MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 6, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Pitching Injuries & Roster Moves

The injury bug continued to plague starting rotations across the league over the last 48 hours, with several high-profile arms hitting the injured list. Blue Jays right-hander and three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer was forced to exit Monday's 14-2 defeat after only two innings due to right forearm tendinitis, immediately raising concerns about the Toronto rotation depth. Compounding pitching woes, the Astros placed ace Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL with a strain in his pitching shoulder, while the Tigers similarly shelved veteran Justin Verlander with hip inflammation putting his season debut on hold. Further west, Chicago's bullpen depth took another hit as the Cubs placed starter Cade Horton on the 15-day IL for further testing on his right arm, following the earlier placement of Matthew Boyd with a left biceps strain forcing significant reshuffling .

The injury cascade extended beyond the mound, affecting key position players as well. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was officially placed on the injured list after initially exiting Saturday's game with back pain; manager Dave Roberts confirmed Betts is dealing with a strained right oblique, a major blow to the Los Angeles lineup. In Anaheim, Mike Trout exited Sunday's 8-7 victory in the eighth inning after being struck on the left hand by a pitch, though initial reports suggested a contusion rather than a fracture. Meanwhile, the Mets lost outfielder Juan Soto to a minor right calf strain sustained running the bases Friday, sidelining the slugger for an expected two to three weeks placing him on the IL.

Several teams navigated immediate roster adjustments in response to these setbacks. The Marlins granted reliever Pete Fairbanks a rare start Sunday afternoon to accommodate his trip home for the birth of his child, with the 32-year-old throwing a 27-pitch first inning before being lifted. In Toronto, the Blue Jays bolstered their pitching staff by selecting right-hander Austin Voth and lefty Joe Mantiply to the major league roster amid general roster churn on Sunday. Furthermore, in a strange weekend sequence, umpire Ron Kulpa was sidelined after receiving a blow to his mask, diagnosed with a concussion that will keep him out for at least a week forcing replacement crews.

Offensive Milestones & Return Celebrations

While injuries mounted, some players reached significant personal milestones or saw long-awaited positive results at the plate. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the majors with 60 home runs last year, finally broke through his early-season slump, hitting his first home run of the season Monday night after an initial 10-game drought as the Mariners began a series. In Cleveland franchise history, Jose Ramirez cemented his legacy by playing in his 1,620th game Monday evening, officially establishing a new record for the most games played in the history of the organization surpassing the previous mark. On the other side of the spectrum, Reds rookie Rhett Lowder continued his electric start, lowering his career earned run average to an exceptional 1.30, the lowest mark for a Reds pitcher through eight career starts since 1913 demonstrating remarkable early control.

In an emotional return to St. Petersburg, the Rays claimed a victory Monday night in their first game back at Tropicana Field in 561 days, following extensive roof damage caused by Hurricane Milton. The team defeated the Cubs, welcoming fans back to the stadium after a prolonged absence. Separately, the New York Mets announced plans to retire Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 jersey on September 19th before a home game against the Phillies, inducting the former star into the team's hall of fame honoring his tenure.

Defensive Plays & Managerial Frustration

The weekend featured several dramatic defensive efforts and mounting tension in the dugout. Angels outfielder Jo Adell delivered an extraordinary defensive performance Sunday, robbing the Mariners of three separate home runs, including a ninth-inning grab where he crashed hard into the right-field seats to secure a narrow 1-0 Angels win preserving the shutout. In San Diego, Manny Machado sparked a rally by kicking aside a pickoff attempt, allowing two runs to score as the Padres overcame a four-run deficit to defeat the Red Sox 8-6 on Sunday fueling the comeback victory. Meanwhile, Giants manager Tony Vitello, in his first year leading the club, was ejected for the first time in his major league career Sunday during a 5-2 loss to the Mets, marking the team's third consecutive defeat as frustration mounts around the struggling 3-7 San Francisco squad leading to an on-field confrontation.

Roster Stability & League Metrics

While several prospects dealt with minor setbacks, some secured long-term security. Brewers prospect Cooper Pratt indicated that securing a long-term contract while still in the minor leagues relieves pressure as he continues his development toward the majors, providing financial stability early in his career ahead of his potential call-up. In Seattle, 20-year-old shortstop prospect Colt Emerson, who signed an eight-year, $95 million extension last week, was listed as day-to-day Sunday after fouling a ball off his foot, though X-rays came back negative easing immediate alarm. Finally, the league continues to monitor game length trends, as the Yankees' 9-7 Saturday night victory over the Marlins clocked in at 3 hours and 49 minutes, officially making it the longest nine-inning game recorded since the pitch clock rules were implemented for the 2023 season by the Elias Sports Bureau.