Russell out on opening lap after clash with Hamilton
Antonelli has 50-point lead on Mercedes teammate
Kimi Antonelli won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes with a cool, assured drive but his title rival and teammate George Russell was left distraught after his championship challenge suffered another serious blow when he was knocked out on the opening lap after a clash with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli was in control at the front and delivered a commanding drive including coming back at Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished second, after the Monegasque driver had gained the lead through the pit stops. The win was assuredly deserved but the race was notable because of Russell’s retirement, for which the British driver took aim at his Mercedes team and what he sees as his car’s weakness.
CANADA - MAY 12: The Blue Jays have relied heavily (too heavily?) on the strong right arm of reliever Duane Ward. (Photo by Jeff Goode/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Blue Jays announced that Duane Ward passed away in Toronto.
He was in Toronto for the ceremony for the World Series winning teams, but didn’t get to the ceremony Saturday. They say he died of natural causes. He was just 62. Far too young.
We mentioned that it was strange that Tom Henke was in a truck by himself, yesterday, I’m sure Ward was to be with him. I wonder if they knew he passed then and kept it quiet.
Duane ranks second on the Blue Jays’ all-time saves list with 121.
Duane Ward, born on May 18, 1964, in Park View, New Mexico, was drafted out of high school as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1982 amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves. The 6’4” right-hander initially faced challenges as a starting pitcher prospect in Atlanta’s system, struggling with control and walking five batters per nine innings, while not yet developing his eventual strikeout prowess. On July 6, 1986, the Blue Jays acquired Ward in a trade for Doyle Alexander. While Alexander was a reliable starter, the Jays ultimately benefited more from the deal.
After short appearances in the majors during 1986 and 1987, Duane Ward started the 1988 season in the Blue Jays’ bullpen, quickly establishing himself as Tom Henke’s primary setup man. That year, he shined with a 9-3 record, 15 saves, and a 3.30 ERA across 111.2 innings in 64 games. His 60 walks and 91 strikeouts showed that his unpredictability was part of his effectiveness. Times have changed; today, no setup man is expected to pitch that many innings—nowadays, 70 innings is considered a heavy workload for a reliever.
Ward remained Henke’s setup man for the next four seasons, forming a dominant bullpen tandem. Each year, Ward’s performance improved, with ERAs dropping from 3.77 to 1.95. He was no longer limited to setup duties, often pitching multiple innings, and notched double-digit saves each season, topping out at 23 in 1991. That year, he struck out 11 batters per nine innings and lowered his walk rate, earning a ninth-place finish in Cy Young Award voting.
When Tom Henke left after the 1992 season, Ward became the Blue Jays’ closer. He excelled, leading the league with 45 saves—still a franchise record—while striking out 97 batters in 71.2 innings and posting a 2.13 ERA. Ward’s dominance was evident in his 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings and a .182 opponents’ batting average. He was named an All-Star, finished fifth in Cy Young voting, and even garnered MVP consideration.
Ward was instrumental in the Blue Jays’ consecutive World Series championships. In 1992, he pitched in three ALCS games against Oakland, earning a win, and appeared in four World Series games against Atlanta, where he won twice, allowed no runs, and struck out six in 3.1 innings. The following year, Ward pitched four times and earned two saves in the ALCS win over the White Sox, then made four more appearances—including a win and a save—in the World Series victory over the Phillies.
Ward missed the entire 1994 season with a torn rotator cuff. He attempted a comeback in 1995, but after only four appearances, his career was cut short at age 31—a stark reminder of the toll heavy workloads can exact on relievers. For six seasons, Ward was a dominant force, regularly throwing 95 mph fastballs and sharp sliders. In his era, relievers were often expected to pitch multiple innings and appear in as many as 80 games per season.
Rob Neyer ranked Ward as the second-best reliever in Blue Jays history. Ward traveled with the Blue Jays’ clinics. My youngest son attended those clinics a few times, and Ward was excellent with the kids and kind with his time, he spent a few minutes talking to after clinic days.
