⚾ Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Jordan Walker Wins 2026 Home Run Derby in Dramatic Comeback
Jordan Walker delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in Home Run Derby history Monday night at Citizens Bank Park. The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder trailed Kyle Schwarber in the final round before reeling off six consecutive home runs to win 12–11, silencing the Philadelphia crowd that had been rooting for their own. Walker, 24 and a first-time All-Star, hit 31 home runs total across the night to become the first Cardinal to win the Derby. On the season, Walker is batting .294 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI through 89 games, emerging as one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
Sources: ESPN | NBC Sports
2026 MLB All-Star Game Comes to Philadelphia Tonight
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is set for tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with first pitch scheduled for 8 PM ET on FOX. Cristopher Sánchez of the host Phillies will start for the National League — the first Phillies pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2011 — while Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays gets the nod for the American League. The Phillies lead all teams with six All-Star selections. Shohei Ohtani, who was selected to represent the NL, will miss the game with left knee irritation, with Kyle Schwarber stepping in as DH after his Home Run Derby run.
Sources: CBS Sports | NBC Sports
AL Defeats NL 6–1 in Futures Game; Flewelling Named MVP
The American League dominated the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, defeating the National League 6–1 behind a standout performance from Tampa Bay Rays catching prospect Nathan Flewelling. Flewelling hit a 365-foot two-run home run in the sixth inning and was named the game’s MVP. The AL’s deep pitching staff shut down the NL’s offense after Franklin Arias drove in the first run of the game. Leo De Vries, the No. 2 overall prospect, added two stolen bases for the AL side. It was the American League’s first Futures Game victory since 2022.
Sources: NBC Sports | CBS Sports
Shohei Ohtani Sits Out All-Star Game with Knee Irritation
Shohei Ohtani will miss tonight’s All-Star Game after the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar disclosed left knee irritation significant enough to require draining before the break. Ohtani, who had a previous pitching outing cut short on June 11 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, said the issue has been present for at least a month and only affects him when pitching, not hitting. He underwent a bipartite patella procedure in 2019. Despite the scare, Ohtani is expected to return to action for the second half of the season, with the Dodgers hosting the New York Yankees on July 18.
Sources: ESPN | Sports Illustrated
Phillies Make History with Six All-Stars; Sánchez to Open Midsummer Classic
The Philadelphia Phillies are making the most of their home-field advantage at this year’s Midsummer Classic. The Phillies lead all teams with six All-Star representatives, and left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will start the game for the National League — the first Phillies pitcher to receive that honor since Roy Halladay in 2011. Sánchez has been outstanding in 2026, posting a 2.62 ERA, striking out 144, and leading NL pitchers in WAR across 127.1 innings. Bryce Harper, a nine-time All-Star, rounds out the Phillies contingent as a Legend Pick, while Kyle Schwarber — fresh off his Home Run Derby finalist run — starts at DH for the NL.
Sources: CBS Sports | NBC Sports
Blake Snell on Track to Return After Elbow Procedure
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell is closing in on a return to the mound after throwing live batting practice for the first time since undergoing a NanoNeedle Scope procedure on his left elbow in mid-May to remove loose bodies. Snell said he feels like he is in the best shape he has been in two years, and the Dodgers plan to send him on a rehab assignment after the All-Star break. He is expected to need four to five rehab starts before rejoining the rotation, putting his return to the Dodgers lineup on a likely early-August timeline.
Sources: CBS Sports | Sports Illustrated
Skubal Wants to Stay in Detroit, But Trade Deadline Looms
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has reportedly told friends he wants to remain in Detroit long-term, but that desire may not stop a trade before the August 3 deadline. The Tigers have been baseball’s hottest team since June 1, going 19–12 over that stretch, and sit just four games out of an AL Wild Card spot — making a deadline deal far from certain. Still, expected return for Skubal would include a top-100 prospect plus additional pieces. The Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, Brewers, and Braves are among the teams that have made offers, per ESPN’s reporting.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Begins Rehab Assignment During All-Star Break
Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. took a significant step toward returning to the lineup on Sunday, beginning a rehab assignment with the FCL Braves during the All-Star break. Acuña has been sidelined since June 9 after aggravating a left hamstring injury against the Chicago White Sox, a setback that came during his comeback from a torn ACL suffered in 2024. Fellow Brave Ha-Seong Kim also began a rehab assignment. The Braves resume play on July 17 when they host the Texas Rangers, and Acuña’s potential return within seven to ten days would provide a significant boost to Atlanta’s division title chase.
Sources: NBC Sports | Atlanta Journal-Constitution
White Sox Take Roch Cholowsky No. 1 in 2026 MLB Draft
The Chicago White Sox kicked off the 2026 MLB Draft by selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick on Saturday. The Tampa Bay Rays followed at No. 2 with Texas prep outfielder Grady Emerson, while the Minnesota Twins took Georgia Tech right-hander Vahn Lackey at No. 3. The San Francisco Giants selected pitcher Jackson Flora at No. 4, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rounded out the top five with outfielder Derek Curiel. The draft, which ran through four rounds during All-Star Week in Philadelphia, gives rebuilding clubs like the White Sox premium talent to build around heading into the next decade.
STANDINGS Through July 13, 2026. * Guardians and White Sox are tied at .521 PCT.
AL East
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | 56-37 | — |
| New York Yankees | 53-42 | 4.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 45-48 | 11.0 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 45-50 | 12.0 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 45-51 | 12.5 |
AL Central
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Guardians | 50-46 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 49-45 | —* |
| Minnesota Twins | 47-49 | 3.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 44-51 | 5.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 38-58 | 12.0 |
AL West
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Rangers | 48-47 | — |
| Seattle Mariners | 47-49 | 1.5 |
| Houston Astros | 47-50 | 2.0 |
| Oakland Athletics | 41-54 | 7.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 38-58 | 10.5 |
NL East
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | 54-40 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 53-43 | 2.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 52-44 | 3.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 48-48 | 7.0 |
| New York Mets | 40-56 | 15.0 |
NL Central
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | 59-36 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 53-42 | 6.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 50-44 | 8.5 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 49-47 | 10.5 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 43-51 | 15.5 |
NL West
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 61-35 | — |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 48-47 | 12.5 |
| San Diego Padres | 47-48 | 13.5 |
| San Francisco Giants | 40-55 | 20.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 39-58 | 22.5 |
Samwise MLB Newsletter is published daily during the MLB season (March–October). All facts drawn from cited sources published July 12–14, 2026. © 2026 Samwise Agency. samwise.agency