MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 5, 2026, 11:31 PM ET

Trade Deadline Fallout and Player Movements

The MLB trade deadline has passed, leaving teams to assess their moves and non-moves. The New York Yankees, for example, entered the deadline with several question marks and ultimately made no splashy acquisitions. deadline also prompted discussions about potential future strategies, with one analysis handing out awards for the most interesting elements of the 2026 deadline, focusing on teams breaking up struggling rosters or trading prospects. This year's deals saw some teams make strong postseason pushes, while others swung and missed on their opportunities.

Pitching Updates and Injury Concerns

Several pitchers are dealing with injuries or returning from them. Reds right-hander Greene has been placed back on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow soreness, having only made five starts since his previous return from the IL. Dodgers catcher Rushing has a slight tear in the UCL of his right elbow, according to follow-up testing. Twins ace Joe Ryan is returning to Minnesota for evaluation of a potential injury after a rough outing against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Padres RHP Pivetta abruptly exited his rehab outing with what manager Craig Stammen described as minor tightness in his right elbow. Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, sidelined since late April with an injury, has indicated he would be open to a relief role if he can recover in time for the stretch run. Left-hander Cody is set to make his first start for the Rangers since the end of the 2024 season on Wednesday against the Giants, marking his return from elbow surgery.

Player Debuts and Performances

New talent is making an impact across the league. Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as a strong candidate for NL MVP, highlighted by his two home runs in a win against the Dodgers, a game where Shohei Ohtani also hit two home runs for Los Angeles. George Lombard Jr. became the third-youngest Yankee to homer in his professional debut, a feat achieved on the same night his brother also hit a home run in his own debut. Infielder Angel Cleveland's top prospect according to ESPN rankings, has been called up by the Guardians, bringing his .309 batting average from Triple-A Columbus to the majors. Catcher Adley Rutschman, recently acquired by the Red Sox, stated he is focused on integrating into the team, which has been performing well over the past month. Two-time Cy winner Tarik Skubal did not have his best outing in his Los Angeles debut, throwing only 51 strikes on 85 pitches, but received little run support from the Dodgers in the eventual loss. Kevin Gausman happiness about joining the Cubs and is scheduled to make his debut on Friday.

Team Dynamics and Roster Changes

designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has been released by the Pirates, who cited his .203 batting average and eight home runs as reasons for the move. In a separate roster move, the Guardians designated infielder Arias for assignment after calling up their top prospect, Angel Genao. There were also behind-the-scenes efforts to improve team dynamics, with former pitcher Freddy Peralta reportedly arranging a meeting in June between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor to address their relationship.