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NEW YORK -- Two starts removed from missing nearly two months due to injury, Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list. But the reason has nothing to do with his arm.

Mets assistant general manager John Ricco revealed Sunday that Syndergaard has been diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease, a viral infection common in children. The Mets believe Syndergaard may have contracted the illness while working at a youth camp over the All-Star break.

Ricco said there is a possibility Syndergaard misses just one start, as the Mets expect him to be sidelined 7-10 days. Right-hander Corey Oswalt will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to assume his rotation spot in the short term.

The Mets are prepping Oswalt to start Wednesday against the Padres, manager Mickey Callaway said.

Syndergaard, the owner of one of the Majors' hardest fastballs, caught the attention of the Mets training staff near the end of his start Friday night at Yankee Stadium, when his velocity dipped into the low 90s. He was allowed to finish the fifth inning but was removed afterwards, his night capped at just 84 pitches. Syndergaard explained feeling "dead arm" in his postgame comments; he and the Mets both chalked the dip in velocity up to "fatigue."

Ricco and Callaway both cited the virus as a possible underlying cause.

"It took its toll the other night. He had trouble breathing, and that's why you saw his velo down," Callaway said. "During the game, we couldn't quite figure it out. But I put my hands on his legs to talk to him when he came out, and I felt his legs shaking. He was just weak and run-down."

It was then that Syndergaard noticed the most telling symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease, which is contagious: a blistery rash that spread on the inside of his hands. The illness also causes fever, sore throat, rash and lethargy.

Syndergaard will recover away from the team.

"We sent him home when we figured out what it was," Callaway said. "Nobody else has showed any symptoms yet. We're trying to make sure they're washing their hands and all that."

The diagnoses interrupts the right-hander's season for a second time, and it comes two starts after he missed seven weeks due to a strain in his right index finger. Syndergaard went 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA during that span, and he is 6-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 13 starts overall.

ST. PETERSBURG -- With a large congregation of scouts watching, Chris Archer validated their presence with a 13-strikeout performance in the Rays' 6-4 walk-off win against the Marlins Sunday at Tropicana Field.

Trade talk is rampant as Major League Baseball's July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches. Contending teams are perusing the rosters of non-contending teams hoping to find that piece that might push them over the top. Archer could be such a piece.

At least a dozen scouts were parked behind home plate to watch Archer on Sunday, including representatives from contenders such as the D-backs, Dodgers, Braves, Indians and Yankees. Of that group, the Yankees are said to be in on Archer, or perhaps Nathan Eovaldi, who once pitched for the Yankees. Helping to fuel that speculation was the fact that Rays representatives have been spotted at recent Yankees rookie league games.

If anything, Archer's price went up on Sunday. The right-hander looked dominant during his six-inning stint. He struck out the Marlins in order on 15 pitches in the first. After experiencing a hiccup in the second when he allowed four runs (three earned), he returned to pitch the third needing just seven pitches to retire the side, two by strikeout.

Video: MIA@TB: Archer fans Realmuto, K's the side in 1st

Archer finished his six innings with no walks and notched his season high for strikeouts. His career high for strikeouts in a single game is 15, and that came on June 2, 2015 against the Angels in Anaheim.

Video: TB@LAA: Archer fans 15, holds Halos to one run in win

Nobody knows whether a trade will come to fruition at this point, but adding to Archer's trade value is his team-friendly contract (just $27.5 million for the next three seasons). When asked about the possibility that he might have pitched his final game in a Rays uniform, Archer acknowledged that the thought had "crossed his mind."

"That it could at least be my last home start," Archer said. "I don't want to think about it too much, because dwelling on something that hasn't happened is not smart.

"It crossed my mind, but I'm focused on being here. We have another week [before the Trade Deadline]. I have another start. So all I'll focus on now is getting some rest and pitching in five days."

CINCINNATI -- The Pirates homered four times in the first four innings to blitz Reds starter Matt Harvey and complete a three-game sweep of Cincinnati with a 9-2 win at Great American Ball Park on Sunday afternoon for the team's ninth consecutive victory.

The offensive pop during the winning streak has come from top to bottom during this recent tear that's bridged from the first half of the season to the second. Leadoff hitter Corey Dickerson slapped an elevated 0-2 fastball down the left-field line off Harvey in the first inning and later scored on a Gregory Polanco two-run homer. Dickerson demolished a 2-0 changeup from Harvey into the right-field seats for a two-run home run of his own in the second inning. Dickerson has now homered in four straight games and has a total of five home runs in that stretch with eight hits and seven RBIs. He went 4-for-5 on the day.

Starling Marte's solo shot two pitches later extended his hitting streak to 15 games and gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead.

Things seemingly went right for everyone this weekend for the Pirates, including veteran utility man Sean Rodriguez, who hit a solo shot in the fourth inning for his second home run of the weekend. Rodriguez had six hits in his first series back from a lengthy rehab stint to combat some of the offensive struggles that have plagued him in 2018. His performance made him a handy replacement of an injured Josh Harrison at second base.

Even Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova got in on the fun at the plate by ripping a long base hit to the wall in right-center to snap an 0-for-63 hitless streak. He backed that up with 6 2/3 strong innings in which he gave up two earned runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts and walks. Cincinnati didn't record an extra-base hit off Nova through the first six innings, connecting on three harmless singles until breaking through with a pair of runs in the seventh.

