Category: MLB

Absolutely ineffective on the mound, defensively, and offensively, the Yankees lost 6-1 to the Twins, their ninth loss in ten games. They have an awful 3-12 record since peaking at 46-28 on June 19th. The team they’ve dominated for the better part of this century also won its first series at Yankee Stadium since 2014, when the Yankees’ lineup featured the likes of Yangervis Solarte, Kelly Johnson, and Zoilo Almonte. It’s bad.

Addressing how this result came to pass, there is more to speed as a threat than the number of bases a team steals, and the Twins showcased that in how they approached this matchup against Ryan Weathers. Whether their consistent willingness to try to take an extra bag rattled Weathers in any way or not, it was involved in the two times Minnesota scored a run off the Yankee starter.

The first two hitters of the game reached safely on a double and an infield single, as Weathers couldn’t cleanly field a squibbler from Byron Buxton, who was eventually thrown out at second trying to secure an early steal. Last night’s star, Josh Bell, made sure the Twins got something out of that inning, getting on the board early by knocking an RBI single into right field.

Specifically on Buxton’s stolen base attempt, Austin Wells catching him red-handed was significant given he hadn’t been caught stealing since 2024, 31-for-31 in stolen base attempts since the start of last season. Unfortunately for the Twins, Buxton felt something relating to a previous hip injury and had to leave the game early, replaced by Kyler Fedko.

A few innings later, Royce Lewis opened the fourth with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch, and looked intent on stealing third to set up a sacrifice fly, enough so that he generated two early pickoff throws from Weathers at second. Perhaps too much attention to the basepaths led Weathers to not elevate a fastball enough and see Brooks Lee dump it into left for an RBI single, doubling the Twins’ lead.

Even though the signs were there on a cloudy “Weathers” forecast, the Yankees tried to extend him one more inning in the fifth, a decision they’d later regret. Opening the frame with a hit-by-pitch and walk, Weathers was removed in favor of Paul Blackburn, who very nearly got out of this mess but became yet another victim of Royce Lewis, who hit a two-run bases-loaded single to make it 4-0 Twins. Responsible for scoring or driving in three of the Twins’ first four runs, Lewis is in the middle of his best run of form this season, having reached safely in 15 out of his last 16 games.

While Blackburn was adequate in a tough situation, the Yankees bullpen didn’t provide much of a boost after a poor Weathers performance, justifying why the Yankees pushed their starter by allowing the Twins to further increase their lead. Camilo Doval opened the sixth, running into all sorts of trouble through his fault and also the defense’s, not to mention bad luck. A Volpe error and a lucky pop-up bunt hit that fell in no man’s land loaded the bases, allowing Minnesota to put two more across, scoring half a dozen. The story is just more of the same with Doval, who even with the miscues behind him has just been dreadful over and over again.

As if there weren’t enough disappointments in this loss, the Yankees, much like the Twins, also saw an important player leave the game early. Jazz Chisholm Jr. was replaced in the middle innings by Amed Rosario.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. left today’s game with right big toe discomfort. He was examined by Dr. Christopher Ahmad at Yankee Stadium. X-rays taken were negative. He will be reassessed tomorrow.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 5, 2026

Chisholm was the protagonist of the most frustrating moment of this Yankees loss when, after winning a long battle against the dominant Ryan with a single in the second, he was picked off at first immediately after. That Jazz single was one of only three hits the Yankees secured against Ryan, who held them to seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. The Yankees wouldn’t get an at-bat with a runner in scoring position until the seventh inning when Ryan stranded a couple of runners to complete his standout performance.

Even the sole run the Yankees scored came in deflating fashion with Jasson Domínguez grounding into a double play in the ninth when they threatened a rally after the first two hitters of the inning reached safely against Yoendrys Gómez.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Yankees, traveling down to Florida to start a four-game set against the AL East-leading Rays on Monday. The first of those games will be with AL Cy Young-hopeful Cam Schlittler against righty Griffin Jax as the opener, with the first pitch at 6:40pm ET.

Box Score

The Yankees fell to the Twins on Sunday, 6-1, dropping their first series at home to Minnesota since 2014.

Here are the takeaways…

-- New York's bats had nothing going for them against Twins starter Joe Ryan, recording just three hits against the right-hander over 7.0 innings.

