MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 29, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Trade Deadline Buzz and Team Woes

The trade deadline is looming, and several teams are feeling the pressure to make moves. The Philadelphia Phillies, after dropping nine of twelve games since the All-Star break, are looking for answers. Interim manager Don Mattingly stated, "now's the time that we're going to find out what we're made of" Mattingly said. Bryce Harper echoed this sentiment, bluntly saying the team "need some help" Harper was blunt as the deadline approaches. In a recent game, the Phillies blew a 7-0 lead and lost to the Miami Marlins, who rallied for a 5-4 victory on a go-ahead pinch-hit homer by Griffin Conine in the eighth inning. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are also among the clubs needing to act. Experts are proposing blockbuster deals, including moving Francisco Lindor across New York or sending Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller to new destinations.

Injury Bug Continues to Bite

A rash of injuries continues to impact key players across the league. Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has landed back on the injured list with the same right hip impingement that kept him out of the All-Star Game Buxton has returned. He exited Tuesday's win with a sore hip. Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, hitting .232 with 6 home runs, was placed on the 10-day IL with a sore right wrist Pasquantino was placed. The Toronto Blue Jays are dealing with their own injury concerns, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Tuesday night's loss with right hamstring tightness. In San Francisco, center fielder Harrison Bader is awaiting evaluation after a scooter crash caused further damage to an already injured left foot. Infielder Casey Schmitt underwent an MRI revealing a torn meniscus in his left knee, with no timetable for his return. Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers has a broken big toe on his right foot and was out of the lineup.

Pitching Notes and Player Milestones

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers received a standing ovation for his 1,000th career strikeout in what could be his final start for the team Skubal was given. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Skubal is still scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles as the trade deadline nears. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the mound return of Shohei Ohtani remains uncertain as other key players like Enrique Hernandez, Edwin Diaz, Blake Snell, Will Smith, and Tyler Glasnow continue to get healthier. In Cleveland, former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber issued six walks in the first inning of his start, including three with the bases loaded. The Mariners activated outfielder Rob Refsnyder from the injured list and designated pitcher Nick Kennedy for assignment. Fantasy managers are also keeping an eye on closer stock, with Edwin Diaz reportedly set to return.

League-Wide Trends

A concerning trend in Major League Baseball is the historic rise in hit batters, attributed to a focus on velocity, weak control, and a new "just wear it" mentality from hitters. Meanwhile, fans can now listen to the "The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani" podcast from 30 for 30 Podcasts, detailing the unraveling of Ohtani's relationship with his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara amid a sports betting scheme Listen now to.