weapons. Luckily, since there aren’t any microtransactions so you can unlock all of them through simply playing the game. If the gameplay loop of fighting monsters and looting chests suits you, DragonSword Awakening may be worth your while.
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Mar 25, 2018; Port Charlotte, FL, USA;New York Yankees starting pitcher Brian Keller (96) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Brian Keller’s dream to pitch in the major leagues is expected to become a reality on Saturday evening when he makes his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies against the visiting New York Yankees.
Keller has made eight starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2026, going 0-1 with a 2.23 ERA. Across two levels of the minors this season, the 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.06 ERA. Those numbers look pretty good to the Phillies now, as they have struggled to find production at the end of their rotation.
Thus, the team is expected to promote Keller to make Saturday’s start — or perhaps to pitch in bulk relief following an opener. In either case, it will be quite a moment for Keller, who has endured a roller coaster over the past decade.
“I wanted this so bad, a chance of playing in the big leagues,” he said recently. “I was not ready to give that up.”
Keller’s journey to the majors began in the Yankees’ farm system. He was a 39th-round pick by New York in the 2016 MLB draft. Since then, he also has pitched in the minors for the Boston Red Sox and Phillies, plus a stint in Japan and a long recovery from Tommy John surgery.
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When he likely makes his MLB debut, he’ll face a Yankees team that has won four of its last five games. New York nipped Philadelphia 1-0 in Friday’s series opener as Cam Schlittler struck out 12 over 7 1/3 innings.
“They’ve got a great lineup,” Schlittler said. “They’re going to make you battle, and you’ve got to make the right pitches.”
Paul Goldschmidt’s solo homer in the fourth inning accounted for the only run of the game. New York totaled only three hits, while Philadelphia was limited to four.
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The Phillies are 2-5 since the All-Star break and have scored more than one run in a game only three times during that stretch.
“We’ve been playing good teams,” Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto said. “And we definitely would like to be playing better baseball. I think we’re just a little inconsistent right now throughout the lineup, not scoring enough runs, to be quite frank. Obviously the talent’s there. We feel good about our team. We’re not playing our best baseball right now.”
The Phillies will aim to bounce back against left-hander Ryan Weathers (3-7, 4.40 ERA), who lasted only 4 2/3 innings Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates — and needed 99 pitches to record 14 outs. He gave up five runs, seven hits and a pair of walks in his team’s 8-5 victory.
“Wasn’t a great one for him; got hit around early on a night we’re up against it pen-wise,” New York manager Aaron Boone said of Weathers’ last start, “but I love the fact that he hung in there.”
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Weathers has appeared in three games (two starts) against Philadelphia in his career, going 0-3 with a 9.53 ERA. He has given up six homers in 11 1/3 innings in those outings, including a homer to Kyle Schwarber in each of his last two games against the Phillies.
BOSTON — A familiar story unfolded for the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park Friday night.
Solid pitching. Some offence — not enough. Poor defence. Frustrating loss. Playoff odds drop.
This time, there were new twists such as a ball bouncing off Yohendrick Piñango’s back in left field and the first big-league loss for rookie CJ Van Eyk. But the end result was familiar: frustration.
Along the way, there were positives: nine strikeouts from Trey Yesavage, a big night from Nathan Lukes and a historic swing from Kazuma Okamoto, but the time for silver linings is April, or maybe May. It’s certainly not late July.
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Under those circumstances, the Blue Jays’ 6-4 loss to the Red Sox was a costly one. They’re now 10 games below .500 and seven games behind the streaking Red Sox for the final American League Wild Card spot.
No one needs to check the Blue Jays’ 7.2 per cent playoff odds to confirm the obvious, anymore: they’re in deep trouble. Reaching the trade deadline at .500 is now an impossibility. Even an eight-game win streak would leave them two games under on Aug. 3.
With each loss, the likelihood of a summer sell-off increases. And while some players prefer to avoid discussing the topic, they’re all aware of what might be coming.
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That’s still more than a week away, though. Here in Boston, the Blue Jays turned to Van Eyk in high leverage since relievers Louis Varland and Tyler Rogers were limited after pitching twice in a row against the Rays. Rogers was completely unavailable while the Blue Jays were only going to use Varland in a save situation. Enter Van Eyk in a 4-4 game on the road.
“I know it’s tough,” said manager John Schneider. “This is probably the hardest (ballpark) to come in in the eighth or ninth inning when you’re a young pitcher.”
Of the five hitters Van Eyk faced, four reached and two scored.
Earlier in the game, the Blue Jays rallied when Okamoto hit a three-run home run over the centre field wall. The third baseman had been struggling of late before breaking out with a double and a long home run.
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“I didn’t have a hit since the All-Star break,” Okamoto acknowledged through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “So I definitely wanted to do whatever I can to help.”
“He’s unique where he has power to all fields,” Schneider added. “The dead centre (homer) I think, is an example of not being afraid to let it rip and just be ready for certain pitches in certain areas. He’s done a really good job of that.”
“He’s going to go through some ups and downs, but I thought today was a really good one.”
