MLB Weekly Digest: Nationals Clean House, All-Stars Revealed

Read Time:4 Minute, 44 Second

This week in MLB included the Nationals firing their manager and general manager, the All-Star game rosters announced, more star players injured, and a young starting pitcher suspected of gambling.

Nationals Fire Manager Dave Martinez and General Manager Mike Rizzo –

BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 6, 2025

Following Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox, news broke that the team had moved on from their World Series-winning manager and general manager. Amidst a 37-53 campaign, the Nationals have missed the postseason every year since the team won it all in 2019.

Martinez has been the Nationals’ skipper since 2018 and finishes his tenure in DC with a record of 500-621. An interim manager has yet to be named.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Mike DeBartolo will take over as interim GM. The team will likely name an interim manager for the remainder of the season and find a permanent solution this winter.

All-Star Game Rosters Revealed –

The All-Star game is next week, and the rosters have been announced.

American League Starters:

C – Cal Raleigh (SEA)

1B – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)

2B – Gleyber Torres (DET)

3B – Jose Ramirez (CLE)

SS – Jacob Wilson (ATH)

OF – Riley Greene (DET)

OF – Javier Baez (DET)

OF – Aaron Judge (NYY)

DH – Ryan O’Hearn (BAL)

American League Reserves:

C – Alejandro Kirk (TOR)

INF – Jonathan Aranda (TBR)

INF – Alex Bregman (BOS)

INF – Jazz Chisholm Jr. (NYY)

INF – Brandon Lowe (TBR)

INF – Jeremy Pena (HOU)

INF – Bobby Witt Jr. (KCR)

OF – Byron Buxton (MIN)

OF – Steven Kwan (CLE)

OF – Julio Rodriguez (SEA)

DH – Brent Rooker (ATH)

American League Pitchers:

RHP – Hunter Brown (HOU)

LHP – Kris Bubic (KCR)

LHP – Aroldis Chapman (BOS)

LHP – Garrett Crochet (BOS)

RHP – Jacob deGrom (TEX)

LHP – Max Fried (NYY)

LHP – Josh Hader (HOU)

LHP – Yusei Kikuchi (LAA)

RHP – Andres Munoz (SEA)

LHP – Tarik Skubal (DET)

RHP – Shane Smith (CWS)

RHP – Bryan Woo (SEA)

National League Starters:

C – Will Smith (LAD)

1B – Freddie Freeman (LAD)

2B – Ketel Marte (ARI)

SS – Francisco Lindor (NYM)

3B – Manny Machado (SDP)

OF1 – Kyle Tucker (CHC)

OF2 – Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)

OF3 – Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)

DH – Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

National League Reserves:

C – Hunter Goodman (COL)

INF – Pete Alonso (NYM)

INF – Elly De La Cruz (CIN)

INF – Brendan Donovan (STL)

INF – Matt Olson (ATL)

INF – Eugenio Suarez (ARI)

OF – Corbin Carroll (ARI)

OF – Kyle Stowers (MIA)

OF – Fernando Tatis Jr. (SDP)

OF – James Wood (WAS)

DH – Kyle Schwarber (PHI)

National League Pitchers:

RHP – Jason Adam (SDP)

LHP – Matthew Boyd (CHC)

RHP – Edwin Diaz (NYM)

LHP – MacKenzie Gore (WAS)

LHP – Clayton Kershaw (LAD)

RHP – Freddy Peralta (MIL)

LHP – Robbie Ray (SFG)

RHP – Randy Rodriguez (SFG)

LHP – Chris Sale (ATL)

RHP – Paul Skenes (PIT)

RHP – Logan Webb (SFG)

RHP – Zack Wheeler (PHI)

RHP – Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)

Max Muncy and Spencer Schwellenbach to miss time with injuries –

Dodgers 3B Max Muncy was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee and is expected to miss about six weeks.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy expressed relief Thursday after an MRI revealed no structural damage in his left knee, but he is expected to miss about six weeks.

More: https://t.co/vbpT07DFNL pic.twitter.com/blJhoTw77b

— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2025

Muncy has come on strong recently, posting a .333 average with 7 home runs, 24 RBI, and 22 runs in June.

Muncy’s injury may have a potential trade deadline implication, as the Dodgers will look to find a replacement if this injury lasts longer than anticipated.

