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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 7/23/2025

Rich Hill giving hope to all of us about to turn 40...

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 7/23/2025

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The recent MLB draft reminded us of the importance of youth infusions in this game, and a few dazzling young pitchers confirmed that notion on the mound last night. The likes of Cristopher Sánchez, Jacob Misiorowski, and Landen Roupp had some of the best starts of the day, earning plenty of accolades. However, there was also an important presence of wily veterans still going strong. Jacob deGrom earned his tenth win at age 37, while Kyle Hendricks (35) and Max Scherzer (40) were not as lucky but kept their teams in competitive games. The old guard, though, was highlighted by the immortal Rich Hill, who found another team to give him a chance at age 45. It all goes to show that there are plenty of ways to succeed in this game, and also that it is extremely hard to quit it.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

The Sanchize

After ending Monday’s game with a catcher’s interference call, last night’s Boston-Philadelphia matchup had a similar call in the first inning, albeit under very different circumstances. With a run already in, Bryce Harper had the audacity to try and steal home, which he actually did, regardless of what the box score says. In that chaotic sequence, Boston catcher Carlos Narváez blocked the plate before receiving the pitch, forcing the umpire to call interference and award everyone an extra base. In the end, the eventful first would only serve as a backdrop for the actual show, as All-Star snub Cristopher Sánchez took it personally and delivered his best outing of the season. Sanchez only needed 106 pitches to go the distance, allowing only four hits and no walks, with his lone blemish coming from a Rob Refsnyder solo homer for a 4-1 final score. The masterful performance included 12 strikeouts, as the southpaw improved to 9-2 with a 2.40 ERA. That looks pretty All-Star to me.

Rice and Shine

Having won their past 11 home games, the Toronto Blue Jays had another sellout, raucous crowd to welcome the Yankees and try to extend their lead atop the AL East. Things did not start as planned for the Jays, as the Bombers stormed to a quick 3-0 lead thanks to a Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jr. three-run homer in the first. New York would hold on to that lead, as Toronto starter Max Scherzer would allow a second homer, with Cody Bellinger getting a solo shot in the fifth. Undeterred, the Jays battled back to tie the game at four, as George Springer continued his hot streak with an RBI single. Toronto’s luck would dry up there, though, as the offense could not add on, and their homer-prone closer allowed Ben Rice to win the game in the ninth. Rice’s 15th homer of the season proved clutch, as the Yankees finally won in Toronto after losing their prior five games up north. Despite being limited to six hits and two walks, the Bombers maximized their output with power, ultimately scoring all of their five runs via home run.

 

Dozen Denied

With eleven straight wins and the best record in baseball, the Brewers rolled out young phenom Jacob Misiorowski with the chance of extending that streak, but knowing they would have their hands full against Seattle and Logan Gilbert. The pitching showdown lived up to the billing, with the Miz and Gilbert trading zeroes and strikeouts at a high rate. Milwaukee was cautious with its young ace, pulling him at the first sign of trouble despite only throwing 64 pitches. In this abbreviated start of 3.2 innings, Misiorowski still dazzled with seven strikeouts and plenty of 100mph+ pitches, but he would be out-shined by Gilbert, as he went for 6.1 scoreless frames with only two hits allowed, versus ten strikeouts. While Milwaukee’s bullpen held firm for most of the game, they could not escape the Big Dumper, as Cal Raleigh delivered a solo homer in the sixth that would become the winning run in this tight 1-0 game.

 

Who’s on First?

After all the turmoil that came from Rafael Devers‘ reported refusal to play first base for the Red Sox, the slugger finally made his debut playing the field for the Giants. The positional move followed a truly embarrassing loss in the series opener against Atlanta, but it seems to have sparked something for San Francisco, as they snapped their six-game losing streak with an emphatic 9-0 win. Devers was not tested that much at first, but he did manage to go 2-for-5 with an RBI and a couple of runs scored, as the Giants played their best all-around game in a while. Landen Roupp blanked Atlanta for five innings to earn his seventh win of the season, backed up by a trio of relievers who held a potent offense in check. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s lineup finally came to life, including homers from Wilmer Flores and Casey Schmitt. While Devers will probably rotate between first and DH, his newfound versatility should provide better lineup options for his team.

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Ageless Wonder

In a very Jamie Moyer-type moment, uber veteran Rich Hill made his season debut for the Royals, marking his 21st MLB season with a record-tying 14 franchises. Despite facing the juggernaut Cubs offense, Hill held his own, with poor defense behind him leading to two unearned runs that made his final line look worse than he deserved. In five innings of work, the veteran lefty allowed six hits, two walks, and three runs, while only recording one strikeout. His craftiness was in full display, although the Cubs did take full advantage of his slow delivery, stealing four bases with him on the mound. Despite Hill’s best efforts, the Royals had a tall task facing Matthew Boyd, who extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings with an impressive seven frames in which he allowed only four hits and a walk. Chicago cruised to an easy 6-0 win, showing no respect for the elderly.

Pitchers are Athletes

Playing in a tense game for the second consecutive night, the Marlins and Padres were at a pivotal moment, with the Fish holding on to a one-run lead as the Friars threatened to tie the contest. With Xander Bogaerts at the plate and runners on the corners, the Padres shortstop hit what appeared to be a perfectly placed dribbler, with an exit velocity below 50 miles per hour, as Luis Arraez barreled towards the plate. Alertly, pitcher Edward Cabrera charged the ball and flipped it expertly to his catcher, getting the out at the plate to preserve the lead. Cabrera exited the game after getting that out, as it would prove essential for him earning the win, as the Marlins eventually held on for a 4-3 victory.

 

Thrice for Brice

Houston’s constant rotation of players going to the IL has forced the team to rush some prospects to the majors, with none being more exciting than 23-year-old Brice Matthews, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2023. Matthews made his debut just before the break and collected only one hit during his first four starts. Apparently, all he needed was a trip to Arizona to catch fire. After hitting his first two career homers in Monday’s opener, Matthews came to the plate with his team down 1-0 and a runner on first, as the Astros were at risk of squandering another stellar Framber Valdez start. Instead, Matthews jumped on the first pitch he saw and hit his third homer in two days, giving Houston a lead they would not relinquish. The rookie’s heroics allowed Valdez to earn his 11th win of the season (he has not lost a game since early May), while an insurance run proved essential in the ninth, as the 3-1 victory was only made possible by a key double play in the ninth, which was started by none other than Brice Matthews.

Injuries and Other Moves

⚾ The Rockies finally have some good news to share, as they locked up their first-round draft pick, Ethan Holliday. The young phenom received a $9-million signing bonus, which becomes the highest ever for a high school player. At 18 years old, Holliday is considered by many outlets as the best prospect in the sport and hopes to join his brother Jackson in the big leagues as soon as possible.

⚾ Tampa Bay has placed second baseman Brandon Lowe on the 10-day IL with tendinitis on his left ankle, an injury that had kept him off the lineup since last weekend. In a corresponding move, the Rays acquired utility man Stuart Fairchild from Atlanta for cash considerations. 

⚾ The Astros placed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., Jr. on the 15-day IL with a blister issue. The move is retroactive to July 20, and represents the third IL stint for the beleaguered hurler. Despite his recurring injury issues, McCullers had always been effective when healthy, but that has changed in 2025. When he makes his next outing, McCullers will try to improve an unsightly 6.90 ERA. 

Articles You Should Read

 

Gleyber Torres is so Annoying — Michael Rosen, Fangraphs

Do Pitchers Miss Hitting? — Theo DeRosa, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

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Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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