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Who's getting traded? Latest MLB trade rumors and deadline buzz

The MLB trade deadline is just a little more than two weeks away, but the biggest questions still have an abundance of uncertainty.

Several teams remain caught between buying and selling, a number of contenders are hunting for impact upgrades, and front offices are eagerly waiting to see which clubs finally signal their intentions. Until then, speculation continues to swirl around who will be available.

With the market in flux and pressure mounting by the day, every injury, losing streak and team decision could alter the deadline landscape.

Here's a look at the latest trade rumors, buzz and noteworthy developments from around baseball:

MLB TRADE TARGETS: Ranking the top 25 deadline candidates

When is MLB trade deadline?

  • Date: Monday, Aug. 3, 2026
  • Time: 6 p.m. ET

The MLB trade deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 3. While trades will sometimes be revealed after that time, that is when communications for teams to deal players must cease.

Athletics 'open to anything' at trade deadline, per report

With the A's entering Monday having lost 10 of 11 and sitting 14 games under .500, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in the New York Post that the A’s are "open to anything."

MLB.com asks if that would include moving on from All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers, who entered Monday hitting .260 with 22 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Will Tigers trade Tarik Skubal?

Sure, trading ace Tarik Skubal would fortify Detroit's farm system, but it would also crush the morale in the clubhouse and infuriate their passionate fan base.

At 46-52, the Tigers are just 5½ games out of first place in the American League Central and 3½ games out of a wild card spot. They also have a healthy rotation, which produced a 3.48 ERA, fourth-best in MLB at the All-Star break, while yielding the third-lowest batting average. — Bob Nightengale

Could Brewers reunite with Freddy Peralta?

With the news that right-hander Brandon Woodruff will miss the rest of the season, Milwaukee – which was already looking for starting pitcher help – could look to bring back a familiar face. The Mets are reportedly shopping everyone, including Freddy Peralta, whom Milwaukee traded to New York during the offseason. The Brewers need to bolster their rotation beyond ace Jacob Misiorowski and left-hander Kyle Harrison, who is currently on the IL with minor forearm tightness. Beyond that, Milwaukee is relying on some mix of Logan Henderson, Shane Drohan, Brandon Sproat and Robert Gasser.

Will Mets trade Francisco Lindor?

Speaking of the Mets, rival executives believe shortstop Francisco Lindor will not be traded at the deadline, but instead will be shopped this winter, according to our own Bob Nightengale. Lindor is owed $160 million over the next five years after this season and has a full no-trade clause, complicating a deal by the Aug. 3 deadline.

Nationals getting calls on Luis Garcia

Luis Garcia has put together a career year at the plate, slashing .280/.313/.546 with an .860 OPS in 91 games. Mix in his position versatility (he plays first base, second base and shortstop), and it's easy to see why teams are checking in on him, as reported by The Athletic. Garcia still has one more year of club control before he can become a free agent, which makes him more than a rental. The only problem for those interested is that the Nationals are still technically in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Cubs add pitching depth

Right-hander Aaron Civale is heading to the Cubs after a trade with the Athletics. Civale, who played for the Cubs in the second half of 2025, was designated for assignment by the A's earlier in the week. He's 5-7 this season with a 5.42 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 16 games (15 starts) this season. Heading to the A's will be Aiden Moffett, a minor league pitcher who has spent most of his season at Single-A Myrtle Beach.

Pirates likely to be active at trade deadline

The Pirates, who entered the All-Star break having scored an MLB-leading 516 runs, plan to be aggressive at the deadline, per Bob Nightengale. Yet, only if they can acquire pieces without increasing payroll. Their biggest need is the bullpen after blowing 17 saves in 36 opportunities with a 4.49 ERA. It’s the worst save percentage in MLB.

The Pirates have the second-longest playoff drought in MLB at 10 years, ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels.

Are Astros buyers or sellers?

According to Bob Nightengale, one high-ranking Astros executive said the team is seeking: "Pitching, pitching and more pitching."

The Astros are about $12.5 million under the luxury tax threshold after saving $2.5 million in the Lance McCullers trade with the Brewers, which would certainly cover the salary of acquiring someone like Tarik Skubal or Robbie Ray. Their rotation posted the third-highest ERA and averaged the eighth-fewest innings per start before the All-Star break.

Houston went into Sunday 47-53, four games back in the American League West and 3½ back in the wild card race.

Reds ready to deal rentals

As Cincinnati wallows in the basement of the National League Central, the club appears open to trading players that are on expiring contracts, per The Athletic. That would include slugger Eugenio Suarez, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, catcher Tyler Stephenson, starting pitcher Brady Singer and relievers Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's getting traded? Latest MLB trade rumors and deadline buzz

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Jobe sharp in 3-inning start for Erie, Briceno hits grand slam

Toledo Mud Hens 6, Gwinnett Stripers 5 (box)

Toledo avoided the three-game sweep with a 6-5 win on Sunday thanks to a walk-off homer from Jace Jung.

Jung crushed a sweeper to lead off the bottom of the ninth, wearing the Charlie Brown jersey.

It’s been a decent year for Jung, who passed his 2024 home run total of 14. He’s one off last year’s 17 homers, and there’s still plenty of baseball to play.

Jung came into this game with a .205 ISO, the highest it’s been since his first full professional season (2023), when he mashed 28 home runs and finished with a .237 ISO. Of course, that was in High-A and Double-A. He’s still not ready to be an everyday big leaguer, but there’s some value in him if the Tigers are buyers at the deadline and want to include him in a package.

The walk-off opportunity wouldn’t have come if not for a four-run seventh inning. The first three batters reached, loading the bases for Max Clark. The Tigers’ top prospect struck out, one of three on the day, but Jung walked to bring in a run and keep the bags juiced.

Max Anderson tied the game up with a bases-clearing double after a pitching change.

Bennett Lee had a three-hit day and drove in the first run of the day for Toledo. It came on a bloop single, but those still count in the box score. Brett Callahan had the other multi-hit day with a pair of singles, one coming off the bat at 107 mph.

On the mound, Sawyer Gipson-Long got the start, giving 3.2 innings of four-run ball. He gave up a pair of bombs, but Gwinnett hit him pretty well overall, notching four hits on the day.

Tyler Mattison was first out of the bullpen, working through the fifth. He dealt with light traffic on the bases — a hit and a walk — and struck out a pair. Andre Granillo loaded the bases before recording an out in the sixth. He managed to escape the jam, allowing just one run on a sac fly.

Yilber Diaz and Tanner Rainey worked a combined three innings without giving up a hit. Diaz walked on over two innings of work, and Rainey got the win since he was the pitcher of record in the ninth.

Clark: 0-4, BB, 3 K

Anderson: 1-4, 2B (14), 3 RBI

Jung: 1-3, HR (16), 2 R,2 RBI, 2 BB

Gipson-Long: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 5 K, 2 HR

Coming Up Next: Toledo is at home next week against the Louisville Bats, starting Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET

Erie SeaWolves 10, Richmond Flying Squirrels 5 (box)

Erie took the three-game series against Richmond, 2-1, with a 10-5 victory on Sunday.

Let’s not bury the lede here. Jackson Jobe threw the first three innings for Erie, and he looked pretty darn good. The fastball sat around 98-99 mph, touching 100 three times. Location was there for the most part, except for a hit batter on a curveball. He drew a nice whiff on a slider for one of three strikeouts.

You can see all 44 pitches below, thanks to the guys over at Tigers ML Report.

The lone run that came across against Jobe was unearned, due to an errant throw by E.J. Exposito. He made up for it by being part of a five-run frame in the top of the third, driving in two of those five runs. Garrett Pennington also had an RBI single in the inning, and Peyton Graham kickstarted it all with an RBI ground-rule double.

Although the final score was 10-5, things got pretty interesting in the final few innings. Richmond tacked on a run in the fifth and two in the eighth to make it a 6-4 game. Graham homered in the seventh for the sixth SeaWolves’ run.

There was an hour-long delay in the seventh, too, which can always change the momentum of things. Fortunately, Josue Briceno put things away with a grand slam in the top of the ninth. Richmond patched together a run in the ninth, but they couldn’t get four more to force extra innings.

After Jobe, Erie threw Yoniel Curet for a 1-2-3 fourth. Andrew Sears got the next 2.2 innings, giving up a run on a wild pitch, but otherwise working around four hits. Dariel Fregio took over after the rain delay and was responsible for the two-run eighth. Eric Silva closed things out in the ninth, giving up one unearned run.

Graham: 3-4, 2B (14), HR (5), 3 R, 2 REBI, BB

Briceno: 3-5, GS, R, 4 RBI, 2 K

Exposito: 2-4, 2 RBI, K

Jobe: 3.0 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: Erie is on the road next week against the Chesapeake Baysox, starting Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. ET

West Michigan Whitecaps 8, Great Lakes Loons 6 (box)

West Michigan scored eight runs in the first two innings and held off a comeback bid from the Great Lakes Loons to win 8-6 and secure the series win.

Most of the offense came early for the Whitecaps. Clayton Campbell opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single, following a pair of walks. Samuel Gil and Stephen Hrustich followed up with back-to-back RBI doubles, scoring runs on three straight hits.

Almost the same thing happened in the second. Three batters walked to load the bases, and Campbell singled in a pair. Gil couldn’t find a base knock this time around, but Hrustich hit another double to make it 8-0. Oddly enough, Bryce Rainer was the first out in each of the first two frames, which isn’t something you’d expect when the offense is grooving.

Things settled down after that. West Michigan only had three more hits on the day, but the Loons walked 10 batters overall, so there was plenty of traffic on the bases all night. The Whitecaps ended the day 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Pitching-wise, things were fairly calm for the first half of the game. Zack Lee threw three shutout innings, allowing just two hits along the way. Ryan Harvey was next and was perfect through two frames.

Juanmi Vasquez ran into the first bit of trouble in the sixth. He got the first two batters just fine, but a two-out single led to a small spiral. A wild pitch, a walk and another single were compounded by a fielding error from Cristian Santana in left, scoring two runs.

Eliseo Mota took over in the seventh and faced similar issues. Two walks, a single and a wild pitch set up a bases-clearing double, and Preston Howey had to come in before the end of the inning. Howey gave up another run (charged to Mota) on a single, but he retired seven of the next eight batters to close out the game.

Rainer: 0-4, BB, 2 K

Campbell: 3-4, 2B (12), 2 R, 3 RBI, BB

Hrustich: 2-4, 2 2B (5), 4 RBI, BB, K

Lee: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Coming Up Next: West Michigan is on the road next week against the Peoria Chiefs, starting Tuesday at 7:35 p.m. ET

Lakeland Flying Tigers 4, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 3 (box)

Lakeland took the series against Fort Myers with a 4-3 win on Sunday.

Zach MacDonald delivered the decisive blow, a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Carson Rucker also drove in two runs on a single in the first to give the Flying Tigers an early lead.

Despite having eight total hits, the offense was a bit remarkable otherwise. The leadoff man got on in five innings, and Lakeland had a baserunner in all but two, but the runs never came across. MacDonald’s homer was the only extra-base hit of the day.

A 2-for-8 day with runners in scoring position was good enough, thanks to a good day from the bullpen.

Caleb Leys made his second start since coming off a brief stint on the 7-day injured list, and it was a bit of a mixed bag. He gave up a homer to the first batter he faced and left before getting the final out of the second. Let’s assume a 35-pitch limit is the reason, because he was striking out batters at a decent pace with three and no walks.

Donye Evans took over for him and gave up a single. It would have been nice to see Leys work himself out of that earned run. Evans pitched through the third, giving up a solo homer in the process, but that’s where Fort Myers’ scoring stopped.

Joe Miller worked around two hits and a walk over the next two frames, striking out four along the way, and Connor Fenlong came in for the final four innings. Fenlong only gave up one hit and struck out four en route to his first save. It’s his fourth straight outing of four or more innings, and two of those have been shutout performances.

