MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 10:08 PM ET

Trade Deadline Aftermath: Winners, Losers, and Big Moves

The 2026 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and the fallout continues to reshape the playoff landscape. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent shockwaves through baseball by acquiring two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, a move that has made them overwhelming favorites on the World Series odds board. Skubal didn't have his best stuff in his Los Angeles debut, landing only 51 strikes on 85 pitches, but the Dodgers still managed to secure the win. The new ace dismissed critics of the Dodgers' spending power, saying he doesn't "really sympathize with people that blame the Dodgers for anything they've done," and noted, "Every team could trade for me." Tigers president Scott Harris defended the decision to trade Skubal before the deadline, arguing, "That's not how markets for the top players work."

Red Sox were arguably the biggest winners at the deadline, acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles in the largest of several moves. Rutschman said just trying to fit in with a Red Sox team that has been on a roll over the last month. Boston also watched Sonny Gray pitch three-hit ball and strike out eight over six innings for his AL-leading 14th victory in a 4-0 win over the White Sox. Garrett Crochet Red Sox ace 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 deadline, acquiring left-hander Robbie Ray from the Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Tigers. However, Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta exited his first rehab outing Tuesday with what manager Craig Stammen later told reporters was some minor tightness in his right elbow. 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. Cleveland also up infielder Angel Genao, their top prospect per ESPN rankings, who has a .309 average at Triple-A Columbus.

The Cubs made a quieter splash, acquiring right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets for infielder Jefferson Rojas. Kevin Gausman is expected to make his Cubs debut on Friday, said he is happy to be in Chicago. The Yankees entered the deadline with some question marks on its roster and left it without a splashy move. The Brewers' trade-deadline acquisition of veteran starter Dustin May made rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat the odd man out of the rotation, as he was sent to Triple-A.

Injury Report: A Wave of Setbacks

The injury bug continues to bite hard across the league as teams push toward the postseason. 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. Dodgers catcher Rushing has a slight tear in the UCL in his right elbow, follow-up testing revealed.

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. 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. 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 right fielder Jordan Walker was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Yankees because of right knee inflammation. 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 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. Two-time Cy Award winner Jacob de Grom, told the Texas Rangers before Monday's trade deadline that he wanted to stay with the 55-57 team.

Player Performances and Milestones

Cristopher Sanchez became the first 15-game winner in the majors this season, and the Phillies beat the Nationals 7-3 on Thursday night. 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. George Lombard Jr. became 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. 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.

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 Jefry Yan had 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. 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.

Transactions and Roster Moves

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. designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who is hitting just .203 with eight home runs, has been released by the Pirates. Left fielder Moniak, who is hitting .277 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs this season, has reached a two-year extension with the Rockies.

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. Spain World 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.