Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 136

College roundup: Otters to play for conference tournament title

LOS ANGELES — Late inning magic has Cal State Monterey Bay on the brink of adding another milestone to their resume.

The Otters rallied for four runs in the eighth inning Friday to knock off San Francisco State 7-6 — the second time in six days they have beaten their Northern California rivals — to advance to Saturday’s California Collegiate Athletic Association title game.

Having become the first baseball team in 52 years to win four straight CCAA regular season titles, the Otters are chasing their third straight tournament title.

“We have an experienced group that has been through tournament play, where we’ve had numerous comeback wins,” said CSUMB coach Walt White. “This group takes it as a challenge, and they never shied away from big moments.”

There are 28 seniors on the Otters roster that have been a part of the last two tournament titles.

The Otters, who scored nine runs over three innings on Thursday in a 12-9 win over Chico State, will see San Francisco State again — 14-8 winners over Chico State — on Saturday in the double-elimination tournament at Cal State, Los Angeles.

The Gators, whose program is shutting down after the season, would have to beat the Otters twice.

Last year CSUMB fell to San Francisco State in the second game of the tournament, then rallied to beat them twice to win the CCAA tournament championship.

A win Saturday could give the Otters (35-16) an opportunity to host the NCAA Division II West Regionals. Last week they defeated San Francisco State on the last day of the regular season to capture the conference title.

Starring at a 6-3 deficit in the eighth inning, Jimmy Garcia changed the complexion of the game with one swing, clearing the bases with a clutch two-out, three-run double to tie it.

“Jimmy brought the game back in our favor today,” said White, who has won over 400 games in his career at CSUMB.

Jacob Dressler followed with a single to drive in Garcia to break up the tie. White put the game into the hands of Monte Vista alum Aidan Lee, who tossed two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the save.

Lee, who brings a 97 mph fastball, allowed just one hit, while striking out two. Daniel Flores kept the game close for the Otters with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.

“Daniel was the key to the comeback,” White said. “He held San Francisco in check, enabling us to creep back into the game. Aidan was lights out.”

The first seven hitters in the Otters lineup all had at least one hit, with Cole Murchison collecting three, and Garcia and Dressler two apiece.

College softball

San Mateo 3, Hartnell 0: The Panthers are in a must win situation on Saturday after falling in the opener of a best-of-three series to host San Mateo in the second round of the 3C2A Northern Regional playoffs.

Hartnell, who upset higher seeded Sacramento City last week in the first round, mustered just three hits against its conference rivals in dropping its third straight game this spring to San Mateo.

The Panthers Charlee Hoover was matching zeroes in the circle through five innings with 24 game winner Nohemi Livingston before San Mateo touched the hurler for three runs in the sixth.

Hoover, Alexandra Lopez and Kalea De Leon all had hits for the Panthers, who will face San Mateo at noon on Saturday, with hopes of extending their season and forcing a second game later in the day.

Modesto 6, MPC 2: A five-run third inning was too big of a deficit for the Lobos to make up, falling in the first game of a best-of-three series to host Modesto in the second round of the 3C2A Northern Regional playoffs.

MPC (19-19) cut into the Modesto’s lead in the sixth inning with Celeste Camarena driving in two runs. Jordan Chiewpanich added two hits and scored a run. Johana Alonzo and Katarina Manuofetoa also had hits.

The Lobos advanced to the second round after stunning Sequoias with an extra inning win in the third and deciding game last week.

Judge pauses much of Trump administration’s massive downsizing of federal agencies

By JANIE HAR, Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration must halt much of its dramatic downsizing of the federal workforce, a California judge ordered Friday.

Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued the emergency order in a lawsuit filed by labor unions and cities last week, one of multiple legal challenges to Republican President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the size of a federal government he calls bloated and expensive.

“The Court holds the President likely must request Congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime,” Illston wrote in her order.

Related Articles Treasury secretary calls on Congress to raise or suspend the debt ceiling by mid-July How the military is dealing with Hegseth’s order to remove transgender troops US to accept white South African refugees while other programs remain paused 15 states sue over Trump’s move to fast-track oil and gas projects via his ‘energy emergency’ order Mayor Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, arrested at immigration detention center he has been protesting

The temporary restraining order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s workforce executive order signed in February and a subsequent memo issued by the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Personnel Management.

The order, which expires in 14 days, does not require departments to rehire people. Plaintiffs asked that the effective date of any agency action be postponed and that departments stop implementing or enforcing the executive order, including taking any further action.

They limited their request to departments where dismantlement is already underway or poised to be underway, including at the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which announced in March it will lay off 10,000 workers and centralize divisions.

Illston, who was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, said at a hearing Friday the president has authority to seek changes in the executive branch departments and agencies created by Congress.

“But he must do so in lawful ways,” she said. “He must do so with the cooperation of Congress, the Constitution is structured that way.”

Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead the charge through DOGE.

Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, left their jobs via deferred resignation programs or have been placed on leave as a result of Trump’s government-shrinking efforts. There is no official figure for the job cuts, but at least 75,000 federal employees took deferred resignation, and thousands of probationary workers have already been let go.

Lawyers for the government argued Friday that the executive order and memo calling for large-scale personnel reductions and reorganization plans provided only general principles that agencies should follow in exercising their own decision-making process.

