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At this time of the season, the MLB notebook has a tendency to fill up quickly. So without wasting more of your time on some tangent, we will shake the notebook like a Magic 8-Ball and see what falls out.
Today’s Headlines
Mets Make Another Deal, Plus More
The New York Mets haven’t been out of the news much this season and are certainly one of the early active teams as the MLB trade deadline approaches Tuesday. The Mets made their second deal in the last week, acquiring outfielder Tyler Naquin and young left-hander Phillip Diehl from the Cincinnati Reds for a pair of minor-leaguers, right-hander Jose Acuna (low Class A) and second baseman Hector Rodriguez (Florida Complex League). While not necessarily a difference-making move, Naquin is another left-handed bat following the acquisition of first baseman Daniel Vogelbach over the weekend. Naquin, a free agent after this season who is earning $4.025 million, slashed .246/.305/.444 with seven homers and 33 RBIs in 56 games for the Reds. His addition is more of a depth move. Diehl had been in the minors with the Reds but has appeared in five major-league games this season. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated right-hander R.J. Alvarez for assignment.
The trade came after the Mets placed right-handed reliever Drew Smith on the 15-day injured list with a strained right lat, according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton and Ken Rosenthal, meaning New York is more likely to add a reliever before the deadline. It also came on the same day ace right-hander Jacob deGrom made what is likely his final rehab appearance before joining the Mets’ starting rotation. That will probably happen Tuesday, the day of the trade deadline, on the road against the Washington Nationals. DeGrom has missed the entire season due to a stress reaction in his right scapula. He didn’t pitch after July 7 of last season due to an inflamed right elbow.
Marlins’ Castano Sustains Concussion on Line Drive
Miami Marlins left-hander Daniel Castano was able to walk off the field on his own after being struck on the head by a line drive off the bat of the Reds’ Donovan Solano in the bottom of the first inning. Castano sustained a mild concussion and a forehead contusion. He talked about his injury, including asking if there was an out recorded on the play, which did happen as the ball caromed off Castano’s dome and turned into a popup caught by third baseman Joey Wendle.
.@Marlins lefty Daniel Castano has a forehead contusion and mild concussion after he was struck by a comebacker in the first inning today. pic.twitter.com/zkMav3rT75
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) July 28, 2022
Jays Revamping Their Nest
Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays for the past 33 years, is getting a major facelift. A $300 million renovation will take place over the next two offseasons, with the priority being “modernizing the fan experience,” Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro said. The project includes upgrading facilities for the players as well.
*Whispers* This was just Phase One 😮
Stay tuned for more details! pic.twitter.com/1oMexExjIg
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 28, 2022
Best Moments From Yesterday
Judge Rules: Walk-off
With each new feat, Aaron Judge not only adds another bullet point to his case for AL MVP but probably a few more dollars to what is sure to be a lucrative offseason for the New York Yankees‘ slugging outfielder. Judge, who had zero homers in the bottom of the ninth inning during his career entering this season (not just game-enders, but total homers), crushed his second ninth-inning walk-off blast of 2022 for the only run in a 1-0 Yankees win over the Kansas City Royals. It was Judge’s 39th homer of the season, including three walk-offs (one came in extra innings). Judge’s homer, off Scott Barlow, was just the second hit of the night for the Yankees, who were silenced by Royals right-hander Brady Singer (10 strikeouts, including Judge twice) for seven innings. The three walk-off homers tie Mickey Mantle of 1959 for the most in a single season in team history. Four is the MLB record, held by three players: Jimmie Foxx (1940), Roy Sievers (1957), and Andre Ethier (2009).
ALL RISE! pic.twitter.com/rHLuBShd4e
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 29, 2022
An Inspirational Pitch
Sometimes the ceremonial first pitch is more than ceremonial. Landis Sims, a 16-year-old born without hands or feet, threw out the pitch before Thursday’s Chicago Cubs–San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park. Sims, the subject of the documentary “Landis: Just Watch Me,” plays for the varsity baseball team at South Central High School in Union Mills, Indiana. Oracle Park was the third stop on his promotional tour of MLB stadiums, having already hit Yankee Stadium in New York and Petco Park in San Diego. It will conclude Saturday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Landis Sims, a 16-year old varsity baseball player, was born with no hands or feet. The Giants had Sims throw out the first pitch before tonight’s game 🧡 pic.twitter.com/XMs3bolCm2
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 29, 2022
Mancini Mash? Not Quite
Entering Thursday’s action, Trey Mancini had 116 homers in 697 career games with the Baltimore Orioles. Homer No. 117 was unlike anything he had ever hit before. Mancini lofted a routine fly ball to right field with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Orioles up 1-0. Only Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Josh Lowe lost the ball only to have it doink off his head. That was more than enough to score Austin Hays from second. Mancini needed to hoof it around the bases to make it an inside-the-parker, his 10th homer of the season and potentially the last at Camden Yards as a member of the Orioles. Mancini is the subject of trade rumors and the 3-0 win was the last home game before Tuesday’s deadline.
Off the head? Around the bases!
Trey Mancini scores an incredible Little League home run 😅
🎥 @Oriolespic.twitter.com/l6fv4qYH7S
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 28, 2022
Injuries and Other Moves
Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts said he has been told he isn’t going to be traded.
Right-hander Max Meyer, the Marlins’ No. 2 prospect, will have Tommy John surgery and likely won’t be back until the 2024 season.
Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Diego Castillo was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.
Articles You Should Read
Former MLB general manager goes inside what happens at the trade deadline — Jim Bowden, The Athletic
A U.S. senator who is a Cubs fan is looking out for minor-leaguers — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
Mets’ Max Scherzer doesn’t like PitchCom — The Athletic
One of the greatest catches in Phillies history is a painful memory — Matt Breen, Philadelphia Inquirer
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)