The MLB hot stove has cooled off dramatically now that the waiver trade deadline has passed, but there are still a few rumblings around the league ahead of the postseason - and about which players may become available this winter. With that in mind, here are all the latest MLB rumors and news you need to know.
Stanton returning to starting lineup
Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has only been used a pinch hitter since returning from a groin injury earlier in the month, but manager Don Mattingly says Stanton could return to the starting lineup this week, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro:
Not ready to surrender their National Leauge Wild Card hopes just yet, the Marlins instead are going all in the final two weeks. So much so that they appear ready to unleash Giancarlo Stanton.
Manager Don Mattingly said after Miami's 7-5 win over the Braves at Turner Field on Wednesday that Stanton could be ready to return to the starting lineup as early as this weekend in Philadelphia.
Miami is off on Thursday before opening a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park on Friday.
"We're close to getting Giancarlo back," Mattingly said. "We're hoping he can play Friday. We were missing that for about 45 days and that hurt us."
Stanton is batting .244 with 25 homers and 71 RBIs in 108 games this season.
Estrada pitching through herniated disc
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada has seen his production tail off in the second half of the season, and we now know the reason behind it. According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, Estrada has been pitching through a herniated disc in his back.
Marco Estrada pitching with herniated disk in his back; explains ~ 5-1/3 IP per start since All-Star break, compared with ~ 6-2/3 IP before.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 15, 2016
Estrada had a 2.93 ERA in the first half of the season, but has put up a 5.47 ERA since the All-Star break.
Braun-Puig trade wasn't close?
Reports earlier this week indicated that a Ryan Braun-Yasiel Puig was extremely close to happening between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers before the deadline, but the deal ultimately fell through at the last minute. However, Heyman says the deal wasn't that close to happening:
The idea that the Ryan Braun for Yasiel Puig trade was close to happening may be a slight exaggeration. One person familiar with the dealings said “there was lot of dialogue but it was never close.” It might be something to keep an eye on however, for the winter, as there are only six teams Braun can be traded to, and the Dodgers certainly can afford him (though there would be some offset to the $96 million to go over the next four years).
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