“It expressly invites comments and proposals for legislative engagement as part of policies that those agencies wish to implement,” Eric Hamilton, a deputy assistant attorney general, said of the memo. “It is setting out guidance.”

But Danielle Leonard, an attorney for plaintiffs, said it was clear that the president, DOGE and OPM were making decisions outside of their authority and not inviting dialogue from agencies.

“They are not waiting for these planning documents” to go through long processes, she said. “They’re not asking for approval, and they’re not waiting for it.”

The temporary restraining order applies to departments including the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, Interior, State, Treasury and Veteran Affairs.

It also applies to the National Science Foundation, Small Business Association, Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.

Some of the labor unions and nonprofit groups are also plaintiffs in another lawsuit before a San Francisco judge challenging the mass firings of probationary workers. In that case, Judge William Alsup ordered the government in March to reinstate those workers, but the U.S. Supreme Court later blocked his order.

Plaintiffs include the cities of San Francisco, Chicago and Baltimore; labor group American Federation of Government Employees; and nonprofit groups Alliance for Retired Americans, Center for Taxpayer Rights and Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

SF Giants stifled by Paddack’s bid at perfect game

MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Paddack wasn’t quite perfect. But he was close enough.

Paddack flirted with a perfect game as the Giants lost to the Minnesota Twins, 3-1, on Friday night at Target Field, outdueling Jordan Hicks by limiting San Francisco’s offense to one run over 7 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.

“We just didn’t look crisp today, whether it was at the plate — or really anywhere,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Jordan pitched well enough to win us a game.”

Hicks worked around seven hits to deliver his first quality start since his season debut on March 31, allowing three earned runs over six innings with six strikeouts to no walks. Hicks’ ERA now sits at 5.82, but his 3.17 FIP (fielding independent pitching) suggests that he’s pitching better than the results indicate.

Matt Chapman accounted for the Giants’ only run against Paddack, lining a solo shot into the left-field bleachers in the seventh inning for his eighth home run of the season.

The Giants didn’t get their first baserunner of the evening until Christian Koss lined a single into right-center field with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. The Friday night crowd at Target Field groaned once Koss’ line drive found grass, then showered Paddack with applause for his efforts. Unfazed by the single, Paddack responded by getting Mike Yastrzemski to fly out and end the sixth inning.

“He was locating. Didn’t walk anybody. He was using all his pitches, probably used his slider a little bit more,” Melvin said of Paddack, who was 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA in seven starts entering Friday’s game. “He was locating with everything. He hadn’t pitched more than five innings this year, so a little disappointing on our end, but you got to give him credit.”

San Francisco nearly broke into the hit — and run — column much earlier.

On Paddack’s eighth pitch of the night, Willy Adames pulled a four-seam fastball down the left-field line. It cleared the wall by plenty of feet, and third base umpire Ramon De Jesus signaled that the ball was fair. Adames began jogging around the bases, but his trot soon slowed into a brisk walk. The call was overturned and Adames stepped back into the box, striking out two pitches later.

Related Articles ‘He’s anxious to get going’: SF Giants’ Bailey talks offensive struggles SF Giants’ Wilmer Flores on pace to do something Barry Bonds never did, and Harrison’s heater has returned SF Giants’ record in Ray starts remains perfect as Walker rebounds SF Giants score nine runs in 11th; Verlander still searching for first win SF Giants’ Adames discusses recent defensive struggles

For most of the night, Adames’ loud foul ball was the closest that the Giants got to putting a runner on base.

Paddack made quick work of San Francisco, filling up the strike zone and generating quick outs. He needed five pitches to retire the side in the second inning, and eight pitches to do so in the fifth inning. It should come as no surprise, then, that Paddack needed two pitches or fewer to record nine outs. Only one Giant — LaMonte Wade Jr., appropriately enough — worked a three-ball count against Paddack.

“We’re a group that rallies together in those middle innings and put stuff together,” Koss said. “A lot of early contact that was getting us out. It’s hard to string things together. We had a couple guys on. We had some action, but just run into a good guy every once in a while.”

Added Melvin: “We didn’t get too many good swings on it. Wasn’t our best effort today.”

The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Trevor Larnach’s RBI single, then doubled the advantage to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth on Carlos Correa’s RBI single. In the bottom of the fifth, Harrison Bader scored on a single when left fielder Heliot Ramos misplayed the ball, extending the advantage to 3-0. For Paddack and the bullpen, that run support was plenty.

Worth noting

Jerar Encarnacion (left hand fracture) could potentially start his rehab assignment on Saturday, Melvin said pregame. Melvin added that Casey Schmitt (left oblique strain) isn’t too far behind Encarnacion.Lou Trivino, who was designated for assignment on Monday, cleared waivers and elected free agency. Melvin said he was “surprised” that Trivino cleared waivers, adding he would “really be surprised if he didn’t get a job.”

Treasury secretary calls on Congress to raise or suspend the debt ceiling by mid-July

By FATIMA HUSSEIN and KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is on track to run out of money to pay its bills as early as August without congressional action, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Friday.

He is calling on Congress to either raise or suspend the debt ceiling by mid-July.

