MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 20, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Injury Reports and Roster Flux

The Tigers' pitching rotation faces a significant void as veteran right-hander Justin Verlander will likely remain sidelined for weeks due to a left hamstring strain. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks lost Michael Soroka just one inning into his Friday start against Minnesota because of posterior left hip discomfort, and the Royals held Bobby Witt Jr. out of the lineup with a Grade 1 MCL sprain, though the shortstop successfully avoided a stint on the injured list. The Dodgers delayed the return of catcher Will Smith, who will not be activated this weekend and may miss the team’s upcoming road trip, while the Rangers optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock only days after the second baseman rejoined the major league roster following a 37-game absence due to injuries and viral meningitis.

Team Updates and Player Milestones

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani remained away from the team on Friday for paternity leave, forcing a shift in the club's lineup against the Orioles. In Toronto, manager John Schneider confirmed that right-hander Shane Bieber rejoined the club on Friday, with the pitcher potentially returning from the injured list within the next few days. Despite a blistering 104.2 mph fastball from Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski during his outing against the Braves, the effort fell short in a loss for Milwaukee. On the individual front, Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. dismissed safety concerns regarding his equipment, stating he does not plan to wear a cup despite being struck in the groin by a foul ball during Thursday's contest.

League Operations and Historical Context

A bizarre officiating shortage occurred during the Padres-Rangers game on Friday, when only two umpires were present on the field to start the top of the first inning. Broadening the scope of the game, league officials have proposed a structural overhaul to the draft system that includes the addition of an international draft and significant changes to the domestic selection process. In Alaska, the annual Midnight Sun Game continues its century-long tradition of starting at 10 p.m. to take advantage of the summer solstice sunlight.

Performance and Strategic Outlook

Cam Schlittler earned high praise from NBA champion Josh Hart after the tall right-hander fanned 13 batters in a dominant Friday performance, leading to speculation that he currently ranks as the top pitcher in the American League. As the trade deadline approaches, the Giants face a difficult evaluation of their roster direction following a rocky start to the season that has left the front office weighing their future moves in a competitive division.