MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 24, 2026, 6:15 AM ET

American League East & Wild Card Picture

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the AL East behind Drew Rasmussen, who took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning while shutting down the Yankees. New York’s playoff hopes remain alive, but their rotation questions persist. Aaron Judge told ESPN he intends to be available for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, while slugger Giancarlo Stanton, out 5½ months with an elbow injury, faced live pitchers as the team holds out hope he can return for October. Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela, activated Wednesday after missing time since Sept. 3 with a hamstring issue, injured his hamstring again while running out a single, a brutal blow for a Red Sox club already thin in the outfield.

National League East & Wild Card Race

The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler struck out seven straight to open the game and finished with 11 K’s while reaching 2,000 for his career. The Mets hired Andy Green to a three-year deal, removing the interim tag. The Braves got good news on Ronald Acuña Jr., who is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his leg, and they also activated Robert Suarez for setup duties, targeting two appearances before the playoffs. Atlanta’s rotation remains a question mark, though.

Central Division & Wild Card Implications

The Cubs’ Craig Counsell pointed out the disadvantage his team faces after a schedule change against the Red Sox, with Chicago fighting for a wild-card spot. Third baseman Alex Bregman, hit by a foul ball, is expected to return this weekend after being listed day-to-day. The Cubs need every win they can get, and Bregman’s bat will be critical down the stretch.

Injury Updates & Player News

Shohei Ohtani, who has been dealing with a shoulder issue, returned to the Dodgers’ lineup Wednesday, saying his health is “probably an eight or a nine” on a scale of one to ten. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled down on his contract comments, saying “what I said is the way I feel” after backlash from Blue Jays fans and media. Max Scherzer said he’ll announce his future in the next day or two, likely deciding between retirement and one more season.

Front Office & Managerial Moves

The Red Sox signed Chad Tracy to a three-year deal as manager and extended GM Craig Breslow through 2030, locking in their leadership group. Tracy, who took over midseason, has guided Boston from last place to the brink of a playoff berth. The Nationals gave Cade Cavalli a $4 million signing bonus as part of his deal, a move that protects the club if he needs another Tommy John surgery.

Season Wrap-Up &

The Rockies lost their 100th game for the fourth straight season, becoming just the fifth team in MLB history to do so. Meanwhile, the Padres are being framed both ways in baseball’s labor debate — either a small-market success story or a cautionary tale about spending. With the regular season winding down, full grades for all 30 teams are in, and playoff rotation tiers are being ranked. The Red Sox’s remarkable turnaround from 10-17 to postseason contender is one of the stories of the year.