ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rangers shortstop Corey Seager took a big step toward returning to the lineup and helping Texas in the American League West.
Seager hit a home run and made a strong play in the field in the first game of a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco. The 32-year-old went 0 for 3 before being lifted in the sixth inning in his second game with Frisco as recovers from lower back inflammation that has kept him out since July 1.
The Rangers hold a one-game lead over the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West.
Seager finished 1-for-2 with a walk and Texas manager Skip Schumaker was encouraged by the reports he received.
“The report was he came out of the game healthy and ready to go play again (Wednesday),’’ Schumaker said. “That part was good. He had a really good play in the hole. Nothing running, really good at the plate, hit the ball. Kind of everything checks. That’s exactly what we wanted to see.’’
No decision has been made as to when Seager might be ready to return to the Texas lineup, although Friday in Houston might be the earliest target date if all goes well Wednesday night.
“He’ll get back-to-back (games) and likely a day off (Thursday) then we’ll see where he’s at,’’ Schumaker said.
Seager has been limited to 51 games this season. He was placed on the seven-day IL on June 15 with a concussion and missed 12 games before dealing with back inflammation on May 15 that kept him out for 19 games. Seager’s latest stint on the IL has kept him out for 22 games, including Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Schumaker said the decision on when to return will ultimately be up to Seager.
“The player dictates a lot,’’ Schumaker said. “He wanted a couple games, I think, because he missed so much time. The recommendation is what we give and then the player decides how much he needs. Position players (need) maybe one of those simulated games, and then go to a rehab assignment, and it’s one or two games, then kind of you’re ready to roll. We’ve kind of had that discussion. He felt he needed a couple days, back-to-back games. We’ll see where he’s at.’’
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Hogan Harris #36 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning A’s fans!
The trade deadline is nearly upon us and with the Athletics where they are in the standings it’s time for them to begin getting rid of anything not nailed down. That means it’s time to start saying our likely goodbyes to guys like Jeff McNeil and Jeffrey Springs, two veterans on expiring contracts. Neither of whom are going to be on the next A’s playoff team and it’s time for the A’s to make room for younger players who could be on the next playoff squad.
After those two veterans though there’s not much in the way of rental players for the Athletics to offer on the trade market. New starting catcher Jonah Heim could be of interest to catchy-needy teams and there’s a larger than usual number of contenders seeking help behind the plate this year. Considering he’s also a free agent at season’s end it makes sense to trade him, but then that saddles the club with Brian Serven as the starter for the final two months of the year. Heim’s glove alone could be worth more to the Athletics’ young pitchers over the final two months than a small-time prospect in the lower minors.
It’d be a major shock to see any other position players traded by the A’s this deadline season but there could be more action in regards to what little pitching we do have. Lefty Jose Suarez has been a solid option for Mark Kotsay over the past couple months after starting the year in Atlanta. He’s got a tough 4.63 ERA on the year but a much more respectable 3.79 mark in 29 games with the A’s. More importantly, the 28-year-old is controlled for one more year after this season wraps up. That should boost the prospect cost to acquire his services.
The other two bullpen arms other teams might be considering are Hogan Harris and Luis Medina, who are both now into the arbitration years and getting raises this offseason. Medina, once considered a building block for the starting rotation, has settled into a bullpen role this year and adapted well to the new spot on the team. His 3.70 ERA is the second-best mark in the A’s bullpen and he’s also under contract for three more years. That extra team control gives the A’s options in regards to the right-hander. If a team wants his services they’ll need to pay a decent package for the three-plus years they’ll have him.
The left-handed Harris has been often mentioned by other fans and pundits as a dark-horse trade candidate and it’s easy to see why. Like Medina, outside of a tough June the 29-year-old has been one of the few consistent arms for Kotsay out of the ‘pen. His 61 appearances are the fourth-most in the American League and his nine saves leads the team. He’s a lefty but he’s actually been more effective against right-handed hitters this year. And, again like Medina, he’s got lots of club control after this year so teams will need to pay up.
The squad will be finding out soon enough how far the A’s go this deadline season, but all indications are we shouldn’t expect any massive swaps. First pitch is at 6:40 again tonight. Until then, have a great day everyone.
Lawrence Butler just shared on @AthleticsCast24 that he called a players-only meeting prior to yesterday's game against Boston, and that he and several teammates spoke.
The A's went on to beat the Red Sox by a 4-3 score and snapped a four-game losing streak.#Athletics
To keep this feature going, I’m going to post simply the WPA numbers and plays of the game, and a poll so you can vote on your choice for Player of the Game. Thomas will update the Rizzo Award standings when he returns.
Game 108, July 29: Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 (61-47)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Matthew Boyd (.438). 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K
Hero: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.302), 1-5, HR
Sidekick: Caleb Thielbar (.135). 1 IP, 2 K
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Trent Thornton (-.806). 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER)
Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.259). 0-4, R
Kid: Ian Happ (-.136). 0-4, 2 K
I’ll let Thomas weigh in when he returns from vacation, but I’d guess that -.806 WPA score for Thornton is not only the worst of the year for a Cub, but one of the worst in the history of our Heroes and Goats feature.
WPA Play of the Game: Ivan Herrera’s game-winning two-run double in the 10th (.670).
Cubs Play of the Game: PCA’s two-run homer in the top of the 10th (.415).
The two plays above were the top two WPA plays of the entire game.
Up next: The series finale, with Javier Assad facing Andre Pallante. The Cubs still have a chance to win the series.
(Original Caption) 10/1/1956- New York, NY - Yankee Manager Casey Stengel proudly presents the apple of his eye, his switch-hitting majesty Mickey Mantle, complete with crown and three "sceptres" representing the triple crown of the Major Leagues. Mantle is the top man on the batting totem pole with .353 batting average, 52 home runs and 130 runs batted in. Photograph by Bob Gilman.
I had the pleasure of writing one of these birthday profiles for legendary Yankees manager and the head honcho for the late 90s dynasty, Joe Torre. There aren’t many who can match Torre’s managerial career, and even fewer can live up to what he did as a player in the major leagues. Now, we get the opportunity to do remember the man who inspired Torre, beginning his career with the men in pinstripes nine years after Torre’s birth in Brooklyn.
Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel Born: July 30, 1890 (Kansas City, MO) Died: September 29, 1975 (Glendale, CA) Yankees Tenure: 1949-1960
Charles Dillon Stengel was born a Midwest kid in the late 1800s, where he would go to sandlots around his home turf and play baseball with his friends and anyone who wanted a game. By the time he was 20, his time playing in the sandlot was gone, but his dream for Major League Baseball remained after a few years in the semi-pro ranks. Thanks to the Kansas City Blues of the American Association, he began his professional baseball journey.
Stengel began his time as a pitcher, but when he made it to Double-A, his pitching skills were not up to par. So, he was moved to the outfield, where he still needed some work to be done. Kansas City optioned Stengel to the Class C team in Kankakee, Illinois, where he batted .251. Around this time, he did consider other options and even began school to become a dentist. Fortunately for the sport, those dalliances didn’t pan out.
The young Stengel was in the minors for three seasons before he began his major league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1912. He played 17 games with a slash line of .316/.466/.386 playing center field. He made his debut on September 17, 1912 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he went 4-for-4 with two RBI’s and two stolen bases. He would play with the Dodgers from 1912 to 1917 (with Ebbets Field opening in 1913), amassing 676 games played with a slash line of .272/.346/.393 for an OPS+ of 119 — so well above average for the era. Brooklyn was the organization that Stengel played the most with, so, naturally, he gathered his most walks, RBI’s, stolen bases, and more there as well.
Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Stengel with Brooklyn. In 1915, at the age of just 24, he dealt with illness as early as spring training, showing up 20 pounds weaker than he was the previous year. And as a result of the illness, which was addressed as venereal disease (after the thought was typhoid fever), he had the worst full season of his playing career. He was also consistently stuck in contract disputes with Charles Ebbets, co-owner of the Dodgers, despite teammate Chief Meyers in the book The Glory of Their Times saying his play was key to the Dodgers’ 1916 pennant win prior to their World Series loss to the Boston Red Sox — and 21-year-old pitcher Babe Ruth.
Stengel was traded to the Pirates after another contract holdout with Dodgers ownership and played for Pittsburgh in the 1918 and 1919 seasons, but he seemed to have little interest in playing for the club. In his first year, he only played in 39 games while working and running Brooklyn Navy Yard’s baseball team. After another contract dispute and a bit of antics from Stengel on the field in 1919 involving a sparrow that was released from his cap when he tipped it after the crowd booed him, Bucs ownership had had enough, and he was moved to Philadelphia.
After one season in 1920 with the Phillies, he was moved again in 1921 to the New York Giants, where he finished that season and played two more, winning back-to-back Fall Classics in two all-Polo Grounds series against a Yankees team that now starred Ruth. He also faced his future club in a third in 1923, memorably hitting an inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning of Game 1 to key a Giants victory during the very first World Series game at the original Yankee Stadium. Another Stengel homer in a 1-0 win in Game 3 put the Giants ahead in the series 2-1, but Ruth’s Yankees rallied for three-straight victories to secure their first championship.
Following a two-season stint in the Boston Braves organization, Stengel hung up the playing spikes, after he was hitting only .077 and was sent to Worcester as player-manager and president for their minor-league squad. He played in 100 games, batted .320, and led the team from last place to third. His legendary managerial career began when an opportunity to take over as manager of the Toledo Mud Hens came out of the woodwork; Stengel released himself as a player, since he was player-manager, and then, as president, he fired himself as manager.
Stengel was manager of the Mud Hens for six seasons, and in 1931 he was hired as a first base coach for the Dodgers by former Pittsburgh teammate Max Carey. The former Dodger had a reputation that preceded him, which gave managers a reason not to hire him for any job, but Carey’s call to allow Stengel into the fold ended his absence from MLB and set him on the road to new heights as a manager. After Carey would not respond to a jab at the Dodgers in the press, he was fired, and Stengel took over for the first time as a manager of a major league ball club. He managed until 1936 and was fired due to poor team performance and not getting enough out of the talent he had at his disposal. After sitting out entirely in 1937, the owner of the Braves, Bob Quinn, offered Stengel the manager chair in his organization, and he took it.
From 1938 to 1943 — Stengel’s tenure at the helm — the team never finished in the top half of MLB and finished seventh four straight years between 1939 and 1942. And while he did see some excellent names come across his lineup card (including Warren Spahn, whom Stengel eventually sent down because he viewed him as not having any “heart”), the progress wasn’t nearly enough to constitute a longer tenure. So, Casey was fired.
Stengel returned to the minors for another four seasons, not sure if or when his major league managing career would ever restart. But after enough work to win Minor League Manager of the Year with the powerhouse Pacific Coast League’s Oakland Oaks, he was finally hired as the manager of the Yankees (eventually bringing along one of his favorite Oaks players, a firestarter named Billy Martin).
Yankees brass were not keen on bringing Stengel in at first. While he had his name tossed around in conversations years before his hiring, those who had a stake in the club knew of Stengel’s reputation and didn’t feel like it was worth pursuing. Like Torre decades later, Casey was also perceived as someone who had never won much of anything as a manager and was undeserving to manage this already-prestigious franchise led by Joe DiMaggio. However, after those who opposed his hiring were either fired or sold their stake, there was no way to block the move.
While Stengel tried to keep a low profile, it was almost impossible for the newest Yankees bench boss. It was hard for Stengel at first to fit in, but he did after a while. Early in his first season, he criticized players heavily, including in one players-only meeting held after a doubleheader loss to Philadelphia. Still, he also made sure to tell them that he knew everything was going to work. He believed they could win. And after DiMaggio returned from injury, that’s exactly what they did.
The Yankees of 1949 finished the season with a plethora of injuries plaguing them, but also a 97-57 record, good enough for the American League pennant and a chance to win a World Series. But it came against Stengel’s former team, the Dodgers, just as it would through most of Stengel’s time as manager. And after five games, the last three of which the Yankees won despite some antics from Stengel in Game 4 that got him reprimanded by the commissioner, Happy Chandler, he won his first championship as a manager — again like Torre in his first year.
In wake of his championship in 1949, Stengel went back to being the man who earned himself the reputation that preceded him: talkative, forceful, brash, you name the adjective, and he was probably that. He knew the job he still had to do, but when you win it all, you have a bit more leeway to do as you see fit. He and DiMaggio had their battles, especially with the Yankee Clipper being in the back end of his career, but Stengel also did an excellent job with the younger players. Names like the already-ascendant Yogi Berra, lefty Eddie Ford (soon to be famous as Whitey), the versatile Gil McDougald, the aforementioned Martin, and others came to the forefront, and Stengel found a player before the 1951 season who could take the franchise’s reins: 19-year-old Mickey Mantle.
