MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: March 28, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Opening Day Drama & Early Injuries

The start of the new season was immediately marred by several significant player setbacks, forcing teams to adjust their 26-man rosters just days into the campaign. The Marlins placed infielder Christopher Morel on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, an injury that had already forced his scratch from Friday's opener against the Rockies. Similarly, the Mariners had to make corresponding roster moves by placing right-handed pitcher Carlos Vargas on the 15-day IL with a right lat strain, recalling Cole Wilcox from Triple-A Tacoma to fill the gap. Adding to the early injury woes, Brewers star outfielder Chourio was sidelined for two to four weeks after fracturing his left hand, a move made retroactive to Wednesday, while Seattle also began the season without shortstop J.P. Crawford and starter Bryce Miller, both starting on the IL.

Pitching news was also dominated by early absences, as the Rangers were forced to pull Jacob de Grom from his scheduled start against the Phillies due to neck stiffness, creating immediate uncertainty in their rotation plans. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Orioles managed to fortify their future rotation by agreeing to a substantial five-year contract with right-hander Shane Baz, securing a high-upside arm acquired via trade over the winter. On the injury front for Baltimore, second baseman Jackson Holliday is expected to miss minimal time, as he is slated to begin a rehab assignment this week after suffering a broken hamate bone in February.

Managerial Changes & Star Performances

New leadership saw mixed results in their debut contests, though the Braves' skipper came away victorious. Walt Weiss savored winning his first game as the Braves manager, guiding his team to a decisive 6-0 shutout victory over the Royals. In contrast, the Nationals' Blake Butera experienced a baptism by fire, as his players celebrated his debut win by drenching the skipper with beer and shaving cream after he attempted to sneak into his office following the victory. On the field, the reigning champion Dodgers celebrated their title defense by slipping on their glittering World Series rings Friday night before securing a win in their opener, where Kyle Tucker helped pad the Los Angeles lead in a dominant performance against the Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers' closer, Edwin Diaz, provided immediate entertainment during the team's victory lap, telling reporters it was "pretty fun" to hear his entrance music at Dodger Stadium before he successfully secured his first save with his new club in the narrow 5-4 win. In other high-profile individual performances, the Brewers tied an MLB record by recording an astonishing 20 strikeouts in nine innings on Opening Day against the White Sox, featuring a massive strikeout effort from starter Jacob Misiorowski. Rookie Kevin McGonigle also lived up to the considerable hype, registering four or more hits in his debut, becoming the youngest player to achieve that feat on Opening Day since 1990 after driving in two runs on the first pitch he saw.

Contract Extensions & Player Milestones

Off the field, front offices were busy cementing core talent, exemplified by the Cubs agreeing to a lengthy commitment with their middle infielder. Sources confirmed that the Cubs secured Nico Hoerner to a six-year contract extension on Thursday, locking down their second baseman. Meanwhile, the focus remains on high-ceiling players, with analysts suggesting that Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has yet to reach his ceiling, noting that his dominant October performance showcased a new level of leadership that observers hope will carry over throughout the remainder of his career.

The league also witnessed a few notable retirements, including five-time Gold Glove winner and past World Series champion Jason Heyward hanging up his cleats, concluding a 16-season career. Catcher Roberto Perez, a two-time Gold Glove recipient who spent eight of his 10 major league seasons with Cleveland, also announced his retirement at age. In player disputes, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has taken the unusual step of suing his own parents, alleging they improperly managed and siphoned millions of dollars from his accounts.

Technology, Roster Moves, & Off-Field Notes

The introduction of new technology appeared generally well-received early on, as Boston manager Alex Cora stated he was pleased after the first games utilizing the Automated Ball-Strike System, acknowledging the tech makes it "a different ballgame". On the player personnel front, Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña made his season debut against the Angels after missing the Opening Day loss due to an injury, allowing the All-Star to return to the lineup. The Padres, conversely, placed right-hander Yu Darvish on the restricted list, as the GM confirmed Darvish intends to rehab at his own deliberate pace while evaluating his long-term future.

A bizarre home run call occurred in Houston when Yordan Alvarez's towering shot struck the roof scaffolding at Daikin Park and subsequently ricocheted foul, leading to a challenge that was ultimately unsuccessful in overturning the ruling. Furthermore, the league saw a demographic shift, with the percentage of foreign-born players dropping to its lowest level since 2002. In minor league depth moves, the Mets finalized a deal with veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, signing him to a minor league agreement on Opening Day. Finally, Mets rookie Carson Benge provided a memorable moment, admitting he "blacked out" while rounding the bases after hitting his first major league home run in his debut.