Just days from Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline, the market held its collective breath on Monday when Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch on the hand and removed from Arizona’s game. But X-rays came back negative on the Diamondbacks slugger, presumed to be the top bat available before Thursday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

The AL Central-leading Tigers added a pair of arms, making an in-division trade with the Minnesota Twins to add right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak. Detroit officially lost starter Reece Olson for the season with a shoulder injury earlier in the day Monday.

Here’s a look back at all the news and updates from Tuesday, July 29:

New York Mets trade rumors

It’s been rather evident around the baseball world that the New York Mets have been looking to upgrade their outfield before the trade deadline. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. and the Baltimore Orioles’ Cedric Mullins have been two outfielders the Mets are looking at to fill that hole on their roster.

Robert Jr.’s trade value has been heating up over the last seven games, as he is hitting .280 at the plate with seven hits, six RBIs and a home run in that stretch. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, it remains unclear if the White Sox will trade their centerfielder away, as they have ‘tons of payroll flexibility moving forward’ next season to carry his $20 million option. However, if they do, the price is expected to be high. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

David Bednar trade rumors: Yankees eying Pirates closer

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees are looking to improve their bullpen two days away from the trade deadline, and have talked to the Pittsburgh Pirates about their All-Star closer David Bednar, who has become a target of theirs.

Heyman also noted that the Yankees are looking at Pirates starter Mitch Keller. Trading for Bednar would add another lockdown late-inning option for Aaron Boone and the Bronx Bombers to pair with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Jhoan Duran trade rumors: Has Twins closer been traded?

Has one of the top closers on the market been traded? According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the answer is no for Minnesota right-handed reliever Jhoan Duran, who was caught on the Twins TV broadcast hugging teammates in the bullpen during the third inning at Target Field with his glove in his hand.

Passan noted that Duran, for now, had not been traded and was ‘just hugging his bullpen catcher’ — got to love trade deadline week (and season). The Twins radio broadcast was the first to mention Duran grabbing his glove and stuff from the bullpen and leaving it. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Wilson Contreras wants to stay with Cardinals

Meeting with reporters ahead of Tuesday’s game vs. the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras told reporters that he recently spoke with Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and expressed that he didn’t want to be traded.

‘I’m good here. I’m good here,’ Contreras said. ‘… I don’t think I have done enough for me to leave (St. Louis) yet.’

Contreras is hitting .259 on the season with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Cardinals, who are nine games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Yankees looking to upgrade starting rotation

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that the New York Yankees have had talks with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks to improve his team’s starting rotation, and have had talks with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks for that.

As noted by Morosi, both the Marlins and Diamondbacks have several pieces who can fill the Yankees’ rotational needs in Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Edward Cabrera (Marlins), Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks) and Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks).

On the Tuesday episode of ‘MLB on TBS: Leadoff,’ Morosi mentioned that Gallen — who has a 7-12 record this season with a 5.60 ERA — and Kelly, who has a 9-6 record and 3.22 ERA, could be more suitable options for the Yankees compared to Alcantara and Cabrera, as the Diamondbacks starters are rentals.

The Yankees are five games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays trade rumors: Toronto eying Ryan Helsley

The Blue Jays reportedly will look to bolster their bullpen following their trade for Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez earlier this afternoon: MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports Toronto is eying St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

Helsley, 31, is 3-1 on the season with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 36 innings of work for the Cardinals. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Orioles trade Seranthony Dominguez to Blue Jays – in opposing clubhouse

In between games of the teams’ doubleheader in Baltimore on Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired 30-year-old right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles, according to multiple reports. The Orioles will receive right-handed pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown to complete the trade, Sportsnet and ESPN reported.

In 298 career games with the Philadelphia Phillies (2018-24) and Orioles (2024-25), Dominguez has gone 21-22 with 40 saves, a 3.54 ERA and 335 strikeouts across 285 innings. He did not play in 2020 due to injury. In 2025, Dominguez is 2-3 with two saves and a 3.24 ERA in 43 appearances for the Orioles. He’s struck out 54 batters for a rate of 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Watts-Brown, 23, has split this season between Double-A New Hampshire and High-A Vancouver. He has gone 2-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 19 starts. MLB Pipeline ranked Watts-Brown as Toronto’s No. 10 prospect. — Field Level Media

Eugenio Suárez to Tigers? Gleyber Torres backs a trade

The Tigers are one of many teams interested in acquiring Eugenio Suárez from the Diamondbacks before the MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Other teams in the mix include the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners.

