MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 8:33 PM ET

Injury Bug Bites as All-Star Break Approaches

The injury bug continues to bite MLB clubs as the All-Star break looms. The Boston Red Sox will be without pitcher Ranger Suarez, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain and will miss the All-Star Game placed on the 15-day injured list. Catcher Willson Contreras also experienced a setback, exiting Wednesday's game after fouling a ball off his left foot, adding to a tumultuous season that saw his suspension reduced from seven to five games. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers received more concerning news about Brandon Woodruff, as an MRI revealed a new injury to his shoulder's anterior capsule, prompting the team to seek a second opinion. On a brighter note for the White Sox, Munetaka Murakami is expected to return Friday from a strained right hamstring.

All-Star Game Buzz and Player News

As the All-Star Game approaches, some players are preparing for the festivities while others are dealing with the aftermath of injuries. Alan Porter has been named the crew chief and will call balls and strikes for the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia has been named the crew chief. Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras, despite his recent injury scare, will be able to participate in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby after his suspension was reduced to five games suspension was reduced. Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is also confirmed for the Home Run Derby is also confirmed. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe strongly denied a report claiming he refused to play second base, calling the story "B.S." and stating he was caught off guard. His teammate, Aaron Judge, will have his injured rib imaged during the All-Star break as the Yankees remain cautious about his recovery.

Surprises on the Mound and in the Lineup

There were notable performances and near-misses on the mound Wednesday. Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Giants before Heliot Ramos broke it up with a single to center field took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. In a significant development for the Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout came off the injured list Wednesday and homered in his return, contributing to a 13-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler exited Wednesday's game with an injured right hand, while the Athletics' Nick Kurtz left due to illness.

Managerial Interest and Future Outlooks

With the Phillies in strong playoff contention heading into the All-Star break, interim manager Don Mattingly expressed his interest in leading the club full-time. three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the oldest active player in MLB at, announced he will retire after the 2026 season, marking the end of an era for elite pitchers. The MLB draft is also on the horizon, with the White Sox identifying three top candidates for the No. 1 pick: Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey, and Grady Emers. ESPN's MLB Power Rankings assess where every team stands ahead of the midseason break, while fantasy baseball analysts offer outlooks for the second half of the season and potential trade deadline moves offer outlooks for the second half. ESPN also released its final 2026 MLB draft rankings, detailing the top 250 prospects.