As the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, we'll keep you up to date with the latest news, buzz, rumors and more.

Hamels to start Monday amid swirling trade rumors
July 22: Cole Hamels has been the subject of intense trade speculation in recent weeks, but he doesn't appear close to changing teams just yet. According to a report by MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan on Sunday, Hamels will start for the Rangers against the Athletics in Texas on Monday.

With his future in question, Hamels has struggled recently, going 1-2 with a 9.53 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP over his last four starts. He's 5-8 with a 4.36 ERA and a 9.0 K/9 rate in 19 starts overall this season. The 34-year-old southpaw is making $23.5 million this year and has a $20 million team option for next year along with a $6 million buyout. He also has a partial no-trade clause, although he'd likely waive it to join a contender. In a relatively thin market for pitchers this summer, Hamels is one of the more attractive arms for teams in need of starting pitching, including the Yankees, Mariners, Phillies and Red Sox.

Cubs deep in talks with O's for Britton, seeking bullpen help
July 22: With Manny Machado having made his debut in Dodger blue on Friday, the Orioles have shifted their focus to their next big trade piece: closer Zach Britton. And the Cubs may be the frontrunners -- they're "deeply involved" in talks with the O's about Britton, according to a report from The Athletic's Patrick Mooney on Saturday.

Although the Cubs have one of the best bullpens in baseball this year, they're still looking to add help at the Trade Deadline. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein was quoted in an article by MLB.com's Carrie Muskat on Sunday as saying, "You're always looking to upgrade this time of year when you have a competitive team. No matter how well your 'pen has pitched, there's always a desire to look around and see if you can tweak it and improve it. You're always cognizant of the fact that you can address it after July 31."

Chicago's bullpen has the fewest losses and second-lowest ERA in the National League this year entering Sunday. The Cubs already bolstered their relief corps by trading for Jesse Chavez on Thursday, but they don't appear to be done given their interest in Britton. Cubs closer Brandon Morrow went on the disabled list Thursday with right biceps inflammation, but Epstein insists his injury isn't a factor in their search for relief help leading up to the Deadline.

Thor to DL amid trade rumors

July 22: MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reported Sunday that the Mets will place Noah Syndergaard on the 10-day disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease. Syndergaard, along with rotation-mates Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler, have been the subject of increasingly strong trade speculation in a market that is said to be thin among top-of-the-rotation arms.

According to DiComo, the Mets expect Syndergaard to return within 10 days, which means that this injury shouldn't have much bearing on Syndergaard's immediate tradability, though his extensive injury history might give potential suitors some pause. He is 6-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 15 walks this season, posting strikeout and walk rates roughly in line with his outstandding career rates. He was sidelined just over a month earlier this season with a injury to a finger on his pitching hand.

A's interested in Fiers

July 22: The A's made a major statement about their status as American League contenders by acquiring reliever Jeurys Familia from the Mets. And they're not done yet. The club would like to upgrade its starting rotation, and is interested in Detroit right-hander Mike Fiers, although serious discussions have yet to begin, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. 

The A's have used 12 different starting pitchers this year, and of the season-opening rotation -- Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Daniel Mengden, Daniel Gossett and Andrew Triggs -- only Manaea is still on the active roster. 

Fiers has a 3.00 ERA over his last 14 starts, while averaging exactly six innings per outing. He's become one of the most attractive starting pitchers leading up to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, along with J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi. 

Fiers is scheduled to have one more season of arbitration eligibility in 2019 before becoming a free agent. He signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Tigers before the season. 

Olney: Cabrera could be next Met to move
July 22: Though recently moved closer Jeurys Familia and the Mets' starting rotation have drawn much intrigue leading up to the Trade Deadline, the buzz around veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera has steadily grown among teams that could either use an upgrade in the infield or clubs that might value Cabrera's positional flexibility in the stretch run and into the postseason.

Tweet from @Buster_ESPN: Asdrubal Cabrera could be the next Met to move: He's hitting .280, .332 OBP, 17 homers, positional flexibility. Brewers, Cleveland, Phillies among the teams with interest in him.

Tweet from @Feinsand: Familia not the only Mets player drawing interest; source says multiple teams have inquired about Asdrubal Cabrera, though no deal is imminent. Brewers and D-backs believed to be among potential suitors.

According to reports by ESPN's Buster Olney, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and Matt Ehalt of The Record, the Brewers, Indians, Phillies, D-backs and Mariners are among the teams that are believed to have expressed interest in the 32-year-old, who has exclusively played second for the Mets this season but also saw time at third last year and spent several seasons as Cleveland's primary shortstop earlier in his career.

Teams like the Indians (Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez) and Mariners (Dee Gordon, Jean Segura, Kyle Seager) have established starters in the infield that wouldn't be displaced by Cabrera, but there's plenty of Ben Zobrist-like value that Cabrera could provide to such clubs with his veteran bat and positional versatility that could prove valuable in the postseason. The Brewers, D-backs and Phillies have clear needs in the infield.

The switch-hitting Cabrera is slashing .280/.332/.487 this saeson with 17 homers and 53 RBIs, and is on pace for his eighth consecutive season of at least 135 games played.