The 1950 and 1951 Yankees finished with the same record (98-56), and both came out of the season as world champions, both against two of Stengel’s old teams, the Phillies and Giants. Three seasons, three championships for Stengel as manager of the Bombers, and it had only just begun.
DiMaggio retired from baseball in 1951, and the Yankees continued their reign as kings of Major League Baseball, defeating the Jackie Robinson-led 1952 Dodgers in seven games. The Yankees won another World Series in 1953 against Brooklyn with Martin walking it off in the Game 6 clincher, making that five championships in a row for the Stengel-led pinstriped men. And he felt the love, as the charismatic man dubbed “the Ol’ Perfesser” grew to become a national figurehead not just for the franchise but for baseball as well.
The 1954 campaign was the first that Stengel’s Yankees fell short, though oddly enough, their 103-51 mark was the best of Casey’s time with the Yankees but still eight fewer wins than Cleveland. They quickly bounced back in 1955 with a record of 96-58 and another pennant win. They lost to the Dodgers in the World Series in seven games, but from there, it flip-flopped, with the Yankees winning the World Series over Brooklyn in 1956 (keyed by Stengel’s gutsy call to start Don Larsen in Game 5 mere days after he was dreadful in Game 2), only the pennant in 1957, and a seventh title in 1958, avenging the previous year’s loss to the Milwaukee Braves. Over that period, there were issues within the organization and how Stengel managed the players off the field, with rumors leading to a media circus when players stayed out too late or even were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana nightclub — leading to Martin’s ouster. But as long as they were winning, Stengel did not mind one bit.
By the time he won his seventh World Series as manager, Stengel was 67 years old and was seen falling asleep in the dugout. According to his players, he had also grown significantly more irritable. He needed a new contract and was visibly wearing down. Still, management decided to keep him involved anyway because of that 1958 triumph, even though his contract was set to expire.
Casey was given another two-year deal set to expire in 1960. A 79-75 record and distant third-place finish in 1959 was a clear example of the problems within the Yankees dugout. Despite winning his 10th pennant in 1960, the decision to not renew Stengel as Yankees manager had effectively been made, and it was only secured by strange decisions during that last Fall Classic. Stengel’s ace, Ford, was incensed that his skipper refused to start him in Game 1 against Pittsburgh, which Art Ditmar lost, 4-2. It was a strange series, as the Yankees outscored the Pirates by more than any team in World Series history across seven games, but New York lost three close games along the way to force a Game 7 — which Ford could not start because he wasn’t used until Games 3 and 6 (blowout wins).
Bill Mazeroski’s series-winning homer off Ralph Terry was the last moment of Stengel’s Yankees career. Overall, he finished with a 1149-696 record with the Yankees, along with seven World Series championships and 10 AL pennants. Stengel went on to manage the New York Mets from 1962 to 1965, where he finished with a record of 175-404 for the expansion club that was still finding their identity — though he remained a beloved figure in the media for everything he did to stir up interest in his otherwise-subpar Metsies.
While he was a brash character both during his playing days and during his time as a manager, Stengel will always be remembered for the effect he had on his players and his leadership during the best years in Yankees history. He was blessed with great players, but some of the best seasons in MLB history came under his tenure. For that, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966 alongside legendary Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams.
Stengel helped build and foster some of the best teams and players the game will ever know, making his mark permanently on the sport’s history. His No. 37 was retired in 1970, allowing him one more moment in the Bronx sun prior to his passing five years later at age-85.
Happy birthday, Casey!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: Theo Gillen #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during batting practice prior to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game Presented by Nike at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the Tampa Bay Rays sit in a strong position in the American League standings in late July 2026, the organization faces a familiar but critical decision point.
With the trade deadline set for August 3, speculation has intensified around potential moves to bolster the major league roster. Yet, recent reporting from Ken Rosenthal underscores a compelling reason for caution: the Rays’ exceptionally deep farm system, headlined by top prospect Theo Gillen, represents a foundation that should not and cannot be compromised lightly.
Theo Gillen, the Rays’ No. 1 prospect and a top-10 talent across Major League Baseball, has delivered a breakout 2026 campaign. The 20-year-old outfielder has excelled at Double-A Montgomery, showcasing plus power from both sides of the plate, speed, and a polished approach that has produced multi-home run games and extended hitting streaks. Ranked as high as No. 9 overall by MLB Pipeline, Gillen embodies everything a seller would want at the trade deadline: high-upside and a controllable timeline.
Theo Gillen logs his third multihomer outing of the season 💪
Accordingly, Gillen is also the type of player the Rays need — unless the new owners want to drop top dollar on expensive veterans alongside a new ballpark — to have sustained competitiveness over the coming years.
The Rule 5 Imperative
Compounding the value of retaining top-end talent is the impending Rule 5 Draft. With a dozen or so quality players from the Rays’ organization eligible next offseason, Erik Neander and the front office must weigh the risk of losing developed depth against any short-term gains from trades. If you’ve been reading the site over the last month, this is nothing new, as Ben Whitelaw has been mapping such prospects into proposed trades in his articles over the last few weeks with a similar reminder.
R5 eligible Rays who are Top 30 prospects:
Brody Hopkins (No. 5) Michael Forret (No. 8) Ty Johnson (No. 10) Santiago Suarez (No. 13) Xavier Isaac (No. 16) Brayden Taylor (No. 17) TJ Nichols (No. 19) Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) Jackson Baumeister (No. 28) Tre' Morgan (No. 29) Homer…
Protecting these assets typically means prioritizing additions to the 40-man roster or strategic retention over aggressive selling of future value. In a market where the Rays are positioned more as buyers than sellers given their playoff odds, the calculus favors measured moves that supplement the current roster without mortgaging the years ahead.
Said more plainly: if the Rays are going to make a move, these are the players they need to prioritize in their trade discussions.
The Goodman Inquiry and Setting Boundaries
Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic reported the most recent Rays rumor when discussing the potential availability of breakout young catcher Hunter Goodman in Colorado:
How badly do you want him?
The staring contest between the Rockies and teams seeking to trade for Goodman is on.