Rucker: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB, K

MacDonald, HR (15), R, 2 RBI, BB, K

Fenlong (S, 1): 4.0 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: Lakeland is at home next week against the Jupiter Hammerheads, starting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET

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Monday Posted & Toasted Notes: Pretenders contending, campeones, nightclub stories

Moo Deng, a two-year-old female pygmy hippopotamus, eats one of two soccer ball-shaped carved watermelons decorated with Spain's and Argentina's national flags to predict the winner of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final match between Spain and Argentina, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. (Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

Whether you care or not, we have collectively transitioned into the coldest part of the schedule for sports fans. Go watch baseball if you like it, but if you don’t, get ready for two months of absolutely nothing at all.

  • The Atlanta Hawks are making it clear that the Knicks are (or remain) their biggest target. After lucking into a 2-1 lead in the first round last, Atlanta added Lu Dort and Ryan Nembhard in a three-team trade with Oklahoma City and Dallas. The Hawks already added Aaron Wiggins from OKC in another dump trade by the Thunder earlier this summer.
  • P&T alumn Lee Escobedo believes the Hawks are building an “Anti-Knicks” roster. Summary:

“Have the Hawks assembled a championship roster? Atlanta acquired All-Defensive wing Lu Dort after taking New York to six games in the first round, giving Quin Snyder another physical perimeter defender to deploy against Jalen Brunson. Dort allows Dyson Daniels to operate as a roaming help defender while Nickeil Alexander-Walker chases shooters and Jalen Johnson attacks in transition. Ryan Nembhard and rookie Kingston Flemings could also improve Atlanta’s half-court organization. The Hawks still have concerns about size, rebounding, and shooting, but their combination of defensive versatility, ball pressure, and Oklahoma City influence makes them one of New York’s most dangerous Eastern Conference challengers.”

  • Deuce McBride sent LeBron James a message.
  • Eli Manning has the perfect description for New York, the Giants, the Yankees, the Rangers, the Knicks, MSG, Derek Jeter, plenty more… and Jalen Brunson. Ridiculous clip.
  • Former infamous New York Post storyteller Marc Berman returned home and reflected on finally seeing the Knicks win a championship after covering the franchise for 23 seasons.
  • Shout-out Kris Pursiainen for this Alvarado story.

“Karl-Anthony Towns says Jose Alvarado told him on ‘day 7’ of celebratory drinking that he slept in a construction yard. Towns adds he’s still not sure if it was a joke. ‘He’s the hood MVP, for sure,‘ he said of Alvarado.”

  • Jordan Clarkson became involved in a situation at Manhattan’s Zero Bond nightclub while attempting to calm a confrontation involving rapper Travis Scott. Security removed both Clarkson and Scott from the venue, and no injuries were reported.
  • Dillon Brooks his top-five biggest NBA whiners. Yes, you guessed the gold medalist right.
  • Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at the World Cup. Spain won the World Cup.
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Today on Pinstripe Alley – 7/19/26

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 17: Paul Blackburn #58 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Offense was hard to come by again for the Yankees this weekend against the Dodgers, as they scored just five runs in total across the three games. Meanwhile, Los Angeles scored eight yesterday afternoon alone. Thankfully, Johnny Wholestaff came up with a gem on Sunday night to help the mostly-punchless Yanks eke out a win and avoid a sweep. Ryan Yarbrough was the opener and went a little deeper than expected, covering eight outs before departing with two down in the third and two men on. Paul Blackburn got the last out there and then got the next two innings before turning it over to Brent Headrick for two of his own. The 1-0 lead went “poof” under Fernando Cruz, but David Bednar picked him up and got the last five outs himself, becoming the winner when Jazz Chisholm Jr. went yard in the eighth. Good team effort!

Today on the site, Jeff will preview the upcoming three-game series against the Pirates (who thankfully will not be pitching Paul Skenes), Kevin will run through the Rivalry Roundup, and Jonathan will follow with a one-two punch — first on the 149th (!) birthday of a forgotten New York Highlanders catcher and then a trade target post on long-shot Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, fresh off a big three-homer day to reach 30 in 2026. Later, Madison will have the weekly mailbag prompt.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Time: 7:05 p.m. EST

TV: YES, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. Who was yesterday’s Yankees pitching MVP?

2. What did you think of he World Cup Final? Did you watch it between games of the doubleheader?

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Why the Zaccharie Risacher trade does not make sense… yet

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When Masai Ujiri was hired as the Mavericks GM, he had a reputation for his love of wings, often prioritizing them over everything else, and so far, his actions match his reputation.

The latest wing is former #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, who the Mavericks acquired in a 3 team deal with the Atlanta Hawks, with the Mavericks sending Ryan Nembhard and a second-round pick.

Risacher has spent the last 2 seasons in Atlanta, averaging 11.1 points while shooting 36% from three. Risacher being dealt is not very surprising, seeing as he was effectively benched in Atlanta’s first-round series against the Knicks.

This benching was not surprising, as Risacher’s minutes had slowly declined all season, being replaced by players like Nickeil-Alexander Walker, and Jonathon Kuminga. The price to acquire Risacher was incredibly light, reflecting how the rest of the league views the French wing, with his skillset still yet to truly gel in the NBA.

The advanced numbers also reflect his poor value, with a -2.2 Darko Plus-Minus being in the 22nd percentile. His fit is also clunky with the Mavericks, as he will have to fight for minutes with older, better and more experienced veterans who play his position.

Risacher lacks any real value outside of his shooting, struggling to create for himself or others, and being a mediocre defender. These criticisms are not new, as he struggled with these skills even as a draft prospect. The hope for Risacher becoming a good player is to entirely focus on his good traits: length and shooting upside.

While Risacher has been a somewhat efficient shooter, his volume his still only okay, attempting 4.2 threes per game so far in his career. If Risacher could get his attempts up while maintaining his efficiency, he could find real value as a shooter.

Now, while this trade is confusing now, there are moves the Mavericks could make that would slot everything into place; trading Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington. Both players have been in trade talks all offseason, and with every new addition, their minutes only continue to go down.

Trading the 2 veterans would not only mean future draft assets, but would confirm a shift in how the Mavericks will play moving forward. Many of their moves have been focused on adding shooting, with Risacher only continuing this trend. Trading 2 of the weaker shooters on the roster would mean more minutes for players like Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic, both of whom are excellent shooters for their position.

Trading these veterans could also lead to the Mavericks adding more on-ball creation, as the Mavericks only have two trustworthy creators on the current roster. Not having creators makes the spacing of the new additions less valuable, and puts tremendous pressure on Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving to carry the offense.

So will a trade happen? Nobody really knows.

The Mavericks have moved in silence all offseason, with their true plans for the roster being shrouded in mystery, but I would bet on a trade that we aren’t expecting, with a shakeup that no one will see coming.

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MLB power rankings: Red Sox win streak hits 13 as worst-to-first quest continues

It has spanned 17 days and two halves of this Major League Baseball season, hatched during the World Cup's round of 32 and lasting all the way through the awkward handshakes and trophy lifts in the Meadowlands.

So, where do the Boston Red Sox go from here now that their 13-game winning streak - second-longest in their storied history - is knocking on August's door?

For now, they're zooming right up USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

The Red Sox began this streak July 3, at 37-48 and in last place in the American League East. It is still going and now, after sweeping the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox are 50-48, in wild card position in the AL and firmly not going to break up the squad at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Caleb Durbin (5) and Willson Contreras prepare to embrace after the Red Sox won their 13th consecutive game Sunday, July 19.

They've won 18 of their last 20 and predictably enough, the backbone of this run has been pitching. They "pivoted to run prevention" after getting outbid on Alex Bregman and despite the absence of left-handers Garrett Crochet and Connelly Early, Red Sox starters have recorded a quality start in 19 of their last 27 games, going 14-2 with a majors-best 2.27 ERA in that span.

Now, after powering up four more spots to No. 15 in our power rankings? Six more games against division rivals, Baltimore and Toronto.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Is it time to have a conversation about best allocation of Shohei Ohtani's resources?

2. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

  • Garrett Mitchell's OPS up to a career-high .827.

3. Atlanta Braves (+1)

  • Roar out of the gate with 29 runs in three games against Rangers.

4. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)

  • A season-high five losses in a row after four-game sweep at Fenway.

5. Chicago Cubs (+1)

  • Offense is back, and better yet, so is Shota Imanaga, it seems.

6. New York Yankees (-1)

  • More imaging, but no baseball activities for Aaron Judge. Not great.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

  • Forget right field. A No. 4 and No. 5 starter have to be top deadline priorities.

8. Chicago White Sox (+1)

  • These dudes have lost just one series since June 21.

9. Miami Marlins (-1)

  • Rough start to second half compounded by Otto Lopez tweaking his finger.

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)

In a tie for a wild-card spot. Now fix that bullpen.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

  • Very quietly, losers of eight of their last 12.

12. Cleveland Guardians (-1)

  • Bullpen has multiple reinforcements nearing return.

13. Arizona Diamondbacks (+3)

  • Stunning comeback from seven runs down tempered by potential loss of Corbin Carroll.

14. Texas Rangers (-1)

  • Ugly second half opener at Atlanta, but at least their broadcast limbo kept folks from watching it.

15. Boston Red Sox (+4)

  • Hottest team in baseball still not selling out Fenway consistently.

16. Seattle Mariners (-2)

  • Cole Young bails them out two days in a row to salvage series from lowly Giants.

17. Washington Nationals (-2)

  • Foster Griffin their first 11-game winner since 2019.

18. San Diego Padres (-1)

  • Starters Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove working their way back.

19. Baltimore Orioles (+2)

  • They've suddenly won six in a row. Is it finally happening?

20. Minnesota Twins (-2)

  • Four games at Cleveland may prove if, you know, this thing is worth getting after.

21. Detroit Tigers (+2)

  • "We've been playing Game 7 for like two months," says A.J. Hinch. Just two and a half more to go!

22. Houston Astros (-2)

  • Look a lot more like they'll fall on the sell side of things.

23. Toronto Blue Jays (-1)

  • Joy of Joe Carter's statue unveiling tempered by unexpected loss of Duane Ward.

24. Cincinnati Reds (-)

25. San Francisco Giants (+1)

  • Bryce Eldridge: 10 homers, .858 OPS in 200 at-bats.

26. New York Mets (+1)

  • Nolan McLean now fifth in the NL with 135 strikeouts.

27. Athletics (-2)

  • Give up 23 runs in loss to Nationals, 11th time they've yielded double-digit runs in Yolo County.

28. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Cole Carigg's OPS now .900 in 125 plate appearances.

29. Los Angeles Angels (-)

  • Grayson Rodriguez's ERA now 8.23 in eight starts.

30. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • Utilityman Tyler Tolbert has now pitched in five games, four more than projected closer Carlos Estévez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Red Sox win streak hits 13 as worst-to-first quest continues

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Celtics check their Summer League boxes, and more midsummer thoughts

Celtics check their Summer League boxes, and more midsummer thoughts originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A few Boston Celtics thoughts while we try to stiff-arm the approaching August doldrums: 

Celtics check all their Summer League boxes

Summer League is always a lot more intriguing when you have a lottery pick on your roster, but the Celtics got just about everything they could have wanted out of their two-week stint in the Las Vegas heat. That included:

Hugo Gonzalez shook off any jet lag from recent globe-trotting and confirmed that he’s graduated from Summer League. The shooting splits weren’t great (31.8 percent from the field overall, 25.9 percent on 3s), and everyone on the roster was a bit careless with the basketball, but Gonzalez, fresh off a stint with Spain in the FIBA qualifiers, did just about everything else well.