Deepest condolences to his family and friends. He was a favourite of mine.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - APRIL 22: Bryce Mayer #6 of the Corpus Christi Hooks pitches during the game between the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (47-47) won 8-3 (BOX SCORE)
Nezuh got the start and went 4.1 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense got on the board in the 3rd inning on a Biggio solo home run. They got another in the 5th on a Whitcomb sac fly. After falling behind 3-2, Salazar gave Sugar Land the lead with a 2 run home run in the 6th inning. Sugar Land rallied for 4 runs in the 8th to extend the lead on a Biggio walk and Guillemette 3 run double. The bullpen was solid as they closed out the 8-3 win.
Jackson Nezuh, RHP: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
Michael Knorr, RHP: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (WIN)
Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Alimber Santa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Cody Bolton, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (41-48) won 5-2 (BOX SCORE)
Mayer started for the Hooks and pitched well tossing 5 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts. The offense got on the board in the 7th inning scoring 2 runs on a Sisneros 2 run double and Whitaker RBI double. DeVos made his Double-A debut and allowed 2 runs over 3 innings with 6 strikeouts. The offense got some insurance with 2 runs in the 8th inning on a Janek 2 run home run. Chirinos came on for the 9th and tossed a scoreless innings as the Hooks won 5-2.
A+: Asheville Tourists (31-57) lost 12-5 (BOX SCORE)
Smith got the start but really struggled allowing 6 runs without retiring a batter. Asheville got on the board in the third inning on a Hernandez solo home run. Rome added a few more runs making it 10-1. In the 6th, Frey connected on a 2 run home run, his 7th of the season. The offense got 2 runs in the 9th on a Powell RBI double and Batista sac fly but that was it as Asheville fell 12-5.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (44-43) won 4-3 (BOX SCORE)
Perez got the start for the Woodpeckers and went 3.2 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 5 batters. The Woodpeckers got on the board in the bottom of the 4th inning scoring 4 runs on an error, a Wakefield 2 run triple and a run on a wild pitch. Weber tossed 4 no-hit innings in relief. Cassedy came on for the 9th and allowed a run but was able to hold on as the Woodpeckers won 4-3.
DENVER, CO - JULY 18: TJ Rumfield #7 of the Colorado Rockies rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, July 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the second half of the 2026 MLB season unfolds, what will rookie TJ Rumfield of the Colorado Rockies do for an encore after a breakout opening half of 2026?
If his performance on July 19 against the Cincinnati Reds in Colorado’s second series after the All-Star break is any indication, the first baseman may well be on his way to securing more than just a set of lofty statistics at season’s end.
The Richmond, Virginia, native erupted for career highs of four hits and four RBI while smashing a career-long 456-foot home run in Colorado’s 10-3 shellacking of the Reds at Coors Field.
Against Cincinnati, Rumfield went 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of run-scoring singles in addition to his two-run monster homer to pick up right where he left off before the All-Star break.
In fact, the Virginia Tech product could not have dreamed about a much better first half—both offensively and defensively—than what he displayed in his team’s opening 98 games before the All-Star Game.
Rumfield was selected as the National League Rookie of the Month for May and June, the first player in franchise history to earn the award two times and the first NL player to turn the trick since Michael Harris of Atlanta in August-September 2022.
Beyond that, among all MLB rookies this season and through games of July 18, Rumfield ranked first in batting average (.295), second in slugging percentage (.472) and OPS (.851), tied for first in games played (96) and hits (100), tied for second in extra-base hits (34) and doubles (20), and he was fifth in RBI (47).
So, how is the first-year player, who leads Colorado and is tied for second among all ML first baseman with seven Defensive Runs Saved, approaching the season’s second half?
“I think it’s just trying to be a better teammate every day,” he said.
“You can do so much on the baseball field, but the people who remember you are your teammates. They are not going to remember if you went 4-for-4. I’ll just remember if you said ‘Good morning’ or whatever.”
With his 99 hits before the All-Star break, Rumfield became the first player to reach that total in a debut season since Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees and Rocco Baldelli of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003.
