Samwise MLB Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
2026 MLB Draft: White Sox Select UCLA's Roch Cholowsky #1 Overall
The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, capping off a standout college career. The 21-year-old Cholowsky hit .320/.452/.636 with 21 home runs in 60 games this season, showcasing plus power and on-base skills rare for an amateur shortstop. Chicago, holding the first pick for the second consecutive season, is widely expected to deploy Cholowsky on an accelerated timeline as the franchise continues rebuilding around a core that also includes top prospect Colson Montgomery. The full 25-team first round was completed July 11.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ohtani Out of All-Star Game With Left Knee Irritation; Dodgers Also Lose Glasnow
Shohei Ohtani will miss the All-Star Game in Washington next week due to irritation in his surgically-repaired left kneecap, the Dodgers confirmed Saturday. The two-way superstar will have the knee drained during the break and is not expected to require surgery. Ohtani will continue to serve as a designated hitter but will skip his next scheduled start on the mound. Justin Wrobleski will take his spot on the NL roster. The Dodgers are already without Tyler Glasnow (back injury, 2-plus months), Blake Snell (elbow surgery, begins rehab next week), and Edwin Diaz, who is on a rehab assignment.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors NBC Sports CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Cardinals Lock Up Rookie JJ Wetherholt on 8-Year, $112.5M Extension
The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to an eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension with rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt on Saturday, keeping their 23-year-old sensation in St. Louis through 2034 with potential bonuses pushing the deal to $132 million. Wetherholt, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, has 13 home runs and 57 runs scored this season and leads all NL rookies in multiple offensive categories. The deal is the largest pre-arbitration extension in Cardinals franchise history since Albert Pujols signed a seven-year, $100 million deal in 2004, a benchmark that underscores how highly St. Louis values Wetherholt.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
White Sox Deal Jacob Gonzalez, Brandon Eisert to Pirates for 34th Pick
One day after selecting Roch Cholowsky first overall, the White Sox completed a trade-deadline warmup on Saturday, sending infielder Jacob Gonzalez and reliever Brandon Eisert to Pittsburgh in exchange for the 34th overall pick and left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods. The Pirates had been searching for infield depth after shortstop Konnor Griffin suffered a finger injury. Gonzalez played mostly first base in Chicago while Eisert posted a 5.93 ERA out of the bullpen this season. The deal gives the White Sox additional draft capital as they continue a rebuild that has centered heavily on the 2025 and 2026 draft classes.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Red Sox Win 8th Straight, Blank Mets 4–0 to Inch Toward Wild Card
Boston sent the Mets to another shutout loss Saturday, beating New York 4–0 to extend their winning streak to eight games. Andrew Monasterio and Masataka Yoshida each hit two-run home runs to provide all the offense Boston needed. The Red Sox, who trailed the Mariners and Twins by just a half-game for the third AL Wild Card spot entering play, have been one of baseball’s hottest teams over the past two weeks after being on the verge of falling completely out of contention. The win kept the pressure on Seattle and Minnesota as all three clubs jockey for position before the All-Star break.
Sources: MLB.com CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bregman Breaks Slump With Go-Ahead Homer as Cubs Top Reds 5–3
Alex Bregman snapped an 0-for-18 skid Saturday with a go-ahead two-run home run off Reds reliever Luis Garcia in the seventh inning, lifting Chicago to a 5–3 victory over Cincinnati. Bregman was 2-for-18 entering the at-bat, making the blast a welcome breakthrough for the Cubs third baseman. Michael Busch added three hits, and Carson Kelly also homered for Chicago, which needed six pitchers to get through the game with Drew Pomeranz picking up his third win. Cincinnati scored all three of its runs via the long ball, with home runs from Tommy Lowe, Eugenio Suarez, and JJ Bleday doing the damage.
Mahle Ends 2-Month Drought With 7 Strong Innings as Giants Down Rockies 4–2
Tyler Mahle earned his first victory since April 22 on Saturday, limiting Colorado to one run over seven innings to lead San Francisco to a 4–2 win over the Rockies. Mahle, who entered with a 2-8 record and 6.34 ERA in one of the roughest seasons of his career, was sharp in limiting Colorado's lineup. Casey Schmitt provided the decisive blow with a tiebreaking three-run home run in the sixth inning, scoring Ramos and Arraez ahead of him. The Giants manager was ejected in the eighth but San Francisco held on. The victory offered some hope for a Giants squad that has struggled for consistency all season.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Zac Gallen Scratched With Elbow Inflammation; IL Move Possible
Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen was scratched from his scheduled Sunday start with elbow inflammation, the Diamondbacks announced Saturday, raising the possibility of an IL stint. Gallen, who returned to Arizona on a one-year deal after declining a $22 million qualifying offer last offseason, has been hampered by a career-worst 6.34 ERA this season. Triple-A Reno starter Mitch Bratt, who carries a 2.41 ERA in the minors this year, is set to take Gallen's rotation spot Sunday. Arizona has not disclosed how significant the inflammation is, but elbow issues in pitchers frequently require extended rest or further evaluation before any return timeline can be established.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Orioles' Ryan Helsley Expected to Avoid Surgery; Keegan Akin Situation More Serious
Baltimore closer Ryan Helsley is expected to avoid surgery despite a UCL issue that landed him on the injured list for the second time this season, the Orioles announced Saturday. Tests showed inflammation around the ligament rather than a tear, offering some relief for a bullpen that has already lost Felix Bautista to shoulder surgery rehab. However, left-hander Keegan Akin received more troubling news, as his own UCL injury has him visiting renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion. Helsley had gone 7-for-7 in save opportunities before his first IL stint earlier this year after signing a two-year, $28 million deal in the winter.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Padres Even Series With Blue Jays on France's Go-Ahead Homer, Win 8–7
Ty France delivered the go-ahead home run Saturday as San Diego scratched out an 8–7 victory over Toronto to even their series at one game apiece. France’s blast gave the Padres the lead in a high-scoring affair that saw both bullpens tested. Sung-Mun Song and Manny Machado each drove in two runs for San Diego, providing the offensive firepower necessary in a game that required contributions up and down the lineup. The victory snapped a brief skid for the Padres, who have been fighting to maintain their position in a crowded NL West that remains dominated by the Dodgers but features multiple teams within range of a playoff spot.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
AL East
1. NY Yankees — 46–30, —
2. Tampa Bay — 43–31, 2.0
3. Toronto — 38–39, 8.5
4. Boston — 45–48, 9.5
5. Baltimore — 37–42, 10.5
AL Central
1. Cleveland — 41–37, —
2. Chi. White Sox — 39–37, 1.0
3. Minnesota — 38–41, 3.5
4. Detroit — 33–44, 7.5
5. Kansas City — 32–46, 9.0
AL West
1. Seattle — 40–39, —
2. Athletics — 38–40, 1.5
3. Texas — 37–40, 2.0
4. Houston — 37–42, 3.0
5. LA Angels — 32–47, 8.0
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta — 48–28, —
2. Philadelphia — 42–35, 6.5
3. Miami — 40–38, 9.0
4. Washington — 40–38, 9.0
5. NY Mets — 34–43, 14.5
NL Central
1. Milwaukee — 46–29, —
2. St. Louis — 41–34, 5.0
3. Chi. Cubs — 40–37, 7.0
4. Pittsburgh — 39–39, 8.5
5. Cincinnati — 37–39, 9.5
NL West
1. LA Dodgers — 49–29, —
2. San Diego — 39–37, 9.0
3. Arizona — 39–38, 9.5
4. San Francisco — 31–46, 17.5
5. Colorado — 30–48, 19.0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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