MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 21, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

Trade Deadline Buzz and Roster Moves

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly exploring a significant move at the MLB trade deadline, with discussions involving the Detroit Tigers for ace Tarik Skubal considering a deal. While the Tigers aim to push for wins in July to retain Skubal, the Dodgers, known for their all-in approach, may also have acquired reliever Seth Halvorsen from the Colorado Rockies for two minor league prospects. Elsewhere, the Chicago Cubs bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring Aaron Civale from the Oakland Athletics.

Injury Updates and Player Returns

Several teams are navigating significant injury concerns and player activations. The New York Yankees moved superstar Aaron Judge to the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from a fractured rib and awaits clearance for workouts. The Baltimore Orioles placed catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation placed on IL, while the Miami Marlins added pitcher Max Meyer to the 15-day IL with a neck strain and infielder Otto Lopez was out of the lineup on IL. The Boston Red Sox activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list after a nearly three-month absence activated from IL. The Kansas City Royals saw shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. exit Monday's game with back tightness bothered by back.

Milestones and Emerging Talent

Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals achieved a significant milestone, ripping a double for his 2,000th career hit. On the prospect front, Kiley McDaniel released updated top 10 prospect rankings for all 30 teams, analyzing risers and fallers after the MLB draft. Emerging talent was also on display, with Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hitting his 12th homer in just 31 games, and Rockies' Hunter Goodman hitting his second three-homer game of the season.

Team Performance and Streaks

The Boston Red Sox continued their impressive winning streak, extending it to 14 games after a 6-1 victory over the Rays on Sunday, powered by Caleb Durbin's clutch homer. They had previously secured their 13th consecutive win with Willson Contreras contributing a key homer lucky 13. The Cleveland Guardians showcased their power, hitting seven home runs in a decisive 13-4 rout of the Minnesota Twins.

Notable Game Incidents and League News

A bases-loaded situation backfired for the Cincinnati Reds as Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit a grand slam on the first pitch, leading to an 8-0 Mariners victory. In a game between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, tensions flared in the eighth inning, leading to a bench-clearing incident after an interaction between Jose Caballero and Pirates' Santana. The league also mourns the loss of Duane Ward, a key reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series teams, who passed away at 62.

International Prospects and Future Events

Japanese pitcher Rintaro Sasaki is set to sign with the Miami Marlins, foregoing a professional career in his home country. Meanwhile, the special Field of Dreams game is set to return on August 13th, with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies set to participate, featuring throwback uniforms.

Fantasy Baseball and Betting Trends

Fantasy baseball managers are eyeing hot bats on the waiver wire, with several players emerging as top claims this week. In betting news, the second half of the MLB season sees bettors flocking to the White Sox while abandoning the Mets.

Player Health and Performance Notes

The Milwaukee Brewers are monitoring pitcher Jacob Misiorowski's workload after a layoff monitoring workload. The Atlanta Braves demoted pitcher Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett and selected the contract of veteran Elieser Hernández. Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start against the Phillies due to left knee irritation, though he received a lubricant injection rather than a fluid drain. The Minnesota Twins activated All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, who had missed nine games with a hip strain. The Seattle Mariners also activated outfielder Julio Rodriguez from the injured list after a concussion.

Labor Discussions and Artificial Intelligence

Discussions surrounding MLB labor negotiations and the potential for a work stoppage loomed even during All-Star week. In a separate league matter, the New York Mets stated they are fully compliant with Major League Baseball regarding the use of artificial intelligence for in-game strategy. A notable demographic observation highlighted that only one Latino player is among the MLBPA player leadership.