MLB Player News

The Orioles and Dodgers are nearing an agreement to send Machado to the Dodgers, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rosenthal reported earlier Tuesday that it was "increasingly likely" Machado would be dealt to the Dodgers, and the two sides seem to have gained ground in trade talks. The main return for the Orioles appears to be outfielder Yusniel Diaz -- currently at Double-A Tulsa -- but some question marks remain about additional players and potential cash involved. Nothing is official at this point, but the two sides will likely reach a deal before the second half of the season begins later this week.

It is "increasingly likely" that Machado will be traded to the Dodgers in the coming days, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

According to Rosenthal's report, Machado, who is starting at shortstop and hitting seventh in Tuesday's All-Star game, will be headed to Los Angeles, barring a last-minute snag in negotiations and/or medicals. The Orioles have had a top scout sitting on the Dodgers' affiliates in recent days, but it is unclear which prospects are likely to be headed back to Baltimore. For fantasy purposes, this would represent a major upgrade in lineup and a downgrade in home ballpark, and this possible swap would greatly impact AL-only and NL-only leagues, as Machado would be the season's top FAAB target in NL-only formats if this deal goes down.

Madrigal was promoted to Low-A Kannapolis on Monday.

While Madrigal didn't excel during his five-game stint in the Arizona League with a 2-for-13 showing at the dish, his outstanding production during his college career at Oregon State ensured it wouldn't be long before he moved up to a full-season affiliate. The fourth overall pick is being developed as a shortstop for now, though it's likely the 21-year-old will ultimately end up at the keystone due to his lack of a powerful arm.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run Sunday in the Indians' 5-2 win over the Yankees.

Ramirez enters the All-Star break with 29 home runs and 20 steals, clinching the first 20-20 campaign of his career. He became only the fifth player in MLB history to tally 25 homers and 20 stolen bases in the first half, joining a select group that includes Bobby Bonds, Eric Davis, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano.

Chapman went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run in a win over the Giants on Sunday.

The 25-year-old went hitless in his first two games after returning from a hand injury earlier this month, but he's hit .289 (11-for-38) with five doubles, three RBI, three walks and eight runs over the 43 plate appearances encompassing his subsequent 10 contests. From a seasonal perspective, Chapman hasn't been quite as productive in certain categories during the first half as he was in almost the same number of plate appearances in his rookie 2017 campaign. However, a near five-point reduction in strikeout rate (28.2 percent to 23.6 percent) has helped produce a 16-point boost in average to .250, along with a 29-point increase in on-base percentage to .342.

Candelario went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in the Tigers' 6-3 win over the Astros on Sunday.

Candelario was one of four Tigers hitters to take Justin Verlander deep on the afternoon, with the third baseman plating another run on a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Though he hasn't seen much of a decline in his power production since returning from a wrist injury in late May, Candelario's contact skills have suffered. He's struck out in 28.3 percent of his plate appearance since being activated and is batting just .182 over that stretch.

Duffy (ankle) entered Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Twins in the top of the eighth inning as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with an infield single, a stolen base and a run.

A late scratch as a starter, Duffy nevertheless was called on to hit for Mallex Smith in the eighth inning and promptly got on with an infield single. He then swiped second, a key development considering it helped put him in scoring position for Jesus Sucre's RBI double later in the frame. The fact that Duffy's ankle was healthy enough to get the green light on the bases is certainly encouraging, and it lends credence to the notion that he should be ready to resume his usual starting role coming out of the All-Star break.

Moncada went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and three runs scored in Sunday's win over the Royals.

Moncada has enjoyed a solid July to close out the first half of the season, hitting .327 (16-for-49) with two home runs and 11 runs scored this month. The 23-year-old raised his OPS to .739 with 36 extra-base hits despite striking out 130 times in just 344 at-bats.

Machado went hit a solo home run and walked in his two plate appearances during Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rangers before departing the game after four innings. Machado was taken out for precautionary purposes, according to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun, with the Orioles reluctant to expose him any further to the rainy conditions that hit Camden Yards.

Machado was spotted on the on-deck circle in the bottom of the fourth and was called back to the dugout, with Jace Peterson. The early exit in a two-run game fueled speculation that the Orioles might have formally agreed to trade Machado to another team, but that wasn't the case, with the club merely wanting to play it safe with its potential trade chip. Machado will thus remain a member of the Orioles as he prepares for his fourth All-Star Game appearance, but expect him to don different colors before the end of the month.

Moncada (knee) is leading off and starting at second base against the Royals on Sunday.

Moncada exited Saturday's game after bumping knees on a pickoff play at second base, with X-rays coming back negative. The 23-year-old would likely have been held out of the lineup if there was any concern regarding the injury, and he's ready to go for the final game before the All-Star break.