Related Articles Judge pauses much of Trump administration’s massive downsizing of federal agencies How the military is dealing with Hegseth’s order to remove transgender troops US to accept white South African refugees while other programs remain paused 15 states sue over Trump’s move to fast-track oil and gas projects via his ‘energy emergency’ order Mayor Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, arrested at immigration detention center he has been protesting

“A failure to suspend or increase the debt limit would wreak havoc on our financial system and diminish America’s security and global leadership position,” Bessent wrote in the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson. “Prior episodes have shown that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can have serious adverse consequences for financial markets, businesses and the federal government.”

Earlier this week, Bessent twice testified in front of congressional committees that the Treasury’s debt ceiling is “on the warning track.”

After the debt limit was reinstated in January, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen — in one of her last acts in the position — said the agency would institute “extraordinary measures” intended to prevent the U.S. from reaching the debt ceiling.

Since then, the Treasury Department has stopped paying into certain accounts, including a slew of federal worker pension and disability funds, to make up for the shortfall in money. Bessent has continued to notify Congress about the use of extraordinary measures in an effort to prevent a breach of the debt ceiling. In his latest letter, Bessent attributed the August deadline, known as the “X-date,” in part to receipts from the latest tax filing season.

A Bipartisan Policy Center analysis released in March estimated that the U.S. could run out of cash by mid-July if Congress did not raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit.

President Donald Trump had previously demanded that a provision raising or suspending the debt limit — something his own Republican Party routinely resists — be included in legislation to avert the last potential government shutdown under his Democratic predecessor, President joe Biden.

“Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement in December. That deal did not ultimately address the debt limit.

The letter to Johnson comes as Republicans consider a massive tax cut and border security package that includes an increase in the debt limit. Bessent’s request could give GOP lawmakers greater incentive to reach an agreement.

‘He’s anxious to get going’: SF Giants’ Bailey talks offensive struggles

MINNEAPOLIS — Patrick Bailey remains one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. He’s at the top of the leaderboards in most defensive metrics, and he’s on his way to earning a second consecutive Gold Glove Award.

His offense so far, though, has been subpar.

Over 33 games, the switch-hitting Bailey has a slash line of .194/.234/.276 with no home runs. He enters Minneapolis with a four-game hitting streak, but is currently 52 percent worse than a league-average hitter, per OPS+. While Bailey’s primary responsibility is to lead the pitching staff, the Giants hope the 25-year-old returns to being a two-way force.

“I know he’s anxious to get going,” said hitting coach Pat Burrell. “I think he’s in a pretty good spot right now, so we’ll just keep monitoring. He’s definitely getting his work in. It’s hard enough to manage one side of it, but with switch hitters, it’s always a little more challenging. … I don’t think there’s anything more to it.”

Bailey’s offensive struggles are not a recent development. Since the second half of last season, Bailey has a .461 OPS over 291 plate appearances — the lowest mark among all players with at least 250 plate appearances. The lack of offense is especially odd since Bailey has had extended periods of being an above-average hitter.

In the first half of last season, Bailey posted a .283 batting average, .784 OPS, seven homers and 31 RBIs. By WAR, as calculated by FanGraphs, he was the most valuable catcher in baseball at the break despite missing time with a concussion. In the second half, by contrast, Bailey had a .434 OPS with one home run — a slump he attributed to his swing, not conditioning.

“We’re winning ballgames, and I’m doing what I can to try to help the team win,” Bailey said. “Just trying to stay consistent behind the plate and keep managing the pitching staff, then putting the work in before the games offensively to try to get where I want to get.”

A few things stick out in Bailey’s offensive profile. For one, he’s chasing considerably more often.

In ‘24, Bailey had a chase rate of 25.1 percent (72nd percentile). In ‘25, Bailey’s chase rate is 29.4 percent (37th percentile). His whiff rate has also jumped from 23.4 percent last season to 36.1 percent this season. It should come as no surprise, then, that Bailey is walking less and striking out more.

“The hardest thing to do is try to relax when you’re not performing — that’s the name of this game. Everybody goes through it. No one’s immune to it. We’ve seen that with a number of guys,” Burrell said. “To the point about Patty chasing, he’s a guy that can walk. He has a very good idea of what he’s doing up there. He understands how they’re pitching him. I think more than anything, it’s just about him getting comfortable.”

Added manager Bob Melvin: “He tends to walk and get into deeper counts. He’s maybe swinging a little too early right now.”

Bailey’s batted-ball profile is also vastly different this season compared to last season. Here’s Bailey’s year-to-year distribution of ground balls, fly balls and line drives:

Groundballs: 41.1% → 28.8%

Line Drives: 30.7% → 16.7%

Fly Balls: 24.9% → 50.0%

“Ground balls typically don’t play, but fly balls can hurt as well,” Bailey said. “Just trying to hit more line drives.”

Opposing pitchers are also avoiding Bailey’s sweet spots. As a left-handed hitter, Bailey feasts on pitches high in the strike zone, particularly high-and-inside. As a right-handed hitter, Bailey does his damage on inside pitches. This season, pitchers are staying away from where Bailey has had success.

Amidst this cold spell, Bailey has not made any significant mechanical changes. Bailey is deeper in the batter’s box compared to last season, but Bailey said that change is not intentional.

