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  • ESPN News Services

May 6, 2023, 08:57 PM ET

New Jersey Devils rookie defenseman Luke Hughes will make his Stanley Cup playoff debut Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Trailing 2-0 in the Eastern Conference second-round series, Devils coach Lindy Ruff announced some lineup changes heading into Game 3, and Hughes, who joined the Devils after his college season with the Michigan Wolverines ended last month, will slide in and replace Ryan Graves, a veteran who is out with an upper-body injury.

Hughes, 19, is the younger brother of teammate Jack Hughes, 21, both first-round draft picks for the Devils who are viewed as key cogs in the franchise’s rebuild. After struggling through two losses to open the series — a round after also dropping the first two games to the New York Rangers — perhaps the club will be energized by Luke Hughes’ offensive skill set from the blue line.

“If I get the opportunity, I am very prepared and very ready,” Luke Hughes said after staying late after practice ended to work Saturday with the power-play unit.

Ruff said he believes that Hughes indeed is ready, despite having just two games of NHL regular-season experience.

“We know he is going to skate,” Ruff said of the first-year player who scored his first NHL goal in New Jersey’s final regular-season game. “He got a little taste at the end of the year. I really feel his skating will help us, so I am excited to see him get in and play.”

His brother is in the same boat as the coach.

“He’ll be a guy that can move the puck in and out of the zone and get us moving fast,” Jack Hughes said.

Carolina has outscored New Jersey 11-2, collecting nine even-strength goals. Ruff said his team has been reckless with its coverages against the Hurricanes. He said he hopes returning home for the next two games sparks his team and gets his players to take their game to another level.

“We haven’t played our best,” Jack Hughes said. “We did it again and dug ourselves a hole, and now’s the time we have to work our way out of it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Follow live: Phiilies, Dodgers

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October 7, 2025

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Phillies’ 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the ‘Fall Classic Shake’

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October 6, 2025

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Phillies' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the 'Fall Classic Shake'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.

One of those creations is the Philadelphia Phillies‘ limited-edition “Fall Classic Shake,” which includes a vanilla soft serve, blended with dulce de leche. If that wasn’t enough, an apple cider donut tops it off. Philadelphia has been on a heater in the kitchen recently — it also unveiled a postseason 9-9-9 challenge box last Friday.

Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:

Houston Astros: Fried chicken waffle sandwich

Washington Nationals: Jake and Jake’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich

In collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, the Royals will offer a new item this season: the Z-Man Sandwich. It includes slow-smoked beef brisket and provolone cheese on a toasted kaiser roll, topped with two onion rings.

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Breslow: Sox to take holistic approach to offseason

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October 6, 2025

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Breslow: Sox to take holistic approach to offseason

  • ESPN News Services

Oct 6, 2025, 06:07 PM ET

BOSTON — Craig Breslow isn’t sure how he and the rest of the Boston Red Sox‘s front office will approach the offseason coming off their first appearance in the postseason since 2021.

But Boston’s chief baseball officer feels a lot better about the roster pieces he will be moving around this offseason as they look to continue this year’s momentum.

“We’ve talked a lot about how this window of contention is upon us,” Breslow said Monday during the front office’s season-ending news conference.

He said that ensuring the Red Sox stay in a position to compete will feature a holistic approach. He’s focused on fortifying their pitching staff and continuing to develop the young position players that made big impacts this season.

Those younger contributors will become even more relevant as Boston attempts to hold onto right-handed starter Lucas Giolito this offseason. Giolito was 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts this season. He was left off the postseason roster after experiencing some late-season discomfort in his elbow.

The 31-year-old and the team have a mutual option to work out this offseason.

He joins veteran third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Trevor Story, who both have player options to ponder.

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal in February that included the chance to become a free agent following both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Story signed a six-year, $140 million deal in March 2022 that included a player option following this season. If Story exercises his player option, the Red Sox will have the right to exercise the club option then and make the deal worth $160 million over seven seasons.

Breslow declined to say whether discussions are already ongoing with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras.

“Obviously, Alex has the right as structured in his contract to opt out, and he’s going to do what’s best for his family,” Breslow said. “At the same time, I will not miss an opportunity to talk about his contributions on the field, in the clubhouse, to the coaching staff, to the front office. Every conversation we’ve had I think I’ve learned something about how his impact and influence have rubbed off on his teammates.”

What was also prevalent during this resurgence was the contributions of Boston’s young up-and-comers, including rookie outfielder Roman Anthony and infielder Marcelo Mayer, who both had their seasons cut short by injuries.

But manager Alex Cora said there is just as much optimism about what’s ahead for young pitchers like Connelly Early, who got a taste of meaningful postseason baseball.

“I think we took the steps in the right direction,” Cora said. “Last offseason, during the season, not only as far as what the front office did, but what we did on the field. It was a much better team than the last few years. But that thing that excites me going into the offseason is the pitching. … What we have in player development is real.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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