MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 8:53 AM ET

Star Performances & Power Rankings Shakeup

Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the most dominant two-way nights of the season, hitting a leadoff home run then pitching five scoreless innings in the Dodgers' win over the Padres on his start day, reminding the league why he remains the centerpiece of any playoff conversation. That performance fueled a significant shift in ESPN's weekly Power Rankings, where several playoff hopefuls cracked their highest marks in years while a big shakeup at the top of the top-50 prospect list saw a new No. 1 emerge, signaling fresh names entering the elite tier. The Dodgers' ace continues to anchor their rotation, and his two-way production keeps LA firmly in the driver's seat for a World Series run.

Injuries & Returns

The injury front remained active across the league. The Braves pulled Ronald Acuna Jr. from Thursday's game with pain in his left thumb as a precaution, raising immediate concerns about his availability for the stretch run. Over in New York, Trent Grisham received reassuring news that tests showed no structural damage to his left knee, easing fears after he exited a game in the fifth inning a day earlier. The Tigers' ace, Tarik Skubal threw his third bullpen session since elbow surgery with manager A.J. Hinch calling it a "great step", though his return timeline remains undetermined. Mets starter Kodai Senga will make his first minor league rehab start on Friday as he works back from lower back pain, while Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke will be out until at least after the All-Star break with a significant left hamstring strain. Marlins prospect Robby Snelling will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after injuring his UCL in his major league debut, a sobering reminder of how quickly prospects can see their careers derailed.

Fielding Woes & the ABS System

Defensive struggles continued to draw attention. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong called his errors over the past two games "laughable" after allowing a ball to scoot under his glove in a 5-0 loss to the Brewers, adding to an uncharacteristic stretch for a player known for elite range. Meanwhile, early numbers on baseball's automated ball-strike system are beginning to provide clarity on how the challenge mechanism is playing out in real time, with umpires and teams still adjusting to the technology's role in close calls.

Franchise Developments

On the business front, the Athletics' $2 billion domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip remains on schedule to open before the 2028 season, with the lower bowl taking shape as construction presses ahead. Miami continues to operate as one of baseball's most experimental organizations, calling pitches from the dugout and radically rethinking batting practice in ways few other teams have attempted. In a quirkier development, Jazz Chisholm Jr. broke out of a slump by wearing Giancarlo Stanton's pants, which are seven inches and 61 pounds larger — a testament to the lengths players will go to shake loose from a funk.