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MLB News

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

Friday, July 25, 2025

Ryan Helsley Anticipates 90% Chance of Trade from Cardinals

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St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley has offered a blunt assessment of his trade deadline status, indicating he believes there's a "90 percent" chance he will be traded before the July 31 deadline. Despite the Cardinals being 2.5 games out of a playoff spot with a 53-51 record, their recent 6-12 performance in July suggests a potential sell-off. Helsley, identified as one of the top closers available, has posted a 3.09 ERA with 20 saves and a 25.5 percent strikeout rate over 35 innings this season, though these numbers represent a slight decline from his dominant 2024 campaign where he had a 2.04 ERA and 49 saves.

Braves All-Star Austin Riley Reinstated from Injured List After Abdominal Strain

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Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has been officially reinstated from the 10-day injured list, effective Friday, after being sidelined since July 12 with a right abdominal strain. The two-time All-Star, who was an All-Star in both 2022 and 2023, returns to the lineup having posted a .274 batting average with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs in 93 games this season. Riley leads the Braves with 104 hits and ranks second on the team with 51 runs. A career .272 hitter, he has amassed 167 homers and 477 RBIs in 812 games since making his MLB debut with the Braves in 2019.

Cal Raleigh Leads MLB in Home Runs and is a Top Pick for Friday's Games

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Cal Raleigh, the Mariners' catcher and the first catcher to win the MLB Home Run Derby, is highlighted as a top home run pick for Friday, despite hitting only one long ball in his last six games. Raleigh leads MLB with 39 home runs this season, securing his third consecutive 30-homer season. His odds for hitting a home run on Friday are listed at +270 on BetMGM, offering value as he faces José Soriano and the Angels' bullpen, which ranks low in home runs allowed and ERA.

Juan Soto Aims to Rebound for Mets Despite Recent Hitless Streak, Projected for Total Bases

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New York Mets slugger Juan Soto, who has accumulated 24 homers and 15 doubles this season with 91 hits in 102 games, is projected for a strong performance on Friday despite going hitless in four of his last five games. The Mets are currently on a four-game winning streak as they head into their series opener in San Francisco. SportsLine's model anticipates Soto to record 1.8 total bases on Friday and is backing him to go Over 0.5 total bases (-190), indicating confidence in his ability to get back on track.

Riley Greene Leads Tigers in Power, Expected to Drive in Runs on Friday

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Riley Greene, the 24-year-old outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, currently leads his team with 25 home runs and 79 RBI this season. He has been hitting well recently, recording hits in four of his last five games, including a 2-for-4 performance on Thursday after a day off on Wednesday. Greene has a track record against Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios, with two hits in nine career plate appearances. SportsLine's model projects Greene to finish with 0.7 RBI on Friday and is backing him to go Over 0.5 RBI (+155).

Shohei Ohtani Extends Home Run Streak, Targeted for Strong Friday Performance Against Red Sox

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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani recently extended his home run streak to five consecutive games, matching a franchise record and bringing his National League-leading total to 37 homers for the season. He is now only three games shy of tying the MLB record for consecutive games with a home run, with an opportunity to extend the streak against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, where the Green Monster could aid his left-field power. Ohtani is batting .273 with 37 homers and 12 doubles, and SportsLine's model is backing him to exceed 1.5 total bases on Friday, projecting him for 2.1 total bases. Betting odds for Friday include +225 for him to homer and +150 for him to record multiple hits.

Blake Snell Progresses in Rehab, Nearing Early August Return from Shoulder Inflammation

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Southpaw Blake Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 3 due to left shoulder inflammation after a challenging second start. While an MRI showed no structural damage, the 32-year-old was initially shut down due to renewed discomfort. He commenced a rehab assignment on July 16th, successfully working up to 58 pitches in his most recent start, and is now targeting an early August return.