‘If he comes here at some point, it’s going to be awesome,’ said Torres, a former teammates of Suárez with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. ‘He treats people the right way. He’s easy to talk to. He always wants to help the players. It would be a really, really good addition for us.’

Said Torres: ‘I think he’s a better person than player. I have a really good relationship with him. He is a humble guy, an awesome person. I’ve known him for many years. Our relationship is really good.’

Suárez has said he wants to play for the Tigers. The Tigers signed Suárez out of Venezuela for a $10,000 bonus during the 2008 international signing period. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2014. After 85 games, the Tigers traded Suárez to the Reds. – Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

Danny Jansen trade has catcher back in Wisconsin

Not so long ago, members of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lived in the home young Danny Jansen shared with his family, just a bike ride away from Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. In a twist of fate, it was a Timber Rattlers player sent to another organization who brought Jansen back to Wisconsin.

Jansen, 30, joined the Brewers on July 29, one day after Milwaukee consummated a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Class A infielder Jadher Areinamo. The catcher Jansen, an alumnus of Appleton West and part of a former Timber Rattlers host family, now finds himself with his fourth team in the span of a year after getting dealt on back-to-back trade deadlines.

Eugenio Suárez injury update: D’backs slugger out of lineup

Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez, considered the top hitter available ahead of Thursday’s deadline, is out of the Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday in Detroit after being hit on the hand by a pitch on Monday night.

X-rays after the game were egative and Suárez told reporters on Tuesday that he also underwent a CT scan and MRI, both coming back clean. Suárez could return to the lineup on Wednesday for what may be his final game in a Diamondbacks uniform.

Suárez has 36 home runs, is tied for the MLB lead with 87 home runs and could become the first player traded in the middle of a 50-homer campaign since Mark McGwire in 1996.

Phillies trade rumors, team needs

The Philadelphia bullpen took a hit when left-handed reliever José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games in May for violating MLB’s PED policy. To help fill the void, the Phils recently signed veteran right-handed reliever David Robertson after he sat out the season following a strong 2024 season with the Texas Rangers. Robertson has spent two other stints with Philadelphia, including during the team’s 2022 World Series run.

Outfield has also been a concern for much of the year with free-agent addition Max Kepler struggling to provide offensive stability. While he has improved at the plate as the summer has progressed, center fielder Brandon Marsh, along with outfielders Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas, has been inconsistent offensively this season.

Pirates trade rumors: David Bednar, Mitch Keller

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few impact players who could be moved ahead of the trade deadline including closer David Bednar and starter Mitch Keller.

An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, the 30-year-old Bednar had a miserable 2024 campaign (5.77 ERA in 62 games), but has rounded back into form this year with a 2.37 ERA, including a career-best 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Keller, 29, signed a four-year extension worth $77 million with the Pirates prior to the 2024 season. An All-Star in 2023, Keller has a 3.69 ERA in 22 starts, his best since 2020, but has seen his strikeout rate fall each of the past two seasons.

‘I think we want to be careful about it, because you have pitching depth until you don’t,’ Cherington told reporters. ‘It’s hard to get it back. We’re not anxious to trade pitching.’

Nick Fortes to Rays in trade with Marlins

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel.

Fortes, 28, batted .249 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 59 games with the Marlins this season. He is a career .225 hitter with 25 homers and 96 RBIs in 363 games since making his debut with Miami in 2021.

Etzel, 23, was ranked as the Rays’ No. 28 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

He batted .230 with five homers, 34 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 56 games at Double-A Montgomery this season before landing on the injured list on June 22. – Field Level Media

Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak traded to Twins

The Tigers acquired right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins on Monday, July 28 — just three days before the MLB trade deadline, which is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Although Paddack becomes a free agent after 2025, Dobnak has team options for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Trading for Paddack was sparked by right-hander Reese Olson suffering a right shoulder strain. He has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, but there’s still a chance he returns for the postseason.

‘It’s really an unfortunate piece of news for Reese,’ Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. ‘We really feel for him. But we are excited to strengthen our pitching before the trade deadline, and we’re really excited to add Chris to the mix.’ – Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

Yankees rumors: Cam Schlitter a trade deadline candidate?

MLB’s trade deadline, Thursday at 6 p.m., is a looming presence at Yankee Stadium, where Cam Schlittler’s third big-league start showed an unpolished pitcher with plenty of promise.