-- Ryan Weathers struggled on Sunday afternoon across four-plus innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks over 88 pitches.

He let up a leadoff double in the first inning, but got some help from his defense as Austin Wells threw out Byron Buxton at second for strikeout double play. Although, the left-hander couldn't escape cleanly, giving up an RBI single to Josh Bell (that was somehow kept in the park by RF Max Schuemann) as Minnesota took a 1-0 lead.

Weathers got through the next two frames, including a 1-2-3 third inning, before letting up another run in the fourth inning. He walked Royce Lewis and then threw a wild pitch, allowing him to advance to second and score easily on Brooks Lee's single that made it a 2-0 game. The lefty's day came to an end in the fifth inning with no outs after he hit Luke Keaschall and walked Austin Martin. 

-- Buxton left the game with a hip injury after his slide in top of the first inning and was replaced in center field by Kyler Fedko. It was the first time he was caught stealing since May 1, 2024.

On the Yankees side, Jazz Chisholm Jr. left the game after the bottom of the fifth inning with right big toe discomfort. Amed Rosario came in for him, playing thrid base, with Jose Caballero moving to second base.

-- Paul Blackburn came in for relief in the top of the fifth with two runners on base and one out. The righty nearly escaped after getting a flyout and strikeout, but allowed a two-run single up the middle to Lewis as the Twins took a 4-0 lead.

-- The Twins loaded the bases in the sixth as Camilo Doval let up a leadoff double, Anthony Volpe misplayed a ground ball, and Keaschall bunted it to empty space in the infield. Doval walked in a run and let up another on a sac-fly, giving Minnesota a 6-0 lead.

-- New York added two more hits in the ninth and avoided the shutout as Jasson Dominguez drove in Trent Grisham on a double play grounder.

Game MVP: Joe Ryan

Ryan retired 13 straight Yankees from the third inning through the seventh inning. He struck out nine with one walk over 106 pitches.

Next Up

The Yankees head down to Tampa Bay and begin a three-game series against the Rays on Monday. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m.

Cam Schlittler (8-5, 2.08 ERA) gets the start against Griffin Jax (4-5, 3.45 ERA).

Yesterday, Americans attended barbecues, tore around on jet skis, and partied under fireworks for the country’s 250th birthday. Or, they took their sister’s Goldendoodle on 12 miles worth of walks, then got takeout supper and continued a Star Trek: The Original Series re-watch (& checked in on the Rocky & Twilight Zone marathons). Freedom, and all that.

But as was once said about President Ronald Reagan, it’s a new morning in America. What would the sunrise bring for MN? Well, how about 250 years of Minnesota Twins dominance over the New York Yankees!

After boat-racing the Yanks yesterday, the Twins got off to a fast start in this contest too when New York SP Ryan Weathers’ first offering was slapped into RF by Austin Martin for a double. This was quickly followed by a newly-minted-All-Star Byron Buxton single and it looked like MN would never make an out against NYY again—until Kody Clemens K’d and Buck was caught stealing for the first time since 5/1/24. Ugh. You also won’t hear Buxton’s name again in this recap until the Duds (double ugh).

Fortunately, Josh “Liberty” Bell saved the rally with a ringing (heh, heh) single that NY RF Max Schuemann couldn’t quite reel in. 1-0 MN.

As also-newly-minted-All-Star SP Joe Ryan looked sharp foiling Yankee bats in the early goings, the Twins went back on the attack in T4: a Royce Lewis walk led to his advance to 2B on a wild pitch which led to his coming around to score on a Brooks Lee base knock. 2-0 MN.

Right back on the attack in T5: the Twins loaded the bases with two outs and Lewis didn’t fall into the trap—instead knocking a solid single up the middle to drive two visitors across home plate! 4-0 MN.

Then, some circus baseball in T6: an Anthony Volpe error at shortstop…a horrible Luke Keaschall bunt that someone resulted in a hit…a bases-loaded walk to Martin…a well-struck Clemens sac fly. Boo birds were echoing through Yankee Stadium 3.0. 6-0 MN.

Meanwhile, the reason no Yankee offense has been discussed heretofore is because Ryan continued his Bronx brilliance. New York put a couple runners on base with two outs in B7, but our oh-so-much-more-than-average Joe made Amed Rosario look foolish on a filthy slider for this final line: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

Andrew Morris hurled a crisp, clean 8th inning, followed by Yoendrys Gomez losing the battle (shutout effort) but winning the war (ballgame) in the 9th.

