Grisham’s injury update made Boone and the Yankees brace for a long-term absence entering the home stretch of the MLB campaign. Moreover, Boone’s ambiguous answer on Aaron Judge’s return means the Yankees are at a premium for outfield answers.

It all adds up to the pressure on Dominguez. Needless to say, his second MLB game in pinstripes since Aug. 3 didn’t go as expected, and Boone put the Dominican on notice afterward.

“[Dominguez] missed it,” Boone said about the outfielder’s grave fielding mistake in the second inning. “Obviously, a play you have to make. Didn’t make it. Fortunately, we were able to get out of that inning.”

Boone sounded off on Dominguez

Although Gerrit Cole made MLB history of the bad kind by allowing home runs in the first three at-bats of the game and was responsible for the four home runs that won San Diego the game, Boone sounded way more frustrated with Dominguez than he did with Cole’s performance.

In fact, judging by his tone, it may be reasonable to believe Dominguez could be taken out of the lineup just one game after being called up from the Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Dominguez’s struggles weren’t limited to the outfield.

He went 1-for-4 at the plate, including a third-out lineout in the eighth inning, when the Bronx Bombers had cut the deficit to 4-3 with three runs. Dominguez’s at-bat killed the momentum before closer Mason Miller took to the mound and recorded his 33rd save of the year. Boone admitted he considered subbing Dominguez out for Heliot Ramos, but shied away from it.

“Yes, [we considered bringing in Ramos for Dominguez]. With Miller going [at the bullpen], I didn’t like that matchup necessarily,” Boone said after the game. “I don’t necessarily think they would have brought him in [against Ramos], though. I was kind of taking my shot there, but I did consider it.“

Dominguez could lose starting role

It remains to be seen if Boone and New York have a decision in store regarding Dominguez. Perhaps the young Triple-A call-up will be taken out of the lineup for a couple of games. Boone and the Yankees won’t want to act on impulse, but the manager sure sounded very upset at the young Pinstriper.

With Judge trending toward a return soon, there may no longer be a spot for the Dominican in the outfield by the time he can get back into the lineup. Aaron Judge, Spencer Jones and Cody Bellinger may soon make up the Yankees’ starting outfield, shutting Dominguez’s 2026 season window entirely.

Allowing a home run to Padres leadoff batter Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first inning was only the start of a historically bad beginning for Cole in the 2026 MLB season. The Yankees’ starter followed it up by giving up homers to Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado. The worst part of it was that it wasn’t the first time this happened to Cole, and thus he accomplished what no other starting pitcher in MLB history ever had.

“Gerrit Cole is the only pitcher in MLB history to allow back-to-back-to-back home runs to the first three batters of a game more than once in a career,” according to Talkin’ Baseball on X.

Last time Cole allowed three straight HRs to start a game

Although allowing home runs to the first three batters to start a game is rare on its own, it’s not unprecedented. However, doing so more than once is—or rather, was—until Cole accomplished the negative record during the Yankees’ series finale against the Padres.

The last time Cole had started a game by allowing three straight home runs was on June 9, 2022. Then, the Yankees’ starting pitcher allowed three straight home runs to Luis Arraez, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa in the Minnesota Twins’ first three at-bats of the game. Cole’s night would be over after only 2.1 innings pitched, as he gave up five homers.

Cole’s abrupt ending saw him finish with eight hits allowed, seven earned runs, two bases on balls, three strikeouts, a 70-45 pitch-to-strike ratio, and a 3.63 ERA. Surprisingly enough, though, the Yankees ended up winning that game 10-7.

Cole’s pitching combinations in three straight home runs

With a 2-2 count, Cole served a knuckle curve right down the middle of the strike zone that Tatis Jr. connected with for a 371-foot homer. Against Cronenworth with a 2-1 count, Cole once again served a ball right down the middle of the zone, only this time it was a four-seam fastball, which the second baseman took 343 feet to the left side of the field.

Lastly, Machado’s home run came on another four-seam fastball, this time lower but still inside the strike zone and with a 2-2 count. Machado went yard with it, sending it 416 feet out to center.

Boone revealed that Warren will serve as a piggyback reliever for Fried, who is slated to return at some point during the series starting Friday. If Fried stays healthy upon his activation, it could provide a massive boost for the Yanks down the stretch.

Fried first landed on the injured list in mid-May after exiting a start against the Baltimore Orioles. Diagnostic testing revealed a bone bruise in his pitching elbow, keeping him sidelined for over two months before his return on July 22.