The graphics on the left show the location of the pitches that Patrick Bailey has seen this season from both sides of the plate. The graphics on the right show Bailey’s career batting average in specific areas of the strike zone. (Graphics per Baseball Savant)

“He’s not the only guy (struggling),” Melvin said. “So, sometimes, you put a little pressure on yourself when you don’t get off to a hot start. Last couple years, he’s gotten off to great starts and it’s been the second half that he’s fallen off offensively. It’s just a matter of time for him.”

That time could be soon approaching.

During his current four-game hitting streak, Bailey is 6-for-14 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. He collected two RBIs in two plate appearances during the Giants’ nine-run 11th inning on Tuesday, driving in the go-ahead run with a single, then bringing home the ninth and final run with a sacrifice fly. It’s an incredibly small sample size — so small that his slump cannot be considered busted — but no step in the right direction is too minute.

Related Articles SF Giants stifled by Paddack’s bid at perfect game SF Giants’ Wilmer Flores on pace to do something Barry Bonds never did, and Harrison’s heater has returned SF Giants’ record in Ray starts remains perfect as Walker rebounds SF Giants score nine runs in 11th; Verlander still searching for first win SF Giants’ Adames discusses recent defensive struggles

San Francisco’s colder bats have started to find life in recent days. Willy Adames owns a slash line of .306/.432/.639 with three homers over his last 10 games. LaMonte Wade Jr. had a .461 OPS over his first 23 games but a .658 OPS over his last 10 games — still below average but considerably better quality.

Bailey has had stretches where he’s been one of the best hitters in San Francisco’s lineup while playing baseball’s most taxing position. The coming days will determine whether he can return to that form.

“There will be a time when he carries us just like there was last year,” Burrell said.

49ers rookie camp: Top pick Mykel Williams grooving, Alfred Collins watching

SANTA CLARA – No. 98 crouched low into his pass-rush stance, dug his fingertips into his new home’s pristine grass, then grunted as he blasted toward the tackling dummies.

One such “dummy” was a pad-protected staff member who got decleated and upended.

Friday marked defensive end Mykel Williams’ first practice in a 49ers’ uniform, albeit a rookie minicamp featuring more guys trying out (30) than those signed or drafted (21).

Robert Saleh, in his first practice back as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, quietly observed with a look of approval a few yards behind Williams. By virtue of Williams’ pedigree as the No. 11 overall draft pick, he indeed looked like the best player on the field, and he looked comfortable with that stature while casually grooving to the DJ’s music.

Williams is the key element to the 49ers’ overhauled defensive line, and that unit changed even more on Friday when 2022 top pick Drake Jackson got waived with a failed physical designation. Williams hasn’t played since tearing a patellar tendon midway through the 2023 season.

San Francisco 49ers’ Mykel Williams (98) trains during a practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

While the defensive line worked on its own in Friday’s hour-long drills, second-round draft pick Alfred Collins was strictly an observer due to an apparent calf issue, though he did engage and support his new teammates. “I’m going to be alright,” Collins said Thursday about his health.

Fellow defensive tackle C.J. West worked into the mix with his compact frame (6-foot-1, 315 pounds). That rookie trio of Williams, Collins and West arrived among the 49ers’ first five draft picks two weeks ago, so this minicamp was their first exposure not only to the 49ers’ drills but also their first taste of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s high-octane vocal commands.

“No expectations right now. They’ve got a long way to go with regards to understanding what we do,” Saleh said. “One, the standard at which we play, and the style of ball that we expect them to play. And then on top of that, you’ve got the scheme and understanding all the nuance that we’re going to ask out of them.”

INSIDE TANDEM

West (fourth round) had no trouble spotting Collins (second round) upon arriving Thursday at San Jose’s Mineta International Airport. “It’s kind of hard to miss him. He’s huge,” West said of Collins (6-foot-5, 332 pounds).  “I recognized him right away and said, ‘That’s my new teammate so I’ve got to make a bond and do everything I can so we can succeed.’ ”

Collins, in turn, spotted West – “He stands out, too” – and envisioned them forming a top-notch tandem. “He’s ready to work, ready to be one of the greats. I can’t wait to work with him,” Collins said. “I’m going to work. Looks like he’s going to work. I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Collins, who boasts an uncanny resemblance to cousin and former 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown, wants to prove himself as versatile as long-time NFL veteran Calais Campbell. “I like how he plays everywhere on the field and how he attacks his work to be great,” Collins added.

GOLD JACKET GOAL

Junior Bergen’s dream scenario for his career extends far beyond just making the 49ers as a return specialist out of Montana. “I want to be in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame. That’s been my goal since I was a kid, no matter where that’s at on the field,” Bergen said. “My dad, when we were working out when I was younger, we were always talking about gold jackets. That’s what I’m going to work to and try to get there.”

Bergen rounded out the 49ers’ 11-man draft class as a potential punt returner drafted No. 252 overall, which is 11 spots higher than Brock Purdy’s slot in 2022, to which Bergen said: “There’ve been plenty of guys in the league who’ve created their own niche. One is a starting quarterback for us. It’s possible for anybody.”

LINEBACKER’S COVER

Don’t let Nick Martin’s affinity for wearing fluffy animal-themed slippers fool you into thinking he’s a softy at linebacker. More symbolic may be the dagger tattoo on his left forearm. “When I put on that helmet in the equipment room, I got chills and I was ready to go, but in due time,” said Martin, who hasn’t been able to tackle anyone since a knee injury last Sept. 28.

