With all the recent talk about the contractual status of Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold Johnny Hekker Jersey , one key fact likely has gone overlooked: Josh McCown continues to be QB1 in New York.
“Josh is one, Teddy [Bridgewater] is two, Sam is three right now,” coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday. “That鈥檚 what I can tell you.”
As to the notion that McCown’s status puts him in better position to mentor the other quarterbacks on the roster, Bowles made it clear that McCown is wired to mentor, regardless of his status.
“He mentors the defensive line, he mentors the safeties Bill Bates Jersey , so I don鈥檛 understand what that means, but he helps everybody out,” Bowles said. “Josh is one and I don鈥檛 know what else to tell you. They have to beat him out.”
With Darnold missing several days of practice, he may not be able to quickly close the gap.
“The competition聽has been underway, it didn’t just start today, it started on Thursday when we reported for camp,” Bowles said. “[Darnold] has got some work to catch up and do so Jake Butt Jersey , throughout the course of preseason that will take care of itself and we’ll go from there.”
Some believe that Bowles would prefer to go with a veteran like McCown or Bridgewater, in the hopes of winning enough games to return for 2019, and that the front office would like to get Darnold on the field in an effort to prove that G.M. Mike Maccagnan picked the right guy for the long haul. There’s also a belief that the team would like to trade Bridgewater, a potential outcome that would likely hinge on a starter with another team suffering an injury.
A look at what’s happening around the majors today:
MIDSUMMER SKID
The Nationals open a series against Miami hoping to end a five-game skid and get back to .500. Washington fell to 42-43 with a loss to Boston on Wednesday, the first time the preseason NL East favorites have been under .500 this late in the year since being 60-61 on Aug. 21, 2015. The Nationals held a players’ only meeting after a 3-0 loss to the Red Sox highlighted by Adam Eaton’s throwing error and a wild pitch from Ryan Madson. Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 2.63) makes his second start since returning from the DL Troy Aikman Jersey , while Marlins righty Pablo Lopez (1-0, 3.00) makes his second MLB start.
NOT VERY VERLANDER
Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.12) tries to stop a personal slide when the Astros open a series against the White Sox. Verlander has allowed nine runs in 11 2/3 innings over his past two starts, taking losses to Toronto (four runs) and Tampa Bay (five runs). Verlander hasn’t allowed four or more earned runs in three straight starts since June 2014 while with Detroit. Carlos Rodon (1-3, 4.55) is up for Chicago.
CUETO’S BACK
Johnny Cueto is expected to be reinstated from the disabled list and pitch when the Giants open a four-game series against the Cardinals. Cueto was placed on the disabled list May 1 with inflammation in his right elbow. A few days later, he visited Dr. James Andrews, who diagnosed him with a strained elbow. Cueto is 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA in five starts this season. The Giants are 41-21 in his starts since he joined the team in 2016.
PITCHING IN
Angels rookie Jaime Barria will start against AL West-leading Seattle in place of Tyler Skaggs a day after the left-hander went on the DL with a thigh strain. Barria is making his 12th start of the season and has given up two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Lefty Marco Gonzales (8-5 Boomer Esiason Jersey , 3.77) makes his first start since pitching the first complete game of his career in a 4-1 win over Kansas City.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Joe Mauer needs one double to give him 415 in his career, which would break a tie with Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett for the Twins’ franchise record. Minnesota has lost six straight and returns home from a 1-8 trip to play Baltimore, which has the worst record in the majors at 24-61. More good news for the scuffling Twins: Two-time All-Star Ervin Santana (right middle finger surgery) is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance for Class A Fort Myers.
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