Your Final: Minnesota Twins 6, New York Yankees 1

The Twins exorcised some demons by winning road series against the Astros & Yankees (the latter of those the first time since 2014). A new morning, indeed! Time for Goldendoodle walk number two on the day—with a smile on my face all the way.

Zach’s Zealot

• The United States of America: Our grand Democratic Republic experiment somehow made it through 250 years! I always wonder what the Founding Fathers would think—good or bad—about the nation they got off the ground. Perhaps when I reboot Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone that can be my first episode.

Zach’s Zombie

• Byron Buxton’s removal from this contest: After hitting the ground hard in T1 on a caught-stealing attempt, Buck left this contest with a re-aggravation of his troublesome hip. Tomorrow’s off day will presumably provide further evaluation and decisions on a potential IL stint.

Egg-cellent Elocution

• JustAnotherMinnesotan2says what Twins fans have wanted to vocalize since the Knoblauch Hot Dog Incident of ‘01 or Jason Giambi’s Big Blast in ‘02.

Who’s Got Next

• After Monday off, the Twins are back at the homestead for three games with the Cleveland Guardians (Tues. night, Wed. night, Thurs. afternoon)

Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins early due to left big toe discomfort, the team announced.

Chisholm flied out in the bottom of the fifth inning and did not return to the field on defense in the sixth inning, getting replaced by Amed Rosario. Jose Caballero slid over to second base while Rosario took over third base.

New York said Chisholm was examined by Dr. Christopher Ahmad at Yankee Stadium and X-rays were negative. He will be reassessed on Monday to determine the next steps.

Chisholm had gone 1-for-2 on Sunday, recording one of the team's few hits against Twins starter Joe Ryan. Through 85 games this season, he's hitting .225 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI.

Manager Aaron Boone said after the game that the injury occurred while Chisholm stumbled on a caught stealing in the bottom of the second inning. Boone added it's not looking like an IL stint for Chisholm, but it's a "nagging thing" with his toe since having surgery on it in 2023.

"Sometimes it comes back, a little bit of throbbing and stuff in there," Chisholm said. "When you kind of aggravate it, it kind of hurts. You don't move the same a little bit sometimes."

He added: "I was in a lot of pain, but I kind of figured that it wouldn't be that bad because it wasn't as bas as when I injured it the first time. But other than that, huge relief, thinking I'm good. Did a couple stuff in rehab when I came out, starting to feel better."

The infielder noted he doesn't expect to miss any time with the lingering injury.

The Baltimore bats couldn’t deliver in the clutch, and a strong Kyle Bradish start went to waste, as the O’s dropped their series finale in Cincinnati 3-2.

The O’s came into the bottom of the 9th trailing 3-1 after struggling to get their bats going all afternoon. The pinch-hitting Dylan Beavers worked a leadoff walk to put the winning run on base. Jackson Holliday then entered for Jeremiah Jackson, with the former No.1 overall pick correctly challenging a 3-1 pitch to also reach via walk. The red-hot Blaze Alexander then battled Reds closer Emilio Pagán, finally getting ahold of a 2-2 cutter and sending a single into left to load the bases.

With the bases loaded and one out, former All-Star Gunnar Henderson stepped to the plate. After falling behind 1-2, Gunnar just missed a fastball up and away, sending a fly out to deep left field. The sac fly allowed Beavers to score and cut the deficit to one.

That put the weight of the Orioles’ chances on the newly named All-Star Adley Rutschman. The Orioles’ catcher fell behind like Henderson and could only send a fly ball to center, ending the game with the tying run on second base.

The rally in the 9th was the Orioles’ first good scoring opportunity since the 6th inning. With the O’s trailing 2-0. After Adley Rutschman started off the frame with a fly out, Taylor Ward got the rally going with a double to the left field gap. Pete Alonso then sent a rocket of a ground ball to short, where a bobble by Elly De La Cruz allowed Ward to advance on a 6-3 groundout. That brought up Coby Mayo, the lefty masher, against Reds’ left-handed starter Nick Lodolo. The southpaw left a 1-1 changeup over the plate and Mayo smashed it into left field to bring home Ward.

