ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the top of the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on July 25, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rays entered Friday’s game with a three-game lead in the AL East, after the Yankees beat the Cubs in an afternoon affair at Wrigley Field, By the end of Friday’s game, which saw the division lead cut to 2.5, the last completed trade was AJ Minter to the Twins. There is now less than three days until Monday’s 6 pm deadline.
Nick Martinez took the mound for the Rays, and it wasn’t a night to remember for the All-Star pitcher. He gave up six runs over six innings, all of them coming on four White Sox home runs. It’s a scary thought to think about Martinez, who doesn’t have overpowering stuff, facing teams like this in a postseason setting. There’s still time to bolster this rotation, Erik.
The one bright spot for the Rays on Friday night was Junior Caminero hitting his 30th home run of the season. He’s on pace to reach the 40 mark for a second straight season.
Alex Cook, who replaced Shane McClanahan on the active roster, made his Major League debut, pitching the seventh and eighth innings. Cook walked a pair and didn’t record any strikeouts, but kept the White Sox off the board in his two innings of work. He leaned on his fastball, throwing it 76% of the time, occasionally mixing in a slider and changeup.
In Durham this season, Cook has thrown 33.1 innings with a 3.78 ERA.
The division race is far from decided, but tonight’s loss is a reminder that reinforcements are needed. Like the rest of the league, the Rays are waiting for the few sellers to budge and for the dam to burst before Monday’s deadline.
TORONTO, ON - JULY 31: Dylan Cease #84 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre on July 31, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Any game that Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease is involved in is likely to be a pitcher’s duel. That proved true Friday night, but Kyle Leahy was equally vexing to the Blue Jays lineup. Eventually it would come down to which team would prevail against the other’s bullpen and I’ll give you two guesses, but you’ll only need one to figure out whose bullpen won.
There isn’t much offense from either team to share for the first half of Friday’s game in Toronto, but there was an excellent defense play from Alec Burleson who robbed Nathan Lukes leading off the bottom of the 1st inning.
Alec Burleson also had the Cardinals first hit of the game which didn’t happen until the top of the 4th inning when he lead off with a double. Unfortunately, neither Herrera, Nootbaar or Winn could drive him in. When Dylan Cease is on the mound, you had better take advantage of scoring chances.
St. Louis had a similar opportunity with different results in the top of the 5th inning when Nathan Church led off with a single under Clement’s glove. He then stole second giving the Cardinals another runner in scoring position with no outs. Fermin grounded out to Guerrero Jr. who made a great play at first which moved Church to third with one out. Jimmy Crooks struck out, but JJ Wetherholt drew a walk and then Jordan Walker came through with a two-out single to left center scoring Church and giving St. Louis a precious 1-0 lead.
Kyle Leahy avoided drama until the bottom of the 5th inning when the Toronto Blue Jays started a two-out rally when Valenzuela singled followed by Gimenez who grounded deep to short where Masyn Winn nearly made an incredible play almost throwing him out at first. But, Nathan Lukes hit a weak fly to Jordan Walker in right to end the inning with no real damage done.
The Blue Jays would finally get to Leahy in the bottom of the 6th inning. Vladamir Guerrero Jr., who had not hit a home run in Toronto this season, came within an eyelash of doing that Friday night. He crushed an 85 mph Leahy curveball that hung up in the zone high off of the left field wall for a leadoff double. Kazuma Okamoto followed with a double of his own into the left field corner scoring Guerrero Jr. tying the game 1-1. It could have been worse as Springer lined out to Burleson at first. Varsho then hit a laser groundball that took a short hop on JJ Wetherholt, but he was able to snag it and throw Varsho out. Finally, Clement popped out to centerfield where Nathan Church made a run-saving diving catch to end the Blue Jays 6th.
Both Kyle Leahy and Dylan Cease would come out of the game after 6 complete innings by each. Kyle Leahy’s stat line was 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 run while striking out 3 and walking 1. Dylan Cease’s 6 innings also included 1 earned run, but he only allowed 3 hits while striking out 7 and walking 3. You know you’ve had a solid outing when you’ve gone mano-a-mano with All-Star Cease.
The Cardinals bullpen took over the bottom of the 7th with Justin Bruihl. He struck out Schneider, but then allowed a single to Valenzuela. Gimenez then hit a ball to the right side of the infield that glanced off of Burleson’s glove giving Toronto runners at first and second with no outs. Manager Oli Marmol brought in Peter Strezelecki to replace Bruihl. The Blue Jays had Myles Straw pinch-hit for Lukes and he was immediately plunked on the arm by Strezelecki loading the bases for the very much overdue Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with just one out. In what can almost be considered a baseball miracle, Strezelecki got Guerrero Jr. to ground into an inning-ending double play keeping the game tied 1-1 after 7 innings.
After the Cardinals did nothing with their half of the 8th inning, Strezelecki stayed in the game long enough to get one out before walking Springer and Varsho. Gordon Graceffo was handed the ball with the hope that he could keep the game tied. He upped the degree of difficulty by walking Ernie Clement to load the bases. The Blue Jays sent up pinch-hitter Luis Urias. He took the second pitch he saw which was a slider on the outside part of the plate and turned it into a 2-run RBI single giving the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals were fortunate to get an inning-ending double play to keep Toronto from piling on even more runs.
For the Cardinals to extend Friday’s game, the bottom half of the St. Louis lineup would have to come through against Blue Jays All-Star reliever Louis Varland. Lars Nootbaar started the Cardinals 9th with a groundout to Clement at second. Masyn Winn was able to line a single into right field to give St. Louis some hope bringing up Nathan Church who already had 2 hits on the night as the potential tying run. He flew out to right field for the second out. Jose Fermin grounded out to end the game and start the Cardinals Canadian field trip with a loss.
Saturday’s matinee matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays will feature the Major League debut of Quinn Matthews. He’ll compete with Kevin Gausman who gets the start for the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 2:07pm central time and the TV broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 17: Bryce Miller #50 of the Seattle Mariners is greeted by teammates in the dugout during the game against the San Francisco Giants at T-Mobile Park on July 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re back and not better than ever. The Mariners open one of their longest homestands of the season tonight, starting with the Twins for three games before the Tigers and Rays come to town, with the Rays series falling during the “50 Seasons” celebration. Also, it’s Fireworks Night, and you’ll just need to trust me on this, but the Mariners are 1-557 on fireworks nights, with the one win being J.P.‘s walkoff last season when he was actually pissed to have to stay over later on a fireworks night when everyone who isn’t a fan is just trying to get out of the building ASAP before the traffic hits. So. Fireworks nights are not my favorites. And just to get ahead of this, I also loathe the Blue Angels, who were flying overhead earlier. Loud noises aren’t my favorite unless it’s the musical stylings of Steely Dan or the crack of a baseball coming off Julio’s bat.
Lineups:
J.P. Crawford will get a guaranteed early exit from the ballpark tonight as he’s been placed on the seven-day IL with wrist soreness. Leo Rivas is here in his place, but it’s Weston Wilson getting the start at third tonight instead. Luke Raley is out of the lineup tonight; the elbow strain that he’s been playing through is bothering him today, but he was out on the field participating in warm-ups pregame. He’s day-to-day.
News:
As mentioned above, J.P. Crawford is sidelined with wrist inflammation. Read about that and more in John’s injury update.
The Twins kicked off their trade deadline by making a move prior to this series, because you just gotta get as many lefties as you can before facing the Mariners:
TV: Mariners.TV with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland-Smith with Angie Mentink as field reporter; the game will also show over the airwaves on King 5 in Seattle.
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
Jul 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Athletics shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (44) is caught trying to steal second by Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
SAN DIEGO — The San Francisco Giants are suspending payment to injured outfielder Harrison Bader after he aggravated his injured left foot during a scooter accident last weekend.
Bader has been out since late May dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The team said the injury got worse following the accident early Sunday morning in San Francisco.
“Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison’s prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field,” Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey said in a statement Friday. “We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident, but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the club.”
Bader signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the Giants before this season that includes a $4.5 million base salary for this season. He is owed $1.42 million for the remainder of the season.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Bader was involved in a vehicle collision while riding his scooter around 2 a.m. Sunday morning in San Francisco’s Marina District. He was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The 32-year-old Bader was batting .170 with five homers, 14 RBIs and a .557 OPS in 30 games before going on the injured list.
This isn’t the first time Bader has gotten into trouble in a scooter accident. He was suspended in college at Florida in 2014 after he hit a curb and ran into a truck while driving a motorized scooter, according to a report from the Gainesville Sun. He was unresponsive on the ground and, according to the incident report cited, smelled of alcohol.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 28: Brock Stewart #41 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers on Friday placed Brock Stewart on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort, and called up veteran left-hander Cole Irvin from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take down bulk innings in the planned bullpen game in the series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium.
Staying on the field has been the issue for the 34-year-old Stewart, who since returning to the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 2023 has been sidelined with right elbow soreness, shoulder tendinitis, a shoulder strain, a left hamstring strain, and shoulder inflammation, while totaling just 101 games and 95 2/3 innings over the last four (nearly) full seasons.
The 32-year-old Irvin, a native of Anaheim, has a 3.58 ERA in 20 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, with 55 strikeouts and 43 walks in 98 innings. Irvin leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA and wins (nine) this season.
After both Edwin Díaz and Tanner Scott pitched on each of the last two nights, the Dodgers weren’t likely to be able to cover nine innings of a true bullpen game with six mostly traditional relievers. Irvin with the Comets has lasted six innings in eight starts and has completed five or more 14 times in his 20 starts. He last pitched on Saturday, so Irvin against the Red Sox will be pitching on five days of rest.
Irvin earlier this week was slated to start Friday for Oklahoma City before major league needs took precedence.
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What do you get the team with the most talent in the sport? We asked you guys, and a new catcher was at the top of the wishlist, taking 47 percent of the votes. Before getting into what that might entail, let’s take a moment to appreciate the absurdity that not a single vote was cast for a position player (outside of catcher) — rightfully so, with no open spot on this roster the team could realistically hope to improve on That and other priorities, of course, while trying to improve its World Series odds.
The remaining 53 percent who didn’t vote for catcher were nearly split between starting and relief pitching. Both units share the exciting prospect of reinforcements on the way or recently arrived, with Edwin Díaz just activated and Blake Snell not far behind him. While any bullpen could always use an extra arm, the starting staff has this looming cloud over it with questions regarding the availability of Shohei Ohtani.
Assessing options on the market for these positions of “need,” with Will Smith’s rehab finally showing promising signs, the Dodgers may very well limit themselves to less splashy options. As we covered before here, Victor Caratini and Ryan Jeffers of the Twins may represent the best targets. A pending free agent, Jeffers wouldn’t cost a king’s ransom, unlike other more exciting controllable catchers, and the veteran Caratini would represent a safety net type of acquisition.
On the starting pitching front, with Eric Lauer thriving since being acquired by the Dodgers and Snell returning, it feels like a Tarik Skubal or bust kind of situation. Sure, there are other options who could prove to be an improvement over what the Dodgers have on the backend of the rotation right now, at least in terms of ceiling, but they’re not particularly likely moves. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, some of the better potentially available relievers at the deadline play for the Padres, making for a difficult deal as San Diego would inevitably prefer to move them to someone else. Everyone might want to talk about Mason Miller as the dream target, but pending free agent Adrian Morejón might be a more feasible acquisition and a great one in his own right.
Whether the target is a starter or a reliever, perhaps the best team to talk with is the Mets. While their record is atrocious, the Mets don’t lack in high-end reliever quality, with Brooks Raley and Luke Weaver pitching great and firmly available. A.J. Minter was also in this group, but he was the first to go, traded to the Twins on Thursday night. In the unlikely scenario the Dodgers want to add a starter not named Skubal, Clay Holmes ticks a lot of boxes, having recently returned from an injury and heading for the open market at the end of the year.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Carson Whisenhunt #88 of the San Francisco Giants pitches at Oracle Park on July 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo Vásquez/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this four-game road series against the San Diego Padres tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.60 ERA, 5.46 FIP, with 13 strikeouts to eight walks in 15.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, in which he allowed four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
He’ll be facing off against Padres right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez, who enters tonight’s game with a 2.33 ERA, 2.67 FIP, with 47 strikeouts to 16 walks in 46.1 innings pitched. His last appearance was in the Padres’ 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, in which he allowed just one hit with one strikeout in two thirds of an inning of relief.
BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers greets Masataka Yoshida #7 of the Boston Red Sox before their game at Fenway Park on July 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to wild, wild weekend in baseball land! Who gets flipped where? What does Craig Breslow do? Can the Sox win ANOTHER series? It all starts tonight!
⚾️ First Pitch: 10:10pm EDT – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Another McGwire will be playing baseball for the Athletics organization.
The Athletics signed Max McGwire, the son of former MLB slugger and A's icon Mark McGwire, to a minor league contract on Tuesday, July 28. He was assigned to the ACL Athletics (Arizona Complex League) on Friday, July 31.
Max is the latest member of the McGwire family to reach the professional ranks and is listed as a right-handed pitcher on MLB's minor league website.
The A’s will explore the possibility of the 23-year-old Irvine, California native as a power-hitting option and as a first baseman, according to Jason Burke of InsideTheAs.
McGwire began his college baseball career in 2022 at Oklahoma before transferring to San Diego (2024) and finishing at Saint Louis (2025, 2026). He served as a pitcher out of the bullpen for the Billikens in 12 games during the 2026 season, allowing 14 hits, 13 runs (10 earned runs), two home runs and 11 walks in 16.2 innings pitched.
He joins his brother Mason McGwire as an MLB prospect.
Mark McGwire leads baseball family
Mark McGwire is a 12-time MLB All-Star who played for the A’s from 1986 to 1997. He was the 10th overall pick by the A's in the 1984 draft.
McGwire made an immediate impact during his early years while the team was still playing in Oakland. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1987. He was also named an All-Star from 1987-1992. He finished fourth in MVP voting in 1992.
The Pomona, California native was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997 and finished out his playing career with the club in 2001.
McGwire reunited with the A's organization in February 2026, serving as a special assistant to player development.
He previously served as a bench coach for the San Diego Padres (2017-18) and a hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2013-15) and the Cardinals (2010-12).
Who is Mason McGwire?
Mason McGwire is the younger brother of Max.
The 22-year-old is a member of the Chicago Cubs' farm system and was drafted by the organization in the 8th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, California.
Mason McGwire currently plays with the South Bend Cubs in the Midwest League. He also played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans earlier this year.
The right-handed pitcher represented the Cubs in the 2026 All-Star Futures Game, entering in the seventh inning and allowing an earned run but also recording a strikeout.
Fondness for "M" first names
Mark McGwire has six children, and all have a first name that starts with the letter M. He has three sons: Matthew, Max and Mason. He also has triplet daughters: Monet Rose, Marlo Rose and Monroe Rose.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Rafael Devers #16 scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Daniel Susac #6 of the San Francisco Giants as Luis Campusano #12 of the San Diego Padres is late with the tage during the fifth inning of a game at Petco Park on July 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Francisco Giants (47-62) at San Diego Padres (55-54), July 31, 2026, 6:45 p.m. PST
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Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
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And not even an injury to one of their key bullpen arms seems probable to change that this year.
Before Friday’s series-opener against the Boston Red Sox, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Brock Stewart was going on the injured list with a problem in his right shoulder — the same one he had season-ending surgery on last year after arriving as a deadline acquisition.
The move comes amid what’s already been an unsettling stretch from the Dodgers’ relief corps (which has a 23rd-ranked 4.90 ERA in the majors since its historic 38-inning scoreless streak back in May) and its right-handed options especially (Stewart had been the most trustworthy choice there of late, before closer Edwin Díaz returned from his own injury this week).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Brock Stewart was going on the injured list with a problem in his right shoulder Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostAnd not even an injury to one of their key bullpen arms seems probable to change that this year. Getty Images
However, Roberts staunchly downplayed the severity of Stewart’s latest injury; which, pending an MRI scheduled for Saturday, the skipper repeatedly insisted is expected to be short-term.
“This is just more of a formality,” Roberts said, in part since it allowed the club to call up triple-A starter Cole Irvin to contribute to Friday’s planned bullpen game. “I really believe, the training staff believes, that it’s going to be short term.”
According to a source with knowledge of the team’s plans, the development is not expected to change the front office’s relative lack of urgency to add to its bullpen before Monday’s deadline, either.
Internally, though, the two-time defending champions are confident in the state of their unit.
However, Roberts staunchly downplayed the severity of Stewart’s latest injury; which, pending an MRI scheduled for Saturday, the skipper repeatedly insisted is expected to be short-term. Getty Images
Díaz’s fastball has looked improved in two outings since returning from the injured list. Evan Phillips’ stuff has also played up since returning from Tommy John surgery, albeit while showing some rust with command.
Edgardo Henriquez — who was the opener for Friday’s series-opener against the Red Sox — has largely been steady, despite the resurgence of some of his own command issues lately.
And though Will Klein has endured a midseason slump, more help could be on the way in the form of Blake Treinen and Ben Casparius (who are both on the IL but making progress toward their own returns).
Come the playoffs, the Dodgers figure to be able to reallocate resources from the starting rotation, too.
Last year, each of Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki shifted to relief roles in October.
According to a source with knowledge of the team’s plans, the development is not expected to change the front office’s relative lack of urgency to add to its bullpen before Monday’s deadline, either. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The health of the Dodgers’ rotation, of course, could impact that part of the plan.
However, the Dodgers are optimistic about each of their recoveries.
Snell said Friday he will make one final minor-league rehab start next week before being activated, and that his arm feels better than it has in years following a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow back in May.
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Glasnow, meanwhile, could be on the verge of beginning his own rehab assignment, having twice faced hitters in live batting practice in recent weeks as he works his way back from a back spasm issue that has sidelined him since May.
