MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 20, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Pitching Dominance and Velocity

Right-hander Cam Schlittler fanned 13 in a dominant Friday outing, earning high praise from NBA champion Josh Hart, who labeled the tall pitcher as the premier arm in the American League. While Schlittler commanded the mound, Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski touched 104.2 mph during a high-octane performance against the Braves, though the velocity was not enough to prevent a Milwaukee loss.

Injury Updates and Roster Moves

The Dodgers face a complex week as Will Smith delayed his return from a neck injury, potentially skipping the team’s upcoming road trip, while Shohei Ohtani missed the lineup due to paternity leave. In Texas, the Rangers optioned second baseman Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock just days after he completed a 37-game recovery from a viral meningitis bout and various injuries. The Diamondbacks also deal with rotation concerns after Michael Soroka exited early with posterior left hip discomfort following just one inning of work.

Health and Player Status

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. avoided the IL despite a Grade 1 MCL sprain that kept him out of Friday’s game against the Cardinals, while Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Justin Verlander faces weeks on the sidelines due to a left hamstring strain. Elsewhere, Shane Bieber rejoined the Blue Jays and appears poised for an activation from the injured list in the coming days, even as Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. rejected protective gear after taking a foul ball to the groin on Thursday.

League Operations and Industry Trends

A bizarre scene unfolded in Texas as only two umpires manned the field at the start of the Padres-Rangers contest, highlighting an unusual officiating gap. Meanwhile, the league continues to push for structural change as MLB proposed a new draft plan that would integrate an international selection process and overhaul the domestic draft model. As the postseason chase intensifies, the Giants face a pivotal deadline following a difficult start in San Francisco, while in Alaska, players honored a century-old tradition as the Midnight Sun Game began at 10 p.m. during the summer solstice.