MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: March 29, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Opening Weekend Offensive Fireworks & Rookie Records

The start of the season featured several dramatic finishes and historic individual performances, headlined by a Cleveland rookie making history. Guardians first-year player Chase DeLauter became only the second player ever to launch four home runs in his first three MLB games, smashing a game-tying shot in the 10th inning Friday to secure a 6-5 victory over Seattle. Offensive explosions continued Saturday when the Braves staged a massive ninth-inning comeback, scoring six runs to overcome a 2-0 deficit, culminating in Dominic Smith's walk-off grand slam that sealed a 6-2 win over the Royals just days after the tragic passing of his mother, a moment where Smith admitted he became emotional while celebrating the win. Meanwhile, the Mets rallied in extra innings as Luis Robert Jr. provided the heroics with a bottom-of-the-11th, three-run walk-off homer to defeat the Pirates 4-2.

Managerial Debuts & On-Field Oddities

Managerial changes brought mixed results early in the slate, though new faces found success quickly. Walt Weiss savored a winning debut as the Braves skipper, guiding the team to a decisive 6-0 shutout victory against the Royals before the dramatic comeback the following night. In Los Angeles, the atmosphere was lighter when Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz earned his first save for the team in a tight 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks, thrilling the crowd with a trumpet entrance song at Dodger Stadium. However, the basepaths saw some unusual action in the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series when Freddie Freeman, easily out on the basepaths, was tagged by Ketel Marte with a playful hug to conclude an inning Saturday.

Pitching Dominance & Defensive Milestones

Pitchers delivered some historic outings early on, though not without incident. The Milwaukee Brewers tied the Major League record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game on Opening Day, with starter Jacob Misiorowski and four relievers collectively racking up 20 Ks against the White Sox. In contrast, Pittsburgh's highly touted rookie Paul Skenes endured the shortest outing of his young MLB career, recording only two outs before being pulled in the first inning amid several outfield errors. Furthermore, the Blue Jays dealt with a frightening moment when lefty Mason Fluharty was struck twice by batted balls in the seventh inning, forcing him to leave the game after being hit on the leg by consecutive infield singles.

Pre-Season Moves, Injuries, and Off-Field Business

The league saw movement in personnel and significant organizational announcements as teams finalized rosters. The Orioles fortified their future rotation by agreeing to a substantial five-year contract with Shane Baz, securing the high-upside arm acquired via trade over the winter. However, several teams faced immediate injury setbacks; the Marlins placed infielder Christopher Morel on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, a move that followed him being scratched from Friday's opener against the Rockies. In transactional news, the Nationals bolstered their utility depth by acquiring Curtis Mead from the White Sox in exchange for catcher Boston Smith, while the Cubs secured second baseman Nico Hoerner with a long-term commitment, agreeing to a six-year contract extension.

Technology, Personnel Changes, and Player Status

Early adoption of the Automated Ball-Strike System saw generally positive feedback from managers across the league, with the Yankees crediting their early success to "obsessive" preparation mandated by manager Aaron Boone. Boston manager Alex Cora admitted the technology makes for "a different ballgame" but remained generally pleased following the season's first official contest. Off the field, the Dodgers formally welcomed back a franchise legend, officially adding former ace Clayton Kershaw as a special assistant to the club, a move that follows the team receiving their championship hardware for the second straight title on Friday. Adding to the league-wide player movement news, veteran outfielder Tommy Pham signed a minor league deal with the Mets to provide organizational depth.

Injury Updates & Notable Player Context

Several key players began their seasons sidelined or managing early-season concerns. Rangers ace Jacob de Grom was unexpectedly scratched from his scheduled start against the Phillies due to lingering neck stiffness. In Chicago, Brewers star outfielder Jackson Chourio was placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured left hand, an injury sustained Wednesday and made retroactive to that date, meaning he will miss at least two to four weeks. On the West Coast, Padres GM A.J. Preller confirmed that Yu Darvish, currently on the restricted list, is choosing to rehabilitate from surgery at his own pace as he considers his next steps. On a historical note, league data revealed that the percentage of foreign-born players in MLB has fallen to its lowest point since 2002.

Retirement and Off-Field Turmoil

The league bid farewell to a decorated veteran while another player faced severe personal legal issues. Jason Heyward, a World Series champion and five-time Gold Glove winner, officially announced his retirement Friday after concluding a 16-season career. Separately, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm initiated legal action against his own parents, alleging they improperly managed and siphoned millions of dollars from his earnings into accounts under their control. In lighter news, a minor league affiliate of the Phillies poked fun at ace Zack Wheeler's recent surgery to remove a blood clot, with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs promoting an event involving a replica of the removed rib bone.