MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 8, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

MLB Injury Report & Roster Moves

The start of the week saw a significant wave of injuries across multiple contenders, demonstrating the fragility of pitching staffs early in the season. The Astros placed ace Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL due to a strain in his pitching shoulder, a major blow to Houston's rotation depth. Similarly, the Cubs sidelined starter Cade Horton on the 15-day IL pending further right arm tests, while the team also lost left-hander Matthew Boyd to a left biceps strain, landing him on the 15-day list. In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians shifted Gabriel Arias to the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring, promoting Juan Brito for his major league introduction.

Roster attrition continued plaguing the league, particularly hitting the outfield and infield positions. The Los Angeles Dodgers lost shortstop Mookie Betts to a strained right oblique, a significant absence for their lineup, while the Chicago White Sox dealt with dual hamstring issues, placing Austin Hays on the 10-day IL and shipping Everson Pereira to the IL with a left ankle sprain retroactive to Thursday. Furthermore, the Mets confirmed Juan Soto would miss an estimated two to three weeks after straining his right calf while running the bases last Friday.

Pitching Setbacks & Milestones

High-profile pitchers endured difficult outings and subsequent diagnoses. Texas Rangers ace Jacob de Grom admitted to feeling discomfort in his right knee prior to his start, which ultimately limited him to just five innings and 78 pitches in Monday's victory over the Mariners. Even more concerning for the Toronto Blue Jays, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer exited Monday's 14-2 defeat to the Dodgers early due to right forearm tendinitis, raising immediate questions about his long-term availability. Conversely, the Cincinnati Reds rookie Rhett Lowder achieved a franchise benchmark, posting the lowest ERA (1. for a Reds pitcher through eight career starts since 1913.

Player Reactions & League Concerns

Tensions flared around home plate following repeated incidents involving star players. Catcher Willson Contreras issued a stark warning to the Milwaukee Brewers, vowing retaliation after being struck by a pitch for the 24th time by the club on Monday, stating that the next time the team hits him, he would "take one of them out." Meanwhile, the Angels’ Mike Trout exited Sunday's game in the eighth inning after his left hand was struck by a pitch, though manager Kurt Suzuki later provided updates on the contusion. Separately, the league continues to grapple with systemic issues, as the recent tragic death of a teenager brought renewed scrutiny to the failing development system in Latin America and fueled debate over implementing an international draft.

Club Notes & Historical Markers

Several clubs registered significant wins and celebrated franchise history. The Tampa Bay Rays finally returned to Tropicana Field after 561 days, securing a victory over the Cubs in their long-awaited home opener following extensive roof damage from Hurricane Milton. In Cleveland, Jose Ramirez officially set the franchise record for most games played by appearing in his 1,620th contest. The New York Mets announced plans to honor former star Carlos Beltrán, confirming his No. 15 jersey will be retired on September 19 before a contest against the Phillies.

Defensive Brilliance & Game Flow

Spectacular plays defined several weekend matchups, showcasing elite defensive capabilities. In Anaheim, Jo Adell single-handedly preserved a 1-0 Angels win by robbing the Mariners of three potential home runs, including a dramatic ninth-inning collision with the right-field seats. On Sunday, San Diego's Manny Machado utilized an unconventional tactic, kicking aside a pickoff attempt to help spark an eight-run rally that overcame an early four-run deficit against Boston. In terms of pacing, the Yankees' 9-7 victory over the Marlins on Saturday night clocked in at 3 hours and 49 minutes, marking the longest nine-inning game played under the current pitch clock rules instituted in 2023.

Miscellaneous League Updates

Roster adjustments continued across the league as teams sought immediate reinforcements or managed personal matters. The Miami Marlins gave reliever Pete Fairbanks a rare start on Sunday specifically to allow the 32-year-old closer to travel home for the birth of his child, where he threw one efficient inning. The Seattle Mariners prospect Colt Emerson, who recently signed a massive eight-year, $95 million extension, was listed as day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot, though X-rays returned negative. Additionally, on the umpiring front, Ron Kulpa was sidelined after sustaining a concussion from a pitch hitting his mask, requiring at least a week of recovery.