“He walks out there with a lot of weapons, starting with a high-90s, 100-mph fastball,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Monday night’s game against Tampa Bay.

Schlittler impressively flashed that 100-mph fastball against the Rays but also lost his command for a stretch and the Yankees ultimately lost another divisional game. Maybe that won’t mean parting with Yankees’ slugging prospect Spencer Jones, but he’s clearly part of a lot of trade conversations – as are Schlittler and fellow right-handed starter Will Warren.

Eugenio Suárez injury update

USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale confirmed that Eugenio Suárez underwent X-rays, which came back negative. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Suárez’s left hand and finger were ‘tender to the touch,’ according to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen. Lovullo added that Suárez is day-to-day for now.

‘The good thing right now is we did the X-ray, and it was negative,’ Suárez said after the game. ‘We got more tests to do tomorrow. Right now, it’s painful, obviously.’

Braves add Erick Fedde

With all five members of their opening day rotation now on the injured list, the struggling Atlanta Braves have added a veteran starter. Erick Fedde, who was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals last week, fills the void in Atlanta’s rotation after Grant Holmes hit the injured list with elbow inflammation. He joins fellow rotation mates Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Smith-Shawver on the 60-day IL.

The Braves acquired Fedde (3-10, 5.22 ERA this season) in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Yankees trade Carlos Carrasco

Dealing with the pitching-strapped Braves on Monday, the Yankees traded veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco to Atlanta.

In announcing the trade prior to their Monday night series opener against the Rays at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees said they will receive cash considerations from the Braves.

2025 MLB trade deadline targets

Here’s a list of a handful of players who could potentially be moved at this year’s deadline:

Pitchers:

• Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
• Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)
• Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
• Mitch Keller (Pirates)
• Andrew Heaney (Pirates)
• Johan Duran (Twins)
• Kenley Jansen (Angels)

Position players:

• Eugenio Suárez (Diamondbacks)
• Jarren Duran (Red Sox)
• Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox)
• Taylor Ward (Angels)
• Ryan O’Hearn (Orioles)

And, on a 97-degree day when the ball was jumping and the Toronto Blue Jays offered up a bullpen game in the opener of a split doubleheader, Baltimore became the first team with four home runs and five sacrifice flies in a single game, coming in a 16-4 throttling of the best team in the American League.

They tied three other teams in recording five sacrifice flies, and the safety parade began early: Tyler O’Neill and Cedric Mullins each cashed in runs on fly balls in the first inning.

Ramon Urias and Mullins repeated the feat in the third inning off Blue Jays starter Easton Lucas, giving them five innings to break the mark.

Trouble is, the deep fly balls they hit kept going over the fence.

O’Neill homered in his fourth consecutive game, Gunnar Henderson clouted another three-run shot, Urias hit a pair out of the yard.

The sacrifice fly record was equalized with one out in the eighth inning, when Jackson Holliday flew out to left field against Blue Jays catcher Ali Sanchez – who did record a strikeout of Alex Jackson on a 35.3-mph eephus pitch earlier in the frame.

Urías did not realize it was a sac fly record until Holliday mentioned it after the game. And his two homers played a huge role in the homer/sac fly oddity. Given that a runner must be on third with zero or no outs, and a deep enough fly ball must follow, it’s almost a mathematical impossibility – unless aided by dreadful pitching – to get many more than five.

‘How many were there? Five?’ Urías asked after the game.

Yep. And four homers, this for a team that’s flailed most of the season, necessitating a trade deadline sell-off, yet has suddenly burst open for 50 runs in its past four games. That period was marked by catcher Adley Rutschman’s return from injury, making the lineup whole for one of the few times this season.

‘We got a group that is healthy,’ says Urías. ‘The boys are feeling good and swinging it well, and feeling good about each other.’

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Now just two days from Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline, the market held its collective breath on Monday when Eugenio Suárez was hit by a pitch on the hand and removed from Arizona’s game. But X-rays came back negative on the Diamondbacks slugger, presumed to be the top bat available before Thursday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

The AL Central-leading Tigers added a pair of arms, making an in-division trade with the Minnesota Twins to add right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak. Detroit officially lost starter Reece Olson for the season with a shoulder injury earlier in the day Monday.

Potential suitors will be keeping a close eye on Arizona for an injury update on Suárez, while the Orioles play a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays with some Baltimore players possibly making their last appearance for the team – including 41-year-old starter Charlie Morton.

