MLB Player News

The Rays just don’t have anyone to bat behind Junior Caminero in the cleanup spot as long as they want Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda hitting first and second. Mullins is apparently their top choice against righties, but he’s 0-for-8 so far. Up with two on and one out in the ninth today after a Caminero walk, he popped out harmlessly to third base. He probably should be batting in the bottom-third of a major league lineup at this point, but that can be said about two-thirds of Tampa Bay’s current lineup.

The Twins made things interesting in the late innings, as Lewis’ three-run shot in the eighth brought Minnesota within one run. Luke Keaschall tied things up with a home run of his own in the ninth inning before the Mariners walked it off for the second straight day. Lewis now has a modest eight-game hitting streak going, though this is his first multi-hit game during this stretch.

Poulin’s move is a procedural move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for recently-acquired Yovanny Cruz. The 29-year-old southpaw cannot return from the injured list until September 16 with this placement.

Grable has been exceptional in the minors this year with a 2.45 ERA and 56/10 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 frames while reaching Double-A. The right-hander has a high 90 mph fastball and a plus slider, and he throws both pitches for strikes. He looks ready for the majors, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he joined the Nationals’ bullpen before the end of 2026. If not, he seems very likely to be ready for 2027.

Bird, 30 was optioned to Triple-A after the trade. The right-hander has a chance to help the woeful Nationals’ bullpen, but it’s likely just in a middle-inning role.

Cruz is going to join the Nationals’ bullpen, with the other four players acquired going to the minors. The 26-year-old right-hander has shown intriguing stuff in his limited time in the majors, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was immediately a high-leverage option for the Nationals. He’s worth a flyer for anyone looking for saves over the final seven weeks.

García has been excellent in 2026 with an .873 OPS and 23 homers over his 374 plate appearances. He’ll be in the lineup everyday against right-handers, and the short porch in Yankees Stadium should play well for the 26-year-old. Just keep in mind that he likely won’t play much against southpaws, with Paul Goldschmidt getting those starts against lefties.

The game, already halted for two hours in the third, was delayed for a second time as the bottom of the sixth was about to start and never resumed. De La Cruz’s homer off Kyle Bradish accounted for the only scoring prior to the first delay. He’s 9-for-20 with two homers in eight appearances since being summoned from Triple-A on July 21, which should ensure that he sticks around in the likely event that the Phillies add an outfielder before the deadline. That could result in Gabriel Rincones Jr. returning to Triple-A.

Wheeler was looking sharp today after his unusually short outing against the Marlins on Monday, but there was no way the Phillies could bring him back out after a delay that exceeded two hours. Wheeler fanned three and threw 24 of his 32 pitches for strikes before departing. His next turn is due to come Friday against the Blue Jays, but the Phillies could consider moving him up if he feels good Monday They currently have Andrew Painter lined up for Wednesday’s game against the Nationals.

Bradish surrendered a double to Justin Crawford and then a homer to Bryan De La Cruz in the third before a two-hour delay brought his day to an end. It was enough to get him tagged with his 10th loss of the year. He’ll probably make his next start Friday in Texas.