LEADING OFF: Gallo preps for Yanks, Nats dealing with COVID

Updated Jul. 29, 2021 5:08 a.m. ET

Associated Press

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

___

GALLO, ESCOBAR ON MOVE

The baseball trade deadline is fast approaching, and teams are starting to get busy before Friday’s 4 p.m. EDT cutoff.

The New York Yankees made Wednesday’s biggest splash, reaching a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. The 27-year-old has 25 homers this season.

The NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers got All-Star third baseman Eduardo Escobar from the Diamondbacks for two prospects. Also, the Athletics continued to be active in the market, acquiring outfielder Starling Marte from the Marlins.

The 32-year-old Marte is hitting .306 this season with seven homers.

Wednesday's other notable deals: The Reds acquired reliever Mychal Givens from the Rockies, and the Astros added reliever Yimi García from the Marlins.

NATIONALS VIRUS

The Washington Nationals hope to play a doubleheader in Philadelphia, a day after their game against the Phillies was postponed when four players and eight staffers tested positive for COVID-19.

The postponement came one day after Nationals star Trea Turner left a game against Philadelphia in the first inning following his positive test for the virus. Turner was among the four players who tested positive.

Washington manager Dave Martinez said all but one of those who tested positive have been vaccinated.

The Nationals-Phillies matchup was scheduled to be made up as part of a straight doubleheader on Thursday, but there will be another round of testing to determine if anyone else tests positive.

“I’m just worried about the guys, I really am,” Martinez said. “It’s been a tough go; this doesn’t make it any easier.”

ARENADO HURTING

The Cardinals will see how All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is feeling on a day off after he got hit on the right forearm by a pitch in Cleveland.

After he was hit Wednesday, the 30-year-old walked around the home plate area and slowly went to first despite being in obvious pain while talking with manager Mike Shildt and a trainer. Arenado took the field for defense in the bottom of the inning but was removed. The Cardinals announced he had a bruised forearm and is day to day.

Shildt was hopeful that Arenado would be in the lineup Friday against Minnesota. The third baseman is hitting .261 with 20 homers this season.

“Thankfully, it looks like it got mostly meat,” Shildt said. “The off day tomorrow will help. He’ll get treatment. It got him pretty good.”

JUDGE OUT, THEN IN

One day after returning from the COVID-19 injured list, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was scratched from the starting lineup at Tampa Bay.

New York manager Aaron Boone said Judge had doctor appointments related to his return from the IL and didn’t arrive at the ballpark until less than an hour before the start.

Judge pinch-hit in the fifth inning and stayed in the game in right field. He eventually hit the tiebreaking single in the 10th that gave the Yankees a 3-1 victory over the Rays.

Judge was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list before Tuesday's game with the Rays and went 1 for 4. He also was hit by a pitch in the Yankees’ 4-3 win.

The outfielder was placed on the IL on July 16.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports