The Oakland Athletics have received trade calls about closer Mason Miller, according to a report.

They haven't gotten deep in talks with a suitor, but the A's are at least broadly open to discussions.

Miller, 25, has a 1.10 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 16.1 innings this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the subject of a scripted TV series about his friend and former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole almost $17 million from him to pay off illegal gambling debts.

Tony Award winner and producer Scott Delman and former Sports Illustrated reporter Albert Chen, author of the sports gambling book "Billion Dollar Fantasy," are behind the untitled project.

Mike Trout feels that having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee was a better alternative than postponing the procedure and being a designated hitter the rest of the season.

"It was an option they put out there," he said. "It would have been just maintaining the pain level of it. The day I got the MRI and it showed [a tear], I was in a lot of pain, so it would have been a tough road for the rest of the year to bear that. I felt the best option for me was to get it right and be fully healthy to come back soon."

In 1,518 career games, Trout has been the DH for the Los Angeles Angels only 81 times and has a .214 batting average.

At 12-24, the Houston Astros occupy last place in the American League West.

The club is on pace for more than 100 losses, something that could lead them to sell at the trade deadline.

However, general manager Dana Brown isn't ready to entertain the idea.

"No," he said on MLB Network. "No, I can't envision that. This ballclub is too good." 

Giancarlo Stanton hit a 119.9 mph home run Wednesday night against the Houston Astros, the hardest-hit ball in the Major Leagues this season.

In the third inning, Stanton pulled a 1-2 curveball from rookie Spencer Arrighetti into the second deck in left field at Yankee Stadium, just inside the foul pole. The Yankees went on to win 9-4.

It was Stanton's third-hardest-hit home run since Statcast tracking began in 2015. He launched a 121.7 mph homer against the Texas Rangers in August 2018 -- the record in the Statcast era -- and a 121.3 mph shot at the Washington Nationals in July 2020 that ranks second.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to promote top prospect Paul Skenes to make his debut on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

Skenes, 21, has allowed three earned runs in 27 1/3 innings with 45 strikeouts in Triple-A.

The Pirates drafted Skenes with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.

Ippei Mizuhara has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of felony bank fraud and submitting a false tax return after authorities found that he stole nearly $17 million from Shohei Ohtani in order to pay off gambling debts to an illegal sportsbook.

Mizuhara, 39, who had been Ohtani's longtime interpreter, is expected to enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks.

His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

 The total maximum sentence Mizuhara could receive for both crimes would be 33 years imprisonment and fines of $1.25 million, but in exchange for his plea -- outlined in the agreement released Wednesday -- prosecutors would recommend a reduced sentence.

The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-hander Tyler Gilbert from the Cincinnati Reds, according to a report.

The report seems to indicate that the Reds will receive cash considerations in return.

Gilbert wasn't on the Reds' 40-man roster and therefore won't need a roster spot with the Phillies.

Gilbert, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Reds in the offseason.

Pete Alonso is in what could be his final season with the New York Mets.

The first baseman, 29, is hitting .212/.297/.445 with nine home runs in 155 plate appearances this season.

A few weeks ago, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns admitted Alonso reaching free agency is "the most likely outcome." The two sides have reportedly had talks on an extension over the years.

"I'm not particularly thinking about that right now," Alonso said.

"I love the city I play in. I consider myself a New Yorker," he added. "I have a great relationship with guys on the team obviously. And I think I have a great relationship with people in the front office and Steve as well. We'll see what happens this winter. It's a big question mark. For me, right now, I'm just focusing on doing what I can to help us win every day."

Willson Contreras broke his left forearm when he was hit by a swing during the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-5 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

The catcher told reporters he will need surgery and miss at least six weeks.

"So right now I mean, I'm in pain pretty good, but I'm really upset missing," Contreras said. "I know that it's going to be tough for me to watch the games and not out there with the guys, but I'm going to do my best to stay present, pick each other up and cheer for them because that's the best thing I can do."

Contreras got hurt with J.D. Martinez at the plate in the second inning. After he was tagged by Martinez's swing, the catcher tumbled over in obvious pain and then jogged away before sitting down while he was examined by the Cardinals' athletic training staff.

"I hit meat," Martinez said. "I felt like I hit meat. I didn't hit like just like a glove where you kind of just point back to catcher, it was just solid. I was like, dude, I hit him good. ... I felt terrible."