MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

MLB All-Star Game Buzz and Player News

The Midsummer Classic is in full swing, and Shohei Ohtani is expected to be in the lineup for the Dodgers against the Yankees this weekend after a knee fluid drainage procedure will be in the lineup. Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies will lead off for the National League as Ohtani's replacement, with Riley Greene, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger earning starting nods for the American League. Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski showcased a unique Pokémon-themed glove featuring a Charizard card during the All-Star festivities. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly faces a unique situation, coaching under his Dodgers replacement at the All-Star Game while managing against his former Blue Jays boss is coaching under.

Draft Picks and Record Bonuses Make Headlines

Roch Cholowsky, the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft, has reportedly secured a record-breaking $10.35 million signing bonus from the Chicago White Sox. In other draft news, the Miami Marlins selected Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki from Stanford in the eighth round. The 2026 MLB draft recap highlights the best picks across all 30 teams, with analysis from Kiley McDaniel.

Player Milestones, Contract News, and Off-Field Developments

Jordan Walker was crowned the 2026 Home Run Derby champion, expressing his hope that the win will inspire more Black youth to play baseball. A rare 1-of-1 rookie card of Shohei Ohtani privately sold for a record $3.365 million. Additionally, a collection of 21 autographed baseballs from every U.S. president since Theodore Roosevelt fetched $3,055,000 at a live auction during the MLB All-Star events. Shohei Ohtani's cleats from his 2025 Tokyo series appearances, signed with his Kanji signature and featuring his dog Decoy, are also generating buzz.

Team Performance and Managerial Changes

The Boston Red Sox are on an impressive nine-game winning streak, capping off their first 9-0 road trip since 1977 with a 3-2 victory over the Mets. In contrast, the Oakland Athletics have fired pitching coach Scott Emerson amid a nine-game losing streak, with bullpen coach Dan Hubbs taking over on an interim basis. Orioles third baseman Blaze Alexander suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch on Sunday.

League Issues and Player Opinions on Salary Cap

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA head Bruce Meyer have expressed differing viewpoints on the league's "Level the Field" ad campaign advocating for a salary cap. All-Stars, including Paul Skenes, Juan Soto, and Bryce Harper, have voiced their opposition to a salary cap, though they believe there is still time to reach an agreement and avoid a shortened season. MLB's potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics faces hurdles due to disagreements with the MLBPA, according to sources. Phillies star Bryce Harper stated he did not authorize Fan Duel to use a personalized video he created for a customer.