MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 30, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

Trade Deadline Buzz and Team Needs

Several MLB teams are feeling the pressure as the trade deadline approaches, with some giants among those needing to make moves. The Yankees and Red Sox, along with the Phillies and Cubs, are highlighted as clubs that must take action to improve their rosters as reported by ESPN MLB. For the New York teams specifically, wish lists are being drawn up, including the possibility of acquiring pitcher Mason Miller for the Bronx Bombers and a significant overhaul in Queens for the Mets as detailed by ESPN MLB. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in his injured stars returning this season, even as the front office works to bolster the team before the deadline.

Injury Updates and Roster Moves

The injury bug has continued to bite multiple clubs. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is set for an MRI after exiting Wednesday's game with a bruised forearm, having been hit by a pitch. Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sore right wrist; he was hitting .232 with 6 home runs. In a more concerning development for the Giants, outfielder Harrison Bader has further injured his foot in a scooter crash and awaits evaluation for the damage. Meanwhile, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has landed back on the injured list with the same hip injury that caused him to miss the All-Star Game, having reaggravated it during Tuesday's win. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited Tuesday's loss with right hamstring tightness.

Player Performances and Notable Departures

In what could be his final start for the Tigers, ace Tarik Skubal received a standing ovation after recording his 1,000th career strikeout during Wednesday's game against the Orioles as observed by ESPN MLB. The Dodgers remain "very confident" that Shohei Ohtani will eventually return to pitch, despite his ongoing knee issues, though they are still monitoring Skubal's situation should he become available. Ohtani's mound return itself remains uncertain as the Dodgers deal with other player health, including the recoveries of Enrique Hernandez, Edwin Diaz, Blake Snell, Will Smith, and Tyler Gasnow. The AL-worst Angels, with a 42-66 record entering Wednesday, traded reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O'Hoppe to the Rangers for minor league third baseman Angel Arredondo.

Team Struggles and Comebacks

The Marlins managed to snap their franchise-record 12-game losing streak with a comeback victory over the Phillies, driven by Griffin Conine's go-ahead pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning. This win marked their 21st comeback of the season. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly acknowledged the team's struggles, stating that "now's the time that we're going to find out what we're made of" after a difficult stretch since the All-Star break. Bryce Harper echoed this sentiment, bluntly stating the Phillies "need some help" at the trade deadline amidst their current slide as noted by ESPN MLB.

Pitching News and Transactions

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that ace Tarik Skubal was still scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles as the trade deadline loomed. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber struggled in his start for the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, issuing six walks to nine batters faced, including three with the bases loaded, before exiting early. The Cubs designated veteran pitcher Jameson Taillon for assignment on Monday following a rough outing where he surrendered seven runs in four innings against the Pirates. The Mariners reinstated outfielder Rob Refsnyder from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers has a broken big toe on his right foot and was out of the lineup for Tuesday's game. Pirates rookie slugger Esmerlyn Valdez, who was hit by a pitch on Monday, was back in the lineup Tuesday night.

Hall of Fame and Off-Field Developments

Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran, and Jeff Kent were officially enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame on Sunday, representing diverse paths to Cooperstown. Former pitcher Chan Ho Park has become the first Korean to purchase a stake in a major league club, joining the Athletics' ownership group. New audio has shed light on the Shohei Ohtani interpreter case, with former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara initially telling a reporter that Ohtani agreed to cover his gambling debt before reversing course. A podcast, "The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani," is now available from 30 for 30 Podcasts, detailing the unraveling of Ohtani's relationship with his interpreter amid a sports betting scheme as noted by ESPN MLB.