MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 9:29 PM ET

Trade Deadline Fallout

The Dodgers sent shock waves through baseball with another ace addition, acquiring two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal in a blockbuster deal that immediately reshaped the championship landscape. Skubal didn't have his best stuff in his Los Angeles debut, landing only 51 strikes on 85 pitches, but the Dodgers also offered little run support as they dropped the contest. Even in the loss, Skubal was "plenty good," according to observers who watched the left-hander battle through his first outing in a new uniform. The acquisition strengthened the Dodgers' position as heavy betting favorites, putting them way ahead of the Yankees, the next closest team, on the World Series odds board Tuesday. Skubal defended the blockbuster move, saying he doesn't "really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done," noting, "Every team could trade for me." Tigers president Scott Harris dismissed the idea that Detroit should've waited right up until the deadline to trade Skubal, saying, "That's not how markets for the top players work." The Dodgers also received concerning news on a young catcher, as Dalton Rushing has a slight tear in the UCL in his right elbow, follow-up testing revealed.

The Red Sox made the biggest splash among deadline buyers, acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles in the largest of a slew of moves for Boston. Red Sox baseball officer Craig Breslow defended the aggressive approach, saying the surging Red Sox deserved big trades at the deadline. Recently acquired catcher Adley Rutschman said he's just trying to fit in with a Red Sox team that has been on a roll over the last month. Sonny Gray three-hit ball and struck out eight over six innings for his AL-leading 14th victory as Boston beat the White Sox 4-0 on Wednesday night. Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist, the team announced Thursday, in the latest setback to land him on the injured list. Red Sox Garrett Crochet, who hasn't pitched since late April because of injury, says he's open to a relief role if he's able to recover in time for the stretch run.

The Padres shored up their starting rotation at the trade deadline, acquiring left-hander Robbie Ray from the Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Tigers. Padres right-hander Pivetta exited his first rehab outing Tuesday with what San Diego manager Craig Stammen later told reporters was some minor tightness in his right elbow. The Yankees entered the deadline with some question marks on its roster — and left it without a splashy move, leaving fans and analysts puzzled by the lack of action. George Lombard the third-youngest Yankee to homer in his first game, and he did it on a night when his little brother also went deep in his own professional debut.

The Guardians completed a trade with the Nationals to acquire left-hander Foster Griffin, and also made trades for outfielder Jo Adell and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to bolster their lineup. Infielder Angel Genao, who is Cleveland's top prospect per ESPN rankings, has been called up by the Guardians, and he has a .309 average at Triple-A Columbus. The Cubs acquired right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets for infielder Jefferson Rojas on Monday, addressing their injury-depleted roster. Kevin Gausman, who is expected to make his Cubs debut on Friday, said he is happy to be in Chicago. Brewers' trade-deadline acquisition of veteran starter Dustin May, rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat became the odd man out of the rotation and was sent to Triple-A.

Bryce Harper homered in Monday night's 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals, will soon move to right field — just for the remainder of the season — after his club swung a deal for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob de Grom, told the Texas Rangers before Monday's trade deadline that he wanted to stay with the 55-57 team, telling reporters at Globe Life Field that "I want to be here." Left-hander Cody Bradford, in his comeback from elbow surgery, will make his first start for the Rangers since the end of the 2024 season Wednesday against the Giants. The Astros, who have surged into first place in the AL West, acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Blue Jays, and Varsho donned his new jersey to face his ex-team.

The trade deadline produced a wide range of outcomes, and experts handed out awards for the most interesting elements of the deals, while also identifying the clear winners and losers of the 2026 deadline. power rankings shifted significantly after the flurry of moves, with every club's standing reassessed in the wake of Monday's deadline activity. Beyond the major leaguers on the move, analysts also ranked the prospects involved in deadline deals — the potential stars of tomorrow headed the other way in those trades. For fantasy managers the Skubal trade opened up opportunities, with a pair of Tigers emerging as top waiver-wire pickups this week. Looking for late-season heroes in fantasy baseball? Analysts suggest with Atlanta, as some teams made strong postseason pushes at the trade deadline.

Injuries and Roster Moves

Struggling Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan is expected to need a stint on the injured list after an MRI on a lower-body injury revealed a mild left glute strain. Reds right-hander Greene, who has made only five starts since coming off the injured list, was put on the 15-day IL because of right elbow soreness. Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage lasted only two innings Tuesday night before leaving his start against the Houston Astros because of left knee discomfort. Nationals All-Star James Wood was placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a left oblique strain while batting Monday night against the Phillies. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained thumb while left-hander Jeffrey Springs went on the 15-day IL with hip discomfort. Cardinals All-Star fielder Jordan Walker was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Yankees because of right knee inflammation.

The Seattle Mariners released veteran catcher Mitch Garver, who appeared in 50 games this season, and outfielder Rob Refsnyder, who appeared in, among seven roster moves on Tuesday afternoon. Mariners reliever Speier was suspended three games and manager Dan Wilson one after Speier hit Detroit's Gleyber Torres with a pitch in the eighth inning of Wednesday night's game. Veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who is hitting just .203 with eight home runs, has been released by the Pirates. The Royals activated All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. from the injured list Tuesday after he missed two weeks with back tightness.

On-Field Highlights

Pete Crow-Armstrong as the favorite to win NL MVP on Wednesday after slugging two home runs in a win against the Dodgers that saw their star, Shohei Ohtani, also go deep twice in a memorable night at Wrigley Field. The Braves faced plenty of criticism after they failed to pick up a top-line starting pitcher at the trade deadline, but Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes have pitched like they didn't need one. Mets rookie Yan delivered a viral celebration after his first career strikeout, jumping high in the air with his feet spread apart, landing on the front of the mound and then slapping the grass with his left hand while briefly going to a knee.

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