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The Los Angeles Dodgers remain in the middle of trade conversations, including being the front-runner for the biggest prize before the MLB trade deadline: Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal.

The Dodgers will have to be willing to part with not only some of their younger talent, but also some of the role players from their championship runs if they want to help strengthen their ability to three-peat by adding Skubal.

The franchise has faced its share of injuries this season with Shohei Ohtani being the latest. While Ohtani has been able to serve as a designated hitter, he's been unavailable as a pitcher.

Despite his absence, the pitching rotation will still have a strong selection of arms to work with. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are taking steps towards a return and participating in rehab assignments in the coming days.

The bullpen saw the return of relief pitcher Edwin Diaz this week.

Skubal remains a top prize for the Dodgers, but he may not be the only priority for them before the deadline.

Do Dodgers need Tarik Skubal?

The Dodgers have been linked to Skubal since December and that buzz has only progressed with the deadline drawing closer.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner is one of MLB's best pitchers and the Dodgers could greatly benefit from having him on the mound — and not having to face him in the postseason.

Adding a starting arm like Skubal could also help alleviate some pressure from the rotation, though he's also dealt with his share of injuries this season.

The pitcher missed about five weeks with an elbow injury earlier this season and returned sooner than expected after he underwent a revolutionary procedure.

More: Do the Dodgers need Tarik Skubal?

What are other positions of need for Dodgers?

The Dodgers have likely continued to evaluate their depth at catcher. The Dodgers are still hoping to get primary catcher Will Smith back in the near future.

Smith started his hitting progression in the batting cages on July 31, according to Roberts. The news indicates a step in the right direction for Smith's recovery.

With Smith out, the Dodgers have relied on Dalton Rushing. While there were some miscues early, Roberts has been pleased with his performances in recent weeks.

"He's doing great and growing up," Roberts said. "I love the relationships he's building with the pitchers. He cares and that's a really good thing, and he's starting to build trust with those guys."

If the Dodgers have confidence in Rushing as a secondary option, the team may simply explore a minor-league talent at the position.

The team has plenty of outfield prospects and could part ways with one of them to help rebalance the farm system with a catching prospect.

More: Los Angeles Dodgers need to evaluate catchers before trade deadline

Could Dodgers trade Teoscar Hernández?

The Dodgers are not reportedly shopping Teoscar Hernández before the deadline, but that does not mean the team wouldn't listen to offers.

ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote on Threads during a Q&A session: "With the lack of (right-handed hitters on the market) and the Dodgers' minor league outfield depth, Hernández could potentially be on the move."

Hernández is under contract through the 2027 season but has experienced a lack of production this season, especially compared to previous seasons.

Passan cited the New York Yankees as a potential destination for Hernández, especially if they were to value what potential he could still offer and his postseason experience.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers trade rumors: Latest on Tarik Skubal, Teoscar Hernandez and more

On June 15, 2021, José Soriano went back under the knife. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020, the prospect was selected by the Pirates as the top pick in the Rule 5 Draft in hopes he could transition to the big leagues once fully recovered. Instead, after working all the way back, new damage was found in Soriano’s pitching elbow, necessitating a return engagement with Tommy John. At the age of 22, his career was in jeopardy.

Five years later, Soriano is now the Angels’ ace and one of the more intriguing commodities at this year’s Trade Deadline.

2026 Statistics (Thus Far): 22 GS, 123 IP, 9-6, 3.29 ERA (78 ERA-), 3.79 FIP (90 FIP-), 24.9% K%, 11.2% BB%, 1.25 WHIP, 2.1 fWAR, 2.7 rWAR

2026 ZiPS Rest-of-Season Statistics: 10 GS, 57 IP, 3-4, 3.89 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 22.9% K%, 10.6% BB%, 1.35 WHIP, 0.8 fWAR

The Pirates returned him to the Angels, the team that signed him out of the Dominican Republic at the age of 17, after his surgery. Once healthy, he quickly rose through their system, skipping over Triple-A altogether to make his MLB debut in 2023.

Soriano was a solid performer over his first three seasons, posting a 3.89 ERA in 324 innings, but he’s taken a step forward this year. This was especially true during the beginning of the season, when he overachieved at run prevention with a dazzling 0.84 ERA in seven starts, winning AL Pitcher of the Month for March/April.

Overall, the right-hander’s 3.29 ERA and 125 ERA+ would both be career highs, and his 2.1 fWAR ranks 16th among all AL starters. He’s been particularly overpowering against righties, who have slugged just .267 with two homers against him. Soriano’s success this year has been keyed by his primary pitch, the sinker. Last year, opponents hit .290 against it, an untenable average for a highly-utilized pitch. This year, the mark is down to .244.

Concerningly, though, the expected batting average against the pitch is .291, casting doubt on the 27-year-old’s surge. So, too, does his xERA (4.36). Soriano has been allowing a BABIP of .276, a number that suggests some regression may be in order. The counterpoint to this is that his sinker, which features 5.2 more inches of vertical drop than league average, may be sustainably inducing weak contact.

The other concern with Soriano is his control. His 57 walks top all of baseball, and his career walk rate of 4.1 BB/9 implies this is no aberration. The difference this time around is that the sinkerballer has significantly upped his whiff rate; only 10 AL pitchers have surpassed his 127 strikeouts.

Despite the jury still being out on how sustainable this season’s success is, Soriano will be a hot commodity at the deadline. With two more seasons of club control after this one, the 27-year-old could slot into three different playoff rotations, with legitimate upside and a demonstrable floor as a back-end starter established over his first three seasons.

Of course, that’s assuming the Angels make him available. Sitting on the worst record in the AL, they’ll surely be sellers. Still, that doesn’t mean they need to move on from players with club control beyond this season, and owner Arte Moreno has a reputation for hesitancy in trading his best players. For his part, LA’s interim GM, longtime Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, has signaled he plans to be “open-minded” at the deadline, including when it comes to players with additional years of control. That’s already come to pass with two players of less renown, reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe, both dealt to Texas.

Given their rotation depth, the Yankees are not among the most likely destinations for Soriano. As always, though, you can never have too much pitching, and Soriano’s additional years of club control could make him attractive as a long-term play if the price is right. If not New York, plenty of other teams will be asking after Soriano, a starter with the potential to impact a pennant race.

Good morning Birdland,

It’s been a busy 36 hours or so in the warehouse!