Yordan Alvarez Update: Hand Feeling Good, Targeting Early August Return

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Slugger Yordan Alvarez has reported improvement in his hand, feeling good despite facing multiple setbacks in his recovery. The 28-year-old has advanced to hitting soft toss, and while his team is proceeding with extreme caution in his ramp-up process, an optimistic target for his return is set for early August, though a clear timetable is still pending.

Nathan Eovaldi Takes Mound for Rangers with Strong Strikeout Projections

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Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 1.58 ERA) is slated to start for Texas against the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Eovaldi enters the game with 94 strikeouts on the season and has demonstrated consistent strikeout ability, clearing his 5.5 strikeout line in nine of his last 15 appearances. In his most recent start on July 13 against the Astros, he recorded eight strikeouts over 7.2 innings, indicating his potential for another strong outing.

Joey Wentz Set to Pitch for Braves Against Rangers

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Braves pitcher Joey Wentz (1-0, 5.71 ERA) is scheduled to start for Atlanta in their Friday matchup against the Texas Rangers. The Braves are entering the game having lost their last two contests, being outscored 18-3 in those defeats. Wentz will aim to help the Braves reverse their recent struggles as they begin a three-game series at Globe Life Field.

Brent Rooker Confirms He Will Remain with Athletics Past Trade Deadline After Contract Extension

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Two-time MLB All-Star Brent Rooker has confirmed he will not be traded by the July 31 deadline, stating he is 'staying' with the Oakland Athletics. This decision follows a five-year, $60 million contract extension he signed in January, and Rooker has expressed his commitment to the organization, believing in their long-term direction despite the team's current 43-62 record. As a slugging designated hitter/outfielder, Rooker has been productive for the Athletics in the 2025 season, slashing .275/.352/.501 with 112 hits, 56 RBI, and 21 home runs in 105 games.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Josh Naylor Traded to Seattle Mariners in Key Deadline Move

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Josh Naylor, the 28-year-old first baseman, has been acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a significant trade deadline deal, marking a strategic move to bolster Seattle's roster and aid in their postseason aspirations. Naylor joins the Mariners to provide a crucial left-handed bat, having hit .292/.360/.447 (124 OPS+) with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 93 games this season, his first with the Diamondbacks after being acquired from the Cleveland Guardians. An All-Star last season with a career-high 31 homers and 108 RBIs, he is known for his slugging ability and low strikeout rate, being particularly effective against right-handed pitchers. Naylor is expected to play every day, fitting into the middle of Seattle's lineup as an upgrade over Luke Raley and potentially seeing time at first base or designated hitter. In return, the Diamondbacks received left-handed pitching prospect Brandyn Garcia and right-handed pitching prospect Ashton Izzi, signaling Arizona's shift into a selling mode.

Oneil Cruz Reportedly a Trade Target for the New York Yankees

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The New York Yankees have reportedly engaged in discussions with the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding a potential trade for Oneil Cruz, though the asking price is said to be "steep." Cruz, a 26-year-old, has demonstrated significant power and speed this season, tying for the Major League lead with 33 steals while also hitting 16 home runs. Despite his impressive offensive contributions, a clear positional fit with the Yankees remains uncertain, given Cody Bellinger is their starting center fielder and Anthony Volpe is entrenched at shortstop, Cruz's former position. Acquiring Cruz would undoubtedly add a dynamic power/speed dimension to New York's lineup as they contend in the AL East.

Veteran Pitcher Jesse Chavez, Most Traded Player in MLB History, Announces Retirement After 18 Seasons

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Veteran right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez, 41, who will turn 42 in August, officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Thursday during the 'Foul Territory' digital show, marking the end of an 18-season career. Chavez, who last pitched on July 13 for the Atlanta Braves, was recently designated for assignment by the team for the third time this season. He is notably recognized as the most-traded player in MLB history, having been dealt a record 10 times across his tenure with nine different clubs, including three separate stints with the Braves, where he won his only World Series ring in 2021 with a 0.00 ERA in seven postseason appearances. Throughout his career, Chavez made 657 appearances, primarily as a reliever, compiling a 51-66 record with ERAs reported between 4.27 and 4.67, 9 saves, and 1,044 strikeouts over 1,142 innings, reflecting on his journey as 'a great ride and way more than I ever expected.'

