MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 22, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

Red Sox Extend Historic Win Streak, Guardians Power Up

The Boston Red Sox with a 6-1 victory over the Rays on Sunday, extending their winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest in club history. Caleb Durbin's game-winning homer in the eighth inning proved to be the difference, while Sonny Gray, allowing just one run and five hits over six innings. This impressive run has the Red Sox climbing in the 2026 World Series odds. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians, crushing seven home runs in a 13-4 rout of the Twins. This power surge came as a welcome surprise for a Guardians team that previously ranked among the majors' lowest in home runs.

Injury Bug Bites Several Teams, Impacting Key Players

Several clubs are dealing with significant injuries to key personnel. The Texas Rangers Brody Bumila, who is set to undergo Tommy John surgery after his fastball was clocked over 100 mph. Third baseman Josh Jung with left calf tightness. The Red Sox also placed catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation. The Detroit Tigers added right-hander Jack Flaherty to the 15-day injured list with right flexor inflammation. The Athletics placed rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on the IL following emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle caused by a foul ball the night before. White Sox catcher Kyle Teel is expected to miss 6-12 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Cubs reliever Trent Thornton is day-to-day with a bruised left heel after being struck by a comebacker, though he fortunately avoided a fracture.

The injury bug also affected the Marlins, who placed All-Star right-hander Max Meyer on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain, and All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game as of Tuesday. The Mets activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list after he with a back issue. The Astros saw shortstop Jeremy Peña return to the lineup, while first baseman Christian Walker remained out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game on Monday. Twins All-Star Byron Buxton has been activated after missing nine games with a right hip strain. In a concerning update, superstar outfielder Aaron Judge, sidelined since May 31 on his fractured rib, prompting the Yankees to move him to the 60-day IL. The Braves demoted right-hander Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett and selected the contract of veteran right-hander Elieser Hernández. Orioles rookie catcher Samuel Basallo left in the second inning against the Astros with right shoulder discomfort on Monday.

Player Milestones and Notable Performances

Nolan Arenado Monday night, ripping a double for his 2,000th career hit, joining an elite group of active players. Rockies slugger Hunter Goodman of the season on Sunday, entering an exclusive club for Colorado. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez continues to impress in just 31 games, putting him in rare company historically. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, returning from an oblique injury, had a career-best performance, going 5-for-5 with two home runs in an 8-5 victory.

Trade Deadline Buzz and Prospect Watch

Tarik Skubal remains a focal point of trade speculation, with reports suggesting potential moves to teams like the Dodgers. The Cubs acquired right-hander Aaron Civale from the Athletics, bolstering their pitching depth. The Dodgers also by acquiring right-hander Seth Halvorsen from the Rockies. In prospect news, Rintaro Sasaki will sign with the Miami Marlins, forgoing a professional career in Japan. Kiley McDaniel's latest prospect rankings rising and falling talent across all 30 farm systems following the MLB draft.

Labor Discussions and League Initiatives

The MLBPA has called for the preservation of the current draft system following MLB's proposal to cut rounds and reduce amateur signing bonuses. Discussions also continue around player representation, with an article highlighting the underrepresentation of Latino players among MLBPA leadership. The league is also gearing up for special events, including the Twins and Phillies participating in a Field of Dreams game on Aug. 13, featuring throwback uniforms as reported Tuesday.

Other Notable News and Observations

A baserunning miscue by J.T. Realmuto contributed to the Phillies' 2-1 loss to the Dodgers. The Mariners' Cal Raleigh on the first pitch after the Reds intentionally loaded the bases to face him. The Yankees offense awoke from its struggles in a win over the Pirates, though benches cleared after an incident involving Jose Caballero. The Blue Jays organization mourns the passing of Duane Ward, a key reliever on their back-to-back World Series-winning teams, who died at 62. Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start in Philadelphia due to left knee irritation. Cubs first baseman Michael Busch's home run was famously snagged from the bleachers by retired Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who was in attendance for a ceremony honoring the 2016 team on Monday.