Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY TODD D. BURLAGE A t first glance, Tampa Bay starting pitcher and former Fighting Irish flamethrower Joe Boyle seems to have all the physical tools and natural talent for a long and prosperous MLB career. The 2020 fifth-round draft pick stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 250 pounds. His repertoire of pitches includes a 100-miles-per-hour fastball and a nasty assortment of off-speed offerings. His nerves are steady, and his baseball IQ and willingness to learn also run high. But with only a 6-10 record and a 4.98 ERA during his first three MLB seasons from 2023-25, the 26-year-old Boyle has yet to find the consistency to match his physical gifts. However, this season, his second in Tampa Bay, could be different. A regular in the Rays' starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, Boyle — who pitched at Notre Dame from 2018-20 — recorded neither a win nor a loss in his first two starts through April 3. But he pitched well in both games, allowing 7 hits and 4 earned runs in 11⅓ innings with 13 strikeouts, only 3 walks and a solid 3.18 ERA. Two starts do not a season make, but the O'Fallon, Mo., native insists that a small attitude adjustment this offsea- son is already making a big difference. "Just kind of getting out of my own way. That's kind of been my thing re- cently, just getting out of my own way," Boyle told the Tampa Bay Times. "Just letting myself throw the way I'm going to throw. I think if you feel good, it's easier to just be more consistent." With several former Notre Dame players cut or sent to the minors dur- ing spring training, Boyle and Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling are the only two Fighting Irish to open the 2026 season on an MLB roster. A versatile defender who can play third base, first base, or any of the three outfield positions, Vierling — who played at Notre Dame from 2016-18 — appeared in three of the Tigers' first seven regular-season games and col- lected 1 hit in 8 at-bats after shining during spring training. In 48 at-bats during 17 exhibition games during training camp, Vierling batted .291 with 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 10 RBI. Having Vierling healthy and productive will be a welcome benefit for Detroit after a rotator cuff injury limited the St. Louis native to only 31 games last season. So what's the secret to getting and staying healthy? "Just throwing a ton, that was the big- gest thing," Vierling, 29, told MLB.com. "Just throwing so much that my arm is ready for this and conditioned for it. And throwing-wise, my shoulder feels great." COMINGS AND GOINGS Three well-known former Irish players were sent to the minor leagues before the 2026 MLB regular season began. Years at Notre Dame are in parentheses. • Infielder Cavan Biggio (2014-16) signed a minor league deal in February with the Houston Astros organization where his father Craig Biggio played and became a Hall of Fame inductee. • Outfielder Trey Mancini (2011-13) signed with the Los Angeles Angels in January and began his 2026 season in the minors. • Fi rs t ba se m a n N i ko K ava d a s (2018-21) joined the Los Angeles Angels in July 2024 and has bounced back and forth between the minors and majors during his time there. ✦ FIGHTING IRISH HEADLINERS Martinas Geben (2014-18), C, Bàsquet Girona, Spanish ACB basketball league The Vilnius, Lithuania, native is making himself right at home at his new home in Girona, Spain. During a three-game stretch from March 15-28, the well-traveled overseas star averaged 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during his first season with the Cocollona. For the season through April 4, Geben, 31, was averaging 10.7 points, 5.8 re- bounds and 1.3 assists. Prentiss Hubb, (2018-22), PG, Derthona Basket, Lega Basket Serie A (Italy) Playing his first season in Italy, Hubb, 27, was averaging 13.6 points, 4.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds through games of April 3. During a five-game stretch from Feb. 21 through March 28, the Washington, D.C., native scored at least 20 points twice, averaged 17.4 points a game, and dished out at least 4 assists four times, including 9 Feb. 21, his second most this season. Bryan Rust (2010-14), RW, Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL The Pontiac, Mich., native continued heating up as the NHL regular season is winding down. During a 12-game stretch from March 10 through April 2, the 2010 third-round draft pick tallied a total of 6 goals and 10 assists in those dozen games, and scored at least 1 point in all but one game. For the season through April 3, Rust, 33, had 27 goals and 35 assists for the second-place Penguins. Rays Pitcher Joe Boyle Primed For MLB Career Boost I R I S H I N T H E P R O S In his first two starts through April 3, Boyle pitched well, allowing 7 hits and 4 earned runs in 11⅓ innings with 13 strikeouts, only 3 walks and a solid 3.18 ERA. PHOTO COURTESY TAMPA BAY RAYS BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM APRIL/MAY 2026 49