Based on Rumfield’s first-half performance, and with a solid second half, could the left-handed swinging first baseman be a solid candidate for NL Rookie of the Year accolades?
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer weighed in on that possibility before the Rockies’ game July 19 against the Reds.
“Listen, he’s right in the middle of it,” Schaeffer said. “He’s been doing things that are very well deserving. (He’s) got 63 games left that you have to finish strong in.
“Honestly, with all due respect, I think it’s too early to talk about it. He’s got work to do, and he knows that.”
If Rumfield were to gain ROY honors, he would join pitcher Jason Jennings from 2002 as the only Colorado players to be so named.
Quite a scenario for a player who was drafted in the 12th round by Philadelphia in 2021. The Rockies obtained Rumfield from the New York Yankees in a trade for pitcher Angel Chivilli in January of this year.
Ever since then, Rumfield has been a man on a mission.
“I think the biggest thing for me was just coming into spring training with my body in a position ready to play, try to just show up every single day with a good attitude, be a good teammate and let all the other things fall into place because I can’t control them,” he said.
“So, pitch to pitch, go out there and try to control my performance as much as I can. But it’s really just showing up and making sure your body is ready to go.”
Schaeffer noted that, once Rumfield had an opportunity to display his talent with the Rockies, good results followed.
“It’s what makes it such a nice story with TJ because he was blocked for a while with New York and then became clear and got an opportunity and he’s really showing what he can do really well,” the manager said just before the All-Star break.
Rumfield will let his play on the field speak for itself.
“I think in the beginning…it’s still every day trying to prove to them that I’m the guy who can play first base,” he said. “I can only control what I can control. So whatever they think about me, it’s whatever they think. But they leave me in there and I like it.”
Rockies fans certainly liked what they saw from the ROY candidate in an early second half of the season encore on July 19 against the Reds.
Jul 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Brewer Hicklen (53) on the field before a game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Braves are keeping the core of the lineup that has come out of the All-Star break in better form through two games intact, with only a few small changes for Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. ET rubber match against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park.
The top five of the order remains the same, although Drake Baldwin moves back behind the plate to bring Dominic Smith, who is hitting sixth, in at designated hitter against a righty starter.
Additionally, Jim Jarvis, who has been in form of late with six hits in the last three games, moves up a spot to eighth while Brewer Hicklen replaces Eli White in right field and will hit ninth.
The Rangers are running back the same lineup they had for Saturday’s comeback win. That includes old friend Joc Pederson as DH in the leadoff spot.
The current Braves hitters have not had a ton of success against Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi (9-7, 4.04 ERA). They’re a combined 12-for-64 (.188) with four doubles, eight RBIs and 14 strikeouts to five walks.
Among players with more than two at-bats, only Michael Harris II (3-for-8, .375) and Dominic Smith (2-for-6, .333) are hitting above .200 against the veteran right-hander.The B
The Rangers only have a combined 22 at-bats against Braves starter Grant Holmes (5-4, 3.61) but they have had success against him, with a combined .409 batting average and .864 slugging percentage.
Jake Burger (3-for-5 with two homers and three RBIs) and Elias Diaz (2-for-5, 2 doubles) have had particular success versus Holmes.
But none of that history means anything when the teams take the field Sunday afternoon. Let’s see if the Braves can build momentum to begin the second half with a series win.
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees looks on prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Olivia Vega/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Nobody could’ve ever imagined that Trent Grisham would be where he is right now when the Yankees acquired him as a partial salary dump in the Juan Soto trade during the 2024 Winter Meetings. After all, the team planned on him being the fourth outfielder while Alex Verdugo manned left field. And even when spots opened up in the outfield after Verdugo and Soto both walked (with varying levels of interest), he was referred to as a non-tender candidate who, if he stayed, would once again be the fourth outfielder after the team acquired Cody Bellinger and got star prospect Jasson Domínguez back healthy.
But funny things happen when opportunity arises. Minor injuries and struggles opened up playing time for Grisham early in 2025. In an opportunity sport like baseball, sometimes people just need a little daylight to force their way in. That’s exactly what Grisham did, becoming the team’s everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter for much of the season.