Three AL East clubs — the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees — are among the teams expressing varying interest in Goodman, according to people briefed on the Rockies’ conversations but granted anonymity to speak freely. The Rockies, however, face no urgency to move Goodman, who is under club control for three additional seasons. So, they’re asking for multi-player packages led by teams’ No. 1 prospects — outfielder Theo Gillen from the Rays, Franklin Arias from the Red Sox and so on.
This highlights the problematic market dynamics at play. The Rockies, seeking a substantial return for Goodman, have reportedly inquired about Gillen as the centerpiece of any package from the Rays. Goodman, as a productive power bat at home and on the road with years of control remaining, understandably appeals to contending clubs. However, the Rockies’ high asking price—centered on a top prospect—aligns with their lack of urgency to move a player under club control through 2029 and the realities of a sellers market.
For the Rays, this inquiry should serve as a firm boundary. Asking for Gillen can — and should — slam the door shut on any trade negotiations.
Trading Gillen, even in a package for an established major leaguer, would represent a significant departure from the model that has sustained contention. While the Rays have demonstrated willingness to move prospects in the past when they feel the return justifies the cost, both team history — typically waiting until the offseason for such moves when leverage is neutral — and the current depth and Rule 5 considerations tilt strongly toward preservation.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Rays fans understand the franchise’s philosophy around trades is rooted in avoiding the boom-and-bust cycles that plague other markets. The current farm system offers an opportunity to extend the team’s success.
As the August 3 deadline approaches, the expectation is that Neander and company will have explored upgrades, but also while remaining disciplined. The goal remains building a roster capable of not only reaching the postseason this year, but one that ensures relevance for years to come.
Let me finish by acknowledging the devil (rays)’s advocate: Is there a scenario where the Rays could move the likes of Gillen? Yes, of course! But such a deal would be unreasonable, and thus the return must also be one you might consider unreasonable. It would need to be a Godfather offer, one you cannot refuse. There are players that could fit that bill: shortstops Bobby Witt Jr. or Konnor Griffin come to mind. But it’s hard to imagine either being for sale, and even typing it out feels foolish.
It’s not all doom and gloom. Perhaps the Rays will still add a player here or there before August 3rd, a backup catcher and/or a reliever, but at this point I’d rather promote Brayden Taylor to the majors to give him a whirl at second base than trade him alongside Brody Hopkins for the likes of JJ Bleday.
Tampa Bay’s strength has always been foresight. In this moment, it might mean recognizing that the best deals are sometimes the ones not made — especially when they involve the future stars who will define the next era of Rays baseball.
Jul 25, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Robby Ahlstrom (54) delivers a pitch to the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Morning, all!
The Rangers addressed two needs last night after a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay, sending prospect Angel Arredondo to Anaheim for reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
O’Hoppe will be headed to Round Rock, as he has seen a dramatic decline in his offensive production over the last year and the Rangers are hoping they can return him to form.
Skip Schumaker says the Rangers have a plan to get O’Hoppe back to where he used to be.
Corey Seager is expected to rejoin the club in Houston this weekend after a lengthy stay on the IL.
Sebastian Walcott stole the show during Seager’s rehab start last night, perhaps highlighting the Rangers’ present and future.
The Detroit Tigers' season may have flatlined with July 29's brutal loss to the Orioles in extra innings, but on July 30 the team broke out the defibrillator in the form of No. 1 team prospect and the No. 13 MLB prospect (per MLB Pipeline) Max Clark.
Clark, 21, was drafted third overall by the Tigers in 2023. He played alongside former 2023 pick Kevin McGonigle, who went 37th overall, in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field, where he went 1-for-1 with a single, a walk, and a stolen base.
With the Toledo Mud Hens this season, Clark is hitting .276 with an OPS of .802. He has 11 home runs on the year, including two in his past three games. He will join a Tigers outfield badly in need of a reshuffle, and will give a glimpse of the Tigers' future with its present very much in flux.
With the loss to the Orioles, the team is facing down what to do with super-ace Tarik Skubal, the two-time defending Cy Young winner who is on an expiring contract. It is six games back in the AL Central and 4.5 games back in the crowded AL wild card race.
Max Clark MiLB stats
Clark has impressed in Triple-A, looking like a very streaky hitter at times. Here's a look at how he's fared.
If nothing else, Clark adds some electricity to the lineup. His strikeout-walk ratio and 21 steals should help the team's depth in the lineup after the initial MLB lumps. He is hitting .338/.466/.620 in July.
Max Clark spring training
Clark was the topic of much debate in the Tigers' spring training games this season, though much of that was due to his gaudy choice of accessories. Clark didn't play well in those showings, misplaying multiple fly balls on defense and finishing ice cold at the plate. He will be trying to rectify that early.
It is unknown as of now when Clark's MLB debut will be.
How old is Max Clark?
Max Clark is 21 years old, born on Dec. 21, 2004.
The third overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Clark made his professional debut in the minors at age 19.
What does Max Clark move mean for Tarik Skubal trade prospects?
In truth, while every Tigers move is going to be pored over to see what it means for Skubal, this particular move is likely its own thing. Around the deadline is a reasonable time for teams to call up top prospects, and Clark has come on extremely hot in July after just two home runs in April and May. Center field is hitting .208/.261/.330 for the Tigers this year, so he is also addressing a position with a massive dearth of offensive production for the Tigers.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Royals vs Twins - Under 9.5
Price: 52¢ (-109) at Polymarket
It's a getaway game for both clubs, and let's face it, neither offense has looked good out of the break — especially in this series.
The Minnesota Twins have scored four or more runs in just three of their last 10 games. In the other seven, they have combined for only 11, including last night's 4-0 shutout loss.
The Bobby Witt-less Kansas City Royals haven't been much better offensively, but they did get seven strong innings from Randy Dobnak last night — leaving the bullpen fresh.
Minnesota also hasn't needed its high-leverage relievers since the weekend. Even if neither starter goes deep, the late innings should feature the A arms on both sides.
These are two of the coldest offenses in baseball right now, and with fresh bullpens, an afternoon getaway game, and an inflated total, I'm betting the Under 9.5 down to 9 at -110.
The wind blowing in at 11 mph is the cherry on top.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: Royals.TV, Twins.TV
Jon Metler's expert pick: Reds moneyline
Price: 48¢ (+108) at Polymarket
I usually break these games down from a baseball perspective, but for Thursday's matchup, I think the biggest edge comes from the price itself.
