The Opener

As MLB’s regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. McClanahan to visit team doctor:

Rays lefty Shane McClanahan exited his start after just four innings in yesterday’s 7-2 loss to the Yankees. As noted by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, McClanahan felt tightness in his forearm while warming up ahead of the fourth inning. While the southpaw managed to complete the fourth inning, Topkin adds that he’ll fly back to Tampa to have the issue examined by the team’s doctor. Missed time for McClanahan would be a devastating blow to the Rays, who have fallen to a game and a half behind the Orioles in the race for the AL East crown thanks primarily to a brutal 8-16 record in the month of July. In the event that McClanahan misses time, youngster Taj Bradley seems likely to return to the club’s rotation alongside Tyler Glasnow, Zach Eflin, and the newly-acquired Aaron Civale.

2. Traded starters making their club debuts:

A trio of starters are poised to make their debut with their new club today. Things will kick off at 11:10am CT, when right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3.58 ERA in 18 starts) will make his first start with the Phillies after the club acquired him from the Tigers on the day of the trade deadline. He’ll face the Marlins in Miami for his first start as a Phillie. Next on the docket will be veteran ace Max Scherzer’s debut at Globe Life Field following his trade from the Mets to the Rangers, which begin at 1:05pm CT.

Scherzer’s struggled relative to his Hall of Fame-caliber standards this year with a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts, but will have the opportunity for a fresh start with a new club today against the White Sox. Wrapping up the trio of debuts will be right-hander Jack Flaherty, who was acquired by the Orioles in a deal with the Cardinals just before the trade deadline. Like Scherzer, Flaherty has also struggled somewhat in 2023, with a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts, but will look to make a strong impression on his new club at 2:07pm CT during a start against the division-rival Blue Jays in Toronto.

3. Keuchel decision:

Former AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel triggered an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Twins on Tuesday, giving Minnesota 48 hours to add him to its 40-man roster or else grant him his release. The 35-year-old lefty had a disastrous decline in 2021-22, pitching to a 6.35 ERA in 222 2/3 innings while playing out the final two seasons of a three-year, $55.5MM deal he originally signed with the White Sox. Keuchel signed with the Twins earlier this summer after spending months working out at Driveline Baseball, and the results in Triple-A have been genuinely intriguing: 32 innings of 1.13 ERA ball with a 21.2% strikeout rate, 9.1% walk rate and huge 61.5% ground-ball rate. The Twins will have to decide today whether to select Keuchel’s contract to the Major League roster or cut him loose. Given that trades are now no longer permitted, most clubs will be looking for ways to bolster their pitching depth. Based on his pre-2021 track record and small-sample intrigue in Triple-A this year, it’s easy to see Keuchel latching on elsewhere if the Twins choose not to make room for him on the active roster.

With trade season officially in the past, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Post-Deadline Roster Moves:

While the trade deadline has come and gone, yesterday’s trades figure to continue impacting the rosters of clubs going forward. While clubs need to clear 40-man roster space for acquired players at the time of the deal, most active roster moves take longer to be completed. One such example regards the deal that sent third baseman Jeimer Candelario to the Cubs; while Chicago acquired Candelario on Monday, he wasn’t activated until the following day, when first baseman Trey Mancini was designated for assignment as a corresponding move. On the other end of the spectrum, sellers typically find themselves with plenty of 40-man roster spots available following trade season, allowing them to select additional players to the roster, as the Pirates and Mets did yesterday, or place waiver claims on the myriad players who found themselves designated for assignment in the past few days.

2. Kirilloff Undergoes MRI:

Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff underwent an MRI on his shoulder yesterday, as noted by The Athletic’s Dan Hayes. Kirilloff, who went on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with a shoulder strain, has been a key cog in the Twins’ lineup this year when healthy, slashing .270/.357/.442 with a 124 wRC+ in 258 plate appearances. With Kirilloff on the shelf, first base reps figure to primarily go to Donovan Solano and Joey Gallo, the latter of whom will shift from the outfield to the infield to cover for Kirilloff. Those additional outfield at-bats figure to be split between Max Kepler, Willi Castro, and Matt Wallner in the outfield corners.

3. Miley to return:

Veteran southpaw Wade Miley has been on the shelf since early July due to discomfort in his elbow but is expected to be activated from the 15-day IL to take the ball in today’s game against the Nationals. During this second stint in Milwaukee throughout his 13-year big league career, Miley has pitched solidly with a 3.06 ERA and 4.38 FIP in 67 2/3 innings (13 starts). While a starter with an ERA+ 39% better than league average is a surefire upgrade to the rotation of any given club, Miley’s return is a particularly valuable development given Milwuakee just lost right-hander Julio Teheran (4.74 ERA in 11 starts) to the IL due to a hip impingement over the weekend.

The trade deadline is upon is! Teams have until 5pm CT today to complete trades. This is the fifth year of the one true trade deadline — it’s been a half decade since MLB officially did away with revocable August trade waivers and capped all trades of Major League players (i.e. anyone presently on a 40-man roster or who has, at some point, previously been on a 40-man roster at any point in the current season). With so much possible activity, today’s Opener will be asked to cover more than one inning, so to speak. Here are six things we’ll be watching most keenly today…

1. Will Verlander be on the move?

The Mets already traded Max Scherzer to the Rangers, David Robertson to the Marlins and Mark Canha to the Brewers. Major League Baseball’s largest-ever payroll has begun to be whittled down as a wildly disappointing Mets roster is picked apart and sold off at the trade deadline. There’s no bigger name on the Mets — and perhaps no bigger name in the sport — on the trade market right than Justin Verlander now. Mets general manager Billy Eppler has spoken to his counterparts with the Astros, Dodgers and others about a potential deal involving Verlander. The three-time Cy Young winner is still owed about $14.444MM of this year’s salary, plus $43.333MM for the 2024 campaign — his age-41 season. And, if Verlander reaches 140 innings in 2024, he’ll trigger a $35MM player option for the 2025 season. Verlander has a full no-trade clause that only further complicates a potential deal.

The Mets will also be active elsewhere. Outfielder Tommy Pham is a free agent at season’s end and a veritable lock to be traded. Lefty Brooks Raley is controlled through 2024 via club option but could easily be dealt. Catcher Omar Narvaez and righty Adam Ottavino both have player options for the 2024 season (though the former has struggled badly and seems likely to exercise his).

2.  The Tigers’ inevitable trade(s)

There aren’t many likelier players to be traded today than Tigers righty Michael Lorenzen. The team’s lone All-Star representative is playing on a one-year, $8.5MM deal and has delivered a solid 3.58 ERA, 19.9% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate and 42.2% grounder rate in 105 2/3 innings for a selling Tigers club. He’s drawn interest from the Orioles, Marlins and Astros, among others.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez isn’t as straightforward a trade candidate, given the three years and $49MM remaining on his contract after the current season. He can opt out of that remaining sum at season’s end, however, which creates ample risk for any acquiring team; Rodriguez would only forgo that opt-out if he pitched poorly enough and/or suffered a notable injury following a trade to warrant it. Effectively, if he pitches well, he’s a rental.  If he flames out or gets hurt, the new team is on the hook for this year’s remaining salary plus another three years and $49MM. E-Rod has still pitched well enough to merit widespread interest, though he’s struggled in two of four starts since returning from a six-week absence due to a tendon injury in his finger.

3. All eyes on Flaherty, Carlson, DeJong in St. Louis

The Cardinals’ widely expected sell-off has already seen Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton and Jordan Hicks shipped out — and by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s own admission, it’s likely not over. Right-hander Jack Flaherty is right up there alongside the aforementioned Lorenzen when talking about the likeliest players to be traded today. The 27-year-old righty is a free agent at season’s end who has posted a decent (if unspectacular) 4.43 ERA in 109 2/3 innings. Flaherty’s fastball, strikeout rate and walk rate have all gone the wrong direction since his 2018-21 peak, but the demand for pitching is strong and the Cardinals will likely find a deal.

Shortstop Paul DeJong’s glove and ability to hit lefties should lead to him being moved, too, and the Cardinals have ostensibly been shopping outfielder Dylan Carlson after pushing him to a bench role.

4. What’s next for the Mariners?

The Mariners won more games than any team in baseball in July. They also traded closer Paul Sewald to the D-backs yesterday, shipped struggling veteran AJ Pollock to the Giants, and have reportedly at least listened on Teoscar Hernandez, Ty France and some members of their outstanding young rotation. The Mariners are only 3.5 games out of the AL Wild Card spot. Many will assume they’re straight sellers after the Sewald trade and the rumors of listening on several veterans, but Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto added Major League-ready help in the Sewald talent and could very well end up blurring the line between “buyer” and “seller,” as he’s done multiple times in the past. As usual, the Mariners are one of the most interesting teams to watch as the deadline looms.