Despite emerging into a borderline All-Star bat at a very important position, a lot of fans were willing to bid him adieu in the offseason. With Bellinger as more of a priority, most were willing to give Domínguez more of an extended run or even give a look to Spencer Jones while using Grisham’s money to shore up the bullpen or improve the offense in the infield.
But those thoughts didn’t last long. The Yankees extended him a $22 million qualifying offer, which he surprisingly accepted. We’ll never know if his market was depressed because of the contract year effect or if he viewed it as best for himself in the short term, but it quickly tied up a lot of money in what ultimately was a quiet offseason for the Yanks. As such, he drew the ire of the fanbase as the poster boy for not meaningfully improving a roster that crashed out in the ALDS.
The Yankees believed they had the core to do it, and whether they truly wanted Grisham back for that $22 million or extended him thinking he’d decline (the former is more believable), they were adamant that his 2025 wasn’t a fluke. After all, how often does a guy meaningfully improve all around as a hitter in his physical prime and just revert out of nowhere?
Right away in 2026, things didn’t look great. He was hitting well below the Mendoza Line and wasn’t slugging nearly as much as he did in 2025. While his walk rate remained elite and his peripherals looked just as good as before, the dissenters grew ever louder as he entered May continuing to struggle. The Yankees don’t spend like the Dodgers or Mets, so that kind of money needs production.
That production came, and everyone is slowly realizing that Grisham is, in fact, a good MLB hitter. And for a Yankee team that’s missing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for at least another month-plus, he’s a stabilizing force for a lineup that’s been in the doldrums. He’s their rock.
His defense is still regressing considerably. He doesn’t have long for center field due to declining athleticism and recurring lower-body injuries, but he still can be a leader in an outfield that now often has a guy like Domínguez or Max Schuemann to his right. Even if his future is likely in a corner himself, he’s nowhere near a liability.
At the plate, he remains pivotal. He’s still sporting an elite 13.7 walk rate and .337 on-base percentage despite spending much of the season below the Mendoza Line. In 122 plate appearances since mid-May, he’s hitting .333 with a 163 wRC+. Before going down with a minor hamstring ailment in June, he kept the offense afloat after Judge’s injury at the end of May.
But when he did go down, the offense completely fell apart. In the 18 games played with him on the injured list, the team topped five runs only three times, all initially during the Paul Goldschmidt heater. After he cooled off, the team was the worst offense in the sport. When he was out, the team had an 80 wRC+. Since he’s returned? Back to 109, a top-10 figure in baseball.
Bringing him back into the fold brought two critical things for the offense: clutch hitting and plate discipline. The Yankees, usually an elite walk team and a mediocre strikeout team, have been among the worst in the sport in both categories since Grisham’s injury. Those two things are what the 29-year-old excels at, and while his plate discipline has slipped since his return, it’s an improvement over the guys he’s taking at-bats from.
The clutch hitting is where the Big Sleep is most important. He was one of the most clutch players in the sport last year and has delivered timely swings all season long for the team, regardless of how he’s performed at times overall. He was a pivotal part of the three come-from-behind wins in Washington, hitting a go-ahead homer last Saturday and scoring the go-ahead run on Ben Rice’s triple on Sunday.
His impact also extends to providing protection for the guys behind him. Rice in particular was struggling mightily without Grisham, but has improved massively since his return:
Ben Rice 6/13 to 7/1 (w/o Grisham): .197/.260/.408, 27.3 K%, 81 wRC+ Since 7/3 (w/Grisham): .361/.465/.917, 18.6 K%, 271 wRC+
Leaving Rice on an island left him vulnerable to getting every pitcher’s best stuff. After all, he was one of the only guys teams were circling in the pitchers’ meetings before the game. Now, with Grisham back, his ability to see pitches, grind at-bats, and give Rice protection is allowing the young first baseman to re-emerge as an MVP candidate.
