MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 2:57 AM ET

Injury Updates Across MLB

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo an MRI on Sunday after exiting Saturday's 4-1 win over Texas with left side soreness, adding to a growing list of injuries across the league. Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell is scheduled for elbow surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies, with Los Angeles hopeful for a return this season despite missing significant time. Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios faces elbow surgery Wednesday as Toronto awaits a recovery timeline, while Phillies starter Clay Holmes suffered a fractured fibula when struck by an 111.1 mph comebacker against the Yankees. Rangers second baseman Josh Smith was hospitalized with viral meningitis and is expected to remain in the hospital for at least a week, creating a roster void for Texas.

Labor Relations & CBA Negotiations

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association convened meetings this week to begin Collective Bargaining Agreement discussions that will shape the sport's future, with key topics including service time manipulation, salary arbitration, and revenue sharing. The negotiations come amid ongoing concerns about competitive balance and player compensation structures that have dominated recent offseasons.

Power Rankings Shakeup & Phillies Surge

A new team claimed the top spot in ESPN's Week 7 power rankings as the Los Angeles Dodgers' red-hot offense propelled them past previous leaders, while Kyle Schwarber launched two two-run homers to reach 20 home runs on the season in Philadelphia's wild victory. The Phillies' offensive outburst came despite losing closer Jose Alvarado to injury earlier in the week, showcasing their depth in the NL East race.

Rehabilitation Progress & Managerial Fill-In

Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph with his fastball in what appears to be his penultimate rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, throwing 86 pitches as the Yankees' ace nears his return from injury. Dusty Wathan made history as Philadelphia's interim manager during the Phillies' 6-0 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, filling in while Don Mattingly attended his son Trevor's Purdue University graduation.

Mets-Yankees Rivalry & Subway Series Preview

The first Subway Series of 2025 arrives with two teams employing contrasting philosophies: the Mets' aggressive makeover approach versus the Yankees' "run-it-back" strategy with their core intact. New York's injury concerns mounted when Clay Holmes suffered a season-impacting fracture just as the rivalry matchup intensified, while Aaron Judge continues maintaining sky-high expectations despite mounting pressure to end the Yankees' championship drought.

Additional Injuries & Roster Moves

Rangers All-Star shortstop Corey Seager missed his second consecutive game against Houston due to back spasms, while Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sports hernia after struggling at the plate. Baltimore infielder Jordan Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2026 season, dealing a significant blow to the Orioles' infield depth.

Minor League Highlights & Draft Preview

A Pirates rookie-level affiliate pounded out 18 hits in a 28-1 seven-inning victory over an Orioles farm team, capitalizing on seven defensive errors for an explosive offensive performance. Meanwhile, ESPN's latest mock draft projects an intriguing decision at the top of July's first round, with teams weighing college performers against high school talent as the draft landscape takes shape.

Fantasy Baseball Outlook & Fan Culture

Eric Karabell's fantasy analysis spotlights Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages as potentially Los Angeles' best bat, while also identifying Miguel Vargas as a top hitting prospect to monitor. St. Louis embraced a shirtless fan trend at Busch Stadium after dozens of bare-chested supporters, led by a college baseball team from Alton, Illinois, sparked back-to-back Cardinals victories over the weekend, creating an unusual but apparently effective good-luck charm.