Will Wagner has been placed on the Toronto Blue Jays’ restricted list, taking a day off to attend his father Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame induction. This decision opens a roster spot for Alan Roden, who has been recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Will Wagner's batting average of .243 with a modest six RBIs in 36 games indicates he is still finding his footing in his second MLB season. In contrast, Roden has struggled at the plate with a .206 average in his brief appearances with the Blue Jays this year.

Billy Wagner, who tallied an impressive 422 saves over his 16-year career, is being honored alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, both first-ballot inductees. Wagner's election marks a significant milestone as he garnered 82.5% of the votes on his 10th ballot.

As MLB integrates automated ball-strike systems into its games, pitcher Tarik Skubal advocates for a human-centric view of the strike zone, while fellow All-Star Paul Skenes acknowledges the challenges this poses. The automated system, tested in the minors, shows promise, but pitchers like Clayton Kershaw hope for adjustments that accommodate different player heights. With 52.2% challenge success during spring training, the potential for redefining the game is palpable, as Hall of Famer Joe Torre highlights the importance of leveraging technology over traditional umpire calls.

Byron Buxton, the Minnesota Twins' standout, is gearing up for the 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta, aiming to follow in Justin Morneau's historic footsteps as the second Twin to win the title. Buxton's recent performance, highlighted by a remarkable cycle at Target Field, has him riding a wave of momentum heading into the event. He will be coached by Twins third base coach Tommy Watkins, a significant figure from his early career.

Buxton's strategy will hinge on adapting to the Home Run Derby's unique format, which features a bracket-style competition across three rounds, challenging players to maximize their home runs within strict time limits. The anticipation is palpable not just for Buxton's potential victory, but also for how he will compete against formidable hitters like Cal Raleigh, who leads the league with 38 home runs this season.

The Colorado Rockies have made a significant move by drafting high school shortstop Ethan Holliday with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. This selection continues the Holliday legacy, as Ethan's father, Matt Holliday, was also drafted by the Rockies decades ago. Ethan, viewed as a potential No. 1 pick, joins the franchise at a challenging time, as the Rockies are struggling with a league-worst record. Despite some concerns about his swing mechanics last summer, Ethan boasts an impressive offensive profile with high exit velocities and a keen eye for the strike zone.

With Ethan's versatility, there are expectations that he could transition to third base, adding offensive depth and defensive skills to a Rockies team in need of revitalization. The Holliday family has already made history with both Ethan and his brother Jackson being top draft picks, signaling a bright future for the Rockies as they aim to turn their fortunes around.