MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 7, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

ALARMING INJURY REPORT HITS CLUBS

The injury bug continued its sweep across Major League Baseball over the past few days, claiming several key contributors. The American League Central saw parallel setbacks, as the Cleveland Guardians placed infielder Gabriel Arias on the 10-day IL Tuesday due to a strained left hamstring, immediately promoting prospect Juan Brito for his major league debut. Simultaneously, the Chicago White Sox lost outfielder Austin Hays to a 10-day stint for a right hamstring strain, compounding their roster issues after Everson Pereira was previously shelved with a left ankle sprain. The National League also suffered significant losses: the Los Angeles Dodgers saw shortstop Mookie Betts sidelined with a strained right oblique, an issue that developed after he exited Saturday's game early with lower back pain in the first inning. Elsewhere, the Chicago Cubs placed starting pitcher Cade Horton on the 15-day IL for further testing on his right arm, adding to their rotation woes after Matthew Boyd was also sidelined with a biceps strain.

ROTATION WOES & PITCHING SETBACKS

Pitching staffs faced considerable strain as several high-profile arms encountered fresh issues or managed existing concerns. Texas Rangers ace Jacob de Grom limited his outing to five innings and 78 pitches Monday, revealing discomfort in his right knee that he felt prior to the start, though the team secured a win against the Mariners. Even more concerning for the Toronto Blue Jays, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer exited Monday's loss after recording just one out in the second inning, citing right forearm tendinitis. Furthermore, the Astros placed their ace, Hunter Brown, on the 15-day IL with a strain in his pitching shoulder, creating a massive void at the top of their rotation. Conversely, Cincinnati rookie Rhett Lowder posted historic efficiency, lowering his career earned run average to an exceptional 1.30 across eight starts, establishing the lowest mark for any Reds pitcher since 1913.

ROSTER MOVES AND PLAYER MILESTONES

Roster shuffling continued across the league as teams adjusted to personnel changes and celebrated franchise achievements. The Cleveland franchise recognized Jose Ramirez for setting the team record for most games played, surpassing the previous benchmark at 1,620 contests. In Tampa Bay, the Rays celebrated a long-awaited return, defeating the Cubs on Monday as they played their first game in 561 days at Tropicana Field following extensive hurricane damage to the facility. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins utilized reliever Pete Fairbanks in a rare start Sunday afternoon to allow the 32-year-old closer to attend the birth of his child, with Fairbanks throwing a 27-pitch first inning before heading out on paternity leave. The New York Mets announced plans to honor former star Carlos Beltrán by retiring his No. 15 on September 19th, when he will also be inducted into the team's hall of fame.

HIGH-STAKES DRAMA & DEFENSIVE HEROICS

Incidents involving hit-by-pitches and spectacular defensive plays provided high drama across the weekend slate. San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado sparked a rally Sunday by kicking aside a pickoff attempt, helping the team overcome a four-run deficit to defeat the Red Sox 8-6. In Anaheim, Angels outfielder Mike Trout exited Sunday's victory in the eighth inning after being struck on the left hand by a pitch, though manager Kurt Suzuki provided positive initial assessment on the contusion. The theme of frustration boiled over in Milwaukee, where catcher Willson Contreras issued a stern warning after being plunked for the 24th time by the Brewers organization, threatening retaliation if it occurs again. On the defensive side, Angels outfielder Jo Adell robbed the Mariners of three home runs in a 1-0 victory, including a final, spectacular ninth-inning grab where he crashed into the right-field seats. Finally, the longest game of the young pitch clock era occurred Saturday when the Yankees defeated the Marlins 9-7 in a contest that lasted 3 hours and 49 minutes.

SYSTEMIC ISSUES AND UMPIRE SAFETY

Broader issues within the sport, encompassing player development pipelines and on-field safety, also surfaced. The tragic death of a teenager in the Dominican Republic has brought renewed focus to the failing development system in Latin America, prompting renewed debate over whether an international draft could serve as a necessary structural answer. In on-field safety matters, umpire Ron Kulpa was sidelined after sustaining a concussion from a pitch hitting his mask, sidelining him for at least a week. Separately, San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello was ejected for the first time in his career during Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Mets, signaling mounting frustration as the team struggled to a 3-7 record.