HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Defender John Tolkin transferred Thursday to Holstein Kiel of the German Bundesliga from Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.
The 22-year-old Tolkin made his MLS debut in 2021 and has seven goals and 12 assists in 114 MLS appearances, including 107 starts. Tolkin started all four U.S. matches at last year’s Paris Olympics, a tournament mostly limited to under-23 players.
He made his U.S. national team debut in 2023 and has four appearances, all in games when most of the primary player pool was absent. Tolkin left the American training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this week to finalize the transfer.
The national team does not appear to be deep at left back behind starter Antonee Robinson, with Sergiño Dest (when he comes back from a torn ACL) or Joe Scally probably the top No. 2 options. Tolkin is among possibilities that include George Bello, Sam Vines and Caleb Wiley.
Promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time, Holstein Kiel is 17th in the 18-team league with three wins, 12 losses and two draws, and in danger of regulation.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin (47) gets ball away from Orlando City midfielder Dagur Dan Þórhallsson, right, during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — It was only a matter of time before Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hit a grand slam.
But an inside-the-park shot, like the one Wood smashed in Tuesday’s 9-6 victory over the New York Mets?
“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Wood said. “That was a fun way to get it.”
Down 5-0, the Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning against Mets starter Nolan McLean. Wood hit a first-pitch sweeper to the opposite field, where it glanced off the leaping Nick Morabito’s arm and bounded into center.
“When I saw that, I kind of just knew it was a full-on sprint home,” the 23-year-old Wood said of his 53rd career home run. “That’s probably why my eyes got big.”
Center fielder Tyrone Taylor braced himself before running into the wall before looking at Morabito, who pointed to the carom before giving chase himself.
“He lost track of the baseball,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He went after and then he didn’t know where the ball was. That’s a tough break there.”
Wood scampered around the bases in 15.15 seconds and slid headfirst across the plate well ahead of the throw for his first career grand slam and 13th homer of the season.
It was the ninth inside-the-park grand slam in the majors since 1994. The previous one was hit by Toronto’s Raimel Tapia on July 22, 2022.
“When they get over the fence, obviously I think James enjoys that more so he doesn’t have to run as hard or as far,” first-year Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “But that was pretty cool. I think everyone was pretty fired up, talking some smack that he can’t hit it over the fence.”
The Nationals have two inside-the-park grand slams since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005. Michael A. Taylor hit the other Sept. 8, 2017, at home against Philadelphia.
Three of the four inside-the-park grand slams this century were hit at Nationals Park. Philadelphia’s Aaron Altherr connected for one at Washington on Sept. 25, 2015.
Now, Wood has joined that small club.
“It’s probably the biggest smile I’ve seen on his face since I’ve gotten to know him,” Butera said.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) watches Washington Nationals' James Wood head home on a inside-the-park grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals' James Wood hits an inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals' James Wood slides into home as New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens waits for the throw on an inside the park gland slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
