New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom will make his 2022 major league debut Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, manager Buck Showalter told reporters Sunday.

DeGrom, who has been sidelined all season by a stress reaction in his right scapula, threw 67 pitches over four innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

He told reporters Sunday he was looking forward to making his return.

The Rockies and closer Daniel Bard are finalizing a contract extension, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Saturday. It is expected to be for two years and about $19 million. The club has not confirmed.

Bard, who has a 1.91 ERA and 21 saves in 37 appearances this season, had been a candidate to be dealt before Tuesday's Trade Deadline. 

Aaron Judge became the first big leaguer with 40 homers this season, smashed a grand slam for No. 41 and robbed a home run in right field as the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 11-5 Friday night.

A free agent at the end of the season, Judge is on pace for 66 home runs, which would top Roger Maris' club record of 61 in 1961.

All-Star right-hander Joe Musgrove and his hometown San Diego Padres are nearing agreement on a $100 million, five-year contract that would start next year, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday night because the deal is still a few days away from being finalized.

The deal was first reported by the New York Post.

Andrew Benintendi made his debut for the New York Yankees on Thursday after being acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.

Among other things, Benintendi fielded questions about his decision not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which prohibits him from traveling to Toronto to play against the Blue Jays.

"I'm still positioned in the same spot," Benintendi said. "I'm open-minded about it. I'm not against it. But time will tell."

Benintendi also refuted rumors that he agreed to become inoculated as a condition of the trade. 

The Yankees have a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Toronto coming up in September and there remains a possibility the two clubs could meet in the playoffs.

A number of Major League clubs have begun to use PitchCom this season, a device to relay signs from the catcher to the pitcher and vice versa.

Max Scherzer, who admitted to using PitchCom for the first time this week, isn't a fan of the device.

"Here's what I'll say on PitchCom," he said. "It works. Does it help? Yes, but I also think it should be illegal. I don't think it should be in the game. Stealing signs is part of the game. For me, I've always taken pride in having a complex system of signs and having that advantage over other pitchers.

"The fact that we're taking this out of the game and we're putting in technology, now you can't steal signs on second, the pitcher can't have an advantage of having a complex system. It's part of baseball, trying to crack someone's signs." 

While a Shohei Ohtani trade remains "extremely unlikely" before next week's deadline, the Los Angeles Angels haven't entirely ruled out the possibility, according to a report.

The report speculates that the Angels will wait until after the Washington Nationals trade Juan Soto to see what haul the outfielder brings.

Ohtani, 27, is making just $5.5 million this season and he'll hit free agency after the 2023 campaign.

The Boston Red Sox have informed Xander Bogaerts that they won't be trading him before the trade deadline.

When asked whether he had been given assurance from the front office he would not be dealt, Bogaerts replied, "Yeah. I don't know if I should say that, but I hope I don't get in trouble. But yeah, much better like that. Communication is always huge in everything in life. To get that type of feedback is beneficial, I would say."

Bogaerts can opt out of the final three years of his contract this offseason.

Shohei Ohtani answered questions about his future with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday as the club dropped to 15 games under .500.

Ohtani was asked if he still wants to be with the Angels after the trade deadline next week.

"Regardless of where I'm playing, I'm going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me," the reigning American League MVP said. "I'm with the Angels right now, and I'm very thankful for what they've done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now I'm an Angel, and that's all I can focus on."

Ohtani, who turned 28 earlier this month, is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

Miami Marlins top prospect Max Meyer will undergo Tommy John surgery, the club announced.

The decision to have the surgery was made after the right-hander consulted with multiple doctors. Meyer underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the injury.

Meyer, 23, is one of the top prospects in baseball and was the third overall pick in 2020.