Outfielders Tyler O’Neill and Leody Taveras then worked back-to-back walks to load the bases for Jeremiah Jackson. The infielder couldn’t come through, striking out to end the threat.

The lack of clutch hitting doomed starter Bradish to his second straight loss. The Orioles’ right-hander was as dominant as they come through the first four innings of the game, but saw his outing unravel a little in the 5th inning.

The Orioles’ right-hander started the game by setting down the first 12 Reds batters he faced. Bradish got an assist from Adley Rutschman in his first AB against De La Cruz, with the starter picking up a strikeout of the All-Star SS after a successful strike three challenge by Rutschman. He then got back-to-back groundouts from Sal Stewart and JJ Bleday to complete the 1st inning on just six pitches.

He’d repeat that same pattern in the 2nd, punching out Eugenio Suárez on a slider in the dirt before groundouts from Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson ended another 1-2-3 frame on only 11 pitches. Like your favorite song playing on repeat, Bradish would again cruise through the 3rd by starting with a strikeout before rolling back-to-back groundouts. He started the frame by getting Noelvi Marte to swing over a dive-bomb curveball, before TJ Friedl and Edwin Arroyo each grounded out to the right side to complete Bradish’s perfect first time through the order.

The ground ball remained Bradish’s best friend through the 4th inning, getting De La Cruz and Stewart to ground out up the middle to begin his second time through the lineup. Bleday then hit the Reds’ first ball out of the infield, lining out Leody Taveras in center to complete another perfect frame by the Orioles’ former ace. Bradish came into Sunday with a season of high of 10 groundball outs, and already had eight at the end of four frames.

That perfect start quickly turned into a Reds advantage thanks to a walk and a blast in the 5th. Bradish fell behind Suárez 3-0 and ultimately allowed his first base runner on a five-pitch walk. The Orioles’ right-hander then got ahead of Steer 0-2, but couldn’t find his out pitch. After failing to get Steer to chase a couple of breaking balls out of the zone, a 3-2 slider caught too much of the plate, and the Reds’ 1B sent an opposite-field two-run homer into the right-field bleachers.

After seeing his perfect game, no-hitter and shutout disappear in a matter of two batters, Bradish locked back in. He worked around a single from Tyler Stephenson to limit the Reds from doing any more damage. He then came back in the 6th and started the frame with another punch out of De La Cruz. After Sal Stewart gave the 29-year-old his 10th ground ball out of the afternoon, he won an eight-pitch battle with Bleday to complete another scoreless inning.

Thanks to only needing 77 pitches to get through the first six innings, Bradish came out for the 7th looking to keep the deficit manageable. He got fly-outs from Suárez and Steer before Stephenson picked up his second single of the afternoon (the Reds’ third hit). Bradish didn’t let the base runner faze him, however, getting Marte to bounce out for his 11th ground ball—a new season high.

Despite sitting at 89 pitches, manager Craig Albernaz sent his starter back out for the 8th inning. He started the 8th with a two-pitch flyout against Friedl, before giving up a soft single up the middle to Arroyo. The Orioles’ righty would win an eight-pitch battle against De La Cruz to strike out the SS for the fourth time.

Albernaz then came to the mound, looking like he was going to take Bradish out at 102 pitches. Instead, the starter convinced his manager to leave him in, and the Reds made the Orioles pay for that decision. With Stephenson on second after a wild pitch, Bradish tried to sneak a curveball inside to Stewart, but the Cincinnati 3B rocketed it down the third-base line to give the Reds a 3-1 lead.

That’d be Bradish’s last batter, finishing his afternoon with a line of 7.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB and 5 Ks. It was the third time in his last four starts that Bradish pitched into the 8th inning, and his eighth quality start of the season.

The Cincinnati Reds got a brilliant start from lefty Nick Lodolo, a Spencer Steer homer, and a timely insurance run courtesy of noted RBI-guy (and All Star) Sal Stewart and held on to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Great American Ball Park.

The victory made sure the Reds were not once again swept on their own home turf seeing as they’d dropped each of the first two games of the weekend series by three runs each.

Lodolo kept the ball in the yard and mostly over the plate through 6.0 IP of 6 H, ER ball, striking out only 4 but limiting the Orioles to just 2 walks in his time on the bump. Brock Burke and Tejay Anton each fired clean innings to back him up, though closer Emilio Pagan walked a pair, allowed a hit and a sac-fly run to score, and barely escaped with the save to hammer out the 3-2 win.

Spence goes oppo!@spenc__erpic.twitter.com/7REkqdjZMH

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 5, 2026

Steer’s homer, his 14th of the year, came in the 5th inning off Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish and marked the first runs scored of the game. Lodolo yielded a run in the subsequent half-inning, but an Edwin Arroyo single off Bradish in the Bottom of the 8th put a runner on for Stewart, who doubled them in for his 61st ribbie of the season. That proved vital given Pagan’s inevitable struggles to close things out, and the Reds escaped with a win that brought them to 41-48 on the year.

Swings like this are why he's an All-Star @stewart_salpic.twitter.com/nxVVxvXaAc

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 5, 2026

The Reds get Monday off before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies to town on Tuesday for a three-game midweek series, one that will be backed up by a home series against the Chicago Cubs to close out the season’s first half before the All Star break. Andrew Abbott will toe the rubber on Tuesday for the series opener against the Phils opposite Zack Wheeler, with first pitch in that one slated for 7:10 PM ET.

Game #90.

It really can’t be as bad as yesterday’s game, right?

Trey Yesavage is having a good season.

Trey Yesavage Rookie Ranks in 2026 (min 60 IP):

ERA – 3.34 (4th)
WHIP – 1.10 (3rd)
OPP AVG – .185 (1st)
OPP OPS – .616 (1st)
Whiff% – 29.3 (1st)#BlueJays50pic.twitter.com/e6g4sGweKp

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) July 5, 2026

But then Emerson Hancock isn’t terrible either. I can’t imagine naming someone Emerson. But then I don’t have much imagination.

Today’s lineups:

Martín Pérez has had some pretty rotten luck when it comebackers lately and now it appears that one was enough to take him out of a game. Back on June 24, Pérez took a comebacker to the leg and hadn’t really looked completely right since taking that hit.

Now, he’s unfortunately taken a comebacker to the forearm during the fifth inning of his start against the Mets and this one was rough enough (and in a key spot) to force an exit from the game.

Martin Perez exits after his left forearm was hit by this Soto liner to begin the fifth. Ended up retiring the last nine batters he faced. Retired just two of the first 11 he faced. pic.twitter.com/Sn4xeZSKu6

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 5, 2026

It’s a shame because as MLB.com beat writer Mark Bowman mentioned in his post, Pérez had actually found his groove and had settled in after getting hit hard by the Mets to the tune of five runs allowed (four earned) across 4.1 innings pitched. It’s an even bigger shame since Pérez had mentioned earlier this season that this is the first time that he’s felt fully healthy since the 2023 season, so he’s had to travel a long road to get to this bounce back season so far.

Instead, there could be a detour on this road if there’s bad injury news ahead for Pérez. Let’s all hope for the best as this would be a terrible blow both for Pérez and an Atlanta Braves rotation that can ill-afford any more bad injury luck coming their way. We’ll see what happens.

[UPDATE 5:46 p.m. ET]: We don’t have an official diagnosis yet but it’s likely not to be a good one as Walt Weiss informed the media following Sunday’s loss that Pérez is more than likely headed to the IL.

Weiss says he doesn’t believe Martin Perez’s forearm is fractured, but more imaging is likely needed. He will go on the IL.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 5, 2026

Right-handed pitcher Bryan Baker, infielder Junior Caminero, designated hitter Yandy Díaz, and right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen have been named American League (AL) All-Stars and will represent the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14.

This marks the fifth time the Rays have had four players or more selected as All-Stars, joining 2025 (four), 2023 (four), 2010 (four), and 2009 (five). It is also the fifth season in which multiple Rays pitchers have been named to the Midsummer Classic along with 2015 (Chris Archer and Brad Boxberger), 2012 (David Price and Fernando Rodney), 2011 (Price and James Shields), and 2010 (Price and Rafael Soriano). Between Baker (31), Díaz (34), and Rasmussen (30), three Rays have received All-Star selections at age 30 or older for the second time, joining 2021 (right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge, 31; infielder Joey Wendle, 31; and catcher Mike Zunino, 30).

