With just three weeks until the trade deadline, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Phillies getting healthy:
The Phillies are expecting to welcome slugger Kyle Schwarber back from the injured list today, and he might be joined by veteran superstar Bryce Harper. The duo were both placed on the injured list late last month due to a groin strain and hamstring strain, respectively, though both issues were described as very mild. Per reporting over the weekend, Schwarber has been running at 100% intensity for several days now while Harper had been running “either at or close to 100% intensity.”
The return of Schwarber and potentially Harper figures to transform a Phillies lineup that has dealt with not only those losses but also the loss of catcher J.T. Realmuto in recent weeks. Schwarber has enjoyed a strong season that’s become typical of him during his time with the Phillies, slashing .250/.373/.447 with 17 home runs in 367 trips to the plate this year. Harper has been even better at the plate, turning in a massive .303/.399/.582 line with 20 homers in 336 plate appearances.
2. Red Sox 40-man move incoming?
The Red Sox optioned left-hander Cam Booser to Triple-A following last night’s game, per a team announcement. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported last night that Booser’s departure is likely to lead to the Red Sox selecting the contract of right-hander Trey Wingenter today. Wingenter, 30, was acquired by the Red Sox in trade with the Tigers over the weekend in exchange for minor league reliever CJ Weins.
Wingenter, who’s pitched in parts of three big league seasons, has struggled to a 5.28 ERA in the majors despite a much stronger 3.82 FIP. He’s posted strong strikeout numbers but also an elevated walk rate. The deal was reportedly prompted by Wingenter triggering an assignment clause in his minor league contract, meaning the Red Sox would have to add the righty to their 40-man roster shortly after the trade. That’s now expected to happen today, and the Sox will need to clear a 40-man spot for Wingenter.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
We’re now just three weeks from the July 30 trade deadline, and the earliest trades of the summer are now starting to take place, with Aaron Civale, Austin Slater, and Alex Young now having changed uniforms. If you have any questions about the upcoming deadline or your team’s direction with the All-Star break just over the horizon, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.