Sandy Alcantara No Longer a Trade Chip?

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara might not be traded this summer if he continues to struggle, writes USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale. It's been a disaster for Alcantara, who missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star and former National League Cy Young winner has given up 19 earned […]

Jeremy Pena Doing Light Baseball Activities

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs) said he has done light hitting, fielding and running, but he's unclear of a specific timetable for his return, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. "I don't have an idea yet. But we're moving in the right direction. I'm very happy with the progress we're making, so we'll […]

Adrian Houser has Become Viable Trade Chip

Chicago White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser has become a viable trade chip this summer before the July 31 deadline, as he's gone 5-2 with a nice 1.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB in 57 2/3 innings over his nine starts since joining the Pale Hose. Houser has a chip on his shoulder after being […]

Julio Urias Wants to Continue his Career

Free-agent left-hander Julio Urias' suspension is set to end this Wednesday, and his agent, Scott Boras, said his client "still has every intention to continue his career." Urias is the only player in MLB history that has been suspended twice for violating the league's policy on domestic violence and sexual assault. It's believed that multiple […]

Sale of Rays Expected to be Finalized in September

The sale of the Tampa Bay Rays from current owner Stu Sternberg to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for roughly $1.7 billion has been agreed to in principle and is expected to be finalized as early as September, according to a person briefed on the process. The Rays are expected to remain […]

Rays Listening to Offers for Taj Bradley

USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes that the Tampa Bay Rays are listening to offers for right-handed starter Taj Bradley and are officially open for business after acquiring reliever Bryan Baker from the Baltimore Orioles recently. The Rays really limped to the All-Star break and are now sitting at 50-47, in fourth place in the […]

Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano Expected to be Traded

Barring a dramatic winning streak after this week's All-Star break, USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes that the Baltimore Orioles are expected to trade right-handers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano. Additionally, right-hander Zach Eflin (back) will immediately become trade bait for contending teams in search of pitching help when he makes his return from the […]

Braves Making Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias Available at Trade Deadline

The Atlanta Braves are making designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, closer Raisel Iglesias and a few others available before the July 31 trade deadline, according to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale. However, the Braves don't have any intentions of trading any player under a multi-year contract, at least not until the offseason. Ozuna has 10-and-5 rights, […]

Blue Jays Have Shown Interest in Zac Gallen

General managers around baseball think that the Toronto Blue Jays could be one of the most aggressive teams at this year's trade deadline since this could be their best chance for a World Series run since 1993. USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Blue Jays are searching for a front-line starting pitcher and […]

Mariners Intrested in Reunion With Eugenio Suarez

USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Seattle Mariners have interest in reuniting with Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez after they traded him to Arizona back in November of 2023. Nightengale also reports that Seattle has interest in D-backs first baseman Josh Naylor as they look to boost their offense in the second […]

Diamondbacks Will be Sellers at the Trade Deadline

USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes that the Arizona Diamondbacks, who enter this week's All-Star break with a 47-50 record, will definitely be sellers at this year's trade deadline, according to rival executives. "I don't see a world they don't sell," one general manager said. "They have so many holes, and so many free agents." […]

Phillies Looking to Acquire Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax

USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes that the Philadelphia Phillies have been extensively scouting Minnesota Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax and are hoping to acquire at least one of them by the July 31 trade deadline. Nightengale adds that the Twins are drawing strong interest from the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles […]

Ronny Mauricio Working on Plate Discipline

New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio is hitting just .237/.311/.409 with four home runs on the season in 93 at-bats, but he has a .797 OPS in his last 15 games. Mauricio has a very high ceiling and hits the ball very hard when he makes contact, but his main flaw has been to chase […]

Carson Spiers has Mixed Results in Third Rehab Start

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) made his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday and had mixed results, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings on one hit allowed versus Triple-A Columbus. Spiers also managed to fan five batters, but he also gave out four free passes and threw 39 of his 72 pitches […]

Drew Rasmussen Won't be Held Back in Next Start

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen won't be on a short leash in his first start of the second half of the season, which is scheduled for July 22 against the Chicago White Sox. In an effort to keep Rasmussen's workload down this year after he had elbow surgery in 2023, the Rays limited the […]