Follow along for the latest news and rumors on Tuesday:

New York Mets trade rumors

It’s been rather evident around the baseball world that the New York Mets have been looking to upgrade their outfield before the trade deadline. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. and the Baltimore Orioles’ Cedric Mullins have been two outfielders the Mets are looking at to fill that hole on their roster.

Robert Jr.’s trade value has been heating up over the last seven games, as he is hitting .280 at the plate with seven hits, six RBIs and a home run in that stretch. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, it remains unclear if the White Sox will trade their centerfielder away, as they have ‘tons of payroll flexibility moving forward’ next season to carry his $20 million option. However, if they do, the price is expected to be high. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

David Bednar trade rumors: Yankees eying Pirates closer

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees are looking to improve their bullpen two days away from the trade deadline, and have talked to the Pittsburgh Pirates about their All-Star closer David Bednar, who has become a target of theirs.

Heyman also noted that the Yankees are looking at Pirates starter Mitch Keller. Trading for Bednar would add another lockdown late-inning option for Aaron Boone and the Bronx Bombers to pair with Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Jhoan Duran trade rumors: Has Twins closer been traded?

Has one of the top closers on the market been traded? According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the answer is no for Minnesota right-handed reliever Jhoan Duran, who was caught on the Twins TV broadcast hugging teammates in the bullpen during the third inning at Target Field with his glove in his hand.

Passan noted that Duran, for now, had not been traded and was ‘just hugging his bullpen catcher’ — got to love trade deadline week (and season). The Twins radio broadcast was the first to mention Duran grabbing his glove and stuff from the bullpen and leaving it. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Wilson Contreras wants to stay with Cardinals

Meeting with reporters ahead of Tuesday’s game vs. the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras told reporters that he recently spoke with Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and expressed that he didn’t want to be traded.

‘I’m good here. I’m good here,’ Contreras said. ‘… I don’t think I have done enough for me to leave (St. Louis) yet.’

Contreras is hitting .259 on the season with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Cardinals, who are nine games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Yankees looking to upgrade starting rotation

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that the New York Yankees have had talks with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks to improve his team’s starting rotation, and have had talks with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks for that.

As noted by Morosi, both the Marlins and Diamondbacks have several pieces who can fill the Yankees’ rotational needs in Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Edward Cabrera (Marlins), Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks) and Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks).

On the Tuesday episode of ‘MLB on TBS: Leadoff,’ Morosi mentioned that Gallen — who has a 7-12 record this season with a 5.60 ERA — and Kelly, who has a 9-6 record and 3.22 ERA, could be more suitable options for the Yankees compared to Alcantara and Cabrera, as the Diamondbacks starters are rentals.

The Yankees are five games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays trade rumors: Toronto eying Ryan Helsley

The Blue Jays reportedly will look to bolster their bullpen following their trade for Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez earlier this afternoon: MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports Toronto is eying St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

Helsley, 31, is 3-1 on the season with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 36 innings of work for the Cardinals. — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY Sports

Orioles trade Seranthony Dominguez to Blue Jays – in opposing clubhouse

In between games of the teams’ doubleheader in Baltimore on Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired 30-year-old right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles, according to multiple reports. The Orioles will receive right-handed pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown to complete the trade, Sportsnet and ESPN reported.

In 298 career games with the Philadelphia Phillies (2018-24) and Orioles (2024-25), Dominguez has gone 21-22 with 40 saves, a 3.54 ERA and 335 strikeouts across 285 innings. He did not play in 2020 due to injury. In 2025, Dominguez is 2-3 with two saves and a 3.24 ERA in 43 appearances for the Orioles. He’s struck out 54 batters for a rate of 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Watts-Brown, 23, has split this season between Double-A New Hampshire and High-A Vancouver. He has gone 2-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 19 starts. MLB Pipeline ranked Watts-Brown as Toronto’s No. 10 prospect. — Field Level Media

Eugenio Suárez to Tigers? Gleyber Torres backs a trade

The Tigers are one of many teams interested in acquiring Eugenio Suárez from the Diamondbacks before the MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Other teams in the mix include the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners.

‘If he comes here at some point, it’s going to be awesome,’ said Torres, a former teammates of Suárez with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. ‘He treats people the right way. He’s easy to talk to. He always wants to help the players. It would be a really, really good addition for us.’

Said Torres: ‘I think he’s a better person than player. I have a really good relationship with him. He is a humble guy, an awesome person. I’ve known him for many years. Our relationship is really good.’

