NL West

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. suffered a partially dislocated left shoulder on Friday night against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park.

Tatis went down near third base in the bottom of the first inning after trying to advance from second on an error. He was 1-for-1 before exiting and was replaced by Ha-Seong Kim.

The MVP candidate has dealt with a shoulder issue for much of the 2021 season. He went on the injured list after being hurt in spring training and then reinjured the shoulder in June.

"I don't know how to compare them. They've all been a little bit different,'' Padres manager Jayce Tingler told reporters. "We're of the understanding that this was a possibility, the shoulder coming out and then back in. The good thing is it slid back in.

"It's so tough to predict, especially without a lot of information at this point. I will say, for whatever reason, he's had a phenomenal ability of getting back in there, honestly sooner than we've expected. But again, it's tough to say without having a lot of information.''

It's likely Tatis will be dealing with some level of shoulder discomfort throughout the season. He's managed to continue brilliant play despite being at less than 100 percent, slashing .292/.373/.651 with 31 home runs, 70 runs batted in and 23 steals.

Ha-Seong Kim will likely get work at shortstop with Tatis out of the lineup. 

The Chicago Cubs continued their fire sale by reportedly trading third baseman Kris Bryant to the San Francisco Giants on Friday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.  

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported on the return heading back to Chicago:

Cubs receive OF Alexander Canario (No. 9 SF prospect per @MLBPipeline) and RHP Caleb Killian (No. 30) from the Giants for Kris Bryant, per source.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2021

Bryant emerged as one of the best players in baseball from his debut season in 2015 through 2017. His 20.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) over that span ranked third in MLB behind only the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (25.8) and Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson (21.4), per FanGraphs.

He's a three-time All-Star selection, won the National League MVP in 2016 and was named the NL's Rookie of the Year in 2015. He also helped lead Chicago to the 2016 World Series title.

The 29-year-old Las Vegas native rebounded in 2019 following an injury-plagued 2018 campaign. He posted a solid .272/.374/.460 triple-slash line across 102 appearances in 2018, but his .834 OPS represented a career low, and he slugged just 13 homers.

Bryant played in 147 games in 2019, putting up a .282/.382/.521 slash line and 31 homers over 543 at-bats.

Injuries once again plagued Bryant during the 60-game 2020 campaign. He set career lows across the board for batting average (.206), on-base percentage (.293) and slugging percentage (.351) with four homers in 34 games. 

Bryant has returned to his All-Star level this season with a 133 OPS+ and .267/.358/.503 slash line with 18 homers in 93 games. 

The Cubs were still willing to move on after also dealing away big names like Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Craig Kimbrel.

The talented and versatile star should immediately slot into the middle of the Giants' order alongside Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford among others. At 64-38, San Francisco already has the best record in the majors but the latest addition showed the organization is ready to compete for a World Series title.

The New York Yankees remain interested in Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story ahead of Friday's 2021 MLB trade deadline despite their acquisition of slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Even after Gallo, Yankees see room for Trevor Story. Also eyeing pitching upgrades. Thus far their trade deadline Is more interesting and productive than their season.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2021

SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday the Yanks' interest is contingent on not trading one of their top prospects, such as shortstop Anthony Volpe.

Story is a popular name leading up to the deadline. He can become a free agent at season's end with the conclusion of his two-year, $27.5 million contract, and the Rockies have faded out of playoff contention in the National League with a 44-58 record.

The 28-year-old's numbers are down this year, including a .741 OPS that would be a career low, but he was one of the most productive hitters in the NL over the previous three seasons. He compiled a .909 OPS with 83 home runs and 65 stolen bases in 361 games from 2018 through 2020.

Story said last week he'd heard the trade rumors but was doing his best do ignore the chatter.

"Obviously, I'm aware of the talk, but that's all out of my control, so it doesn't do me any good to think about that," he told reporters. "I'm just concentrating on playing baseball and helping my teammates. I think I have done a pretty good job of not breathing a lot of life into it."

If Story joins Gallo with the Yankees, it would help revitalize an offense that's been stuck in neutral. The Yanks rank 25th in MLB with 415 runs scored in 2021.

