Latest news with #NYPOST
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Cam Schlitter's rough start puts Yankees rotation spot in further jeopardy
Access the Yankees beat like never before Don't miss Greg Joyce's text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees. Sign Up Now Monday night's outing for Cam Schlittler was his third audition to prove to the Yankees that he deserves a spot in the rotation. It did not go as planned for the 24-year-old rookie. Advertisement Schlittler allowed three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and four walks in 4 ¹/₃ innings in the 4-2 loss to the Rays. He got off to a rough start, giving up a two-run home run to Junior Caminero and three walks in the first inning. Schlittler settled down and was able to lean back on his biggest strength, his command in the strike zone with his fastball, which has averaged near 98 mph. 'One of his calling cards is his ability to fill up the strike zone,' manager Aaron Boone said. 'The fastball is big and real.' Advertisement Cam Schlittler (31) reacts on the mound during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Schlittler heavily relies on that fastball, throwing it 52 percent of the time in his young career. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Advertisement However, it is his supporting pitches — primarily a slider and curveball — where Boone thinks there is room for improvement. 'Again, it's fine-tuning the secondary [pitches],' Boone said. 'That's what has been a work in progress for him. I feel like in these first few games, he's done a decent job with it, actually. Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST The only question is if Yankee fans will be able to watch him fine-tune those pitches in pinstripes as his name has been mentioned as a possible trade chip. Advertisement While Schlittler has not been overmatched — pitching to a 4.91 ERA in 14 ²/₃ innings with 18 strikeouts — his spot in the rotation is perilous, with Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough poised to return. And the Yankees may still bolster their rotation beyond Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. Schlittler could be squeezed out of a spot if he isn't sent back to the minors. Asked about the biggest difference between pitching in the majors and in the minors, Schlittler said, 'I think that hitters make quick adjustments, the [strike] zone is a bit smaller. They're going to make you pay if you're not in the zone, as you can tell in the first inning. '
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Jaxson Dart looks more at home in best Giants training camp day yet
Jaxson Dart looked the part. The rookie first-round quarterback had his best day on an NFL field so far Sunday as he was accurate and aggressive down the field — a noticeable change from holding the ball too long when he wasn't getting off short, quick passes. 'I can definitely feel a difference in the first day [last Wednesday] to even today,' Dart said. 'Just that the game's starting to slow down a little bit the more that I get comfortable with the plays and the system.' Dart is adjusting to running first-time plays and mixing in with different receivers — all of whom require different timing. 'I felt confident in the different installs that we had [Sunday], and I felt at the same time the coaches gave me a lot of freedom,' Dart said. 'So I was able to make some checks that I wanted to, and I feel like that just allowed me to play just faster and be able to make quicker decisions.' Dart led a 12-play move-the-field drive that included a third-down completion and a couple of designed quarterback runs. Perhaps most significantly, he used a hard count — after clapping his hands to get the ball at Ole Miss — to draw the defense offside. 3 Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to throw during Training Camp at the Quest Diagnostics center, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'I don't want to play like a robot,' Dart said. 'I think that's just my play style. When I'm on the field, I'm going to be aggressive in any situation. A quote that we go by in the quarterback room is, 'Being aggressive but not reckless.' So, when you have opportunities to put the dagger in, that's what you have to do. And, at the same time, you can't be reckless.' Dart's philosophy during training camp is to get the mistakes out on the practice field and don't make the same error twice. It sounds like an extension of head coach Brian Daboll's philosophy. 3 Jaxson Dart (6) looks on during Training Camp at the Quest Diagnostics center, Sunday, July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'Just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that I get. Trying to study late as much as I can,' Dart said. 'I'm learning every second.' John Michael Schmitz's trio of errant snaps in Friday's practice were a red flag. His best chance to atone comes Monday, when linemen put on pads for the first time. 3 Michael Schmitz Jr. (61) on the field during training camp. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Go behind the scenes with Big Blue Sign up for Inside the Giants by Paul Schwartz, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters 'We don't want to have those high snaps, no question,' Daboll said. 'John Michael has been a good leader for us.' Daboll lauded Brian Burns for his chase-the-ball hustle on the play that led to a collision with Wan'Dale Robinson in Friday's practice. Burns only participated in limited drills Sunday while dealing with soreness. 'He's had a number of those this camp,' Daboll said. 'His effort has been outstanding.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Abdul Carter's growing defensive versatility only building more hype around Giants rookie