Suárez has said he wants to play for the Tigers. The Tigers signed Suárez out of Venezuela for a $10,000 bonus during the 2008 international signing period. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2014. After 85 games, the Tigers traded Suárez to the Reds. – Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

Danny Jansen trade has catcher back in Wisconsin

Not so long ago, members of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lived in the home young Danny Jansen shared with his family, just a bike ride away from Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. In a twist of fate, it was a Timber Rattlers player sent to another organization who brought Jansen back to Wisconsin.

Jansen, 30, joined the Brewers on July 29, one day after Milwaukee consummated a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Class A infielder Jadher Areinamo. The catcher Jansen, an alumnus of Appleton West and part of a former Timber Rattlers host family, now finds himself with his fourth team in the span of a year after getting dealt on back-to-back trade deadlines.

Eugenio Suárez injury update: D’backs slugger out of lineup

Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez, considered the top hitter available ahead of Thursday’s deadline, is out of the Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday in Detroit after being hit on the hand by a pitch on Monday night.

X-rays after the game were egative and Suárez told reporters on Tuesday that he also underwent a CT scan and MRI, both coming back clean. Suárez could return to the lineup on Wednesday for what may be his final game in a Diamondbacks uniform.

Suárez has 36 home runs, is tied for the MLB lead with 87 home runs and could become the first player traded in the middle of a 50-homer campaign since Mark McGwire in 1996.

Phillies trade rumors, team needs

The Philadelphia bullpen took a hit when left-handed reliever José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games in May for violating MLB’s PED policy. To help fill the void, the Phils recently signed veteran right-handed reliever David Robertson after he sat out the season following a strong 2024 season with the Texas Rangers. Robertson has spent two other stints with Philadelphia, including during the team’s 2022 World Series run.

Outfield has also been a concern for much of the year with free-agent addition Max Kepler struggling to provide offensive stability. While he has improved at the plate as the summer has progressed, center fielder Brandon Marsh, along with outfielders Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas, has been inconsistent offensively this season.

Pirates trade rumors: David Bednar, Mitch Keller

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few impact players who could be moved ahead of the trade deadline including closer David Bednar and starter Mitch Keller.

An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, the 30-year-old Bednar had a miserable 2024 campaign (5.77 ERA in 62 games), but has rounded back into form this year with a 2.37 ERA, including a career-best 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Keller, 29, signed a four-year extension worth $77 million with the Pirates prior to the 2024 season. An All-Star in 2023, Keller has a 3.69 ERA in 22 starts, his best since 2020, but has seen his strikeout rate fall each of the past two seasons.

‘I think we want to be careful about it, because you have pitching depth until you don’t,’ Cherington told reporters. ‘It’s hard to get it back. We’re not anxious to trade pitching.’

Nick Fortes to Rays in trade with Marlins

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher Nick Fortes from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel.

Fortes, 28, batted .249 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 59 games with the Marlins this season. He is a career .225 hitter with 25 homers and 96 RBIs in 363 games since making his debut with Miami in 2021.

Etzel, 23, was ranked as the Rays’ No. 28 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

He batted .230 with five homers, 34 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 56 games at Double-A Montgomery this season before landing on the injured list on June 22. – Field Level Media

Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak traded to Twins

The Tigers acquired right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins on Monday, July 28 — just three days before the MLB trade deadline, which is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Although Paddack becomes a free agent after 2025, Dobnak has team options for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Trading for Paddack was sparked by right-hander Reese Olson suffering a right shoulder strain. He has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, but there’s still a chance he returns for the postseason.

‘It’s really an unfortunate piece of news for Reese,’ Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. ‘We really feel for him. But we are excited to strengthen our pitching before the trade deadline, and we’re really excited to add Chris to the mix.’ – Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

Yankees rumors: Cam Schlitter a trade deadline candidate?

MLB’s trade deadline, Thursday at 6 p.m., is a looming presence at Yankee Stadium, where Cam Schlittler’s third big-league start showed an unpolished pitcher with plenty of promise.

“He walks out there with a lot of weapons, starting with a high-90s, 100-mph fastball,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Monday night’s game against Tampa Bay.

Schlittler impressively flashed that 100-mph fastball against the Rays but also lost his command for a stretch and the Yankees ultimately lost another divisional game. Maybe that won’t mean parting with Yankees’ slugging prospect Spencer Jones, but he’s clearly part of a lot of trade conversations – as are Schlittler and fellow right-handed starter Will Warren.

