MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 21, 2026, 1:55 AM ET

Power Rankings & Prospects

Atlanta climbed to No. 3 in the latest NL power rankings, jumping past Tampa Bay as the National League continues to dominate the top. The Braves' rise reflects their strong week, while the AL wild-card picture remains fluid with several teams still in contention. Meanwhile, the updated top 100 MLB prospects showcase which future stars have surged following the draft and trade season, with a new No. 1 emerging among the ranks.

Injuries & Roster Moves

The Diamondbacks placed Ketel Marte on the 10-day injured list, three days after the second baseman failed to show up for a game in Boston. GM Mike Hazen confirmed the move Thursday, adding further uncertainty to Arizona's lineup. The Royals' Maikel Garcia is also likely headed back to the IL with a hamstring strain, just three days after returning from a nearly two-month absence. In Washington, CJ Abrams is listed as day-to-day after spraining his left ankle during an awkward slide in Wednesday night's win over the Rangers. The Mets placed Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL with left ankle bursitis, with surgery planned and his season likely over.

Stadium Developments

The Athletics' Las Vegas stadium continues to take shape with the installation of a second steel truss arch, marking visible progress on the franchise's future home on the Las Vegas Strip. Meanwhile, the Kansas City city council approved a $600 million commitment toward a new Royals ballpark, clearing a major hurdle in the team's quest to move to a downtown location. Both projects represent significant infrastructure investments aimed at modernizing the fan experience.

Pitching Performances

Pirates ace Paul Skenes acknowledged there is room to grow after a rocky outing pushed his ERA to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 when the season began. Despite the setback, Skenes remains optimistic about his development. In contrast, Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli followed up his one-hitter with six scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts in Washington's 6-0 win over the Rangers. Jacob deGrom is set for another chance to reach the 2,000-strikeout milestone in his Rangers start Thursday night, which would make him the second-fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach the mark.

Team Moves & Signings

The Mariners are calling up Kade Anderson, their top pitching prospect and the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball, to start against the Cubs on Saturday. The promotion signals confidence in the young left-hander's readiness for the majors. The Phillies signed Nestor Cortes to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million in the majors and $250,000 in the minors, adding veteran depth to their rotation. The Pirates acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations, bolstering their backup battery options behind the plate.

Team Standings & Reactions

The Brewers continue to hold the best record in baseball, positioning themselves for an eighth playoff berth in nine seasons. However, manager Pat Murphy downplayed the team's success, stating he doesn't believe they have played great baseball overall. In Baltimore, the Orioles criticized MLB for being behind on technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly to left was ruled foul and the call was upheld on review during Wednesday night's game against the Yankees. The incident has reignited discussions about expanded use of automated ball-strike zones and other technological improvements in the sport.