MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Injuries Impact Key Players

The Diamondbacks placed second baseman Ketel Marte on the 10-day injured list Thursday, just three days after he failed to show up for a game in Boston. GM Mike Hazen confirmed the move, ending a bizarre absence that stunned the franchise. Meanwhile, the Royals expect third baseman Maikel Garcia to return to the injured list soon, likely for a hamstring strain, just three days after his previous activation following a nearly two-month stay on the IL. The Mets placed shortstop Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list with left ankle bursitis, with surgery planned and his challenging first season in New York effectively over. The Nationals' CJ Abrams is listed as day-to-day after spraining his left ankle during a slide in Wednesday night's win over the Rangers.

Roster Moves and Call-Ups

The Mariners are calling up left-hander Kade Anderson, the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball, to start against the Cubs on Saturday, according to sources. The Phillies signed former All-Star left-hander Nestor Cortes to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million in the majors and $250,000 in the minors. The Pirates acquired veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations, bolstering their backup depth behind the plate.

Stadium Developments

The Athletics' Las Vegas stadium project advanced with the installation of a second steel truss arch, continuing the visible growth of the franchise's future home on the Strip. The Kansas City city council approved a $600 million commitment toward a new downtown Royals ballpark, clearing a major hurdle in the team's relocation efforts.

Pitching Performances

Pirates ace Paul Skenes acknowledged room for growth after a rocky outing that pushed his ERA to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 at season's start. Nationals' Cade Cavalli followed his one-hitter with six scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts in Washington's 6-0 win over the Rangers. Rangers' Jacob deGrom enters his Thursday start eyeing the 2,000 strikeout milestone, which would make him the second-fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach the mark.

Team Success and Recognition

Brewers manager Pat Murphy downplayed his team's success despite holding the best record in baseball, suggesting the club hasn't played great baseball overall as they appear headed for an eighth playoff berth in nine seasons. The MLB Power Rankings saw the Braves rise to No. 3 this week as the NL continues to dominate the top, with Atlanta jumping past Tampa Bay in the latest update.

Prospects and Future Outlook

The updated top 100 MLB prospect rankings reveal which future stars have surged up the list following the conclusion of draft and trade season, with several names making significant jumps in organizational hierarchies across baseball.