LEADING OFF: Soto on the block as Nats host Scherzer, Mets

Updated Jul. 31, 2022 8:41 p.m. ET

Associated Press

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

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DEADLINE WATCH

It's nearing times for best-and-last offers for clubs trying to land starts Juan Soto, Willson Contreras and J.D. Martinez ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Soto is the biggest name on the block, with Washington considering bids for the 23-year-old slugger after he turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the team. Soto can be a free agenty after 2024, and the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are considered to be among the clubs most likely to convince Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to unload his franchise cornerstone.

Contreras, Martinez and Josh Bell lead the list of likely available hitters, while Oakland's Frankie Montas is likely the top starter available from a pool that also includes Giants left-hander Carlos Rodón, Marlins right-hander Pablo López and Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi.

SCHERZER VS. CORBIN AS PRELUDE TO DEGROM

Max Scherzer (6-2, 2.09 ERA) makes his second start at Nationals Park since Washington traded him last year, opening a three-game series for the New York Mets.

Scherzer, 92-47 in seven seasons with the Nationals, won at Washington on April 8 by allowing three runs and three hits over six innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 1-1 with a 1.39 ERA in five starts since returning from a trip to the injured list caused by a strained oblique muscle.

Washington left-hander Patrick Corbin (4-14, 6.49) leads the major leagues in losses and his ERA is the highest among 63 qualified pitchers.

Mets co-ace Jacob deGrom is to make his season debut on Tuesday. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner has not pitched for the Mets since July 7, 2021.

ON THE MEND

In the span of four days, Mike Trout went from his career in peril to possibly picking up a bat by the end of next week.

The Los Angeles Angels star visited Thursday with Dr. Robert Watkins, a back specialist and co-director of the Marina Spine Clinic in Los Angeles. Trout is slated to begin rotational exercises on Wednesday and could return to swinging a bat shortly after that.

“It went from my career is over to now hopefully I’m going to play here soon,” Trout said with a laugh.

Trout’s future appeared uncertain when athetic trainer Mike Forstad said before Wednesday’s game in Kansas City that the three-time AL MVP had a rare spinal condition, and that it was an issue Trout could have to “manage not just through the rest of this season.”

“I think that’s what Frosty was initially getting at — keeping a routine so that it doesn’t come back,” Trout said. “Once you let it settle down, get the inflammation out of there and build the muscles up around, it’ll be good.”

WEBB VS. DODGERS

San Francisco's Logan Webb is 1-2 in seven career starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers going into Monday's outing at Oracle Park despite a 3.28 ERA. Webb has held Los Angeles to a .219 batting average, allowing two homers in 35 2/3 innings. Andrew Heaney, 1-0 with a 0.47 ERA in four starts, will be on the mound for Los Angeles.

SLUMPING GREENE

Cincinnati's Hunter Greene (3-12, 5.59) starts at Miami on Sunday and is 0-5 in eight starts since beating Arizona on June 6. The Reds went 14-12 in July, improving to 40-61 and moving out of last place in the National League Central.

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