標籤: promote

New York Mets star prospects Carson Benz and AJ Ewing are set to be joined by one of the club’s top minor league outfielders this week.

Entering May, things were looking pretty grim for the Mets. They lost 12 in a row at one point in April and had one of the worst records in MLB. However, he started to show some life earlier this month and, to the delight of New York fans, has gained some real enthusiasm over the past two weeks.

They have won six of their last seven, including defeating two of the city rivals New York Yankees over the weekend and a blowout 16-7 win against the Washington Nationals on Monday, where they struck out 10 in 12 innings. Interestingly, both Ewing and Benz have played a role in the team’s improved play recently.

The youth are bringing life to the clubhouse and energy to the field. Well, it looks like the Mets’ decision-makers want to mine more of that power for the benefit of their big league roster. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, the team plans to promote stud outfield prospect Nick Morabito this week.

What can Nick Morabito bring to the NY Mets roster?

Morabito is ranked 11th in the Mets farm system on MLB.com and brings more versatility to the outfield as he can play all three positions. The righty was the 75th pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and has slowly progressed through his system over the past four years.

He made his Triple-A debut in 2026 and played well in his first 41 games. Posting a .253/.364/.390/.754 slashline with four homers, 17 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Although his bat does not have notable pop, he has shown good plate discipline and bat-on-ball skills at a young age. But his speed is his big calling card. Making Morabito a base-stealing threat at all times.

The Mets plan to designate outfielder Austin Slater for assignment, and Morabito will be brought in to replace him. He will get opportunities against lefties and as a pinch runner and defensive replacement option. The idea is to take a look at them and give them a taste of the big leagues before some of their injured veterans return over the next few weeks.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Brentford striker Igor Thiago has used his first Brazil call-up to underline how far his game has traveled in west LondonPointing to his club form repeatedly when discussing this breakthrough moment.

The 24-year-old arrives on international duty following an excellent Premier League campaign. His 19 league goals have pushed him into the Golden Boot conversation, behind only Erling Haaland.

That output has been the basis for his inclusion in friendlies against France and Croatia. It has also attracted the attention of big clubs such as newcastle, aston villa, tottenhamand recently Chelsea.

However, when talking Brazilian FA official channel Igor Thiago continues to bring the conversation back to Brentford after breaking into the national team squad – and what his performances there represent now.

The Brentford platform at the center of their rise

He explained that his club form is not always perfectly visible to fans in Brazil. That’s why he sees this call-up as an opportunity to bridge that gap.

“I think not everyone has the possibility to watch the Premier League or has time to watch Brentford play, but everyone will have time to watch our national team,” he explained.

“For me, it’s an opportunity to show my football, my grit and determination and get a little closer to my people.”

That comment says a lot about his role in Brentford’s development. The goals have been scored in England, but this is the platform where he can present that work to a wider audience.

He also linked his selection directly to what he has produced at club level: “Our national team is huge. I think that’s the kind of performance you have to perform to get here.”

“Being behind Haaland and chasing the top scorer award with him, a goalscoring machine, motivates me even more to show that I am ready for the opportunity.”

Emotional moment, but based on club reality

With that said, Igor Thiago did not hide how much the call-up meant to him on a personal level.

“Living here is the biggest dream of my life. It’s the biggest accomplishment of my life. It doesn’t even feel real.” He said.

“When I wake up tomorrow, will it be real? It’s a feeling I can’t describe – only people who live this moment and are here will know what I’m talking about.”

Still, he kept returning to the path that had led him here. He mentioned his journey Cruzeiro, who went through Ludogorets and Club Brugge before arriving at Brentford, highlighted how each move helped shape his mentality.

“I’ve been through a lot in my career. Every place taught me something. Today I feel more prepared, more mature.”

What does this mean for Brentford

This is the result Brentford would have hoped for when they backed him. Their goals now have international importance, and even Brazilian fans are excited by his form.

More importantly, Igor Thiago is presenting himself as a player adapted to the Brentford environment. His own words confirm that link.

This international window provides exposure, but the message is clear – the work that earned it has been done in West London.

🇧🇷💬Igor Thiago | Inspirational words from Brentford player

⭐️ “I lost my father very early. My mother worked alone. Many times we did not have clothes or food at home. There were frequent power cuts. It was a very difficult period.”https://t.co/ZfdjLyirp7 #BrentfordFC

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 7 January 2026

The Denver Nuggets are expected to get a key reinforcement ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, with guard Peyton Watson on track to return to the lineup after a lengthy absence.

Denver (43-28) hosts Portland (35-36) at 2:00 pm PT on NBA TV as the regular season enters a critical phase. The Nuggets currently hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings and are tied with the Houston Rockets (42-27) for fourth place, making each remaining game increasingly important for postseason positioning.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Watson is expected to return after missing more than six weeks with a hamstring injury.

“Denver’s Peyton Watson is expected to return Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing more than 6 weeks due to a hamstring strain. Watson has had a breakout year for the Nuggets, averaging career-highs 14.9 points, 30.7 minutes and 4.9 rebounds, along with 2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal per game,” sources told ESPN.

Watson, 23, has emerged as a major contributor during the 2025-26 season, producing career-bests across the board. Through 49 games, including 39 starts, he has averaged 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting an efficient 49.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range in 30.7 minutes per contest.

Peyton Watson’s return will boost Nuggets vs. Blazers at crucial juncture

His last appearance came on February 4 in a 134–127 double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks. In that game, Watson recorded 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block while shooting 4 of 13 from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the arc during 33 minutes.

Watson’s return provides a timely boost for a Denver team that is trying to solidify its position in the tightly contested Western Conference. His two-way versatility, perimeter defense and improved scoring efficiency have played a key role in the Nuggets’ success this season.

As Denver prepares to face a competitive Portland team that is still within reach of a postseason picture, Watson’s availability could prove vital in maintaining momentum and strengthening the team’s rotation heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

With the NBA now regularly hosting regular season games in cities such as Paris, London, Mexico City and Berlin, conversations about potential European leagues or expansion franchises internationally are gaining momentum. In particular, the NBA’s ongoing effort to bring regular season basketball to international territories may rely on Dyson Daniels and the Atlanta Hawks for support. Australian and inventive head coach Quin Snyder fully agrees, lobbying for more European and Austrian-based regular season games around the NBA All-Star break.

For Snyder, the initiative comes handy in an industry that has become increasingly global. The NBA’s efforts to strengthen ties with international markets is a positive development for all.

“I think (the NBA Europe project) is great,” Snyder told ClutchPoints. “The league is global and has players from all over the world. So playing in Europe, whether it’s in London, Paris or Berlin, there are games everywhere right now. You hear a lot about European players watching the NBA before they come here, and I think more and more American kids are exposed to basketball internationally.”

Snyder pointed to the long pipeline of European talent entering the league as evidence of basketball’s growing international roots, while influence flows in both directions.

“You usually see an increase during the World Cup or the Olympics,” Snyder said. “The more the game expands internationally, the better it is for everyone in the NBA. So, there are a lot of benefits from teams and players going out there. Whether it’s cultural benefits or raising awareness about other parts of this world that we live in.”

As decision-makers look to take advantage of the game’s global momentum, the increase in support reflects a growing sentiment among coaches and players that the league’s future success depends largely on its ability to think beyond the boundaries. For Snyder, the strategy is straightforward; The more the NBA invests overseas, the stronger the league will be domestically.