I like the Cincinnati Reds on the moneyline, but what really stands out is how far Polymarket's number is from the rest of the market. The Reds are trading at 48 cents against the Pittsburgh Pirates, while most sportsbooks and prediction markets have them closer to a 51-cent favorite.
That alone makes Polymarket's price attractive, but I think the value runs even deeper because I make Cincinnati closer to a 54-cent favorite.
In other words, I believe there's value in backing the Reds, but that edge becomes even greater if you can lock in the 48-cent price at Polymarket.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Reds.TV
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Dodgers moneyline
Price: 59¢ (-148) at Polymarket
The Seattle Mariners send Bryan Woo to the mound, and he's been horrendous away from home — posting a 6.52 ERA while allowing five or more earned runs on five occasions.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been hammering right-handed pitching, ranking fourth in OPS over the past two weeks.
Roki Sasaki is trending up after surrendering just one earned run across his last two starts and now draws a Mariners lineup that ranks a brutal 27th in OPS vs. righties during that two-week span.
Seattle's 15 losses in its last 20 road games only strengthen the case.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet LA, Mariners.TV
More MLB best bets for today
Pick
Odds
WAS ML
+133
Read analysis in our Nationals vs Braves predictions
CWS ML
-112
Read analysis in our Yankees vs. White Sox predictions
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ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 04: A jersey with USA 250 patches hangs in the locker of Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers prior a game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on July 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, who has been on the injured list since the beginning of the month, is expected to be activated tomorrow when the Rangers start their series in Houston against the Astros, per the beats. In addition, Jordan Montgomery, who has been on the injured list all season as he returns from Tommy John surgery, will make another rehab start on Sunday.
Seager has had a difficult season, going on the injured list in mid-May due to back spasms, returning in June, playing five games, and then going on the concussion injured list and missing two weeks after a home plate collision. He returned and played four games before going back on the injured list due to more back issues. He has played shortstop the past two days for Frisco on a rehab assignment.
Seager is slashing just .182/.292/.374 on the season, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in baseball, and getting him back in the lineup would provide a shot in the arm for the Rangers — at least, if he can stay in the lineup. Josh Jung, who went on the injured list with a calf issue, is eligible to be activated on Saturday, August 1, though there’s no word yet on whether he’s expected to be ready to go.
As for Montgomery, there was some thought that he could be activated and start a game in the Houston series. The Rangers are instead leaving him out for another rehab outing, and are going with a bullpen game in today’s series finale in Tampa, allowing the team to go with Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom and Kumar Rocker in Houston. Rangers are 4-6 against Houston so far this season. The Rangers need to sweep Houston to have the tiebreaker over the Astros, who are currently just a game back in the division. Texas, by virtue of winning three of four against Seattle last weekend, hold the tiebreaker over Seattle.
Montgomery, one of the heroes of the 2023 championship team, signed a two year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on the eve of the 2024 season. He had an awful year, putting up a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings, and then needed Tommy John surgery early in 2025. He signed a one year deal with the Rangers for 2026, with the idea being he would be a major league option at some point in the second half of 2026.
Montgomery has made seven rehab appearances, most recently throwing 75 pitches in 4.1 innings for Round Rock on the 25th. His velocity has been down, which is a concern — in his most recent appearance, he averaged just 90.6 mph with both his fastball and his sinker, down a little over one mph from where he was in 2024, and down 2.5 mph from 2023. He has stated that he thinks the velocity will be back when he’s back in the majors and the adrenaline kicks in, but until he shows that, the loss in stuff has to be a concern.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 19: Eury Pérez #39 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 19, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Mets (46-63) welcome the Miami Marlins (55-54) for a four-game series at Citi Field. The Marlins, coming off a sweep of the Phillies, had lost 12 in a row before then. In fact, the last seven series the Marlins have played have been sweeps in either direction.
The Mets had a chance to sweep the Braves last night at Citi Field, but instead fell 1-0 in a very well pitched game between Chris Sale and Christian Scott. Scott was tagged by an RBI single off the bat of Matt Olson, the only blemish in the game. The Mets won a one-run game in the matinee of Wednesday’s doubleheader as well, but the two games that preceded the pair of one-run affairs were routs with the Mets defeating two first-place teams by sizable margins.
This doesn’t mean anything for the Mets’ postseason hopes, dashed as they are, but it is nice to see contributions from players who will either be a part of the team’s future or will be traded in the next five days for players who, hopefully, will be a part of the team’s future.
On that note, the big story of this weekend for the Mets is their players that may be moved before the trade deadline on Monday. The spotlight will be on Freddy Peralta on Friday, for he’s the most high-profile player on the block. The Mets traded two of their top prospects for Peralta (and Tobias Myers), but it seems unlikely that they’ll get a similar package back. Not that one Peralta gem will suddenly shoot his stock through the roof, but it may be enough to nudge a little more out of the return.
This weekend is a tricky balance of highlighting those potentially moving players while also not risking them getting hurt and tanking their trade value. It remains to be seen who the Mets actually move, but it wouldn’t be shocking if the Mets moved more than five players off the active roster before Monday night’s game. This weekend is going to be your last shot to see some of these players in blue and orange, so soak up your A.J. Minter and Tyrone Taylor moments now.
As mentioned earlier, the Marlins are having a weird season. They’re hovering around .500 while in third place in the NL East, but had a magical June and a fairly disastrous July, bookended by some big wins. Their best pitcher, Max Meyer, is currently out, but the team is getting contributions up and down their roster. Griffin Conine, since coming off the IL, has been a bit of a spark for the club, and Sandy Alcantara is looking more like the stud he was always projected to be.
This is a team that has stymied the Mets on their postseason runs too many times, and while most of those players no longer play in Miami, the Otto Lopezes and Xavier Edwardses of the world are reminders that it isn’t always the superstars who come back to bite you. This team is pesky, resilient, and coming off a sweep of the Phillies. It’s going to be a tough series.
Thursday, July 30: Nolan McLean vs Eury Pérez, 7:10pm EDT on SNY
Six straight quality starts are what McLean is bringing into his start with the Fish tonight. McLean hasn’t looked quite as sharp as he did last year at a few times this season, but he’s on a really nice run right now that is starting to harken back to his 2025 greatness.
Still not quite back to his pre-injury success, Pérez has been a solid pitcher for the Marlins this season. His last four starts have all been quality ones and he’s starting to get his strikeouts back up. In his July 19th start against the Brewers, he limited them to just one hit and three walks while striking out nine. He fared worse against the Padres in his next start, but still went seven innings of three-run ball.
