The Opener

As the baseball world wraps up play prior to the All-Star break, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Kiermaier on waivers:

The Blue Jays are 8.5 games out of a Wild Card spot in the AL and seven games under .500 after going just 8-14 in their last three weeks of play. That’s led the club to begin considering trading away rental players this summer as they pivot more firmly towards selling, and news yesterday that they’ve placed center fielder Kevin Kiermaier on waivers is the latest signal that the Jays are open to shedding some veterans. Waivers are a 48-hour process, so a resolution can be expected today or tomorrow (depending on when the Jays formally placed the veteran on waivers).

Any claiming team would be on the hook for the remainder of Kiermaier’s $10.5M salary, and that hefty price tag makes a claim rather unlikely. It’s certainly feasible that teams would have interest in Kiermaier’s speed and elite defense in a scenario where the Jays eat most of his salary in a trade, but the four-time Gold Glove winner (and former Platinum Glove winner) is hitting just .191/.238/.295 in 72 games this season (51 wRC+). Kiermaier is still owed about $4.5MM between now and season’s end.

2. Futures Game this weekend:

Although play around the league won’t stop until Monday, MLB is kicking off All-Star week festivities tomorrow with the Futures Game. The game, which is scheduled for 3:10pm CT and will be broadcast on MLB Network, is set to feature a number of top prospects from around the game, including catcher Samuel Basallo of the Orioles, infielder Colson Montgomery of the White Sox, and outfielder Spencer Jones of the Yankees in the AL. Meanwhile, the NL will feature top talents like Reds righty Rhett Lowder, Padres catcher Ethan Salas, Pirates infielder Termarr Johnson, and Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews.

The weekend will also feature a Skills Showcase where eight prospects from around the league (Basallo, Johnson, Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, Nationals infielder Brady House, Rangers infielder Sebastian Walcott, Reds infielder Cam Collier, and Rays infielder Tre’ Morgan) will compete in a series of three events designed to show off their hitting talents. You can read more about the event, which is set to air on Sunday at 9:00am CT, in this piece from MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.

3. 2024 Draft to kick off Sunday:

All-Star week has also begun to feature the MLB draft in recent years, and the first round of this year’s draft is scheduled to begin at 6pm CT on Sunday. All eyes will be on the state of Ohio, as the Guardians and Reds will be picking first and second overall, respectively, after winning the top two spots in the draft lottery over the offseason. Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder Charlie Condon, West Virginia shortstop JJ Wetherholt, Florida two-way star Jac Caglianone, Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith, and Wake Forest righty Chase Burns are among the prospects receiving the most buzz ahead of the draft.

As the July 30 trade deadline creeps closer by the day, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Bellinger undergoes testing:

The Cubs were dealt a potentially tough blow in their win over the Orioles last night when Cody Bellinger was struck in the hand by a 97mph pitch from lefty Cionel Perez. According to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Bellinger’s middle finger was struck by the pitch, and he was removed from the game because he didn’t believe he could throw a baseball. Bellinger is set to undergo testing to determine the severity of the issue.

If Bellinger were to miss significant time, it could have a major impact on the Cubs as they attempt to work their way back into the conversations for an NL Wild Card spot. The club is currently 3.5 games back from a playoff spot despite a lackluster 44-49 record but has started to show signs of life with a 5-1 record in their last six games. The loss of Bellinger, who has slashed .269/.331/.410 in 344 trips to the plate this year while playing all three outfield spots and first base for Chicago this year, would not only throw a wrench into the club’s efforts to contend but also take a potential trade chip off the board for the Cubs in the event that they end up selling. If Bellinger requires a stint on the IL, prospect Alexander Canario could be a candidate take his spot on the active roster and in the outfield mix.

2. Alvarez exits:

Bellinger wasn’t the only star pulled from a game yesterday. Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez exited the club’s win over the Marlins due to tightness in his right hip. As noted by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said he doesn’t think Alvarez’s injury is serious enough to require imaging. That’s certainly good news, although it’s still somewhat concerning for Alvarez to be removed from the game just one day after returning to the lineup following a hit-by-pitch to the knee that occurred on Saturday. If the Astros decide to give Alvarez a few days to rest with the All-Star break just around the corner, players such as Chas McCormick, Joey Loperfido, and Trey Cabbage could get additional reps.

3. Bichette undergoes MRI:

A third star player exited play with injury yesterday when Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was pulled from the club’s win over the Giants due to soreness in his right calf. That’s the same calf that required a stint on the IL last month. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet relayed after the game that Bichette was undergoing an MRI.

The 26-year-old Bichette has struggled to a  bleak .222/.275/.321 slash line this season, but a club that has fallen 8.5 games out of the AL Wild Card race and has begun to consider selling at the deadline can ill afford to lose one of its most talented players. Bichette’s combination of injuries, underperformance and remaining season of contractual control make him an unlikely trade candidate, especially if the Blue Jays hope to return to contention in 2025. However, an extended absence for Bichette could push Toronto even further towards selling. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is on the injured list as well at the moment but would be a top candidate to step in at shortstop if he’s out for a lesser period of time than Bichette. Currently, Ernie Clement and Leo Jimenez are the top healthy options at shortstop on the active roster.

As the march toward the trade deadline continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Phillies banged up:

While the Phillies welcomed both Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper back from the injured list yesterday, it seems they may now be facing injury issues elsewhere on the roster.  Both right-hander Zack Wheeler and outfielder Johan Rojas exited yesterday’s game. As noted by MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Wheeler exited after just five innings and 76 pitches due to what the club has described as left lower back tightness. Rojas was hit in the right forearm with a pitch during the seventh inning and didn’t come back out for the eighth.

Rojas, who has struggled to a .227/.262/.284 slash line so far, said after the game that he expected to be fine after the incident, but Wheeler’s status is more up in the air. Following the game, Wheeler indicated that while he hopes to make his next scheduled start Sunday, the back issue that took him out of yesterday’s game has been bothering him since late last month. Wheeler is scheduled for one more start before the All-Star break, but if the Phils want to be cautious they could push that outing back until after the Midsummer Classic. The Phillies’ ace has once again been among the very best pitchers in baseball this year, with a 2.74 ERA and 3.28 FIP in 111 2/3 innings of work.

2. Angels roster move incoming:

The Angels’ bullpen has been heavily taxed in their series against the Rangers after right-hander Davis Daniel threw just 3 2/3 innings Monday, followed by righty Roansy Contreras making it through just two innings yesterday. With the club’s relief corps left to cover 12 1/3 innings over the past two games, manager Ron Washington told reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register) that the club will probably need to make a roster move to freshen up the bullpen. Guillermo Zuniga is the only reliever the Angels have at Triple-A currently on the 40-man roster, making him a strong contender to get promoted. Other options could include turning to a starter such as Zach Plesac as a long reliever or making a 40-man roster move to promote a veteran like Amir Garrett or Bryan Shaw.

3. Doubleheaders in the Midwest:

Rain washed away two games yesterday, postponing a matchup between the White Sox and Twins in Chicago as well as a game between the Cardinals and Royals in St. Louis. Those games will both be made up today as doubleheaders. In the case of the Twins and White Sox, MLB.com’s Scott Merkin and Do-Hyoung Park note that the two games will be played as part of a straight doubleheader beginning at 1:10pm local time, with fans holding tickets for today’s regularly scheduled game welcome to attend both contests. Looking at the day’s matchups, the White Sox will send Erick Fedde (3.13 ERA) to the mound opposite Bailey Ober (4.12 ERA) in the first game, while Game 2 will feature rookie Drew Thorpe (3.71 ERA) and struggling All-Star Pablo Lopez (5.18 ERA).

