MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

MLB Midseason Awards Watch & Player News

As the All-Star break looms, the race for baseball's top individual honors is heating up. While midseason rankings are being debated, several pitchers are facing potential scheduling conflicts that could impact their All-Star Game eligibility. Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski is slated to pitch the Sunday before the break, making him unavailable for the Tuesday showcase game two nights later Misiorowski's ASG status. Elsewhere in player news, Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez was hospitalized and is in stable condition after fainting following his start Thursday against the Dodgers Vasquez taken hospital. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez exited his game against the Angels in the third inning after being struck in the back of the helmet by a thrown ball during a slide Rodriguez exits game.

Injury Updates and Roster Moves

The injury bug continues to bite across Major League Baseball, with several significant players facing extended absences. Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko posted on social media Thursday that he faces a "lengthy" recovery after a severe back injury sustained in a collision with a teammate Lasko facing lengthy recovery. Two-time All-Star Brent Rooker will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn cartilage in his left knee Rooker to have season-ending surgery. In roster moves, the Braves recalled infielder Jim Jarvis from Triple-A Gwinnett and designated veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment Braves bring back Jarvis.

Disciplinary Actions and Player Performances

Major League Baseball has handed down suspensions following a benches-clearing incident at Fenway Park. Cade Cavalli and Willson Contreras each received seven-game bans for their roles in the brawl, while Miles Mikolas was suspended for five games Cavalli, Contreras suspended. On the performance front, Dansby Swanson had a historic day for the Cubs, hitting three home runs, including a grand slam, and driving in eight runs in a dominant 23-3 victory over the Pirates Swanson's historic day.

Trade Deadline Buzz and Power Rankings

With the trade deadline approaching, speculation is mounting regarding potential moves for some of the league's biggest stars. Players like Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and Freddy Peralta are all mentioned as potential trade candidates player every team needs. Meanwhile, the latest MLB Power Rankings see the Tampa Bay Rays rise to the top spot in the American League, knocking the New York Yankees down, while the Miami Marlins cracked the top 10 MLB Power Rankings. Fantasy managers are also with insights into potential breakouts and trends like Skubal's surge and the Rays' hitting prowess fantasy baseball managers.

Team Notes and Future Outlook

In team-specific news, Mets owner Steve Cohen stated he is not considering firing president of baseball operations David Stearns, despite the team's struggles Mets owner Cohen. the Dodgers remain the favorites to win the 2026 World Series, with the Phillies and Brewers also showing strong potential 2026 World Series odds. Special July 4th uniforms and caps will be worn by all teams during games on the holiday, featuring new star-and-stripes designs July 4 uniforms. A unique promotion sees a Bobby bobblehead topping MLB's Fourth of July merchandise Bobby bobblehead tops MLB's.

Notable Matchups and Player Sightings

Excitement is building for Shohei Ohtani's pitching start on Friday against the Dodgers, with Dalton Rushing expected to catch him Ohtani's start Friday. In a close contest, the Cleveland Guardians stunned the Chicago White Sox with a walk-off home run by Brayan Rocchio in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing a 5-6 victory Guardians stun White Sox.