On Thursday evening, the Orioles acquired catcher Jake Rogers from the Tigers in exchange for minor league pitcher Zane Barnhart. Shortly thereafter, Chadwick Tromp was DFA’d to make room for Rogers on the big league roster. Rogers is another organizational depth option type behind the plate, but is apparently viewed as a slight upgrade over both Tromp and Sam Huff, and maybe even Yohel Pozo. The fact that the Orioles felt they needed to upgrade that role (and were even said to be in the mix for Logan O’Hoppe before he was traded to the Rangers) may indicate that one of Adley Rutschman or Samuel Basallo is a bit farther from a return than we would like.

On Friday afternoon it was announced that the Orioles had agreed to an extension with right-handed reliever Yennier Cano. The deal buys out his final two years of arbitration for a total of $7.5 million, and then includes a club option for 2029 at a cost of $10 million alone. Cano has been rumored to be on the trading block recently. This extension shouldn’t necessarily change that, but it could allow the Orioles to ask for slightly more since he now comes with an additional (albeit costly) year of team control.

Soon after, the team revealed that Ryan Mountcastle had suffered a “pretty significant” oblique strain as he was preparing to play in his first rehab assignment following a broken foot that occurred back in April. The recovery is expected to take multiple months, meaning that Mountcastle’s season is probably over, as could his time with the organization. He has a $7.5 million team option for 2027, but it’s hard to see the O’s picking that up given how the last two seasons have unfolded.

On Friday night, the Orioles played an exciting game against the Phillies, clawing back from another deficit to ultimately win the game 6-4, thanks in large part to a clutch two-RBI triple off the bat of Gunnar Henderson. Paired with losses by the Guardians and Mariners, the Orioles are now just 1.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot with a 54-56 record.

And the latest news out of Baltimore came after the win, when it was reported that the Orioles were sending pitcher Dean Kremer to the Twins in exchange for 18-year-old outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes. The move is something of a shock given how dependable Kremer had been coming into 2026. But something clearly changed this past offseason. The Orioles bulked up their starting staff, which pushed Kremer down to Triple-A to begin the season. Then he missed two months with a quad strain. Since returning, he has struggled mightily, and was poised to be skipped in his next turn in the rotation. Instead, he will head to Minnesota and the Orioles will look elsewhere for rotation help.

Reyes was slotted in as the Orioles 20th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline. He slashed .296/.409/.541 for the Twins Rookie League squad this season, and had just been promoted to Single-A. He’s likely headed to Delmarva once he reports to his new organization. Reyes was originally signed for $322,500 as an amateur just last year.

All of this jives with Mike Elias comments to the media on Friday as well. He explained that the Orioles will not have “a strong bias toward being in one of those buckets, buyer or seller.” To me, that means expiring contracts, like Taylor Ward, Andrew Kittredge, and Trevor Rogers could be on the move, but I would imagine players under control going into 2027 will largely stay put. That could certainly change though.

The trade deadline is in two days.

Links

Not buyers or sellers, Orioles approaching ‘complicated’ Deadline with open mind | MLB.com
More from Elias on his approach to the deadline. Even things like a potential extension for Trevor Rogers gets brought up by the media. Elias doesn’t give anything up, but I would imagine the club has a few more moves up their sleeve before Monday’s deadline.

Orioles and reliever Yennier Cano agree to $7.5 million contract for 2027-28 | AP
Here are the details of the aforementioned deal with Cano. He will make $2.75 million in 2027, followed by $4.75 million in 2028. It’s a nice bit of certainty for a player that is older than most at this stage of his career. Cano is already 32 years old and still more than two seasons away from his first crack at free agency.

Mountcastle sidelined with pulled oblique, plus other injury updates | Roch Kubatko
A bunch of injury updates, including the headline note about Mountcastle. Rutschman will begin hitting this weekend and go on a rehab assignment next week. That would seem to set him up for a major league return next weekend, but we shall see. Basallo is further away, though he is throwing and will get back to hitting in the next few days. Elias says that the Rogers move is not indicative of how far either one is from a return, but it is good insurance.

Chris Davis’ Orioles career ended on a low. Only now can he appreciate the highs. | The Baltimore Banner
Davis was a really good Oriole, and anything I have ever heard about him as a person was positive as well. It’s nice to be past his late-career struggles so that we can all appreciate him for the amazing things he often did in the orange and black.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Adam Jones turns 41 today. The centerfielder became the face of the Orioles during an era that brought winning baseball back to the organization. From 2008 through 2018, he made five all-star games, won four Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger. He took his place in the team’s Hall of Fame just last year.
• Travis Driskill is 55 years old. Between 2002 and ‘03, the righty tossed 180.2 innings for the O’s.
• Tony Muser turns 79. He was the O’s first baseman for parts of three seasons from 1975 through ‘77.
• The late George Bamberger (b. 1923, d. 2004) was born on this day. He pitched in three games for the Orioles in 1959.

This day in O’s history

1993 – Orioles slugger Glenn Davis is knocked unconscious when Jeffrey Hammonds fouls a ball off into his own team’s dugout. Davis was already recovering from a broken jaw.

1994 – Cal Ripken Jr. becomes the second play in history to appear in 2,000 consecutive games as the O’s shut out the Twins, 1-0.

2000 – Mike Mussina throws the third one-hitter of his career and strikes out 15 as the Orioles beat the Twins 10-0.

2003 – The Orioles trade right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to the Giants in exchange for Kurt Ainsworth, Damian Moss, and Ryan Hannaman.

2005 – Rafael Palmeiro is suspended for violating MLB’s steroids policy. He had famously testified to Congress earlier in the year that allegations made by Jose Canseco about Palmeiro’s steroid use were “absolutely false.”

2023 – The Orioles acquire pitcher Jack Flaherty from the Cardinals , sending three prospects (Drew Rom, César Prieto, and Zack Showalter) back the other way.

Mark Bowman of mlb.com provided several updates on the Atlanta Braves ahead of Friday’s contest at Truist Park. Most notably, Spencer Schwellenbach is in Atlanta and will throw a couple bullpens. Though just now ramping up baseball activities, he is hopeful for a return this September. 

Schwellenbach is here to throw a couple bullpens in front of the coaching staff. He may be cleared to face hitters within the next week or two. Still a lot of hurdles to clear. But he remains hopeful he will be available to pitch at some point in September.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 31, 2026

Bowman also provided updates on Ha-Seong Kim and Hurston Waldrep. Kim’s rehab assignment has expired, and Waldrep continues to be evaluated after experiencing arm discomfort. 

