The Official 2025 MLB Regular Season Discussion Thread

[3:10 to Booty]

Shit sucks I loved that dude

 

[Kairi HoHo]

 

[Wolverine]

Rest In Peace, Ryno.

 

[O-Blaze]

Seranthony Domínguez pitched in game 1 of a double header for Baltimore against Toronto. Between game 1 and 2 he was traded to Toronto and pitched in that game as well.

 

[O-Blaze]

Wait. He didn't play game 1 lol never mind

 

[O-Blaze]

Still crazy to get traded between a double header and you gotta walk to the other dug out lmao

 

[Wolverine]

Phillies reach deal for Twins' Duran, sources say

The Phillies have agreed to a deal to acquire star closer Jhoan Duran from the Twins, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Philly is sending right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait, both prospects, to Minnesota in return.

www.espn.com

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a trade for Jhoan Duran, one of the baseball's best relievers, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, and paid a high price to the Minnesota Twins to get it done.

According to sources, Minnesota received catcher Eduardo Tait, regarded as a Top 100 prospect, and pitcher Mick Abel, a rookie with six years of team control. They're ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, among the Phillies' minor league prospects, per ESPN.

The 27-year-old Duran is known for two wipeout pitches -- a fastball with an average velocity of 100.2 mph and a curveball he throws in the mid-80s -- and he is among the most dominant closers. David Dombrowski, the Phillies' head of baseball operations, again aggressively worked to plug a major hole in his bullpen.

The Phillies have a deep and powerful rotation and a lineup comprised of sluggers like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, but their bullpen has been a problem area, again. Jordan Romano, who was signed in the offseason, has struggled, and Jose Alvarado was suspended for 80 games under baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy. Alvarado will be back to pitch in August, but because of his suspension, he is ineligible to pitch in the playoffs and World Series, if the Phillies get that far.

Overall, the Phillies have 16 blown saves this season, tied for fourth-most in the NL. And they've struggled to find a permanent closer, as five different players have multiple blown saves, tied for third-most in the majors, only trailing the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels, who both have six.

Dombrowski has a long track record of being willing to trade high prices in midseason deals. Last year, he aggressively moved for Carlos Estevez.

The Phillies have an older roster. Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto are eligible for free agency at season's end, and the general perception within the industry is that the team is in a window to win right now.

Tait, 18, is hitting .251 with 11 homers for Class-A Clearwater. Abel was the Phillies' first-round pick in 2020, and progressed to the big leagues for the first time this season.

ESPN's Jeff Passan and ESPN Research contributed to this report.

Sources: Mets finalizing deal for closer Helsley

The Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Helsley has 21 saves this season.

www.espn.com

The New York Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday.

In return, the Cardinals are receiving shortstop Jesus Baez, right-hander Nate Dohm and right-hander Frank Elissalt, sources confirmed to ESPN. Baez is rated as the No. 5 prospect in the Mets' system by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel.

Helsley, a 31-year-old in his contract year, has 21 saves for the Cardinals this season, with a 3.00 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched this season. He has 14 walks.

It was the Mets' second move on Wednesday to address the bullpen. New York acquired Tyler Rogers from the Giants to help a relief corps that has been depleted by overuse and injuries. Since mid-May, New York has lost left-handed relievers A.J. Minter and Danny Young and right-handed relievers Max Kranick and Dedniel Núñez for the season because of injuries.

Since June 1, the Mets' bullpen ranks 25th in the majors with a 4.87 ERA and 28th in win probability added.

Helsley had the fourth-best WAR among relievers last season but hasn't been as good this year. His stuff and location are similar, but the main difference is that his fastball is getting hit hard -- with one byproduct being his spiking home run rate.

Helsley, a two-time All-Star, led the majors with 49 saves in 2024, and his 82 saves from 2022 to 2024 ranked sixth among all relievers. He also posted a 1.83 ERA during that span, which trailed only Emmanuel Clase among pitchers with more than 150 innings pitched.

The New York Post was first to report on the players heading to the Cardinals.

ESPN's Jorge Castillo and Kiley McDaniel contributed to this report.

 

[Wolverine]

Acuna's hurt again.

Braves' Acuna dealing with Grade 1 calf strain

The Braves said Wednesday that star Ronald Acuna Jr. has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 lower right calf strain. He was placed on the 10-day IL earlier Wednesday.

www.espn.com

The Atlanta Braves said Wednesday that star Ronald Acuna Jr. has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 lower right calf strain.

There is no timetable for his return, but the diagnosis takes away any fears that Acuna had suffered a more serious injury to his Achilles tendon.

Earlier Wednesday, the Braves placed Acuna on the 10-day injured list and recalled outfielder Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place on the roster.

Acuna first experienced discomfort in his calf area Monday night when he scored from first on Austin Riley's double to help the Braves to a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Acuna lobbied to play Tuesday night, and Braves manager Brian Snitker assented, only for Acuna to come up limping while trying to chase down a ball in right field in an eventual 9-6 loss.

"It happened when I scored from first to home on that play," Acuna explained after the game, speaking through an interpreter. "They are going to examine me [Wednesday], so we'll see how it goes."

Acuna, the National League MVP in 2023, has dealt with injuries for much of his career. He missed time as a rookie in 2018 with a sprained left knee ligament, then tore the ACL in his right knee, ending his 2021 season. Last year, he pivoted awkwardly as he was taking his lead on the bases and wound up tearing the ACL in his left knee, ending his season after 49 games.

Only twice in eight seasons has Acuna managed to play more than 119 games.

After missing the start of this season, Acuna returned May 23 and began playing at an All-Star level again. He was hitting .306 with 14 homers and 26 RBIs in 55 games, including a 2-for-4 night with a homer against the Royals on Monday night.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.