Even as the Yankees monitor a potential injury to prospect George Lombard Jr., they remain focused on getting their roster to full strength to lock down a high postseason seed and finish the regular season strong.

What’s next for Warren with the Yankees?

Beyond piggybacking Fried’s return start against the Padres, Boone outlined what could be next for Warren. The right-hander could slide back into the starting rotation afterward, though team management is still finalizing plans around a few upcoming off-days.

Warren’s performance in the coming days could solidify his role for the remainder of the season, as the Yankees set their sights on a World Series run to bring a championship title back to New York.

Impact of Fried’s return on the rotation

When healthy, Fried has been a dominant frontline anchor for the Yankees’ rotation. Across 15 starts, he has compiled a 4–4 record with a 2.81 ERA across 86.1 innings, featuring elite strikeout and ground-ball metrics. His return provides a critical boost to the starting staff as the Yankees fine-tune their pitching roster for October baseball.

The Reds granted Suarez permission to step away during the Padres series so he can take his US naturalization test. A native of Venezuela who resides in Miami, Suarez has been studying for the exam as he works toward earning his American citizenship.

Alongside star infielder Elly De La Cruz, Suarez has been one of the team’s most consistent presences. With Cincinnati out of realistic contention, the front office is focusing on the offseason to evaluate whether Suarez fits into their future plans or if a trade or release makes more sense for next year.

While playoff contenders like the New York Yankees manage high-stakes injury timelines—such as manager Aaron Boone’s updates on Aaron Judge—the Reds are turning their attention toward reshuffling the roster for the upcoming season.

Reds’ projected lineup vs. Padres

With Suarez out of action, De La Cruz takes center stage to anchor the lineup against San Diego. Here is a look at Cincinnati’s projected batting order for the remainder of the series:

1. Elly De La Cruz — SS
2. Sal Stewart — 1B
3. JJ Bleday — LF
4. Tyler Stephenson — C
5. Matt McLain — DH / 2B
6. Héctor Rodríguez — RF
7. Ke’Bryan Hayes / Edwin Arroyo — 3B / IF
8. TJ Friedl — CF
9. Dane Myers / Ivan Johnson — OF / 2B
10. Probable Starter: Nick Lodolo (LHP) / Brady Singer (RHP)

With their postseason hopes virtually extinguished, the Reds are focused on finishing the regular season on a high note while building momentum for the offseason ahead.

According to OptaSTATS, Tatis became the first MLB player since Mike Cameron in 2002 to hit multiple home runs and rob a grand slam in the very same game. Twenty-four years later, Tatis reminded the baseball world of his unmatched ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.

Amid an up-and-down regular season for San Diego, Tatis’ heroic play has served as the anchor for a squad determined to secure a NL Wild Card berth, especially with the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers setting a blistering pace atop the NL West at 76-51.

Even as trade rumors swirl around potential deadline targets like Mason Miller, the Padres already possess the ultimate game-changer in Tatis to spearhead another deep October postseason push.

Comparing Tatis Jr.’s pre- and post-All-Star splits

The numbers back up what the eye test clearly shows: Tatis has elevated his game to an MVP-caliber level since mid-July. His stark contrast in offensive production before and after the All-Star break highlights just how hot he has been at the plate.

A closer look at the split comparison reveals a dramatic surge in power and productivity:

• Pre All-Star Break
  • .714 OPS
  • 5 HR in 372 AB (1 HR every 74.4 AB)
• Post All-Star Break
  • 1.016 OPS
  • 10 HR in 114 AB (1 HR every 11.4 AB)

Moving forward, the Padres will rely heavily on Tatis to keep his hot hand going as San Diego wraps up its critical home series against the Mets before welcoming the Minnesota Twins to town this weekend.

“Another sign Mason Miller almost certainly isn’t going anywhere: Two days before the trade deadline, Padres manager Craig Stammen has summoned his star closer for a five-out save attempt against the Giants,” Dennis Lin of The Athletic wrote. “Miller last went more than three outs on June 23, when he recorded a two-inning save versus the Braves.”

It is clear that the pitcher’s talent could easily fit on any team with World Series aspirations. However, judging by the Padres’ intentions, Miller will remain on the West Coast at least until the end of this season.

Why is Mason Miller in demand?

San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has put up absolute outstanding numbers in 2026, delivering a dominant 0.76 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and a 0.80 WHIP while converting 28 saves. Thanks to his electric stuff and overwhelming efficiency at the back end of the bullpen, Miller has naturally emerged as one of the most coveted trade targets across the league leading up to the trade deadline.

