MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

Pitcher Performances and Player News

Dylan Cease came close to a no-hitter on Wednesday, taking a no-hit bid into the ninth inning against the Giants before Heliot Ramos broke it up with a single. Meanwhile, the Brewers are facing a new injury concern, as an MRI revealed a new shoulder issue for Brandon Woodruff, prompting them to seek a second opinion. Mike Trout returned to the Angels lineup and homered in his first game back, helping Los Angeles to a decisive 13-1 victory over the Rangers.

Home Run Derby and All-Star Buzz

The field for the Home Run Derby is taking shape, with sluggers preparing to compete in Philadelphia. Royals hitter Jac Caglianone, who has hit nine of his 14 homers in June and leads MLB in average home run distance, will participate in the event. In other All-Star related news, Zack Wheeler expressed frustration after being left off the initial All-Star Game roster, only to tie a career high with 14 strikeouts on the same day.

Retirements and Managerial Interest

Justin Verlander, the oldest active player in the majors at after the 2026 season, marking the end of an era for elite pitchers. In managerial news, Don Mattingly, currently serving as interim manager for the Phillies in leading the team full-time, especially with Philadelphia in playoff contention.

Player Injuries and Milestones

Willson Contreras' season continued with an injury, as he exited the Red Sox's win after fouling a ball off his left foot. Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler also with a right-hand injury. On the offensive side, Ryan O'Hearn made Pirates history on Tuesday, setting a club record by driving in 10 runs on three home runs in a 12-4 win over the Cardinals to set a franchise record.

Draft Prospects and League Developments

The White Sox have narrowed their focus for the No. 1 pick in the MLB amateur draft to three candidates: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, and Texas high school shortstop Grady Emers. Separately, the Women's Professional Baseball League unveiled the nicknames and logos for its four teams ahead of its inaugural season. Domingo Acevedo, pitching at the Triple-A level for Colorado for a positive PED test.

Team Performances and Historical Notes

The Yankees for the second consecutive game, whiffing 17 times in a 6-4 loss to the Rays, becoming the first AL team to achieve this in back-to-back nine-inning contests. Reflecting on the first half, various teams received midseason grades, with some contenders excelling while others faced significant struggles as assessed by analysts.