Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, July 17, 2026
Mets Beat Phillies 4-1 in Smoke-Shrouded Second-Half Opener
The New York Mets opened the second half of the 2026 season with a convincing 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, though the game was played under a haze of smoke from nearby wildfires that hung over Citizens Bank Park. Francisco Alvarez carried the Mets offense with two home runs, while Brett Baty added a solo shot. Christian Scott earned the win, improving to 3-1 on the season, while Aaron Nola suffered the loss, dropping to 3-7. Juan Soto was removed from the game in the eighth inning with left calf soreness, a development that immediately drew concern from the Mets dugout.
Sources: ESPN NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mets Begin Fielding Offers in Deadline Sell-Off
The New York Mets have begun taking calls from teams interested in their available trade assets ahead of the July 31 deadline, per MLB Trade Rumors late Thursday. Sitting at 40-57, New York has made pitchers Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley, outfielder David Peralta, and reliever A.J. Minter available. Some teams have inquired about Francisco Alvarez, but the Mets have made clear he is not on the table. Also not available: Juan Soto, Christian McLean, Christian Scott, Jake Benge, and Tyler Ewing. The Mets' full sell-off signals a complete organizational pivot toward rebuilding as the deadline approaches.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Juan Soto Exits With Left Calf Soreness, Expected Back This Weekend
New York Mets star Juan Soto exited Thursday's series opener against Philadelphia with left calf soreness in the eighth inning, a concerning development for a team already beginning its deadline sell-off. CBS Sports reported Friday that Soto is considered day-to-day and is expected back this weekend, offering some relief for the Mets and any potential trade partners monitoring his status. Soto had been having a productive first half in 2026 before the injury. The Mets indicated they do not plan to place him on the injured list at this time, though his weekend availability will be reassessed on a day-to-day basis.
Sources: CBS Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Brad Keller Placed on IL With UCL Tear, Likely Done for 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Brad Keller has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a UCL tear in his right elbow, retroactive to July 13, the team announced Thursday. The injury is expected to end Keller's 2026 season and potentially his 2027 campaign as well, casting serious doubt over his two-year, $22 million contract. The 30-year-old had been a key part of Philadelphia's rotation before the injury. The timing is particularly damaging for the Phillies, who were already engaged in trade deadline planning and now face a significantly more pressing need to acquire starting pitching help before July 31.
Sources: NBC Sports CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Chase Burns Signs 7-Year, $105M Extension — Largest Ever for Pre-Arb Pitcher
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns has signed a seven-year, $105 million contract extension, making it the largest deal ever given to a pre-arbitration pitcher in major league history, per MLB Trade Rumors and ESPN on Thursday. The deal runs through the 2033 season and locks up Burns, who turned 23 this year, with Cincinnati for the foreseeable future. Burns has been outstanding in 2026, posting a 2.54 ERA across 18 starts and 102.2 innings. The Reds secured one of baseball's most promising young arms at what could prove to be a significant long-term bargain given the trajectory of pitcher salaries across the game.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Phillies' Deadline Needs Grow Urgent After Keller Injury
The UCL tear suffered by Brad Keller has dramatically amplified the Philadelphia Phillies' needs heading into the July 31 trade deadline. Per CBS Sports, Philadelphia's bullpen already ranked 21st in MLB with a 4.44 ERA before Thursday's news, and the team also needs a starting pitcher and a right-handed hitting outfielder. With Keller now unavailable, rotation concerns have escalated from a priority to an emergency. The Phillies enter the second half as buyers in a competitive National League East and will need to act decisively over the next two weeks to shore up a pitching staff that suddenly has more significant holes than management could have anticipated.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Robert Hassell III, Key Piece of Soto Trade, Dealt From Nationals to Pirates
Robert Hassell III, the former top prospect who was a central piece of the 2022 Juan Soto trade from Washington to San Diego, has been traded from the Nationals to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Hassell, 22, was not on the Nationals' 40-man roster at the time of the move, reflecting how his prospect stock has declined since those celebrated days as part of the Soto return. Pittsburgh adds a young outfielder with upside, but takes on a reclamation project whose development had stalled considerably in the years since arriving in Washington via the Padres deal.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLB Outlaws Generative AI on Dugout iPads During Games
Major League Baseball has effectively banned the use of generative artificial intelligence tools on dugout iPads during games, NBC Sports reported Thursday, citing The Athletic. Under the new directive, players and coaches are prohibited from accessing large language models or AI assistants on their in-game devices while in the dugout. The ruling draws a firm line around how technology can be used during live game action in the 2026 season. MLB's decision comes as teams across professional sports have increasingly explored real-time AI for in-game decision-making and strategic analysis, with the league appearing intent on preserving a clear boundary between pre-game preparation tools and active game-time intelligence assistance.
Sources: NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
Through July 11 (pre-All-Star break)
AL East
1. Tampa Bay — 56–37
2. NY Yankees — 53–42, 4.0 GB
3. Boston — 45–48, 11.0 GB
4. Toronto — 45–49, 11.5 GB
5. Baltimore — 45–51, 12.5 GB
AL Central
T1. Cleveland — 50–46
T1. Chi. White Sox — 49–45
3. Minnesota — 47–49, 3.0 GB
4. Detroit — 44–51, 5.5 GB
5. Kansas City — 38–58, 12.0 GB
AL West
1. Texas — 48–46
2. Seattle — 47–49, 2.0 GB
3. Houston — 46–50, 3.0 GB
4. Athletics — 41–54, 7.5 GB
5. LA Angels — 38–58, 11.0 GB
National League
Through July 11 (pre-All-Star break)
NL East
1. Atlanta — 54–40
2. Philadelphia — 53–43, 2.0 GB
3. Miami — 52–44, 3.0 GB
4. Washington — 48–48, 7.0 GB
5. NY Mets — 40–57, 15.0 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee — 59–36
2. Chicago Cubs — 52–42, 6.5 GB
3. St. Louis — 50–44, 8.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh — 49–47, 10.5 GB
5. Cincinnati — 43–50, 15.0 GB
NL West
1. LA Dodgers — 61–34
2. Arizona — 47–47, 13.5 GB
3. San Diego — 46–48, 14.5 GB
4. San Francisco — 40–55, 21.0 GB
5. Colorado — 39–58, 23.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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