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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz leads his team with 122 hits, 19 home runs, 73 RBI, and 30 stolen bases this season. He recently swiped a base against the Braves and four bags in late July, making him a strong candidate for a stolen base prop against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. SportsLine's model projects value for him to steal a base on Wednesday.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnación exited Wednesday's game with a right hamstring injury while hustling to first base, after hitting a 442-foot home run earlier in the team's victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Giants manager Bob Melvin stated that the injury "doesn't look good" and Encarnación is scheduled for an MRI. This marks the 27-year-old's third injury setback in 2025, having previously dealt with a fractured hand and an oblique issue, unfortunately halting his strong return to form.
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is identified as a significant MLB trade candidate for the 2025-26 offseason, with rumors from the recent deadline expected to intensify this winter. Kwan, who remains under team control through the 2027 season, will turn 28 in September. Concerns exist regarding his declining athletic markers, including a decrease in sprint speed since 2023, which could impact his defense-heavy profile.
Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore is highlighted as a potential MLB trade candidate for the 2025-26 offseason. With Gore set to become a free agent after the 2027 season, the Nationals face a decision on whether to leverage his remaining team control or focus on acquiring more talent for the future. Gore has recently profiled as an inconsistent mid-rotation starter.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan is listed among the top MLB trade candidates for the 2025-26 offseason. Ryan, a free agent after the 2027 season, has developed into an above-average starter known for his dominant fastball. His name surfaced at the recent trade deadline, and if the Twins decide to make him available this winter, he is expected to attract significant interest from other teams.
Andrew Vaughn, formerly of the Chicago White Sox, has been a significant in-season pickup, excelling since his call-up to the Brewers on July 7 following a trade on June 13. In 20 games as of Tuesday, Vaughn has posted an impressive .371/.432/.686 batting line with six home runs, demonstrating greatly improved plate discipline by swinging at more strikes and fewer balls. Drafted third overall in 2019, Vaughn's recent performance with improved approach and mechanics suggests a positive trajectory after disappointing previous seasons.
Mookie Betts is currently experiencing the worst season of his Hall of Fame career, with his batting line at .231/.302/.355 and an 85 OPS+. He has shown concerning declines in contact quality, exit velocity, and barrel rates, and is also struggling against fastballs. Despite expressing frustration and attributing part of his slump to a past hand injury, Betts is working extensively, including recent 3-for-4 performance, to relearn his approach, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts maintaining confidence in his top-of-the-lineup role.
Joey Wentz has seen significant improvement in his performance, recording a 1.50 ERA, .072 WHIP, and 21/6 K/BB ratio in 18 innings over four games (three starts) since being acquired. His four-seam fastball now features more Induced Vertical Break (iVB) and reduced arm-side run, making it more effective against right-handed hitters by utilizing an inside attack. Wentz's cutter has also been refined to behave more like a slider, with increased usage low in the zone and as a two-strike offering, contributing to a notable jump in his strikeout rate.
Luis Gil made his 2025 season debut on Sunday for the New York Yankees, allowing five runs on five hits over 3.1 innings. Despite the surface-level struggles, his four-seam fastball showed improved Induced Vertical Break (iVB) and extension, potentially enhancing its effectiveness. His slider also displayed more extension and overall break. While command issues and his recent shoulder injury suggest potential inconsistency for upcoming starts, Gil remains a rosterable talent due to his underlying pitch improvements.
Mike Yastrzemski was traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Kansas City Royals on July 31 in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Yunior Marte. This move had a notable emotional impact on his former Giants teammate, Jung Hoo Lee, who described Yastrzemski as a very good friend and outfield partner. The two outfielders had grown close during their time together in San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee expressed an emotional reaction to the team's recent trade of fellow outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals. Lee, who signed a significant contract with the Giants in December 2023, shared that he "did break down a little bit" upon hearing the news. He and Yastrzemski had developed a close friendship over their two seasons together, with Yastrzemski even learning some Korean to help Lee adjust.
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on indefinite paid leave by Major League Baseball as the league investigates allegations of sports betting against him. Clase, who has led the American League in saves for the past three seasons, was put on leave last month. This ongoing probe also casts a shadow on the athlete income-sharing industry, specifically affecting Finlete, a company with whom Clase had a deal to share future earnings. If found guilty, Clase could face a potential lifetime ban from MLB, though Finlete continues to receive its entitled percentage from his MLB salary.
Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford was cited by current Giants second baseman Casey Schmitt as his childhood favorite player and a significant influence. Schmitt, who played with Crawford in 2023, admired Crawford's professional approach and playing style. Crawford enjoyed an illustrious career with the Giants, earning three All-Star nods, four Gold Glove awards, and two World Series rings before his departure to the St. Louis Cardinals and subsequent retirement.
San Francisco Giants second baseman Casey Schmitt revealed that Brandon Crawford was his favorite player growing up, drawing inspiration from the former Giants shortstop's professionalism and playing style. Schmitt had the opportunity to play alongside Crawford in 2023 and learned significantly from him. In 2025, the 26-year-old Schmitt has established himself as a starter, contributing five home runs and 17 RBI across 50 games for the Giants.
Mason Miller, a hard-throwing reliever recently acquired from the Oakland Athletics, gave up a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on Tuesday night. The 103.9 mph fastball was the hardest hit pitch for a home run since MLB began tracking in 2008. Miller routinely throws over 100 mph, hitting 104.2 mph with his hardest pitch during the game.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made history on Tuesday night, hitting a two-run homer off a 103.9 mph fastball from Mason Miller, marking the hardest hit pitch for a home run since MLB began pitch tracking in 2008. Gurriel Jr. also contributed another two-run shot in the first inning, completing a two-homer night that tied the game at 5-all in the eighth inning.
Devin Williams continued to struggle in his latest outing, allowing the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning of a 2-0 loss. He surrendered a two-run single to Rowdy Tellez after giving up a double and two walks, a performance that reflects an inconsistent season. Williams has now allowed 26 runs this year, matching his combined total from the previous three seasons. Despite a strong June, he has faltered recently, blowing two saves and giving up six runs over his last 3.2 innings.
Max Muncy delivered an impactful performance in his return from the injured list, going four-for-five with two home runs and four RBIs in the Dodgers' 12-6 victory. Activated nearly five weeks after suffering a knee bone bruise on July 2, Muncy's quicker-than-expected recovery brought a needed boost to the team's offense. His multi-hit game, including a 416-foot and a 404-foot homer, solidified his comeback and strengthened the Dodgers' lineup.
New York Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes was pulled by manager Carlos Mendoza after five innings and 75 pitches despite feeling capable of continuing, as the team sought to utilize the bullpen in a tied game. Holmes, who allowed two runs in the fourth inning, understood the strategic decision. The right-hander has now reached a career-high 122.1 innings pitched this season, prompting discussions about managing his workload effectively as the team aims for a deep postseason run.
Aaron Judge was activated off the 10-day injured list and returned to the New York Yankees lineup as the designated hitter on Tuesday, having been sidelined since July 25 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. In his return, Judge went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against the Texas Rangers, as the Yankees lost their fifth consecutive game. Despite the challenging return, Judge leads MLB with a .342 batting average and has 37 homers and 85 RBIs this season, maintaining his position as an AL MVP frontrunner. He is expected to continue as a DH until he begins a throwing program, with an MRI previously showing no acute damage to his UCL.
