MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 31, 2026, 11:55 AM ET

Trade Deadline Buzz Heats Up

The trade deadline is looming, and several teams are making moves or being discussed as potential sellers and buyers. The last-place Mets have initiated deals, trading left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins for prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. The Orioles, dealing with catcher injuries, acquired Jake Rogers from the Tigers for minor league pitcher Zane Barnhart. The Angels, holding an AL-worst 42-66 record, sent reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O'Hoppe to the Rangers for minor league third baseman Angel Arredondo. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Mets are featured in wish lists for potential deadline acquisitions, and 12 teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Cubs, are identified as needing to make deals ahead of the deadline. Power Rankings saw movement among wild-card contenders as the deadline approaches.

Injury Updates and Roster Moves

Several players are dealing with injuries, leading to roster adjustments and IL stints. Shohei Ohtani was held out of the Dodgers' lineup as a precaution due to left knee soreness but is expected back Friday. Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan is day-to-day after exiting his start with back tightness. Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead has a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist and will be reevaluated in four weeks. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has returned to the injured list with a right hip impingement, the same injury that sidelined him for the All-Star Game, and later exited another game with the same issue. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz will undergo an MRI after a hit-by-pitch to his forearm. Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino landed on the 10-day IL with a sore right wrist. Giants center fielder Harrison Bader is awaiting evaluation after a scooter crash aggravated a pre-existing foot injury. Giants infielder Casey Schmitt has a torn meniscus in his left knee with no timetable for return. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left a game with right hamstring tightness. Yankees All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger will miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers has a broken big toe on his right foot. Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez is OK to play after being hit by a pitch on the hand. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was expected to miss a game due to illness. Cubs veteran pitcher Jameson Taillon was designated for assignment after struggling outings. The Mariners activated Rob Refsnyder from the IL and DFA'd Kennedy.

Notable Performances and Milestones

Kody Clemens delivered a dramatic walk-off grand slam to lift the Twins to a 4-3 victory over the Royals, helping them overcome being no-hit through six innings. Tarik Skubal, potentially in his final start for the Tigers, received a standing ovation after recording his 1,000th career strikeout against the Orioles. The Marlins achieved their 21st comeback win of the season, rallying from a 6-0 deficit to beat the Phillies, with Griffin Conine hitting a go-ahead pinch-hit homer in the eighth. The Marlins later ended a franchise-record 12-game losing streak with a walk-off single by Conine against the Phillies. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "We've got to do better" after a nine-of-12 slide since the All-Star break, and Bryce Harper echoed the sentiment, saying the team "needs some help" at the deadline. Shane Bieber, a former Cy Young winner, struggled in his start for the Blue Jays, issuing six walks, including three with the bases full, before exiting early.

Fantasy Baseball and Collectibles

Closer performance remains a key focus for fantasy baseball managers, with updates on potential returns and availability. In the realm of collectibles, a 1-of-1 Shohei Ohtani Dual Gold Logoman autographed card was pulled and sold for an astonishing $11 million. A podcast titled "The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani" explores the unraveling of his relationship with his interpreter amid a sports betting scheme. The rise in hit batters in MLB is highlighted, with factors including increased velocity, control issues, and a "just wear it" mentality contributing to historic numbers.