Despite struggles, Gray likely staying put
July 22: There has been some speculation that the Yankees might try to move Sonny Gray at the Trade Deadline, but Fancred's Jon Heyman reported Sunday that New York is more likely to hang on to the struggling right-hander. Per Heyman's report, the Yankees are interested in adding starting pitching rather than trading it away, as they've been linked to several available arms on the trade market, including Toronto's J.A. Happ.

Tweet from @JonHeyman: There���s said to be a bit of interest in Sonny Gray in trade, as there are folks who believe he���d do better in another market. But Yanks��� main interest is in adding to rotation, not subtracting from it.

Some believe Gray, who spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with Oakland before being dealt to New York last year, could use a change of scenery to a smaller market. The 28-year-old has struggled at Yankee Stadium this year, posting a 7.62 ERA with a 1.89 WHIP in nine home starts. The Yankees may be hopeful he can turn his season around, however, after winning his two most recent starts. Gray is also under contract through 2019, so New York might prefer to wait and see if he can adjust to pitching in the Big Apple with more experience.

Bundy, Gausman, Schoop drawing trade interest
July 22: Though Zach Britton is looking like the next Orioles player to go after Manny Machado was dealt to the Dodgers on Wednesday, Baltimore still has a number of attractive trade candidates beyond the southpaw, including right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop.

According to Roch Kubatko of Masnsports.com, the O's have been receiving inquiries about all three, with the Brewers asking about Schoop and Gausman, the Yankees checking in on Gausman and the Braves expressing interest in Bundy, Gausman and Schoop.

Tweet from @masnRoch: Have heard #brewers asked about Schoop and Gausman. #yankees have checked on Gausman. #braves have expressed interest in Schoop, Gausman and Bundy #orioles

Bundy, Gausman and Schoop are all under team control beyond this season, so the Orioles don't face the same urgency to trade them as they did with Machado and do with Britton, Brad Brach and Adam Jones. In fact, Gausman is controllable through 2020, and Bundy through '21.

Of course, the O's should be able to get significant returns for the two right-handers because of that control, and it may behoove the club to trade both now with its rebuilding period likely to last several years.

Schoop, meanwhile, can become a free agent after the '19 season. Baltimore would be selling low on him, as he is hitting just .229 with 11 homers and a .656 OPS in 78 games this year after making the American League All-Star team in '17.

Marlins and Rays arms drawing trade interest
July 22: Teams in need of pitching help are looking to the Marlins and Rays, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported Sunday. According to Frisaro's report, at least a dozen scouts were spotted at this weekend's three-game series between the two clubs at Tropicana Field. Marlins closer Kyle Barraclough and lefty reliever Adam Conley have been getting the most attention, while Dan Straily -- who started Friday and has logged five straight quality starts -- could also be an option for teams in need of rotation help. Brad Ziegler, who opened the season as Miami's closer and will be a free agent this winter, is available as well.

Frisaro noted that the Marlins' asking price for Barraclough and Conley is high, as both have yet to reach arbitration. Straily, the team's most consistent starter over the past several seasons, has yet to reach arbitration as well. Miami is also seeking a large return for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, although the club may opt to keep him in the hopes of negotiating a contract extension this winter. Realmuto, 27, still has two seasons to go before reaching free agency.

The Rays, meanwhile, have been getting a lot of interest in starters Chris Archer and Nathan Eovaldi. Scouts were able to catch a glimpse of both this weekend, as Eovaldi tossed six innings of one-run ball Friday and Archer fanned 13 over six innings Sunday. Eovaldi has been solid in 10 starts since opening the season on the disabled list, registering a 4.26 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP and a 6.6 K/BB ratio over 57 innings. Archer has also battled injuries this year, but has a 4.30 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 90 innings. On Saturday, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported that Archer is drawing "significant interest" on the trade market.

Tigers may look to move Iglesias
July 22: Five years after the Red Sox dealt him to the Tigers as part of a three-team trade for Jake Peavy, Jose Iglesias may be on the move at the Trade Deadline once again. Following a slow start to the season, Iglesias has enhanced his trade value over the past several months by batting .295/.325/.421 since April 13. The slick-fielding shortstop has also been more aggressive on the bases this year, nabbing a career-high 12 steals.

For teams that missed out on Manny Machado, Iglesias could provide an upgrade on the left side of the infield. Iglesias has logged time at third base and second base in the past as well, so he could have value as a utility infielder. The 28-year-old will be a free agent after this season, which might lead Detroit to shop Iglesias in the coming days.

Red Sox scouting Twins, Royals
July 21: Red Sox senior vice president of player personnel Frank Wren was in attendance at Friday's Twins-Royals game in Kansas City, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Tweet from @MikeBerardino: Among scouts here tonight for #mntwins-#Royals: #RedSox senior VP/BB Ops Frank Wren, who goes back to the #Expos days with Boston baseball czar Dave Dombrowski.

It's unclear which players the Red Sox were scouting, but both teams are sellers leading up to the Trade Deadline. Minnesota's Brian Dozier and Kansas City's Whit Merrifield would both be fits in Boston with second baseman Dustin Pedroia possibly out for the rest of the season with left knee inflammation. The Red Sox are also pursuing bullpen help and could be interested in Twins relievers Fernando Rodney and Zach Duke.

