MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: April 4, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

MLB Injury Woes Mount

A challenging stretch of the baseball schedule saw several key position players exit games early across the league, raising significant concerns for contenders. Dodgers star Mookie Betts departed Saturday's contest in Washington after just the top of the first inning due to right lower back pain, while Mets right fielder Juan Soto was subsequently diagnosed with a right calf strain after an MRI confirmed tightness that forced him out of Friday’s game. Further west, Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick left the second game of a split doubleheader in the fourth inning with left side tightness, compounding the injury woes that also afflicted the American League, where Twins All-Star Byron Buxton exited Friday's win clutching his right forearm after sustaining a contusion.

Pitching & Umpire Incidents

The injury list expanded into the pitching ranks as well, most notably impacting the Detroit Tigers' veteran ace Justin Verlander, whose highly anticipated season home debut was curtailed when he landed on the 15-day Injured List with hip inflammation. Meanwhile, on-field safety issues arose during the weekend slate when plate umpire Ron Kulpa was forced to exit the Marlins-Yankees contest in the fourth inning after taking a hard foul ball directly off his mask, necessitating a replacement to finish the game.

Minor League Security & Club Quirks

Away from the major league action, one prospect discussed the psychological benefits of long-term security, as Brewers prospect Cooper Pratt stated that signing a major league contract while still in the minors should alleviate performance pressure as he progresses toward the big leagues. In a lighter development for the Milwaukee clubhouse, manager Pat Murphy’s pre-game ritual of carrying "pocket pancakes" was reportedly banned by a local reporter, leading the team to adopt a new "rally tortoise" mascot to spark late-game offense.