5. How will the Padres approach the deadline?

The Padres swept the AL West-leading Rangers over the weekend and have pulled themselves to within three games of the .500 mark. In a largely underwhelming season, they’ve begun to turn the tide and now sit just five games back in the NL Wild Card hunt. Owner Peter Seidler pushed back on the notion of “reversing course” and selling players earlier this month, and San Diego is reportedly on the lookout for bullpen help and upgrades to the offense. There’d been talk of potential trades involving free-agents-to-be Blake Snell and/or Josh Hader, but the team’s recent play and Seidler’s commitment to the 2023 season set the stage for president of baseball operations AJ Preller to once again add to the roster.

6. Will the Yankees sell?

The Yankees don’t have much to sell, but they’re said to be open to offers on impending free agents. That opens the door for possible deals of center fielder Harrison Bader, southpaw reliever Wandy Peralta and/or utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa; the rest of the Yankees’ rental players (Josh Donaldson, Luis Severino, Frankie Montas) haven’t been healthy enough and/or productive enough to carry much in the way of trade value. If the Yankees were willing to take it a step further and sell off players controlled/signed through the 2024 season, that’d be far more interesting. Gleyber Torres and Clay Holmes, in particular, would be intriguing trade candidates in that scenario.

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There are, of course, plenty of other storylines to watch throughout the day. The White Sox could continue to sell. The Brewers want another bat. Neither the Reds nor the Orioles have added the pitching they’ve reportedly sought. The Twins have been looking for bullpen help and a right-handed bat. Do the Angels or Rangers have another move up their sleeve? The Phillies have been looking at right-handed bats. Will the Braves get the bullpen arm they’re seeking? And the possibility of a last-minute, unexpected entrant joining the trade market always looms on deadline day.

As always, we’ll be covering all of the day’s action here at MLBTR. Follow us on Twitter, download our free iOS and Android app (and set up notifications for your favorite teams and/or trade targets of interest), and or just go the traditional route and mash the refresh button throughout the day! If you like the coverage we provide, consider an ad-free subscription to support our efforts.

With trade season in full swing, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. The Trade Deadline Draws Near:

MLB’s trade deadline is less than 36 hours away, and things kicked into gear in a big way over the weekend. The Rangers transformed their rotation by adding Max Scherzer in a deal with the Mets and Jordan Montgomery in a deal with the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays found a replacement for the injured Jordan Romano in Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks. The Angels added depth to their position player group by acquiring Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron from the Rockies, while the Braves added infield depth of their own by dealing for Nicky Lopez from the Royals.

Looking ahead, the Red Sox are at least listening on outfielder Alex Verdugo, who could hold extra appeal to teams seeking a lefty-hitting outfielder after the Cubs took Cody Bellinger off the trade market. Among the biggest question marks headed into the last day before the deadline is Mets ace Justin Verlander. He signed a two-year, $86.666MM deal with the Mets during the offseason that included a no-trade clause, though comments from Verlander have indicated that the club’s decision to deal Scherzer and that decision’s implications for the club’s competitiveness in 2024 could make him willing to waive that no-trade protection. The Dodgers, Astros, Braves, and Reds have all been connected to the future Hall of Famer.

2. Thor Starts In Cleveland:

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard was recently shipped from the Dodgers to the Guardians in a change of scenery deal that sent infielder Amed Rosario the other way. He’ll make his first start for his new club today, taking the mound this evening against J.P. France and the Astros in Houston this evening. It will be Syndergaard’s first start since a three-inning, six-run blowup against the Reds in Cincinnati that raised his season ERA in 7.16. That was nearly two months ago, as the Dodgers placed Syndergaard on the IL with a blister issue. Now that Syndergaard is presumably fully healthy, the Guardians will hope that a new organization can help him get back on track, allowing Syndergaard to stabilize a Cleveland rotation that will be without Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie for the foreseeable future.

3. Series Preview: Reds @ Cubs

The NL Central has been one of this summer’s most back-and-forth division races, and a coming four-game set between the Reds and Cubs at Wrigley Field could once against turn the tides in their division. The Reds took the lead in the Central yesterday, putting them half a game ahead of Milwaukee and four games ahead of Chicago. The Reds are 3-3 in their last six games, while the Cubs just saw an eight-game win streak snapped by a loss last night. The Reds will try to pull further ahead in the Central with rookie left-hander Andrew Abbott on the mound (1.90 ERA). The Cubs will counter with right-hander Marcus Stroman (3.51 ERA) as they try to gain ground in the division.

