Take a look at what’s happening around the profession today:
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Soto is here
Juan Soto will make his San Diego debut at home against Colorado. Before the game, the Padres will hold a press conference to introduce Soto’s first day with the team. The 23-year-old star outfielder was acquired in a blockbuster deal from Washington ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. He joins a lineup featuring All-Star third baseman Manny Machado that promises to bring flashy shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. back from injury as quickly as possible.
Washington gets rookie left-hander MacKenzie Gore, first baseman/DH Luke Voight and prospects James Wood, CJ Abrams, Robert Hassel III and Jalyn Susannah Substitute out Soto and switch hitter Josh Bell.
Soto, a two-time All-Star who could become a free agent after the 2024 season, was traded after rejecting a $440 million, 15-year contract that was supposed to be baseball gross earnings but not average salary highest contract.
Castillo arrives
All-Star right-hander Luis Castillo makes his first start for the Seattle Mariners, who acquired him from Cincinnati last Friday for four minor league prospects: infielders Norvi Marter and Edwin A. Royo, along with right-handers Levi Stott and Andrew Moore.
Castillo (4-4, 2.86 ERA) will pitch at Yankee Stadium for the second time in nearly three weeks. On July 14, he had a no-hitter bid against New York in the Reds’ opening sixth inning.
Gerrit Cole (9-3, 3.30) plays for the Yankees.
hurry up
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (9-6, 2.81 ERA) pitched for the Los Angeles Angels against Oakland. Ohtani had six straight games with double-digit strikeouts, one shy of the franchise record set by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in 1977.
a roll
All-Star southpaw Martin Perez (9-2. 2.52 ERA) went 9-0 in his last 15 starts to Texas against Baltimore. He is unbeaten in 18 starts since losing to the Colorado and Los Angeles Angels in his first two starts this season.
Perez is the third pitcher in Washington Senators/Texas Rangers history with at least 18 consecutive starts and clean sheets, trailing only Kerr in 2015-16, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Hammels and Phil Ortega in 1967.
big fish
Miami right-hander Sandy Alcantara starts with a National League-best 1.99 ERA against Cincinnati and is second in the majors behind Justin Verlander 1.81 ERA in Houston.
Alcantara has pitched two of his 17 full majors this season, matched only by Houston’s Fomber Valdez. Despite a 2.77 ERA during that period, Alcantara is 0-1 over the past four games.
Cincinnati is teamed up with southpaw Mike Minnow (1-7, 6.31), who is 0-5 in his past seven games.
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