It would be helpful to the crowd if the Giants just let Abdul Carter wear a red and white striped shirt among the sea of blue and white jerseys on the practice field. The quarterbacks definitely wouldn't complain. 'Where's Waldo?' has been replaced by 'Where's Abdul?' in the rookie's first training camp. Carter's versatility to slide from edge rusher to off-ball linebacker to three-technique defensive tackle depending on the formation has added a new wrinkle to the defense that is sure to further the league-wide comparisons being drawn to fellow Penn State product Micah Parsons. 'Until they get here, and you kind of see them move around and ultimately see how they handle it mentally, [you don't know], 'Can they pick it up? Do they have the instincts to do it?' ' head coach Brian Daboll said. 'He certainly has very, very good instincts as a football player. 4 Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) looks on during Training Camp at the Quest Diagnostics center, Sunday, July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'Some players do exactly what's on the paper: 'I run 12 yards, I stop, I turn.' And then you have other players that are very instinctive players. 'If I run to 12 yards and turn here, I'm going to be covered. Or if I do this, it's not.' He's a little bit of a 'see ball, get ball' kind of guy.' Parsons has settled in for the Cowboys as an edge rusher in the vein of other top sack threats like T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson. But he burst onto the scene in 2021 as a rookie who played more snaps in the box (540) than on the defensive line (390) en route to 13 sacks. The Giants would sign up right now for duplication from Carter, whose explosiveness, intensity and slippery spin move was impossible to miss in Sunday's practice. The No. 3 pick in the draft is only building more hype. 4 New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) runs against offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (72) during Training Camp at the Quest Diagnostics center, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'I feel like pass rush is a science,' Carter said. 'It's like you're playing basketball: Dribbling the ball, setting your moves up, setting up your counter. I have my own little style that I play like. Whatever I'm going to do, I'm going to make sure I do my job first, but just within the play.' The Giants need defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to be a mad scientist, figuring out ways to maximize Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Carter replaced a resting Brian Burns on Sunday and has bumped Thibodeaux to the second team at times in camp, but the best-11 approach to defense means putting all three on the field together. That's why Carter — who played inside linebacker at Penn State and was 'running through gaps and chasing people down,' as Daboll said, until a position change last season — is the right fit in addition to being a potential game-changer. He had 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks last season. 4 Giants head coach Brian Daboll greets New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) during Training Camp at the Quest Diagnostics center. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 4 Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (right), working against New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter #51, during practice. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 'It's definitely a sign of respect,' Carter said of having extra responsibility put on his plate. 'Anything my coaches need me to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I've been doing this since my freshman year of college, so I'm pretty much used to it.' The offensive and defensive lines will battle in full pads Monday for the first time. It's a chance for right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to keep Carter from bending the edge with speed and center John Michael Schmitz to even the score for being put in a spin cycle and shoved to the turf. 'We get to be more physical — like play some real football now — so I can't wait,' Carter said. 'I feel like I perform best under pressure. I don't shy away from it. … I embrace it.' If that weren't the case, Carter wouldn't have worn No. 11 at Penn State after greats Parsons and LaVar Arrington. He wouldn't have checked in with Lawrence Taylor (No. 56) and Phil Simms (No. 11) about potentially unretiring their numbers with the Giants. 'I learned a lot from Micah,' Carter said. 'He took me under his wing, just starting at Penn State, that whole 'Stick City' (No. 11) tradition. But at the end of the day, I'm my own player. I'm going to be Abdul Carter.' Who is Carter? 'Very explosive,' defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said. 'That's what jumps off on film. He is making great strides — leaps and bounds.' Added Thibodeaux, 'He's twitchy. He can play it all.' Where's Carter? Just look around the ball.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
‘Devastated' Giants receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton suffers season-ending Achilles tear at training camp
