MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 10:00 PM ET

Trade Deadline Fallout: Skubal to L.A., Red Sox Splash, and the Winners & Losers

The trade deadline has passed, and the baseball landscape has shifted dramatically, with the Los Angeles Dodgers emerging as the clear betting favorites after acquiring ace Tarik Skubal from the Tigers. The Dodgers, after acquiring Skubal on Saturday, are way ahead of the Yankees, the next closest team, on the World Series odds board Tuesday. New Dodgers pitcher Skubal said Monday he doesn't "really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done," noting, "Every team could trade for me." Even in a losing effort in his Los Angeles debut, Skubal was "plenty good," landing only 51 strikes on 85 pitches as the Dodgers offered little run support. Tigers president 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 Boston Red Sox were among the most aggressive buyers, acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, the biggest in a slew of deadline moves. Recently acquired catcher Rutschman said he's just trying to fit in with a Red Sox team that has been on a roll over the last month. Red Sox also saw their rotation get a boost, as Sonny Gray pitched three-hit ball and struck out eight over six innings for his AL-leading 14th victory in a 4-0 win over the White Sox. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres shored up their starting rotation at the deadline, acquiring left-hander Robbie Ray from the Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Tigers. The Cleveland Guardians also made moves, completing a trade with the Nationals to acquire left-hander Foster Griffin, and also making trades for outfielder Jo Adell and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

The Yankees entered the deadline with some question marks on its roster and left it without a splashy move. The Cubs, dealing with injuries, acquired right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets for infielder Jefferson Rojas. Brewers, after acquiring veteran starter Dustin May, sent rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat to Triple-A. The Pirates made a surprising move by releasing struggling designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who was hitting just .203 with eight home runs. The Rangers held onto their star, as two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob de Grom, told the team before the deadline that he wanted to stay with the 55-57 club.

On the Field: MVP Cases, Breakout Stars, and a Viral Celebration

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. 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. 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. Mets rookie Jefry Yan jumped high in the air with his feet spread apart, landed on the front of the mound and then slapped the grass with his left hand while briefly going to a knee after recording his first career strikeout. Bryce Harper homered in Monday night's 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals, will soon move to right field for the remainder of the season after his club swung a deal for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez.

Injury Report: A Wave of Setbacks Across the League

The injury bug has hit hard across the league, with several key players landing on the injured list. Struggling Minnesota 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. 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. 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. Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing has a slight tear in the UCL in his right elbow, follow-up testing revealed. Padres right-hander Pivetta exited his first rehab outing Tuesday with what manager Craig Stammen later told reporters was some minor tightness in his right elbow. Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage lasted only two innings Tuesday night before leaving his start against the Houston Astros because of left knee discomfort. Cardinals All-Star fielder Jordan Walker was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Yankees because of right knee inflammation. Nationals All-Star outfielder 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 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. The Royals activated All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. from the injured list Tuesday after he missed two weeks with back tightness. Left-hander Cody 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.

Roster Moves and Transactions

The Guardians called up infielder Angel Genao, who is Cleveland's top prospect per ESPN rankings, after he posted a .309 average at Triple-A Columbus. 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. The Mariners also saw reliever Gabe Speier 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. The Rockies reached a two-year extension with left fielder Mickey Moniak, who is hitting .277 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs this season. Kevin Gausman, who is expected to make his Cubs debut on Friday, said he is happy to be in Chicago. 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.

Around the League: Milestones, Celebrations, and

Beloved longtime San Francisco Giants broadcaster and former major league pitcher Mike Krukow is stepping away from the booth after this season following a nearly four-decade run. sources told ESPN that former Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta in June arranged for franchise cornerstones Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor to vent and work through their disconnected relationship. Spain World Cup hero Ferran Torres will throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, weeks after becoming the second-ever substitute to score the winner in a men's World Cup final after Germany's Mario Götze in 2014. As the fantasy baseball season heats up, the top players to consider claiming off the waiver wire this week include a pair of Tigers after the Skubal trade. 2026 trade deadline has passed, and the winners hit it out of the park while others swung and missed. Some teams made strong postseason pushes at the MLB trade deadline, and fantasy managers should look to Atlanta for late-season heroes. deadline now in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts to the stretch run and which teams can make a push for the playoffs.