Martin regaled reporters with how he grew up boxing his three older brothers, one of whom stands 6-foot-5 while the others check in closer to his height of 5-11.

Martin’s battle now is to replicate Dre Greenlaw’s ability to pair with Fred Warner. “They’re always looking to punish the guy with the ball. I appreciate that about their game and how they play together. It’s real cool to see,” Martin said. “You play the game with that reckless abandon and that controlled aggression. You play for the guy next to you. That was all over the field the way they played.”

At rookie minicamp, the linebackers auditioning might have the best opportunity to win a job and fill a depleted unit, those being Tristan Sinclair (Stanford), Michael Moore (Alabama-Birmingham) and Ty Frenh (West Virginia).

San Francisco 49ers’ Upton Stout (20) trains during practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

TRADEMARK TIME?

Arguably no draft pick ever has been more vocal about getting his career started than cornerback Upton Stout, who repeatedly hollered “Let’s Do It, Coach!” to the 49ers’ brass in his draft-day phone call. Stout is too busy studying film and the playbook to go out and trademark this coming season’s catchphrase. “Nah, nah. It was just something I said during that time. It wasn’t a phrase,” Stout said. “I was just excited to get to work. In the future, once I handle things, maybe that will be in play.”

IOWA INSPIRATION

Offensive lineman Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick and No. 249 overall, shared how his alma mater Iowa views George Kittle’s legacy there: “Coach (Kirk) Ferentz always talks about successful stories like his, just a later-round draft pick (2017 fifth round) and turning it into what he is now. There’s a lot of guys in Iowa’s history that have done that.” Kittle, however, might be Iowa’s best late-round product as he’s become the 49ers’ most prolific tight end over eight seasons, although Merton Hanks was a 1991 fifth-round pick and four-time Pro Bowler who started on the 49ers’ most recent Super Bowl-winning team in 1994.

San Francisco 49ers’ Isaiah Neyor (14) runs during practice at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

DEEP THREAT

Isaiah Neyor, one of six undrafted free agents the 49ers’ signed last week, appears to be the leading candidate to run deep routes the next few months. After treating a lower-leg issue early in Friday’s session, he made a downfield grab along the sideline, a route similar to those Danny Gray used to run in his short tenure. Neyor said he grew up trying to emulate Dez Bryant.Related Articles 49ers unload 2022 top draft pick Drake Jackson, add three veterans 49ers kicker Jake Moody has support of new boss but still must win job New coordinator Klay Kubiak sizes up 49ers’ McCaffrey, Purdy, wide receivers 49ers’ Robert Saleh excited for encore, empathetic about team’s 2024 woes Can Junior Bergen fix the 49ers’ longstanding punt return problems?

SAFETY SITUATION

While Malik Mustapha recovers from a second ACL repair in January, all safeties deserve extra scrutiny besides fifth-rounder Marques Sigle. Jack Howell, an undrafted rookie from Colorado State, intercepted Tanner Mordecai on a 20-yard throw Friday.

O-LINE ADDITIONS

The 49ers’ transactions Friday included the addition of veteran offensive linemen Andre Dillard and Nicholas Petit-Frere, as well as cornerback Dallis Flowers. Dillard was a 2019 first-round pick and has started 19 of the 69 games he’s played with the Eagles (2019-22), Titans (2023) and Packers (2024). Petit-Frere was a 2018 Ohio State teammate of Nick Bosa’s before playing the past three years with the  Titans (2022-24). Also waived Friday were offensive lineman Jalen McKenzie and cornerback Tre Tomlinson (injured).

How the military is dealing with Hegseth’s order to remove transgender troops

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The military services scrambled Friday to nail down details and put together new guidance to start removing transgender troops from the force.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a memo released late Thursday, reinstated orders issued earlier this year that said “expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.”

His new order gives active duty troops until June 6 to identify themselves as transgender and voluntarily begin to leave the service. National Guard and Reserve troops have until July 7.

Army Maj. Alivia Stehlik, who served in the infantry and is now a physical therapist, will be eligible to retire in three years but doesn’t want to be forced out for being a transgender service member.

“I still have a job to do,” she said. “My command expects me to show up and be an officer and do my job because I’m the only person at my unit who can do what I do.”

The military services were rushing to put out new guidance to help commanders work through the process, including what to do in more complex situations, such as if any of the troops are deployed, at sea or may require special orders or funding to meet the deadlines.

Here’s a look at the issue and what happens next:

What is going on with banning transgender troops?

In 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter broached the idea of lifting the ban on transgender troops and allowing them to serve openly, which raised concerns among military leaders. He set up a study, and in June 2016 announced the ban was over.

Reinstating that ban has long been a goal for President Donald Trump.

Six months into his first term, Trump announced he was not going to allow transgender people to serve in the military “in any capacity.” That set off a roughly two-year struggle to hammer out the complex details of how that would work, even as legal challenges poured in.

The Pentagon eventually laid out a policy that allowed those currently serving to stay and continue with plans for hormone treatments and gender transition if they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. But it barred new enlistments of anyone with gender dysphoria who was taking hormones or had transitioned to another gender.

Gender dysphoria occurs when a person’s biological sex does not match up with their gender identity.

