The Buzz — Sunday, September 6

Kyle Schwarber

The take Schwarber's MLB-leading 41st HR powers Phillies back into the East race

The 41st home run traveled 435 feet to right at 108.7 mph off a Martín Pérez sinker, and it settles the argument — Schwarber leads the majors in home runs. The solo shot restored a three-run lead after Atlanta had closed the gap, and the 4-2 win pulled Philadelphia within four games of the Braves in the NL East.

Schwarber's season line — 41 home runs, 85 RBIs, .876 OPS in 136 games — is the engine pulling them back into a race that looked settled. He reached base four times in the game: two hits, two walks, two runs scored. The .240 average is the number skeptics hold; the 41 home runs and a club climbing in September are the answer.

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Hancel Rincon

The take Rookie debut hat tilt sparks umpire row, ejection, cross-team protest

The viral moment was a cap tilted left and an umpire who would not let it go — Eddings cited an unwritten rule, and Marmol's defense became his fourth ejection of 2026. What the clip skips: after the adjustment, Rincon allowed a triple, a wild pitch, an inside-the-park home run, and a single in his debut inning. Through two appearances: 47.25 ERA in 1.1 innings. The Cardinals won 7-6, and the next day both teams tilted caps in warmups while Eddings apologized. The solidarity was genuine; so was the 1.1 innings.

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Aaron Judge

The take Judge rehab close; debate over skipping a minor-league return

Three months off is not a slump you shake off with extra batting practice. Aaron Judge has not played since May 31 — a stress fracture in his right first rib, traced to a diving attempt April 26 in Houston, played through for more than a month before the IL.

He took on-field batting practice this weekend and said what everyone wanted: 'We're getting close.' His preference is to skip a minor-league rehab entirely — 'Why waste at-bats?' — but the checklist is not finished. He still needs to face live pitching 'a couple of times, at least, before I get back in a game.' Boone confirmed no decision has been made. The homestand starting Sept. 8 against Colorado is the window.

Here is what the preference undersells. Judge has been throwing 100 feet, shagging, running bases, advancing from tee to velocity — all linear, no setbacks. But live pitching is the last door, the one that tells you whether the rib holds when a full swing meets a real fastball. He feels great. The team has not decided, which means they are still deciding. The answer to 'why waste at-bats' is that a rehab game costs nothing and a re-injury costs the season.

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Shohei Ohtani

The take Ohtani out third straight; Dodgers weigh injured list stint

This is the first time Ohtani has missed three straight games since joining the Dodgers, and the reason is not one injury but a stack — left knee, right biceps, neck, hip tightness — none structural, all compounding. The result is in the bat: 7-for-51 (.137) with one home run over his last 13 games, a line that matches what the eye sees.

Roberts said an IL stint 'certainly should be on the table' if cage work does not feel right, and Ohtani took indoor swings Saturday with no discomfort. As a two-way player the minimum is 15 days, not 10 — a deterrent the club has to weigh against rest that already maxes the backdate. He has not pitched since July 3. The question now is whether rest fixes it or 15 is what it takes. Sunday's reassessment decides.

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Rafael Devers

The take Devers on a multi-homer tear carrying the Giants offense

The number that lands is .407 with a 1.148 slugging percentage over his last seven games — six home runs and 15 RBIs in 27 at-bats. On Saturday he hit two home runs against the Mets, bringing his season total to 35 — the most by a Giant since Barry Bonds hit 45 in 2004. In a recent six-game span he posted 6 home runs and 7 walks, joining Bonds and Willie Mays as the only Giants since 1900 to do it. This is not a hot week; it is a hitter who found something and is not letting go.

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