MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 5:43 PM ET

Injury Updates & Roster Moves

The Los Angeles Dodgers shook up their bullpen Sunday by placing left-hander Jack Dreyer on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort while acquiring veteran Eric Lauer from the Brewers. Meanwhile, reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell scheduled for elbow surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies, with the club optimistic about his 2026 return. In New York, Mets reliever Clay Holmes confirmed surgery remains possible for his fractured right fibula, though he's not ruling out a recovery without the procedure. The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Ryan O'Hearn on the 10-day IL with a strained quad while activating outfielder Jake Mangum from the injured list.

Pitching Injuries Mount Across League

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios will undergo elbow surgery Wednesday, with recovery timeline uncertain until after the procedure. Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and will miss the entire 2026 season. Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story was placed on the injured list with a sports hernia, opening the door for prospect Mason Sogard's promotion. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo an MRI Sunday after exiting Saturday's 4-1 win over Texas with left side soreness in the ninth inning.

Rehabilitation Progress & Returns

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph with his four-seam fastball during an 86-pitch outing in Triple-A, likely his penultimate rehab start before rejoining the rotation. The velocity marks a promising sign for the former Cy Young winner working his way back from injury. Shohei Ohtani reset his approach after a brief rest period, collecting two hits and five RBIs including a two-run triple in the Dodgers' 15-2 victory over the Angels.

Team Standings & Rankings Shift

MLB Power Rankings crowned a new No. 1 team in Week 7 as offensive firepower propelled a club past the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had held the top spot. The rankings reflect a red-hot offense that has dominated competition over the past fortnight. With the first Subway Series of the season approaching, the Mets' roster makeover faces off against the Yankees' run-it-back philosophy in a battle of divergent strategies.

Labor Relations & Draft Outlook

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA continued CBA discussions this week, with key topics including service time manipulation, playoff expansion, and revenue sharing set to dominate negotiations. to July, mock draft projections suggest an intriguing decision at the top of the first round, with scouting intel pointing toward several potential franchise cornerstones available in the first 40 picks.

Managerial Milestone & Fan Culture

Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Dusty Wathan made history as interim manager during Saturday's 6-0 win over Pittsburgh while serving as substitute for Don Mattingly, who attended son Trevor's Purdue graduation. At Busch Stadium, the St. Louis Cardinals embraced a shirtless fan trend after dozens of bare-chested supporters, led by an Alton, Illinois college baseball team, sparked consecutive walk-off victories over the weekend.

Fantasy Impact & Umpire Incident

Fantasy baseball managers should consider Dodgers outfielder as a potential waiver wire addition, with Eric Pages emerging as a viable option in deeper formats. The Blue Jays' bullpen situation warrants monitoring following Berrios' surgery announcement. Umpire Brian O'Nora exited Saturday's Cubs-White Sox game in the fourth inning after being struck by a foul ball, though he appeared to avoid serious injury.

Captain's Leadership Amid Pressure

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge maintained his sky-high expectations despite mounting pressure to deliver the franchise's first championship since 2009. The slugger's consistent approach has remained unchanged even as media scrutiny intensifies around the team's window of contention. His leadership style continues to set the tone for a clubhouse focused on ending the title drought.