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Rafael Devers is trying to break the San Francisco Giants out of their frustrating, months-long slump, and took his team's collective frustration out on a baseball Sunday afternoon.

During the top of the third inning of the Giants' matchup with the New York Mets at Citi Field, Devers turned around a 94-mph fastball from Frankie Montas and launched it into the upper deck. It had the team's announcers in awe.

Video is below.

Officially, the ball came off the bat at 105.9 mph and went 403 feet, but that looks much farther than the official tally shows.

Since acquiring Devers from the Boston Red Sox on June 15, the Giants have the worst record in baseball at 14-26. The All-Star slugger has struggled to fit in with his new team. Entering Sunday, he had played 39 games with the Giants and was slashing .219/.322/.363 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. His fifth home run with the team sure was memorable.

Devers and the Giants are currently punishing the Mets 7-1, so maybe a breakout is on the horizon.

With just four days left until the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, baseball has named two more replacements on the American League side.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen will join the Junior Circuit's squad, MLB announced Friday afternoon. Arozarena will replace resting Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, while Rasmussen will replace Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

Arozarena is making his second appearance in the game following his initial selection with the Rays in 2023. He has rebounded nicely from a down 2024 this season, slashing .247/.354/.466 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs.

Rasmussen, once a teammate of Arozarena's on Tampa Bay, is also enjoying his best season in several years following surgery that cost him most of '24. He is 7–5 with a 2.82 ERA and 76 strikeouts, and his 2.2 bWAR is his highest since 2022—his only full season as a starter.

The Rays currently hold the AL's second wild-card playoff position, while Seattle is one game behind the Boston Red Sox in the race for the third and final spot.

After the first phase of MLB All-Star voting, the Los Angeles Dodgers figure to have plenty of representation across the field at the midsummer classic.

Among the intriguing position battles in the National League is at the hot corner, where Dodgers slugger Max Muncy holds an edge over San Diego Padres star Manny Machado after phase one.

That hasn't sat too well with Padres broadcaster Mark Grant, who addressed the situation during Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. In the middle of Machado's at-bat during the fifth inning, Grant began campaigning for his All-Star candidacy, urging fans to submit some ballots with Machado's name on them.

"Let's call it the way it is. Manny Machado is a better third baseman than Max Muncy," Grant said flatly.

In terms of their overall career, there's simply no disputing that Machado has been the superior player. But the All-Star Game doesn't necessarily take into account a career's worth of statistics.

In 2025, Muncy has a .845 OPS with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 50 walks in 79 games. The 34-year-old has been on fire in June, too, logging a 1.113 OPS with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 23 games throughout the month. Machado has recorded similar numbers on the year, logging a .835 OPS with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs.

On paper, it certainly makes sense that there's a close race between the two NL West rivals when it comes to All-Star voting, but Grant suggested that Machado is deserving of the starting spot and encouraged fans to do their part in making that happen.

Western Australia teenager Albert Esterhuysen gave Sam Konstas an almighty send-off but it was New South Wales who had the last laugh in the One-Day Cup clash at the WACA Ground.Esterhuysen, playing just his second one-dayer for Western Australia, bowled Konstas for 40 and then unleashed an extended roar and stare-down in the Test opener’s direction during an emotional celebration.Konstas entered Thursday’s match desperate for a big score to mount a solid case for an Ashes call-up, but he couldn’t go on with the job after a strong start.Half-centuries to Kurtis Patterson (66 in 71 balls) and Moises Henriques (54 in 66) lifted New South Wales to a formidable 331. In reply, Western Australia were bowled out for 244 in 46.5 overs, with the returning Mitchell Marsh making just 2 as New South Wales cruised to an 87-run bonus-point victory.The result left Western Australia nursing a 1-2 record, while New South Wales (2-1) moved into second spot, behind unbeaten Tasmania (3-0).Western Australia’s innings never got going, despite boasting a stacked batting line-up that had Cameron Bancroft batting at No. 7.Sam Konstas loses his stumps•Getty Images