Schwellenbach’s return to baseball activities is an encouraging step in his recovery, even if there’s still work to be done before he’s back on the mound. The Braves will continue monitoring his progress, as well as the statuses of Kim and Waldrep, in the coming weeks.

More Braves News:

Bryce Elder put together a solid outing as the Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 6-2.

Our midseason prospect rankings have come to an end, and outfielder Eric Hartman comes in at No. 1.

The farm teams tallied 44 combined runs on Thursday. More in the minor league recap. 

MLB News:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed reliever Brock Stewart on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. 

The Baltimore Orioles have extended right-hander Yennier Cano. He received a two-year, $7.5M contract extension. 

From the Feed:

Cast your vote for Braves Player of the Game here. 

There have been some rumblings that Adley Rutschman could be a trade target for the Rays following the 2026 All-Star Game. Rutschman and Drew Rasmussen were college teammates at Oregon State, while Bryan Baker was teammates with Rutschman in Baltimore before being traded to Tampa Bay last season. Two of the three Rays pitchers attending had a chance to throw to Rutschman during the Midsummer Classic, and Baker told reporters afterward that he and Rutschman have discussed the “hypotheticals of being teammates again.”

Adley is one of the better defensive catchers in the league and an above-average hitter. The Rays are roughly league average on both sides of the ball at catcher. Rutschman would improve the position, even if there are other areas of the roster with more pressing needs. He’s also under team control through the 2027 season.

What could it cost for Baker’s hypothetical to come true? And what is the opportunity cost of bringing in a catcher like Rutschman when there are other positions in greater need of reinforcements?

I like to use recent trades as a starting point to try to calibrate the cost to acquire a player. It’s pretty difficult in this care; plus catchers rarely get traded. The last time a catcher of Rutschmans’s caliber was traded was back when Sean Murphy and William Contreras were involved in a three-team deal in 2023. Unfortunately, Oakland accepted a return that most evaluators viewed as light, making it a difficult trade to use as a benchmark.

Because comparable catcher trades are so rare, the next best reference point is a controllable frontline starter. While the positions are obviously different, both represent premium assets that rarely become available. Freddy Peralta was one of the more recent high-end starters who was traded this past offseason. He went from Milwaukee to New York for a pair of back-of-the-top 100 prospects in Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. Sproat profiles as a number three or four type of starter and Williams as a fringy up-the-middle defender but maybe not an everyday guy. Peralta came with just one year of control, so his value was understandably less than what Rutschman’s value is now.

I think Rutschman could be acquired for a small package of players from the Rays. I would be surprised if the Rays were willing to move Theo Gillen for roughly a year and a half of control, particularly given the unknowns of if a season happens next year (due to MLBPA negotiations). The next tier of Rays prospects includes Nathan Flewelling and Brody Hopkins. I think it would take one of these guys plus another prospect in one of the next tiers below them. It’s hard to say exactly who would be included in this package, but the Rays certainly have the resources to acquire Rutschman if they really want him.

The bigger question isn’t whether Rutschman would make the Rays better – he obviously would. It’s whether catcher represents the best place to invest significant prospect capital. Second base has been one of the least productive positions on the roster, the outfield might still be in need of an impact bat, and the rotation will likely need reinforcements as several starters approach workload limits.

Sure, the Rays could decide to push their chips in by acquiring Rutschman, adding an impact second baseman such as Luis Arraez, and bolstering the rotation with another starter. This seems unlikely given the Rays’ tendencies to buy and sell at each trade deadline, keeping windows open today and in the future simultaneously, but they do have the prospect capital to make something like this a reality. The opportunity cost of trading for Rutschman is something to consider, and I think that exploring other more affordable catching options would be a better use of their resources while allowing them to make a more impactful addition at another area of need.

Erik Neander and his team will be incredibly busy for the next couple weeks, and I’m excited to see what kind of creative solutions they come up with to solve their roster puzzle.

1901
In a 4-0 masterpiece hosting Detroit, Nixey Callahan tossed the first one-hitter in White Sox history. Only his Tigers counterpart, Joe Yeager, had a safety. Callahan himself had two hits in his win, while the White Sox also tapped out three triples and left fielder Herm McFarland went 3-for-4 with three singles.

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1925
Ted Lyons threw 14 1⁄3 IP — all but two outs — of a 15-inning, 5-3 win at Philadelphia.

The 24-year-old allowed 13 hits, three earned runs and three walks — and whiffed just two batters, earning a very modest 74 game score. Lyons would have completed the game, but after the White Sox struck for two runs in the top of the frame (Ray Schalk double, Ike Davis sac fly), the A’s rallied. With two on and one out, Sarge Connally took the pill and ended the game on a bizarre note: a strike ’em out (Sammy Hale), throw ’em out at third base on a CS (Bill Lamar).

The White Sox improved to 55-46 and climbed to within 10 of the first-place A’s (62-33).

Amazingly, this marathon start was not the longest of Lyons’ career, as he went 21 innings — yes, 21 — in a complete-game, 6-5 loss in 1929.

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1962
Early Wynn had a 62 game score complete game, allowing eight hits and four walks while striking out five, and giving up one run. But the veteran lost, as Red Sox righty Bill Monbouquette tossed a no-hitter in front of 17,185 at Comiskey Park. Only a walk to Al Smith in the second inning prevented this from becoming a perfect game, as no White Sox batter even reached second base.

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1982
With the White Sox up, 3-0, in the top of the sixth at Comiskey Park, Ron LeFlore committed the worst error of his career. Catcher Gary Allenson lofted a soft liner to center field, and the ball struck LeFlore on his forehead as he drifted back to make the catch. A crazy bounce aided Allenson’s romp around the bases, to trim starter Jerry Koosman’s lead to 3-1.

LeFlore, however, had a great day at the plate, leading off and going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. It was his double in the third inning that game the White Sox a 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Dennis Lamp earned the save, making him only the second White Sox pitcher at least since 1969 to take the ball as the starting pitcher in the opener of a series and earn a save in the finale of the same series. (Francisco Barrios was the first known White Sox pitcher to do so, in 1976.)