Friday, July 31: Freddy Peralta vs Janson Junk, 7:10pm EDT on SNY
Friday will almost certainly be Freddy’s last start as a Met, and that brings with it mixed emotions. On one hand, he was nowhere near the pitcher the Mets thought they were getting when they traded for him, and so there is a bit of ‘good riddance’ attached to his departure. But on the other, Peralta represents what could’ve been for the Mets this year had the chips fallen differently. He joins Justin Verlander as recent half-season Met starters who couldn’t help get the team to the postseason.
It is far too easy to call Junk a junk baller, but for a dude who doesn’t strike out a ton of guys, lives on weak contact, and can sometimes lose the strike zone. it would be unprofessional for me not to make the joke. Junk missed six weeks between May and July and, since he returned, he’s had two fairly good starts and one disaster, but all have been short outings.
Saturday, August 1: Zac Thornton vs Tyler Phillips, 4:10pm EDT on SNY
Thornton continues to impress in his most recent stay in the majors, even if a lot of his success has come from getting excellent defense from the players behind him. His most recent start against the Braves was his worst since his second call up, but was still a quality start. A sub-3.00 ERA is probably not a realistic long term goal for the rest of the season, but if Thornton can pitch well enough to be penciled in as the Mets’ fourth or fifth starter in 2027, that would be a very good thing.
A Jersey native, Phillips has been used as a starter, an opener, a closer, and as middle relief this year for the Fish. As a starter, he had two excellent appearances at the end of June where he pitched six and seven and a third innings, respectively, against the Rangers and Cardinals. Since then, he’s been up and down in terms of success, but hasn’t gone very deep into games.
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 19: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) as seen in the dugout between innings during a MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals on June 19, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There’s been a lot of smoke around the idea of the Royals trading Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. A lot of it has come from the media, including Jim Bowden and Andy McCullough of The Athletic, one who proposed an unlikely trade to the Cubs and the other who said the Royals need to bite the bullet and make it happen. Certainly, Royals Review writers have repeatedlybegged for itto happen.
But one question keeps coming up, including from the Royals’ own front office: If the Royals trade Wacha, who will pitch next season?
Well, there are actually a lot of candidates. They may not all seem appealing at first glance, but well, let’s take a closer look at them, shall we? Here’s a list, courtesy of Suff76’s Feed post (Thanks for doing all that work so I didn’t have to!):
First, I want to mention a few guys that got left off Suff76’s list who could also be options.
Michael Lorenzen has a club option for next year that doesn’t feel particularly likely to be picked up. Yes, he’s been awful this year, but the underlying numbers suggest he’s actually pitching somewhere between as well as he did in 2024 and 2025. If he came back to the Royals, could they help him make the most of what he’s got again? He wouldn’t be projected to be as good as Wacha, but he’d also be cheaper. And he might be comparable to Lugo.
Tatsuya Imaihas an opt-out, or player option if you prefer, after the conclusion of this season. He’s set with an AAV of $18 million and another opt-out after that, so maybe he doesn’t take it this time, considering how poorly his first season with the Astros has gone. But he has also pitched slightly better than his numbers, and his biggest problems have been walks. That’s something he struggled with when he was younger in Japan but had seemed to figure out in the last couple of years. I’d bet on him improving it again, and if the Royals could either sign him or trade for him, I’d like their odds of helping him.
Jordan Montgomeryhasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2024, but he’s currently rehabbing in the Rangers’ system. It hasn’t gone spectacularly, but he’d be someone you could consider on a bounce-back contract for next season.
Now we can jump into the list.
Kevin Gausman isn’t the problem for the Blue Jays this year. He hasn’t pitched poorly, and his metrics suggest he’s pitched better than his numbers with an unusually low strand rate. Even at 36, he’s striking out more than a batter per inning, and while he’s making a lot of money this year, his next contract will probably be for less than Lugo will make. I’d actually be very excited about a one- or two-year deal for him at $12-$14 million per year.
Shane Bieber is 33 and was still really good when healthy last year, but appears to have lost all semblance of command this season. He’s maybe not someone you want to rely on, but if you can get him for seven digits, you can pray for health and a bounce-back. You might get lucky and get the really good Bieber again.
Jack Flaherty was one of the top pitchers dealt at the 2024 deadline and then returned to Detroit on a two-year deal. He’s actually been better than you probably think, and he’s only 30. Like almost everyone else on this list, you don’t want to give him a ton of money, but he’s not a free agent to completely ignore either.
Clay Holmes is on the opposite side of the spectrum from most of the guys we’ve discussed so far. His 2.39 ERA is probably a performance a bit beyond his skis. That said, if you can pay him like the 4.00 SIERA guy he’s actually been, it could work!
Shota Imanaga is probably my favorite target on this list. I’ve long coveted adding a splitter to the Royals’ pitching repertoire, and he brings a good one. He surprised everyone after opting out of his Cubs deal by taking the Qualifying Offer they made, and his ERA is almost identical this season to last, but with more strikeouts and groundballs. At age 32, if you’re looking for someone to be who Wacha and Lugo were when the Royals first signed them, he might be the guy you’re looking for.
Robbie Ray is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. It really just feels like you never know what you’re going to get from him. For that reason, I’d probably pass on him even though he’s in a second straight season with a sub-4.00 ERA. Let someone else pay him and roll those dice.
Zac Gallen took a significant step back in 2025 but was still much better than you probably realized. This year he’s been awful. He’s another guy I might give a small one-year deal to and see if you can fix him, but not a true Wacha/Lugo replacement.
Chris Bassitt is one of the best cases for the Royals trading Wacha and Lugo sooner rather than later. He came into his own in his early 30s as a starting pitcher but fell off a cliff this season at 37. And there’s a reason he struggled to find a contract; everyone else knew that was a strong possibility. Reminder: Lugo will be 37 next year while Wacha will be 36.
Tyler Mahle was always pitching over his head last year, but has actually improved in several key ways this year, including K-BB% despite having significantly worse results. At 31, he reminds me of 2023 Lugo/Wacha with less health and more walks. He’s probably not a great target to replace them, but the Royals will need pitchers in addition to replacements for them with Ryan Bergert, Cole Ragans, and Stephen Kolek shelved until midway through next season at least.
Brady Singer could be a reunion target. But his ERA has been on a steady rising pattern since his terrific 2022 season. He still has no offspeed pitch, and unless he’s finally willing to actually work on one, the Royals should probably pass.
