Cowtipper

John Anderson died. https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-gophers-baseball-john-anderson-death-8bd6386cab9138ca52503f0d5034bff8 Who was John Anderson? John Anderson was a longtime University of Minnesota baseball coach who devoted nearly his entire adult life to the program, first as a pitcher, then as a student and assistant coach, and finally as head coach from 1982 to 2024. Taking over at just 26 years old as the youngest head coach in Big Ten history, he compiled a 1,390–1,021–3 record, won seven Big Ten regular-season titles, nine conference tournament championships, made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Beyond Minnesota, Anderson coached with Team USA, helping lead the national team to a silver medal at the 1993 Intercontinental Cup after previously serving on its coaching staff for the 1990 Baseball World Cup. He retired following the 2024 season after more than four decades at the helm of the Golden Gophers and died in 2026 at age 71 following complications from a heart attack. Eiji Bando died. https://bandoeiji.amebaownd.com/posts/59061098 Who was Eiji Bando? Eiji Bandō was a Japanese pitcher who spent his entire 11-year Nippon Professional Baseball career (1959–1969) with the Chunichi Dragons, compiling a 77–65 record with a 2.89 ERA while earning two All-Star selections. Before turning professional, he became a high school baseball legend by striking out a still-record 83 batters during the 1958 National High School Baseball Championship, including an 18-inning quarterfinal that helped prompt changes to tournament rematch rules due to concerns about pitcher overuse. After retiring from baseball, Bandō became one of Japan's best-known television personalities, working for decades as a broadcaster, variety-show regular, game-show panelist, and later a YouTuber. He remained a familiar public figure long after his playing career and died of chronic heart failure in 2026 at the age of 86.

I thought Vance Wilson was pretty solid.

One can hope.

Connor Thomas, who relieved for the Braves in this game and gave up a lot of runs, has now allowed 27 earned runs in 11 2/3 career innings.

Of all the things to worry about, I don't think backup catcher is one of their primary concerns. Heyman's just looking for something to write about.

It's been a pretty boring trade deadline so far. Baltimore Orioles traded RF Johnathan Rodríguez to Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.

Good game last night. A surging Tyrone Taylor is now hitting .250, which means the 2026 Mets now have 8 players with averages of .250 or better: Juan Soto A.J. Ewing Francisco Alvarez Bo Bichette Carson Benge Jared Young Tyrone Taylor Austin Slater Their team average is up to .235 and their OBP is getting pretty well established over .300, at .307. Seemed like they'd never even get to this point.

Today's hint: This right-handed pitcher was born in Germany, discovered almost by accident when a scout came to watch another player and instead saw him strike out 15 batters, then worked his way from a 16th-round draft pick to the major leagues. His entire big league career came with the Mets, appearing in just five relief outings across the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Guillo Zuniga is correct! A hint for the last Delaware guy: This Delaware-born versatile infielder broke through with the Rays, earning an All-Star selection in 2021 after emerging from a career that began as a lightly regarded sixth-round draft pick and included a trade from Cleveland to Oakland before finding success in Tampa Bay. He spent just 18 games with the Mets in 2024 before being designated for assignment and released, ending what proved to be the final major league stop of his career.

Teheran is correct! Another hint: This Colombian right-hander reached the majors after being one of the international prospects freed by MLB following the Braves' 2017 signing scandal, later debuting with the Cardinals after starring for Colombia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His brief Mets tenure in 2026 included a scoreless debut against Atlanta before he was designated for assignment just two days later and outrighted back to Triple-A.

Pittsburgh Pirates traded RHP José Urquidy to Chicago White Sox for RHP Felix Doroteo. St. Louis Cardinals traded RHP Scott Blewett to Athletics for cash. .

Quintana is correct! Another hint: A two-time National League All-Star from Colombia, he spent nearly a decade in Atlanta's rotation, making six consecutive Opening Day starts and twice topping 200 innings while emerging as one of the franchise's most dependable starters. He later made a brief stop with the Mets in 2023, appearing in just one game before being designated for assignment, after previously earning Colombia's first-ever victory in the World Baseball Classic.