Marsh, who came in fresh off his unbeaten 103 in Australia’s T20I victory over New Zealand, was out in just the third over when he was caught on the boundary slashing at a wide Sean Abbott (3 for 28) delivery.Joel Curtis (15), Sam Fanning (8) and Cooper Connolly (5) all came and went as Western Australia crashed to 45 for 4 in the tenth over.Sam Whiteman received a huge life on 2 when he was caught at slip – only for Jack Edwards’ delivery to be deemed a front-foot no-ball. Whiteman went on to make 52 off 56 balls, but his departure in the 24th over at the hands of Tanveer Sangha was a bitter blow to Western Australia’s victory hopes.Bancroft (48), Ashton Agar (44) and Aaron Hardie (37) all produced handy knocks, but with the required run-rate soaring out of control, Western Australia were never truly in the hunt following the top-order collapse.Earlier, Konstas struck seven fours in a quickfire knock before chopping on 19-year-old quick Esterhuysen (2 for 58).New South Wales slumped from 203 for 3 to 225 for 6 largely thanks to Bryce Jackson’s double-strike in the 30th over that sent Patterson and Edwards packing in the space of four balls. But Western Australia couldn’t complete the job, with handy runs from Henriques, Abbott (35) and Charlie Stobo (39 in 20 balls) getting New South Wales well beyond 300.

Barcelona have reiterated their stance on a loan transfer for Lionel Messi, with club president Joan Laporta saying such a deal is "not realistic". He has also suggested that those clinging to the dream of seeing the Argentine GOAT return to Catalunya in a playing capacity "live in the past", with La Liga's champions having moved on from their most iconic No.10.

• American dream: New contract for Messi at Inter Miami

  Messi is in no position to rejoin Barca on a permanent basis, as he continues to chase the American dream in MLS with Inter Miami. He has been in South Florida since 2023 and recently committed to a new three-year contract.

  Said deal will take him beyond his 40th birthday and through the 2028 season in North America. MLS bosses have revealed that a calendar change is on the way that will bring the U.S. game in line with rival divisions around the world – as they play from autumn until spring, rather than through the summer.

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  Messi return? Laporta addresses transfer talk

  That means windows in which to spend the MLS post-season in Europe are closing for Messi and Co. It has been suggested that he could head back to Barcelona in a bid to remain sharp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

  The Blaugrana have, however, distanced themselves from those rumours. Laporta previously said: "Out of respect for Messi, our players, and our members, it's not the time to speculate with unrealistic scenarios."

  Barca’s president has now stated on the same subject: "Leo Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami. The club is building a project for the present and future. It's complicated, and if you live in the past you hardly move forward."

  Barca are working on arranging a friendly or exhibition match that would allow Messi to play at Camp Nou one last time. Plans have also been revealed for a statue that will immortalise the eight-time Ballon d’Or outside an iconic venue.

• Family ties: Messi & Antonela plan return to Catalunya

  Messi has offered no indication that he is looking for a playing return to Barcelona, but has admitted that he and wife Antonela intend to move their family back to Catalunya at some stage.

  The South American superstar has told : "I really want to go back there, we miss Barcelona a lot. My wife and I, the kids, are constantly talking about Barcelona and the idea of moving back. We have our house there, everything, so that's what we want. I'm really looking forward to going back to the stadium when it's finished because since I left for Paris, I haven't been back to Camp Nou, and then they moved to Montjuic."

  He added after being named the most beloved player in Barca’s history: "Obviously, I'm going to come back. I'm going to be at the stadium like any other fan, following the team, the club, and being just another supporter. For now, I'll be here [Miami] for a few more years, most likely, but we'll return to Barcelona because, as I've always said, it's my place, my home. We miss it a lot, so we'll be back there."

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  Camp Nou Leo Messi: Stadium renaming rumours rubbished

  Many are looking forward to seeing Messi play at Camp Nou again, in any capacity, with professional ties at Barcelona being severed in emotional circumstances when leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2021.

  Close friend and current Inter Miami colleague Jordi Alba has said of a special event being organised: "For me, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see him leave overnight. That farewell wasn't ideal for him. I trust that the tribute will happen and that it will be a great celebration. I found out through the press, and it was a tough blow for everyone. His departure wasn't the best, or the one he would have liked, that tribute will be paid to him one way or another."

  Barcelona will not be renaming their famous stadium ‘Camp Nou Leo Messi’, with more speculation there being rubbished, but will always leave their door open for a prodigal son to return to his spiritual home whenever the day comes for that path to be trodden.

