AL East

The New York Yankees are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading for Washington Nationals star Juan Soto.

According to Jack Curry of YES Network, the American League East team "reached out to express interest in" a potential trade. The move put the ball in Washington's court as it decides what would be an acceptable trade package for a 23-year-old under team control through the 2024 campaign.

Soto isn't the only slugger on New York's radar, as its own star in Aaron Judge is set for free agency after this season.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Saturday that Judge is more of a priority, which isn't a surprise since the 30-year-old is the face of the franchise and has told reporters he wants to stay with the Bronx Bombers.

Still, it's not every day a player of Soto's caliber becomes available. He is in the early stages of his prime, and the Yankees or another team could make him a franchise cornerstone for a decade-plus.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported last Saturday that the Nationals were willing to listen to trade proposals because Soto rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract offer.

Many teams probably don't have the prospects or financial resources to commit to both Soto and Judge, but the Yankees operate in the No. 1 market with their own television channel and a payroll that is almost always among the tops in the league.

Forbes ranked them as Major League Baseball's most valuable franchise at $6 billion in March.

Soto is a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger who has already won a batting title and World Series crown. New York has a World Series-caliber roster already, as evidenced by its MLB-best 65-30 record, and adding the Nationals star ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline would be quite the blow for other contenders.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone downplayed his club's struggles against the Houston Astros this year after losing both ends of a doubleheader Thursday.

The Astros won the regular-season series against the Yanks 5-2, including wins in each of the teams' last three meetings. Boone, though, insisted those results aren't cause for concern as long as they're not replicated in the playoffs.

"I understand it's a big story," Boone told reporters. "I understand the season we're in. It's not going to matter unless [it's] October. If we happen to come back here in October we're going to show up. We're going to expect to win. We think we're really good. They're really good. Don't overstate this."

While the season series appears lopsided on the surface, the total score was a more modest 27-22 in favor of Houston. None of the games were decided by more than three runs.

The reaction is likely inflated by the Astros' recent postseason success against the Yankees. They knocked them out of the playoffs in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Another playoff matchup is growing more likely with each passing month as the clubs establish themselves as the top teams in the American League. The Yankees (64-30) are 2.5 games ahead of the Astros (61-32) and then there's a significant drop off to the Tampa Bay Rays (51-41) in the race for home-field advantage.

If Houston ultimately passes New York atop the AL standings, the wins from the head-to-head battles could have more long-term meaning.

"It's definitely news to watch us play each other," Yanks outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said. "But at the end of the day, we've got to stay ahead of them for home-field."

After the Astros completed Thursday's doubleheader sweep, manager Dusty Baker was more focused on the team's lead over the red-hot Seattle Mariners (51-42), who won 14 straight games leading into MLB's recently completed All-Star break.

"This is huge for us to start out 2-0, to take our lead back to double digits," Baker said.

A lot can change between now and October, especially with the trade deadline looming and Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto among the players who could shift MLB's balance of power before the stretch run.

The Yankees and Astros have already built strong cases as perhaps the league's best teams, though, with the NL's Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves also in the discussion.

So Boone is right to suggest the small sample size from this year's regular-season meetings don't carry a lot of weight in the big picture.

His tune may change if the Astros knock the Yankees out of the playoffs once again, though.

Fifteen years after seeing his father play in the World Series as a member of the Colorado Rockies, Jackson Holliday's Major League Baseball journey has begun.

The Baltimore Orioles selected Holliday with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft on Sunday.

Holliday is the oldest son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday. Matt was a seventh-round draft pick by the Rockies out of Stillwater High School in 1998. He spent five full seasons in the minors before getting called up to The Show in 2004.

Jackson's path to the big leagues figures to be more expedited, as long as he develops as expected. The 18-year-old was named Oklahoma's Baseball Player of the Year after a historic 2022 high school season.

Per MLB.com, Holliday is the No. 2 overall prospect in this year's draft with above-average tools across the board, including a plus hit tool:

"Holliday has an advanced approach, no surprise given his roots, and a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He usually makes consistent hard contact, though he didn't during the summer when he let his simple left-handed stroke get too long. After getting bigger and stronger, he's hitting the ball with more authority than ever this spring, and he also looks more relaxed at the plate and is letting his considerable power come naturally."

There will still be a steep learning curve for Holliday as he transitions into pro ball, but he's got a smooth swing from the left side of the plate that will carry him a long way as he develops his other skills.