All of what he’s doing makes the Yankees’ decision to tender a qualifying offer to him one of the best moves by any team last offseason. What would the Yankees have done if they hadn’t? Would they have used Bellinger’s money to get Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette, who are both mightily underachieving with $60 million salaries? Would they have signed a reliever like Brad Keller, who’s undergoing Tommy John surgery? What would a full season of relying on Domínguez and Jones have looked like with the injuries? Thankfully, we won’t have to find out.
We may have even reached a point where he and the team negotiate a multi-year extension in the offseason. The free agent market for outfielders is incredibly bleak, and there’s a case to be made that two of the top three hitters overall hitting the market will be Yankees. If that’s the case, with neither Domínguez nor Jones showing they can contribute to winning the way Grisham has, why not consider it?
His offense isn’t a fluke, and Judge’s age will slowly push him to being the DH down the road anyway, especially when Stanton’s contract expires. Why can’t he settle into a favorable Yankee Stadium right field as he enters his early 30s while Bellinger continues to be a rock in left field? I’m sure these discussions are happening internally, which is incredible considering where he was not too long ago in his career.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 18: Brandon Nimmo #24 (left), Ezequiel Duran #20, Nicky Lopez #33, Evan Carter #32, and Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers celebrate after winning a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, folks…
The Texas Rangers beat the Atlanta Braves yesterday by a score of 7-6.
The Toronto Blue Jays go for the series win over the Chicago White Sox in an early Sunday finale, with Trey Yesavage on the mound against Sean Burke.
Toronto’s bats have been quiet, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is trending up, and he headlines a card built around a pitcher this lineup has already roughed up.
Read on for my White Sox vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks for this Sunday, July 19 matchup.
White Sox vs Blue Jays predictions
White Sox vs Blue Jays best bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (+150)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is heating up at just the right time. He’s squaring the ball up as well as he has all season, hitting for a 41.7% line-drive rate in July that’s up nearly 22% from June.
Now he draws Sean Burke, a right-hander who tends to wobble early in his starts and who coughed up 23 home runs a season ago.
At +150, Vladdy is a strong bet to collect a couple of bases against a starter this lineup has already had plenty of success against.
I’ll start with the Toronto Blue Jays moneyline, since the models give the home side a slight edge, and Trey Yesavage stacks up well against Burke on the other side.
I’ll double down on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. going Over 1.5 total bases from my best bet, then add Over 8 total runs, banking on Burke’s early-inning wobbles and two well-worked bullpens to push the scoreboard after Saturday’s 1-0 grind.
White Sox vs Blue Jays SGP
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Blue Jays moneyline
Over 8
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White Sox vs Blue Jays home run pick: Nathan Lukes (+950)
Nathan Lukes is my longshot swing on Sunday. He has taken Sean Burke deep before, going yard last season in a game where the Blue Jays battered Burke for six runs. Lukes is more of a contact hitter than a slugger, but he has flashed pop in stretches this year.
Add in Burke’s habit of leaving mistakes over the plate, and this is a live lottery ticket at a high price. I’d keep it to a quarter unit.
2026 Transparency Record
Best bets: 7-5, +1.63 units
SGPs: 2-11, -1.06 units
HR picks: 3-10, +0.5 units
White Sox vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Chicago -115 | Toronto -105
Run line: Chicago -1.5 (+145) | Toronto +1.5 (-170)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-110) | Under 8 (-110)
White Sox vs Blue Jays trend
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the game total Over in 27 of their last 45 games (+7.35 Units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch White Sox vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Sunday, 7-19-2026
First pitch
12:15 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
White Sox starting pitcher
Sean Burke (6-4, 3.41 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Trey Yesavage (4-4, 3.72 ERA)
White Sox vs Blue Jays latest injuries
White Sox vs Blue Jays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 14: Elieser Hernández #25 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on June 14, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After using pretty much all their pitchers except hitting hero Victor Mederos on Saturday afternoon, the Braves are making a move to get another mop-up arm to the roster.
The #Braves today selected RHP Elieser Hernández to the major league roster after optioning RHP Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game.