That ban was overturned by then-President Joe Biden. When Trump took office again this year, he directed Hegseth to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender troops.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives for a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In late February, Pentagon leaders ordered the services to set up procedures to identify troops diagnosed with or being treated for gender dysphoria by March 26. And it gave them 30 days to begin removing those troops from service.

A flurry of lawsuits stalled the ban. But on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the administration could enforce the ban, while other legal challenges proceed.

How many transgender troops are there?

There are about 2.1 million active duty, Guard and Reserve troops.

According to the Defense Department, about 1,000 service members have voluntarily identified themselves as transgender and will now begin the process of leaving the military.

Defense officials say troops began to self-identify after the February order, going to their commanders and filing out forms. That process stopped in late March due to the lawsuits, but officials said Friday they were dusting off those files and figuring out how to proceed.

Related Articles Judge pauses much of Trump administration’s massive downsizing of federal agencies Treasury secretary calls on Congress to raise or suspend the debt ceiling by mid-July US to accept white South African refugees while other programs remain paused 15 states sue over Trump’s move to fast-track oil and gas projects via his ‘energy emergency’ order Mayor Baraka of Newark, New Jersey, arrested at immigration detention center he has been protesting

Still, exactly how many troops may be affected is complicated, and the military services are grappling with how to identify and remove them all.

Defense officials have said that 4,240 troops currently serving in active duty, the National Guard and Reserve have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria And they contend that, as of late last year, about 3,200 service members had received gender-affirming hormone therapy from 2015 to 2024, and about 1,000 received gender-affirming surgery.

Previously, however, estimates of transgender troops have hovered between 9,000 and 12,000. And they could range from people who haven’t been officially diagnosed or aren’t taking medication to those who are taking medication, have undergone surgery or are in the process of transitioning to their preferred gender.

In March 2018, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis released a memo with unprecedented details on the data. It said, at that time, there were 8,980 service members who identified themselves as transgender and 937 had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Is military separation voluntary or not?

Hegseth’s latest memo sets up two distinct processes, but the details remained a bit uncertain.

Service members who voluntarily identify themselves to commanders would likely be able to receive some type of separation pay, which could include cashing out leave time that hasn’t been used or bonuses that haven’t yet been paid.

After June 6, the department will go through medical records to find any other troops who have been diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria and force them to leave the service. Those troops may not qualify for some of that additional pay.

The Pentagon policy, as written earlier this year, would allow for limited exemptions.

That includes transgender personnel seeking to enlist who can prove on a case-by-case basis that they directly support warfighting activities, or if an existing service member diagnosed with gender dysphoria can prove they support a specific warfighting need, never transitioned to the gender they identify with and proves over 36 months they are stable in their biological sex “without clinically significant distress.”

If a waiver is issued, the applicant would still face a situation where only their biological sex was recognized for bathroom facilities, sleeping quarters and even in official recognition, such as being called “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

What will it mean?

Over the years, transgender troops have been serving effectively in all of the services, according to military leaders, who told Congress they were not seeing any problems. They have ranged from rank-and-file enlisted members to elite special operations forces.

The troops and activist groups argue that removing transgender service members also hurts their units and military readiness more broadly.

Stehlik, who has been in the military since she went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2004, transitioned in 2017, while serving in the Army. She said that for her and others who haven’t hit their 20-year retirement milestone, being kicked out would mean a major loss of benefits, including a pension and health insurance.

Sarah Klimm, a transgender Marine who served for 23 years, retired just as the end of the ban was announced in 2016, so was never able to serve openly.

Now a policy analyst for Minority Veterans of America, she said that in the past nine years, there haven’t been any of the unit cohesion problems that some feared.

Klimm said ousting members is going to hurt military readiness. “Senior enlisted side and senior officer ranks — that’s a lot of time and money put into them,” she said. “You don’t just backfill it.”

Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

New coordinator Klay Kubiak sizes up 49ers’ McCaffrey, Purdy, wide receivers

SANTA CLARA — Klay Kubiak says “not much” has changed with his promotion to 49ers offensive coordinator from pass-game specialist this season.

However, by taking on that title, he’ll speak weekly this season about an offense that remains under coach Kyle Shanahan’s control. just as he did Thursday on the eve of the 49ers’ rookie camp.

“Some things naturally change when you get a new title,” Kubiak said. “But for the most part I’ll be doing the same work: putting game plans together and getting our guys ready to play.”

He’s done “coordinator-esque” work the past couple years, and that included play-calling duties in the preseason and regular-season finale, the first two times Shanahan delegated that job in his eight years leading the 49ers.

Three weeks into the voluntary offseason program, Kubiak shared insights Thursday on three key aspects of the offense:

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News GroupSan Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) leaves the field following their 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

McCAFFREY’S IMPORTANCE

Running back Christian McCaffrey is looking spry after injuries kept him out of all but four games last season.

“You guys saw in 2023 how important he is to what we want to be as an offense. He’s an elite player and we’re going to do everything we can to get him the ball as much as we can,” Kubiak said. “… We’re going to hand him the ball, we’re going to throw him the ball. How he changes defenses when he’s on the field, for how they have to play us in certain coverages, in putting more guys in the box to stop the run, it has an effect on the opponent.”