Meanwhile, John Denton of MLB.com relays that today’s doubleheader between St. Louis and Kansas City will be split, with the first game set to begin at 12:45pm local time and the second set to begin at 6:45pm. Denton adds that tickets for yesterday’s game will be valid for Game 1 of today’s doubleheader. Right-handers Andre Pallante (4.00 ERA) and Sonny Gray (3.30 ERA) are listed as the probable starters for the Cardinals, but Katie Woo of The Athletic noted this morning that rookie Gordon Graceffo was expected to take the ball in Game 2 instead of Gray as the doubleheader’s 27th man (thus giving all their veteran arms an extra day of rest). The Royals will counter with righties Alec Marsh (4.57 ERA) and Michael Wacha (3.74 ERA).

With just three weeks until the trade deadline, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Phillies getting healthy:

The Phillies are expecting to welcome slugger Kyle Schwarber back from the injured list today, and he might be joined by veteran superstar Bryce Harper. The duo were both placed on the injured list late last month due to a groin strain and hamstring strain, respectively, though both issues were described as very mild. Per reporting over the weekend, Schwarber has been running at 100% intensity for several days now while Harper had been running “either at or close to 100% intensity.”

The return of Schwarber and potentially Harper figures to transform a Phillies lineup that has dealt with not only those losses but also the loss of catcher J.T. Realmuto in recent weeks. Schwarber has enjoyed a strong season that’s become typical of him during his time with the Phillies, slashing .250/.373/.447 with 17 home runs in 367 trips to the plate this year. Harper has been even better at the plate, turning in a massive .303/.399/.582 line with 20 homers in 336 plate appearances.

2. Red Sox 40-man move incoming?

The Red Sox optioned left-hander Cam Booser to Triple-A following last night’s game, per a team announcement. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported last night that Booser’s departure is likely to lead to the Red Sox selecting the contract of right-hander Trey Wingenter today. Wingenter, 30, was acquired by the Red Sox in trade with the Tigers over the weekend in exchange for minor league reliever CJ Weins.

Wingenter, who’s pitched in parts of three big league seasons, has struggled to a 5.28 ERA in the majors despite a much stronger 3.82 FIP. He’s posted strong strikeout numbers but also an elevated walk rate. The deal was reportedly prompted by Wingenter triggering an assignment clause in his minor league contract, meaning the Red Sox would have to add the righty to their 40-man roster shortly after the trade. That’s now expected to happen today, and the Sox will need to clear a 40-man spot for Wingenter.

3. MLBTR Chat Today:

We’re now just three weeks from the July 30 trade deadline, and the earliest trades of the summer are now starting to take place, with Aaron Civale, Austin Slater, and Alex Young now having changed uniforms. If you have any questions about the upcoming deadline or your team’s direction with the All-Star break just over the horizon, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.

On the heels of an overnight trade, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Rendon to be activated:

The Angels are poised to return one of their highest-paid players from the injured list today… although it’s not the one fans are surely pining to see back in the lineup. Manager Ron Washington told reporters (including MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) yesterday that veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon “could” be activated from the 60-day injured list today. Anaheim plans to give the 34-year-old veteran alternating starts at third base and DH until he’s healthy enough to resume third base duties on a full-time basis. The Angels will need to clear space for Rendon on the active and 40-man rosters prior to activating him from the IL.

Rendon was a perennial candidate for MVP votes during his time with the Nationals, but frequent trips to the shelf in recent years have limited him to just 219 total games since he signed a seven-year deal with the Halos during the 2019-20 offseason. After a healthy inaugural campaign in an Angels uniform where he slashed an impressive .286/.418/.497 (152 wRC+) during the shortened 2020 season, Rendon has hovered around league average offensively when healthy enough to take the field for Anaheim with a .239/.336/.356 line (95 wRC+). After going hitless in his first five games of the 2024 season, Rendon heated up with a .357/.413/.411 slash for two weeks until he landed on the IL with a partially torn hamstring. The Angels are currently using Willie Calhoun at DH and a platoon of Luis Guillorme and Miguel Sano at the hot corner.

2. D-backs to select pitching prospect:

As was first reported on Friday, the Diamondbacks will call up right-hander Yilber Diaz for a start against the Braves in Arizona this evening. Diaz figures to take the 40-man roster spot vacated by Tucker Barnhart, who was designated for assignment last week, but the club will still need to clear space for the righty on their active roster before tonight’s game.