The 31-year-old Elieser Hernandez is a veteran of six major league seasons, but has amassed -0.8 fWAR in his 303 1/3 career innings. He spent some time in 2024 and 2025 in the KBO, and has been eating innings at an underwhelming performance level for Triple-A Gwinnett for much of this year. His FIP and xFIP are both over 5.00 for the Stripers, so this is purely a, “We don’t care about the results, just eat needed innings” move.
Owen Murphy struggled in his career start yesterday, managing just a 2/2 K/BB ratio and giving up a homer while getting eight outs. Through three outings and 6 2/3 innings, he has a 95 ERA-, 111 FIP-, and 117 xFIP-, which feels oddly familiar for pretty much any pitching help the Braves have attempted to summon from the minors recently. He’ll probably get another shot against major league hitters soon, for the time being, he’s being shuttled off the roster to keep the bullpen fresh in another worst-case scenario.
The Braves play the Rangers in a rubber game a 1:35 pm ET later today, and hopefully they find a way to win. (And not use Elieser Hernandez. Or at least win while using Hernandez.)
Clarke Schmidt took another big step on his road back to the Yankees on Saturday.
The right-hander threw a one inning sim game against live hitters for the first time in his rehab process prior to Saturday's rained out game in the Bronx.
Schmidt threw 15 pitches, all of which were fastballs.
"It was great, I felt good," he told Zach Braziller of the NY Post. "Felt like I was moving really well out there. It felt good to have some competition, compete again and get some cleats on the dirt -- so I was really excited."
Schmidt, of course, has been slowly progressing his way back after he was forced to undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career last summer.
The Yankees will continue to ease him in in an effort to avoid any setbacks, but as long as things continue going as planned he could be back in the mix next month.
He is penciled in to throw another simulated game in five days.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Yanks will use Schmidt when he is ready to return, but for now, he's open to whatever gets him back helping the club.
"That's the only thing on my mind right now," he said. "Obviously I care about my career and the long term stuff like that, but for me right now, I know how talented we are -- I've seen the upside of this team throughout the season.
"Being a part of that and being able to help in any way that I can, when I lay my head down at night it's all that I'm thinking about right now -- how can I be an impact on this team?"
Schmidt was in the midst of a stellar season as a starter being going down with the elbow injury, but he also owns a strong 3.18 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 30 career appearances as a reliever.
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 18: Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) singles during the third inning of game 2 of the Major League Baseball interleague doubleheader between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians on July 18, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Well, what a day for the Guardians and they went .500, splitting a double-header with the Pirates.
Here’s Nick’s sad recap of a horrible first game in a 7-1 loss and Zach’s happy recap of a mostly horrible second game that turned amazing at the end with a 5-3 win. I can’t say I feel good about Khristian Curtis dominating our lineup for five innings… but they figured things out against the Pirates’ usual relievers. Shoutout to Kahlil Watson who has been really going through it yet put up a good at-bat against a tough lefty and got the game-tying single.
And, of course, Bazzana:
“Yeah, it was definitely weird. But I feel like Cleveland games kind of warrant themselves for stuff like that.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 18: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres hits a home run in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite having some competitive at-bats, the San Diego Padres just couldn’t get it together, falling short in Game 2 against the Kansas City Royals. They’ll now be staving off the sweep against KC in today’s series finale. Starter Griffin Canning went just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs to the Royals. That was more than enough, as San Diego put up just one run in the third inning.
Yesterday was a tough one for the Padres. The club fell short in Game 1 on Friday night after some incredible performances from the offense and Mason Miller to put the Friars three runs up in the 10th inning. They’d go on to lose the game. The loss in Game 2 felt like San Diego was still shaking off the loss from the night before. They’ll need to regroup to salvage the finale.
Taking the mound
Noah Cameron (KC) v. Germán Márquez (SD)
Like most of the Kansas City rotation, Cameron has seen better days. The lefty owns 4.89 ERA this year after a breakout rookie campaign in 2025 (2.99 ERA, 138.1 IP). He just threw seven innings against the Baltimore Orioles last week, but gave up five runs in the process and earned the loss.