After playing 81 percent of the snaps en route to 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, McCaffrey missed the first two months last season with Achilles tendinitis, then a knee injury sidelined him the final five games.

Added Kubiak: “Christian is a guy who’s really hard to take off the field for a lot of reasons: One, because he’s a great player, but, two, because he does not want to come out. Sometimes it’s a battle. You have to be aware of it. Sometimes you have to pull him off the field every now and then. But that’s what makes him a great player: He’s so competitive and he wants to be out there. It’s on us as coaches to do our best to balance that out.”

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News GroupSan Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) looks to throw against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

QUARTERBACK OUTLOOK 

Brock Purdy continues to take ownership of the offense, albeit he’s now having to block out ongoing contract negotiations.

“Brock’s had almost 2 ½ seasons of tape where he can look at his cutups and look at his games over that time to study himself, to see where he’s gotten better, where he needs to continue to get better,” Kubiak said. “He’s a great student of himself. He wants to study himself. He wants to see where he can improve. He wants to be told the truth about what we think about how he can improve. He’s had a great offseason so far. It’s kind of what we expect from Brock.”

Kubiak joined the 49ers’ staff in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach, and he recalls how the organization looked favorably back then on Mac Jones, who was passed over with the No. 3 overall pick in favor of Trey Lance but now joins the team as Purdy’s backup.

“Mac’s a really good thrower, he stands in the pocket, he’s a strong guy, he’s really smart. He has a lot of traits we like for a starting quarterback,” Kubiak said. “His career has kind of gone up and down the past couple of years, but we saw the same things in Jacksonville that we loved about him as a college prospect and that really excites us.”

Although Tanner Mordecai is in line to move from the practice squad to the QB3 role, this offseason’s other quarterback addition is seventh-round pick Kurtis Rourke, of whom Kubiak said: “The physical tools, the toughness, the leadership – he’s a winner, and we think we got a really good player.”

San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (14) is congratulated on a catch by San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

WIDE RECEIVER ROOM

While veteran Demarcus Robinson and fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins join the wide receiver mix, Kubiak doled out compliments for the leading incumbents.

Kubiak offered no timeline on Aiyuk’s return from knee reconstruction but did say: “He’s doing everything he can do to give himself a chance to get back on the field. I know when we get back for (training) camp, he’s going to be working every day and busting his butt to get ready to go.”

Related Articles 49ers’ Robert Saleh excited for encore, empathetic about team’s 2024 woes Can Junior Bergen fix the 49ers’ longstanding punt return problems? 49ers’ Lynch provides update on ‘positive’ Purdy talks, how draft could have detoured Why the 49ers used a seventh-round draft pick on Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke 49ers’ trio of rookie defensive linemen prepare for their meet-and-greet

On Jauan Jennings, last year’s leading wide receiver: “You ask Jauan and he says, ‘I’m No. 1.’ That’s his mindset and why we love Jauan. That’s how he sees himself. He sees himself as a dominant player. You all saw last year that when he got more chances, he played really well. I’m really fired up about Jauan.”

On Ricky Pearsall, whose rookie season was delayed by a gunshot wound through his chest: “I think Ricky sees himself as a starter. He wants to be a starting receiver. Whether B.A. is out there or not, Ricky has that same expectation of himself. We wouldn’t want it any other way. That’s how he saw himself last year and that’s just how he is naturally.”

On Jacob Cowing, whose rookie season was mostly confined to punt return duties: “We’ll get Jake as much involved as he shows his growth and development, what kind of camp he’s had. Jake has done an outstanding job showing up to our offseason in great shape and getting better. …  He’s given himself a chance to get to camp and compete and to really contribute on offense.”

Horoscopes May 9, 2025: Candice Bergen, trust your instincts

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Steve Yzerman, 60; John Corbett, 64; Billy Joel, 76; Candice Bergen, 79.