Liverpool’s players were much improved in their 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa, but Dominik Szoboszlai was yet again his team’s star man.

The Reds picked up a vital three points at Anfield on Saturday evening, with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch getting the goals, and Arne Slot was in positive spirits after the game.

“Happy with the result, with the performance and what I saw today, not only from the players but also the support we got from the fans, was what we needed today. Maybe we were a bit more on the lucky side than we’ve been in the last few weeks, where in my opinion we were also unlucky.

“So, the mistake of their goalkeeper and the deflection led to two of our goals. These are the margins we are talking about. I think in other games we’ve created more from open play than we did today. But in football it’s about results, not about the chances you create from open play.”

It was a night where so many Liverpool players found a new gear after poor form, including Mohamed Salah, who scored his 250th Liverpool goal, but it was Szoboszlai who stood out yet again.

Szoboszlai now Liverpool's "most important player"

Writing on X after the win over Villa, ESPN journalist Beth Lindop heaped praise on Szoboszlai, even calling him Liverpool’s “most important player” at the moment.

It is hard to argue with this assessment, with the Hungarian proving to be one of the biggest positives in an otherwise frustrating season to date.

While so many players around him have floundered, he has consistently reached his best level, providing incredible amounts of energy and showcasing his versatility by excelling in attacking midfield, defensive midfield and at right-back.

On current form, Szoboszlai is undroppable for Liverpool, giving Slot a conundrum when it comes to using the Reds’ second-most expensive signing in history, Florian Wirtz.

The German is still adjusting to life in the Premier League, and with the trio of Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister all doing well against Villa, it is hard to find a place for him currently.

Liverpool willing to sell first-team star to fund £150m Adam Wharton move

It could be one out one in for the Reds’ midfield next year.

By
Ben Goodwin

Nov 1, 2025

There is the option of playing Wirtz in the left wing in place of Cody Gakpo, but either way, Szoboszlai is a shoo-in for any Liverpool game, and has to be considered one of the first names on Slot’s team sheet.

