MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

MLB Roster Upheaval & Injury Woes

The injury bug continued to decimate rosters across the league over the weekend, with several key players exiting games prematurely. The Padres' Nick Pivetta was pulled in the fourth inning Sunday due to elbow stiffness, while Astros starter Cody Bolton exited early with mid-back tightness during a loss to Seattle. Adding to the pitching woes, Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland was scratched from his start mid-game because of shoulder soreness, and Nationals reliever Ken Waldichuk hurt his arm while throwing a pitch in the seventh inning of a victory over Milwaukee. On the position player front, the Orioles lost first baseman Ryan Mountcastle to a broken bone in his left foot, landing him on the IL, and Brewers star Christian Yelich departed with a tight hamstring, prompting fears of serious news for Milwaukee.

The fallout from injuries is forcing immediate roster shuffling, particularly in the AL East. The Baltimore Orioles placed catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list due to left ankle inflammation, just days after learning that Zach Eflin is targeting a 2027 return following Tommy John surgery just after his 32nd birthday. Meanwhile, the struggling New York Mets called up Tommy Pham on Monday, looking for a spark amid a five-game slide while waiting for Juan Soto's return from the IL, and simultaneously designated reliever Richard Lovelady for assignment to make room for Craig Kimbrel's promotion. Further south, the Athletics placed outfielder Brent Rooker on the IL due to an oblique strain, snapping his 213-game playing streak.

Pitching staffs faced continuous attrition as the weekend concluded. Phillies rookie Andrew Painter managed five innings in relief after being scratched from his start due to a migraine, while Astros rookie Tatsuya Imai was sent back to Houston for examination due to right arm fatigue, with manager Joe Espada cautioning that the news looked "not good." The injury list expanded in Minnesota, where Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed that infielder Royce Lewis and pitcher Cody Laweryson were both headed to the IL. Furthermore, Angels rookie George Klassen left his start in the third inning with a bruised index finger nail, and Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows suffered a broken left arm and a concussion following a collision with a teammate.

High-Stakes Baseball & Player Milestones

This week’s interleague clash between the New York Mets and the Dodgers is setting records for financial stakes, shaping up as the most expensive matchup in MLB history when the two high-payroll clubs meet. The high-profile nature of the contest contrasts sharply with the struggles of the Mets, whose shortstop Francisco Lindor committed his third miscue in two days, leading manager Carlos Mendoza to state the lapses were "hard to explain." In Los Angeles, however, Max Muncy provided drama, smashing three home runs including a ninth-inning walk-off shot to rally the Dodgers past the Rangers 8-7. Separately, Shohei Ohtani achieved a historic feat, extending his on-base streak to 44 games, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki’s record for a Japanese-born player.

In other important team movements and acknowledgments, the Chicago White Sox answered fan enthusiasm by announcing they will distribute pope-themed hats at their August 11 game. Meanwhile, the league noted a positive demographic trend, confirming that the percentage of Black players on rosters increased for the second consecutive year, the first time that has occurred in two decades. On a somber note, the baseball community mourned the loss of Phil Garner, the three-time All-Star infielder and former manager who guided the Astros to their first World Series appearance; he passed away at age 76. Furthermore, the Athletics saw outfielder Brent Rooker placed on the 10-day IL due to an oblique strain, ending his 213-game streak.

Stadium Finance & Ceremonial Glitches

Off the field, significant financial proposals are underway concerning future venues. Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, are currently considering issuing $600 million in bonds* to finance a new stadium for the Royals, testing local appetite for public funding for MLB infrastructure. This news comes as the league continues to see player movement, demonstrated by the Yankees designating pitcher Cade Winquest without him ever appearing in a game for the club. In Seattle, a ceremony intended to honor Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki was marred when the bat on his newly unveiled statue broke during the unveiling event at T-Mobile Park. Finally, as the league looks toward the future, ESPN is launching an award for flair, announcing its new MLB Bat Flip Championship Belt competition for the 2026 season.**