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1983
On a nationally-televised ABC Monday Night Baseball game, Greg Luzinski drove a Ray Fontenot pitch over the left-field roof at Comiskey Park. It was a record-breaking series for the White Sox, as 44,812 attended on this Monday night to push the four-game series box office to 172,264 — the biggest four-game series in Chicago history.

The homer was the Bull’s second roof shot in 1983, and the first home run ever allowed by Fontenot. The Sox beat the Yankees, 4-1, starting a torrid stretch where they went an incredible 46-15 to close out the regular season and finish with 99 wins.

Before the game, the White Sox announced that struggling starter Britt Burns would head to the bullpen in hopes of ironing out his problems — which he did, finishing the 1983 season extremely strong and then pitching a classic, extra-inning loss to the Orioles in Game 4 of the ALCS.

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1995
After losing an appeal of his four-game suspension, Terry Bevington sat out this game to begin the penalty, leaving coach Joe Nossek to manage the club in his absence. The suspension stemmed from a July 22 brawl vs. the Brewers, as Bevington and Milwaukee manager Phil Garner scuffled in the aftermath of a dustup between Ozzie Guillén and Milwaukee’s Jeff Cirillo. Players had to intervene and break up the fight between fiery skippers.

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2003
The White Sox won their 8,000th game in franchise history, as they buried the Mariners in Seattle, 12-1. Carl Everett had a huge evening, going 2-for-4 with five RBIs, including a three-run home run off of future teammate Freddy García. 

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2005
Pitcher Mark Buehrle’s streak of 49 straight starts pitching six or more innings ended when he was thrown out of a game with two outs in the sixth in Baltimore — without even a warning — by umpire Brian Gorman. 

White Sox TV announcer Hawk Harrelson became extremely upset in the TV booth (“You’ve GOT to be kidding me!”). Buehrle got tossed, without warning, for hitting B.J. Surhoff after White Sox hitters. A.J. Pierzynski had been hit by a pitch in the top half of the inning. (A.J. exacted some revenge in his next at-bat, leading off the eighth inning with a homer.)

Buehrle’s streak was the longest in the majors since Steve Carlton, between 1979 and 1982.

The Sox would get the last laugh, however, winning the game, 6-3, and sweeping the four-game series to increase their division lead to a season-high 15 games over Cleveland.

Baseball's eyes are on the Motor City for the next two days with back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal widely expected to be traded by the Detroit Tigers ahead of Monday's MLB deadline.

The 29-year-old lefty is a free agent this winter and expected to command a record-breaking contract, but whichever team rents him for the next two months would be giving itself the best chance possible to win a World Series in the fall.

One of the AL favorites heading into the season, the Tigers nearly buried themselves with a 6-22 record in May and enter Saturday six games under .500. Though Detroit is (like most teams) in contention for a wild card spot, the Tigers' devastating loss in what may have been Skubal's final start may have sealed his fate.

Two teams to watch in the Skubal sweepstakes are the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, who happen to have the best records in baseball.

Keep up on the latest rumors and Tigers news:

Tarik Skubal trade odds for next team

Odds via DraftKings, as of 9 a.m. Aug 1

• Dodgers +140
• Brewers +280
• Rays +550
• Braves +700
• Tigers +1000
• Cubs +1100
• Phillies +1800

Skubal's catcher didn't get to say goodbye

The two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher and his longtime personal catcher met at the alternate site during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, grew up through Rogers' career-high 21-homer season until the emergence of All-Star Dillon Dingler pushed Rogers to the margins and, finally, resulted in his getting designated for assignment July 28.

"I love Skoob to death," Rogers said Friday at Camden Yards. "He made it known that he was going to miss me, and I made it known I was going to miss him. It’s going to happen eventually. To happen the way it did was a little iffy. It’s all a business and they had to do it.

"I feel like I’ve grown up with him. Met him for the first time at the alternate site. We just had such a good relationship since then. Just a really good human and a hardworking human."

– Gabe Lacques

Max Clark gives Tigers glimpse of post-Skubal future

On a night when former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize was scratched from his spot in the Tigers rotation as a precaution for Monday’s looming trade deadline, and a touch of surreal hung over the game – the Athletics are sharing their minor-league ballpark with the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A affiliate, after all – Max Clark offered a reminder that there may still be a future out there.

– Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press

Skubal trade packages: Brewers

The Brewers’ deep farm system enables them to offer a package perhaps headlined by highly regarded infield prospect Luis Pena and left-hander Robert Gasser, suggests USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner.

Tarik Skubal contract details

The Tigers left-hander is eligible for free agency after the 2026 season.

Skubal is pitching on a one-year, $32 million contract after he was awarded a record arbitration salary in February 2026. He earned $10.15 million during the 2025 season when he won the AL Cy Young Award for the second year in a row. 

Tarik Skubal stats

• 2026: 7–5, 2.79 ERA, 16 GS, 96⅔ IP, 116 SO, 0.91 WHIP
• 2025: 13–6, 2.21 ERA, 31 GS, 195⅓ IP, 241 SO, 0.89 WHIP, AL Cy Young Award
• 2024: 18–4, 2.39 ERA, 31 GS, 192 IP, 228 SO, 0.92 WHIP, AL Triple Crown & Cy Young Award
• 2023: 7–3, 2.80 ERA, 15 GS, 80⅓ IP, 102 SO, 0.90 WHIP
• 2022: 7–8, 3.52 ERA, 21 GS, 117⅔ IP, 117 SO, 1.16 WHIP
• 2021: 8–12, 4.34 ERA, 31 G (29 GS), 149⅓ IP, 164 SO, 1.26 WHIP
• 2020: 1–4, 5.63 ERA, 8 G (7 GS), 32 IP, 37 SO, 1.22 WHIP

When is Tarik Skubal a free agent?

Skubal is eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the 2026 season and will be one the most sought-after player on the market. Turning 30 this offseason, Skubal is likely to break Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million record contract for a pitcher.

Tarik Skubal draft and college

Tarik Skubal played college baseball for the Seattle University Redhawks, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2015 before undergoing Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year in 2016.