It's unclear at this point if Holliday will be able to remain at shortstop as he gets older. He's got excellent speed and some twitchiness to handle the position, but a lot will be determined by how he changes physically as his body continues to mature.

The Orioles are certainly trending in the right direction, though there remains a lot of work to do at the MLB level.

Adley Rutschman, the No. 2 overall prospect in MLB coming into the season, made his big league debut in May. Right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (No. 6 overall prospect) could make his debut later this season.

The Athletic's Keith Law had Baltimore's farm system ranked as the 10th-best group in MLB coming into this season. Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, D.L. Hall and Jordan Westburg could join Rutschman and Rodriguez in forming the nucleus of the next great Orioles team.

Adding Holliday to the mix will go a long way toward ensuring that Baltimore's farm system remains strong as many of those prospects start to graduate within the next year or two. He will eventually join them in the big leagues, as the Orioles look to load up in an attempt to build a consistently dominant team capable of competing with the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was moved to the 60-day injured list Saturday with a left hip injury, and he might not return to the lineup this season because of the ailment.

"Yeah, it is [tough to grasp]," Kiermaier said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "It hasn't really hit me just yet. ... For right now I'm kind of in that limbo, in-between period, but I think we will all know more here shortly."

Kiermaier hasn't played since a July 9 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He played most of that game but was removed in the ninth inning for a pinch-runner after experiencing left hip discomfort.

The 32-year-old also spent time on the injured list in June with the same hip ailment. He was sidelined the minimum 10 days before being reactivated and returning on July 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Kiermaier is set to see a specialist in Nashville after this weekend's All-Star break and surgery has not been ruled out, per the Associated Press. The earliest he can be activated from the injured list is September.

In 63 games this season, Kiermaier was hitting .228/.281/.369 with seven home runs, 22 RBI and six stolen bases.

The Indiana native has spent his entire career with the Rays, who selected him in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB draft. He made his debut in 2013 but did not become a full-time player for Tampa Bay until the 2014 campaign.

Kiermaier has won three Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove in his 10 seasons with the Rays, though he hasn't won any awards since the 2019 season, when he won his third Gold Glove.

With Kiermaier sidelined, the Rays have primarily relied on Josh Lowe in center field. The 24-year-old is hitting .196/.253/.329 with two home runs, 12 RBI and two stolen bases in 41 games.

Veteran Brett Phillips has also seen time in center field. The 28-year-old is hitting .144/.213/.240 with four home runs, 10 RBI and seven stolen bases in 66 games.

Moving Kiermaier to the 60-day IL allowed the Rays to clear a roster spot for second baseman Brandon Lowe, who was recently activated from the 60-day IL after being sidelined since May with a lower-back injury.

Even without Kiermaier in the lineup, the Rays are 7-3 in their last 10 games and enter Saturday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles second in the AL East with a 50-40 record.

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Santiago Espinal will take the Houston Astros' Jose Altuve's place in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game.

Espinal, who is headed to the Midsummer Classic for the first time, sports a .271 batting average with six home runs and 37 RBI.

Altuve is day-to-day with a left leg contusion after he was hit by a pitch Thursday. He was slated to start the game, which is set for Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium.

The Cleveland Guardians' Andres Gimenez, who was named as a reserve, will start at second.

Numerous All-Stars will not play because of injuries, including Blue Jays center fielder George Springer, Astros designated hitter-left fielder Yordan Alvarez and Philadelphia Phillies DH Bryce Harper.

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, Boston Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez and Miami Marlins first baseman-DH Garrett Cooper had already been named as replacements.

The AL has won 20 of the last 24 All-Star Games, including the last eight, to take a 46-43-2 lead over the NL.

AL East players compose a big chunk of this year's AL team. Two of Espinal's teammates (catcher Alejandro Kirk and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) will start, and staff ace Alek Manoah is also headed to L.A.

The first-place New York Yankees have six All-Stars, including two starters in outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will air on Fox.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is out of the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox due to a lower-body injury, manager Aaron Boone announced.

Boone added that Judge would be available to be used in a pinch-hit situation.

Judge has been one of the top hitters in baseball this season, entering the day with an MLB-leading 30 home runs and a .287 average in 80 games.

The only question is whether the outfielder can remain on the field as he tries to lead the Yankees to a title.

