Well, tomorrow is the MLB Trade deadline, and Hug Watch 2025 is in official effect.

Per Jim Bowden’s reports, the Nationals are expected to move on from right-handers Mike Soroka and Kyle Finnegan ahead of Thursday’s 6 PM trade deadline. The development isn’t unexpected among observers, given that both pitchers have consistently been considered attractive trade pieces.

Finnegan, in particular, fits the profile of a classic deadline bullpen addition. Able to handle closing duties for a rebuilding club, he possesses a high-90s fastball that has drawn notable interest around the league in recent years. Now it seems Washington is prepared to make the most of his trade value, likely sending him to a contender in need of late-inning relief help.

Additionally, we have received reports confirming that Zach Brzykcy is being called back up to the Nationals and plans to meet the team in Houston.

The big question is, will MacKenzie Gore be traded? Per @JonHeyman, nearly every contender has inquired about Nationals All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore, and as promised, the Nationals are listening to offers. However, most teams believe Gore will remain with the Nationals.

Only a couple of more hours to go… Tick Tok.. Tick Tok..

After winning a game in which they struck out nineteen times, the Nats struck out fourteen times and lost 7-4 to the Astros in a game that could charitably be described as a slog. Michael Soroka - in his last showcase start before Thursday’s trade deadline - was lifted after recording just ten outs.

Dylan Crews makes his rehab appearance. In his first game action in months, OF Dylan Crews made his return to live baseball action last night as the Rochester Red Wings opened their first series against the Charlotte Knights since 2019. Crews had four plate appearances and went 0-1 with a hit by a pitch and a run scored as the Red Wings exploded on offense and went on to win 16-1.

LHP Andrew Alvarez went 6.0 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts en route to his first victory of the season. DH Andrés Chaparro finished a triple shy of the cycle, and 3B Trey Lipscomb recorded the first multi-home run game of his Triple-A career. Both 1B Yohandy Morales and PH-RF Andrew Pinckney tacked on homers in the offensive effort. The 15-run win marked Rochester’s largest against Charlotte since a 15-0 victory on June 22, 1997.

We will have more in our daily newsletter: theFUTURE.

📌 The Washington Nationals have announced a multi-year partnership with Sports Illustrated Tickets (X Link)

📌 Former Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez's Arlington House is for sale (X Link)

📌 MLB umpire Brian Walsh under intense scrutiny after missing obvious strike call in Orioles-Blue Jays game (Fox News)