As we head into the final weekend before the trade deadline, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Trade season continues:

With trade season in full swing, the deals and rumors kept coming yesterday, highlighted by a pair of intradivision swaps: the Pirates dealt first baseman Carlos Santana to the NL Central-leading Brewers while the Mets officially began their selloff by shipping closer David Robertson to the Marlins. A pair of big names also entered the rumor mill yesterday, as reports surfaced that the Padres are willing to listen to offers on superstar Juan Soto and the Dodgers have discussed a deal for third baseman Nolan Arenado with the Cardinals. And, while it at one point looked like the Cards might extend closer Jordan Hicks rather than trade him, talks on a new contract have apparently not progressed. With just four days until the deadline on August 1, who will be traded next?

2. Giolito to make Angels debut:

After being dealt to the west coast alongside relief arm Reynaldo Lopez in exchange for two prospects, right-hander Lucas Giolito is poised to make his first start as a member of the Angels this evening. He’ll take the mound against Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman to kick off a series that could have a major impact on the state of the AL Wild Card race. The Blue Jays currently hold the third and final spot with a 57-46 record that puts them three games ahead of Anaheim prior to their three-game set. The outcome of this series could be impactful not only for the Blue Jays and Angels, but also for the Red Sox and Yankees. Both clubs sit between Toronto and Anaheim in the standings, 1.5 games and 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, respectively.

3. Freeland to return:

Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list today to take the ball in this evening’s start against the A’s at Coors Field. Freeland made his major league debut in 2017 and posted a pair of excellent seasons to kick off his major league career, with a 3.39 ERA (143 ERA+) and 4.06 FIP in 358 1/3 innings. In the following years, however, he’s had the look of a back-of-the-rotation arm rather than a clear playoff-caliber rotation piece, with an exactly league average ERA+ of 100 since the start of the 2019 season. This season, Freeland sports a 4.72 ERA (107 ERA+) in 19 starts for the Rockies. His return should bring some stability to a Rockies rotation that currently includes Austin Gomber, Chase Anderson, and Peter Lambert.

On the heels of trade season kicking into high gear last night, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will more deals be swung today?

We saw trade season kick off in earnest yesterday as the Marlins and Twins swapped right-handers Dylan Floro and Jorge Lopez, the Dodgers and Guardians swapped righty Noah Syndergaard and infielder Amed Rosario, and the Angels clearly declared themselves buyers by taking Shohei Ohtani off the market just hours before swinging a deal for right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the biggest trade of the year so far. With just five days until the trade deadline on Aug. 1, more deals could be announced as soon as today. Recent reports have indicated that infielder Jeimer Candelario is on the Angels’ radar. The White Sox were discussing righty Lance Lynn with multiple clubs yesterday and seem certain to deal him after the Giolito/Lopez swap. A reunion between the Dodgers and right-hander Joe Kelly has also been discussed.

2. Eflin MRI:

Rays righty Zach Eflin exited yesterday’s start after just four innings and went for an immediate MRI on his left knee after experiencing discomfort during a rocky outing (five runs in those four frames). Eflin, who inked a three-year deal worth $40MM in Tampa Bay over the winter, entered yesterday’s outing with a 3.36 ERA on the season and has been one of the team’s most consistent arms. However, he has chronic knee issues that have plagued him dating back to his amateur days. The right-hander had surgery on both knees in 2016 and underwent a second right knee procedure in 2021.

The Rays were already on the lookout for rotation help after losing Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen for the season. Any absence for Eflin would only accelerate their bid to acquire starting pitching. They were among the teams talking to the White Sox about Lynn as recently as yesterday, and they’ve previously been linked to Marcus Stroman, Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, among others. The Rays are off today, so an update on Eflin isn’t a guarantee, but his status will be pivotal with regard to their level of aggression as the deadline looms.

3. Cubs’ last stand?

Despite being considered a likely seller by much of the baseball world for much of the season to this point, the Cubs are reportedly still evaluating their approach to the trade deadline on August 1. Muddying the waters on the decision for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is the club’s play in recent weeks, as the Cubs have won seven of their last eight, making them 8-4 since the All Star break and 12-9 in July. In the event the club decides to sell, Chicago has some of the most interesting rentals on the market this July in right-hander Marcus Stroman and center fielder Cody Bellinger.

The Cubs are six games back of the division lead and 4.5 games back of a crowded NL Wild Card race. That being said, they also sport the NL Central’s only positive run differential and could put themselves back over .500 for the first time since May with a series win in St. Louis this weekend. Lefty Justin Steele takes the mound for the club against tonight opposite Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas for the first game of a four-game set that will take the clubs into deadline day, when Hoyer and his front office will have to make a decision on the Cubs’ course of action.