Devin Williams has a 3.04 ERA since April 26.

I forgot Baty is even still with the team, even though he's there every day.

Kansas City Royals traded CF Kameron Misner to Philadelphia Phillies for cash.

He probably blew his arm out with that play, quick, trade him before other teams find out.

Weaver with a web gem.

This team is anemic.

I hope they win.

Kelvin Torve is correct! They gave him Willie Mays' number. Another hint: A durable Colombian left-hander and 2016 All-Star, he built a reputation as one of baseball’s steadiest starters, logging four consecutive 200-inning seasons and later becoming one of the few pitchers to record a win against all 30 MLB teams. After signing with the Mets before 2023, he missed half his first season following surgery for a rib lesion, then rebounded to make 31 starts in 2024, earn the first 100-win milestone by a Colombian-born pitcher, and help New York reach the postseason.

Boston Red Sox traded LHP Connelly Early to Washington Nationals for 3B Curtis Mead.

Valera was in fact Puerto Rican. Hint for the Nicaraguan: A Nicaraguan right-hander who reached the majors at age 21, he began his career as a highly regarded Mariners prospect before becoming a versatile pitcher who moved between starting rotations and bullpens for several teams. He briefly joined the Mets in 2020, posting a 0.63 ERA in six relief appearances before hitting free agency and continuing his long MLB journey with several other clubs.

Time for hints: An Alaskan-born left-handed pitcher, he spent seven seasons in the majors with the Pirates, Reds, and Mets, highlighted by a 10-win season and a complete-game shutout for Pittsburgh in 2005. Acquired by New York during the 2006 season, he earned a victory in his Mets debut while filling in for Pedro Martínez, but neck surgery limited him to just one start in 2007 before his final major league appearance.

Clay Holmes: Pitches into third in rehab start. Holmes (fibula) surrendered two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 2.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday. Holmes was expected to pitch three frames in his first minor-league rehab outing since suffering a fractured right fibula in mid-May, and he fell two outs short of the goal. The right-hander had a tough time finding the strike zone at times, tossing only 28 of his 51 total pitches for strikes. Holmes will require at least one more rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list. Injury: Lower Leg. Est. Return 8/2/2026. Jacob Reimer: On rehab assignment. Reimer (groin) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on July 14. Reimer is hitting .429 with one home run in three FCL rehab games, most recently playing Monday. He tweaked his groin and went on the injured list at Double-A Binghamton on June 18, per Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Prior to the injury, Reimer had regressed compared to his run at Double-A in 2025, as he was slashing .212/.332/.391 with six home runs, 13 steals and an unlucky .271 BABIP in 50 games for the Rumble Ponies. Injury: Groin. Est. Return 7/25/2026. Eli Serrano: Nearing return at Double-A. Double-A Binghamton placed Serrano on the 7-day injured list with a shoulder strain in mid-June, Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Serrano, who last played June 13, could be back before the end of July, per Eddy's report. The 23-year-old outfielder has struggled in his first season at Double-A, slashing .193/.304/.339 with three home runs, six steals and a 26 percent strikeout rate in 54 games. Injury: Shoulder. Est. Return 7/25/2026. Juan Soto: Exits early Friday. Soto was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers due to left calf soreness. Soto logged two walks in two plate appearances before coming out of the game in the sixth inning. The star outfielder exited a game last week due to soreness in the same calf, and although the team has said it isn't anything serious, he could be set for some time off now that it's proved to be a nagging injury. Jorge Polanco would likely pick up reps as New York's designated hitter if Soto were to miss any games. Injury: Calf. Day-to-day. Syracuse Mets activated RF Mike Tauchman. Syracuse Mets sent 2B Andy Ibáñez on a rehab assignment to St. Lucie Mets. Syracuse Mets transferred LHP Brandon Waddell from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Binghamton Rumble Ponies transferred LHP Max Green from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

Ed Bouchee is correct!