MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 11:45 AM ET

League Landscape & Business

MLB and the players' association convened this week for early CBA negotiations, with core economic issues like revenue sharing and the luxury tax threshold expected to dominate talks as the current agreement expires in 2026. The Atlanta Braves supplanted the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the weekly power rankings, fueled by a majors-leading 5.2 runs per game offense that has outscored opponents by 78 runs in their last 20 games. In the upcoming amateur draft, projected No. 1 pick Charlie Condon is drawing comparisons to Paul Skenes, though several teams in the top ten are debating whether to prioritize advanced college arms or high-upside high school position players.

Injury Wave Hits Pitching Staffs

A wave of significant injuries is reshaping rotations across the league. The Mets suffered a major blow when starter Clay Holmes sustained a fractured right fibula from a 111.1 mph comebacker, an injury that will sideline him for at least six weeks. Toronto’s Jose Berrios will undergo elbow surgery Wednesday, with a recovery timeline uncertain, while Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg had Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2026 season. The Yankees received a positive update as Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph with his fastball in a Triple-A rehab start, likely setting up one more tune-up before a mid-June return. However, the AL West race grew tighter as Rangers shortstop Corey Seager missed his second straight game with back spasms and Astros second baseman Jose Altuve exited with left-side soreness, both set for MRI exams.

Power Surge in Philly & Anaheim

Kyle Schwarber’s historic power pace continued with two more two-run homers, lifting his season total to 20 and leading the Phillies to a wild 11-8 victory over the Pirates. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani delivered a dominant performance in his return from a brief absence, slamming a two-run triple and driving in five runs during a 15-2 rout of the Angels, showcasing his two-way prowess. The performances underscore a growing trend of elite power hitting, with the league on pace for its highest home run rate since 2019.

Subway Series Showdown & Divergent Philosophies

The first Subway Series of 2024 highlighted two franchises taking opposite paths. The Mets, hovering around .500, are standing pat with their core, while the Yankees—grappling with a title drought—are aggressively trying to augment their roster around a captain who shows no sign of wavering. Aaron Judge, amid mounting pressure, reiterated his championship expectations, stating, "The goal is still to win the World Series," even as the team awaits key returns like Cole and assesses the impact of Holmes’ injury.

Dodgers’ Rotation Setback & Fantasy Angles

Los Angeles’ pitching depth was tested as Blake Snell is scheduled for elbow surgery to remove loose bodies, with the Dodgers still optimistic he can return this season. The injury opens a rotation spot, potentially benefiting fantasy managers who have stashed Ryan Yarbrough or Bobby Miller. Eric Karabell projects Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing as a potential fantasy difference-maker by September, while citing Freddie Freeman’s consistent run production as a safe floor in the middle of the order.

Trends & Notes

A new fan tradition is gaining traction in St. Louis, where shirtless Cardinals supporters—galvanized by a college team’s visit—have sparked back-to-back walk-off wins, prompting the team to embrace the trend. In Boston, the Red Sox placed shortstop Trevor Story on the 10-day IL with a sports hernia and promoted utility man Nick Sogard, a move that further clouds their infield outlook. Umpire Brian O’Nora was struck by a foul ball and exited the White Sox-Cubs game in the fourth inning, a reminder of the hazards of the profession. In the Phillies’ 6-0 win over Pittsburgh, Dusty Wathan made history by becoming the first manager in franchise history to win his debut while filling in for Don Mattingly, who was attending his son’s graduation.