Guardians bullpen secures win after losing All-Star closer to Twins

Several Major League Baseball players are facing notable challenges and transitions in the 2025 season. Noah Syndergaard, once a star pitcher for the New York Mets, has been released by the Chicago White Sox after struggling in Triple-A, casting uncertainty on his MLB future as he nears 33 years old. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies debuted their new closer Jhoan Duran with an elaborate walk-out entrance, highlighting the team's excitement about his arrival and his signature 'splinker' pitch. Pittsburgh Pirates' ace Paul Skenes experienced a rare subpar outing at Coors Field, a notoriously hitter-friendly park, but his dominant July performance overall cements him as a top pitcher to watch. Additionally, fantasy baseball analysts are cautioning about second-half bust candidates among hitters like Zach McKinstry, whose underlying metrics suggest imminent regression despite solid first-half stats. These developments underscore the volatility and high stakes for players competing to establish or maintain their roles in MLB during the ongoing season.