Boston may be targeting Kansas City's Mike Moustakas as well after being linked to Manny Machado. In return, the Red Sox could offer 21-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers, who was activated from the disabled list on Saturday. Devers, who had been sidelined since July 11 with left shoulder inflammation, is hitting .241/.292/.424 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs in 89 games this year.

White Sox unlikely to deal Abreu
July 21: Despite some interest from the Astros, the White Sox appear unlikely to move All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, according to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Tweet from @BNightengale: The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him

MLB.com's Richard Justice had previously reported that Astros president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow was looking to add a big-name bat before the Trade Deadline, and that Abreu was among the players that Houston was exploring.

But the great value that the White Sox reportedly place in Abreu's clubhouse presence, his influence over many of the team's young players and the plethora of top talent in the upper levels of Chicago's Minor League system could have been factors in the organization's inclination to hold on to Abreu, who is under team control through 2019.

The Astros have also been connected to Orioles closer Zach Britton, and they were believed to be discussing Rays catcher Wilson Ramos before he went on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain earlier this week.

Video: Justice on Astros' interest in Abreu, Archer rumors

Phillies, Braves eyeing Moose, Escobar?
July 20: The Phillies and Braves also had scouts in attendance for the Twins-Royals contest Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reported. Both clubs could use upgrades on the left side of the infield, and with Kansas City and Minnesota each positioned as sellers for the upcoming July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, Mike Moustakas and Eduardo Escobar could soon be on the move.

Tweet from @FlannyMLB: Scouts from the Phillies and Braves here tonight -- both teams have been said to have interest in Mike Moustakas.

NBC Sports Philadelphia reported last month that the Phillies had discussions with Kansas City about Moustakas. Though third baseman Maikel Franco has been hitting well of late, Philadelphia could use an offensive upgrade at the position, and recently missed out on acquiring Manny Machado. Meanwhile, Atlanta's starting third baseman, Johan Camargo, entered play Friday with a .768 OPS, and shortstop Dansby Swanson's OPS was .715 to begin the second half of the season.

Moustakas signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal last offseason to return to the Royals after declining Kansas City's qualifying offer to become a free agent. He entered play Friday hitting .249/.306/.466 with 19 home runs. Escobar, also due to be a free agent at season's end, is having the best season of his career at the plate, slashing .271/.327/.507 with 14 homers and an MLB-leading 35 doubles entering play Friday. He is also able to play shortstop, were he has appeared in 21 games this season.

Could Hand trade lead to Reds dealing Iglesias?
July 20: With left-hander Brad Hand now a member of the Indians after being dealt by the Padres on Thursday, the Reds' Raisel Iglesias is arguably the best reliever on the trade market. And as MLB.com's Mark Feinsand writes, the Hand trade reaffirmed the lofty return the Reds might be able to get by moving the right-hander.

In exchange for Hand and righty reliever Adam Cimber, the Padres landed catcher/outfielder Francisco Mejia, MLB Pipeline's No. 15 overall prospect.

Iglesias, 28, has been one of the best relievers in the National League since he moved to the bullpen on a full-time basis in 2016, and he has posted a 2.36 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 rate this season.

But if another team, such as the Astros or the Braves, offers a prospect on the same level as Mejia, the Reds could be tempted to deal the closer, who is owed slightly over $11 million across '19-20 (though he can opt into arbitration this offseason).

Rosenthal: Why Rox could target deGrom
July 20: Imagine Jacob deGrom with the Rockies. OK, it might be unlikely but that didn't stop MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal from suggesting as much in a story for The Athletic (subscription required).

Given that the Rockies -- just two games out of a National League Wild Card spot after wrapping the first half with five straight wins -- are on a never-ending hunt for pitchers, making a play for the MLB ERA leader would be something. And as Rosenthal explains, it would give star third baseman Nolan Arenado reason to think about sticking in Colorado when he hits the open market after the 2019 season.

From the Mets' point of view, the Rockies could be one club to entice them into actually making their ace right-hander available, by dangling top-notch youngster Brendan Rodgers, among others. The 21-year-old 2015 first-round pick ranks as MLB Pipeline's No. 6 overall prospect and has 17 homers and an .846 OPS at Double-A this year. While Rodgers is in line to replace free-agent-to-be DJ LeMahieu at second base in 2019, the Rockies also have infield prospect Garrett Hampson as a candidate.

Cardinals unlikely to move arms, but Jose Martinez could go
July 20: The Cardinals are unlikely to trade any of their high-end pitchers as the Trade Deadline draws near, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.

"For us, the one core we have is pitching," Mozeliak said before Thursday's series opener at Wrigley Field. "And to start trying to arbitrage that would have to be a very special-type deal, otherwise it would make no sense to us. None of that has presented itself to me. No one has called me with any great ideas that way. One of the responsibilities is us looking at potential trades, potential partners, but nothing that I've looked at would make sense in that regard. I don't envision us moving pitching."

As far as what St. Louis might do before the Deadline, Mozeliak, for the second time this week, responded with the succinct answer of "TBD." Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests the Cardinals could look to trade first baseman Jose Martinez, who is set to move to a bench role as the club puts more emphasis on defense.

"Yeah, at some point," Mozeliak said about considering trading the slugger. "Right now, that asset could be a great bat off the bench. Obviously, long term, that is something we need to think through."

While Martinez is a poor defender, he has posted a 130 wRC+ this season and could be of particular interest to AL teams. More >

ST. PETERSBURG -- Daniel Robertson's walk-off grand slam gave the Rays a 6-4 win over the Marlins Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay's win came after the Marlins won the first two games of the three-game series between the in-state rivals.

Jake Bauers doubled off Kyle Barraclough to start the winning rally in the ninth. C.J. Cron followed with a single before Ji-Man Choi singled to center to score Bauers and cut the lead to 4-2.

Two outs later, Willy Adames walked to load the bases. That's when Rays manager Kevin Cash sent Robertson to the plate as a pinch-hitter.

Robertson connected on a 1-0 pitch, sending his eighth home run of the season into the left-field stands to give the Rays their first win via walk-off grand slam.

Thursday's big Cleveland-San Diego swap may have been known as "the Brad Hand trade," because he's a two-time All-Star. Depending on how things play out in the future, it might be the "Francisco Mejia trade," because he's a consensus top prospect. Almost no one thinks of it as "the Adam Cimber trade," because most fans probably had absolutely no idea who Cimber even was before Thursday.

Here's the thing, though: Cimber is really good. He doesn't pick up wins or saves, but he's got a 51/10 strikeout/walk ratio and a 3.17 ERA as a rookie, and he's someone the Indians valued highly. This is going to happen a lot over the next 10 days. In a trade market likely without an elite starter available, in a baseball world where bullpens are taking over, relievers are going to be the deadline's most valuable currency.

Here's the thing about good relievers, however: You don't know all of them. Sure, you know the big closer names like Zach Britton, Fernando Rodney or Jeurys Familia. But there are so many good relatively anonymous relievers working in non-closing situations who don't pile up wins or saves. These are the guys who, when traded, will cause fans to ask: Who? Why is this guy any good?

They deserve better than that. So do you. Let's help you understand who the actual best relievers who may be available this year are, and what makes them so useful.

Ryan Pressly, Twins
What makes him good: his velocity, and his spin

Video: MIN@MIL: Pressly fans Broxton, K's the side in 6th

It's been nearly six years since the Twins took Pressly from the Red Sox in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft, and for most of that time, you've had absolutely no idea that he's been kicking around Minnesota's bullpen. He's had nice ERA marks -- 2.86 in 2014, 2.93 in '15 -- but despite impressive physical tools, the underlying numbers just weren't interesting. In '14, of 262 relievers who threw 20 innings, Pressly's 11.5 percent strikeout rate was sixth-worst.

You might say Pressly has been working toward something: This year, his 34 percent whiff rate is 18th of 229 relievers who have 20 innings.

Pressly has always had the physical tools, really, but we're able to express them a little better now. Of 379 pitchers who have thrown 100 four-seams this year, his spin rate is seventh. Of 159 pitchers with 100 curves thrown, Pressly's spin rate is second, and first of active pitchers, since Garrett Richards is injured. And of 269 pitchers with 100 sliders thrown, he's fourth in velocity, behind a trio of Mets. It's easy to see progressive teams that value such things, like the Dodgers or Astros, being extremely interested here.

Adam Conley, Marlins
What makes him good: his added velocity

Video: SF@MIA: Conley strikes out Jackson, strands a pair

The Conley story looks a lot like the Andrew Miller story: Mediocre lefty Marlins starter becomes dominant relief weapon and ends up with Cleveland. The Indians probably won't go get Conley, too, but there's a lot of similarities here, because after spending three relatively unremarkable years in Miami's rotation (4.60 ERA in 62 games), he moved to the bullpen this year.

You might say it's gone well. Conley's ERA is down to 2.88, but more importantly, his strikeout rate has nearly doubled from a below-average 16 percent to a fantastic 31 percent, a top-35 mark. Lefties have hit just .125/.222/.270 against him, and he's allowed more than one run just once all year.

There's more than one reason for that, but none stands out more than pure, simple heat. Last year, as a starter, Conley's four-seamer averaged 89.7 mph. This year, it's up 94.9 mph. It's the largest velocity increase of any pitcher in the game. Velocity isn't everything, but it's hard to get past that jump.

Kirby Yates, Padres
What makes him good: his new splitter

Video: Kirby Yates is having a career year for the Padres

Yates kicked around four teams in four years, putting up a 4.78 ERA between 2014-17 for the Rays, Yankees, Angels and Padres, with a brief stop with Cleveland during the offseason of 2015. He got into one game with the Halos last April before being designated for assignment; when he landed with San Diego, he was quietly outstanding. Yates' 38.1 percent strikeout rate was the seventh-best in baseball.

Despite the whiffs, Yates still had a problem -- he gave up too many fly balls and too many home runs. So this year, he took the new splitter he'd thrown 11 percent of the time last year and threw it three times as often, 34 percent. Yates has barely used his slider at all. The result is an enormous jump in ground ball rate, from 29 percent last year to 50 percent this year. It's the largest grounder jump in baseball.

Going to the Padres, Yates said earlier this year, was "a match made in heaven. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me for my career."

"When I got here," he continued, "it was, 'We like your split, we want you to throw it more.'"

It's worked out well for San Diego. Soon, it may work out well for a contender, too.