Mitch Keller Proposed as Yankees' Target to Bolster Starting Rotation

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Mitch Keller is a proposed trade target for the Yankees to address their undermanned starting pitching rotation, which has been impacted by season-ending injuries to Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt. Acquiring Keller would provide New York with a legitimate and capable Game 3 starter for a potential playoff series, complementing pitchers like Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. For the Pirates, who are out of contention, trading a controllable player like Keller would allow them to acquire high-level, relatively advanced prospects from the Yankees' system, aiding a potential regime change and roster retooling.

Jarren Duran Proposed as Key Trade Piece for Red Sox to Acquire Pitching

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Jarren Duran is identified as a prime trade asset for the Red Sox, who are reportedly looking to deal from their surplus of outfielders to address their significant need for starting pitching. Despite Boston's current outfield depth, Duran is seen as the more tradable option due to his ability to play center field. A hypothetical trade suggests Duran could be acquired by the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic, which would provide the Royals with a potent outfield bat under team control through 2028. This move is presented as a win-win scenario, addressing Boston's pitching needs with a multi-year control lefty, and Kansas City's demand for offense.

Mason Miller Emerges as Potential Trade Candidate for Oakland A's

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Oakland Athletics flamethrowing righty Mason Miller is reportedly a candidate to be dealt ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline, a shift from his 'virtually untouchable' status last year. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, sources suggest the A's might be more open to moving Miller this year, even though the team's current messaging indicates he is not available. General manager David Forst may engage in trade talks as the deadline nears and contending teams become more desperate. The depth of the current reliever market, offering alternatives like Emmanuel Clase, Jhoan Duran, and Ryan Helsley, could potentially work against a Miller trade, making it more likely that the A's will opt to trade veteran starting pitchers such as Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and JP Sears instead.

Two-Time Gold Glove Winner Nick Ahmed Announces Retirement from Professional Baseball

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Nick Ahmed, a two-time Gold Glove award-winning shortstop (2018, 2019), officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Thursday. The 35-year-old concludes a career spanning 15 professional seasons, including over a decade in the major leagues. Ahmed spent 10 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and in 2024, he split time between the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres, before playing five games with the Texas Rangers in 2025. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2011, Ahmed retires with a career batting average of .233, 72 home runs, and 339 RBIs in 964 games, expressing his enduring love for baseball and excitement for his future endeavors.

Harrison Bader Viewed as a Strong Fit for the Mets Ahead of Trade Deadline

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Harrison Bader is being considered a strong fit for the New York Mets as the trade deadline approaches. While the Mets previously opted for Jose Siri last winter due to cost differences despite similar profiles, Bader is now available and is not expected to command a high prospect cost. The Mets are reportedly considering bringing Bader back to provide elite defense in center field, track down fly balls, and contribute occasional home runs and clutch hits for the remainder of the season.

MacKenzie Gore Trade Rumors Intensify as Nationals Consider Offers for All-Star Ace

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Despite interim GM Mike DeBartolo's stated desire to keep the young core, trade rumors are swirling around Washington Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore, with the team reportedly listening to offers. The 26-year-old All-Star is considered one of baseball's top young pitchers and is on a trajectory to potentially become a $300 million pitcher when he hits free agency after the 2027 season, approximately 2.5 years away, a situation reminiscent of Juan Soto's trade. The market for high-end starters is currently favorable, and Gore's value may be at its peak due to his breakout season following a past struggle with the yips. While personally, some believe the Nationals should keep him, baseball reasons, including his impending free agency and the seller's market, suggest listening to offers could yield a massive return for the club.