Cameron’s problem has been consistency. (Sound familiar, Friar Faithful?) The left-hander hasn’t been able to locate his pitches well, giving up three or more walks in five of 18 starts this season. He’s walked two or more batters in 11 of 18.
Márquez has looked mostly solid since returning from the IL. The veteran has given up five runs through 12 innings pitched, good for a 3.75 ERA across that time. His last start against the Toronto Blue Jays was tougher, but he made it through four innings having given up just three runs.
The right-hander has faced the majority of the Royals’ lineup before, and it doesn’t look great. Starling Marte and Josh Rojas have the most experience against Márquez (32 combined at-bats) and boast a combined .281 batting average. Hopefully, he’ll be able to quiet their bats this afternoon.
Batter up!
Well, at least Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run. The lone run the Friars managed to put up came on Tatis’ sixth homer of the season. Beyond that, the Padres were stymied at every turn by Kansas City’s pitching staff. The club grounded into three double plays, going 1-for-9 with RISP. They’ll need to be better to salvage the series finale.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, DH
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, LF
Ty France, 1B
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Freddy Fermin, C
Sung-Mun Song, SS
Bogaerts hasn’t had an off day recently and could be penciled in at DH today. That would likely put Song at shortstop, though Cronenworth could move over and rearrange some of the San Diego infield. Either way, the offense needs to score some runs against Cameron.
Relief corps
It wasn’t a bad game for the bullpen by any means. Matt Waldron gave up two runs over 2 1/3 innings before Ron Marcinaccio and Jhony Brito pitched two scoreless frames. That came following Canning’s first regression in quite some time. Thankfully, Waldron saved the ‘pen a bit with his outing.
The Friars will have Kyle Hart, Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez available in the series finale this afternoon. All but Hart have been high-leverage options for the Padres to turn to this season. If the offense can get some runs on the board, San Diego shouldn’t have too much trouble staving off the sweep.
SPRINGFIELD, MO - APRIL 09: Zyhir Hope #13 of the Tulsa Drillers walks to the dugout prior to the game between the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Springfield, Missouri. (Photo by Shanna Stafford/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
In a day marked by Blake Snell’s rehab start, the Dodgers minor league affiliates played five games with two wins and three losses.
Player of the day
Even though he couldn’t help the Drillers secure a win, Zyhir Hope wins our Player of the Day award with a rare two-homer game, reaching 21 on the season. It’s been an outstanding season for Hope in Double-A, with a .910 OPS in a little over 80 games.
Hope has now reached base safely in every game this month and already has eight homers in July, his highest mark for any month this season.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Working his way back from a lengthy absence, Blake Snell tossed 1.1 innings, needing 32 pitches to do so and utilizing the strikeout to record each of his four outs.
Four outs and four strikeouts for Blake Snell as he starts his rehab assignment🔥
For the most part, relievers were effective following Snell, with the primary exception being Paul Gervase, who allowed six runs in the seventh to set up a 9-5 loss for the Comets.
Zach Ehrhard recorded a team-high three hits but didn’t drive anyone home because, ahead of him, leadoff hitter Alek Thomas didn’t reach safely even once. The only home run for the Comets came in garbage time, when Ryan Ward cut the Rainiers’ lead to 9-5 with a two-run shot in the eighth inning. That home run was the only long shot of the game as the Rainiers didn’t need to leave the yard to punish OKC’s pitching, working 12 walks against them.
Double-A Tulsa
With the top three in the order going 0 for 11 with a pair of walks, the Drillers didn’t have enough offensive firepower to avoid the 4-3 defeat against the RoughRiders. Hope did his best solo act, responsible for all two of the team’s RBI with a pair of home runs, but the lack of support proved costly. Hope now has 21 homers on the season.
Starter Adam Serwinowski came into this game with a 7-2 record and suffered his third loss of the year, allowing four runs over five innings with a couple of home runs. The Drillers even got the tying run on in the ninth inning, only to do nothing with it.