Blake Parker, Angels
What makes him good: his velocity, and his splitter

Video: LAA@LAD: Parker retires Toles to preserve lead in 8th

Parker had his moments as a middle reliever for the 2013 Cubs (2.72 ERA), but a poor '14 (5.14) led to a '15 mostly out of baseball. From there, it was a whirlwind; he signed a Minor League deal with Seattle in December 2015, then was passed around on waivers, going from the Mariners to the Yankees to the Angels to the Brewers back to the Halos all before the end of '16.

In 2017 with the Angels, Parker was pretty good, putting up a 2.54 ERA while striking out 86 in 67 1/3 innings. This year, it's been more of the same, a 3.05 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. Among relievers with 100 innings in the past two years, he's 15th in ERA, and 10th in strikeout rate. Where did that come from? It starts with a split-finger that he barely used until Parker got to Anaheim, and now makes up a third of his pitches.

"It's something I messed around with and ended up really liking it," Parker said earlier this year. "I started using it, and then last year, the confidence [catcher Martin Maldonado] gave me with that pitch was a big contributor in the success that I had."

Parker allowed just a .156/.145/.284 against the splitter last year and a .109/.132/.200 mark against this year. If you care about saves, well, he's got a few, but he wouldn't likely be a closer for a contender. Parker would be a dangerous setup man who can miss bats.

Kyle Barraclough, Marlins
What makes him good: the fact you can't hit him

Video: Barraclough wins the NL Reliever of the Month in June

Barraclough -- pronounced "bear claw" -- has actually been traded in a Deadline deal once before, going from St. Louis to Miami three years ago as the prospect return for Steve Cishek. In addition to teammates Conley, Brad Ziegler and Drew Steckenrider, Barraclough is one of a handful of interesting Marlins relievers, one who has already appeared in trade rumors.

In his case, however, that 1.28 ERA is a little misleading, because an uncomfortably high walk rate -- over five per nine for his career -- doesn't actually back up that level of run prevention. That said, Barraclough is incredibly difficult to hit; he actually just went through a two-month stretch in May and June where he got into 24 games and allowed just three hits along with one run. That helps put him near the top of an insane list.

Lowest batting average against by relievers with a minimum of 100 batters faced in 2018
.122 -- Josh Hader
.126 -- Barraclough
.126 -- Aroldis Chapman
.134 -- Sean Doolittle

Barraclough has got that, plus an above-average 28 percent strikeout rate. (He also can't be a free agent until after 2021.) All of a sudden, you understand why so many contending teams are interested. He's got zero wins and most fans don't know his name, but that simply doesn't matter anymore. Pitchers who miss bats and don't allow hits are always in demand.

MILWAUKEE -- Matt Kemp and the Dodgers' offense showed the National League a glimpse of its full potential on Sunday afternoon at Miller Park.

Kemp continued his career resurgence by leading off back-to-back innings with homers and Manny Machado smacked his first extra-base hit with the Dodgers, who trounced Milwaukee, 11-2. With four teams entering Sunday's action within four games of first place in the National League West, the Dodgers' offensive outburst put the division on notice.

After the Brewers struck for two runs off Alex Wood in the first inning, Los Angeles scored 11 unanswered runs, triggered by a 422-foot moonshot from Kemp.

The second-inning clout sparked a five-run frame for the Dodgers. One night after Los Angeles committed three errors -- leading to three unearned runs charged to Clayton Kershaw in a 4-2 loss -- the Brewers opened the door for the Dodgers offense when first baseman Ryan Braun missed Enrique Hernandez's fly ball in shallow right field. Braun's miscue was ruled as a hit, and Logan Forsythe followed Hernandez with a single up the middle.

After a strikeout from Austin Barnes, Wood laid down a one-out sacrifice bunt before a two-RBI single from Chris Taylor and back-to-back RBI doubles from Machado and Turner. Machado's two-bagger was his first extra-base hit and RBI for his new club since being acquired from the Orioles on Wednesday.

Kemp, who made his first All-Star team this season since 2012, led off the third with his 17th home run, completing a six-run outing for Brewers starter Brent Suter.

The Dodgers tagged reliever Taylor Williams for five more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Forsythe and Barnes.

PHILADELPHIA -- For a second straight game, the Padres' offense started fast in Philadelphia. The difference on Sunday afternoon: They never stopped scoring.

San Diego snapped its six-game skid with a decisive 10-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 of Sunday's split doubleheader. It marked the first time since August 2015 that the Padres have scored at least three runs in the first inning of consecutive games.

In an 11-5 loss on Friday, starter Clayton Richard couldn't hold that early lead. Two days later, Tyson Ross wasn't particularly sharp either. But he escaped serious jams in the first, second and third innings, and he let the offense do the rest.

"Up and down the whole lineup, there was really good fight in every at-bat," said Padres manager Andy Green.

After Thursday's deal that sent Brad Hand to Cleveland, Ross is arguably the Padres' most noteworthy trade candidate. He did little to hurt his value, with five innings of two-run ball and five strikeouts. Ross was removed for a pinch-hitter during the Padres' three-run sixth.

"Even though it wasn't pretty, I was able to minimize the damage and make some pitches with guys in scoring position," Ross said. "It doesn't matter if it looks clean or not."

Video: SD@PHI: Ross K's Hernandez looking in the 1st inning

The San Diego offense featured a mostly balanced attack, led by former Phillie Freddy Galvis, who plated two in the first with a single and finished with three hits. This weekend marks Galvis' first trip back to Philadelphia since he was traded in December. He's 6-for-9 with four RBIs thus far in the road set.