With just six days until the trade deadline, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will the Cardinals and Hicks hammer out an extension?

The Cardinals are one of this trade deadline’s few clear sellers with multiple interesting rental options for buyers to pursue. That group of players includes right-hander Jordan Hicks, though Katie Woo of The Athletic indicated that Hicks ultimately may not move at all. The sides are reportedly having discussion regarding a multi-year contract extension that would keep Hicks in St. Louis long-term. While the Cardinals would be expected to move Hicks before the deadline if an extension doesn’t come together, Woo notes that there’s optimism a deal could be done as soon as today. In the event that Hicks signs, the Cardinals would still have a pair of rental relievers to market in Chris Stratton and Drew VerHagen, though neither would be expected to command a return similar to Hicks, who sports a 2.25 ERA and 1.92 FIP dating all the way back to mid-April.

2. Song’s final rehab appearance:

Phillies right-hander Noah Song is expected to throw two innings in a final rehab start for the club’s Triple-A affiliate today, per MLB.com. Song, 26, did not pitch professionally from 2020-2022 due to his service as an officer in the US Navy. The Phillies selected him in the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason anyhow due to his impressive stuff and strong numbers in the minors prior to his military service, giving him an opportunity to reach the big leagues for the first time in his career. That was derailed by a back issue that sent Song to the 60-day IL to open the season. The maximum time for Song’s minor league rehab assignment is set to expire later this week, meaning the Phillies will have to decide whether to add him to the active roster or return him to the Red Sox organization. In 9 2/3 innings of work in the minors this year, Song sports a 3.72 ERA and 29.8% strikeout rate.

3. Astros getting healthy, gaining on Rangers:

After winning the first two games of their current three-game set against the Rangers, the Astros head into the series finale tonight just one game back of their division-leading rivals. A win tonight would put the clubs in a tie for first place in the AL West, and Houston appears likely to get reinforcements from the injured list ahead of tonight’s game, which will begin at 7:10pm CT. Both Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve could be activated from the IL today, adding a pair of high-end bats to an Astros lineup that ranks just ninth in the AL with a roughly league average 101 wRC+ since losing Altuve to injury earlier in the month. Alvarez has hitter, slashing .277/.388/.589 (166 wRC+) with 17 homers in 242 plate appearances this season. Altuve has been limited to just 32 games this year due to injuries but has still managed to slash .261/.374/.479 — good for a wRC+ of 138.

As the trade deadline draws ever closer, here are three things we’re keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Draft Pick Signing Deadline:

The deadline for clubs to agree to terms with their picks from the 2023 Amateur Draft is at 4pm CT this afternoon. The vast majority of top picks have signed, with only three in the first 100 selections currently unsigned: Walker Jenkins (No. 5 overall, Twins) Jackson Baumeister (No. 63 overall, Orioles), and Jaxon Wiggins (No. 68 overall, Cubs). In the event that Minnesota, Baltimore or Chicago fail to sign their picks, they will receive a compensatory pick in next year’s draft.

2. Yordan nearing return:

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters yesterday, including Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, that star slugger Yordan Alvarez is nearing a return to action and could be activated from the injured list as soon as today. Alvarez has been 10-day IL for just over six weeks due to an oblique strain. The Astros are two games back of the Rangers for the AL West lead with a 57-44 record. In 57 games this season, Alvarez has slashed a phenomenal .277/.388/.589, good for a wRC+ of 167 that ranks behind only Corey Seager and Shohei Ohtani among those with at least 240 plate appearances. Alvarez’s return would seemingly result in reduced playing time for outfielder Corey Julks, who has posted a decent wRC+ of 93 to this point in his rookie season.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

With MLB’s trade deadline just a week from today, the baseball world is buzzing with rumors of deals to come. If you have any questions about your favorite team’s direction as the deadline nears, a trade idea you have in the back of your mind, or are wondering what it would take for your team to acquire a certain player, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 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.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Red Sox infield logjam coming to a head:

Red Sox infielder Pablo Reyes has been on the injured list for just over a month due to an abdominal strain, and most of that time has been spent on a rehab assignment. That rehab assignment is set to expire today, meaning the club will be forced to either roster or DFA Reyes, who is out of options, by the start of tomorrow’s game. That will create a logjam of middle infielders who can’t be optioned on the roster, with Enrique Hernandez, Yu Chang, and Christian Arroyo all also fitting that description.