The passing (5.7 assists per game) and rebounding (8 rebounds per game) were exceptional, and whenever Gonzalez wanted to turn up the intensity, he was a defensive monster. It’s clear he’s going to have a big role on this year’s Celtics team, and he’s probably further vibing after Spain won the World Cup on Sunday. 

First-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. (27th overall) is super raw, but the potential for the 19-year-old big man is obvious. Cenac Jr. produced a signature moment in drilling an overtime-forcing, buzzer-beating 3-pointer in his pro debut. He rebounded well, bothered shooters with his length and athleticism, and attempted some audacious putbacks.

We’ll keep saying it: Put him in Boston’s now well-established Player Development Machine and let’s see where this goes. Between Cenac Jr. and Amari Williams, the Celtics have two bigs with very divergent playstyles that they can nurture moving forward. 

Second-round pick Dillon Mitchell (40th overall) might have stolen our heart at Summer League, which is appropriate given the defensive-minded nature of a player who registered 2.7 steals per game (fifth best among players with 3+ appearances in Vegas). Yes, the Celtics need to hone his offensive game, but he’s an athletic freak. There were multiple instances where it felt like he simply defied gravity and floated his way to blocks (1.3 per game). We’re a sucker for any player where the chaos factor spikes when they hit the floor.

Last season, Gonzalez carved out time by simply defending and crashing hard from the corners. If Mitchell gets any time with the parent club this season, he should make that a priority while figuring out where his NBA scoring comes from (well, beyond tip dunks). 

John Tonje put up some solid numbers (14.8 points per game while shooting 51 percent overall from the floor and 45.2 percent on 3s) and tried hard on the defensive side. The Celtics have some interesting choices for their two remaining two-way slots. Tonje, acquired from Utah last season in the Chris Boucher trade, turned 25 in April. Do the Celtics continue to invest in his development, or use that spot on a younger player with longer-term upside?

Amile Jefferson got valuable reps in the head-coaching chair, and we liked his Joe Mazzulla-like willingness to bark at Boston’s youngest players when they made mistakes (but also lift them up whenever they made good plays). 

The Celtics will reportedly bring point guard Milos Uzan and forward Tucker DeVries to training camp. Both rode the summer roller coaster but had intriguing moments. Uzan played with Cenac Jr. at Houston last season, while DeVries has never met a 3-pointer look he didn’t like.

Second apron strikes again

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded All-Defense wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday as part of a three-team trade that brought back three second-round picks. The 2025 NBA champions have wiggled under the second apron this offseason by dealing away Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins.

So much of the conversation around the Celtics has centered on the financial decisions made in the aftermath of their 2024 title season — from the departures of Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis last summer while shedding major money, to the trade of Jaylen Brown this month. But the entire league is scrambling to avoid the second apron and the basketball penalties it imposes. 

The Thunder are trying to delay their reckoning as younger players graduate to big-money deals. The defending champion Knicks let key reserve big man Mitchell Robinson walk this summer, and the Celtics pounced to bolster their own frontcourt. 

This is simply the new reality in the NBA. The collective bargaining agreement is making it impossible for championship-level teams to keep deep rosters intact over long periods of time. It’s forcing a priority on drafting and development. It’s also forcing teams to evaluate how they construct rosters and how they spread out available funds (and for how long).

The Celtics got ahead of the second-apron crunch when they built a talent-filled roster before the 2024 title season. They’re navigating an awkward stretch where they’re trying to remain competitive but also open a new window, all while trying to reset repeater penalties and set up another two-year window of heightened spending. 

Sure, Dort did not have a great postseason for Oklahoma City. But he was an impactful defensive presence who surely set a tone for the way the Thunder play. Teams are being forced to make unsavory decisions about roster construction and it’s often leading to teams bringing back underwhelming returns in money-saving moves.

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Next up on the calendar: Hugo vs. Neemi

Spain and Portugal are scheduled to battle in a FIBA World Cup qualifying matchup on Friday, August 28. That could pit Gonzalez versus Neemias Queta in an Iberian Peninsula showdown. 

Could we see Gonzalez take on the challenge of defending the bigger Queta in that game?

“I’ll go against him — he knows that,” Gonzalez told us in Vegas last week. “He’s going to have a tough time and I’m going to try to get him in every situation that I can. He’s an amazing player, he’s for sure going to give us a [hard] time, but we’re going to try to win it for sure.”

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Five Warriors players to follow after NBA Summer League championship run

Five Warriors players to follow after NBA Summer League championship run originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After nine games, the last a 94-90 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League championship game on Sunday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr and his staff have sufficient video to review. They now can devote the next 10 weeks (more like eight) to devising a plan for training camp.

We can safely project that the 2026-27 NBA season will be the fourth consecutive season in which a rookie will receive significant minutes and at least occasionally find his name in the starting lineup.

Destined to follow Brandin Podziemski (2023 draft, 28 starts), Quintin Post (2024, 14) and Will Richard (2025, 21) in getting an opportunity to make an impact as a rookie is forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the 11th overall pick in last month’s NBA draft.

The Warriors went 7-2 in summer league under coach Khalid Robinson, who mostly stayed with consistent rotations and substitution patterns. This was their second championship in Vegas summer league, as they also accomplished the feat in 2013.

Here are five players, in alphabetical order, to follow in the wake of their performances in the three-game California Classic and the six-game Vegas Summer League:

LJ Cryer

Cryer got his foot in the NBA door last season, playing 18 games with one start. He’s an excellent shooter, particularly from beyond the arc, but his scoring is somewhat offset by what he will give back on defense.

Generously listed at 6-feet, he still will be hunted on every possession. It’s possible the Warriors will bring him back, but it could be another year in which Cryer also spends time with G-League Santa Cruz.

Summer League stats (eight games, all starts): 14 points per game on 44-percent shooting from the field, including 41.3 percent from deep and 77.8 percent from the line and 4.0 assists.

