Ryan Helsley arrived in New York with a blown‑out reputation for velocity and a wipeout breaking ball, but his Mets tenure has struggled to take off. A three‑run Kerry Carpenter blast in Detroit highlighted the setback as New York dropped the finale and the chance to sweep. Mendoza stressed that the stuff is still elite and adjustments were made, yet the drastic change in role—from closer to high‑leverage setup—has shaken confidence. The piece ties Helsley’s plight to Kimbrel/Hendriks, illustrating how a role shift can sap killer instinct even for top talents as the postseason nears.

In a turbulent season where mental health and performance pressures loom large, Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman has taken a hard stance against social media negativity. After witnessing the fallout from teammate Liam Hendriks' confrontation with death threats following a rough outing, Bregman chooses to disregard harmful online commentary. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on his game and filtering out negativity, a sentiment echoed by fellow athletes like Jacob Wilson from the Athletics.

As Bregman continues to excel on the field, with impressive statistics this season including a .298 batting average and 11 home runs, the contrast between his performance and the pressures of public perception highlights a broader issue in sports. It's a candid reflection on how players cope with external criticism while striving for success.

Carlos Rodón, the New York Yankees' left-handed pitcher, is enduring the ups and downs of his 11th MLB season. Despite facing harsh criticism and even threats from fans on social media, Rodón maintains a levelheaded perspective. He recently disclosed that he and his wife Ashley have been subjected to hatred online, particularly following a loss to the Boston Red Sox. The three-time All-Star, who boasts a 3.08 ERA and a 135-41 K-BB ratio, remains unfazed, stating, ‘We’ll be fine. We’re big boys.’

Rodón's performance on the mound has been commendable this season, with a personal best bWAR rating of 2.9. Fellow players like Lance McCullers Jr. and Liam Hendriks have also reported similar experiences with aggressive fans. Amidst this, Rodón aims to rise above the negativity and focus on his game as he helps steer the Yankees toward success this season.

The Boston Red Sox find themselves in a precarious position at 29-32, sitting 8.5 games behind in the AL East but only 3.5 games out of a wild card spot as they approach the trade deadline. Speculation is rife about whether they will become buyers or sellers. Notably, the San Diego Padres have expressed interest in outfielder Jarren Duran, who had an All-Star season last year. His current performance, combined with Boston's uncertain future, may lead the franchise to consider moving him while his value is still high.

Other potential trade candidates include Alex Bregman, who has a stellar season underway despite an injury, and several pitchers like Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito. Should the Red Sox falter in the coming weeks, the looming trade deadline could force tough decisions as they weigh their future against the immediate need to improve their squad. With DraftKings giving them +235 odds to reach the playoffs, urgency is in the air.

The Boston Red Sox have placed relief pitcher Liam Hendriks on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right hip. This move is retroactive to Wednesday, as the team announced. In his 14 appearances this season, Hendriks has struggled with a 6.59 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. Meanwhile, the Red Sox recalled right-hander Nick Burdi from Triple-A Worcester. Burdi has been impressive, boasting a 0.48 ERA with four saves in 15 outings at Worcester. Hendriks, a seasoned closer with 116 career saves across six teams, revealed he faced death threats on social media after a recent loss, exacerbating the burden of his past battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.