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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, July 25, 2025

Ha-Seong Kim Placed on Injured List with Lower Back Injury

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Rays shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, due to a lower back injury he sustained during Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Kim, 29, was intended to be the Rays' starting shortstop after signing a two-year, $29 million deal in the offseason, but has only played in 10 games since July 4, batting .226 with one homer and three RBIs in 31 at-bats. His season start was already delayed by offseason right shoulder surgery and a hamstring injury, following a labrum tear in August 2024 that ended his previous season with the Padres.

J.T. Realmuto Contributes Key Homer in Phillies' Victory Over Yankees

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Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto delivered a crucial three-run home run off Luke Weaver in the seventh inning, contributing to the team's 6-3 lead in their 12-5 victory over the New York Yankees. Realmuto's offensive performance, which combined with Kyle Schwarber for seven RBIs, reflected his recent surge at the plate. He noted that he feels mechanically in a better spot, with improved timing and vision, which he believes is leading him "in the right direction" offensively.

Walker Buehler Reflects on Dodgers World Series Legacy and Red Sox Transition Ahead of First Reunion Series

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Walker Buehler experienced a reflective first reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers since his offseason departure to the Boston Red Sox, receiving his World Series ring from manager Dave Roberts and former teammates at Fenway Park. Despite his crucial role in the Dodgers' recent World Series victory, Buehler expressed no regrets about signing with Boston after Los Angeles opted not to extend him a qualifying offer, instead pursuing other pitchers. Buehler, who enjoyed dominant stretches with the Dodgers before his second Tommy John surgery and a challenging 2024 regular season, has found playing for the Red Sox 'fun' despite a 5.72 ERA this year, showing recent improvement by allowing only three earned runs over his last 18 innings. He is set to make his next start against his former club on Sunday, reflecting on his impactful tenure with the Dodgers and acknowledging the uncertainty of his future beyond his current one-year contract.

Aaron Nola Nears Return After Successful Bullpen Session, Eyeing Rehab Start

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Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola is making significant progress in his recovery from a sprained right ankle and a stress fracture in his right rib, injuries that have sidelined him since May. On Friday, the 32-year-old threw a successful 56-pitch bullpen session across three ups at Yankee Stadium, reporting no pain in either the ankle or the rib, and demonstrating excellent command. Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed excitement, noting Nola looks 'ready for an assignment' and highlighting his potential impact down the stretch. Nola confirmed he feels 'normal' and is eager to begin a minor league rehab assignment, with plans to gradually increase his pitch count from an initial 55-60 pitches to reach 90 pitches over subsequent outings. He suffered the ankle injury during agility drills on May 8, which he believes led to the rib stress fracture due to altered rotation.

Logan Webb Endures Third Consecutive Rough Start Amidst Giants' Rotation Challenges

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San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb continued his recent struggles with his third consecutive rough outing, tying a season low by lasting only four innings and surrendering a season-high six earned runs in the Giants' 8-1 loss to the New York Mets. This recent stretch marks the worst of his career, as he has now given up 16 earned runs over his last three starts, and his ERA has climbed to 3.38 after previously being 2.62 in early July. Webb allowed 12 earned runs in his last two home starts, including an early two-run deficit and a solo homer to Francisco Lindor in his latest appearance. Webb admitted he needs to be better, stating he feels fine physically and is not using his workload as an excuse. His decline is a clear reflection of the Giants' battered rotation, which is 'leaking oil' with only three healthy starters, notably after Hayden Birdsong was optioned and Landen Roupp suffered elbow inflammation, forcing the bullpen to cover extended innings.

Mookie Betts to Miss Friday's Game for Personal Matter, Saturday Status Uncertain

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Mookie Betts will not play in the Los Angeles Dodgers' Friday night game against the Boston Red Sox and did not travel with the team due to an undisclosed personal matter. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Betts' status for Saturday's game is uncertain, though he is expected to arrive in Boston around the game's start time. Roberts confirmed that everything is okay with Betts, despite the situation. This absence comes as Betts has been struggling offensively this season, hitting career lows of .238 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 94 games, a significant dip for the former American League MVP.