Zach Eflin had Tommy John surgery at the start of the year. He might be back to start next season, but I’m not writing his name in pen anywhere, especially not in the Royals rotation.
Trevor Rogers is the second Oriole on this list, and he’s right up there with Imanaga on my list. He had a breakout 2025 season, and the Orioles were counting on him to be an ace this year. Unfortunately, he regressed a bit and hasn’t been nearly as good. Still, he’ll only be 29, and the Royals would be one of the teams I think could help him find his 2025 form again.
David Peterson is yet another guy with some secondary metrics that suggest he should have had better results than he’s shown. Certainly worth a look for his age-31 season next year.
Matthew Boyd has been very good when healthy, but he’s had a really hard time staying healthy with a pair of IL stints already this year. The Royals already have a really good lefty who can’t stay on the field; they probably shouldn’t mess with Boyd. But if he could be had for cheap, I don’t mind adding him – just not as a Wacha/Lugo replacement.
Taijuan Walker was so bad that the Phillies decided to cut him. He’s currently a free agent. The Royals might consider him to replace Lugo and Wacha this year because they need the innings, but he’s not someone I’d consider for next season without an astonishing finish to 2026.
Jameson Taillon is our third of three Cubs pitchers. A lot of his underlying metrics say he’s the same guy he was last year, but this year, when batters hit the ball, they hit it hard. You can probably pass on him.
Jeffrey Springs was one of the guys helping to power the Athletics to their surprising start, but he fell off and he fell off hard. I’m not saying there’s no value to be had with him, but if I were a GM, I think I’d only go to him as one of my last resorts.
Dustin May is a really interesting guy. He’s having a career year at age 28, seeming to have finally put all the pieces together in St. Louis. But he also has a 4.59 ERA thanks to a really rough July that appears to have been kick-started by his awful performance in Kansas City on June 21. He rebounded in his last start. He might be fun, but I think with his pedigree and the bounceback, someone will want to pay him a lot, and I don’t trust him enough to do that myself. If you can pay him like Wacha, though, sure, do it.
Nick Martinez is one of the weirdest pitchers I can think of. He rarely gets any respect during the season, but he gets paid every offseason and puts up respectable numbers. I don’t want to be the one holding the bag when it all crashes around him, though.
Zack Littell appears to have already fallen off the cliff at age 30. He’s a guy you can sign to be a Lorenzen-esque swingman, but he’s no Wacha/Lugo.
Lucas Giolito can’t stay healthy, and he’s walked more than he’s struck out when he’s been on the mound this year. Pass.
Before we even get to the summary of all that, I want to talk about how the Royals have spoken of Lugo and Wacha. The team has argued that if they trade either of those guys, they’ll need to find a replacement in free agency. That’s true; they don’t have anyone close to ready in their farm system. But it also relies on the faulty assumption that Lugo and Wacha will be at least as good next year as they are this year. Refer back to my comments on Chris Bassitt. There simply is no guarantee, or even a likelihood, that Lugo and Wacha will be quality pitchers next season. If the Royals aren’t going to be willing to carry large payrolls, they can’t afford to pay guys like Lugo and Wacha to be bad. They should get rid of those salaries now and find cheaper replacements from the above list.
Speaking of the list. Yes, there are some absolute duds on there. But there are some dudes, too. None of these are top starting pitching free agents. As Suff76 notes, the Royals probably won’t be involved in the bidding for Tarik Skubal, Michael King, Casey Mize, or even Freddy Peralta. By my math, that still leaves five or six guys that the Royals could target to replace Wacha and Lugo. I don’t think any of them would cost more; several could cost less. Even without dumping Lugo and Wacha’s salaries next year, the Royals are set to spend about $60 million less than they are this year, according to Roster Resource.
Consider that both sides of the current CBA negotiations are aiming toward some sort of spending floor/encouragement, the Royals might find themselves needing to spend even more than that next year. They’ve got room to spend on multiple pitchers. They could even sign several of those guys that I was less sure about with the idea that everyone can compete for the rotation and whoever doesn’t make it goes to the bullpen. The team has done a much better job scouting starter talent than reliever talent, so maybe that’s how they can do an end-around on the problem.
If you’re curious, here is my list of guys I’d consider adequate Lugo/Wacha replacements at similar or lower salaries, acknowledging that I don’t know what the coaching and scouting staff know about who would need what help, whether the team can provide that help, or whether any of them would be interested in pitching for KC:
Shota Imanaga
Trevor Rogers
Kevin Gausman
Jack Flaherty
Dustin May
David Peterson
Tatsuya Imai
Here’s the list of guys I’d take a look at for the rotation after replacing Lugo and Wacha:
Shane Bieber
Zac Gallen (He’s right on the edge, though, if the Royals think they can fix him)
Robbie Ray
Jordan Montgomery
Clay Holmes
Nick Martinez
And here, just for fun, is a StatCast comparison of all of the potential replacement pitchers from above in 2026 to how Wacha and Lugo were pitching in 2023:
There’s a lot of blue on that image, to be certain, but none more than Lugo (except maybe Peterson, yikes!) That said, it seems like people have forgotten that Lugo and Wacha were not considered amazing pitchers before they came to KC. They weren’t awful, but no one thought they’d end up being All-Stars in Kansas City. Certainly no one figured either would get Cy Young Award votes. If the Royals could do it with Lugo and Wacha, they can do it again. Randy Dobnak is somehow a serviceable starter and getting better every time out for KC after not throwing as many as ten big league innings for FIVE YEARS since 2021. Don’t look me in my face and tell me they can’t work some magic with some or even many of these guys.
And if they can’t do it again, then none of it matters anyway because even if Lugo and Wacha are good next year and the year after that (big ifs), they won’t be good forever.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 26: Heriberto Hernández #13 of the Miami Marlins at bat against the San Diego Padres in the third inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 26, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Marlins are reportedly listening on their young players and there are three players the Guardians should be in on… so let’s start with their lefty masher, Heriberto Hernandez.
You can view our larger trade deadline piece here as we discuss a wider pool of options the Guardians may consider. To make my position clear, I expect the Guardians to make smaller moves, like trading Bo Naylor and getting a castoff/undervalued reliever. But, in the interest of exploring potential larger moves, we are doing a series looking at some of those bigger names. So far, we have discussed Spencer Steer, Luis Arraez, Shea Langeliers, Taylor Ward, Heliot Ramos, Jo Adell, Ty France and Tyler Soderstrom. Although the Guardians’ greatest need is hitting, the market is aflush with starting pitching so it also may make sense for the Guardians to see if they can find a good value there, as we wrote here and looked at specifically with Jose Soriano.