Despite missing the 2017 season while recovering, he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 29th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but chose to return to school. He was ultimately selected by the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round (255th overall) of the 2018 MLB draft and signed for a $350,000 bonus.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarik Skubal trade rumors: Latest updates, landing spots for Tigers' Cy Young ace

Kiké Hernández returned from the injured list on Tuesday after missing 51 games with a strained oblique, and got into his first game on Thursday. He talked Thursday about his anxiety at receiving the news of the oblique injury, his second extended IL stint this season. From Matt Borelli at Dodger Blue:

“I was driving, sitting in traffic, I had to call my wife and I could barely talk but I was like, ‘This is what happened. I don’t know what’s going on with my body. Maybe I’m too old.’ Just hearing her calm me down, I took a couple deep breaths and I was good to go. 

“I did the two months before that and I realized all you can do is take it one day at a time, and the best way you can take things one day at a time is focusing on what you can do today to get better. That’s what I did. I thought about today. I wasn’t really thinking about how far along or anything like that. I was literally just going one day at a time and trying to be the best rehabber I could.

Links

• Tim Brown at his The Long Game newsletter recounted a fantastic story about covering former Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, and how his father sold his truck — called “Old Goat Face” — to buy new baseball gloves for Cesar and his brother Maicer Izturis.
• Loyola Marymount in July launched ‘Chavez Ravine: An Unfinished History,’ a library archive that is curated by community members themselves, including multiple generations of families who were displaced in order to make room for what became Dodger Stadium. Antonia Cereijido & Jessica Garrison at LA Material wrote about the project, with interviews from those involved.
• Baseball Prospectus added an Injured List Triage to its tools section this week, to visualize how long a player with a specific injury might be out based on similar maladies over the past few years. Derek Rhoads and Rob Mains described the new site tool.

Today’s Reflections

What an interesting way to end a series — consecutive extra-inning games. With the Manfred Man, the 10th inning is a toss-up, which was evident as the Cubs and Cardinals split the games in extra time (World Cup, go away!). That gave Chicago the three-games-to-one win in the series.

The MVP of the series has to be Alex Bregman, who really stepped up to be the team’s table setter, going 10-for-18 with a walk, seven runs scored, 3 RBI, a home run and six doubles. For Wednesday and Thursday, he combined for 3-for-8 with a walk, two runs scored, two doubles and an RBI, including his game-winning RBI-double on Thursday.

Nico Hoerner also had a big series, going 6-for-16 with three runs scored, six RBI, a home run and a stolen base. After having a hitless pinch-hitting appearance on Wednesday on a day-off, Hoerner went 3-for-5 with the stolen base on Thursday.

Seiya Suzuki had a solid series, also going 6-for-16 with three walks, four runs scored, two RBI and two doubles. Most of that was in the first two games as he went for 1-for-6 with two walks and a run scored in the final two.

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ get mentions for their extra-inning contributions. PCA drove in two runs with a home run in the 10th inning on Wednesday, while on Thursday, Happ added an insurance run with an RBI-double.

The Cubs had a 5-2 roadtrip. PCA had a drastically different pair of series. Against the Pirates, he went 7-for-14 with a walk, four runs scored, five RBI, two home runs, three doubles and a triple. Meanwhile, in the Cardinals’ series, PCA went 3-for-17 with just one walk, a run scored, 3 RBI, and the home run as his only extra-base hit.

I bring that up because the Cubs took three-of-four from the Cards without much contribution from PCA. If that sinks in for the rest of the team, that has to be an extra boost for them. And I’m sure PCA noticed it for sure.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Cubs almost wasted a pair of pitching performances — one excellent and one solid. Both kept the Cubs in the games with a chance to win in extras.

Matthew Boyd put together what I think was his best performance of the year Wednesday with seven shutout innings, stranding four hits and two walks while striking out five. That’s the first time since April that he’s pitched back-to-back homerless games.

Javier Assad also kept the ball in the ballpark as he stepped into the open spot in the Cubs rotation Thursday. He managed 4.1 innings and had to work out of some jams due to allowing six hits and two walks. Assad used his defense and six strikeouts hold the Cards to one run. His 83 pitches were the most he has thrown since June 17th.

So it was a good series and road trip with two winnable games the team dropped. But there were a lot of overall very positive performances for the team to build on heading into the dog days of August.

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Thurday’s Game Stories:

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/30/26): Cubs 4, Cardinals 2 F/10 – Extra-Inning Win Takes Series in St. Louis. “The Cubs and Cardinals played a very tight contest at Busch Stadium Thursday afternoon that required extra innings for the second consecutive day.”

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Bregman’s 10th-inning double helps Cubs take series from rival Cardinals. “With a pair of two-base hits on Thursday, Bregman finished the series with a 10-for-18 showing (.556 average) that included seven extra-base hits and seven runs scored.”

Wednesday’s Game Stories:

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): PCA’s tiebreaking blast can’t save Cubs from 10th-inning loss. “Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a must-see moment for the Cubs when they needed it most, but the Cardinals found their way to three runs in the 10th inning to send Chicago to a 3-2 loss in walk-off fashion.”

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/29/26): Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 F/10 – PCA Homer Not Enough in Extras Loss. “The Cubs and Cardinals played a full nine innings that were largely uneventful on Wednesday night, with no runs crossing the plate. ”

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Down-the-Stretch Trade Deadline Stories:

• Skubal Stories:
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Sun-Times): Column: If Tarik Skubal truly is on the Chicago Cubs’ radar, the only question is ‘How soon is now?’ “History suggests they’ll shoot for the moon, settle for a middle-of-the-road starter and keep the prospects, explaining later that the price was too exorbitant.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ trade-deadline search for pitching includes Tarik Skubal: Sources. “Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has a close relationship with his Detroit counterpart, Scott Harris.”
• Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Are the Cubs Fully Back in On a Tarik Skubal Blockbuster Trade? “The Chicago Cubs were seemingly out on pursuing one of the biggest names on the market, but a new report suggests that’s not the case at all.”

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• Peralta/Holmes/Mets Stories:
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Mets-Twins trade confirms the easiest need Cubs can address at 2026 trade deadline. “The New York Mets’ trade with the Minnesota Twins involving A.J. Minter is a good sign for one thing the Chicago Cubs want to accomplish at the MLB trade deadline.”
• Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Cubs predicted to trade for Mets’ 2.39 ERA starting pitcher amid dire need. “This Cubs prediction would make a lot of sense amid the team’s dire deadline need.”
• Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs in deadline mix for Freddy Peralta as Mets seek top-100 prospect in trade: Sources. “Peralta was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night as his trade market heats up.”
• Garrett Kerman (ClutchPoints): Cubs must finally pull trigger on this Freddy Peralta trade with Mets. “Cubs pursue Freddy Peralta trade with Mets, offering Jefferson Rojas and Jaxon Wiggins for the proven starter’s rotation boost.”

