MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: June 20, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Injury Reports and Roster Management

The Tigers veteran Justin Verlander faces a multi-week recovery timeline after sustaining a left hamstring strain, a significant blow to the team's rotation. Meanwhile, the Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is sidelined with a Grade 1 MCL sprain but has successfully avoided a stint on the injured list. In Texas, the Rangers optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock, a surprising move occurring only days after he finished a 37-game absence due to viral meningitis and injury.

The Dodgers delayed Will Smith’s return from a neck injury, keeping him off the active roster this weekend with his status for the upcoming road trip uncertain. His teammate Shohei Ohtani remained absent from Friday's lineup against the Orioles due to personal leave for the birth of his child. Elsewhere, the Blue Jays welcomed Shane Bieber back to the clubhouse, with manager John Schneider noting the right-hander is feeling healthy and could be activated from the injured list within days.

Pitching Performance and Unique Game Incidents

The Diamondbacks suffered a loss in depth when Michael Soroka exited early after only one inning against the Minnesota Twins due to discomfort in his posterior left hip. In Milwaukee, Jacob Misiorowski reached 104.2 mph during a high-velocity display against the Braves, though the impressive radar-gun readings failed to secure a win for the Brewers. The pitching spotlight also found Cam Schlittler, who struck out 13 batters on Friday, an outing so commanding that it earned a public endorsement from the Knicks' Josh Hart as the top arm in the American League.

Operational anomalies marked the start of the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres contest, where only two umpires monitored the field during the top of the first inning. Meanwhile, Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. rejected protective gear despite suffering a painful groin injury from a foul ball just 24 hours prior, stating he has no intention of wearing a cup Industry Trends and Baseball Culture

Major League Baseball is currently evaluating a draft proposal that aims to overhaul the domestic selection process while introducing an international draft. In the broader sports collectibles market, box breaking practices are under scrutiny as regulators weigh whether the hobby constitutes a form of gambling. Celebrating the sport’s longevity, the Midnight Sun Game in Fairbanks continues its century-long tradition of playing baseball under the Arctic summer light, with the first pitch scheduled for 10 p.m. to mark the solstice.