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Have you ever gotten a Christmas present that was already broken when you opened the package? Well, this is the baseball equivalent of that.

Despite the Red Sox claiming they “dodged a bullet” last night after Curtis Mead was hit in the wrist by a pitch in just his second plate appearance in a Boston uniform, the actual diagnosis is much worse. Mead has a broken wrist and might need surgery.

The real signs of trouble started late this afternoon when Tommy Cassell noted Nick Sogard wasn’t in Worcester. That’s because he was flying to California to join the Red Sox and take Mead’s place on the roster.

Nick Sogard is being called up to join the Boston Red Sox in Sacramento, according to a source.

Believe it has to do with the Curtis Mead injury being worse than initially thought. Sogard was originally scheduled to play second and hit second for the WooSox in Norfolk today.

— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) July 28, 2026

Shortly after that, Alex Speier confirmed the disastrous news:

Everything about this sucks! The Sox lose the hitter they just acquired, possibly for the year. They no longer have Connelly Early to use in another deal that will now be needed to replace Mead’s production. Oh, and even if Mead returns this year, there’s a decent chance he doesn’t have nearly as much when he comes back. Why? Because wrist injuries suck! (Just ask Roman Anthony.)

Speaking Roman Anthony and the way the Red Sox have handled his injury, remember when he stayed in the game back in May, and then was initially listed as day-to-day with right wrist discomfort? Well, last night, Mead stayed in the game, and then was initially diagnosed with a right wrist contusion with negative x-rays. Given Anthony is still not swinging a bat three months later, I’m having nightmarish flashbacks!

Mikewichter over on Twitter also noted some other concerning factors with the Red Sox inability to diagnose the severity of the injury quickly:

To recap
Checked him out on the field
Cleared him to play
He dove back into 1st twice with injured wrist
Said it was a contusion. Tracy said "we dodged a bullet"
Announce he has a broken wrist https://t.co/vohfwOHLFw

— Mikewichter (@mikewichter) July 29, 2026

So yeah, this totally sucks, and the Red Sox now have six days to do something about it before the deadline. Either way, the options aren’t great. Did I mention this sucks?

It’s been a weird week of travel for the Colorado Rockies. They had a Thursday off in the first week of the second half, played a three game set in The Good Land against the Brew Crew, and after having yesterday off it’s time for a bizarre two-game series against the San Diego Padres.

The Rockies are visiting the Swingin’ Friars in an awkward spot. The Rockies are right where they were expected to be: comfortably in the basement of the National League West but instrumentally improved compared to last season. the Padres, however, are under-performing against expectations. Sitting at .500 coming into this evening, San Diego would not be in the playoffs should the season suddenly end. They’re a full 14 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division.

Tonight’s pitching matchup is a battle of the Michaels. On the mound for the Rockies is Michael Lorenzen, who’s name has recently popped up in trade speculation. After a very disappointing start to the season, the right-handed journeyman pitcher has leveled out over the last few weeks. Lorenzen has gone at least five innings and given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his last eight starts. However, his last time out was a rough one. Against the high-powered bats of the Washington Nationals, Lorenzen lasted just 3.2 innings and gave up six earned runs on seven hits—two of which were home runs—despite striking out five batters. He has tallied at least five strikeouts in ten of his 22 starts this season.

On the bump for the Dads is right-handed veteran Michael King. Now in his third season with the Padres, King is enjoying a very successful season so far. His ERA sits at just 3.24 and he’s worth 3.1 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference over 21 starts with 103 strikeouts. In his last four starts, King has thrown three quality starts and has given up more than one earned run just once.

King has surprisingly little experience against the Rockies. He’s made four appearances—three of which were starts—and pitched 20 innings against them during his career. In those appearances he has a 5.40 ERA with 24 strikeouts and three home runs allowed.

His primary pitch combo is a low-90s sinker paired with a changeup that he uses to induce whiffs. King also throws a sweeper, a slider, and a four-seam fastball.

First Pitch: 7:40 pm MDT

TV: Rockies TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Padres SB Nation site:Gaslamp Ball

Lineups:

We have a change to our lineup:

McCarthy RF
Moniak LF
Goodman C
Rumfield 1B
Carrigg CF
Johnston DH
Castro 3B
Julien 2B
Tovar SS
Lorenzen SP

Kyle Karros has been scratched due to left biceps inflammation. https://t.co/GWzpovA8PA

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 28, 2026

Feels good to be home 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZD07dMmwO0

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2026

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Colorado Rockies (42-65) at San Diego Padres (53-53), July 28, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Feels good to be home 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZD07dMmwO0

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2026

We have a change to our lineup:

McCarthy RF
Moniak LF
Goodman C
Rumfield 1B
Carrigg CF
Johnston DH
Castro 3B
Julien 2B
Tovar SS
Lorenzen SP

Kyle Karros has been scratched due to left biceps inflammation. https://t.co/GWzpovA8PA

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 28, 2026

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A day after dropping a close series opener to Boston, the A’s get another bite at the apple as they look for the win against the Red Sox here on a warm Tuesday night in Sacramento.

