MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: March 29, 2026, 11:35 AM ET

Opening Day Drama & Early Season Milestones

The start of the season was marked by several historic offensive outbursts and dramatic late-inning finishes across the league. Cleveland rookie Chase DeLauter achieved a rare feat by hitting his fourth home run in his first three games, a feat only matched by one other player in MLB history, coming late Saturday to secure a 6-5, 10th-inning victory over Seattle. On the other side of the league, the Milwaukee Brewers tied an MLB record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game on Opening Day, with starter Jacob Misiorowski and four relievers combining for 20 Ks in a rout of the White Sox. Meanwhile, the Mets saw a debut flourish when Carson Benge said he "blacked out" while rounding the bases after connecting for his first major league home run in his first appearance.

The weekend delivered high-stakes walk-offs that immediately defined several teams' early narratives. The Atlanta Braves engineered a stunning six-run ninth inning rally against the Royals, which culminated in Dominic Smith's walk-off grand slam to seal a 6-2 win, an emotional moment Smith later dedicated to his late mother in his Braves debut. In Queens, the Mets also needed extra innings, as Luis Robert Jr.'s game-tying three-run blast in the bottom of the 11th propelled New York past Pittsburgh 4-2. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their previous success Friday night by receiving glittering championship rings before Kyle Tucker helped pad the lead in a dominant opener against the Diamondbacks in their quest for a three-peat.

Managerial Debuts & System Adjustments

New leadership saw immediate results, though not always in the way expected. Walt Weiss savored a winning debut as the Braves manager, leading the team to a 6-0 shutout victory over the Royals. In Washington, new skipper Blake Butera was greeted after his first win by players who doused him with beer and shaving cream in a celebratory prank. Player preparation for new technologies also paid dividends, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone's "obsessive" work with the Automated Ball-Strike System reportedly led to early success for New York, a sentiment echoed by other managers like Boston's Alex Cora who found the ABS made for "a different ballgame" after initial contests.

Injury Updates & Roster Moves

The early schedule brought significant roster adjustments due to injury concerns across the circuit. The Miami Marlins placed infielder Christopher Morel on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, an issue that had already caused him to be scratched from Friday's opener. In Milwaukee, the Brewers lost star outfielder Chourio to a fractured left hand, resulting in his placement on the 10-day IL, putting him out for an estimated two to four weeks. Pitching injuries continued to mount, as Texas scratched Jacob de Grom from his start against Philadelphia due to ongoing neck stiffness, while the Mariners moved right-hander Carlos Vargas to the 15-day IL with a right lat strain.

Roster Transactions & Player Status

Beyond the infirmary, several teams finalized personnel decisions and long-term commitments. The Baltimore Orioles further bolstered their rotation by securing a five-year contract with right-hander Shane Baz, solidifying a high-upside arm acquired over the winter. The Chicago Cubs locked up second baseman Nico Hoerner with a new six-year contract extension sources confirmed Thursday. In a trade between NL clubs, the Washington Nationals acquired utility player Curtis Mead from the White Sox in exchange for catcher Boston Smith. On the veteran front, Jason Heyward, a World Series champion and five-time Gold Glove winner, announced his retirement after a distinguished 16-season career.

Unusual On-Field Incidents & Off-Field Legal Matters

Saturday provided some bizarre moments on the basepaths and in the batter's box. In a peculiar ending to the second inning during the Dodgers-Padres contest, Freddie Freeman was tagged out by Ketel Marte with a surprising hug after being trapped between bases. Meanwhile, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty had a harrowing seventh inning against Oakland after being struck by two separate batted balls on consecutive plays before exiting the game. In a highly unusual off-field development, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has reportedly filed a lawsuit against his parents, alleging they improperly managed and siphoned money from accounts they controlled for him.

Dodgers Notes & League Trends

The reigning champion Dodgers saw several pieces fall into place, including closer Edwin Diaz recording his first save with the new club in a 5-4 victory, which he enjoyed following a unique trumpet entrance at Dodger Stadium. Furthermore, L.A. has formally kept legendary lefty Clayton Kershaw in the fold, bringing him on board as a special assistant to the organization. On a broader statistical note, the league observed a demographic shift as the percentage of players born outside the 50 states fell to its lowest point since 2002. Houston's All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña made his season debut Friday after missing Opening Day due to an injury, while the Padres confirmed that Yu Darvish plans to rehab from surgery at his own pace while on the restricted list.