MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 6, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NL West Injury Carousel & Personnel Shifts

The Los Angeles Dodgers immediately placed shortstop Mookie Betts on the injured list due to a strained right oblique, a day after he exited Saturday’s contest in the first inning with right lower back pain, creating immediate defensive voids for the contender. Across the division, the San Francisco Giants are struggling to the tune of a 3-7 start, which boiled over Sunday when first-year manager Tony Vitello, 47, was ejected for the first time in his major-league tenure during a 5-2 defeat to the Mets, reflecting growing team frustration. Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed outfielder Jordan Lawlar suffered a fractured right wrist after being hit by a pitch Friday, landing him on the IL, while the San Diego Padres rallied from a four-run hole to defeat the Red Sox 8-6, aided by an unusual Manny Machado play where he kicked aside a pickoff attempt to help manufacture runs.

AL West Turbulence & Pitching Woes

The Houston Astros suffered a significant blow to their rotation, placing ace Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL with a strain in his pitching shoulder, compounding early season struggles for the perennial contender. In contrast, the Cincinnati Reds continue to see stellar performance from their youth, as rookie Rhett Lowder managed to lower his career earned run average to an impressive 1.30, the lowest mark for any Reds pitcher through eight career starts since 1913. Further down the standings, the Chicago White Sox moved outfielder Everson Pereira to the 10-day IL with a left ankle sprain, though GM Chris Getz stated the organization has no plans to rush top prospects despite early rotation issues. The team also announced plans to retire former shortstop and manager Ozzie Guillén’s No. 13 jersey in August, a nod to past successes amid current rebuilding efforts.

AL Standings & Injury Updates Across the League

American League action saw the Los Angeles Angels secure an 8-7 victory over the Mariners, though the win was tempered by center fielder Mike Trout leaving in the eighth inning after being struck on his left hand by a pitch. Angels outfielder Jo Adell provided the defensive fireworks, robbing Seattle of three home runs to preserve the slim margin, including a ninth-inning collision with the right-field seats. In Seattle, prospect Colt Emerson, who recently signed an eight-year, $95 million extension, was listed as day-to-day after registering negative X-rays on his foot following an injury sustained Saturday. Elsewhere, the Minnesota Twins watched All-Star Byron Buxton depart Friday's 10-4 home opener win against the Rays due to a right forearm contusion.

Injury Report: Obliques, Hips, and Calf Strains

The injury bug continued to spread rapidly through MLB clubhouses over the weekend, hitting high-profile players across both leagues. The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed Mookie Betts's IL placement following Saturday’s exit with back pain, while the New York Mets diagnosed outfielder Juan Soto with a right calf strain after he underwent an MRI following a Friday exit due to tightness. Soto's diagnosis followed a lengthy Saturday contest where the Yankees prevailed 9-7, clocking in at 3 hours and 49 minutes, marking the longest nine-inning game recorded since the pitch clock was implemented in 2023. Adding to the veterans sidelined, Detroit's Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day IL with hip inflammation, forcing the Tigers to delay his much-anticipated season home debut.

Roster Moves and Unusual Circumstances

The Toronto Blue Jays executed several roster adjustments Sunday, selecting right-hander Austin Voth and lefty Joe Mantiply to the major league roster as they attempt to stabilize pitching depth. In Miami, the Marlins employed an unconventional strategy with reliever Pete Fairbanks, 32, who was given a rare start specifically so he could pitch one inning (27 before heading out on paternity leave to be with his family for the birth of his child. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs placed starter Cade Horton on the 15-day IL and sent him back to Chicago for further testing on his right arm, a day after he departed a Friday game with right forearm discomfort leading to his IL placement.

Umpire Safety & Milwaukee Quirks

Safety concerns extended beyond the players as umpire Ron Kulpa was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a pitch off his mask, resulting in him being sidelined for a minimum of one week. In team oddities, the Milwaukee Brewers have apparently adopted a "rally tortoise" as their new good luck charm, replacing manager Pat Murphy's previously banned "pocket pancakes." The club also saw prospect Cooper Pratt express that the security derived from his long-term minor league contract should alleviate performance pressure as he nears the majors. Elsewhere in the NL Central, Pittsburgh celebrated a 5-4 home opener win against Baltimore, highlighted by shortstop Konnor Griffin’s dazzling debut where he slapped an RBI double in the victory.

Offensive Sparks & Player Milestones

While injuries dominated headlines, some offensive sparks provided bright spots, including Shohei Ohtani who broke an early plate slump by launching his first home run of the season, a three-run shot that also accounted for his first RBIs. The New York Yankees celebrated their home opener with an 8-2 victory over the Marlins, with Aaron Judge setting the tone with a pregame text and an early home run. The Boston Red Sox ultimately fell to the Padres, but catcher Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays suffered a scare Friday when he was struck on the glove hand by a foul tip in the 10th inning and required evaluation. The Kansas City Royals were forced to recall right-hander Luinder Avila from Triple-A Omaha to make a spot start after regular starter Michael Wacha was sidelined due to illness.