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It was quite a dramatic Monday, with a wide variety of news and games. So let’s not waste any time and get into all the headlines from a full slate of MLB action.
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Today’s Headlines
Clase Involved In Sports-Betting Probe
In yet another strike against MLB due to gambling, Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on administrative leave through Thursday as part of a sports-betting investigation. Clase will be paid in his time away from the team. This follows Guardians teammate Luis Ortiz, a close friend of Clase, being suspended under similar circumstances July 3. Ortiz’s banishment was extended July 18 through Thursday, likely meaning the two investigations are related. Two Ortiz pitches were immediately cited as being suspicious due to a spike in betting on those pitches. Nothing has thus far come out on the 27-year-old Clase, the premier closer in MLB who has led baseball in saves each of the last three seasons and has 24 this year, tied for fourth-best. The Guardians said no other players or team personnel were involved in the probe. The timing is never good, but Clase’s name had gained increased traction in trade rumors as the Guardians entered Monday 52-53, eight games behind the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers and 3½ out of the last AL wild-card spot. The Guardians won the Central last year. While they can have contact with the team, neither player can visit Progressive Field or any other team facility.
As a much less important aspect, Clase is a headline client of Finlete, a company that allows the general public to invest in an athlete in order to reap a bigger payday when the athlete signs future contracts. Those investors now stand to lose all or some of that investment. The offering by Finlete was closed July 14. Clase is earning $4.9 million season as part of a five-year, $20 million deal that bought out all three of his arbitration seasons. He is due $6.4 million in 2026, with $10 million club options in 2027 and 2028, including a $2 million buyout in the first of those two years.
Brewers Take Opener In Showdown With Cubs
The Milwaukee Brewers entered the opener of a crucial three-game series between NL Central co-leaders ranked 25th in home runs with 98, less than one per game. But every once in a while, they find that power switch at the right time. With Andrew Vaughn, Sal Frelick and Christian Yelich going deep, the Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 8-4 to take sole possession of first place in the Central and the best record in MLB at 63-43. In a game billed as a matchup of All-Star starters in Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd and Brewers rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski, neither pitcher was sharp. After the Cubs jumped on Misiorowski for three runs in the top of the first inning on 40 pitches, the Brewers pounced on Boyd for four runs in the third inning, highlighted by Isaac Collins‘ two-run single. Boyd, who hadn’t allowed more than two runs since May 23, gave up Vaughn’s homer in the fifth to make it 5-3, his first surrendered since June 20, and matched his career high with five walks. Frelick went deep in the sixth and Yelich added his team-high 20th of the season in the seventh. Yelich’s solo shot actually bounced twice off the top of the right-field wall before going over. Before his RBI double in the third inning, Yelich had not had an extra-base hit since the All-Star break. Misiorowski battled back, working four innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven on 80 pitches.
Cubs Legend Sandberg Passes Away At 65
During the game against the Brewers, news broke that Hall of Famer and Cubs icon Ryne Sandberg had died. He was 65. Sandberg had been battling metatastic prostate cancer since January 2024. Sandberg played in MLB from 1981 to 1997, all but that first year with the Cubs. He revolutionized the second base position, turning it from a weak-hitting defensive spot into one with power. He was a nine-time Gold Glove winner and 10-time All-Star, winning the NL MVP in 1984 and back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 1989 and ’90. For his career, Sandberg had a slash line of .285/.344/.452 with 282 homers and 1,061 RBIs. Sandberg retired after the strike-shortened 1994 season, but returned to play in 1996 and ’97 before calling it quits for good. His 282 homers, .989 fielding percentage and seven Silver Sluggers were the most in MLB history when he retired. He went into the Hall of Fame in 2005 with 2,386 hits and 344 steals.
Trade Target Suarez Day-to-Day After HBP
Could the most prominent name on the market before Thursday’s trade deadline be taken off the table? It’s possible after Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez, the apple of several contenders’ eye, was hit on the right hand by a 95.6 mph pitch from Detroit Tigers left-handed reliever Will Vest. It happened in the top of the ninth inning of the Tigers’ 5-1 win. Suarez, who had a record-tying four-homer game April 26 and has 36 homers and 87 RBIs, said X-rays were negative and he is being called day-to-day at the moment. More testing will be conducted today.
This Will Vest pitch to Eugenio Suárez might end up having major ramifications on the Trade Deadline.
