Lane Thomas owns a .232/.326/.393 slash line this season, but boasts an .800 OPS against lefties. Scott W. Grau / Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesAug. 1, 2026 Updated 10:08 pm EDTAs they bid to run away with the National League East, the Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Lane Thomas and pitcher Bailey Falter from the Kansas City Royals on Saturday evening, a league source told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been announced. The Royals’ return in the trade was not immediately known.Thomas exited the Royals’ game in Colorado in the fourth inning and received hugs from teammates in the visitors dugout. It’s the fourth time in his career that he’s been traded, and the third time it’s happened in the days leading up to the deadline.
Thomas owns a .232/.326/.393 slash line this season, but has a track record of faring well against left-handed pitching. He boasts an .800 OPS against lefties this season. The Braves own a .706 OPS as a team against lefties, which ranks in the middle of the pack in MLB, versus a .745 mark against righties.Why is everyone watching for hugs before the trade deadline?Tyler Kepner and Lauren Morales-JonesThomas signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Royals over the winter, opting for new surroundings rather than a return to the Cleveland Guardians on a similar contract. The Guardians acquired him ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, and he delivered a go-ahead grand slam off Tarik Skubal in the decisive game of the ALDS that October. He spent last year dealing with foot and wrist injuries.Falter was set to join the Royals’ rotation after a stint in Triple-A Omaha following a couple of rough stretches in Kansas City earlier this season. He has allowed 15 runs on 24 hits in 9 2/3 innings in the big leagues this year. The 29-year-old lefty logged a 3.35 ERA with Omaha.Aug 2, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
