Obviously, there’s nothing at all guaranteed for the Nationals here, but turning Mead, who was acquired after being DFA’d by the White Sox in March, into a pitcher who was universally regarded as a top-75 prospect at the start of the season and who has posted a 3.24 ERA through 21 major league starts, seems like major win for the organization. There is the huge caveat that Early is currently on the IL with elbow inflammation. Also, his peripherals aren’t as strong as that 3.24 ERA. Still, he projects as a fine middle-of-the-rotation starter for the long haul, even if his recovery from his current elbow issue doesn’t go as hoped. The Red Sox, for what it’s worth, seemed optimistic that he’d be ready to contribute in September. The Nationals, meanwhile, will replace Mead with Brady House. They’ll still probably trade another infielder, too, with Luis García Jr. most likely to go.

Crow-Armstrong’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Ron Marinaccio in the seventh inning. His stolen base was his 26th. After hitting a double and a home run on Friday night, Crow-Armstrong’s offensive domination continued against the Pirates on Saturday. He’s hitting .291 with a .934 OPS and 59 RBI.

Bellinger exited after a double in the seventh against the Phillies. “It just feels a little tight,” he said after the game. “I really don’t think it’s anything too serious.”

Roberts added that Ohtani’s left knee doesn’t feel 100 percent following his latest bullpen session earlier this week, but expressed confidence that he’ll pitch again this season. There’s zero incentive for the Dodgers to push Ohtani back out on the mound at this stage of the season, which means that fantasy managers shouldn’t count on him making a significant impact, if any, from a pitching standpoint over the final two months.

Minnesota manager Derek Shelton told reporters the expectation is that Ryan will pitch at some point against the Royals next week. The 30-year-old’s name is going to come up a ton in trade rumors over the next couple weeks leading into the trade deadline. Clearly, the Twins aren’t going to take any chances if he’s not feeling right from a physical standpoint. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern since the club hasn’t placed him on the injured list. There should be some much-needed additional clarity concerning Ryan’s next start at some point next week, but fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate a lengthy absence.

Perez moved past Royals icon George Brett for sole possession of first place as Kansas City’s all-time home run leader with a seventh-inning solo shot to left field against Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan. It was the 318th round-tripper of his remarkable career. The 36-year-old ironman has gone deep four times in nine contests since the Midsummer Classic. His days as a mixed-league relevant fantasy backstop are probably finished at this advanced stage of his career, but he remains a decent power source at the position in deeper leagues.

The Mets can’t seem to catch a break. Soto winds up requiring a trip to the injured list with a left calf issue for the second time this season after suffering the injury during Friday’s showdown against the Dodgers. New York’s interim skipper Andy Green told reporters Soto has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain that will keep him out for at least three weeks, if not longer. Simply put, fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back until at least mid-to-late August or early September. The 27-year-old generational talent has put together another borderline elite fantasy campaign, slashing .283/.408/.539 with 46 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBI and seven steals in 359 plate appearances through 84 games. His absence kicks the door wide open for rookie A.J. Ewing to play everyday in left field.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Suarez is finally ready to take the ball after his return from the injured list was delayed by an illness earlier this week. The 30-year-old All-Star southpaw will return to a red-hot Boston squad after missing exactly three weeks with a groin strain. He got off to a bit of a slow start in his Red Sox debut, but finished the first half with a sparkling 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97/26 K/BB ratio across 91 1/3 innings. It’ll be rookie Peyton Tolle drawing the starting assignment for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics out in West Sacramento.

Kurtz returns to the Athletics’ lineup for Saturday’s contest against the Twins following a two-week absence recovering from a thumb sprain that he suffered prior to the All-Star break. The 23-year-old on-base machine should provide a massive lift for the struggling Athletics, and fantasy managers as well, after making a lightning-quick recovery. He was off to an excellent start at the plate prior to the injury, slashing .266/.405/.497 with 61 runs scored, 20 homers, 66 RBI and seven steals in 412 plate appearances across 92 games.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the deal. Keuchel hasn’t thrown a pitch in the big leagues since the 2024 campaign. The Athletics are going to give the 38-year-old veteran a late-season opportunity at Triple-A Las Vegas. He won the AL Cy Young Award with the Astros back in 2015 and has made 267 starts in the majors dating back to 2012. He’s a notable addition for the Athletics from a name recognition standpoint, but it would be extremely surprising if he provided any semblance of fantasy value over the final two months.