MLB Baseball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: May 16, 2026, 11:47 PM ET
League Leadership & Labor
Major League Baseball and the players' association met this week espn.com to discuss collective bargaining agreement negotiations, with several key topics expected to dominate upcoming discussions between the league and its players regarding labor relations and player compensation.
Team Rankings & Performance
A red-hot offensive surge espn.com has propelled a new team to the top spot in ESPN's Week 7 MLB Power Rankings, displacing the Los Angeles Angels from their previous position. Amid mounting pressure to end the Yankees' championship drought, team captain Aaron Judge maintains sky-high expectations espn.com despite the team's recent struggles. As the first Subway Series of the season approaches, the contrasting team philosophies between the Mets' makeover and the Yankees' run-it-back approach highlight divergent strategies espn.com in the New York baseball landscape.
Player Health & Returns
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell undergoes elbow surgery espn.com Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, with the team still hopeful for his return this season. On the comeback trail, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph espn.com with his four-seam fastball during his likely penultimate rehabilitation start, throwing 86 pitches as he progresses toward a major league return.
Game Incidents & Fantasy Analysis
Umpire Brian O'Nora left Saturday night's game espn.com after being struck by a foul ball in the fourth inning during the Cubs-White Sox matchup, forcing a substitution behind home plate. For fantasy baseball managers analyst Eric Karabell offers insights espn.com into potential breakout performances, examining whether Pages could emerge as the Dodgers' best bat and if Vargas might develop into a top hitter