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• Angels-Related Stories:
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): 3 reasons why Reid Detmers makes too much sense for the Cubs at 2026 trade deadline. “Reid Detmers has emerged as a Cubs’ trade deadline fit, and it’s easy to see why.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs may have gotten unexpected trade deadline boost from Angels-Rangers deal. “All signs point to Los Angeles being very open to moving controllable pieces.”
• Josh Davis (ClutchPoints): Next move Angels should make after Chase Silseth, Logan O’Hoppe trade. “The Los Angeles Angels should trade Reid Detmers to the Cubs for Owen Ayers after moving Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth to the Rangers next.”

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• Carson Kelly???
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Carson Kelly’s name unexpectedly pops up in latest Cubs trade deadline rumor. “Not a name I had on my ‘tradeable pieces’ bingo card.”
• Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): A Carson Kelly Trade May Be On the Table for the Cubs – But Should It Be? “The Chicago Cubs have reportedly talked about their No. 1 catcher with teams as the deadline approaches.”

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• Blocked Minor Leaguers:
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Why Cubs Have Talked About 3 Buy-Low Starters Mired in Minor Leagues. “Working to shore up their rotation for the balance of 2026 and to get a head start on a longer-term improvement, the Cubs have discussed controllable arms whose stock is down, sources say.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs’ controllable starter could come from Marlins, and it’s not Sandy Alcantara. “After dumping Jameson Taillon, Chicago’s trade deadline takes on added importance.”

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• Emerson Hancock Stories:
• Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Why Would the Cubs Ever Pay This Absurd Price for Emerson Hancock? “A new rumor has some believing the Cubs could land Emerson Hancock … but for an arm and a leg.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Carson Kelly, Seiya Suzuki absence vs Yankees adds curiosity to looming Mariners-Cubs rumor. “Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki, both subject of trade rumors, are not in the Chicago Cubs’ lineup against the New York Yankees on Friday.”

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• Various Other Trade Stories:
• Matthew Lenz (North Side Baseball): Should the Chicago Cubs Pursue Hunter Greene? “Multiple MLB insiders are reporting that Hunter Greene is drawing significant trade interest. Should the Chicago Cubs bite?”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Coming off a series win in St. Louis, can the Chicago Cubs capitalize at the trade deadline? “Perhaps nothing embodies the state of the Chicago Cubs bullpen through four months more than this: It already set a franchise record for most pitchers to record a save in one season.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): This trade deadline is the moment that Cubs president Jed Hoyer has been waiting for. “Jed Hoyer’s personal stake in this venture is enormous.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Allowing Myself Some Silly September Bullpen Dreams. “That discussion got me thinking bigger picture about how the bullpen situation COULD look come, say, September.”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Live Little Lies, Lose Big Games: Cubs Get Stern Reminder of Key Trade Deadline Need. “Chicago has a real opportunity to add a proven starter without dismantling its big-league roster.”
• Rich Eberwein (Cubbies Crib): Pedro Ramirez has forced Cubs into difficult 2026 trade deadline decision. “Pedro Ramirez’s breakout hot streak has given the Cubs a major trade deadline dilemma.”
• Paul Niemiec (North Side Baseball): Could Cubs Acquire a Platoon Partner for Ian Happ at MLB Trade Deadline? “Ian Happ has struggled all season against left-handed pitching, but his excellent defense and his status in the clubhouse put the Cubs in an awkward spot if they look for a platoon partner.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): As Cubs aim to upgrade pitching at trade deadline, high-scoring hitters show what’s possible in playoffs. “Pitching will be the Cubs’ obvious focus at the trade deadline, but in the days leading up to Aug. 3, the position-player group is putting up big run totals and showing the winning foundation they can be come October.”

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Assorted Stories:

• Injury Updates:
• Andrew Seligman (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ Justin Steele says recovery is progressing, but no timetable for his return. “Steele said he is pain-free. He has been rehabbing at the team’s facility in Mesa, Arizona, and in Chicago during homestands. He played catch on Friday and plans to throw about 20 pitches off the mound on Saturday.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Place Gavin Hollowell on IL, Promote Antoine Kelly. “I was a few weeks early on the idea of lefty Antoine Kelly earning a promotion, but the time has now come.”

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• Bregman/PCA/Ramirez Stories:
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Big series vs. Cardinals shows what Cubs can do when Alex Bregman is hot: ‘Hopefully, I keep that rolling’ “Bregman bashed out 10 hits, seven of them extra-base knocks, in a monster four-game series in St. Louis, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what this Cubs team can do when he’s swinging a dangerous bat.”
• Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): Alex Bregman is slowly turning into exactly who Cubs paid him to be. “His recent production is a promising sign that hasn’t been prevalent at any point during the season.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong gets praise from Kevin Kiermaier after passing outfielder for 5-star catches. “Pete Crow-Armstrong, on his way to completing his third full big-league season, has already made his case as the best outfielder in the game.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Trade chip or future piece? Right now, Pedro Ramirez happy to help Cubs: ‘It’s always been a dream of mine’. “Fans are speculating that Ramirez could be the Cubs’ most attractive young trade chip as they shop for pitching ahead of the trade deadline, and his performance is backing up that idea.”

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• Pitching Staff/Etc. Stories:
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): With Cubs on search for starters at Deadline, the rotation has quietly stabilized. ““There was a time when we were like, ‘Who is going to start games for us?’” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.“
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Ahead of expected trade-deadline pitching adds, Cubs starters rolling: ‘A lot of talent in our rotation’. “The Cubs are expected to add arms ahead of Monday’s deadline, but the starting rotation is pitching terrifically at the moment, showing what’s possible if and when more depth or big names join the party.”
• Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Trent Thornton Should Be Booted from the Chicago Cubs Bullpen. “If you have been paying any attention to the Chicago Cubs in recent weeks, then you weren’t surprised when Trent Thornton blew Wednesday night’s game vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.”
• Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Yankees making themselves at home during week in Chicago. “With four games against the White Sox at Rate Field and three against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Yankees are spending the week in the same hotel. They might as well get comfy.”