The 30-year-old stayed healthy in 2021, appearing in 148 games after injuries slowed him down the past few years. The outfielder played just 28 of 60 games during the shortened 2020 campaign after missing 110 games over the previous two years combined.

Aside from the nine games he missed in July while on the COVID-19 list, Judge avoided the issues that plagued him in the past.

Judge took advantage of the opportunity while earning his third All-Star selection before finishing fourth in MVP voting. He ended the year with a .287 average and 39 home runs with 98 RBI.

Losing this type of production in the lineup would hurt the Yankees as they try to contend in the AL East, but there is quality outfield depth between Giancarlo Stanton, Joey Gallo and others.

Missing an extended stretch could also be damaging for Judge, who can hit free agency after this season.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is day-to-day after exiting Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs with a left thigh laceration that required seven stitches.

Ian Browne of MLB.com relayed the update on Bogaerts.

Bogaerts suffered the injury in the seventh inning after being spiked on a stolen base attempt from Willson Contreras. His status moving forward is unclear.

Bogaerts suffered from back discomfort earlier this season following a collision with outfielder Alex Verdugo during a 7-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on May 20. However, he did not miss any time and returned to the lineup one day later.

Any injury that results in the 29-year-old missing time isn't ideal for the Red Sox. He has been one of the team's best hitters this season, slashing .321/.393/.461 with six home runs and 31 RBI in 75 games.

Bogaerts, who has a player option for the 2023 season, is also in a contract year and reportedly intends to decline his player option with the Red Sox in hopes of a more lucrative long-term extension.

The three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger has spent his entire 10-year career in Boston, helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013 and 2018.

Should Bogaerts have to miss time, the Red Sox have some options at shortstop. They signed former Colorado Rockies star Trevor Story over the offseason, and while he's mostly played at second base, he is a natural shortstop.

In addition, Christian Arroyo could see additional time at the position. He could also play second base if Story were to shift to short.

The Red Sox are second in the AL East with a 43-35 record, 14 games behind the division-leading New York Yankees.

With no room available on the New York Yankees pitching staff, Manny Banuelos will attempt to carve out a role for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Yankees announced Sunday they have traded Banuelos to the Pirates for cash considerations.

The Yankees designated Banuelos for assignment Tuesday. They had 10 days to put the left-hander on waivers, trade him or release him. He recorded a 2.16 ERA and eight strikeouts in 8.1 innings in four appearances for New York.

A former top prospect, the 31-year-old Banuelos has struggled to find an MLB role. He signed with the Yankees in 2008 out of Mexico as an international free agent.

After the 2010 season, John Manuel of Baseball America ranked Banuelos as the fourth-best prospect in New York's system behind Jesus Montero, Gary Sanchez and Dellin Betances.

Injuries became a problem for Banuelos during the 2012 season. He only made six starts at Triple-A and had Tommy John surgery that kept him out for all of 2013.

The Yankees traded Banuelos to Atlanta in 2015. He made his big league debut with the club that season, posting a 5.13 ERA in seven appearances.

Elbow injuries continued to plague Banuelos in 2015 and 2016. Atlanta designated him for assignment late in the 2016 season, and he signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

After spending one season apiece with the Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations, Banuelos was traded to the Chicago White Sox after the 2018 season. He made a career-high 16 appearances in MLB with the White Sox in 2019 but struggled with a 6.93 ERA over 50.2 innings.

Banuelos spent 2020 and part of 2021 playing with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He signed with Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League in July 2021.

The Yankees brought Banuelos back as a free agent in January. He had a 2.35 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 30.2 innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before getting called up May 26.

The Pirates can offer Banuelos the opportunity to pitch on a consistent basis for the rest of the season. They aren't trying to compete for a playoff spot and can use the final three months to evaluate players who could contribute in 2023.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced Sunday that first base coach Mark Budzinski is taking a leave of absence following the death of his daughter Julia.

"The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons," general manager Ross Atkins said. "This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family."

Luis Hurtado took over for Budzinski as the first base coach midway through Saturday's 11-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The team said following the game Budzinski was tending to a "personal matter."

The Blue Jays named Budzinski as their first base coach ahead of the 2019 season. Prior to that, he had worked on the Cleveland Guardians' staff and managed across multiple levels in their minor league system.

The 48-year-old made four appearances as an MLB player for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003.