Best game all season: Liverpool star was even better than Salah & Gravenberch

Zak Foulkes takes three catches and two wickets, Will Rhodes scores 51

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Jul-2025Durham gave their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast a massive boost when they defeated Birmingham Bears by eight runs at the Banks Homes RiversideNeeding 183 to secure their sixth win of their Blast campaign, the Bears were restricted to 174 for 8 with Zak Foulkes taking three catches and two wickets to add to the ex-Bear Will Rhodes’s 51 in his side’s 182 for 7.Having opted to bowl first in a match delayed by 70 minutes by rain, the Bears struck an immediate blow when home skipper, Alex Lees, was caught by Ed Barnard off Hasan Ali for 4 in the second over, the fielder running back from point to take a fine catch.Ollie Robinson was the next batter dismissed when he was caught at mid-off for 7 by George Garton in Hasan’s next over but Durham still got to 58 in their powerplay, thanks partly to Sam Hain dropping Clark at point the ball after the opener had hit Danny Briggs for six.The batter celebrated by smacking Briggs’ next delivery for six too but was caught behind by Alex Davies off Garton for 43 in the eighth over to leave his side three down with 75 runs on the board. Durham became a trifle becalmed after Clark’s departure and reached the midpoint of their innings on 86 for 3.But Colin Ackermann and Will Rhodes wellied 25 runs off the next 11 balls before fine work by Tom Latham and Dan Mousley ran out Ackermann for 27. Mousley then caught Jimmy Neesham on the long-on boundary for 14 when the New Zealander was trying to hit Jake Lintott for a second successive six but Rhodes reached his second T20 fifty of the season and Kasey Aldridge whacked 31 off 19 balls to steer the Bears towards what seemed a par total.Hasan was the most successful Bears bowler with 3 for 32 but Garton was the most miserly with 1 for 25.The Bears reply got off to a grisly start when Alex Davies skied Matty Potts to Zak Foulkes at mid-on and departed for a single in the second over but the next wicket was an all-Kiwi affair when Tom Latham was caught by Foulkes off Jimmy Neesham in the fifth over for 23.With their side on 43 for 2 and therefore 15 runs worse off than Durham after their powerplay, Hain and Mousley sought to accelerate but their efforts were scuppered when both fell to catches to deep square leg, Hain’s being taken by Potts off Parkinson for 20 and Mousley’s by Nathan Sowter off Aldridge for 19.Those wickets reduced the Bears to 65 for 4 in the tenth over and but the visitors never gave up their hopes of victory. Needing 90 off the last seven overs, they lost Rob Yates, caught by Clark at long leg off Foulkes for 17 and a fine juggling catch on the boundary by Sowter in the same over saw Garton on his way for one.But Barnard and Hasan’s onslaught on the Durham bowling saw 52 runs scored in four overs and left the visitors needing 31 off the final 12 balls. Neesham bowled the penultimate over and conceded just seven runs while taking the wicket of Hassan, caught by Lees at extra cover for 22, and Potts had Barnard caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Foulkes for a valiant 49 off the first ball of the final over, a dismissal which effectively ended the contest, despite Lintott smashing 15 off the last four balls of the game. Durham 182-7 beat Birmingham Bears 174-8Durham 4pts Birmingham Bears 0ptsReport filed by Paul Edwards (07962-115171) – Please do not use by-lineDurham gave their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast a massive boost when they defeated Birmingham Bears by eight runs at the Banks Homes RiversideNeeding 183 to secure their sixth win of their Blast campaign, the Bears were restricted to 174 for eight with Zak Foulkes taking three catches and two wickets to add to the ex-Bear Will Rhodes’s 51 in his side’s 182 for sevenHaving opted to bowl first in a match delayed by 70 minutes by rain, the Bears struck an immediate blow when home skipper, Alex Lees, was caught by Ed Barnard off Hassan Ali for four in the second over, the fielder running back from point to take a fine catch.Ollie Robinson was the next batter dismissed when he was caught at mid-off for seven by George Garton in Hassan’s next over but Durham still got to 58 in their powerplay, thanks partly to Sam Hain dropping Clark at point the ball after the opener had hit Danny Briggs for six.The batter celebrated by smacking Briggs’ next delivery for six too but was caught behind by Alex Davies off Garton for 43 in the eighth over to leave his side three down with 75 runs on the board. Durham became a trifle becalmed after Clark’s departure and reached the midpoint of their innings on 86 for three.But Colin Ackermann and Will Rhodes wellied 25 runs off the next 11 balls before fine work by Tom Latham and Dan Mousley ran out Ackermann for 27. Mousley then caught Jimmy Neesham on the long-on boundary for 14 when the New Zealander was trying to hit Jake Lintott for a second successive six but Rhodes reached his second T20 fifty of the season and Kasey Aldridge whacked 31 off 19 balls to steer the Bears towards what seemed a par total.Hassan was the most successful Bears bowler with three for 32 but Garton was the most miserly with one for 25.The Bears reply got off to a grisly start when Alex Davies skied Matty Potts to Zak Foulkes at mid-on and departed for a single in the second over but the next wicket was an all-Kiwi affair when Tom Latham was caught by Foulkes off Jimmy Neesham in the fifth over for 23.With their side on 43 for two and therefore 15 runs worse off than Durham after their powerplay, Hain and Mousley sought to accelerate but their efforts were scuppered when both fell to catches to deep square leg, Hain’s being taken by Potts off Parkinson for 20 and Mousley’s by Nathan Sowter off Aldridge for 19.Those wickets reduced the Bears to 65 for four in the tenth over and but the visitors never gave up their hopes of victory. Needing 90 off the last seven overs, they lost Rob Yates, caught by Clark at long leg off Foulkes for 17 and a fine juggling catch on the boundary by Sowter in the same over saw Garton on his way for one.But Barnard and Hassan’s onslaught on the Durham bowling saw 52 runs scored in four overs and left the visitors needing 31 off the final 12 balls. Neesham bowled the penultimate over and conceded just seven runs while taking the wicket of Hassan, caught by Lees at extra cover for 22, and Potts had Barnard caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Foulkes for a valiant 49 off the first ball of the final over, a dismissal which effectively ended the contest, despite Lintott smashing 15 off the last four balls of the game.