Eugenio Suárez injury update

USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale confirmed that Eugenio Suárez underwent X-rays, which came back negative. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Suárez’s left hand and finger were ‘tender to the touch,’ according to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen. Lovullo added that Suárez is day-to-day for now.

‘The good thing right now is we did the X-ray, and it was negative,’ Suárez said after the game. ‘We got more tests to do tomorrow. Right now, it’s painful, obviously.’

Braves add Erick Fedde

With all five members of their opening day rotation now on the injured list, the struggling Atlanta Braves have added a veteran starter. Erick Fedde, who was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals last week, fills the void in Atlanta’s rotation after Grant Holmes hit the injured list with elbow inflammation. He joins fellow rotation mates Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Smith-Shawver on the 60-day IL.

The Braves acquired Fedde (3-10, 5.22 ERA this season) in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Yankees trade Carlos Carrasco

Dealing with the pitching-strapped Braves on Monday, the Yankees traded veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco to Atlanta.

In announcing the trade prior to their Monday night series opener against the Rays at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees said they will receive cash considerations from the Braves.

2025 MLB trade deadline targets

Here’s a list of a handful of players who could potentially be moved at this year’s deadline:

Pitchers:

• Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
• Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)
• Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
• Mitch Keller (Pirates)
• Andrew Heaney (Pirates)
• Johan Duran (Twins)
• Kenley Jansen (Angels)

Position players:

• Eugenio Suárez (Diamondbacks)
• Jarren Duran (Red Sox)
• Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox)
• Taylor Ward (Angels)
• Ryan O’Hearn (Orioles)

The oldest active player in MLB will have to soon find another team to continue his career.

Left-hander Rich Hill was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals, the club announced Tuesday, July 29. The move was made with Kansas City recalling Thomas Hatch from Triple-A Omaha.

The 45-year-old Hill had a short stint with the Royals after signing a minor league contract with the team in May. On July 22, Kansas City called up Hill and started him the same day against the Chicago Cubs, making him the oldest player to appear in MLB this season and oldest ever to play for the Royals. He also became one of just five players over 45 to play in the majors since 2010, and the first to do so since 2018. 

Hill made two starts for Kansas City, giving up seven runs − five earned − on nine hits and eight walks allowed with four strikeouts. He went 0-2 with the Royals.

Rich Hill could make history

While it marks the sudden end of Hill’s time in Kansas City, it presents him with the opportunity to make MLB history if he continues his career.

The Royals marked the 14th team Hill has played for in his 21-year career, which tied retired pitcher Edwin Jackson for the most teams played for in MLB history. If Hill is able to sign with another new team and pitch for it, he would be the first person to play for 15 teams − half of MLB’s squads.

Hill made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Chicago Cubs, and has a 90-76 record with a 4.02 ERA in 388 games played.

What teams has Rich Hill played for?

• Chicago Cubs (2005-2008)
• Baltimore Orioles (2009)
• Boston Red Sox (2010-2012, 2015, 2022, 2024)
• Cleveland Guardians (2013)
• Los Angeles Angels (2014)
• New York Yankees (2014)
• Athletics (2016)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (2016-2019)
• Minnesota Twins (2020)
• Tampa Bay Rays (2021)
• New York Mets (2021)
• Pittsburgh Pirates (2023)
• San Diego Padres (2023)
• Kansas City Royals (2025)

They say ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ but FIFA might have to break the tradition when it comes to the 2026 World Cup draw.

A report from ESPN says that Las Vegas will host the draw for soccer’s biggest spectacle, which will be hosted at venues across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year. FIFA has yet to officially announce a venue or date for the draw.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to include 48 teams, and the first to be hosted by three nations. 11 U.S. cities will host games, along with three Mexican cities (Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey), and two more in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver).

Las Vegas submitted a bid to host matches at Allegiant Stadium, but were rejected during the voting process. The draw will be used to sort the 48 teams that qualify for the tournament into 12 groups of four. Mexico (Group A), Canada (Group B), and the U.S. (Group D) have already been placed in their respective groups.

The report says that Canadian and Mexican venues were considered for the draw, but were ultimately ruled out. ESPN cited Pedro Cedillo, an executive at Mexican club CF Pachuca, that he expects to be in Sin City on December 5 to present competing teams with information about training camp bases in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.