Happy Birthday: Plan every move, rely on yourself and take care of documents, deadlines and expiration dates personally to avoid penalties. By playing it safe, you will gain respect and growing demand from those who can benefit from your skills and experience. Trust your instincts and refuse to let anyone stand in your way or take over. Step into the spotlight, become the frontrunner and maximize what you’ve got. Your numbers are 8, 14, 20, 28, 33, 39, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make a difference. The opportunities that evolve from helping others will encourage positive change and potential profits. Energetic social events and activities will allow you to display your attributes, concerns and plans. New connections will help magnify your vision. Speak from the heart and display your feelings to someone you love. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Patience is necessary to advance. Put your energy into completing what you start. Arguing wastes time when action will speak volumes about what you can achieve. A raise, promotion or investment opportunity is apparent. Socializing will offer time to wind down, relax and celebrate accomplishments. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Search for opportunities, and you will find something interesting. Conversations at social and networking events will offer a glimmer of hope that you can invest something you are good at and enjoy doing into an already lucrative industry. Rush to get your foot in the door and make things happen. Romance is favored. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotions will surface over domestic differences if you aren’t willing to compromise. Consider the consequences and what you can do to keep the peace. Rethink how you handle your money, and you’ll discover a way to lower your overhead. Discipline will help you reach your goal and squelch uncertainty. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Confront matters that concern you. Discuss your thoughts with someone who can shed some light regarding options, costs and outcomes. A physical makeover will boost your confidence and encourage you to participate in events that encourage mingling and meeting interesting people. Listen to new ideas, but don’t sign up for something without thoroughly investigating the possibilities. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Changing your surroundings, environment or attitude will help you see situations and people through a unique lens. Accept an invite to reunite with people you lost touch with over the years, and the experience will give you an unanticipated boost. Trust your instincts, ask questions and don’t believe everything you hear. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Tune in to what those close to you are going through. Observing, making suggestions and showing interest will bring you closer together and help you recognize a skill you have that you can incorporate into your work to help you excel. Opportunity will come through communication and connecting with someone special. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the path that leads to a better you. Choose to activate your powers and utilize your strengths to ensure you come out better than before. Dedicate more time to looking and feeling your best. Pursue someone or something that actively makes you happy. Challenge yourself and embrace competition wholeheartedly. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick close to home. Fix up your space, find ways to lower your overhead and run your life more efficiently. Consider your financial situation and who you are bound to monetarily, and you’ll discover how to even out any imbalance you might have. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Observation will help you recognize and understand a situation under scrutiny. Offering transparency will help eliminate any barriers and encourage talks. Compromise will show you are willing to meet halfway and encourage whoever you are dealing with to do the same. A change of attitude will offer hope and new beginnings. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A competitive situation will build enthusiasm, get you in gear and prepare you to outperform anyone who challenges you. A bet, investment or joint venture is apparent and shows the possibility of financial gain. Be tight-lipped until you have the cash in hand to avoid outsider influences wanting to take advantage of your good fortune. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Search for cheaper ways to get what you want. Overspending or letting someone talk you into something you don’t need will put you in a difficult position. Set a budget, stick to it and dismiss anyone trying to exploit you. Take control and call the shots, and you’ll come out ahead. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are hardworking, ambitious and innovative. You are outgoing and entertaining.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

Warriors’ Draymond Green vents about being stereotyped after another technical foul

Draymond Green received another technical foul Thursday night and, after the Warriors’ 117-93 loss to the Timberwolves evened their Western Conference semifinals series at a game apiece, suggested there was a smear campaign against him.

“The agenda to continue to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous,” Green told reporters in the locker room in his only comments following the Game 2 loss that featured him picking up his fifth tech of the postseason.

Two more would earn Green a one-game suspension. He also has two flagrant fouls and is two away from those resulting in the same punishment.

“He’s gonna have to be careful now,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s gonna have to stay composed. Obviously, we need him. I’m confident that he will because he knows the circumstances.”

A potent mix of athleticism, basketball IQ and emotion, Green has proudly described himself as a “habitual line stepper,” and Kerr acknowledged after the latest incident, “That’s part of Draymond.” He runs their offense and their defense and sometimes runs a little hot, too.

“Same thing that makes him such a competitor and a winner puts him over the top sometimes. We know that,” Kerr said. “It’s our job to try to help him stay poised, stay composed. But it’s a competition, and it’s so meaningful to him that occasionally he goes over the line.”

So incensed was Green midway through the second quarter Thursday that Kerr said he felt the need to sub him out and let him cool down. At one point, the injured Stephen Curry appeared to try to calm him. But it wasn’t his temper that Tony Brothers teed him up for. Green fumed and continued to plead his case after Brothers announced the outcome of the video review that determined he committed a “hostile act” when he swung his arms and hit Naz Reid after being fouled on the perimeter.

Reid was whistled for a common foul when he reached around with his right arm, attempting to steal the ball. Green then flailed his arms upward — a similar motion to the one that earned him another technical in the first round against the Rockets and that he has displayed in the past — and Reid fell to the floor, holding his face.

“It’s just a habit he has,” Kerr said. “When somebody fouls him, he’s smart. I think Reid reached, and on the reach Draymond kind of swiped through and drew the foul. But he does have a habit of sort of flailing his arm to try to make sure the ref sees it. He made contact and that’s what led to the tech.”

Green spent the next six minutes on the bench and eventually finished with nine points, five assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes.

Jimmy Butler III heard what Green said in the locker room and was asked if he also believed Green’s reputation was playing a role.

Related Articles New South Bay co-op plants seeds of empowerment for female farmworkers Warriors sputter without Steph Curry, drop Game 2 vs. Timberwolves Anthony Edwards returns to Warriors-Timberwolves Game 2 after ankle injury Warriors’ Steph Curry shares details about hamstring injury: ‘I’ve never dealt with this before’ Steph Curry injury history: How the Warriors have fared in the playoffs without their MVP

“I’m in agreeance,” Butler said. “It’s not like he’s doing it on purpose. He’s trying to sell a call or something like that. Somebody just got hit. … It’s crazy. Every time he does something, it ends up being a review.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Green’s actions earned him a postseason suspension. He picked up four flagrant “points” (one for a level-one foul, two for a level-two) in 2016 that forced him to miss Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He also sat out a game against the Kings in 2023 after stepping on Domantas Sabonis.

Green held himself accountable for letting his emotions get the best of him during their loss in Game 6 last series and turned in a masterful defensive performance the following game to advance. Green promised his teammates after Game 6 that he wouldn’t let it happen again, and it will he will have to show similar restraint the rest of the Warriors’ playoff run, however far they go.

“He knows he got five. He knows how much we need him now more than ever,” Butler said. “So I don’t think he gets to seven.”