— Jason Beck (@jasonbeck.bsky.social) 2025-07-29T00:52:25.307Z
Harper Hurls Expletive At Manfred Over Salary Cap
An “intense” and “passionate” discussion about the business side of MLB led Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper to tell Commissioner Rob Manfred to “Get the f— out of our clubhouse,” according to a report. Manfred has been making the rounds to clubhouses around MLB to discuss the economics of the game and trying to persuade players to get on the side of implementing a salary cap during the upcoming collective-bargaining agreement negotiations, which could threaten some or all of the 2027 season. A lockout by the owners is virtually guaranteed when the current CBA expires Dec. 1, 2026. Manfred was talking to the Phillies last week when Harper had heard enough, got up and walked toward Manfred, saying players are willing to lose a season to avoid a salary cap and that “If you want to speak about that, you can get the f— out of our clubhouse.” The report also said that before things became more heated, outfielder Nick Castellanos broke in and told Manfred he had more questions about the situation. While Harper and Manfred allegedly shook hands later, the Phillies first baseman did not answer multiple phone calls from Manfred the next day.
Padres Snap Mets’ Streak At 7 With Walk-off
In one of the better games of the year, the San Diego Padres overcame a blown save by All-Star closer Robert Suarez to topple the New York Mets 7-6 on Elias Díaz’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning, snapping the Mets’ seven-game winning streak. Diaz’s dramatics were needed after Suarez was tagged for a one-out solo homer in the top of the ninth inning by rookie Ronny Mauricio. Before that, the game was marked by two defensive gems by Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., a former NL Platinum Glove winner. The first came in the fourth inning. Mark Vientos launched a Dylan Cease pitch toward right-center, but Tatis tracked the ball and timed his leap perfectly, robbing a two-run homer. Tatis did drop the ball, but it came on the exchange after the catch. The second came in the sixth as Maurcio sent a liner to shallow right that Tatis charged toward the line and made a sliding, spinning catch. Vientos would get revenge on Tatis by hitting a fifth-inning grand slam to right that Tatis could only watch. The Padres got the winning run off newly acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto. Xander Bogaerts hit a leadoff single and went to second when Soto botched the throw to second on Jose Iglesias‘ comebacker. Jake Cronenworth’s bunt backfired as Soto threw out Bogaerts at third. Bryce Johnson struck out, but Diaz won it with a single to left and Iglesias beat Brandon Nimmo’s throw home for the walk-off. Vientos’ grand slam put the Mets up 5-4 in the top of the fifth, but the Padres sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom half, including a two-run homer by Luis Arraez off the right-field foul pole, to take a 6-5 lead.
Ohtani, Yamamoto Lift Dodgers
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is carrying the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ offense at a time they really need him. The left-handed-hitting slugger doubled home a pair of runs and right-handed starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine over seven innings as the Dodgers dropped the Cincinnati Reds 5-2. Ohtani extended his hitting streak to nine games by hitting a tiebreaking two-run double in the fifth inning against Reds rookie Chase Burns. Teoscar Hernández and Freddie Freeman added run-scoring singles in the seventh inning. Yamamoto allowed just one run on four hits and two walks, retiring 14 of the final 15 batters he faced. Burns struck out 11 in 5⅔ innings, his third game in a row reaching double digits. The 22-year-old is just the second Reds pitcher since 1900 to accomplish that feat.
Deadline Deals: Tigers Add Paddack
The clock is ticking toward Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. A few noteworthy trades took place Monday. All deals are tentative pending official club announcements. Prospect rankings are from Baseball America.
⚾ The Detroit Tigers acquired right-handed starters Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins for catcher Enrique Jimenez (Tigers’ No. 17 prospect). Paddack will make his Tigers debut Wednesday in place of right-hander Reese Olson, who went on the 60-day injured list and miss the rest of the season due to a strained right shoulder, although further testing is happening. Dobnak will be assigned to Triple-A.
⚾ The Brewers added catcher Danny Jansen in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, sending second baseman Jadher Areinamo (Brewers’ No. 10 prospect) to Tampa Bay. The Brewers also received cash in the deal. Jansen takes over as the Brewers’ backup for Eric Haase, who was designated for assignment after the game. His acquisition could allow William Contreras to see more time at DH. Contreras has been dealing with a broken left middle finger since April, causing his offensive production to suffer. The Rays then picked up catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins for outfielder Nick Etzel (unranked).
⚾ Atlanta acquired right-handed starter Carlos Carrasco from the New York Yankees for cash. This deal comes a day after Atlanta picked up right-handed starter Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals in a similar move for an underperforming veteran. Carrasco has been in Triple-A since the start of June. Neither Fedde nor Carrasco were on the 40-man roster.
Who Will Be In Class of 2026?
MLB posted a list of key returnees (receiving at least 20% of the vote in the last balloting) and top potential newcomers for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
Who do you think will be in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026?
By The Numbers
⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen became the 11th player in MLB history to hit 10 or more home runs in his first 17 seasons when he went deep in the seventh inning, a go-ahead two-run blast, of a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Andrew McCutchen making history 👏
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@pirates.com) 2025-07-29T04:00:34.507Z
⚾ With his two-run homer in a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees, All-Star Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is the first player in franchise history to have 27 homers and 70 RBIs by the end of July.
⚾ Washington Nationals catcher Riley Adams has 22 hits this season, but 11 are for extra bases, including a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning of a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros. Six of those hits are homers.
⚾ With their 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago White Sox have won seven of their last 10 games.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Family Business
Atlanta superstar right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia are cousins. So you can imagine the smack talk Garcia can utter after beating the throw home from Acuna in the bottom of the first inning. No worries, though. Acuna only launched a 468-foot homer in the third inning of a 10-7 win.
‘A Matter of Feeling’
It was going to happen sooner or later. Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran faced Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, which led to this graphic.
incredible
— skindiana bones (@tveite.bsky.social) 2025-07-29T02:32:10.289Z
New BFFs
Sometimes, there are just cool, organic moments, like this one between superstars Elly De La Cruz of the Reds and Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers.
"The universal language of baseball"Elly De La Cruz and Shohei Ohtani share a moment at second base ⚾️❤️
Making Immortals
How are the Hall of Fame plaques made? MLB released a behind-the-scenes look.
Cattle Call
Yes, there was a real cow at Camden Yards before Monday’s Baltimore Orioles game. Who is with the cow? None other than Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser. A promo video is in the works.
There’s an actual alive cow inside of Camden Yards right now
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka.bsky.social) 2025-07-28T18:47:03.903Z
Space For Me?
What is 8 feet wide, 1,200 pounds and in a glass case? The world’s most autographed baseball. At least that is what MLB claims as it goes for a Guiness World Record for signatures on a piece of sports memorabilia. It will be at 15 minor-league stadiums and MLB headquarters in New York this summer.
Superstar Power
Yankees superstar slugger Aaron Judge welcomed NBA superstar Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers to Yankee Stadium, signing a pair of his signature shoes for the hooper.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer was hit in the head by a pitch in the ninth inning of an 11-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The pitch from right-hander Kade Strowd hit Springer near the left earflap. After a brief time facedown near home plate, Springer did walk off the field under his own power. He was being evaluated for a concussion.
⚾ The Cubs gave a multiyear contract extension to Jed Hoyer, the team’s president of baseball operations. Financial terms were not disclosed. Hoyer was in the last year of his contract.
⚾ The Dodgers will promote top infield prospect Alex Freeland to make his MLB debut. Freeman, a switch-hitting 23-year-old, is the team’s No. 6 prospect. He plays shortstop and third base.
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (60-day IL, left shoulder inflammation) will return to the starting rotation this weekend against the Rays.
⚾ An MRI exam on the right shoulder of Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista was inconclusive, preventing an exact diagnosis. But Bautista is expected to miss extended time. As expected, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was activated off the 10-day IL following a strained left oblique that sidelined him just over a month. That was one of a cavalcade of catcher injuries the Orioles sustained in quick fashion. To make room for Rutschman, catcher Jacob Stallings was designated for assignment.
⚾ Kansas City Royals left-handed starter Kris Bubic, who went on the IL Sunday, will miss the rest of the season with a strained left rotator cuff.
⚾ Saturday’s Speedway Classic between the Reds and Atlanta is poised to break the single-game MLB attendance record. MLB said more than 85,000 tickets have been sold for the first game in the state of Tennessee. The MLB record for one game is 84,587 on Sept. 12, 1954, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium between the Yankees and Cleveland Indians.
⚾ Former MLB manager Dusty Baker will manage Nicaragua in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Articles You Should Read
The personalities of the trade deadline: Hunters, fishermen and the Cleveland Grind Machine — Andy McCullough, The Athletic
How Red Sox’s Duran is dealing with self-imposed pressure — Alex Speier, Boston Globe
Insider’s view: Why a draft pick would sign for a $500 bonus — Bradley Woodrum, DRaysBay.com
2025 MLB Draft sets record for highest percentage of signed picks — J.J. Cooper, Baseball America
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