Brandon Lowe Hopes to Return on Friday

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, July 11, with left-oblique tightness, but he's hoping to return when he's eligible to come off the IL on Friday, July 18, for the first game of the second half of the season. Lowe was pulled after just […]

Porter Hodge Throws Over the Weekend

According to MLB.com, Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Porter Hodge (shoulder) was scheduled to throw on Saturday, July 12, and is "feeling good," according to manager Craig Counsell. The Cubs placed Hodge back on the injured list last Wednesday with a right-shoulder impingement after he surrendered six runs in just one-third of an inning against the […]

Jameson Taillon Doing Some Baseball Activities

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (calf) is doing some baseball activities, including playing catch, in what manager Craig Counsell called a "good sign" over the weekend. However, Taillon hasn't started running, and the Cubs plan to put together a plan for him after this week's All-Star break. The 33-year-old veteran was put on the 15-day […]

Miguel Amaya Likely to Start Rehab Assignment After All-Star Break

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (oblique) will likely start a minor-league rehab assignment after this week's All-Star break. Amaya will initially begin playing in rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Manager Craig Counsell said that Amaya will need a week's worth of games before being activated from the 10-day injured list, potentially before […]

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain

The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Michael Lorenzen (oblique) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 11) with a left-oblique strain. The Royals scratched Lorenzen from his start over the weekend with what they called at the time an illness, but the 33-year-old veteran is dealing with something much […]

Stefon Diggs Likely to Begin Camp Working on the Side

Despite an eye-raising off-the-field incident this offseason, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) impressed the team at minicamp and gave the impression he might be ahead of schedule in his rehab from an ACL tear suffered last year. The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that Diggs will likely open training camp this month working […]

Xavier Legette Should be More Productive

The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Xavier Legette should see improved production in 2025 as quarterback Bryce Young develops and rookie first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillan draws coverage his way. Legette had 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts) after going 32nd overall in last […]

Cole Bishop has Good Shot to Win a Starting Job

As long as he stays healthy, Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop is a pretty good bet to be a Week 1 starter in 2025, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (60th overall) in 2024 out of Utah was one of the main reasons why the Bills didn't address the safety position […]

Ravens Think Nate Wiggins has Star Potential

The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes that the Baltimore Ravens think second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins has star potential. The 21-year-old former 30th overall pick last year out of Clemson got better as the season advanced last year, and quarterbacks had just a 66.7 QB rating when targeting the young defensive back in 2024. He allowed only […]

Zach Dezenzo Still Not Swinging

Houston Astros infielder/outfielder Zach Dezenzo (hand) is making progress but still isn't swinging a bat, according to MLB.com. The Astros moved Dezenzo to the 60-day injured list last Friday, and there's currently no timetable for his return. He has been sidelined since June 1 with a capsule strain in his left hand and will not […]

Chas McCormick Struggling on Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (oblique) has gone just 2-for-20 with a home run, eight strikeouts and a walk through five minor-league rehab games at Triple-A Sugar Land, according to MLB.com. McCormick is currently on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique strain, but he figures to return for the second half of the season […]

Cristian Javier Ahead of Luis Garcia in his Rehab

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Sports Talk 790 radio that right-hander Cristian Javier (elbow) is ahead of Luis Garcia (elbow) in his rehab. "He's going to help us this year. It's probably going to take him a little bit longer," Brown said. Javier, who is on the 60-day injured list as he […]

Connor Norby to Visit With Specialist This Week

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said on Sunday that third baseman Connor Norby (wrist) is scheduled to visit with a specialist in Arizona during the All-Star break this week to "plot a course of action." Norby injured his wrist last Friday and was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with left-wrist inflammation. Although […]

Sawyer Gipson-Long Makes Rehab Start on Sunday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) made a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Sunday and looked sharp, tossing 4 2/3 shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out five against Triple-A Omaha. Gipson-Long threw 41 of his 59 pitches for strikes in the outing and was in control all the […]

Shane McClanahan Fans Three in FCL Rehab Start

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) made another minor-league rehab start on Sunday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and allowed an earned run on four hits while walking none and striking out three in only 1 2/3 innings of work. McClanahan threw 23 of his 36 pitches for strikes and got up to […]