MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 5:35 AM ET

MLB Player News & Standings

The race for MVP honors is heating up as the All-Star break approaches, with Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper emerging as leading candidates for the NL MVP award. Ohtani, however, was held out Saturday by the Dodgers after his right biceps tightened during a recent start, though he still managed a season-high 110 pitches in his last outing. In other injury news, the Mariners placed outfielder Julio Rodriguez on the seven-day injured list with a concussion after he was hit in the helmet by a throw. The Padres also saw a pitcher head to the IL, with Randy Vásquez going on the 15-day list due to a bruised ankle.

In a move to bolster their offense, the Braves signed outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league contract, seeking veteran help. Meanwhile, reliever Aroldis Chapman reached a significant career milestone, surpassing 1,000 strikeouts among relievers, placing him in elite company historically. Ballparks across MLB are also gearing up for the Fourth of July holiday, with teams like the Dodgers and Nationals offering special themed food items for fans.