Galvis was one of five Padres with at least two hits on Sunday. Wil Myers wasn't, but he crushed a monster two-run homer to center in the ninth. The 450-foot blast was the longest at Citizens Bank Park this season.

"I caught it on the barrel," Myers said. "Those are the balls you want to hit, staying through the middle. That was as good as you can hit a ball."

Through two games in the second half, the Padres' offense has clicked like it rarely did in the first. This weekend marks the first time San Diego has scored at least five runs in consecutive games since June 3-4.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Make 'em pay: The Padres led 4-2 in the sixth, when Christian Villanueva skyed a popup just beyond the infield. Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez retreated and appeared ready to make the catch. But in a bizarre sequence, he put his head down at the last moment and the ball caromed off his shoulder for an error. One run scored on the play, and two more would come across on Travis Jankowski's double later in the frame. All three were unearned.

Video: SD@PHI: Hosmer scores as Hernandez loses ball in sun

Super Strahm: Hand may be in Cleveland, but the Padres still feel as though they have an elite lefty presence in their bullpen. Matt Strahm, a savvy acquisition at last year's non-waiver Trade Deadline, has been excellent this season. On Sunday, he pitched two scoreless frames, including a gutsy effort in the bottom of the seventh. Strahm, whose ERA dipped to 2.21 through Game 1, worked around an error by Villanueva. He stranded the bases loaded by punching out Aaron Altherr and getting Scott Kingery to pop up to second.

Video: SD@PHI: Strahm retires Kingery to strand bases loaded

"He's going to pitch in all kinds of roles," Green said. "Hybrid long relief, like that, when you've got a lead and you're trying to protect it. I could see him in the seventh inning. I could see him in the eighth. I could see him in all kinds of different roles right now.

ASUAJE ON FIRE
Padres second baseman Carlos Asuaje was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in mid-May with a .193/.256/.284 slash line. Since his July 1 return, he's hitting .349/.463/.488, including two doubles and a sacrifice fly on Sunday afternoon.

Video: SD@PHI: Asuaje plates Spangenberg with sac fly in 9th

"He's been great," Green said. "Every at-bat is a fight. No pitcher is getting him out easily. That's exciting to see."

Asuaje's doubles sparked rallies in the first and third innings, and he's seemingly found a niche in the No. 2 spot in the lineup against right-handers.

MITEL REPLAYS OF THE DAY
Both clubs had first-inning runs hold up following replay reviews. In the top of the frame, Hunter Renfroe was ruled safe on a close play at the plate on Galvis' two-run single. In the bottom half, Rhys Hoskins' solo homer was touched by a fan, but replays couldn't determine whether interference occurred in the field of play. Both calls were close. Neither featured enough evidence to be overturned.

Video: SD@PHI: Galvis singles in a pair, call stands in 1st

CHICAGO -- Cubs relievers boasted the second-best ERA and had the fewest losses in the National League entering Sunday, but president of baseball operations Theo Epstein says they're on the lookout to add an arm before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

"You're always looking to upgrade this time of year when you have a competitive team," Epstein said Sunday. "No matter how well your 'pen has pitched, there's always a desire to look around and see if you can tweak it and improve it. You're always cognizant of the fact that you can address it after July 31."

The Cubs have been linked to Orioles reliever Zach Britton, who could give them another closer option. Brandon Morrow is currently on the disabled list with right biceps inflammation, and Epstein said that injury isn't influencing what moves they may make. The Cubs did pick up an extra arm on Thursday in right-hander Jesse Chavez, who is a versatile pitcher and a "real stabilizer," Epstein said.

Video: STL@CHC: Maddon talks Cubs acquiring reliever Chavez

The Cubs have been using young relievers such as Dillon Maples, Justin Hancock, Luke Farrell and Randy Rosario in key roles this season. Manager Joe Maddon wouldn't mind having a more experienced pitcher to call upon as well.

"You have young guys in the bullpen you think are going to be really good, but when it gets to that high-leverage moment in the latter part of the game, it's tough to just call their name before you've had the chance to break them into that moment," Maddon said. "Sometimes you're forced to do it."

Britton, 30, was sidelined at the start of the season until mid-June because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He has not given up an earned run in his past eight outings, and he has walked 10 while striking out 13 over 15 2/3 innings overall.

Video: NYY@BAL: Britton seals 5-4 win, earns 2nd save of '18

Chicago reliever Pedro Strop knows Britton from their days together with the Orioles.

"If you can add a guy like that to the bullpen, I'm not going to say you don't need it," Strop said. "You're talking about one of the best closers in the game.

"We're good," Strop said of the Cubs relievers, "but if you can add him, our bullpen could be so deep."

The Cubs entered Sunday with the best record in the NL, yet they still need reinforcements.

"Pitching is the main need," Epstein said. "The end of August, we might be looking for somebody who can play defense or steal a bag. I'm not saying we have a perfect position-player group, but [prospect] David Bote is a really good player and we can't find a spot for him now. There are intriguing guys out there who you'd love to have, but roster space and playing time are realities you can't get around."

Worth noting
• Yu Darvish played catch from 135 feet on Sunday, and the next step will be to throw off the mound, Epstein said.

