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There is always talk about a team that makes a controversial move, warranted or not, needing to win the press conference to fortify its position and keep the faith of the fans. Following Sunday’s trade of third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants for four players, the Boston Red Sox officials who faced the media Monday most certainly did not win the press conference. Craig Breslow, chief baseball officer for the Red Sox, used the word “culture” quite a bit to explain one aspect of the shocking trade, which came following Boston’s fifth straight win and a sweep of the rival New York Yankees. Still, that left the team in fourth place in the AL East, the same place it began the weekend.
Culture won’t change fans’ minds. Plenty of dysfunctional teams have won championships. Devers, who was the Red Sox’s best player as well as their highest-paid, was still producing at a high level, slashing .272/.401/.504 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs for an OPS+ of 159. Instead, Breslow’s culture statements had more to do with communication with Devers over the signing of fellow third baseman Alex Bregman and what position Devers would play, initially designed hitter and then being asked to try first base. Devers refused the latter, which led to a powwow with owner John Henry, which didn’t result in movement by either side.
Breslow also said the Red Sox are a better team without Devers, an incredulous thing to say about trading your best player and not getting a player who can make an immediate impact in return while also leaving a hole in your offense. It was reported that three other teams — Atlanta, the Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres — also were in the mix with the Giants for acquiring Devers.
Here are a few samplings of analysis and other fallout and reaction to the surprising trade:
“We couldn’t find alignment”: What Red Sox execs said about trading Devers — Alex Speier, Boston Globe
For rudderless Red Sox, Betts trade quickly becoming new Curse of the Bambino — Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
In wake of Devers trade, there’s only one question that matters for Red Sox — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Inside the “s— show” that led to Devers deal — Joon Lee, Yahoo Sports
How scouts grade the trade for the Giants — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Trade gives Red Sox major flexibility — Tim Healey, Boston Globe
Giants acquire Devers in unexpected blockbuster — Ben Clemens, FanGraphs
A crash course on the man they call Carita
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Today’s Headlines
Ohtani Hits 100 mph In Return As Dodgers Beat Padres
The unicorn is officially back. Shohei Ohtani, a three-time unanimous MVP pitching for the first time since August 2023, turned in an otherwise pedestrian first inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up a 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. Monday’s outing, scheduled to be just one inning, was the first since Ohtani underwent a second reconstructive surgery on his right elbow 21 months ago when he was still with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani, who had a historic season as a hitter in 2025 by becoming the first player with 50 homers and 50 steals in his first year with the Dodgers, returned to the two-way status that earned him a then-record 10-year, $700 million contract, allowing two hits and a run while throwing 28 pitches, 16 for a strike. His outing included a 100.2 mph four-seam fastball to Luis Arraez, although it missed the zone badly. Ohtani allowed flare singles to the first two hitters he faced, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Arraez, before Manny Machado hit a sacrifice fly.
While it wasn’t the smoothest outing on the mound, Ohtani made up for it with his bat, doubling home the tying run in the third inning and adding an RBI single as part of a five-run fourth inning. The game was the opener of a four-game series between the rivals after the teams squared off for the first time in 2025 last week in San Diego. The Dodgers, who took two of three in that series, are 2.5 games ahead of the Giants and four in front of the Padres in the NL West.
Dever-less Red Sox Win Sixth Straight
With Rafael Devers no longer in Boston, the Red Sox embarked on a new era while trying to maintain the magic of a recent good run of play. Consider those good vibes still flowing. Roman Anthony, MLB’s top prospect, crushed his first career homer, and right-hander Lucas Giolito struck out 10 over six shutout innings as the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0. It was the season-best sixth straight win for the Red Sox, who have also won nine of their last 11.
Anthony, just 1-for-17 in his career, jumped up into the No. 3 spot in the lineup in just his seventh MLB game, then turned around a 96.2 mph fastball from just-activated Logan Gilbert and drove it 391 feet over the right-center field fence. Giolito allowed just three hits and walked one. Gilbert had been sidelined since April 25 with a strained right flexor tendon. He was pretty good, too, striking out 10 over five innings and allowing both runs. Gilbert also surrendered three hits and one walk.
Pepiot Paces Red-Hot Rays
The thing about stats is you can always pick out a date to make things look better than they really are. Only in this case, the numbers don’t lie about the Tampa Bay Rays. With right-hander Ryan Pepiot striking out 11 in eight innings and Jake Mangum driving in three runs, the Rays dropped the Baltimore Orioles 7-1. It was the Rays’ MLB-leading 19th win in 25 games, a stretch in which they have outscored opponents 150-72. Their fourth straight victory put the Rays at 40-32, second in the AL East behind the New York Yankees. Even when the Rays lose, it is a close game, with those six setbacks by a combined eight runs. Pepiot allowed four hits and walked two during the longest outing of his career. Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe homered for the Rays.