Ohtani’s next steps as a pitcher are more unclear. But his ailing knee felt good enough to return to the Dodgers’ lineup as designated hitter on Friday; after he missed Thursday’s game with a flare-up of soreness.
Jun 24, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shane Drohan (55) throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
The Brewers didn’t get off to the best start on their six-game California road trip, dropping two of three to the San Francisco Giants. After an off day to regroup, they’ll have as good an opportunity as any to get back on track against a Los Angeles Angels team that’s tied with the Rockies for the worst record in baseball.
On the mound for the Brewers is left-hander Shane Drohan, who’s been excellent in his first season with the organization. Drohan has posted a 3.51 ERA while striking out 82 batters in 82 innings this year. He was originally scheduled to start the series finale against the Giants, but Brewers manager Pat Murphy instead called up Thomas Pannone for a spot start to give his rotation a little extra rest.
The Angels will counter with 23-year-old right-hander Ryan Johnson, a competitive balance selection in the 2024 draft. Johnson made headlines last season after breaking camp with the big-league club despite never pitching in the minor leagues. He struggled to a 7.36 ERA across 14 relief appearances as a rookie and has posted an almost identical 7.34 ERA through 11 appearances (eight starts) this season.
As for the lineup, Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio will bat first and second for the second straight game, followed by designated hitter Christian Yelich. William Contreras will hit cleanup, with Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell batting fifth and sixth. Rounding out the lineup are Luis Lara (.832 OPS in his first 42 at-bats as a Brewer), David Hamilton, and Cooper Pratt. With Hamilton starting at third base, Joey Ortiz is out of the lineup again tonight.
One final piece of roster news: left-hander DL Hall, who owns a 2.03 ERA in 24 appearances this season, has been activated from the injured list. Pannone was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
For those of you tuning in, tonight’s game will air on Brewers.TV, WTMJ, and the Brewers Radio Network. First pitch is scheduled for 8:38 p.m.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up in the outfield prior to the game against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Friday is the final day of July, and the official dog days of August start with the Dodgers hosting the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has lasted at least six innings in each of his last eight starts. This will be his first career start against the Red Sox. Left-hander Peyton Tolle starts for Boston, with a 3.32 ERA in 17 starts in his rookie campaign, with 103 strikeouts and 27 walks in 95 innings.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 6: Harrison Bader #9 of the San Francisco Giants prepares for the game at Oracle Park on July 6, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison’s prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field. We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident, but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the Club.
What I appreciate about that statement is how clumsy it is, because it suggests that Buster didn’t write it using generative AI. Oh, but you’re here for the analysis.
Well, Harrison Bader was out late Saturday night into Sunday morning and, possibly while intoxicated, crashed the scooter he was riding into the back of a San Francisco Fire Department truck. Maybe it was the force of the impact or the truck was beginning its motion, but one of the tires ran over his foot. So, this is a severely aggravated injury and it will be interesting to see how it impacts his career going forward.
His time as a Giant would certainly seem to be up in the air, not just given the injury, but because of the foolishness. For all of us who thought this was a bad signing from concept, I don’t think we factored in the player’s behavior very much.
Even if we accept that most baseball players are overgrown boys, Bader was set to confer with the team’s medical experts the very next day. Plenty of players have been known to hit the field hungover, but doing all of this when you’ve already missed so much time and you’re about to be transported on the team’s dime to evaluate you further just… it’s beyond a bad look, and whatever moral, ethical, or troll arguments you want to make will probably stick. We don’t even need to ask what Bader was thinking, because we know he wasn’t.
What’ll be interesting to see is how the suspension of pay is handled. We don’t know the severity of the injury relative to recovery, for example, so, if his foot was crushed, let’s say, and there’s a 14-month recovery timeline or whatever, does “until he is able to resume performing services for the Club” mean his contract will have been, effectively, voided? And will the MLBPA stand for such a maneuver? But also, does “suspending payment” mean the same thing as “suspended without pay?” In the latter, you imagine that he doesn’t get that money once the suspension ends. In “suspending payment,” you can envision a scenario where they need to put that money in an escrow account until the matter is resolved. Careful wording that’s consistent with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement or just another clumsy aspect of the statement? [I’ll probably edit this section once someone clarifies.]
And then there’s the other complication of the pending lockout. I guess it’s only bad news for Harrison Bader, so I apologize for sounding alarmist.
The Giants get to save some more dollars to go along with all those open 40-man spots. Should help them pay down Robbie Ray’s contract at the deadline.
