Samwise MLB Newsletter
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
AL Wins 2026 All-Star Game 4-0, Bellinger Named MVP in Philly Shutout
The American League shut out the National League 4-0 Tuesday in the 96th MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the Midsummer Classic’s first shutout since 2013. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, an injury replacement for Aaron Judge, drove in two first-inning runs with a single off Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez and earned Ted Williams Award MVP honors, the fourth Yankee to win the prize. Chicago White Sox first-time All-Star Miguel Vargas added an eighth-inning solo home run — the game’s only extra-base hit. Eleven AL pitchers combined to allow just three hits and strike out 15 batters.
Sources: CBS Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Jordan Walker Becomes First Cardinal to Win Home Run Derby in Dramatic Comeback
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker became the first Cardinal to win the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, defeating hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber 12-11 in a dramatic comeback. Trailing Schwarber’s 11 home runs with just three swings remaining, Walker connected on six consecutive home runs — three in the bonus period — to claim the title under this year’s format allowing batters to keep swinging after ending a round on a homer. The 24-year-old Walker, batting .294 with 22 home runs and a league-leading 74 RBIs at the break, earned a $1 million prize — more than his 2026 salary of $799,400.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Junior Caminero Hit by Pitch in All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero exited Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game in the third inning after being struck on his left pinkie finger by a 97.6 mph sinker from Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien. X-rays taken at Citizens Bank Park were negative, and Caminero is listed as day-to-day. He expressed confidence about being ready for the second half, saying the finger was ‘a little bit sore, but we’re all good,’ and said he expects to play when Tampa Bay opens the second half Friday in a day-night doubleheader against Boston at Fenway Park. The Rays (56-37) enter the second half with the AL East’s best record.
Sources: ESPN NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Dodgers, Brewers, Rays Lead Their Leagues at the All-Star Break
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers enter the second half as baseball’s two best teams. Los Angeles, seeking a third straight World Series title, owns the majors’ best record at 61-34 heading into the break. Milwaukee (59-36) leads the NL Central by 6.5 games over the Chicago Cubs. In the American League, Tampa Bay (56-37) paces the AL East, thriving at Tropicana Field with an MLB-best 33-13 home record. Atlanta (54-40) leads the NL East, while Texas (48-46) tops a tight AL West. The August 3 trade deadline looms as the next major inflection point for all contenders.
Sources: NBC Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Misiorowski's Historic First Half Makes Him Baseball's Best Pitcher at the Break
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski enters the second half as the most dominant starter in baseball, leading the majors in ERA (1.47), WHIP (0.78), and strikeouts while posting a 10-4 record over 18 starts and 111 innings. His 167 strikeouts before the break are the most by any pitcher at that point in a season since Max Scherzer in 2019, and opponents are hitting just .150 against him. The 24-year-old skipped his final first-half start for extra rest but is expected to be fully available for Milwaukee’s second-half run. The Brewers rank second in baseball despite ranking 28th in home runs.
Sources: CBS Sports NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Wheeler Rejects Late All-Star Invite: 'Not Gonna Be the Fifth Option'
Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler declined a late invitation to join the NL All-Star roster, calling the offer a ‘pity party’ and saying MLB ‘disrespected’ him by offering a spot only after multiple pitchers ahead of him withdrew. Wheeler was initially excluded because a rule bars pitchers who start the final Sunday before the break from participating — and Wheeler pitched that day. He was passed over in subsequent replacement waves before receiving a fifth-call invitation, which he refused. ‘Not gonna be the fifth option,’ Wheeler said. He has posted a 0.91 WHIP and 4.3 WAR this season after returning from thoracic outlet surgery.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Aaron Judge Undergoes Rib Reimaging During All-Star Break, August Return Possible
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, sidelined since May 31 with a stress fracture of his first right rib, underwent reimaging of the injury during the All-Star break to clarify his return timeline. General manager Brian Cashman said updated scans should determine whether August remains achievable as the best-case scenario. Judge believes he fractured the rib on a diving defensive play in Houston on April 26 but played through the injury until late May, when manager Aaron Boone noticed him struggling to swing. New York has gone 14-19 since he last appeared and trails AL East leader Tampa Bay by four games heading into the second half.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Keegan Akin UCL Injury Forces Baltimore to Move Reliever to 60-Day IL
The Baltimore Orioles transferred left-hander Keegan Akin to the 60-day injured list Monday after an MRI confirmed a UCL injury in his left elbow. Akin, 31, had been on the 15-day IL since June 29 with what was initially described as elbow inflammation following a June 27 outing against Washington. He was examined by orthopedic specialist Dr. Keith Meister to determine if surgery is required, and even if he avoids the operating room, the 60-day move shelves him through at least late August. Baltimore (45-51) sits 12.5 games behind AL East leader Tampa Bay and faces additional bullpen concerns with Akin and closer Ryan Helsley both unavailable.
Sources: MLB.com MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ryan Helsley Expected to Avoid UCL Surgery, Second-Half Return Possible
Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley is expected to avoid UCL surgery, according to team reports, bringing cautious optimism to a Baltimore bullpen depleted by multiple injuries. Helsley, who signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles this past offseason, dealt with two elbow setbacks in 2026 — missing time in May with inflammation before returning in mid-June, then returning to the IL in early July with renewed discomfort. An MRI revealed inflammation around the UCL but no ligament tear, leaving open the possibility of a late-summer return. Helsley went a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities through April before the injuries disrupted his debut Baltimore campaign.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLB Trade Deadline Preview: Skubal, Arraez, Chapman Headline a Loaded Rental Market
With the MLB trade deadline set for August 3 at 6 p.m. ET, contending teams have three weeks to address roster needs before the stretch run. Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal — fully healthy after midseason bone chip surgery — tops the market as the rental acquisition most likely to improve a team’s World Series odds. San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez, in his best offensive season since 2023 and signed through this year, provides a premium bat for buyers. Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox leads the relief market. Milwaukee needs bullpen help, while the New York Mets have positioned themselves as sellers after a miserable first half.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 56–37, —
2. New York Yankees — 53–42, 4.0 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 45–48, 11.0 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 45–49, 11.5 GB
5. Baltimore Orioles — 45–51, 12.5 GB
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 50–46, —
2. Chicago White Sox — 49–45, —
3. Minnesota Twins — 47–49, 3.0 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 44–51, 5.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 38–58, 12.0 GB
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 48–46, —
2. Seattle Mariners — 47–49, 2.0 GB
3. Houston Astros — 46–50, 3.0 GB
4. Athletics — 41–54, 7.5 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 38–58, 11.0 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 54–40, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 53–43, 2.0 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 52–44, 3.0 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 48–48, 7.0 GB
5. New York Mets — 40–56, 15.0 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 59–36, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 52–42, 6.5 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 50–44, 8.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 49–47, 10.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 43–50, 15.0 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 61–34, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 47–47, 13.5 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 46–48, 14.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 40–55, 21.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 39–58, 23.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency