MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 9, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

MLB Injury Update & Roster Moves

The injury landscape across Major League Baseball worsened significantly this week, highlighted by multiple season-ending procedures. Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, wiping out a key piece of their rotation for the remainder of the campaign. Compounding the pitching losses, Cubs starter Cade Horton will also require season-ending surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, an outcome manager Craig Counsell confirmed. On a slightly less dire note, Blue Jays All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk had surgery for a fractured left thumb and is projected to miss approximately six weeks, according to manager John Schneider.

Several other clubs also made significant roster adjustments due to nagging issues. The Mariners placed outfielder Victor Robles on the 10-day injured list with a right pectoral strain, recalling Connor Joe from Tacoma in a corresponding move. Meanwhile, the Reds designated reserve catcher Jose Trevino for the 10-day IL due to a thoracic spine strain, despite his limited playing time this season. Furthermore, the Astros dealt with a twin injury scare Wednesday when both CF Jake Meyers (back tightness) and RHP Cristian Javier (shoulder tightness) exited their game within minutes of each other.

Pitchers dealing with less severe ailments offered some positive news mixed with setbacks. Royals ace Cole Ragans stated he expects to make his next start following a brief exit during Wednesday's 10-2 defeat against the Guardians. In Texas, the Rangers confirmed that an MRI on Jacob de Grom's right knee revealed no structural issues, though his next start remains uncertain. However, the Blue Jays saw veteran Max Scherzer exit Monday's 14-2 loss to the Dodgers due to right forearm tendinitis, adding further strain to their rotation depth after Matthew Boyd was placed on the 15-day IL earlier that day with a biceps strain.

Roster shuffling continued in Chicago, where the White Sox demoted struggling Opening Day starter Shane Smith to Triple-A in a bid to find consistency. The club also placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain on Tuesday. In Cleveland, the Guardians placed Gabriel Arias on the IL with a left hamstring strain, promoting Juan Brito who is slated to make his big league debut. Finally, the Mets will be without outfielder Juan Soto for an estimated two to three weeks after he suffered a minor right calf strain running the bases, resulting in his placement on the injured list.

Contract Milestones & Franchise History

The Pirates moved swiftly to secure their future, agreeing to a massive nine-year contract extension with rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin, locking up the sport's top prospect less than a week after his major league debut, reportedly valued at $140 million. On the historical front, Cleveland's Jose Ramirez achieved franchise longevity milestones, becoming the club's all-time leader in games played Monday night with 1,620 appearances. Separately, the Mets announced they will retire legendary outfielder Carlos Beltrán's No. 15 on September 19, when he will also enter the team's hall of fame prior to the home contest against the Phillies.

On-Field Incidents & Early Season Takes

Tensions boiled over in a game between the Angels and Braves when designated hitter Jorge Soler charged the mound after an inside pitch from Reynaldo Lopez, resulting in both players throwing punches amid a bench-clearing brawl. This incident followed a warning issued by Cubs catcher Willson Contreras on Monday, who threatened retaliation against the Brewers after being hit by a pitch for the 24th time by the team, asserting he would "take one of them out" next time. In a peculiar offensive display, Toronto's Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League managed to plate eight runs in the second inning before recording their first official hit of the game.

Early season analysis suggests some players are shaking off slumps while others are providing major surprises. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the majors with 60 homers last year, snapped a 10-game drought by hitting his first home run of the season Monday. Meanwhile, fantasy experts are evaluating the disconnect between preseason expectations and current performance, detailing which free agent pickups are finally producing results while others examine the season's biggest early surprises in expert hot takes two weeks into the schedule.

League Reflections & Departures

The league mourned the passing of long-time Dodgers speedster Davey Lopes, a four-time All-Star who captured the World Series in 1981, who died Wednesday at the age of 80 following prolonged battles with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Beyond current personnel issues, structural problems in player development were implicitly raised following the tragic death of a teenager in Latin America, bringing renewed focus to calls for an international draft to reform the current system. On the field, the Rays celebrated a long-awaited return home, securing a victory against the Cubs on Monday at Tropicana Field for the first time in 561 days following extensive hurricane damage to the stadium roof.