Hernandez is a 26 year-old right-handed hitting outfielder with a career 129 wRC+ against LHP and a 105 wRC+ against RHP, good for a career 115 wRC+ overall with a 26.4/9.5 K/BB%. Hernandez is probably mostly a left-fielder, slightly below average there by Defensive Runs Saved at -2 and above average by Outs Above Average at +4 for his career. He has a career .457 slugging percentage and Baseball Savant has his career total of 25 homers as being the same at Progressive Field as it has been with Miami as his home stadium, a rarety among right-handed hitters.
It will not be cheap to acquire Hernandez who is about as good a lefty masher as potentially available at this deadline. However, his numbers look good enough where he can be considered a lineup regular here in Cleveland. The Marlins might even be interested in fixing Kyle Manzardo to go along with a top 100 prospect among the Velazquez/Caceres/Doughty/Chourio/Genao/Ingle bunch. Alternatively, one of those prospects with a major league bullpen ready arm like Hunter Gaddis, Franco Aleman or Daniel Espino could push former CTC commenter and Marlins GM Peter Bendix to pull the trigger on a deal.
Acquiring Hernandez would allow the Guardians to field a lineup something like this:
Kwan CF
Jose 3B
DeLauter DH
Hernandez LF
Bazzana 2B
Angel Martinez RF
Manzardo 1B
Bailey C
Rocchio SS
What do you think about doing business with Bendix and landing Hernandez? Let us know in the comments below.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: Logan O'Hoppe #14 of the Los Angeles Angels at bat during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 20, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tarik Skubal seems to think he just pitched his last game in a Tigers uniform yesterday, tipping his cap to the fans as he walked off the mound — a game in which he also recorded his 1,000th career strikeout.
Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is back on the injured list with the same hip ailment that has been nagging him for much of the season.
In case you missed it, the Dodgers activated closer Edwin Díaz from the injured list. It’s his first time back on the active roster in over three months after getting surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow.
Chandler Rome at The Athletic told the story of Steven Okert, the 35-year-old left-hander for the Astros who has suddenly become an extremely lode-bearing piece of the Houston bullpen.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Paul Sewald #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Diamondbacks are going to play the matchups with a bullpen that has been deeper than in previous seasons.
“I’ve made an adjustment,” Lovullo told Diamondbacks broadcaster Todd Walsh on the postgame show. “I’m going to mix up some roles a little bit and get Paul back on his feet. … We’re going to have roles, matchups to get it done.”
Manager Torey Lovullo did note that, for now, the D-backs would likely go based on matchups. But a closer-by-committee tends to be more successful when there is one or two primary closers.
Arizona currently carries eight relievers. They’ve all had some level of success this year and have overperformed as a group.
With the exceptions of Sewald and of right-hander Gerardo Carrillo — who is a rookie, and currently the long man of the bullpen — let’s take a look at the potential closer committee members
The Diamondbacks are only $6-7 million away from facing luxury tax penalties for the first time in franchise history, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported.
The club will not set off those penalties, which include an increasing tax rate and the loss of money it receives from redistribution.
The move was announced minutes before the Angels and Houston Astros were set to start the third game of their series in Anaheim. O’Hoppe, who started behind the plate in the Angels’ 3-2 loss on Tuesday, was not in the lineup.
Skubal made history early in his start on Wednesday. He entered the game with 999 career strikeouts and fanned Taylor Ward, the game’s first hitter, to join the 1,000-strikeout club. Skubal got there in 857 career innings, far and away the fewest in Tigers history. The previous franchise record holder, Max Scherzer, recorded his 1,000th strikeout in 944 ⅔ innings.
As the Tigers (51-58) fade in the AL Central and Wild Card races, Sabathia believes now is the ideal time for Detroit to acquire “all the pieces” it needs to replenish its farm system and MLB roster. A potential deal for Skubal could see the Tigers “run through” a team’s farm, with multiple top prospects and MLB-ready talent likely coming back to Detroit in any deal for the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner.
That’s why Sabathia is adamant about the rare opportunity Detroit has in front of it, saying it “makes no sense” to keep Skubal when the chance to re-tool on the fly is on the table.
Boston Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead is tentatively expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to the wrist fracture he sustained in his first game with the team, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported Wednesday.
The timeline threatens to sideline Mead for most if not all of the remainder of the regular season.
Keaton Anthony of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs reacts during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on June 28, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
In these waning days in the Phillies organization for some players, let’s look at how some minor leaguers performed.
Buffalo 5, Lehigh Valley 4
Keaton Anthony hit a home run for the IronPigs yesterday, which makes me wonder about his trade value. He’s a right handed hitting first baseman that can’t really play in the outfield, isn’t really that great a shakes with the glove and is probably just suited to be a DH. How much value does he actually have? Is he something of a second piece? A third piece? On the pitching side, Alex McFarlane had one innings where he struck out two. Personally, I think he’s headed out the door as a trade piece, no matter that he would probably be a better option than at least one pitcher in the current bullpen.
Binghamton 7, Reading 6
For the Fightin’ Phils, Bryan Rincon had a double and scored two runs, Aroon Escobar had two hits and two runs scored and Wuilfredo Antunez almost copied that line, only he had a double as one of the two hits. Pitching wise, Jean Cabrera allowed four runs in four innings, which wouldn’t have been an issue had Mavis Graves not exacerbated the issue by walking four and allowing two runs in a single inning of relief. In a week, I don’t think this team will look the same.
Jersey Shore/Hudson Valley
Jersey Shore was rained out last night.
Clearwater 16, Jupiter 8
I think the Phillies might want to consider taking some lessons from the Threshers. Continuing their solid season in Low-A, the Threshers put up 16 on the Hammerheads, led by Jonathan Hogart (3-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) and Victor Cardoza (3-6, 3 R). Nolan Beltran and Will Vierling kicked in two hits each, Vierling hitting a home run as part of it. On the mound, Brad Pachecho continued raising his own stock, throwing six innings and only allowing three runs, one of them earned, scattering five hits and striking out seven. He’s starting to be someone to watch for the player development system.
