MLB Baseball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: May 17, 2026, 2:50 PM ET
Injury Updates and Health Concerns
Blake Snell scheduled for elbow surgery espn.com on Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, with the Dodgers hopeful he'll return this season. Meanwhile, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve undergoing MRI espn.com after leaving Houston's 4-1 win over the Rangers in the ninth inning with left side soreness. In other injury news, Rangers All-Star shortstop Corey Seager remains sidelined espn.com with back spasms, missing a second straight game against the Astros. On the positive side, Mets' Clay Holmes avoiding surgery espn.com on his fracturing right fibula, though he hasn't completely ruled out the procedure.
On-Field Developments and Fan Culture
Umpire Brian O'Nora exited White Sox game espn.com after being struck by a foul ball in the fourth inning during Saturday night's Cubs-White Sox matchup. Meanwhile, Busch Stadium embraced shirtless trend espn.com after dozens of shirtless Cardinals fans, led by a college baseball team from Alton, Illinois, sparked back-to-back wins this weekend.
League Rankings and Team Dynamics
A new team claimed top spot espn.com in MLB's Week 7 Power Rankings, replacing the Los Angeles Dodgers as the league's best. With the first Subway Series of the season approaching, analysts contrasting approaches espn.com of the Mets' makeover versus the Yankees' run-it-back philosophy. Amid mounting pressure to end New York's title drought, Yankees captain Aaron Judge maintaining sky-high expectations espn.com despite the team's struggles.
League Politics and Future Outlook
MLB and MLBPA engaging in CBA discussions espn.com, with labor relations expected to dominate conversations The league's draft projections espn.com suggest intriguing decisions await at the top of the July draft board, with the first 40 picks potentially reshaping team futures.