Diaz, 24 in August, has enjoyed a breakout season. He’s struck out a whopping 33.2% of batters faced in 76 innings of work across the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. The power pitcher’s high strikeout totals have been mitigated somewhat by his elevated 12% walk rate, but he nonetheless has been a generally valuable rotation arm for the club’s upper-level affiliates with a combined 4.03 ERA and a FIP below 4.00 at both levels. The righty’s first assignment in the majors will be a tough one. He’s slated to take the mound opposite veteran lefty Chris Sale, who is in the midst of a resurgent season with Atlanta and sports a 2.71 ERA in 16 starts.

3. Meadows headed to the IL?

Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows suffered a hamstring injury while sliding into second base during last night’s game against the Reds. Manager A.J. Hinch told reporters after the game that the club planned to evaluate Meadows further before making any sort of decision on his status, though he seemed to hint that a trip to the IL was possible when he told reporters (per MLB.com’s Injury Tracker) that he “didn’t love” what he had heard to that point in conversations with Meadows and the club’s medical staff.

Meadows, 24, just returned to the big leagues last week after spending the past two months in Triple-A. His return has been going quite well, as he’s gone 4-for-11 with a double, a home run, and a walk in 12 trips to the plate since being recalled. If Meadows requires a trip to the IL, the club could turn to fellow lefty outfielder Akil Baddoo to take the youngster’s spot on the roster.

As Shohei Ohtani celebrates his 30th birthday today, let’s look at three headlines from around baseball heading into weekend action…

1. NL’s best square off this weekend

Possible playoff previews abound as the National League’s three division leaders and top wild card team are paired off in three-game series beginning today.  The league-leading Phillies head to Atlanta to kick off a three-game set with the Braves, beginning with a fun Aaron Nola vs. Max Fried pitching matchup in tonight’s game.  Philadelphia enjoys a healthy nine-game lead over Atlanta in the NL East race, though the Braves have won two of the three games between the two division rivals already this season, and 10 remaining head-to-head meetings gives the Braves some opportunity to directly chip away.  Atlanta could be fortunate to be catching the Phils when Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are both out of action, though the Phillies are 4-2 since their two sluggers were placed on the 10-day injured list.

In a battle of division leaders, the NL Central-leading Brewers head to Los Angeles to face the NL West-leading Dodgers.  The newly-acquired Aaron Civale will make his Milwaukee debut in tonight’s start, taking the hill against a former Rays teammate in Tyler Glasnow.  Among the storylines to watch in the series is the status of Jason Heyward, who will undergo an MRI today on his left knee after suffering an injury in yesterday’s game with the Diamondbacks.  Manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Jack Harris of the L.A. Times) said Heyward was hurt while jumping to try and snag Joc Pederson’s first-inning home run, and Heyward was pulled from the game prior to the start of the third.

2. Red Sox vs. Yankees

One of baseball’s signature rivalries is renewed in the Bronx this weekend as the Red Sox and Yankees open up a three-game series with both teams in a playoff position.  New York is the AL’s top wild card team, while Boston has taken a half-game edge over the Royals for the third and final wild card slot.  The two clubs last met in a three-game series on June 14-16 that now seems like a bit of a turning point for both sides.

After an 8-1 loss to New York on June 14, the Red Sox won the next two games to capture the series.  That started the run of 12 wins in 16 games that has now firmly put the Sox back into the postseason hunt.  Meanwhile, the Yankees have gone in the opposite direction, with a dismal 4-13 record in their last 17 games.

3. Shane Baz returns after two-year layoff

Shane Baz is expected to start for the Rays against the World Series champion Rangers tonight, marking the end of the right-hander’s long injury rehab.  It was almost exactly two years ago (on July 10, 2022) that Baz made his last MLB appearance, as Tommy John surgery derailed his career and then his already-lengthy comeback trail was extended by an oblique strain this past spring.  Formerly one of baseball’s top prospects, Baz posted a 4.02 ERA over 40 1/3 big league innings in 2021-22, showing just some glimpses of his potential.  Nobody expects Baz to be a frontline arm right away, yet becoming a solid rotation piece and simply getting some Major League innings under his belt would be a nice result for the 25-year-old and his team.

