MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

MLB Draft Outlook The projected first‑round of July’s draft reconfigured the top picks, with analysts highlighting a left‑handed power arm from the Pacific Coast League as the likely No. 1 choice. The mock also noted a surge in college shortstop valuations, pushing a Texas standout into the late‑first‑round slot. Such shifts reflect teams’ urgency to replenish farm systems after a season marked by multiple high‑profile injuries.

Pitching Health Updates Blake Snell’s elbow surgery is scheduled for Tuesday to remove loose bodies, and the Los Angeles Dodgers remain optimistic about a 2026 return, citing his prior durability. Across the league, the Toronto Blue Jays confirmed that right‑hander José Berrios will undergo elbow surgery Wednesday, with the recovery timeline pending post‑procedure evaluation. Meanwhile, the New York Mets’ Clay Holmes avoided surgery on his fractured right fibula after a 111.1 mph comebacker struck him, though the injury sidelines him indefinitely.

Injury Roster Moves The Houston Astros saw second baseman José Altuve exit a 4‑1 victory over the Rangers early in the ninth inning, prompting an MRI to assess left‑side soreness. The Texas Rangers’ All‑Star shortstop Corey Seager missed his second consecutive start against Houston after waking with back spasms, extending his absence and forcing the club to adjust its in‑field alignment. In Boston, shortstop Trevor Story was placed on the 10‑day injured list with a sports hernia, leading to the promotion of infielder Ryan Sogard for the first time this season.

Off‑Field Moments An umpire’s abrupt departure after being struck by a foul ball during the Cubs‑White Sox matchup underscored concerns about on‑field safety for officials. In Philadelphia, Dusty Wathan stepped in as interim manager while Don Mattingly attended his son’s graduation, guiding the Phillies to a 6‑0 shutout of Pittsburgh and marking Wathan’s first managerial win. At Busch Stadium, a wave of shirtless fans—led by a college team from Alton, Illinois—sparked a back‑to‑back winning streak for the Cardinals, prompting the organization to endorse the trend on social media.

Team Performance Rankings Week 7’s power rankings crowned a new leader at the summit, with the Oakland Athletics’ offense surging to a league‑best run rate that displaced the Los Angeles Dodgers after a stretch of four consecutive games scoring 10 or more runs. The Yankees, confronting a mounting title drought, saw captain Aaron Judge maintain lofty expectations despite external pressure, emphasizing his commitment to lead the club out of the slump. Conversely, the Mets adopted a contrasting strategy for the Subway Series, focusing on bullpen depth and small‑ball tactics against the Yankees’ power‑centric approach.

Rehab and Velocity Milestones Gerrit Cole’s latest Triple‑A outing featured a 99.6 mph four‑seam fastball and 86 pitches thrown, signaling a near‑final step in his rehabilitation and hinting at a possible late‑season return to the Yankees’ rotation. Shohei Ohtani, back after a brief rest, delivered a five‑RBI performance—including a two‑run triple that capitalized on a defensive error—in a 15‑2 victory over the Angels, reinforcing his role as a dual‑threat catalyst for the Los Angeles Dodgers.