Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Welcome to Hugwatch 2025! With a full slate of games today through Wednesday, plus all of the minor-league matchups, you are bound to see some pregame and in-game hugs in the outfield or dugouts as Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches. There are only three games scheduled for Thursday, with only one starting before the deadline hits. I thought there might be a few more deals that would go down Sunday following the games and before teams traveled to their next destination, but I guess that will have to wait until at least this morning.
Don’t forget to watch every game with the Pitcher List community on Playback!
Today’s Headlines
Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner Enter Hall of Fame
From the comedy stylings of Ichiro Suzuki to the poem read by Dave Parker’s namesake son, the Hall of Fame ceremony certainly left a ton of memories. The Class of 2025 officially became Hall of Famers on Sunday, with Ichiro, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner going into Cooperstown through the traditional vote by writers, while Parker and Dick Allen went in through a veterans committee. But it was Ichiro, MLB’s first position player born in Japan, who stole the show with his speech, jabbing the one writer who didn’t vote for him for AL Rookie of the Year. For a written recap of the ceremony, check out The Athletic’s report.
To listen to the acceptance speeches, click on the links for Ichiro, Sabathia, Wagner, Allen, and Parker.
Brewers, Cubs Win Entering Crucial Series
The Milwaukee Brewers erased a 6½-game lead held by the Chicago Cubs in late May. That was done with only two games played between the NL Central rivals. Now, the two teams square off in the next-to-last series between them beginning today. But before that, they still had business to take care of — both did, but in different fashions. Blake Perkins singled over the center fielder’s head with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring Eric Haase to give the Brewers a 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, right-handed starter Ben Brown tossed five solid innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in a pair of first-inning runs as the Cubs turned back a late rally by the Chicago White Sox 5-4. The Brewers and Cubs each took two of three from their weekend foes and enter today’s opener of a three-game series at American Family Field tied atop the NL Central at 62-43, the best record in the AL. The pitching matchup today is one you can’t miss as the Brewers send rookie Jacob Misiorowski (4-1, 2.45 ERA) against fellow All-Star Matthew Boyd (11-3, 2.20 ERA).
Newcomer McMahon Steps Up For Yankees
On the same day the New York Yankees placed superstar slugger Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a strained elbow flexor, Ryan McMahon did the two things his new team needed him to do: Get a clutch hit and be a terrific defender. Traded from the Colorado Rockies on Friday, McMahon had two hits, including a two-run double in the second inning, as the Yankees upended the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3. McMahon’s big hit came off ace Zack Wheeler with the Phillies already up 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning and triggered a four-run outburst that was the Yankees’ only scoring of the day. Jasson Domínguez added a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and Trent Grisham tacked on an RBI single. It is no secret that the Yankees’ defense has been horrible this season, but McMahon’s acquisition addressed that issue at third base. That paid dividends in the fifth inning after the Phillies had just trimmed the Yankees’ lead to 4-3 on Otto Kemp’s solo homer. With runners on first and second, McMahon made a sliding stop to his left on a Trea Turner grounder, then spun and threw out the speedster at first for the second out.
Tigers Erupt Late, Snap 6-Game Skid
While the Detroit Tigers don’t really have a concern when it comes to making the playoffs due to holding the largest advantage of any MLB division leader, their play since just before the All-Star break has been a little concerning. And after the Toronto Blue Jays won the first three games of this weekend’s series between the two best records in the AL, the Tigers were just in need of something positive to reverse their momentum. Gleyber Torres hit an early three-run homer and drove in another run in a seven-run eighth inning as the Tigers beat the Jays 10-4, snapping a six-game losing streak. Dillon Dingler capped the eighth inning with a two-run single, securing the win for right-handed starter Jack Flaherty, who struck out seven in six shutout innings.
Bregman Boosts Red Sox
Talk about a high-wire act. Despite watching their pitchers issue nine walks, the Boston Red Sox came away with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex Bregman provided the big blow with a two-run homer as part of a three-run fifth inning as the Red Sox continued their push toward second place in the AL East by taking two of three from the struggling World Series champions. By taking three of their last four, the Red Sox have pulled within one game of the second-place Yankees. Rookie Roman Anthony tripled off the Green Monster, and second baseman Ceddanne Rafaela turned in a key defensive play.