"Today was his best day in a long time, and he threw really well and felt really good," Epstein said of Darvish, who has been out since May 23 with right triceps tendinitis.

Drew Smyly, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last year, threw a simulated game at Wrigley Field and will do so again on Thursday. If all goes well, the next step for the left-hander would be a rehab assignment. Smyly will be stretched out in the Minors so that he'll be a possible spot starter later this season.

"It'll be good for him to get the reps in and get his feel back and lock in his mechanics and test his arm," Epstein said. "It also allows for some versatility when he is ready to come back. He could start or go right to the 'pen and be in more of a hybrid role."

• Infielder Tommy La Stella was one of the three Cubs position players who pitched in relief on Friday. It was the first time he did so since his sophomore year in high school.

Video: STL@CHC: La Stella retires Fowler to complete outing

"As soon as I realized I was going to be able to throw it over the plate, I was relieved," La Stella said on Sunday. "It had been awhile since I busted it out. It felt good -- it was very nostalgic for me."

La Stella, catcher Victor Caratini and outfielder Ian Happ all pitched in, combining for 3 1/3 innings.

"At that time, it's all about saving the bullpen," La Stella said.

ARLINGTON -- Corey Kluber went to Washington and enjoyed the All-Star Game festivities. The Indians ace got back on a mound in the sweltering Texas heat on Friday and worked through a bullpen session with no issues. Come Monday, Kluber is expected to start as planned against the Pirates after a bout with a right knee issue.

Last week, Indians manager Terry Francona joked that some people who receive the type of gel injection used on Kluber's right knee walk away feeling like they saw God. Sitting at his temporary locker at Globe Life Park on Sunday morning, Kluber cracked a smile when asked if that was the case for him.

"I don't think so?" Kluber said with a laugh. "No, between that and doing some other stuff that we've been doing, hopefully it kind of knocked it out with having that time getting off the mound. We'll have to stay on top of it and get it better."

Kluber said he felt fine physically during Friday's mound session, but there was surely some rust after his routine was disrupted by the knee problem. Prior to the All-Star break, Kluber allowed six runs in a 114-pitch effort against the Yankees on July 12 and received the injection one day later. The right-hander's arm slot had been drifting down in recent starts as a result of some instability in the knee.

Video: NYY@CLE: Kluber strikes out Bird swinging in the 2nd

Over his past six turns for Cleveland, Kluber has gone 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA, allowing a .740 opponents' OPS in 34 innings. In Kluber's previous 14 starts, the righty went 10-4 with a 1.99 ERA and a .551 opponents' OPS in 99 2/3 frames. While the knee issue was not deemed to be serious, it took a toll on Kluber's mechanics and he will need to incorporate some minor maintenance work into his five-day routine.

Tweet from @MLBastian: Corey Kluber said his vertical release point has dropped due to ���collapsing��� on right knee. Here are grabs from 7th inning on April 9 vs. 7th on Thursday. Most noticeable in third photo of delivery. pic.twitter.com/7nPT5ea4Qz

"I feel better," said Kluber, who continued to play catch over the All-Star break. "So, hopefully that little bit of a break did some good."

Kluber said he was excited about the Tribe's trade on Thursday that brought relief ace Brad Hand and reliever Adam Cimber to the Indians from the Padres. He applauded the front office's aggressive approach.

"This is a few years in a row now," Kluber said, "where they've felt like we've put ourself in a position for them to go and be aggressive and try to improve our team. Obviously, they've given us an opportunity to hopefully make it to the postseason and hopefully set us up for a good spot if we are fortunate enough to get there."

Worth noting

• Indians closer Cody Allen has posted a 6.66 ERA with an .832 opponents' OPS in 25 2/3 innings, dating back to May 6. That includes nine runs (two in the ninth on Friday) over his past five outings. With Allen sorting through some mechanical issues, Francona allowed the closer to face one batter in the seventh inning of Saturday's 16-3 rout over the Rangers. Allen induced a groundout from Robinson Chirinos.

"We had talked before the game about coming in, like, in the middle of an inning," Francona explained, "where he's just competing as opposed to thinking. And we might do that a time or two -- we'll see -- depending on what the game presents. ... I think it can kind of jump-start him a little bit."

• Right-hander Josh Tomlin (10-day disabled list, right hamstring) is back to a regular throwing routine, including bullpen sessions. He will continue to work through some delivery adjustments in mound sessions before the Indians send him out on a Minor League rehab assignment.

"He thinks they're making some pretty good strides," Francona said. "And then we've got to talk about the best way [to approach the Minors rehab]. I even threw out to him maybe going in two- or three-inning stints, where you can throw all your pitches, but it's not five or six innings, where if you pitch and something happens, you're not available. We'll work through that."

• Lefty Andrew Miller (10-day DL, right knee) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday for his latest Minor League rehab outing. Miller will meet with Francona, pitching coach Carl Willis and the team's medical and training staff Monday to go over the next steps in his program.

OAKLAND -- Jeurys Familia arrived at his new home clubhouse on Sunday for his first game with the A's roughly an hour before first pitch against the Giants.

He'll be called upon to be the closer should they need one.

With both Lou Trivino and Blake Treinen pitching more than an inning in Saturday night's 11-inning win, the A's bullpen is taxed. Familia, who the