Jacob Wilson's Stellar Rookie Season Highlights Promising Young Hitting Tandem for Athletics

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson has been a standout rookie, with manager Mark Kotsay noting he's slightly ahead of teammate Nick Kurtz in the Rookie of the Year conversation after a marvelous first half that led to his starting the All-Star Game. Wilson's success is attributed to his hyper-aggressive approach and unparalleled bat-to-ball skills, allowing him to place the ball effectively, drawing comparisons to Tony Gwynn for his 'magic wand' ability. His distinct hitting style, which contrasts sharply with Kurtz's, reflects his ability to maximize his unique strengths, and his advanced maturity, influenced by his baseball lineage, marks him as a key component of the Athletics' ascendant young core.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Praises New Mets Reliever Gregory Soto, Reflecting on Past Matchups

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Yankees slugger Jazz Chisholm Jr. provided a detailed scouting report on the Mets' new bullpen acquisition, left-hander Gregory Soto, acknowledging his personal struggles against the pitcher, holding an 0-for-10 record with six strikeouts. Chisholm described Soto as a versatile pitcher who effectively utilizes a sinker, slider, cutter, and sweeper, noting that Soto consistently avoids the middle of the plate when facing him. He expressed high regard for Soto, considering him 'one of the best pitchers,' and even admitted to hoping the Yankees would have acquired him.

Alex Bregman Returns to Third Base for Red Sox After Injury

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Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman, who was activated from the injured list on July 11 after suffering a quad strain earlier in the season, is set to start at third base for the Red Sox in their Friday series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His earlier injury in May had prompted the call-up of rookie Marcelo Mayer to cover the position. Bregman currently boasts a .290 batting average and an .899 OPS, solidifying his return to the lineup.

Orioles Pitcher Kyle Bradish Begins Rehab After Tommy John Surgery, Shows Promising Velocity

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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish has begun his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, making his first game appearance on Thursday for High-A Aberdeen, where he threw two innings and allowed one run. Encouragingly, his fastball velocity was clocked at 94-96 mph, returning to his pre-injury levels. Bradish had established himself as one of the American League's top pitchers before his injury, posting a 2.42 ERA and a significant increase in strikeout rate in 2023 and early 2024. While there's a risk of setbacks that could sideline him until 2026 given the Orioles' current standing, if his rehab continues smoothly, he could become a valuable asset for the final six weeks of the season.

Dylan Cease Remains an Enigma and Trade Candidate, Projected for Strong Two-Start Week

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Dylan Cease is a significant name on MLB's trade deadline rankings, despite his current season with the Padres not meeting expectations, marked by a 4.59 ERA through 21 starts. His potential inclusion in trade discussions may be linked to the Padres' need to manage finances, though underlying metrics suggest a rebound could be forthcoming. Known for his unpredictable yet often dominant performances, Cease continues to be a high-volume strikeout pitcher. He is projected for a two-start week against the Mets and Cardinals, where he is expected to record double-digit strikeouts and has a favorable chance of earning a victory, making him a viable fantasy option despite potential ERA fluctuations.

Emmanuel Clase Listed as Top Trade Candidate, Guardians May Listen to Offers

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Emmanuel Clase is identified among the top players who could be traded by the July 31 MLB deadline. Although a case can be made that Clase should be 'off limits' given the Guardians' current position in the race and his contract control through the 2028 season, it is noted that teams typically remain open to listening to offers, particularly for high-value single-inning relievers like Clase.

Mitch Keller Pegged as Trade Candidate and Strong Two-Start Option for Upcoming Week

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Mitch Keller is highlighted on MLB's trade deadline rankings, offering a blend of track record and upside as a durable mid-rotation starter for the Pirates. He remains under contract for three more years at a favorable price, making him an attractive trade asset for a Pirates team looking to address offensive needs. Looking ahead to the upcoming week of July 28, Keller is projected for a strong two-start week, beginning with a matchup against the Giants in a pitcher-friendly park and concluding against the Rockies at Coors Field. Despite concerns about his strikeout rates and win equity pitching for the Pirates, his two-start schedule, especially against the Rockies, is expected to mute these issues, making him a strong fantasy option.

