MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 5:03 PM ET

Power Rankings & Prospects

The Atlanta Braves climbed to No. 3 in the latest MLB power rankings, jumping ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays as National League teams continue to dominate the top. The AL wild-card race has intensified with several teams jockeying for position. In prospect news, top 100 rankings were updated following the draft and trade deadline, revealing which future stars have surged up the list.

Pitching Moves & Milestones

Former All-Star left-hander Nestor Cortes agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $1.5 million in the majors and $250,000 in the minors. Pirates ace Paul Skenes is working through a rough patch, with his ERA rising to 3.95 after a rocky outing, well above his career mark of 1.96. Rangers ace Jacob deGrom is set to make his Thursday start with a chance to become the second-fastest pitcher in history to reach 2,000 career strikeouts.

Standout Performances

Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli followed up his one-hitter from the previous start by striking out 11 batters in six scoreless innings during Washington's 6-0 victory over the Rangers on Wednesday night. The Milwaukee Brewers tied the modern-era record for the largest shutout with a devastating 22-0 rout of the Seattle Mariners, featuring three-run homers from Christian Yelich, David Hamilton, and Luis Lara. Despite the dominant performance, Brewers manager Pat Murphy downplayed the team's success, insisting they haven't played great baseball.

Injuries & Roster Moves

The New York Mets placed infielder Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list with left ankle bursitis, effectively ending his challenging first season with the team. The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Edwin Diaz on the injured list due to right-side inflammation, as the reliever struggled with a 11.85 ERA across 16 games this season. The Athletics activated lefty Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day injured list after recovering from a hip injury, scheduling him to start against Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Controversies & Transactions

The Baltimore Orioles criticized MLB's technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and the call was upheld upon review during Wednesday night's game against the Yankees. The Pirates bolstered their catching depth by acquiring veteran Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations. The Orioles also activated catcher Samuel Basallo from the injured list before their game against the Yankees on Wednesday night.

Retirements

Cancer survivor Trey Mancini announced his retirement on Tuesday after a brief return to the Angels organization, concluding a journey that included overcoming colon cancer and playing for multiple teams including the Astros and Orioles during his major league career.