His arrival would lead to some lineup shuffling. Gleyber Torres would likely head to second base while DJ LeMahieu stays at first, even when Luke Voit returns from the injured list, which would make Rougned Odor the odd man out in the infield.

It's unclear whether a trade is possible if New York is unwilling to part with any of its best prospects. Colorado can get a compensation pick in the draft if Story leaves in free agency, so it doesn't have to force a trade.

That said, the Yankees, who are 2.5 games back in the AL wild-card race, showed they're focused on making a playoff push with the Gallo trade. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them get more aggressive on the Story front to further bolster their lineup.

Warning: This story contains graphic allegations of sexual assault.

A court hearing related to a temporary ex-parte restraining order filed by the woman who has accused Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has been delayed until Aug. 16.

Katie Strang and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reported Wednesday attorneys on both sides had previously agreed to delay the hearing until early August.

Bauer, who's denied any wrongdoing and said his actions during the sexual encounters were consensual, was placed on administrative leave by MLB on July 2.

The woman filed the ex parte restraining order June 28 and included graphic details of her allegations, saying Bauer strangled her until she lost consciousness on multiple occasions, punched her in the face and caused other injuries that led to hospitalization, per ESPN's Jeff Passan and Alden Gonzalez.

She said after being choked unconscious on one occasion, Bauer was penetrating her anally when she woke up.

"I agreed to have consensual sex," the woman said in the filing. "However I did not agree or consent to what he did next. I did not agree to be sexually assaulted."

She added: "I am deeply concerned that no arrest has been made or charges filed."

Bauer remains under investigation by the Pasadena Police Department. He hasn't been criminally charged in the case.

The MLB player's representatives released a statement saying Bauer had a "wholly consensual sexual relationship" with the woman and provided text messages that appear to show the woman telling Bauer to "gimme all the pain" and "choke me out," according to ESPN.

"Her basis for filing a protection order is nonexistent, fraudulent, and deliberately omits key facts, information, and her own relevant communications," Bauer's reps said in a statement. "Any allegations that the pair's encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The woman said she's since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and was "absolutely terrified" about coming forward with the allegations because of Bauer's high-profile status, but did so because she didn't want "Trevor to put anyone else through what I suffered," per ESPN.

MLB launched its own investigation into the matter while Bauer is on administrative leave.

The league and the Players Association jointly agreed Tuesday to extend the Dodgers pitcher's leave through at least Aug. 6 as the investigations continue.

The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that they have acquired Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Eduardo Escobar in exchange for a pair of minor league prospects in outfielder Cooper Hummel and infielder Alberto Ciprian.

Escobar is hitting .246 (.778 OPS) with 22 home runs and 65 RBI this season, which marked his first-ever All-Star Game appearance. The 11-year MLB veteran has played for the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and D-backs.

Zach Buchanan of The Athletic provided more insight on the prospects:

Hummel has impressive numbers at Triple-A, but he's 26. Ciprian is 18 and in the DSL, where he's raked for 12 games. Neither appears among the Brewers' Top 30 prospects, which says something about rental bat value.

Although it's possible the Diamondbacks really like Ciprian.

— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) July 28, 2021

Escobar is going from the National League West basement to the NL Central penthouse. The Diamondbacks sport an MLB-worst 31-71 record, while the 59-42 Brewers lead their division by seven games.

He sent his regards to the Diamondbacks organization and the team's fans as his four-year stint with Arizona came to a close:

Thank you to all the fans, teammates, trainers, coaches for always being there and giving us that great motivation. I feel proud that I gave it my absolute best. You are the best. God always has the perfect plan for my family and me. I send my blessing to all of you. Thank You… pic.twitter.com/4nr6GhcF6K

— eduardo jose escobar (@escobardelapica) July 29, 2021

As Adam McCalvy of MLB.com noted, the Brewers could use Escobar at first base against left-handed pitching.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also noted that Escobar, who can play second and third, could split time with Luis Urias at third base.

Escobar has never played first base, but Haudricourt also posited that he can see time there as well.

McCalvy also reported that Escobar should be a good addition to the clubhouse too.

"Talking to baseball people about Eduardo Escobar recently, you hear a lot about what he brings to the clubhouse in addition to the batter's box and the field," McCalvy tweeted. "The Brewers obviously hit big in that department with Willy Adames, too."

