Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye out for throughout the day today:
1. Orioles catching conundrum:
Orioles catcher Chadwick Tromp was pulled from yesterday’s game due to lower back tightness, a move that forced the Orioles to lose the DH for the remainder of the game so Gary Sánchez could come into the game to take over behind the plate. That suggested Tromp might be dealing with something serious, and interim manager Tony Mansolino confirmed as much to reporters (including Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner) after the game. Mansolino suggested that Tromp was “likely” headed to the IL due to a back strain. That creates a real issue for the Orioles given that they’ve already lost Adley Rutschman and Maverick Handley to the injured list recently. The club will need to add a fourth catcher to the 40-man roster in order to have a healthy backup to Sánchez. Jacob Stallings would seem to be the top candidate, although 20-year-old top prospect Samuel Basallo is already knocking on the doors of the majors with fantastic offense in Triple-A: .264/.390/.579, 16 home runs in 218 plate appearances.
2. Milestones on the horizon:
Several veteran players are on the cusp of crossing some milestone thresholds. Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is sitting on 299 steals in his career, placing him just one shy of becoming the 171st player in MLB history to reach the 300 milestone. He’ll tie B.J. Upton and Frank Taveras when he gets that 300th bag, though he currently has 42 fewer attempts than Upton and 56 fewer than Taveras. Turner is at 20 steals on the season right now — already one more than he tallied in 2024. Starling Marte and Jose Altuve are the only active players with more steals than Turner.
Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana, meanwhile, is just one two-bagger away from becoming the 198th player to reach 400 doubles in his career. He’d join Nolan Arenado (who just reached that milestone Sunday), Altuve, Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew McCutchen and Freddie Freeman as the only active players with 400-plus doubles — not bad company!
Over in San Diego, the countdown to 2000 hits is on for Manny Machado, who currently sits just six knocks shy of that threshold. He won’t get there tonight, but within the next few days Machado could become the 298th player in MLB history to reach that illustrious round number. He trails only Freeman, McCutchen, Goldschmidt and Altuve for the lead among active players.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
It’s now July 1, which means we’re officially just a month away from this year’s trade deadline. Chatter about trade season has already begun in earnest, with clubs on the fence between buying and selling nearing decision time. While it will be difficult for another in-season blockbuster to top the Rafael Devers deal from June, a handful of smaller deals have started to come together around the league as well. Whether you’re looking ahead to the deadline or still trying to sort between the contenders and pretenders, MLBTR’s Steve Adams has you covered in a live chat scheduled for 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Manny is also 17 doubles away from 400. He’s having himself a pretty good year so he’s well on his way to racking up his counting stats.
Manny will knock 3,000 hits, put money on it!
As long as none of them come in the next two games against my Phils…
Frickin’ Wheeler and dealin’…
Guy is good, I hate watching my Pads face him! Against your every wish, I hope my Pads can salvage the series. Cheers Carver
Manny is indeed. There aren’t many more sure bets for the HOF.
Will his HOF plaque minimize or accentuate the horizontal reach of his ear?
It will be a reason to plan a Hall visit in the late 2030s.
Ears*
I was so confused when you said ‘ear’ … my thoughts said “which one?” but then I saw your follow up, Paddy.
Manny “Radar” Machado’s plaque will be extremely three-dimensional! Haha
Carlos Santana has had a fairly under the radar really, really good career. I think he gets forgotten about mainly because he played mostly for Cleveland and bounced around a lot. But almost 2000 hits and over 1000 runs scored and 1000 RBIs and the active career leader in walks. I don’t think of him as a potential HOFer, and I do not think he will get in, but to be honest I am a little surprised that he is even this close to the discussion.
No mention of two players eclipsing the Baines Meter in the same day, which is a huge career milestone. The two players were Corey Seager and Zack Wheeler, of course
BAINES METER MENTION
I know it’s not fair, but “Chadwick Tromp” sounds like a character in a Jeeves and Wooster story.
Spot on Chap!
And before anyone forgets, happy Bobby Bonilla Day.
Mets don’t forget lol
Are the Orioles still paying him too?
They’re still paying Chris Davis, until 2032 I believe.
Clayton Kershaw going for 3,000 strikeouts on Wednesday did that slip your mind?
Let’s go Basallo! It’s time, O’s. Playoff push time.
I don’t see them bringing up Basallo this year. They want him to absolutely dominate AAA, in other words, not start the clock on him until 2026. I think Stallings will be called first.
You’re more than likely correct Thorny, and the O’s will pursue the extra pick by having Basallo committed to the ’26 season honors. I’m just holding onto a smidgen of hope here that the make the “better” Call and promote Basallo now.
And that, children, is why unless you have a utilityman who can fill in as a catcher, you never use a catcher as a DH.