MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 5, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

MLB Injury Report: Pitching & Star Shortstops Hit Hard

The weekend delivered a punishing blow to several high-profile rosters, headlined by the Dodgers placing Mookie Betts on the injured list due to a strained right oblique, following his early exit Saturday with right lower back pain. In Houston, the Astros shut down ace Hunter Brown for 15 days with a shoulder strain, compounding pitching losses across the league. Chicago also saw movement, with veteran Justin Verlander hitting the 15-day IL for the Tigers because of hip inflammation in his season home debut. Meanwhile, the Cubs sent struggling starter Cade Horton to the IL for further testing on his right arm after he exited Friday's game with forearm discomfort.

Several other key players succumbed to injuries, including the Mets’ Juan Soto, who underwent an MRI revealing a right calf strain after exiting Friday's opener in the first inning. The White Sox added outfielder Everson Pereira to the 10-day IL with a left ankle sprain, retroactive to Thursday. In brighter news for Seattle, Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford was reinstated Thursday after beginning the season on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder issue. Even promising prospects were affected, as Mariners SS prospect Colt Emerson, who recently signed an eight-year, $95 million extension, was listed as day-to-day Sunday after negative X-rays following an incident.

Roster Moves & Prospect Updates

Roster shuffling continued across the American League as teams addressed immediate needs and long-term planning. The Blue Jays recalled two pitchers Sunday, selecting right-hander Austin Voth and lefty Joe Mantiply to their major league roster. In Cincinnati, rookie Rhett Lowder is making a historic impact, having lowered his career ERA to 1.30, marking the lowest mark for a Reds pitcher through eight career starts since 1913. The low ERA pace contrasts with the White Sox’s strategy, where GM Chris Getz affirmed the team will not rush top pitching prospects despite rotation struggles.

Further activity saw the Royals recall right-hander Luinder Avila to start a series opener after Wacha was sidelined due to illness, though KC also dealt with an internal issue when catcher Carter Jensen was scratched from the lineup Thursday after oversleeping. On the prospect front, Brewers prospect Cooper Pratt suggested that securing a long-term contract while still in the minors should alleviate performance pressure as he aims for the majors. Separately, the Pirates celebrated a debut, as shortstop Konnor Griffin delivered an RBI double to help secure a 5-4 home opener victory over the Orioles.

Game Incidents & Statistical Oddities

Saturday’s contest between the Yankees and Marlins resulted in the longest nine-inning game since the pitch clock era began in 2023, clocking in at 3 hours and 49 minutes during New York's 9-7 victory. That same game saw plate umpire Ron Kulpa forced to exit in the fourth inning after taking a foul ball directly off his mask. Offensive fireworks were on display in Los Angeles, where Shohei Ohtani snapped an early-season slump, launching a three-run homer against the Nationals for his first RBIs of the year, an event that followed Aaron Judge setting the tone in the Yankees' home opener with a pregame text and a home run in an 8-2 win.

Defensive brilliance provided the difference in Anaheim, where Angels outfielder Jo Adell provided an unbelievable performance, robbing the Mariners of three separate home runs, including a game-saving ninth-inning grab where he crashed into the right-field seats to preserve a 1-0 victory. Meanwhile, several teams dealt with minor ailments following weekend play: Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick exited early Saturday with left side tightness, and Twins All-Star Byron Buxton left Friday's home opener with a right forearm contusion. The D-backs’ Jordan Lawlar was sidelined after fracturing his right wrist when struck by a pitch.

Franchise History & Managerial Quirks

Beyond the daily box scores, teams continued to honor their past and embrace new clubhouse traditions. The Chicago White Sox announced that former shortstop and manager Ozzie Guillén will have his No. 13 jersey retired during an August ceremony. In Milwaukee, manager Pat Murphy’s influence extended beyond the field, as the team has adopted a "rally tortoise" after a local reporter had Murphy’s favored "pocket pancakes" banned. While the Dodgers contemplate a season built around reaching 117 wins or using 40 different pitchers, one obscure historical footnote from the Cubs' 2016 championship run continues to draw retrospective analysis.