The Toronto Blue Jays have made a splash on MLB trade deadline day, acquiring right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland receives righty Khal Stephen, a 22-year-old minor-league pitcher ranked the No. 5 prospect in Toronto’s system by MLB Pipeline.
Bieber, 30, is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in the majors this season.
He’s posted a 1.59 earned-run average and 0.71 WHIP across four rehab starts, including a seven-strikeout performance over four innings Tuesday with Double-A Akron.
The former American League Cy Young winner has spent his entire career with Cleveland since being drafted in 2016, compiling a 62-32 record with a 3.22 ERA over 136 big-league appearances. He’s also a two-time All-Star, a Gold Glove recipient and was named MVP of the 2019 All-Star Game.
Bieber won the Cy Young in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, after leading the majors in wins (eight), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122) — becoming just the ninth pitcher since 1913 to claim MLB’s Triple Crown.
He agreed to a one-year, $14 million US contract last fall with a $16 million player option for 2026.
Stephen, meanwhile, has gone 9-1 with a 2.06 ERA across three minor-league levels this season.
The Mississippi State product was a second-round pick by Toronto in 2024 and has struck out 27.9 per cent of opposing batters in his first full pro campaign.
It’s the Blue Jays’ second major trade this week after adding reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
Toronto, which leads the American League East, opens a three-game series with Kansas City on Friday.
Padres acquire Miller, Sears from As
The San Diego Padres acquired hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and left-hander JP Sears in a deal with the Athletics on Thursday, adding major upgrades to their pitching staff in a trade deadline blockbuster.
The Padres gave up an impressive package of prospects, sending highly-regarded shortstop Leo De Vries and right-handed pitchers Henry Baez, Braden Nett and Eduarniel Nunez to the A’s.
San Diego general manager AJ Preller was his usual aggressive self at the deadline, trading a big chunk of his thin farm system’s best talent to acquire Miller, one of the majors’ most dynamic relievers, and dependable starter Sears.
The Padres entered Thursday in the National League’s final wild card spot at 60-49 after sweeping the New York Mets on Wednesday for their fifth consecutive win overall. San Diego trails the defending World Series champion Dodgers (63-46) by just three games in the NL West, and Preller clearly believes his veteran core has World Series potential.
The 26-year-old Miller, whose fastball averages 101 mph, has 20 saves in 23 opportunities, a 3.76 ERA and 59 strikeouts for the A’s this season. He was an All-Star in 2024 and is under team control through the 2029 season.
Yankees add Pirates closer Bednar
Looking to fortify their bullpen for the stretch run, the New York Yankees agreed to acquire two-time All-Star closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates a few hours ahead of baseball’s trade deadline Thursday.
New York was set to send catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores, catcher Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez to the Pirates in exchange for Bednar, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a review of medical information and had not been announced.
The Yankees had been seeking more late-inning options for their bullpen, which entered Thursday with a 4.24 ERA — including a 6.27 mark in July.
Tigers bolster bullpen with Finnegan, Sewald
The Detroit Tigers are making moves, hoping to increase their chances of winning a World Series for the first time in more than four decades.
Detroit acquired Kyle Finnegan from Washington for two prospects, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press just hours before the trade deadline on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade wasn’t announced.
The 33-year-old Finnegan was an All-Star in 2024, but his velocity has been down this season. He has 20 saves with a 4.38 ERA in 2025.
Detroit added Paul Sewald earlier in the day, giving the rebuilding Cleveland Guardians cash for the right-handed reliever.
The AL Central-leading Tigers won their fourth straight game with newly acquired starting pitcher Chris Paddack on Wednesday, two days after he was added in a trade with the Minnesota Twins.
Phillies add Gold Glove outfielder Bader
The Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring outfielder Harrison Bader for two minor leaguers, a person with direct knowledge of the trade said Thursday, their second deal with the Minnesota Twins in two days after landing closer Jhoan Duran.
The person confirmed the swap to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a review of medical records. ESPN was first to report it.
The 31-year-old Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove winner, remains a strong defender at all three outfield spots and has 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .778 OPS in 96 games. Bader adds another bat to an outfield that has struggled to put up big offensive numbers. He also has postseason experience, playing in five postseason series with the Cardinals, Yankees and Mets with a .809 OPS and five career homers.
The right-handed hitting Bader could fall into a platoon with left-handers Brandon Marsh in center or Max Kepler in left.
The Phillies are sending minor league outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria to the Twins for Bader.
The Phillies acquired Duran to round out the bullpen a day earlier. He has 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances this season, striking out 53 in 49 1/3 innings. That deal cost the win-now Phillies a stronger pair of prospects in catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel.