Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas and Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy are both fine after slamming into each other on a close play at first base last night (video via Talkin’ Baseball on X). Vargas is dealing with some bruises, and Muncy went through concussion protocol, but the infielders are expected to return to the lineup this weekend.
1. Cubs’ wild comeback
The Cubs were in danger of getting swept at home by the Athletics on Thursday. Chicago cut into a 6-1 deficit with an Ian Happ two-run homer in the seventh inning, but went into the final frame down three runs. Joel Kuhnel entered for the A’s and quickly got into trouble. The righty permitted five hits and recorded just two outs, one of which came via caught stealing. Luis Medina relieved Kuhnel with two runners on and the A’s clinging to a one-run lead. Dansby Swanson knocked in the game-tying tally, and Pete Crow-Armstrong followed with a walk-off single. PCA also homered earlier in the game, redeeming himself after losing a Shea Langeliers fly ball in the twilight, leading to an inside-the-park home run.
2. Seager, Langford expected back
The Rangers are getting reinforcements on Friday. Shortstop Corey Seager and outfielder Wyatt Langford are expected to return for a series against the Guardians, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Seager has missed a couple of weeks with back inflammation. Langford has been sidelined since late April with a forearm strain. Outfielder Alejandro Osuna and utilityman Cody Freeman are heading back to the minors to clear spots for Seager and Langford, relays Grant. Texas has recovered since getting swept by the Angels and dropping three of four against the Astros (including a no-hitter). The club has won five of six games heading into a weekend matchup against Cleveland.
3. Nootbaar returning Friday
The Cardinals are also getting an important bat back into the lineup. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar is expected to make his season debut on Friday against the Reds, relays Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nootbaar is returning from offseason surgery on both heels. Injuries have limited him in multiple seasons, but the outfielder played a career-high 135 games in 2025. Nootbaar should provide a boost to a lineup that ranks 29th in scoring since the beginning of May. “He takes his walks, he controls the strike zone, he puts it in play, so that will be helpful,” manager Oli Marmol said.
Photo courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images
Muncy runs a foot in fair territory, then veers even further into play at the last second, to collide with Vargas. Throwing up his arms for maximum impact. Classless.
He’s on the Dodgers, so he can get away with anything.
PCA is currently not as good as everyone thinks he is.
Better offensively than Harris, and better defensively than Merrill. Best CF in the NL.
You’re right, even with a slow start.
However, he could be so much better.
I’ve been trying to mute you for months and the site just won’t let me. Why can’t I have relief from my suffering
Just ignore me man. Most of what I say is rage-bait anyway.
Not you, slider with cheese
I’ll mute you. Hope that helps your cause.
Thank you for your service
Didnt work on my end either. I’ll keep trying, you keep crying.
10-4, slider
Better offensively than Harris? In what universe?
Mine as well as baseball experts, players, coaches, writers, and savants in general.
PCA is not a superstar, HOF type player. At least at this point in his career. The guy’s still young. He is however, a good all round major league ball player who’s going to have a solid career for years. Through out a professional athlete’s career, in any sport, there’s always ups and downs.
He is just now creeping up on Theo’s “don’t begin to judge a player until he has 1,500 plate appearances” marker.
One thing for sure, there are at least 25 other teams (being very moderate with that number) that would switch center fielders with the Cubs by noon today.
We can pick any bullet point to judge and by WAR he was 16th best player in baseball last year and is 9th this year. All depends on what bar you choose to use.
If you want to choose strikeout rate or batting average he on a different level.
Jury is still out on how good PCA will be offensively, but he has made great strides in his plate discipline and ABs vs LHP this season.
Even his current @ .750 OPS w his defense and baserunning is quite valuable. No question he has pop in bat, just gotta make better swing decisions. But the ceiling is still sky-high w that young man, and the floor is pretty solid.
It’s pretty hard to catch something you can’t see. It won’t be the last time it happens either. Just glad it didn’t hit him on the head or the face. Last time I checked he’s pretty good at catching fly balls he can see.
They flashed the most bizarre stat the other night, and while I know these can be subjective they are highly likely metrically measured the same….and yes, it’s a newer stat.
5 star catches defined as a ball with less than a 25% chance of being caught off the bat.
Most in a career is Kevin Kiermeier with 32 in about 6,200 innings.
Second all time is PCA with 31 in about 2,900 innings.
It may have been 31-30 but fact is that PCA is one behind in half the number of innings. Feel safe to say he’s going to catch him.
Is it just me or has Nick Deeds been pulled from the MLBTR rotation? I’ve noticed that he’s no longer doing the Openers and I haven’t seen his byline in other places. If he has, indeed, moved on I wish him well, preferably in a career that does not include writing.
I noticed that as well. Never wish harm on the man but definitely think it was time for him to go somewhere else, maybe one that doesn’t prioritize professional writing as much…. I also noticed his burner account doesn’t seem to harass me anymore
Deeds isn’t “writing” for MLBTR anymore. He’s with Fansided now. Or he was, but I haven’t looked recently because he’s a terrible writer.
Pray for Fansided 🙏
Just out of pure curiosity I went to check out one of his Fansided articles and I spotted and error within 10 seconds…. Thank God MLBTR moved on
I asked that very same question back in late April early May and no one here seemed to have a concern or answer about it maybe he got promoted to the writers hall of fame 😂😂😂
Whatever happened to Old York ???
Now you’re bringing back memories!!! His AI slop commentary will be missed
And the fact that he would never state which team he was a fan of so he could continue roasting and trolling all the fans from all the fanbases.
There’s a few different commenters I miss and he’s up there. Roger_BeshensFootballSlider is one I would love to see again 😂
I’m just glad he’s gone. There’s a few other commenters that need the “Old York” treatment lately
That enjoy sack lunch guy seems chill enough but damn he comments a LOT
And what is the hit rate on those comments ?? Probably less than 5%. He could use some strategic editing perhaps.
Or a job
PCA gets so much unjustified hate. I’m so glad he redeemed himself with the Homerun and a bloop single. He also started the rally in the 6th with his HR. 6 unanswered runs..
He deserves all the hate thrown at him. No pro should talk to a female the way he did.
He regretted it immediately. That’s not why he’s getting the hate. It’s mostly because of his most recent defensive blunders. Which wasn’t his fault. He lost the ball in the lights
Nope. He is a a hole
He’s really not. I don’t agree with it. The heffa was antagonizing him the entire game. She also rans 25ft after the missed play at Comiskey Park
Cubs got Rockies and Giants season series the next two weeks. Dare I say that they have a good streak coming up.
I saw the Muncy/Vargas collision. Muncy literally hops on the bag and then tries his best Albert Belle/Fernando Vina impression and shoves Vargas on impact, total bush league move
Glad to get Noot back. He should be a major upgrade in LF.
The excitement among us Cubs fans is growing every day, as we follow “The Quest for 20.” That is, when will Alex Bregman reach the coveted 20-rbi mark? By the summer solstice? The 4th of July? Labor Day? Never?
The pitiful Bregman usually hits one fairly loud foul before striking out with runners in scoring position. His problem is that he can’t hit a ball both hard and fair. He has 19 RBI’s in 63 games.
He needs to be benched when Shaw comes back. Not for a game or two, but permanently. He needs to be the highest-paid late-inning defensive replacement in MLB history.