High-A Great Lakes
Charles Davalan and Logan Wagner both hit their 13th homer on the season with solo shots in the early stages of what turned out to be a 3-2 walk-off win for the Loons. Davalan was in the middle of the action late in this one as well, earning the walk in the eighth inning that led to the winning run, as it came on a wild pitch with a runner at third. Reliever Davis Chastain, who covered the eighth inning after Zach Root held the opposition to two runs (one earned) in five innings, now has a 7-0 record this season.
Splitting the doubleheader, the Loons suffered a blowout defeat of 11-2 to the Whitecaps, with the only highlight being Cameron Decker’s three-for-three performance, including a triple and a stolen base. Starter Aidan Foeller allowed four runs, and six others came against reliever Seamus Barrett, who now has a 12.06 ERA this year across two levels.
Single-A Ontario
The Tower Buzzers first took the lead in this game in the third inning with a Kellon Lindsey home run and never looked back, winning it 9-4. Taking advantage of a productive day from the bottom of the order, Jaron Elkins recorded three RBI from the leadoff spot.
Responsible for the two defensive errors, Mason Estrada allowed two unearned runs in 5.2 innings of work. It was only the second win for Estrada this season on what has been a tumultuous campaign with an ERA north of 7.00.
Transactions
Blake Snell began a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Comets.
Saturday’s scores
Tacoma 9, Oklahoma City 5
Frisco 4, Tulsa 3
Great Lakes 3, West Michigan 2
Great Lakes 2, West Michigan 11
Ontario 9, Lake Elsinore 4
Sunday’s schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jakob Wright) vs. West Michigan (TBD)
1:35 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Cole Irvin) at Tacoma (Nick Hull)
4:05 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Myles Caba) at Frisco (Blake Townsend)
5:05 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) vs. Lake Elsinore (Luis Maracara)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 28: Brandon Woodruff #53 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at American Family Field on June 28, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Sunday everybody! I’m still here, still reporting mostly on injury news! And contract extensions. Inside you there are two wolves, etc.
The Mariners managed to even the series with the Giants last night with a thrilling walk-off win in extra innings that was buoyed by a game-tying three-run homerun by Cole Young. Logan Gilbert will duel Robbie Ray for a series win at 1:10 PST.
In Mariners news…
Julio made his blessed return from the 7-day concussion IL before yesterday’s game, but it did come with a cost, as infielder Miles Mastrobuoni was DFA’d in the corresponding move. Mastrobuoni has cleared waivers once this season already, but if he does get claimed I hope he finds the playing time he deserves.
Around the league…
Veteran Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff addressed the media in Milwaukee yesterday to announce that he will be getting season ending surgery. The operation is the same capsule surgery that he got in 2023. Woodruff said that he hopes to pitch again following the second operation, but it is worth remembering that Johan Santana had two separate shoulder capsule surgeries, and he never pitched in the majors again after the second.
The Athletics entered Saturday with a record of 41-56 and on a ten-game losing streak. So naturally the best way to right the ship is to trade away one of their starting pitchers. Aaron Civale and some cash (the A’s have cash now?) are now part of the Chicago Cubs organization.
One team’s collapse has been matched by another team’s rise. The Boston Red Sox entered Saturday on an eleven-game winning streak, and have played themselves into being big potential buyers at the deadline. The major area of need for them is shortstop and a strong contender to plug that hole is the Angels’ Zach Neto.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed yesterday that the Dodgers are not expecting Will Smith back with the team before mid-August, and that’s the best case scenario. When asked by Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, Roberts admitted that team is not 100% sure if Will Smith will return this season at all from the neck injury that put him on the IL over a month ago.
I’m realizing I might be a little too superstitious because if I’m Chase Burns and I’m standing in the room and watched the man I just spent days or weeks negotiating with spill his third cup of coffee all over the fruits of that negotiation, I might call the whole thing off. Sorry man, signs are signs.
Chase Burns’ contract signing was held up a little bit this morning when Reds GM Brad Meador spilled coffee on it and they had to print a new one
COVERS INTEL: Burke 