Not only did the homer pull the Blue Jays back to within one, it gave Okamoto 23 on the season, passing Shohei Ohtani for the most homers ever hit by a Japanese rookie.
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Asked about passing Ohtani, Okamoto downplayed the significance of the milestone, but Schneider called the moment “pretty cool” and a “great accomplishment.”
Otherwise, it was a quiet night for Blue Jays hitters, though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and Daulton Varsho had three.
“Looking back, we had pitches to hit and just didn’t get the results,” Schneider said.
Aside from Okamoto it was Lukes who had the biggest night among Blue Jays position players. Soon after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, he threw out Caleb Durbin trying to score. Two innings later, he hit a leadoff double and scored the game’s tying run.
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On the pitching side, Yesavage struck out nine Red Sox over four innings, but he allowed three runs, including two home runs, on five hits and one walk. Despite the short outing, the rookie generated 17 swinging strikes while topping out at 95.8 m.p.h.
“I got ahead early,” Yesavage said. “I think every batter I faced I got to a two-strike count.”
On Saturday, it’ll be Dylan Cease against Sonny Gray as the Blue Jays look to even out the series. But after a fifth loss in six days, the 2026 Blue Jays are a long way from where they thought they’d be without an obvious pathway back to the playoff picture.
“We’ve just got to come together and win ballgames and play for each other,” Yesavage said.
More people are watching. More are investing. Salaries for many players are higher than ever. But mounting turmoil and discord have been a part of this transformative period that has featured a landmark collective bargaining agreement, league expansion and skyrocketing player recognition.
It seems to have reached a new flashpoint, as discussions about race, gender and sexuality created headlines ahead of Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game. Race-driven conversations resurfaced after an incident between Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, while players continued to voice frustrations with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and leadership over what they say is a lack of protection from social media harassment and divisive remarks.
“It is a moment to be celebrated without a doubt,” said Ketra Armstrong, sport management professor and director of the Center for Race and Ethnicity in Sport at the University of Michigan. “We want to celebrate what’s great. But sometimes, the progress can overshadow, still, where the perils are.”
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Issues of race, gender and representation have been an undercurrent throughout the league’s history. Debates over those issues have grown as women’s sports have exploded. And they remain a challenge that shapes the WNBA’s — and most other pro sports leagues, for that matter — public and online discourse.
“This is what a sports league is,” said David Berri, sports economist and economics professor at Southern Utah University. He cited the NFL’s Rooney Rule as an example. “If a sports league is going to get attention, you’re going to get attention for these things as well.”
Growth has magnified broader cultural debates
Contentious conversations also spread to issues of transgender athletes and harassment.
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WNBA veteran Brianna Turner said on social media this week that her former team, the Fever, fired a male employee last season for sexual harassment. Turner, who was with Indiana last season but now plays for Las Vegas, also said Indiana players were encouraged not to discuss the firing.
Turner’s comments came as she defended transgender athletes days after Indiana forward Sophie Cunningham spoke on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham was quoted as saying in a story published by ESPN. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
The WNBA’s conversations about race were thrust back into the spotlight after Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was suspended one game for referring to Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese as a “protected species.”
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The comment, picked up by the broadcast after Reese drew a foul on Toronto player Nyara Sabally, quickly drew criticism.
Brondello, a former player who has won two WNBA titles, is Australian. The “protected species” phrase is used in Australian sports to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player. However, in the U.S., the phrase suggests that someone isn’t human and could be seen as derogatory toward Black people. Brondello later apologized. Reese accepted it, saying she appreciated the league’s swift action.
“It’s a much bigger platform now. Everything that happens is news,” Berri said. “There were hard fouls 10 years ago. Nobody paid any attention to that. It ends up being because of the coverage now, everything gets magnified … which is good. I mean, this is what we wanted.”
‘A lot to celebrate’ but race still matters
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Clark has repeatedly attempted to downplay the noise surrounding her, but she has become a springboard for projections far beyond the game itself.
“It’s basketball,” she said in a recent ESPN interview. “When I walk out of the locker room, I shouldn’t be fearful of what the conversation is going to be. It’s emotionally exhausting. It’s draining. It makes your shoulders tense because people don’t want to talk about the basketball. They just want to stir it up and make something else.”
The WNBA retroactively assessed Thomas a flagrant foul and suspended her one game after the veteran made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat in a June 24 matchup.
The play, which Thomas has said was an accident, gained widespread attention and ignited debates over officiating, with coaches, pundits and lawmakers weighing in on whether the league needs to take action about physical play involving Clark.
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Thomas, who is Black and in her 12th WNBA season, said after the incident she had received death threats, part of increased online vitriol players have faced in recent years. Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces recently posted a message from a man that included a racial slur. And Engelbert this week met with a pair of player committees to discuss what more can be done to protect players from online harassment.
Since she entered the league, Clark and her WNBA peers have become proxies for long-standing American issues — from race, gender and sexual orientation to who receives attention and who doesn’t.
“There’s a lot to celebrate,” Armstrong said, “but race still matters. Race will always matter. It just depends on how we make it matter.”
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