While this logjam would seemingly create a situation where the Red Sox must trade or DFA a player in that group, MLB.com’s Ian Browne indicated yesterday that Arroyo is dealing with a jammed right thumb. If Arroyo, who hasn’t played since July 18, were to require a trip to the 10-day injured list, that would kick the can down the road for Boston until after the trade deadline on August 1, allowing them to keep all four players in the organization for longer and preserve leverage in trade negotiations.

2. Wainwright to return:

The Cardinals are turning to veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright to start today’s game against the Diamondbacks, as manager Oli Marmol told reporters (including Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). It’s been a disastrous season for Wainwright to this point, as the 41-year-old hurler posted a ghastly 7.66 ERA with a strikeout rate of just 11% against a 7.5% walk rate in 11 starts before going on the injured list with a shoulder strain earlier this month. Upon returning, Wainwright will look to rebound as he sits just two victories away from the 200th win of his enduring 18-year major league career.

3. Series Preview: Reds @ Brewers:

The Reds head to American Family Field in Milwaukee today for a three-game set against the Brewers with the NL Central lead on the line. In back-to-back three-game sets separated by the All-Star break, Cincinnati has ceded significant ground to Milwaukee by losing five of six. Outside of those games against the Brewers, however, the Reds have gone 10-3 in the month of July and are currently riding a five-game win streak. That success has allowed them to stay just half a game back of Milwaukee headed into the coming series.

Tonight’s game will feature young right-hander Graham Ashcraft (5.77 ERA) facing off against journeyman Colin Rea (4.64 ERA), while tomorrow’s game will offer a pitching duel between rookie Andrew Abbott (2.10 ERA) and ace Corbin Burnes (3.48 ERA). The series will wrap with Brewers hurler Freddy Peralta (4.72 ERA) taking the mound against Reds righty Ben Lively (3.88 ERA). The series kicks off this evening at 7:10pm CT.

With the 2023 MLB regular season 60% complete, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Hall of Fame Induction Weekend:

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the class of 2023 is set to take place this weekend, with Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen set officially join the ranks of Hall of Famers enshrined in Cooperstown. 50 Hall of Famers will be in attendance in total, with the full list of participants available through the National Baseball Hall of Fame website. A variety of programming leading up to the induction ceremony is scheduled on MLB Network throughout the weekend. The ceremony itself will take place on Sunday at 12:30pm CT and can be watched via MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, or through the MLB app.

2. Mejia to undergo MRI:

Rays catcher Francisco Mejia exited yesterday’s game with the Orioles after the sixth inning after seemingly injuring his knee on a play at the plate in the fourth inning. Following the game, manager Kevin Cash told reporters, including Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, that Mejia was undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, which Cash suggested could be a sprain. The only extra catcher on the club’s 40-man roster is Rene Pinto, who Ackert notes is currently with the Florida Complex League on a rehab assignment.

If Mejia misses time and Pinto isn’t ready to go, the club’s other Triple-A options are Blake Hunt, Roberto Alvarez, and Nick Dini. Of the three, only Dini has past experience in the majors. If Mejia’s injury proves to be significant, it could incentivize the club to swing a deal for a catcher ahead of the trade deadline. Joey Bart of the Giants and Yan Gomes of the Cubs were the only two catchers to appear on MLBTR’s Top 50 Deadline Trade Candidates list earlier this month, though Tom Murphy of the Mariners and Austin Hedges of the Pirates both received additional mentions.

3. Cubs infielders getting healthy:

Some positive injury news from the north side of Chicago today, as infielder Nick Madrigal is headed for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa, per MLB.com. The 26 year old has been on the injured list since the beginning of the month with a hamstring strain. Madrigal isn’t the only infielder who could return to the lineup in the near future, as MLB.com adds that 2023 All Star Dansby Swanson could be activated from the 10-day injured list during this weekend’s series against the Cardinals. Swanson has been out with a bruised heel for just over two weeks to this point.

In 167 trips to the plate this season, Madrigal has hit .278/.335/.364 with a wRC+ of 95 while primarily playing solid defense at both second and third base. Madrigal struggled badly in the early part of the season to the point where he was optioned to Triple-A in mid-May, but since returning to the big leagues he’s improved dramatically with a .328/.408/.466 slash line in 19 games. Swanson, on the other hand, has slashed a solid .258/.343/.409 (108 wRC+) in 367 plate appearances with the Cubs to go along with stellar defense at shortstop but had cooled off in the weeks prior to his injury, with an uninspiring .237/.297/.330 line in his last 30 games.