The club has left-hander Gage Jump set for the start, his third of the second half already. His first went quite well but his most recent outing was arguably his worst as a big leaguer as he got tagged for a career-high six earned runs against the Diamondbacks last Wednesday. He’ll look to turn things around and get back on track against a Red Sox lineup that has gotten on a roll in recent weeks.

Here’s the Athletics’ lineup this evening:

Jump day 🤝 pic.twitter.com/CBgWuxNpfl

— Athletics (@Athletics) July 28, 2026

The lineup will welcome back first baseman Nick Kurtz after his scheduled off day yesterday. Much needed reinforcements for the squad. He slots into the second spot in the lineup sandwiched between leadoff man Jacob Wilson and Jonah Heim, who is DH’ing tonight. Tyler Soderstrom is batting cleanup and back in his customary left field after a half day yesterday.

Again, the bottom half of the lineup is full of rookies and A’s fans should get used to seeing that the rest of the way. Tommy White is at the hot corner again as he proves his metal in the field. Colby Thomas slides across the outfield to right taking Lawrence Butler’s place. Henry Bolte is in center field again as Mark Kotsay is letting the struggling rookie outfielder work through his struggles with consistent playing time. Alika Williams is Wilson’s double play partner at the keystone and the club welcomes back veteran catcher Brian Serven to the starting lineup.

Boston meanwhile has their own young lefty in Jake Bennett getting the ball for them tonight. A seemingly minor offseason pickup for the Red Sox, Bennett has been a gem for them as the rookie has a 2.58 ERA in his first 10 career starts. He did get touched up for three runs last time out so the hope is that the A’s bats can do some damage against the rookie.

And Boston’s starting nine:

Jake at night. pic.twitter.com/StoQJOI16s

— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 28, 2026

Can we avoid a four-game losing streak? Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández is back, activated off the injured list on Tuesday as expected before the start of a series against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Alex Freeland was the odd man out, optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hernández’s season now includes two long stints on the injured list. He missed the first 53 games of the season after elbow surgery last November, and has missed the last 51 games with a left oblique strain. In between, he’s working on a perfect season, with four hits in his four at-bats thus far, including a home run and two doubles.

In seven games on a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, Hernández hit .333/.320/.542 with two doubles and a home run. He split his time with three games each at third base and in left field, plus once at first base.

Freeland has played sparingly of late, with his last start coming on July 7. In the Dodgers’ 13 games since he’s only played in five of them, totaling five plate appearances, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

On the season, Freeland hit .231/.309/.313 with a 76 wRC+, seven doubles, and three home runs in 72 games. The switch-hitter has performed better from the left side, hitting .249/.330/339 with an 89 wRC+, while collecting only four hits in 30 at-bats while batting right-handed.

Freeland started 59 games at second base, with four Defensive Runs Saved and three Outs Above Average, the latter in the 85th percentile in MLB.

Clay Holmes got back on the mound, this time with St. Lucie, on Tuesday evening in his second and potentially final rehab start.

The Mets right-hander got through four innings in relatively easy fashion.

Holmes' first inning started with a three-pitch strikeout, punching out Blaine Bullard (Blue Jays' No. 8 prospect) on a changeup before stranding a runner. His second inning saw more of the same, stranding a runner in a scoreless second inning, punctuating it with a strikeout of Owen Carapellotti on five pitches, getting the left-hander swinging on a changeup out of the zone. 

The Blue Jays got to Holmes a bit in the third inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Dean West, making his Jays debut, but erased him when he picked him off. Holmes allowed a two-out walk, but got the final out to get through three innings. 

In Holmes' final inning, the right-hander pitched a 1-2-3 inning on just nine pitches.

Holmes allowed just two hits and two walks in four innings while striking out three batters. He tossed 59 pitches (37 strikes), eight more than his first rehab start, that time with Syracuse, as Holmes tossed 2.1 innings on 51 pitches. 

If this is Holmes' final rehab start, his next appearance could be with the Mets this weekend. But with his name in trade rumors, the converted closer could be pitching for a different team by the time the Aug. 3 trade deadline arrives. 

Clay Holmes gets a strikeout and two ground balls to finish off his rehab outing for St. Lucie

Final line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 59 pitches (37 strikes) pic.twitter.com/kTT1dnCyuJ

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 29, 2026

San Francisco Giants will be without Casey Schmitt after the infielder experienced knee pain during a 3-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park on Monday, July 27.