Atlanta Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach was placed on the injured list this week with a fractured right elbow. The breakout righty is expected to miss two months, although he is expected to pitch again this season.

The righty was having a breakout campaign, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.09 ERA in 110.2 IP.

“Honestly, from the bump in velo I’ve had in the last month, maybe my elbow just wasn’t ready for it,” Schwellenbach said. “Who knows? It could have been anything.”

Schwellenbach now joins Reynaldo Lopez, Chris Sale, and AJ Smith-Shawver on the IL for Braves hurlers.

Ortiz faces suspension –

Cleveland Guardians RHP Luis Ortiz, 26, was placed on paid leave Thursday and is now under investigation for betting, according to Jeff Passan.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation for gambling, a source confirms to ESPN. Ortiz was placed on paid leave by MLB earlier today amid a league investigation into gambling activities. First on the news of gambling were @Ken_Rosenthal and @ZackMeisel.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 3, 2025

Two pitches Ortiz threw were flagged for suspicious activity, one on June 15th and the other on June 27th. Both pitchers were to begin an inning, missing badly in the opposite batter’s box.

MLB’s investigation into Luis Ortiz is about these two individual pitches which received action flagged by a betting-integrity firm, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/2zvZhmrTlJ

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 3, 2025

The investigation is expected to conclude at the earliest by the end of the All-Star break, with an unknown timeline past the break.

The Guardians recalled LHP Joey Cantillo to replace Ortiz in the rotation.

Ortiz has posted a respectable 4.36 ERA with 96 K in 88.2 IP and 16 GS.

If found guilty, Ortiz could receive serious punishment, including being permanently banned from MLB, which is what happened to Tucupita Marcano, who bet on baseball.

If Ortiz were banned, this would be a huge blow for the Guardians’ future, who have currently lost 10 consecutive games.

About Post Author

Michael Bodzenta

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I fell in love with sports from a young age. Whether I was playing them throughout high school or in the yard with my friends, I knew I had found something I loved. Watching them was also a main part of my childhood, as I could name almost every player on all three Cleveland sports teams. Talking about sports is something I can do for hours, so as I got older, I quickly realized that I knew what I wanted to do. I started writing about sports and talking about sports in high school. It was fun and easy for me. My dream goal would be to become baseball analyst, covering breaking news and other stories in the sport. I've written numerous articles about sports including the Browns and the Guardians. I currently write for Kent Wired, where I expanded my knowledge to cover Health and Fitness. I have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Premier, and Audition. I work as the social media manager/representative for the Kent State Club Baseball team creating graphics mostly on Instagram and some on Twitter (X) . The goal of this is to get more engagement for the team, create awareness, and raise money. I also currently coach for a 17u travel baseball organization (Midwest Stars) out of Hudson, Ohio. Through this I have been able to continue my love for the game, give back to the community, and strengthen my leadership qualities. My passion for sports especially baseball remains unquestioned and I strive to continue to report on something I love.

mbodzent@kent.edu

https://ngscsports.com/

Happy

0 %

Sad

0 %

Excited

0 %

Sleepy

0 %

Angry

0 %

Surprise

0 %

Author Profile

Michael Bodzenta: Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I fell in love with sports from a young age. Whether I was playing them throughout high school or in the yard with my friends, I knew I had found something I loved. Watching them was also a main part of my childhood, as I could name almost every player on all three Cleveland sports teams. Talking about sports is something I can do for hours, so as I got older, I quickly realized that I knew what I wanted to do. I started writing about sports and talking about sports in high school. It was fun and easy for me. My dream goal would be to become baseball analyst, covering breaking news and other stories in the sport. I've written numerous articles about sports including the Browns and the Guardians. I currently write for Kent Wired, where I expanded my knowledge to cover Health and Fitness. I have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Premier, and Audition. I work as the social media manager/representative for the Kent State Club Baseball team creating graphics mostly on Instagram and some on Twitter (X) . The goal of this is to get more engagement for the team, create awareness, and raise money. I also currently coach for a 17u travel baseball organization (Midwest Stars) out of Hudson, Ohio. Through this I have been able to continue my love for the game, give back to the community, and strengthen my leadership qualities. My passion for sports especially baseball remains unquestioned and I strive to continue to report on something I love.