Duran has home runs in his last two games and five in July, after only two in each of the season's first three months. He put up an incredible 1.093 OPS this month, which ranks fifth in all of baseball, and for all the hand-wringing about his regression from the breakout 2024 campaign he had, his season OPS now sits at a very respectable .793.

TRADE: The Red Sox have made a deadline deal, sending minor-league infielder Blaze Jordan to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for 34-year-old pitcher Steven Matz. The Cardinals officially announced the move Thursday morning. The veteran lefty worked out of the bullpen in St. Louis, but has experience starting games.

The San Diego Padres have reportedly pursued a blockbuster deal for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran for weeks now, and they remain on the gas.