The Padres want to make the playoffs

Holding a 58-54 record, the San Diego Padres remain firmly in the postseason hunt. Sitting in third place in the NL West behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego is gearing up for a high-stakes stretch run.

With 50 games remaining in the regular season, every matchup will be crucial as the Padres aim to secure a Wild Card berth and seal their ticket to October.

The road ahead for San Diego

The San Diego Padres are entering a critical stretch of their season with two high-stakes series on the horizon. First, they travel to Phoenix for a crucial four-game division clash against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a direct rival in the NL Wild Card race. Immediately following that series, the Padres return home to Petco Park to host the Houston Astros for a tough three-game interleague matchup, where every win will be vital to keeping their October playoff hopes alive.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, “Padres and Yankees discussed Will Warren plus a prospect for set-up man extraordinaire Adrian Morejon but it didn’t happen.

It may not have been the Yankees’ fault though, as Heyman added that, at the end of the day, Morejon is too important for the Padres. It may also explain why the Padres appear to have no intention of trading Mason Miller either.

It’s not been the most fruitful trade period for the Yankees and that is concerning. Arraez went to the Phillies, while the Padres didn’t accept the offer for Morejon. Whether they’ve lost their allure or the front office is just not doing business correctly, the fact is all points sign to the Yankees leaving the MLB trade deadline with empty hands.

Adrian Morejon would’ve been a great addition for the NY Yankees

Adrian Morejon would have been an exceptional high-leverage addition for the New York Yankees bullpen. He is great particularly as a premier left-handed weapon to complement their late-inning mix.

Morejon has established himself as the hardest-throwing left-handed reliever in baseball, featuring a 99 mph fastball. Through 52 appearances this season, Morejon has an 8-2 record with a 3.00 ERA, a minuscule 1.07 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts across 60 innings.

What are the Yankees major needs ahead of the MLB trade deadline?

The New York Yankees are heavily focusing their remaining efforts on securing an impact right-handed bat and high-leverage bullpen depth. Injuries have decimated the Yankees lately as well.

According to the New York Post’s Mike Puma, the veteran infielder will remain with Triple-A Syracuse as he continues working his way back from injuries that have limited him throughout his first season with the Mets. The decision comes even after Polanco successfully returned to game action during his rehab assignment.

While his recovery appears to be moving in the right direction physically, the Mets are taking a cautious approach as they evaluate both his health and readiness at the plate before activating him, even as Bo Bichette answered to criticism from doubters continues to circulate as one of the week’s notable storylines around the league.

Carlos Mendoza emphasized the importance of being fully ready

Earlier this week, manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that Polanco’s return would depend on more than just medical clearance. “We got to talk to the player, how he’s feeling, and all that. And he’s got to get cleared from the medical staff as well,” Mendoza said. “It could be in play that he’s active on Friday. But again, if he needs more at-bats, and it’s not so much like how he’s feeling physically, I think there’s a combination of a lot of things there.”

Polanco has struggled offensively during his brief stay in Syracuse, going hitless with one walk in two Triple-A games. Prior to that, he appeared in three games for Double-A Binghamton, where he collected two hits, including a home run.

Injuries have complicated Polanco’s first season with Mets

Polanco’s debut season in Queens has been disrupted by multiple health issues. He spent time dealing with Achilles bursitis before being sidelined in April with a right wrist contusion.

The wrist injury is reportedly no longer a concern, but the Achilles issue remains something he will likely need to manage throughout the season. As a result, the Mets expect him to spend most of his time as a designated hitter when he eventually returns, while remaining available to play first base when needed.

For now, the Mets will continue their road trip without him as they open a key series against the Padres. The club will return home next week for a matchup against the Cardinals, which could provide another potential target date for Polanco’s return if his rehab continues to progress.

Even with the Phillies footing the bill for his substantial contract, Castellanos failed to produce at the plate for San Diego. His prolonged slump turned a low-risk gamble into an unexpected, abrupt end to his tenure that caught many around the league by surprise.

The root of the issue lies in a complete breakdown at the plate. Castellanos wasn’t drawing walks, his strikeouts were piling up at an alarming rate (34 Ks), and he was completely unplayable against left-handed pitching, the exact split he was primarily brought in to neutralize. Combined with below-average defense in the outfield, a sub-.200 batting average made him entirely expendable.

Following the opening series against his former club in Philadelphia, Castellanos had opened up about his departure from the Phillies. At the time, he also offered high praise for manager Don Mattingly’s ability to guide a surging Padres team well above the .500 mark.

Stats to forget for Castellanos in San Diego

It wasn’t just a failure to drive rallies; his baseline traditional metrics cratered. The statistical collapse became impossible to justify, even with the Padres catching a financial break while Philadelphia swallowed the luxury-tax hit on his salary.

Castellanos leaves San Diego with a dismal .191/.222/.339 slash line, scraping together a mere .560 OPS. With just four home runs and 20 RBIs across 122 plate appearances, his production fell catastrophically short of what the Padres anticipated for the first half of the campaign.

The end of an era for Castellanos?

It is a sharp fall from grace for the former All-Star. Following highly publicized friction with former Phillies manager Rob Thomson, the veteran outfielder appeared plagued by mental fatigue at the plate, a psychological hurdle that clearly manifested in his regressing metrics.

With the Padres officially pivoting to youth by calling up 25-year-old Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso, Castellanos’ future remains up in the air. Once he inevitably clears waivers due to his contract structure, the veteran will look to catch on with a new franchise ahead of the trade deadline to prove he still has something left in the tank.

“We’re a big momentum-based team, and playing against the Padres for as long as I have, that’s part of the DNA here,” Buehler said, according to CBS 8 San Diego,while discussing the club’s recent stretch. “We catch momentum, have a good road trip, and hopefully do the same thing to them at their place.”

The Padres entered the week viewed as one of the biggest threats to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings, but the recent losing streak dropped them to third place in the division. Offensive inconsistency has continued to be a major issue throughout the season, especially during the sweep against Philadelphia.

Padres offense continues to search for consistency

Despite remaining competitive in the standings, San Diego’s offense has struggled to produce consistently. The Padres currently rank in the bottom half of MLB in both runs scored and slugging percentage, making it difficult for the team to capitalize on strong pitching performances.

Manager Craig Stammen recently defended hitting coach Steven Sousa Jr. while taking responsibility for the offensive issues himself. San Diego has struggled to sustain rallies during the recent skid, and several key hitters have yet to find prolonged rhythm at the plate.

Petco Park homestand could shift momentum for Padres

The Padres now head into an important homestand at Petco Park hoping to regain confidence before the division race begins to tighten further. Buehler’s comments reflected the belief inside the clubhouse that momentum still plays a major role in how the team performs over long stretches of the season.

With stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado leading the lineup, San Diego still possesses enough talent to rebound quickly. However, the offense will need to improve if the Padres want to keep pace with the Dodgers and remain firmly in the playoff picture.

“In my opinion, it has nothing to do with him,” Stammen said about hitting coach Steven Sousa Jr., according to Marty Caswell of Foul Territory. “This is the Padres hitting. This is the Padres organization. How we go about taking at-bats, it’s on all of us, and more specifically on me.”

San Diego’s offensive numbers have fallen near the bottom of Major League Baseball despite the team holding a 31-24 record entering the weekend. The Padres currently rank tied for 25th in runs scored, 29th in slugging percentage, and sit last in MLB in both batting average and on-base percentage.

For San Diego, the one bit of relief comes off the field, as the club recently received a positive Joe Musgrove injury update, offering hope that pitching stability could help ease the pressure on a struggling lineup.

Padres offense continues difficult stretch

The Padres’ lineup has struggled to generate consistent production throughout the past week. Over their last six games, San Diego has scored only 14 total runs while posting a .190 team batting average and a .278 on-base percentage.

Much of the limited offensive production has come from Manny Machado, who has recorded two home runs and five RBIs during the stretch despite batting just .100. Meanwhile, Fernando Tatis Jr. has continued reaching base at a high rate, hitting .450 with a .560 on-base percentage over the last week, but the overall run production around him has remained limited.

The lack of offensive consistency has placed additional pressure on the Padres’ pitching staff as the team attempts to stay within striking distance of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West standings.

Padres look to rebound against Nationals

Despite the recent struggles, San Diego remains only 4.5 games behind Los Angeles in the division race and still has time to turn things around offensively before the summer stretch intensifies.

The Padres will have an opportunity to reset this weekend when they open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals, a team currently ranked 25th in Major League Baseball in team ERA.

For Stammen, however, the focus remains on improving the team’s overall approach at the plate rather than pointing blame elsewhere as the Padres attempt to snap out of their offensive slump.