Caminero, Díaz, and Rasmussen all earned their second career All-Star bids, joining Price (four), outfielder Carl Crawford (four), infielder Evan Longoria (three), Archer (two), left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan (two), infielder Brandon Lowe (two), right-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir (two), infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist (two) as the only players to receive multiple All-Star selections with the Rays.

Baker, 31, earned his first career All-Star selection, becoming the ninth relief pitcher in Rays history to be named an All-Star and the second over the last 10 seasons (2017-26) along with Kittredge in 2021. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla. product is the sixth Florida-born player and third Florida-born pitcher to earn an All-Star nod with Tampa Bay, joining Zunino in 2021 (Cape Coral), left-handed pitcher Matt Moore in 2013 (Fort Walton Beach), outfielder Matt Joyce in 2011 (Tampa), right-handed pitcher Lance Carter in 2003 (Bradenton), and infielder Fred McGriff in 2000 (Tampa).

Entering tonight’s game, the right-hander has gone 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA (34.1 IP, 7 ER) and 23 saves, two holds, a 0.82 WHIP, 37 strikeouts, and 11 walks over his first 36 appearances. The 23 saves are second most in the majors behind Cleveland’s Cade Smith (26). Among AL relievers with 30.0 innings pitched or more, Baker ranks second in opponent on-base percentage (.220) and third in WHIP, opponent batting average (.143), and opponent OPS (.463). He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on July 10, 2025 for a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick (No. 37 overall) in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.

Caminero, 22, was announced as the AL’s starting third baseman for the second consecutive season and is slated to become the first player in franchise history to start multiple Midsummer Classics. Longoria was voted as the AL’s starting third baseman in both 2010 and 2009, but he did not participate in the latter contest due to an infection on his right ring finger. Caminero is set to become the first third baseman and 14th player in the modern era (since 1900) to start back-to-back All-Star Games in age-22-or-younger seasons (age as of June 30). Since the All-Star Game’s inception in 1933, he is the second primary third baseman to receive multiple All-Star nods in age 22-or-younger seasons, joining Manny Machado (two), the 11th infielder, and the 34th player overall.

The 22-year-old will also represent the Rays during the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13. In last year’s Derby, Caminero finished runner-up to Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and launched 44 home runs across three rounds. He was defeated, 18-15, in the final round, falling four home runs shy of becoming the youngest champion in the event’s history. Caminero is set to become the first Ray to participate in the Derby multiple times and is already one of four players to represent Tampa Bay in the competition, joining Randy Arozarena (2023), Carlos Peña (2009), and Longoria (2008).

Entering play tonight, Caminero has batted .288/.376/.557 (93-for-323) with 12 doubles, 25 home runs, 55 RBI, 47 walks, 55 runs scored, and a .934 OPS through 85 games. The AL Player of the Month for June has the second-most total bases in the AL (180), is tied for second in homers, ranks third in OPS, is fourth in slugging percentage, and is tied for fifth in hits and extra-base hits (37). The 25 home runs are second most by a Rays batter before the All-Star break, trailing only José Canseco’s 31 blasts in 1999. He was acquired from Cleveland on Nov. 19, 2021 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers.

Díaz joins Corey Dickerson (2017 starter) as the only primary designated hitters in team history to be named to the Midsummer Classic. Díaz (34), Greg Vaughn (2001, 35), McGriff (36, 2000), and Canseco (1999, 34) are the only Rays position players to be named All-Stars in an age-34-or-older season.

The current AL batting leader, Díaz has slashed .325/.408/.495 (101-for-311) with 15 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 37 walks, 46 runs scored, one stolen base, and a .904 OPS over 82 games entering play tonight. The Sagua la Grande, Cuba native is tied for the AL lead in hits, ranks third in on-base percentage, and is sixth in OPS. He was acquired from Cleveland along with right-handed pitcher Cole Sulser in a three-team trade with the Seattle Mariners on Dec. 13, 2018.

The reigning AL Pitcher of the Month, Rasmussen earned his second straight All-Star nod, joining McClanahan (2022-23) and Price (2010-12) as the only Rays pitchers to be selected in consecutive seasons. Rasmussen, Price, McClanahan, Archer, and Kazmir are the only Rays pitchers to earn multiple All-Star selections in their careers, with Rasmussen and Archer representing the only two right-handers in that group. 

