MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 7, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Injury Woes Plague Pitching Staffs Across League

The rash of injuries continued to decimate starting rotations, with several high-profile arms exiting games or landing on the injured list over the past 72 hours. In Los Angeles, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was placed on IL due to a strained right oblique, an injury that first surfaced as back pain forcing him out in the first inning Saturday Betts exits Saturday's game. The Toronto Blue Jays suffered a significant blow when three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer departed Monday's loss against the Dodgers with right forearm tendinitis, while Houston's ace, Hunter Brown, landed on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain. Adding to the pitching woes, Chicago's Cade Horton was also shelved on the 15-day IL for further right arm testing, and veteran Justin Verlander's Tigers debut was sidelined by hip inflammation, sending him to the 15-day IL.

Pitching injuries extended beyond the starters, impacting the Cubs and Mets rotations as well. Chicago placed left-hander Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL after he reported a left biceps strain, while New York lost outfielder Juan Soto to a minor right calf strain running the bases Friday, landing him on the IL for an expected two to three weeks Mets place Soto on IL. Meanwhile, Texas starter Jacob de Grom managed five innings on 78 pitches in a win over Seattle, admitting he felt discomfort in his right knee, limiting his effectiveness. On a more positive note for emerging talent, Reds rookie Rhett Lowder lowered his career ERA to a remarkable 1.30 through his first eight starts, marking the lowest mark for a Reds pitcher since 1913.

Offensive Frustration & On-Field Incidents

Tensions boiled over in Milwaukee after Brewers catcher Willson Contreras issued a sharp warning, stating he would retaliate if hit by another pitch, after being plunked for the 24th time by the team on Monday. This volatility followed an incident in Anaheim where Angels star Mike Trout exited Sunday's game after being hit on the left hand in the eighth inning, though manager Kurt Suzuki indicated the injury was a contusion. The unusual spate of HBP incidents also affected officiating, as umpire Ron Kulpa was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a pitch off his mask, sidelining him for at least a week.

Offensively, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh finally broke through, hitting his first home run of the season after struggling through a 10-game drought, despite leading the majors with 60 homers last year. In San Diego, third baseman Manny Machado engineered a comeback, kicking aside a pickoff attempt to help the Padres rally from a four-run deficit to secure an 8-6 victory over Boston on Sunday. Furthermore, Angels outfielder Jo Adell provided crucial defense, robbing the Mariners of three potential home runs, including a diving, ninth-inning grab into the seats that preserved a tight 1-0 victory.

Team Milestones & Stadium Returns

The Tampa Bay Rays enjoyed a successful, long-awaited homecoming, defeating the Cubs on Monday in their first game back at Tropicana Field after 561 days of absence due to Hurricane Milton's extensive roof damage Rays win in Tropicana Field return. In franchise history, Cleveland's Jose Ramirez became the all-time leader in games played for the organization, surpassing the previous record with his 1,620th appearance Monday night. The New York Mets announced plans to honor former star Carlos Beltrán, scheduling his No. 15 jersey retirement for September 19, ahead of the home game against the Phillies.

Roster Moves & Managerial Ejections

Roster shuffling continued across the league as teams dealt with injuries and evaluated talent. The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Everson Pereira on the 10-day IL due to a left ankle sprain, retroactive to Thursday. The Blue Jays bolstered their pitching depth by selecting right-hander Austin Voth and lefty Joe Mantiply to the major league roster on Sunday. In Miami, reliever Pete Fairbanks made a rare start Sunday afternoon to facilitate his presence for the birth of his child, throwing 27 pitches in the first inning before departing on paternity leave. On the bench, the San Francisco Giants' first-year manager, Tony Vitello, earned his first career ejection during Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets, reflecting mounting frustration as his team dropped its third consecutive game.

Prospect Security & Entertainment Value

While the major leagues dealt with immediate concerns, attention also turned toward long-term security and entertainment metrics. Brewers prospect Cooper Pratt suggested his long-term contract signed while in the minors should relieve performance pressure as he develops. Meanwhile, Seattle Mariners prospect Colt Emerson, who recently signed an eight-year, $95 million extension, was listed as day-to-day Sunday after undergoing negative X-rays on his foot following fouling a ball off himself Emerson diagnosed day-to-day. analyses assessing the league's entertainment quotient identified several squads possessing the blend of young talent and dynamic play that makes them must-watch television MLB Watchability Index released, alongside fantasy advice suggesting which players merit immediate pickup from the waiver wire Top fantasy pickups identified.