The team announced Tuesday, July 28 that Schmitt was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left meniscus tear. He underwent an MRI exam Tuesday and imaging results determined the injury.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury early in Monday night's game against the Brewers. Schmitt led off the bottom second inning with a fly ball single to right field. He rounded first base in an attempt to stride for second, but hit the brakes and turned around as the Brewers put the ball back infield. When Schmitt slowed down to reverse back to first base, he seemingly tweaked his knee as he hobbled to the bag.

Curtis Mead's Boston Red Sox tenure lasted two plate appearances before he was lost to the injured list − and, likely, for most of the remaining season with a broken left wrist.

Mead was placed on the injured list Tuesday, July 28, one day after he was struck by a pitch from the Athletics' Jack Perkins. Initial X-rays performed at the Athletics' Class AAA ballpark in West Sacramento indicated there was no break, Mead told reporters Monday evening.

But further imaging revealed what X-ray technology at the A's Yolo County ballpark didn't: Mead hit the IL before their game Tuesday and infielder Nick Sogard was recalled from Class AAA Worcester.

The severity of Mead's injury was first reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Curtis Mead left the game in his Red Sox debut after being hit by a pitch on the hand

Mead was acquired from the Nationals on July 25th pic.twitter.com/DXhS6aEY6b

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 28, 2026

Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals late Saturday evening, intended to beef up a lagging lineup that's been carried by the Red Sox's pitching staff. The cost was left-hander Connelly Early, who will have five years of club control with Washington and, the Nationals hope, will pitch near the top of their rotation.

Now, Mead's injury will only add to the Red Sox's urgency to add more offense before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Mead hit 17 home runs and had an .852 OPS in Washington, where he played both corner infield positions. He was also expected to get playing time at second base in Boston.

The Red Sox will likely be shorthanded for their game Tuesday, with Sogard needing to travel from Norfolk, Virginia, to West Sacramento.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Curtis Mead injury update: Red Sox lose new addition to broken wrist

The St. Louis Cardinals will see what they can accomplish against the Chicago Cubs again Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. The Chicago Cubs have announced Colin Rea as their starter while the Cardinals have announced Michael McGreevy will make the start for them. First pitch scheduled for 6:45pm central time with the TV broadcast available through Cardinals.tv.

The South Siders lost a tough one to start the series Monday, 9-5, and things won’t get any easier today with Gerrit Cole on the mound for New York. Despite going 5-5 over their last 10 games, they still hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, who have also struggled, going 4-6 over their last 10.

Lefthander Anthony Kay is on the mound, starting his 20th game of the season for the Good Guys. Kay is 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.373 WHIP in 98 1/3 innings, but he can struggle with his control, walking and hitting plenty of batters. No, really, the current running joke is who will end the season with more HBP: Sam Antonacci or Kay, and they are currently tied with 19. It would be less funny if Anthony didn’t work himself out of many of the jams that he gets himself into, especially considering his xERA is 5.34. Kay has posted a solid 3.44 ERA over his last four July starts, with seven earned runs, three homers, and nine walks, and opponents are hitting just .197 against him with 15 strikeouts.

The good news for Kay is that the offense seems to have woken up over the last couple of games, and with a righty on the mound, the White Sox will roll with Antonacci jumping back into the leadoff spot. Against righties, Antonacci ranks 10th in on-base percentage (.397) and 14th in batting average in all of baseball. Colson Montgomery is also back to playing shortstop, slotting in at cleanup behind Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas. Vargas has hit just three home runs in July, but he has mashed 10 doubles and is tied for eighth in MLB with 25 on the season.

Chicago White Sox Lineup

For the Yankees, Cole is making his 12th start of the season, and while he has established a 3.92 ERA across 11 games, he owns a 4.73 ERA in his last seven starts. With 66 Ks in his 62 innings, Cole’s 25.5% strikeout rate is still 19th in the AL (min. 60 innings), and he doesn’t tend to walk a lot of batters with a 4.7% walk rate that ranks sixth in all of baseball.

New York is missing plenty of its top hitters due to injuries, but it still has some power at the top of the lineup with Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is also one to watch, as he can hit for power while also being a menace on the base paths with 29 stolen bags on the season.

New York Yankees Lineup

First pitch from Rate Field is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT with temperatures around 75º at first pitch. Tune into the usual spots for tonight’s matchup: CHSN for the TV broadcast, or ESPN Chicago AM 1000 on the radio. A win against the Yankees and teeing off on Cole would be a great way to bounce back and pump some confidence into the White Sox clubhouse.