Not again. The thought process had to be the same for Bryce Ford-Wheaton and so many others within the Giants on Sunday when testing confirmed that the depth receiver and special-teams coverage standout suffered a season-ending torn Achilles. Ford-Wheaton, 25, crumbled to the ground without contact at the snap during one play in Sunday's practice. He got to his feet, took another step or two, spiked his helmet in frustration and went down again. 4 Giants receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton is tended to after going down with an Achilles injury on July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 4 Giants QB Russell Wilson (l.), head coach Brian Daboll (second from l.) and others try to comfort Bryce Ford-Wheaton as he's carted off with an Achilles injury on July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Teammates quickly ran over, dropped to a knee and huddled around the emotional Ford-Wheaton as he was loaded onto the medical cart and taken off the field. 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't devastated!' Ford-Wheaton wrote on X. 'I did everything by the book! Didn't take a single shortcut, left no stone unturned, invested everything into my body and my health this year. 'I'm not sure why me but I promise I'm not going out on these terms. It's a long road ahead for sure but I know this is just part of Gods plan for me no matter how tough it may seem right now. Thank you all for your prayers, please continue to keep me in them. I WILL be back that's a promise!! God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers!' 4 Bryce Ford-Wheaton is carted off at Giants practice after tearing his Achilles on July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 4 Bryce Ford-Wheaton is carted off at Giants practice after tearing his Achilles on July 27, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST It is the second time in three seasons that Ford-Wheaton suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason. He tore his ACL just before cut day as an undrafted rookie with a strong chance to make the team in 2023, and bounced back to play in 14 games last season. The Giants signed linebacker Chris Board during the offseason to fill a similar special teams role. And undrafted rookie receiver Dalen Cambre — a long shot to make the roster when camp opened — is in the NFL right now because of his special-teams excellence in college.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Yankees' new third baseman Ryan McMahon dazzles at plate and in field in badly needed win over Phillies
The Yankees still have to address their biggest need — pitching — in the coming days ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. But in the meantime, the first player they acquired to fill another big hole is paying immediate dividends. Advertisement Ryan McMahon delivered a strong game on both sides of the ball, with his two-run double keying a rally in addition to playing terrific defense at third base, with the Yankees needing all of it to squeak by the Phillies 4-3 on Sunday afternoon in The Bronx. The Yankees (57-48) made things hard on themselves by having to beat Zack Wheeler to avoid the sweep, but they were able to get to the Phillies ace with a four-run second inning before holding on late as the bullpen had a spotless day for a change. After Carlos Rodón lasted 5 ¹/₃ innings and left with a 4-3 lead, the Yankees got two outs from the struggling Jonathan Loáisiga, three from Luke Weaver and three from Tim Hill (against the top of the order) before Devin Williams shut the door on the Phillies (60-45) in the ninth. 4 Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon hits a two-run double in the second inning against the Phillies on July 27, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post Advertisement 4 Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon celebrates after hitting a two-run double in the second inning against the Phillies on July 27, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST With the win, the Yankees pulled back within 5 ¹/₂ games of the Blue Jays in the AL East. McMahon, acquired from the Rockies on Friday after third base had been a black hole for most of the season, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in his second game. He also made a leaping grab on Bryce Harper's flare in the fourth inning and then made a sharp sliding stop on Trea Turner's grounder in the fifth and fired to first to nail the speedy shortstop. Advertisement That proved critical as Rodón got the next batter, Kyle Schwarber, to fly out to Cody Bellinger at the right field wall to strand a pair. 4 Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon fields a groundout by the Phillies' Trea Turner in the fifth inning on July 27, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST Rodón got burned by two pitches in the second inning that both left the yard and put the Phillies up 2-0. First was a 2-2 changeup over the middle to Nick Castellanos that ended up in the left field seats. One out later, Rodón threw a slider on the outside edge that Otto Kemp went the other way with for another solo shot. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Advertisement But the Yankees were quick to answer, taking advantage of Wheeler's lack of command. Giancarlo Stanton led off the bottom of the second with a bullet single before Wheeler hit Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez in back-to-back plate appearances to load the bases. McMahon came up next and grounded a double down the right field line to tie the game, and it's possible it could have been a three-run hit if Domínguez had not for some reason stopped at second before running to third. 4 Yankees starter Carlos Rodon pitches against the Phillies on July 27, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST But Austin Wells made sure it did not come back to hurt as he lifted a sacrifice fly — his ninth of the year, tying him for the MLB lead — to put the Yankees ahead 3-2. Trent Grisham followed with a single through the right side that scored McMahon for what proved to be the winning run. Kemp later added his second home run of the day — after entering Sunday with two home runs in 34 games in his big league career — by drilling Rodón's 95 mph fastball down the middle to pull the Phillies within 4-3.