Skenes Notches Another Quality Start In Win
With young talent like right-handed starter Paul Skenes and center fielder Oneil Cruz, it is too bad the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t a contender because seeing these two play meaningful games would only increase their stature. Skenes turned in his 15th quality start in 22 outings, and Cruz flashed his terrific speed as the Pirates blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-0. Skenes allowed three hits, while walking one and striking out nine in six innings. That gave Skenes a 0.67 ERA in five July starts. Cruz dazzled with his speed, scoring from first on a single to left-center by Tommy Pham. Sure, it helped that Cruz was attempting to steal second, but he scored without a play at the plate.
Oneil Cruz brings the SPEED!He scored from 1st base on a single ⚡️
Lugo Off Market, Gets Royals Extension
This season hasn’t gone the way the Kansas City Royals have wanted, which has led to certain players coming up as trade candidates. Even if the Royals sell, Seth Lugo is apparently not going anywhere in the near future. The right-handed starter, who had an opt-out this offseason, has agreed to a two-year, $46 million extension. He was in the second year of a three-year, $45 million contract. Lugo, who was an All-Star and AL Cy Young Award runner-up in 2024, is 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA with a 7.3% walk rate, and a 22% strikeout rate. Slated to make $15 million in 2025 if he didn’t opt out, Lugo will make $20 million in 2026 and 2027, while receiving a $3 million signing bonus. Lugo has a vesting option that will pay him $20 million in 2028, with the club holding a $17 million option as an alternative. The third year also has a $3 million buyout guaranteed.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Trout Reaches 1,000 RBIs
Every once in a while, Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout reminds you why he is the player he is. Trout hit an opposite-field homer in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Mariners to reach and surpass 1,000 career RBIs. His 19th homer of the season, a two-run shot in the fifth inning, gave him career RBIs No. 1,000 and 1,001.
Raleigh Hits 41st
In that same game, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh continued his offensive onslaught by hitting his MLB-leading 41st homer of the season, a solo shot in the seventh inning.
New Wallpaper Dropped
The Philadelphia Phillies‘ Kyle Schwarber Left Field Experience was on display.
— Absolutely Hammered (@ahpod.bsky.social) 2025-07-27T18:13:11.628Z
Magical Glovework
It is funny how you really stop hearing about certain things once a player leaves a major media market. Still, this play by San Diego Padres shortstop Jose Iglesias certainly does deserve an OMG.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Atlanta acquired right-handed starter Erick Fedde in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named or cash. Atlanta had just placed right-hander Grant Holmes on the 60-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. Holmes’ addition made it five Atlanta starters currently on the IL, joining Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Spencer Schwellenbach.
⚾ All-Star Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton has rib cartilage irritation and is considered day-to-day.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is expected to be activated from the 10-day IL today and start the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rutschman has been out since June 21 with a strained left oblique.
⚾ Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, out since sustaining a hamstring injury on July 19, is expected to be out longer than anticipated after general manager Dana Brown said the injury was “more severe” than originally thought.
⚾ Kansas City Royals left-handed starter Kris Bubic went on the 15-day IL with a strained left rotator cuff, and first baseman-right fielder Jac Caglianone went on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring.
⚾ Right-handed starter Carson Whisenhunt, the San Francisco Giants‘ No. 3 prospect, will make his MLB debut today by starting against the Pirates.
⚾ Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk went on the seven-day concussion list after being struck by a foul ball.
⚾ Free-agent right-handed reliever Joe Kelly is expected to work out for the Dodgers soon in an attempt for the 37-year-old to return to the team.
Articles You Should Read
With recent play, Red Sox have proven worthy of acquiring reinforcements — Peter Abraham, Boston Globe
Interest in Twins players figures to be high as Falvey decides whether to be seller — Bobby Nightengale, Minnesota Star Tribune
Will Giants be buyers or sellers at trade deadline? — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