Las Vegas also hosted the draw for the 1994 World Cup, the last time the men’s version of the tournament was held on U.S. soil. However, per ESPN’s report, the draw is likely to be held at The Sphere, a 17,500-capacity venue featuring a unique spherical screen. The Sphere, opened in 2023, has rapidly become a Vegas landmark at events like F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

World Cup 2026: What cities will host games?

Matches at the 2026 World Cup will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Here is a full list of cities and corresponding venues:

Canada

• Toronto (BMO Field)
• Vancouver (BC Place)

Mexico

• Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
• Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
• Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)

United States

• Atlanta (Mercedez-Benz Stadium)
• Boston (Gillette Stadium)
• Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
• Houston (NRG Stadium)
• Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
• Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
• New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
• Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
• San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
• Seattle (Lumen Field)

World Cup 2026: Which countries have qualified?

Of the 48 spots available at the 2026 World Cup, 13 places have been claimed. Qualifying in each of FIFA’s six confederations is ongoing, but in some cases teams have still clinched their place.

Additionally, the final six places will be determined by an intercontinental playoff in March 2026, with six teams that narrowly missed qualifying directly getting one last shot.

Here is a breakdown of who has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup:

Host nations

• Canada
• Mexico
• United States

Africa (9 direct spots)

No team has yet qualified via the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s qualifying process.

Asia (8 direct spots)

• Japan
• Iran
• Uzbekistan
• South Korea
• Jordan
• Australia

Asia has one more round of qualifying that will determine the final two nations to secure an automatic berth at the World Cup, as well as the two teams that will battle for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s one spot in the intercontinental playoff.

Europe (16 direct spots)

No team has claimed one of UEFA’s 16 berths at the 2026 World Cup. In many cases, qualifying has not even started yet, as the process is staggered based on group size.

North America and the Caribbean (3 direct spots + 2 playoff spots)

CONCACAF has not begun the decisive third round of its World Cup qualifying process, but has at least winnowed a pool of 32 entrants down to a final 12 teams. Canada, Mexico, and the United States did not have to participate in qualifying, as FIFA grants host nations an automatic berth.

Oceania (1 direct spot + 1 playoff spot)

• New Zealand

New Caledonia has secured a spot as Oceania’s playoff representative.

South America (6 direct spots + 1 playoff spot)

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Ecuador

While Uruguay and Paraguay have not officially clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup, both cannot fall further than seventh in CONMEBOL’s qualifying process, meaning the worst either country can do is advance to the intercontinental playoff.

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with a key injury to one of their top offensive playmakers early during 2025 training camp.

Tight end Isaiah Likely suffered an injury during the team’s Tuesday practice. It occurred while Likely was engaged in a one-on-one rep with Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane, per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.

Likely, 25, was carted off the field because of the injury. He was seen limping into the facility after getting off the cart.

Here is the latest on Likely’s injury and what it might mean for the Ravens.

Isaiah Likely injury update

Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced after practice that Likely had ‘rolled his ankle’ at the end of practice. The fourth-year veteran is slated to have an MRI on Wednesday.

‘We’ll know more tomorrow,’ Harbaugh told reporters of Likely’s injury. ‘It is gonna be a few weeks though.’

Harbaugh also noted it was ‘good’ Likely’s injury happened early during Ravens camp. That may allow the 25-year-old to return to the field with plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1.

Likely set career-best marks across the board for the Ravens in 2024, logging 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. The Ravens will likely rely on Charlie Kolar – who, like Likely, was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft – to serve as their foil to Mark Andrews as long as Likely is sidelined.

Ravens TE depth chart

Below is a look at the Ravens’ tight end depth chart for the 2025 NFL season.

1. Mark Andrews
2. Isaiah Likely
3. Charlie Kolar
4. Zaire Mitchell-Paden
5. Sam Pitz

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, returned to the national limelight this week when a gunman who believed he had the degenerative brain disease killed four people in a Manhattan skyscraper.

New York City mayor Eric Adams said that police suspect the shooter was targeting the NFL’s Manhattan office located in the building but took the wrong elevator.

CTE is linked to repeated head injuries like concussions, according to the Mayo Clinic, which has seen brains of nearly 350 former NFL players after their deaths. Boston University’s CTE center diagnosed 345 cases of CTE in the 376 former NFL players’ brains it’s studied since 2008 – a rate of 91.7%.

Of those 345 former players, there have been many notable playmakers who were diagnosed after their deaths, which is the only time CTE can be formally diagnosed.