Eugenio Suárez Remains a Top Trade Target Amidst Mets' Disinterest

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Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez is prominently featured on MLB's trade deadline rankings, widely considered the best available position player on the market. He is nearing his second career 40-homer season, showcasing significant power and extreme lift-and-pull tendencies, contributing an estimated 3.5 Wins Above Replacement this season with a .252 batting average, .325 OBP, and .593 slugging across 101 games. Despite his strong performance and impending free agency at 34 years old, the New York Mets are reportedly not pursuing Suárez, opting instead to focus on acquiring a starting pitcher or a center fielder, while being content with their current rotation of younger infielders.

Landen Roupp Placed on Injured List with Elbow Inflammation; Giants Hope for Quick Return

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San Francisco Giants right-hander Landen Roupp has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, halting what had been a breakout season for the young pitcher. An MRI revealed no structural damage, leading manager Bob Melvin and Roupp himself to express optimism that the injury was caught early, with the goal of having him return after missing only two starts. Roupp, who had developed into a strong No. 3 starter with a 3.11 ERA for the season and allowing just four earned runs in his last six outings, including five shutout innings against Atlanta, first felt tightness after a start against the Dodgers. His absence creates a significant void in the Giants' rotation, prompting the recall of Tristan Beck, who is a candidate for a spot start, as the team also considers other options like Carson Seymour, Carson Whisenhunt, and Kai-Wei Teng to address their pitching depth needs ahead of the trade deadline.

Zach Eflin Returns from IL, Faces Challenging Two-Start Week

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Zach Eflin recently returned from the injured list, delivering a solid performance by striking out five batters over five innings of two-run baseball in a no-decision against the Guardians. He is projected for a challenging two-start week, facing a red-hot Blue Jays squad and then the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Despite the tough matchups, Eflin is expected to maintain respectable ratios and accumulate double-digit strikeouts across both outings, making him a viable streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues and a potential risk-reward play in 12-team formats.

Cristopher Sánchez Poised for Dominant Two-Start Week Despite All-Star Snub

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Cristopher Sánchez has maintained All-Star caliber performance despite being snubbed from his second consecutive National League All-Star team, boasting an impressive 9-2 record, 2.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 134 strikeouts over 124 innings. He is projected for a particularly favorable two-start week, first battling the struggling White Sox offense in Chicago, followed by a matchup against the Tigers, who have notably struggled against left-handed pitching. Sánchez is considered one of the top overall plays for the week and should be confidently inserted into all fantasy lineups.

Max Fried Returns to Form, Highlighted as Strong Two-Start Pitcher for Upcoming Week

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Max Fried, despite a slight dip from his season-opening brilliance, continues to deliver strong results for the Yankees with an 11-4 record, 2.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts over 127 1/3 innings through his first 21 starts. He is projected for a favorable two-start week of July 28, beginning with a home game against the Rays and concluding with a matchup against the Marlins' struggling offense in Miami. This advantageous schedule positions Fried as a strong fantasy play, solidifying his position as a locked-in option for lineups.

Matthew Boyd Leads Two-Start Pitchers with Dominant Season for Cubs

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Matthew Boyd is having a remarkable season for the Cubs, showcasing ace-level performance with an 11-3 record, 2.20 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts over 118 2/3 innings through his first 20 starts. He has successfully avoided the injured list, contributing significantly to his 'magical campaign' in his age-34 season. Boyd is projected to lead the group of two-start pitchers for the week of July 28, facing a challenging divisional matchup against the Brewers before a home game against the Orioles, solidifying his status as a must-start fantasy option.

Bryson Stott Ends Slump with Home Run and Double After Welcoming Newborn Son

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Bryson Stott had a remarkable Wednesday, breaking out of a significant slump by going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run against the Boston Red Sox, scoring two runs, all while managing the arrival of his newborn son earlier that day. Despite minimal sleep after his wife welcomed their second child around 3:40 AM, Stott felt energized by the 'new adrenaline' and attributed his improved performance to refocusing on his swing timing and hand placement, aiming to return to his 2023 form. Phillies manager Rob Thomson noted that Stott has simplified his swing, leading to better barrel control and a more effective approach at the plate after a stretch where he had only six hits in his last 45 at-bats.