Graham Ike

The Warriors snagged Ike (E-kay) with an Exhibit-10 contract seconds after he went undrafted last month. The West Coast Conference Player of the Year from Gonzaga brings good size (6-foot-10, 7-foot-5 wingspan) and is active in the paint. Despite a strong summer league showing, he’s a longshot for Golden State, which has three centers – Charles Bassey, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis – under contract. There is no doubt that Golden State would like to keep Ike around for security.

Stats (nine games, all starts): 10 points per game, 48.4-percent shooting from the field, 78.9 percent from the line with 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 blocks while averaging 21.2 minutes per game.

Lajae Jones

The second-round pick (No. 54) started very slowly, struggling through the California Classic over the July 4 weekend. The 6-foot-7 wing showed appreciable improvement in Vegas, unveiling the gifts that prompted the Warriors to select him. His lone start in Vegas: 13 points, four rebounds and three steals over 25 minutes.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy last month implied he could shuttle between the G League and NBA. That outlook seems fair.

Stats (nine games, two starts): 7.0 points on 41.0-percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from deep, 2.9 rebounds. Jones shot 22.2/14.3-percent shooting splits in the Cali Classic, 48.8/30.8 in Vegas.

Lendeborg

There are times when he floats through possessions, as if bored. And there are moments when he plays as if possessed. His basketball intellect is evident, his judgment sound, his shooting touch fabulous and his defense solid and occasionally spectacular. He submitted a spectacular fourth in the title game, playing all 10 minutes, producing nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and was plus-14. He was better than No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer. Lendeborg did nothing to dispel belief that he can make an impact as a rookie.

Stats (eight games, all starts): 14.9 points per game, on 48.4-percent shooting from the field, including 45.9 from distance and 71.4 percent from the line. He added 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals, averaging 27 minutes.

Richard

After a solid rookie season, Richard looks physically stronger and has a more self-assured presence. His 3-point shot, still unique, is quicker and accurate. It’s apparent he has spent the past two months in the weight room as well as on the court. He was in and out of the rotation – mostly in – but remained engaged throughout. He acknowledged being clobbered by the “rookie wall” but seems primed to make an impact in his second season.

Stats (seven games, all starts): 10.3 points per game, on 48.1-percent shooting from the field, including 48.3 percent from beyond the arc, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals over 24.9 minutes.

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Yankees news: Mason Miller trade rumors spring up as Padres stall out

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres looks on from the mound during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Outside of a Tarik Skubal all-in move, it wasn’t looking like there was a flashy upgrade for the Yankees to pursue this deadline. The team has a number of needs, but given that they’re mostly at catcher and the bullpen getting a big move to line up there just doesn’t happen all that often, let alone with the Yankees involved. That may change if Mason Miller is actually on the market though, and AJ Preller might be enough of a wild card to consider it.

The Padres’ wheeling and dealing GM acquired Miller at last year’s deadline for a package centered around Leo De Vries, now the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball, but with San Diego underperforming and with an offense that looks largely underwater he may need to recoup as much as he can from the ace reliever with few leads for him to protect. The Yankees had scouts out at this weekend’s San Diego/Kansas City series, but I can spoil the findings for you: Miller is incredible. The best reliever in the game, he’s pitched to a 0.89 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.

Scouts say that the Yankees have a shot at affording him a year removed from him drawing one of the best prospects in the game, but if they want to hold onto their own top prospect in George Lombard Jr. and send a horde of options instead they may need to offer a major leaguer like Will Warren instead. Could it make sense for the Yanks to deal from the bottom of their rotation in exchange for a monster 1-2 combo in the back of the ‘pen? Perhaps, though they’d also likely lose another arm from their depth that would otherwise fill that hole like Elmer Rodriguez or Carlos Lagrange as well.

NY Daily News | Peter Sblendorio: Hunter Dietz ended up as the Yankees’ first-round pick this year, but they’ve done their homework on him for a while. He played high school ball close to the Yankees’ Tampa facilities, and stayed on their radar as he went to college and wound up breaking out this past season. Now in the organization, the team sees a top of the rotation ceiling for the big left-hander and were thrilled to land the Arkansas Razorback ace where they stood at No. 35 when he ranked much higher on some scouting boards. Dietz talked about recovering from his earlier elbow injury at the start of his collegiate career as well as meeting current Yankee starter Carlos Rodón in an introductory press conference.

Newsday | David Lennon: The Yankees managed to salvage the finale of their series against the Dodgers on Sunday winning the second game of a day-night doubleheader, but the way in which they won did little to dispel the concerns that this opening bout of the second half has recast on the offense. After scoring just one run on Friday in a 2-1 loss and getting just two more in the first game of the doubleheader, the Yankees again blew a 1-0 lead late but managed to get it right back with Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s bomb in the bottom of the eighth. Before that game Lennon tore into the Yankees’ deadweight sections of the lineup, and they did little to argue his points — in the fifth inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs and watched as Jasson Domínguez struck out, Chisholm popped out in foul territory immediately, and Anthony Volpe flailed through another strikeout to strand them all. They walked away with the win thanks to Jazz’s long ball later on, but a solo shot here and there isn’t going to get the job done more nights.

NY Post | Dylan Hernandez: Cody Bellinger faced off against his old team this weekend, but he could’ve been in the other dugout had the offseason gone a little differently. Bellinger contemplated rejoining the Dodgers over the winter before ultimately choosing the long-term deal he got with the Yankees to stay in pinstripes. Bellinger’s star shone fast and bright in LA, winning an MVP in 2019 and a title with the team in 2020 before he burned out leading to being non-tendered from the organization, but even though he’d been let go he still had fond memories with the team. At the end of the day, it seems like LA only wanted a shorter-term deal like the (more expensive) one they handed to Kyle Tucker, and Bellinger preferred securing his roots a little more with his daughter becoming old enough to start school.

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Yaxel Lendeborg wins MVP as Warriors bring home NBA Summer League title

Yaxel Lendeborg wins MVP as Warriors bring home NBA Summer League title originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors, led by their homegrown league MVP, once again are champions of the NBA world.

No additional context is needed, right?

Golden State was crowned NBA Summer League champions with its 94-90 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The Warriors went 5-1 in the tournament, and took home the title for the first time since 2013.

Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who Golden State selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was named the tournament’s most valuable player for his stellar performance in Vegas.

The 23-year-old scored 21 points with 10 rebounds and two assists on 50-percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range in Sunday’s win. In the tournament, Lendeborg averaged 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

A confident Lendeborg was asked after the game how he and Golden State pulled off the double-digit comeback against the Grizzlies on Sunday,

“Man, their butts got tight,” Lendeborg said. “They puckered up, you know what I mean? Some of us are built for the moment and some aren’t.”

While a summer league title might not have been the championship at the forefront of the Warriors’ minds this summer, it certainly is a positive development for Golden State’s youth, who figure to play a key role in the Warriors’ quest for a fifth Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in the 2026-27 NBA season.

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Watch Yaxel Lendeborg drop 21 points, grab 10 rebounds to lead Warriors to Summer League title

It was clear why Golden State and Memphis were facing off in Las Vegas for the Summer League title Sunday night. Usually, when a high draft pick has a few good games at Summer League, the team pulls him for the rest of the event to avoid potential injury.

But Memphis took the court with two likely starters from the team that will take the court in October: No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and second-year forward Cedric Coward.

Golden State took the court with No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg — and he was the best player on that court, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds, leading the summer Warriors to the championship.

Golden State came from 10 down at the start of the fourth quarter to get the 94-40 victory.

His performance in the title game capped off a Summer League where Lendeborg averaged 18.5 points and eight rebounds a game, earning him the Summer League MVP award.

This was Lendeborg's second title in four months, he also won the NCAA championship with Michigan. He is expected to get significant minutes with Golden State this season.

Coward and Boozer each had 19 points to lead the Grizzlies, with the duo combining for eight 3-pointers. However, Boozer missed a 3 with 13.5 seconds left that would have given Memphis the lead and control of the game. From there, the Warriors hit enough free throws to win.

Golden State also got 21 points from Deivon Smith, the undrafted point guard out of St. John's.

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Padres Reacts Survey Results: Fans do not see San Diego playing in postseason

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 17: Luis Campusano of the San Diego Padres (C) talks to manager Craig Stammen #14 during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 17, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The San Diego Padres came out of the All-Star break with a .500 record, staring at 16 games before the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3. The hope was that San Diego would carry the momentum it built up before the break with back-to-back wins against the Toronto Blue Jays as they headed to Missouri to take on the Kansas City Royals. The momentum the Padres had built apparently missed the flight and was left somewhere in San Diego.

The Padres dropped the first game of the series in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the 10th inning. San Diego tied the game in the ninth with a solo home run from Ty France and Mason Miller was somehow able to load the bases with no outs before striking out three batters in a row to strand the runners in the bottom of the ninth and send the game to extra-innings. The Padres scored three runs in the top of the 10th, but Miller did not pitch the bottom of the inning after throwing 16 pitches in the ninth. Sure, he threw four pitches to strikeout Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox in the All-Star game last Tuesday, but 20 pitches over four days does not seem to be too taxing for a guy who is 27 years old, stands 6-5, weighs 200 pounds and is arguably the most dominant reliever in the game.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen chose to keep Miller in the dugout and call on Kyle Hart to attempt his first MLB save in a game the Padres needed to win. Hart imploded, although none of the hits he allowed were struck extremely well, and the Royals earned a walk-off win with four runs in the bottom of the 10th. While Hart allowed all four runs, only three of which were earned because of the Manfred Man on second base to start extra-innings, the loss should not fall solely on him. The loss can and should be attributed to Stammen. He was asked after the game why he went to Hart and he said he and the staff liked the matchups and felt good about Hart in that situation. Miller is better than Hart against every batter the lefty matched up well with. Mille should have remained in the game.

Stammen seems to fail to understand where his team sits at this point in the 2026 season. Before the break, he told reporters he cannot manage every game like it is Game 7. That is fair to say. But you should manage a game you need to win with a three-run lead with the urgency the situation and the season calls for. The Padres looked lifeless in a 6-1 loss on Saturday before they salvaged the series and avoided a sweep with a 19-2 win on Sunday. San Diego should have been 2-1 to start the second half and had the Padres won on Friday night, Saturday could have played out completely different, and they might have started 3-0.

While the offense has started and stopped and struggled throughout the year and the pitching, which was solid to start the season, has fallen off as of late, it is decisions by Stammen and the way the rookie manager handles his players and his team that will determine the fate of the 2026 season for the Padres. If he continues to limit the ability and opportunity of his greatest commodity in Miller the respondents from this week’s Padres Reacts Survey will be saying, “I told you so!” at the end of the year. Players have to play and they have to execute, but the manager has to understand that his team needs him to have a win-now mentality if they are going to find their way back into a postseason position.

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Golden State’s Graham Ike Is an NBA Summer League Champion

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Graham Ike #45 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League Semifinals on July 18, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Former Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike adds an NBA Summer League title to his resume and made a case for a two-way contract throughout his work this summer. In the Golden State Warriors’ 94-90 double-digit comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas, Nevada, he scored six points on 1-for-6 field goals, nine rebounds, three assists/one turnover, and one block in his ninth straight start.

In the 92-88 semifinals victory over Los Angeles Lakers forward Anton Watson, Ike put together his best outing with the Warriors. He would end up with 16 rebounds on 6-for-10 shooting and 11 assists with a +10 plus-minus.

Throughout both the California Classic at the Chase Center and in Sin City, Ike averaged 9.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. The Warriors currently have one two-way spot left to be filled and have the need for his strong post presence as well as leadership value.

Training camp in San Francisco, California, will begin in late September or early October.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

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Yankees’ Cam Schlittler left disheartened by short outing in loss to Dodgers: ‘Not a good sign’

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler reacts after being taken out of the ball game by manager Aaron Boone in the fifth inning.
Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler reacts after being taken out of the ball game by manager Aaron Boone (L) in the fifth inning against the against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium .

Cam Schlittler chose not to pitch in the All-Star Game, but in his first start since then, he faced a lineup that was certainly star-studded.

The Yankees ace had swing-and-miss stuff, just not enough in the right spots as the Dodgers made it a frustrating day for him and forced him out of the game by the fifth inning in an 8-2 loss Sunday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader.

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Schlittler racked up a career-high 20 swings-and-misses and eight strikeouts, but at the same time, the Dodgers fouled off 27 pitches — including 16 with two strikes — as they made him throw 98 pitches across 4 ¹/₃ innings in which he gave up three runs.

“As a starter, [if] you can’t get through five, that’s not a good sign,” Schlittler said. “I think that’s the most frustrating part.

“I feel like the miss was there, the strikeouts are good, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t put a competitive outing together. They made me battle.”

Schlittler came out firing, striking out the side in the top of the first inning on 17 pitches — including whiffing Shohei Ohtani on a 100 mph fastball, Andy Pages on a 99 mph fastball and Freddie Freeman on a 96 mph cutter.

Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler reacts after being taken out of the ball game by manager Aaron Boone (L) in the fifth inning against the against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

But the Dodgers began hiking up his pitch count in a 27-pitch second inning, which included Max Muncy reaching on a double after skying a pop fly to right field that Max Schuemann and Jazz Chisholm Jr. both appeared to lose in the sun.

Ohtani then put the Dodgers ahead for good in the third inning when he scalded a 111.1 mph RBI double to the gap to go up 1-0.

Freddie Freeman added an RBI single to make it 2-0 before another 27-pitch inning was over.

Schlittler racked up three more strikeouts in the fourth inning before hitting Tommy Edman on an 0-2 fastball to lead off the fifth inning.

Edman came in to score on Pages’ bloop double down the right field line that ended Schlittler’s day, leaving with a 3-1 deficit.

Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler reacts after being taken out of the ball game by manager Aaron Boone in the fifth inning against the against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

The short outing was less than ideal in the first game of a doubleheader.

“They put a good swing on pretty much everything,” catcher Ali Sánchez said.

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While Schlittler’s 20 swings-and-misses surpassed his previous career high of 19, they did not translate to the kind of success he is used to having because of the relentless Dodgers approach.

“I thought Cam was really good, but they did [have] a lot of heavy at-bats,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He had a ton of swing-and-miss going, which was getting him into 2-2 and 3-2 counts, and then they did a pretty good job of extending some at-bats with a lot of foul balls. So it was kind of death by a thousand cuts. I thought he was on his game. They just had a ton of long at-bats, so it didn’t enable him to get deep in the game.”

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Yankees relievers quiet Dodgers lineup to salvage doubleheader split after Aaron Boone’s Game 1 sacrifice

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) delivers the ball during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Image 2 shows New York Yankees pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) pitches during a game
The Yankees' bullpen helped them win Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Dodgers.

The worst of the Yankees bullpen turned a close deficit into a blowout in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader.

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But the best of it won them the nightcap.

Five relievers combined for nine innings of one-run ball against arguably the best lineup in the majors, quieting the Dodgers in a 2-1 win at Yankee Stadium.

Ryan Yarbrough (2 ²/₃ innings), Paul Blackburn (2 ¹/₃ innings), Brent Headrick (two innings), Fernando Cruz (one-third of an inning) and David Bednar (1 ²/₃ innings) delivered about as much as the Yankees could have hoped for — aside from Cruz allowing a solo home run to pinch hitter Tommy Edman in the eighth inning — to help stave off a series sweep.

“Yarbs getting almost three innings … he was great and efficient,” manager Aaron Boone said. “And then Blackburn being able to get seven outs for us. That was huge. That gave us a chance then to leverage it at the backside of the game.”

Ryan Yarbrough throws a pitch during the Yankees’ second July 19 game against the Dodgers. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

After the Dodgers forced Cam Schlittler to throw 98 pitches across 4 ¹/₃ innings of Game 1, Yarbrough (36 pitches), Blackburn (25 pitches) and Headrick (22 pitches) were all much more efficient. Headrick, the unsung MVP of the bullpen to date, has not allowed a run in 41 of his 49 relief appearances, which leads the majors.

Boone sacrificed the end of Game 1 to make the nightcap possible.

The Yankees trailed only 3-1 entering the eighth inning when Boone used Jake Bird and Camilo Doval, who combined to allow seven straight Dodgers to reach as their lead ballooned to 8-1.

Paul Blackburn throws a pitch during the Yankees’ second July 19 game against the Dodgers. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

Bird, who was charged with all five runs, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game, as his ERA reached 5.93 across 36 games and 30 ¹/₃ innings this season.

The Yankees called up Kervin Castro to take Bird’s spot in the bullpen in time for the nightcap, trying to see if another internal option could give them some better relief before they likely bring in reinforcements at the trade deadline.

Saturday’s rainout allowed the Yankees to rearrange their rotation to try to make it through the rest of Max Fried’s injury absence without a fifth starter.

They pushed Ryan Weathers (Saturday’s scheduled starter) to Monday against the Pirates and called up Elmer Rodríguez to be the 27th man for the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, though they ended up not needing him on a night when they pieced together a bullpen game.

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The Yankees have been trying to pick their spots with Rodríguez because he only has two of his five options to the minor leagues remaining this season, but being sent down after coming up as the 27th man does not count against that.

So instead of likely throwing a bullpen game on Tuesday — or potentially burning another option for Rodríguez — they got by with Rodríguez just offering length in reserve.

Weathers will go Monday, followed by Will Warren and Gerrit Cole against the Pirates.

The Yankees then have an off day Thursday, which could allow them to keep their four starters on normal rest and then slot Fried back in next week after one more rehab start if everything goes well.

After throwing 10 pitches off the bullpen mound on Friday, Carlos Rodón (left elbow inflammation) received a second round of shots (including a PRP injection) the same day.

He was already feeling good enough to play catch on flat ground Sunday, and the Yankees are hoping he will advance to throwing a full bullpen session at some point this week.