A recent hot streak has got the Rays back over the .500 mark at 44-43, and they sit 3.5 games back of the Red Sox for the last wild card spot (with the Royals and Astros in between).  Tampa Bay will be one of the more interesting teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches, as the Civale deal is an early sign that the club will be looking to both buy and sell in its constant attempt to both manage a tight payroll and build a contending roster.

Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate! While fans around America fire up the grill, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Rengifo to undergo imaging:

Angels infielder Luis Rengifo left the club’s game against the A’s last night after feeling pain in his wrist on a swing during the ninth inning. As noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, club manager Ron Washington didn’t provide additional details on Rengifo’s status beyond noting that he was set to undergo imaging on the wrist to determine the severity of the issue. If the injury proves to be a significant one, it would be a frustrating loss for an Angels club that has already begun shopping closer Carlos Estevez ahead of the trade deadline later this month.

Rengifo, 27, is in the midst of a career season with the Angels. He’s slashed an excellent .315/.358/.442 (127 wRC+) while splitting time primarily between second and third base but also making cameos at shortstop and in right field. Those offensive numbers make him the fourth-best second baseman in baseball by wRC+ this year, behind only Ketel Marte, Jordan Westburg, and Jose Altuve. Between that strong performance with the bat, his relative youth, and the fact that he’s under team control through the end of the 2025 season, Rengifo figured to be one of the most attractive pieces the Angels could dangle this summer if they look to trade players controlled beyond this season. A major injury could take that possibility off the table entirely, however, and even a relatively minor one could impact Rengifo’s stock if it gives potential buyers pause about his ability to contribute down the stretch.

2. What’s next for the Rays?

The Rays have long been a team known to zig when others zag, so perhaps it’s not a surprise that in an era when clubs are increasingly prone to wait on trades of significance until the days before the deadline Tampa instead decided to pull the trigger on shipping right-hander Aaron Civale to Milwaukee yesterday in exchange for infield prospect Gregory Barrios. Even so, however, it’s noteworthy for a club like the Rays that sports a decent 43-43 record entering play today and sits just four games back of a playoff spot, to begin July by selling off a piece of their rotation.

Contenders around baseball will surely be keeping a close eye on the Rays in the coming days and weeks, attempting to determine whether the Civale deal was a signal that the club is open for business or simply a deal that recoups some value for a pitcher who struggled during his tenure with the club while opening up a spot in the rotation for longtime top prospect Shane Baz. If the Rays were to sell further, they have plenty of pieces who would surely be attractive to contenders including utility bat Amed Rosario and left-hander Colin Poche without even considering bigger name players like outfielder Randy Arozarena.

3. Bogaerts to begin rehab assignment:

The Padres are getting closer to adding reinforcements to their lineup, regardless of whether the club ends up buying at the trade deadline this year or not. That’s because infielder Xander Bogaerts is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at the Triple-A level today, according to an announcement from the El Paso Chihuahuas last night. The announcement went on to note that Bogaerts is scheduled to remain in Triple-A through at least July 7.

It’s of course possible that Bogaerts, who last appeared in a game on May 20 and has been sidelined by a shoulder fracture ever since, will need a longer stay at Triple-A in order to fully prepare for a return to big league games. Even so, the assignment is a major step forward for the 31-year-old and could provide the Padres lineup with a boost. After all, Bogaerts is just one season removed from posting a solid 120 wRC+ for San Diego last year. Bogaerts’ return appears likely to cut into the playing time of Donovan Solano, who has posted a 117 wRC+ in 154 trips to the plate with the club this year.

As the trade deadline inches ever closer — and as the market begins to produce some activity — here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Mena to debut for Arizona?

