MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

American League Roster Moves & Injury Woes

The Houston Astros continued to struggle with mounting injuries as shortstop Jeremy Pena landed on the injured list with a hamstring issue, compounding the problems for the struggling club. Adding to the defensive woes, starter Tatsuya Imai was sidelined simultaneously due to arm fatigue, while starter Cody Bolton exited Sunday's 6-1 defeat to Seattle early in the second inning with mid-back tightness forcing immediate roster adjustments. Across the league, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Lenyn Sosa from the White Sox to address depth concerns after outfielder George Springer suffered a recent toe injury, indicating a rapid response to necessary roster fortification ahead of the trade deadline.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees completed a minor transaction, returning 25-year-old right-hander Cade Winquest to the St. Louis Cardinals just three days after the club had designated him for assignment. In other procedural moves, fantasy managers looking for immediate help at the catching position are advised to scan the available waiver wire options, as several clubs face unexpected attrition behind the plate, though specific names were not detailed in the general advisory.

National League Pitching & Mets' Slide

The National League East saw continued turbulence, particularly for the New York Mets, who called up veteran outfielder Tommy Pham on Monday in a desperate attempt to halt a five-game losing skid that has coincided with Juan Soto landing on the injured list. This offensive desperation plays out as the Mets prepare for a highly publicized, big-spending showdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking one of the most expensive series ever staged in MLB history, putting enormous pressure on both high-salaried rosters. On the mound, San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta was removed from Sunday’s 7-2 victory in the fourth inning due to tightness developing in his pitching elbow, adding another potential name to the ever-growing list of sidelined arms across the majors.

The injury bug also bit the Baltimore Orioles, who placed first baseman Ryan Mountcastle on the IL after confirming he sustained a broken fourth metatarsal bone in his left foot requiring substantial recovery time. Other NL teams dealt with sudden withdrawals: Colorado Rockies starter Kyle Freeland was scratched from his Sunday start against the Padres after the game commenced due to soreness in his pitching shoulder forcing an immediate change to the rotation. Philadelphia Phillies rookie Andrew Painter, though initially scratched Sunday with a migraine, managed to toss five effective relief innings in the team’s 4-3 loss to Arizona. Finally, Washington Nationals reliever Ken Waldichuk departed after injuring his arm while delivering a pitch during the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-6 defeat of Milwaukee prompting further bullpen evaluation.

Off-Field Commentary

While the focus remains on injuries and transactions, the subjective league entertainment metrics continue to be tracked, as the debate over the league’s best bat-flipping showman intensifies, with the current season’s champion belt on the line following the first major battles.