Milwaukee, which has made the playoffs each of the last three years, is in search of its first pennant since 1982, when it represented the American League against the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic.

The Brewers are in good position to now represent the National League, especially with this key pickup. Milwaukee's lineup has struggled this year to the tune of a .699 OPS, the fifth-worst mark in the National League.

Adding Escobar to bolster the lineup can only help as the Brewers look to ward off any teams below them in the NL Central standings and look to position themselves for a higher seed in the playoffs.

The San Diego Padres are interested in acquiring Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo, but they want the American League West team to take on first baseman Eric Hosmer in a potential deal, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (h/t Outline).

Grant also mentioned that the Padres are willing to include outfielder Robert Hassell, who San Diego took No. 8 overall in the 2020 MLB draft.

Gallo, 27, is hitting .223 (.869 OPS) with 25 home runs and 55 RBI this season. The prodigious power hitter is a two-time All-Star who smacked 81 home runs over his first two full seasons (2017-2018).

Gallo is under team control through the 2022 season and eligible for free agency in 2023.

The 31-year-old Hosmer is hitting .269 (.716 OPS) with eight home runs and 48 RBI.

Per Grant, Hosmer has over $65 million in obligations left on an eight-year, $144 million deal signed prior to the 2018 MLB season.

The Padres are currently third in the National League West at 59-44, but that mark is good enough to occupy the NL's second Wild Card spot at the moment.

San Diego would obviously like to win the division so it doesn't leave its playoff fate to a singular Wild Card Game, and the team could use some reinforcements.

Adding a power bat like Gallo can only help as the Padres look to surpass the first-place San Francisco Giants and second-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the standings. San Diego is currently 5.5 games behind San Francisco.

The Hosmer deal could be a potential obstacle, however, with the team clearly looking to unload that contract.

As Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lim of The Athletic wrote, the Padres are on "pace to finish the 2021 season above Major League Baseball’s competitive balance tax threshold of $210 million."

Teams are taxed for every dollar above the limit, and shedding at least some of Hosmer's deal could help the team fall back below that level.

Hosmer is a four-time Gold Glove winner who served as one of the catalysts for the Kansas City Royals' 2015 World Series victory. He was also named to the 2016 American League All-Star team.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has had his administrative leave extended through Aug. 6 amid Major League Baseball's investigation into sexual assault allegations, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave has been extended through Aug. 6. The Dodgers pitcher remains under investigation by Pasadena police and Major League Baseball after a woman alleged he sexually assaulted her. The extension was expected and Bauer continues to get paid.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2021

Bauer was originally placed on seven-day administrative leave by MLB on July 2. The decision came after the right-hander was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on two different occasions. 

Per Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang of The Athletic, an ex-parte domestic violence restraining order was executed against Bauer on June 28. 

In the declaration filed by the woman that was reviewed by Ghiroli and Strang, she said she had injuries that included "two black eyes, a bloodied swollen lip, significant bruising and scratching to one side of her face" after one of her sexual encounters with Bauer. 

Jon Fetterolf, Bauer's agent, issued a statement to TMZ Sports denying all of the allegations against his client:

"Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the accuser] beginning in April 2021. We have messages that show [the accuser] repeatedly asking for 'rough' sexual encounters involving requests to be 'choked out' and slapped in the face.

[...]

"Mr. Bauer and [the accuser] have not corresponded in over a month and have not seen each other in over six weeks. Her basis for filing a protection order is nonexistent, fraudulent, and deliberately omits key facts, information, and her own relevant communications. Any allegations that the pair’s encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law."

In addition to the ongoing legal investigation, MLB announced its own investigation into the matter. The league previously extended Bauer's leave two different times. The first was an additional seven-day leave announced on July 8. 

On July 14, MLB announced an extension until July 27 for Bauer's leave was made in agreement with the MLB Players Association. 

As part of the ex parte restraining order filed, Bauer had a formal court hearing scheduled for July 23 to respond to the allegations. However, the hearing was ultimately delayed until Aug. 2. 

Bauer signed with the Dodgers as a free agent in February.  