Entering his outing tonight, Rasmussen has gone 10-5 with a 2.45 ERA (92.0 IP, 25 ER) a 0.87 WHIP, 94 strikeouts, and 16 walks over 16 starts, 10 of which were quality. The right-hander paces the AL in WHIP, opponent average (.191), opponent on-base percentage (.236), and opponent OPS (.532) while ranking second in ERA and opponent slugging percentage (.296). He recorded a 0.61 WHIP over five starts in June, lowest in a single June by any pitcher with 30.0 innings pitched or more during the month in the modern era (since 1900). The right-hander was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on May 21, 2021 along with right-handed pitcher J.P. Feyereisen in exchange for infielder Willy Adames and right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards on May 21, 2021

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.

• Recalled from Triple-A Reno: INF/OF Tim Tawa
• Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: INF LuJames Groover

And right into the line-up goes Tawa… at third-base? A position where he has made one previous start in his 107 major-league appearances. All told, only 266 professional innings at the hot corner for Tim, with 85 or so over the last couple of seasons. So let’s hope this works out.

Yesterday was Paul Sewald’s 20th save of the season. He’s the first Arizona pitcher to reach that mark before the All-Star break since Brad Boxberger in 2018, who had 24 saves in the first half. With eight games still left to play, another couple could quite possibly be in Paul’s wheelhouse. If he does record two more saves, it will leave Sewald behind only Boxberger and Jose Valverde (26 in 2007). It has been a while since we have had a “reliable” closer (and I’ll get to those quotes in a bit). In this decade so far, never mind twenty saves, the only D-backs with more than ten saves before the break were Mark Melancon in 2022, and Sewald in 2024, his previous time here – both men had 13.

However, there’s no doubt that Sewald has been lucky. He has allowed runs in eight of his 35 appearances, but has saved 20 of his 21 opportunities. Last night was a case in point, allowing a solo home-run. Indeed, he has conceded four runs over his last three save situations and innings. Fortunately, the lead he was handed in each was exactly large enough to allow him to exit with an eventual one-run win and save. Had he entered in them with a one-run lead to start with, he’d have blown three consecutive chances. We would then likely be having a very different conversation about Sewald, leading up to the All-Star break.

Paul currently sits sixth in the majors for saves. But at 4.50, he is the only man in the top ten with an ERA even at four. The average across the other nine closers is just 2.05, less than half of Sewald’s figure. His FIP and xFIP are also the highest in the group, so that doesn’t make the picture any brighter. xERA, a stat based on quality of contact, does improve Paul’s number by more than a run, dropping him to 3.39. That’s better than MLB saves leader Cade Smith of Cleveland, who has 26 saves and an xERA of 3.62. We’d better hope Sewald can stay away from barrels, and continue doing such a masterful job of pitching to the scoreboard.

Public service announcement: today’s game is on Peacock.

It’s series finale time, with the San Francisco Giants concluding their six-game road trip by finishing business with the Colorado Rockies. If you’re sad to see the Rockies go, well, don’t worry … they’ll be in San Francisco on Thursday!

Taking the mound for the finale is right-hander Tyler Mahle, who makes his 14th start of the year. The veteran is 1-8 on the season, with a 5.67 ERA, a 4.83 FIP, and 64 strikeouts to 29 walks in 66.2 innings. He gave up four runs in 4.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last start.

For the Rockies, it’s righty Tanner Gordon, who makes his 11th appearance and fourth start of the year. The 28-year old is 0-2 with a 6.69 ERA, a 4.18 FIP, and 39 strikeouts to eight walks in 40.1 innings. He gave up five runs in as many innings against the Miami Marlins in his last game.

Enjoy the baseball, everyone.

Game #89

Who: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies

Where: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

When: 1:00 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: Peacock

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

Detroit Tigers (39-50) vs. Texas Rangers (45-44)

Time/Place: 3:30 p.m., Globe Life Field
SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball
Media: Peacock, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (3-5, 2.63 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (2-6, 3.83 ERA)

Rubber match in Texas
 
⚾️ 3:30 PM ET
📺 @peacock
📻 @971theticketxyt
🏟️ Globe Life Field pic.twitter.com/NZuUyJatR5

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 5, 2026

Going for the series on @peacock. #AllForTXpic.twitter.com/FJMMSpGnQh

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 5, 2026

Editor's note: Read MLB insider Bob Nightengale's full Sunday column here

As MLB continues to adjust to an ABS landscape, its umpiring ranks will be a little thinner after this season.