There hasn't been a team hotter than @RaysBaseball 🔥
Lowly Rockies Hand Nats 9th Straight Defeat
Riding an eight-game losing streak and a weekend filled with their manager stepping all over himself, the Washington Nationals were certainly happy to see the struggling Colorado Rockies roll into D.C. for four games. Be careful what you wish for. Hunter Goodman hit a pair of home runs, including a game-tying shot in the ninth, and Mickey Moniak provided the knockout punch with a two-run blast as the Rockies won back-to-back games, winning 6-4 and handing the Nationals their ninth straight loss. The decisive home runs came off Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, who hadn’t allowed a homer all season. Moniak’s shot was a two-out, two-strike homer. For the Rockies, it was just the third time this season they have won consecutive games, and gave them six wins in June after winning nine times in March, April, and May. Nationals third baseman Brady House made his MLB debut, going 0-for-3 while batting sixth.
All-Star Uniform Combos Revealed
MLB unveiled jerseys that will be worn in Atlanta during the All-Star break, but the good news is they won’t be the ones donned during the actual All-Star Game. For the first time since 2019, players will wear their traditional team jerseys and pants instead of AL- or NL-specific combos that had drawn the ire of many fans and players. However, there will be new caps that are still specific to the players’ teams, just not identical to what is normally worn, as there is another panel and two stars on the top front of the hat. For the Home Run Derby and batting practice the day before the game, there are special jerseys that players will wear. Those jerseys feature a script AL or NL on the left chest, patterned after Atlanta’s lowercase-A logo from the 1970s. Hats for festivities that day will also be different, with royal blue for the NL and midnight blue for the AL. The team logo sits on a star. Meanwhile, the first round of All-Star balloting was revealed.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Arkansas Ace Tosses MCWS No-No
Someone who could be on an MLB mound in a couple of years is Arkansas ace Gage Wood. The right-hander’s draft stock has been on the rise as the competition has increased, and he gave scouts something to drool over with a record 19-strikeout no-hitter to beat Murray State 3-0 in a Men’s College World Series elimination game. Wood, whose lone blemish was a hit batter in the eighth inning, threw 119 pitches in the third no-hitter in MCWS history.
Gage Wood from Arkansas throws the #MCWS 3rd ever no-hitter with one hit batter and 19Ks
Son Bat Flips Kershaw
It is already cool to be able to take swings off your MLB pitcher dad in a cool stadium. But when you get a hold of one? Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw served up one to his son, who then did what any kid would do: bat flip.
N.Y. Kid Gets 1st Hit Against Childhood Team
Sometimes, the timing just seems to work out. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Christian Moore made his MLB debut this weekend on the road against the Baltimore Orioles and didn’t get a hit in seven plate appearances. That was just fine for the New York City-born Moore as the Angels opened a series against the team he grew up rooting for, the New York Yankees, at Yankee Stadium. Then he got his first MLB hit, a triple past a diving Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge in the Angels’ 1-0 10-inning victory.
Just Doing What He Does
Luis Guillorme is known for his stellar defense. In just his third game with the Houston Astros and playing third base, he showed his latest team why he developed that reputation.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton was activated off the 60-day injured list following his battle with tennis elbow in both arms. Infielder Pablo Reyes was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Also, Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins, who hasn’t pitched in an MLB game and is already on the 60-day IL, will have Tommy John surgery and be out until late next season.
⚾ Houston Astros right-handed starter Lance McCullers Jr. was put on the 15-day IL with a sprained right foot, an injury sustained in the weight room. Right-hander Jason Alexander was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, reported to a federal prison in Pennsylvania to begin serving a 57-month sentence related to stealing $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.
⚾ Atlanta activated outfielder Stuart Fairchild (dislocated right pinkie finger) from the 15-day IL and DFA’d outfielder José Azócar.
⚾ The Colorado Rockies promoted first baseman Michael Toglia from Triple-A and DFA’d infielder Keston Hiura.
⚾ At least two Baltimore Orioles minor-league players were involved in a jet ski collision Sunday night, prompting the postponement of the team’s Florida Complex League games Monday and today against the Minnesota Twins. Names and conditions of the individuals involved were not disclosed. Two people were on each of the two jet skis when they collided in Sarasota, Fla.
Articles You Should Read
Nationals can no longer pretend that everything is OK — Chelsea Janes, Washington Post
Back with Dodgers, ex-Giants boss Zaidi watches old team: “I pay attention” — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Tigers have the best record in the majors AND the minors — J.J. Cooper, Baseball America
Royals have lost Ragans for awhile — Jay Jaffe, FanGraphs
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