After reportedly acquiring Adam Frazier in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, the San Diego Padres could now look to shed some payroll, with Eric Hosmer potentially on the move prior to the July 30 deadline.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic, Hosmer's name "has surfaced in recent trade discussions."

The Padres are reportedly set to top MLB's competitive balance tax threshold of $210 million for the first time. The latest calculations would put the squad at $2 million over the line, meaning it would have to pay a 20 percent tax on that overage.

Hosmer has a $21 million salary in 2021, which is the fourth season of his eight-year, $144 million contract, per Spotrac.          

The 31-year-old hasn't quite lived up to his contract with the Padres, but he has helped the team at the plate, with a .266 batting average and a .330 on-base percentage with eight home runs in 92 games this season.

Hosmer was even better in the shortened 2020 campaign, with a .287 average and the second-best OPS (.851) of his career. A contending team could add the proven left-handed hitter and four-time Gold Glove winner in the hopes he can return to this level in a new location.

The Padres, meanwhile, will need to make room in the lineup for Frazier.

Like Frazier, San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth earned an All-Star selection this season, but he has made 15 appearances at first base this year and could slide over with Hosmer gone.

It would help further solidify a lineup that features Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado and entered Monday ranked seventh in the majors in runs scored. With the Padres still chasing the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, they will likely keep seeking ways to improve.

On the other hand, trading Hosmer could create chemistry problems for the World Series contenders, with Rosenthal and Lin noting the veteran is "universally respected inside the Padres’ clubhouse."

The San Diego Padres already bolstered their lineup with a trade and will apparently look to do the same with their starting pitching.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the National League West club is "working to acquire a starting pitcher" ahead of Friday's trade deadline.

San Diego already traded shortstop Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jake Suwinski and pitcher Michell Miliano to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Adam Frazier, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. What's more, ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Padres discussed trading for Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story and moving him to the outfield before landing Frazier.

In Frazier, the Padres have a 2021 All-Star who leads the league with 125 hits all while slashing .327/.392/.453.

The team is clearly looking to push some chips forward in the tight race for the playoffs. It is in third place in the National League West and 5.5 games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants.

It is also 5.5 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild-card spot and has a lineup capable of challenging for the franchise's first World Series title with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Frazier.

The Padres turned heads in the starting pitching department before the season started by trading for Yu Darvish and Blake Snell, but the latter has been inconsistent with a 4.93 ERA. Dinelson Lamet is also on the injured list, underscoring the need for more depth.

San Diego is a solid but unspectacular 10th in the league in starting pitching ERA at 3.95, per FanGraphs.

Trading for another impact arm to pair with Darvish and Snell could give the team enough pitchers to take over playoff series without relying on the powerful lineup to lead the way every game.

Trevor Bauer remains on administrative leave from Major League Baseball as investigations continue after a woman said he sexually assaulted her, and the "majority" of his teammates reportedly don't want him back in the clubhouse.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported the pitcher is "a pariah in his own clubhouse, where no teammate has spoken publicly about him or come to his defense."

What's more, "a majority of players do not want Bauer back under any circumstances."

DiGiovanna noted a woman obtained an ex parte temporary restraining order against him and said "the pitcher had choked her to the point of losing consciousness during two sexual encounters in the spring and injured her during the second."

MLB placed him on administrative leave, and the Pasadena Police Department is investigating for possible felony assault.

Bauer may face a suspension from baseball even if he is not legally charged.

Trevor Bauer's agent, Jon Fetterolf, said, "Mr. Bauer had a brief and wholly consensual sexual relationship initiated by [the accuser] beginning in April 2021. We have messages that show [the accuser] repeatedly asking for 'rough' sexual encounters involving requests to be 'choked out' and slapped in the face."

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported a civil hearing was delayed to Aug. 2 so Bauer's team would have additional time to prepare its defense.

The league first announced on July 2 that Bauer would be placed on administrative leave for seven days and has since extended that twice. The current leave is set to expire Tuesday, but the league can issue a request to the players' association to put another extension in place.

Los Angeles signed Bauer this offseason after he pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland and Cincinnati Reds earlier in his career. He last appeared in a game on June 28 this season.