According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, seven MLB umpires have informed the league they will be accepting a buyout offer and retiring after the 2026 season. Among them are CB Bucknor and Laz Diaz, alongside Brian O’Nora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo and Andy Fletcher.

REQUIRED READING: Jacob Misiorowski's All-Star Game dream might come down to weather

It will cap off a 30-year career for Bucknor, who started by working in the National League in 1996 and has worked both the AL and NL since 2000. Diaz has been umpiring since 1999 when he stared in the American League and has worked both leagues since 2000.

The latter had a fun moment with ABS earlier in the year, when Royals catcher Salvador Perez successfully challenged two calls in a row and Diaz good-naturedly stared him down following the next ball call, which well outside the zone.

As noted by Nightengale, this small exodus of umpires may open the door for Jen Pawol as the first woman to be a full-time MLB umpire. Pawol has previously umpired games at the pro level.

pic.twitter.com/pn1RwpreXa

— Foul Territory (@bsbls885) May 19, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CB Bucknor, Laz Diaz among MLB umpires to retire after 2026 season

The San Diego Padres have been unable to buy a win. Despite starter Griffin Canning surrendering just one run, the Friars couldn’t get anything on the board against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace went seven scoreless innings before the bullpen pitched two more to complete the shutout. San Diego managed just four hits in the game, struggling to make headway against L.A.

They’re now one game away from back-to-back sweeps. The Padres just hit eight games straight in their current losing streak. It’s the longest streak the Friars have had since their 2013 season. San Diego must find a way to win today’s game, otherwise the season may be over at the halfway point.

Taking the mound

Emmet Sheehan (LAD) v. JP Sears (SD)

Sheehan hasn’t been the most inspiring pitcher for Los Angeles. He owns a 5.08 ERA on the season and has racked up just 81 strikeouts. That said, he pitched well against San Diego last week. Sheehan twirled five one-run innings against the Friars.

He’s struggled with command, surrendering 22 walks for a 1.27 WHIP through 72 2/3 innings. San Diego will need to take advantage of any mistakes Sheehan makes in order to stave off the sweep versus the rival Dodgers. If not, the Padres will have a tough time putting runs on the board.

It’s Sears’ third start in a Padres uniform this season. He’s been inconsistent but has undeniably good stuff. Sears pitched well in Petco Park against the Atlanta Braves but struggled in Wrigley Field versus the Chicago Cubs. That’s likely due to Sears being a fly-ball pitcher. He induces a lot of hard contact, and the wind at Wrigley resulted in Sears surrendering six runs to the Cubs.

Tonight, he’ll need to perform much better to bring San Diego a win. Dodger Stadium has traditionally been known as a pitcher-friendly ballpark, which should help Sears to induce fly outs. That said, Los Angeles could take advantage and launch some home runs out of the yard. Hopefully, the former turns out to be the case.

Batter up!

The Friars don’t have a ton of historical success against Sheehan. That said, the right-hander has struggled this season. If San Diego is going to put a stop to their losing streak, now is the time. The lineup was looking solid until last night. That’s somewhat admissible since they were facing Yamamoto, but getting shut out didn’t help matters.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
2. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Gavin Sheets, DH
5. Ty France, 1B
6. Xander Bogaerts, SS
7. Jackson Merrill, CF
8. Samad Taylor, LF
9. Luis Campusano, C

Tatis was the only solid hitter in last night’s game. He went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot and was the only batter not to strike out against the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Tatis has been one of the few consistent hitters for San Diego despite a slow start. Hopefully, that production can continue.

Relief corps

The Friars’ bullpen has looked more rested lately, but that hasn’t helped the Padres get a win. Wandy Peralta opened the game for Canning before Kyle Hart and Mason Miller took over. Miller only pitched because he hasn’t since Monday night against Chicago. He surrendered a run, raising his ERA to 1.01 on the season.

That leaves Alek Jacob, Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez for the Padres to turn to. Miller will also be available if San Diego has a lead in the ninth. He threw just 13 pitches to get through the bottom of the eighth inning last night.