Food For Thought:

Joanne Shaw Taylor, discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16, has carved out an impressive niche for herself in the world of blues-rock. After witnessing her remarkable guitar playing, Stewart immediately invited her to join his supergroup, D.U.P., setting the wheels in motion for a flourishing musical career. Her prodigious talent on the guitar earned her accolades from several industry giants, including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder, and Annie Lennox.

Now in her 30s, Joanne has emerged as one of the most coveted guitarists in the rock domain. The journey over the past two decades has seen her evolve into a prolific songwriter, with each of her acclaimed albums being more successful than the last. Her 2019 album, Reckless Heart, broke into the UK Top 20 Album Chart, solidifying her standing as one of the most important British blues-rock exports.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

Good morning, baseball fans!

Another week of San Francisco Giants baseball comes to an end this weekend, so it’s time to decide who will be your Player of the Week!

There were a few strong candidates this week, but most of them were players I’ve picked fairly often this season so I’m going to go with Luis Arraez! For my purposes, I’m including everything from July 24th through today, and in that time Arraez has racked up 13 hits and six RBI. He may not have had the biggest hits of the week, but that kind of steady and consistent production is definitely worthy of a shout out! (While I can still shout him out, as I assume he will be traded soon and I will be very sad.)

Who is your pick for Player of the Week?

What time do the Giants play today?

The Giants continue this four-game road series against the Padres tonight at 5:40 p.m. PT.

Triple A: Syracuse Mets (51 – 54)

ROCHESTER 10, SYRACUSE 1 (BOX)

Jack Weisenburger got shelled for six runs over two innings pitched, and the Mets could only muster one run. That run, driven in by domestic abuser Ji Hwan Bae, was scored by Cristian Pache. If you’re looking for a bright spot, Syracuse walked four times and stole two bases.

• 2B Ji Hwan Bae: 1-5, 2B, RBI, K, SB
• CF Nick Morabito: 0-5, K
• DH Ronny Mauricio: 1-4, K, SB
• RF Ryan Clifford: 0-4, 3 K
• 3B Christopher Morel: 1-4
• LF MJ Melendez: 0-1, BB, K
• LF Cristian Pache: 0-1, R, BB, K
• 1B Christian Arroyo: 1-4, K
• C Ben Rortvedt: 1-3, BB, K
• SS Zack Short: 2-3, BB, K
• P Jack Weisenburger: 2.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• P Dan Hammer: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• P Matt Seelinger: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• P Joe Jacques: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• P Ofreidy Gómez: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (36 – 63)

READING 6, BINGHAMTON 5 (BOX)

Chris Suero, Nick Lorusso, and JT Schwartz all homered in a walk-off loss to Reading. R.J. Gordon went seven innings, striking out seven while giving up three earned runs. The newly called up Mitch voit with two for four with walk.

• 2B Mitch Voit: 2-4, BB
• DH Chris Suero: 2-5, 2 R, HR, RBI, K
• 3B Nick Lorusso: 2-5, R, HR, RBI, 2 K
• RF Jose Ramos: 1-5, R, 2 K
• CF D’Andre Smith: 1-4, BB, K, SB
• C Kevin Parada: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• 1B JT Schwartz: 1-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K
• LF Matt Rudick: 0-4, 2 K
• SS Wyatt Young: 1-2, 2 BB
• P R.J. Gordon: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• P Saul Garcia: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• P Garrett Stratton: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (41 – 57)

WINSTON-SALEM 14, BROOKLYN 4 (BOX)

The Cyclones got shellacked behind a series of poor pitching performances, including both Frank Camarillo and Josh Blum giving up four earned runs. Blum managed to do so in just two-thirds of an inning.

• CF Yonatan Henriquez: 1-5, R, HR, RBI, 2 K
• RF JT Benson: 1-5, R, 3B, 3 K
• LF Randy Guzman: 2-4, RBI, K
• DH Ronald Hernandez: 0-3, R, K
• 3B Jamari Baylor: 1-2, 2 BB, SB
• SS Antonio Jimenez: 0-3, R, K
• 2B Colin Houck: 1-4, RBI, E
• 1B Trace Willhoite: 0-3, BB, 2 K
• C Chase Meggers: 0-3, RBI, BB, K, E
• P Frank Camarillo: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• P Juan Arnaud: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• P Austin Warren: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• P Joel Díaz: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• P Calvin Ziegler: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
• P Cristofer Gomez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• P Josh Blum: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• P Ryan Dollar: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K

Low-A: St. Lucie Mets (45 – 54)

DUNDEIN 5, ST. LUCIE 0 (BOX)

St. Lucie was blanked, and wasted a good start from Ethan Lanthier, who went four innings of one-hit ball before Christian Rodriguez coughed up five runs in the bottom of the eighth in just a disaster of an inning.

• 2B Branny De Oleo: 0-3, BB, 2 K
• SS Marco Vargas: 0-4, 2 K
• RF Aiden Robbins: 1-2, BB
• 1B Cole Mathis: 1-4
• C Yovanny Rodriguez: 1-4, K
• DH Simon Juan: 1-4, 3B, K
• LF Kuhio Aloy: 0-3, 2 K
• CF Bohan Adderley: 1-4, 2 K, E
• 3B Dylan Carey: 0-4, 2 K
• P Ethan Lanthier: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
• P Christian Rodriguez: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

Rookie: FCL Mets (24-32)

NO GAME

Rookie: DSL Mets Orange (22 – 22)

DSL METS ORANGE 9, DSL TIGERS 2 (BOX)

• DH Wandy Asigen: 0-3, 2 R, BB, K
• LF Jonnhan Sanchez: 1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
• 1B Cesar Acosta: 2-3, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• 3B Sebastian Toro: 2-3, R
• 2B Roni Garcia: 0-0
• CF Jhonael Cuello: 1-4, 2B, RBI
• C Yadier Fuentes: 1-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
• SS Johnderis Sanchez: 0-4, K
• 2B-3B Jose Padilla: 1-3, R, BB, 2 K, E
• RF Aiberson Blanco: 1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, K
• P Abner Meza: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
• P Bigey Santana: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
• P Derlin Rojas: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Rookie: DSL Mets Blue (16 – 27)

DSL MARLINS 10, DSL METS BLUE 6 (BOX)

• LF Royner Bravo: 3-4, R
• CF Henry Manrique: 0-3, R, BB, K
• 3B Dayron Oramas: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, E
• SS Michalle Mercedes: 1-4, RBI, 2 K, E
• 1B Adrian La Rosa: 0-0, BB
• 1B Cristopher Jaquez: 1-2, R, 2B, RBI, K
• 2B Oscar Pena: 0-3, R, BB, K
• DH Elvis Teran: 0-3, K
• C Adrian Silva: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• C Frank Moreno: 0-0
• RF Yeremy Reyes: 0-3, 2 K
• P Leyvi Rodriguez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
• P Cristopher Hernandez: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• P Arnaldo Tejed

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Ethan Lanthier

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Christian Rodriguez

Two days out from the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline and things are still quiet, but the impending move of back-to-back Cy Young winner has the league on the edge of its seat.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal appears likely to be traded in the 48 hours to come, a deal that could potentially shift power with just two months until the playoffs begin. Other big names said to be on the trading block include the New York Mets' Freddy Peralta, San Francisco Giants' Luis Arraez and perhaps All-Star closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres.

The trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Monday, August 3.

Stay with USA TODAY Sports as the deadline draws near for the latest rumors, news and deals:

When is MLB trade deadline?

Teams must have their trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can't be traded.

• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Date: Monday, Aug. 3

Freddy Peralta, Mets bracing for trades

As the first pitch between the Mets and Marlins reached home plate, Freddy Peralta was not at his expected post. The right-hander was along the dugout railing, all smiles in a black Mets hoodie as Kodai Senga unfurled an opening strike.

Peralta was a late scratch from Friday's start as trade talks intensified with teams across Major League Baseball with Monday's trade deadline on the horizon. The Mets saw it in their best interest to protect their asset in Peralta.

"That doesn't mean something is going to materialize tonight, but once talks got to the level that they're at, it just became the prudent path for us," Mets interim manager Andy Green said.

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Adley Rutschman trade rumors in Baltimore?

Before Baltimore begins a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, July 31, GM Mike Elias expressed his appreciation for Rutschman — while noting he cannot rule out moving him should the 53-56 Orioles slip further behind in the American League playoff slog.

“We love him. You feel it when he's gone from the team,” Elias says of Rutschman, currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, yet expected to go on a rehab assignment early next week. “Absolutely love Adley and having him as long as we can.”

“But, as I mentioned, I think we put ourselves in a position where we've got to be pretty open-minded here as we go into these (deadline) talks. But Adley is one of the best things we have going for us.”

– Gabe Lacques

Tarik Skubal next team odds

Odds via DraftKings, as of 9 a.m. Aug 1

• Dodgers +140
• Brewers +280
• Rays +550
• Braves +700
• Tigers +1000
• Cubs +1100
• Phillies +1800

Hunter Greene rumors continue

Hunter Greene, the Reds' two-time Opening Day starter, said trade rumors have not been a distraction.

“Because I can’t do anything about it,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve grown to have a strong connection with the city and the fan base, with my teammates here, with the staff over the years. But to rack my brain over something I can’t control and to put energy and put stress into it doesn’t make any sense to me.”

With the days ticking down to hours before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline and the buzz around his name increasing, Greene made his fifth overall start of this season since returning from the injured list on Friday.

“I have no control over this,” when asked after the Reds’ eventual 8-7 win over the Pirates whether this might be his last start with the team. “I’m not on the business side, so…”

– Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer

Jake Rogers reflects on Skubal friendship

Tarik Skubal and longtime personal catcher Jake Rogers met at the alternate site during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, grew up through Rogers' career-high 21-homer season until the emergence of All-Star Dillon Dingler pushed Rogers to the margins and, finally, resulted in his getting designated for assignment July 28.

"I love Skoob to death," Rogers said Friday at Camden Yards. "He made it known that he was going to miss me, and I made it known I was going to miss him. It’s going to happen eventually. To happen the way it did was a little iffy. It’s all a business and they had to do it.

"I feel like I’ve grown up with him. Met him for the first time at the alternate site. We just had such a good relationship since then. Just a really good human and a hardworking human."

– Gabe Lacques

Top MLB trade candidates

Some of the the best players thought to be available, in no particular order:

• Tarik Skubal, Tigers
• Luis Arraez, Giants
• Freddy Peralta, Mets
• Mason Miller, Padres
• Casey Mize, Tigers
• Luke Weaver, Mets
• Robbie Ray, Giants

Top non-Skubal pitching trade candidates

There's no question two-time defending AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal is the top pitcher available on the trade market. The rumors and reported landing spots are everywhere you look.

But only one team can get him ... which forces everyone else looking to upgrade their rotation to turn elsewhere.

USA TODAY Sports' Gabe Lacques has ranked the top 11 non-Skubal trade targets who could also be on the move. The list starts with another left-hander, Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants. Who else might be that missing piece for a playoff contender? Freddy Peralta? Kevin Gausman? Or what about another Tiger?

MLB schedule, Saturday games

All times Eastern

• St. Louis Cardinals at Toronto Blue Jays – 3:07 p.m. ET
• Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays – 4:10 p.m.
• Miami Marlins at New York Mets – 4:10 p.m.
• Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners – 4:10 p.m.
• Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds – 6:40 p.m.
• Philadelphia Phillies at Baltimore Orioles – 7:05 p.m.
• Texas Rangers at Houston Astros – 7:10 p.m.
• Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians – 7:15 p.m.
• New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs – 7:15 p.m.
• Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves – 7:15 p.m.
• Kansas City Royals at Colorado Rockies – 8:10 p.m.
• San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres – 8:40 p.m.
• Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers – 9:10 p.m.
• Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Angels – 9:38 p.m.
• Detroit Tigers at Athletics – 9:40 p.m.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline updates: Rumors, news and latest hot stove intel

The trade deadline draws nearer and it feels like we are all in a holding pattern talking about anything else in regards to the team. We want to see what the roster looks like post deadline as soon as possible, so let’s just get it over with.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Andrew Painter was showing some improvement in Lehigh Valley, so the team brought him back up to the majors.
• Brandon Marsh was slumping badly this year already, but pulled himself out of it. He’s hoping those lessons can carry over to this slump as well ($).

MLB news:

• If the Brewers were to acquire Tarik Skubal, they are completely fine with having to pay the entirety of his remaining salary ($).
• Speaking of the Tigers, they are promoting Max Clark, their top prospect. Is this a signal of their future plans?
• Freddy Peralta was scratched from his start last night with the Mets. Might a trade be coming closer to fruition?