Here’s what to know about CTE and its history with notable NFL players:

What is CTE?

CTE, which stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It is linked to repeated traumatic brain injury, such as concussions, and has been found in many former boxers, NFL players and military combat veterans after their deaths.

CTE can only be diagnosed after death, with no specific symptoms tied to the disease present while a victim is alive. However, symptoms with possible ties to CTE include memory loss, impulsive behavior and depression. According to the Mayo Clinic, any symptoms that form as a result of CTE form over several years following multiple instances of traumatic brain injury. They will not necessarily be present immediately after a concussion or other similar injury.

Notable NFL players diagnosed with CTE

Linebacker Jovan Belcher

Belcher played for the Chiefs for three full seasons and played in 11 more games for Kansas City in a fourth season before he killed his girlfriend, then himself, in December 2012. ESPN reported in 2014 that a medical examiner determined Belcher’s brain had signs of CTE.

Defensive back Irv Cross

Cross was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in the NFL for nine years. In his rookie season, Cross earned the nickname ‘Paper Head’ for the sheer number of concussions he suffered in the 1961 season alone, according to a 2018 interview he had with the Philadelphia Inquirer. Cross went on to become the first Black sports analyst on national TV after his career.

He was diagnosed with a form of dementia shortly before his death, which he believed could be attributed to CTE. He donated his brain to the Boston University CTE center, where it became one of the 345 from former NFL players diagnosed with the disease.

Offensive lineman Conrad Dobler

Dobler played 10 years in the NFL and appeared in the Pro Bowl for three consecutive years from 1975 to 1977. After he died in February 2023, he donated his brain to Boston University, where he was posthumously diagnosed with CTE.

Wide receiver Chris Henry

Henry played for the Cincinnati Bengals for five years – between 2005 and 2009 – before his death in December 2009. The wideout fell out of the back of a moving truck during a domestic dispute and a hit to his head led to his death. Six months later, the Brain Injury Research Institute of West Virginia announced Henry had developed CTE prior to his death.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez played three years for the Patriots starting in 2010. Four years after he was imprisoned for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Hernandez committed suicide in his cell. After his death, Boston University diagnosed the former tight end with CTE. A Hernandez family lawyer said while announcing his diagnosis that the case of CTE was ‘the most severe case they had ever seen in someone of Aaron’s age.’

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson

A former second-round pick by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2005, Jackson played 12 years in the NFL and made three Pro Bowls by the time he retired in 2016. He died in 2021, aged 38, from chronic alcohol use, according to a medical examiner and was diagnosed with CTE by Boston University’s CTE Center.

Offensive lineman Terry Long

Long played his entire eight-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2005, 14 years after his final season, he committed suicide by drinking an entire gallon of antifreeze shortly after an indictment for arson and fraud charges. His autopsy, performed by neuropathologist and CTE discoverer Bennet Omalu, revealed that he had the degenerative brain disease.

The gunman in Monday night’s mass shooting in Manhattan named Long by name in a rambling note found in his pocket.

Linebacker Junior Seau

Seau’s career spanned nearly three decades – from 1990 to 2009 – and was marked by numerous accolades, including first-team All-Pro recognition six times, 12 consecutive Pro Bowl seasons and a Walter Payton Man of the Year award. His 20-year career included two Super Bowl appearances: one with the Chargers in Super Bowl 29 and another with the Patriots in Super Bowl 42.

Seau committed suicide in 2012, and his family donated his brain tissue to the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. A year later, they revealed the NIH had found signs of CTE.

The linebacker was posthumously enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas

By the end of Thomas’s nine years with the Denver Broncos, he had risen to second in all-time receiving yards in the team’s history. He won a Super Bowl with Denver after the 2015 season and played four more years that included brief tenures with the Houston Texans and New York Jets. He died in December 2021 from what police called a ‘medical issue’ that stemmed from a 2019 car crash. His brain tested positive for signs of CTE after its donation to Boston University.

Tight end Frank Wycheck

Wycheck was an 11-year NFL veteran who earned three Pro Bowl nods during his career and is a member of the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor. He was the Titans’ leading receiver for three years (1999-2001) and was the player who threw the famous lateral pass in the ‘Music City Miracle’ play that led Tennessee to a playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. Wycheck died in 2023 after falling and hitting his head. In January 2025, ESPN reported that his family confirmed Wycheck had been diagnosed with CTE after his death.