MLB Weekly Digest: Trade Deadline Heating Up, Rookie's Historic Night, 2025 HOF Class Inducted

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This week in MLB was extremely busy as many trades went down, historic performances, and another major star injury.

Kurtz Hits Four Homeruns In One Game –

Nick Kurtz just had one of the greatest games in baseball history.

6 for 6 with four home runs, six runs and eight RBIs.

He is a 22-year-old rookie. pic.twitter.com/jcpKdJBUqk

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 26, 2025

Friday night, Athletics 1B/DH Nick Kurtz had the game of his life in front of his family in Houston. Finishing the night 6-6 with four homeruns, a single, and a double. The double was 381 feet off the left field wall, which would have been a homerun in six MLB stadiums.

Had Kurtz hit a fifth home run, he would have become the first player ever to hit five homeruns in one game. Instead, Kurtz will have to settle for just the 20th ever four-homerun game, the first since Eugenio Suarez did it earlier this season.

The rookie slugger totaled 19 bases, the most in a single game since Shawn Green in 2002. He finished with 8 RBI and 6 runs scored.

The Athletics defeated the Astros by a final score of 15-3.

“It still really hasn’t sat in that it’s actually just happened,” Kurtz said postgame. “I had a game like that. It’s stuff that you don’t even dream about, because it doesn’t really happen. So it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Lugo and Royals Agree On Contract Extension –

One of the biggest potential trade chips at this year’s deadline will be staying put, as the Kansas City Royals and RHP Seth Lugo agreed to a contract extension Sunday.

BREAKING: Right-hander Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a multiyear contract extension, sources tell ESPN. One of the best potential trade candidates this deadline season — and top free agent arms this winter — instead will remain in Kansas City.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2025

The righthander is currently following up a 2024 All-Star season with another stellar campaign, pitching to a 2.95 ERA with 99 K in 113 IP and a 1.088 WHIP.

Lugo, 35, is in his final year of a two-year $30 million contract with a player option of $15 million for the 2026 season. With the performance of a frontline ace, the $15 million price tag would be far under the price for a frontline starter. The Royals have now locked up Lugo through the 2027 season with a vesting option of $20 million for the 2028 season.

In what may be his final big contract opportunity, Lugo has received financial stability and has been removed from the market as a top starter available.

Judge Heads to IL With Flexor Strain –

New York Yankees star OF Aaron Judge is heading to the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The two-time MVP winner originally felt the pain Tuesday and was placed on the injured list Saturday.

Aaron Judge has a flexor strain and his UCL is intact, Aaron Boone said. He’s going on the injured list, but the Yankees avoid the worst.

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 26, 2025

The plan is that Judge will only miss the required ten days, then be activated into a DH-only role. He will then begin throwing again in 10-14 days, working his way back to the outfield.

In Judge’s absence, DH Giancarlo Stanton will begin working out in the outfield. Stanton hasn’t played in the outfield since 2023, but to keep both bats in the lineup, one will have to play in right field.

Judge is slashing .342/.449/.711 as the AL MVP frontrunner, with Stanton also slashing a respectable .277/.358/.532 since returning from the IL in June.

Stanton missed two and a half months with epicondylitis, tendon pain in both of his elbows. It is not expected to hinder his ability to play the outfield.

It has also been reported that Judge playing first base is not an option, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN.

FWIW, the Yankees aren’t considering having Aaron Judge play first base at all when he returns from the injured list. That’s a tough transition midseason. It’ll be DH until he’s given the green light to throw from the outfield.

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 27, 2025

It is expected to be a mix of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Jasson Dominguez in the Yankees outfield until the return of Judge, as the Yankees currently sit at 57-48, 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

2025 HOF Class Inducted –

The Hall of Fame now has five new members after the induction ceremony Sunday in Cooperstown.

Ichiro Suzuki, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, Dick Allen, and CC Sabathia were all recognized and honored as they were inducted into the exclusive club.

Suzuki was one vote shy of being unanimous, something that only Mariano Rivera has ever been able to accomplish since voting began in 1936. He is also now the first Japanese-born player in the Hall of Fame.

MLB Trade Deadline Begins Heating Up –

With the trade deadline quickly approaching on July 31st at 6 pm EST, many teams jumped into the chaos and acquired talent this week.

These were the following trades that went down:

7/16 – INF Adam Frazier was traded to the Kansas City Royals from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league INF Cam Devanny.

Trade: The Kansas City Royals are acquiring infielder Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to sources familiar with the deal. Cam Devanney is going to the Pirates.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 16, 2025

7/24 – 1B Josh Naylor was traded to the Seattle Mariners from the Arizona Diamondbacks for No. 13 prospect LHP Brandyn Garcia and No. 16 prospect RHP Ashton Izzi.

BREAKING: The Seattle Mariners are acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 25, 2025

7/25 – Gregory Soto was traded to the New York Mets from the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitchers Cameron Foster and Wellington Aracena.

The New York Mets have acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles, sources confirm to ESPN. First on the deal was @martinonyc.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 25, 2025

7/25 – Ryan McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees from the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitchers Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring.

The New York Yankees are acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Colorado Rockies, sources confirm to ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 25, 2025

7/26 – Amed Rosario was traded to the New York Yankees by the Washington Nationals for RHP Clayton Beeter and OF Browm Martinez.

The Yankees’ aggressiveness continues. They’re trading for infielder Amed Rosario and giving up right-hander Clayton Beeter and 18-year-old outfielder Browm Martinez, as @JackCurryYES first reported. Rosario punishes left-handed pitching and can play all around the diamond.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2025

7/26 – Randal Grichuk was traded to the Kansas City Royals by the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Andrew Hoffmann.

The Kansas City Royals are acquiring outfielder Randal Grichuk in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2025

7/27 – Erick Fedde was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals and then traded to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later.

The #Braves today acquired RHP Erick Fedde and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred RHP Grant Holmes to the 60-day injured list.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 27, 2025

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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.

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