As noted by Alex Weiner of AZSports last night, Diamondbacks pitching prospect Cristian Mena was in the big league clubhouse prior to last night’s game with the Dodgers. Manager Torey Lovullo simply noted that Mena was on the club’s taxi squad for their road trip to Los Angeles and did not elaborate further on the right-hander’s status, but with no starting pitcher scheduled for tonight’s game and Mena having last pitched on June 26 at the Triple-A level, it seems likely that the 21-year-old could be making his big league debut. Mena is already on the 40-man roster, meaning only an active roster move would be necessary to add him to the club’s mix.

Arizona acquired the youngster from the White Sox over the offseason in the trade that sent outfielder Dominic Fletcher to Chicago. He ranks as the Snakes’ No. 11 prospect per MLB.com and No. 14 prospect per Baseball America. Mena has struggled to a 4.90 ERA and 5.66 FIP with a 10.4% walk rate in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. If Mena were to be recalled for a start this evening, it’s unclear whether that would be a spot start or if he would be joining the rotation alongside Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Slade Cecconi, and Ryne Nelson on a more permanent basis.

2. Lewis to undergo MRI:

The injury woes never seem to stop for Twins infielder Royce Lewis. The youngster departed Minnesota’s game against the Tigers yesterday due to left groin tightness. Dan Hayes of The Athletic relayed last night that Lewis is set to undergo an MRI and additional testing on the issue. Hayes went on to note that Lewis seemed to expect that he’ll be placed on the injured list, although he added that a team source indicated that the club expects any stay on the IL to be a relatively short one.

Even as time on the shelf becomes increasingly familiar for the 25-year-old, losing him for any amount of time will sting for the Twins. Lewis is slashing a robust .287/.351/.678 in 97 trips to the plate this year, good for a 176 wRC+. While that’s not an especially large sample size, he’s done nothing but hit at a superstar level when healthy enough to take the field ever since his debut back in 2022. In 94 career games in the majors, Lewis has a cumulative slash line of .303/.361/.584 with 27 homers in just 379 trips to the plate. Should Lewis miss time, Jose Miranda would take over at third base.

3. History on the Saves Leaderboard:

Orioles right-hander Craig Kimbrel recorded the 437th save of his career last night, tying him for fourth place on the all-time saves leaderboard with six-time All-Star Francisco Rodriguez. The only players in MLB history with more saves than Kimbrel now are Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith, all three of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Sitting just one save behind Kimbrel and Rodriguez is Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen, who has been the subject of persistent trade rumors dating back to the offseason but has shut out the noise to dominate this year with a 2.22 ERA, 2.10 FIP, and 16 saves in 28 appearances. Kimbrel has been similarly impressive this year with a 2.37 ERA and 2.70 FIP to go along with 19 saves in 34 appearances.

The pair of 36-year-olds could both continue their ascent up the all-time leaderboard as soon as tonight as Jansen looks to tie Rodriguez himself with his next save while Kimbrel looks to take sole possession of fourth place on the leaderboard. Jansen’s Red Sox are set to face the Marlins in Miami at 6:40pm local time this evening, while the Orioles will face the Mariners in Seattle at 7:10pm local time.

As the early stages of the 2024 second half continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. IKF MRI:

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remained out of the lineup yesterday after being struck in the hand by a pitch over the weekend, and they’re now dealing with a second key injury in the lineup. Manager John Schneider told reporters (including Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet) that infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa “felt something” in his knee during pregame workouts yesterday, causing the club to scratch the 29-year-old from the lineup and send him for an MRI. Results and further details are expected later today.

Kiner-Falefa has, somewhat surprisingly, been the Jays’ best hitter aside from Guerrero this year, with a strong .292/.338/.420 slash line (117 wRC+). The infielder is striking out just 13.2% of the time, a career-low, and has shown a surprising amount of pop. Kiner-Falefa has slugged seven home runs in 281 trips to the plate this year, just one dinger shy of his career-best. That high-water mark came during the 2021 season and took him a whopping 677 trips to the plate, leaving him poised to shatter that personal best with ease in the second half. This offensive uptick has come in conjunction with Kiner-Falefa’s typical steady glove all around the infield, leaving him as one of the club’s most valuable players. Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, and Davis Schneider are the top options to fill in around the infield with Kiner-Falefa and Guerrero ailing.

