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When it comes to NHL debates, “small sample size” is the most reliable counterargument.

If there’s a team off to a blazing start, showing signs of being an unexpected Stanley Cup contender? “Small sample size.” If there’s a team that isn’t delivering on its hype? “Small sample size.”

The same goes for players. Every team has a player that’s put up impressive numbers in a small sliver of the season. The question is whether their domination will eventually fade or if these starts are a snapshot of what’s to come.

Here are the small-sample superstars for all 32 NHL teams, from goalies stonewalling opponents to skaters on points-per-game benders.

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2B Winn exits Cards’ win with lower back spasms

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2B Winn exits Cards' win with lower back spasms

ST. LOUIS — Cardinals second baseman Masyn Winn left Friday night’s 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies because of lower back spasms.

Winn played the first inning of the game, but did not go onto the field for the second.

The Cardinals moved catcher Pedro Pagés to second base. Pagés has played catcher or first base in his two major league seasons.

Rookie Thomas Saggese, who was playing second base, moved to shortstop.

Rookie Yohel Pozo took over at catcher and assumed Winn’s spot at ninth in the batting order. Pozo has played in 22 MLB games. He made his St. Louis debut Monday — his first game in the majors since 2021.

Pozo finished 3-for-4 with a run scored, matching his career high for hits previously done with Texas in 2021.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Padres’ Cronenworth latest to IL with rib fracture

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Padres' Cronenworth latest to IL with rib fracture

SAN DIEGO — The depleted San Diego Padres placed infielder Jake Cronenworth on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right rib fracture.

The move with Cronenworth came after center fielder Jackson Merrill went on the 10-day IL on Tuesday because of a right hamstring strain. The IL stint for Cronenworth was made retroactive to Wednesday.

The Padres also are playing without right-hander Yu Darvish, who began the season on the IL because of elbow inflammation.

They did get some good news Friday when star Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to the lineup and batted leadoff and played right field in the opener of a weekend series against Colorado. Tatis left Tuesday night’s game against the Athletics after experiencing left shoulder discomfort stemming from a slide.

Cronenworth also left Tuesday night’s game after taking a swing. He was hit by a pitch Sunday in a game at the Chicago Cubs. He said he had an MRI on Thursday, a day off.

He thought it was a bruise and could play through it. He homered on Monday in a 5-4 win against the Athletics.

“It’s frustrating, but it happens,” Cronenworth said. “It didn’t feel great Sunday when it happened, even Monday, then water over the boat on Tuesday and kind of just the tip of the iceberg.”

The 31-year-old Cronenworth is batting .257 with two homers and five RBIs in 12 games this season. The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs in 155 games in 2024.

Even with all the injuries, San Diego became the first major league team with 10 wins after it beat the Athletics 2-1 on Wednesday.

Third baseman Tyler Wade was promoted from Triple-A El Paso before Friday night’s game. Right-hander Matt Waldron, who has a left oblique muscle strain, was transferred to the 60-day IL.

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Nearing return, Strider to join Braves in Tampa

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Nearing return, Strider to join Braves in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. — Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider is going to join the team during its weekend series at Tampa Bay, marking another step in his comeback from elbow surgery.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said Strider felt good after he struck out 13 during a dominant rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Strider, 26, is going to have a bullpen session on Sunday in Tampa and then travel with the team to Toronto for the second half of its six-game trip. While the club has not made an official announcement, Strider could return during the series against the Blue Jays.

Strider last appeared in the majors on April 5, 2024, against the Diamondbacks in Atlanta. He had the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace a week later.

The Braves are off to a slow start, and the return of Strider could provide a big lift. He went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 2023, finishing with a major league-best 281 strikeouts in 186⅔ innings.

He pitched 5⅓ innings in his rehab start on Thursday, allowing one run and three hits. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes.

“He felt really good,” Snitker said before Atlanta’s series opener at Tampa Bay. “He said he felt good, so he’ll come here and throw his bullpen Sunday.”

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