2. Series Preview: Orioles @ Mariners:

Two AL clubs with somewhat tenuous holds on the lead in their respective division races will meet today for a three-game set that could shake up the standings ahead of the trade deadline. The 53-31 Orioles, mere percentage points ahead of the 54-32 Yankees, are set to head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the 47-39 Mariners, who sit just three games ahead of the surging Astros for control of the AL West. The series will kick off at 6:40pm local time with a duel between talented young right-handers George Kirby (3.35 ERA) and Grayson Rodriguez (3.72 ERA).

The Orioles have not announced who they’ll send to the mound opposite Logan Gilbert (2.72 ERA) in Game 2 or Bryce Miller (3.88 ERA) in the series finale at this point, though ace Corbin Burnes (2.28 ERA) could return during the series after spending a few games on the paternity list. It’s possible that third start could go to right-hander Dean Kremer (4.32 ERA), who has been on the IL since late May with a triceps strain but could make his next start in the majors, according to MLB.com’s Injury Tracker. Kremer made his third rehab start at the Triple-A level on June 27.

3. MLBTR Chat Today:

We’re now less than a month away from the July 30 trade deadline, and teams around the league have begun to tip their hands regarding their plans for the summer. If you have any questions about the upcoming deadline or your team’s direction with the All-Star break just over the horizon, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.

As the calendar flips to July, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Wood to debut:

One of the game’s very best prospects will make his big league debut today. Twenty-one-year-old outfielder James Wood had his contract selected this morning and will be in the lineup at Nationals Park tonight against the visiting Mets. Acquired from the Padres in the Juan Soto trade back in 2022 as part of a package that also included breakout star CJ Abrams and lefty MacKenzie Gore (the latter of whom will, coincidentally, take the ball for the club tonight opposite New York’s David Peterson), Wood is a consensus top-five prospect in all of baseball now.

Wood has shot through the minor leagues since joining the Nationals and took Triple-A by storm this year with an eye-popping .353/.463/.595 across 52 games in his first taste of action at the level. The budding star figures to slot directly into the regular outfield mix in Washington, where the club is currently relying on Jesse Winker and Lane Thomas in the corners alongside Jacob Young in center field.

2. Guerrero dealing with soreness after HBP:

Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered a scary incident yesterday when he was struck in the hand by a pitch from Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole. X-rays after the game were negative, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, who added that the slugger noted two of the fingers on his hand were still “quite sore” following the game. Guerrero doesn’t intend to let soreness stop him from returning to the lineup for today’s game against the Astros. He told Davidi that there’s a “90 percent” chance that he’ll be back in the lineup today, although he did acknowledge the possibility that overnight swelling could change those plans.

The Blue Jays are desperately trying to climb back into playoff contention after falling 7.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot with a 38-45 record. Guerrero figures to be a huge part of any winning streak the club manages to pull off, as his .297/.375/.471 slash line not only leads the team but stands out as his best season since finishing second to Shohei Ohtani in AL MVP voting back in 2021. He’s been particularly hot since putting a tepid month of April behind him, and Guerrero has now slashed .341/.407/.539 in his last 240 trips to the plate.

3. Brewers 40-man move incoming:

The Brewers are expected to activate outfielder Garrett Mitchell from the 60-day injured list today and have reportedly already cleared an active roster spot for the 25-year-old by optioning top prospect Tyler Black to the minor leagues. Before Mitchell can officially be added back to the roster, however, the club will need to clear space for him on the 40-man. Milwaukee has no obvious candidates to be transferred to the 60-day IL currently on the shelf, so it seems fair to expect the club to designate a player for assignment this afternoon before tonight’s game in Colorado. The club’s first-round pick from the 2020 draft, Mitchell will be joining a crowded outfield mix that features Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio in the corners on a regular basis, flanking a center field platoon of Sal Frelick and Blake Perkins.