MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 14, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

ALARMING INJURY WAVE HITS CLUBS

The major league injury list expanded considerably over the last 72 hours, hitting contenders and rebuilding clubs alike. In Milwaukee, outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich is expected to miss a month following an adductor strain sustained Sunday, news that came shortly after he exited the game with left hamstring tightness. The Baltimore Orioles sustained a significant blow when manager Craig Albernaz was struck in the face by a line drive Monday, resulting in at least seven cheek fractures and a broken jaw, though subsequent reports indicated he wasn't seriously hurt after taking the liner from Jeremiah Jackson. Adding to Baltimore's woes, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle landed on the IL with a broken fourth metatarsal bone, while the team also made a trade, acquiring first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Reds in a deal Monday.

Several other key players faced setbacks, including San Diego's right-hander Nick Pivetta, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right elbow inflammation after exiting Sunday's game with stiffness in the same elbow. The Rays must now wait longer for starter Ryan Pepiot, who received a hip injection and was moved to the 60-day IL, pushing his return back by roughly six weeks. The Houston Astros were particularly hard-hit, placing both shortstop Jeremy Pena—who felt right knee tightness Saturday and later reported hamstring issues—and starter Tatsuya Imai on the shelf with arm fatigue.

PITCHING WOES & DEBUTS

Pitching performances ranged from disastrous to promising, illustrating the volatility of the mound early in the season. Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet was shelled by the Twins Monday night, surrendering 11 runs—10 earned—in just 1.2 innings of work. Meanwhile, the White Sox introduced Noah Schultz, who allowed three earned runs and walked four batters across 4.1 innings in his Tuesday debut against Tampa Bay. On the positive side for the Yankees, both Gerrit Cole and Nestor Rodón are nearing their return, as the pair are on track for rehab assignments soon, providing a major boost for the rotation, while shortstop Anthony Volpe was cleared to begin his own rehab stint.

The craft of pitching itself remains a focal point, with aces like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes sharing insights on the evolution of the game, including the rise of velocity and the integration of AI analysis. Skenes, in particular, noted that the Pirates' improved offensive support makes pitching easier, contrasting with last season when he felt constantly on edge. In other team moves, the Guardians activated reliever Hunter Gaddis and outfielder George Valera off the injured list Monday, while the Cubs placed reliever Hunter Harvey on the IL due to right triceps inflammation on Sunday.

OFFENSIVE SPARKS & SLUMPING CLUBS

Offensively, a few stars shone brightly in high-leverage contests, though some teams continued to struggle finding consistency. The Yankees managed to prevail in a slugfest against the Angels, winning 11-10, despite two-homer nights from both Aaron Judge and Mike Trout. In St. Louis, rookie Jordan Walker continued his scorching start, smashing his MLB-leading eighth home run, becoming only the fifth player in Cardinals franchise history to reach that mark through the first 16 games.

Conversely, the New York Mets are navigating a rough patch, currently reeling from a six-game losing streak as manager Carlos Mendoza stated the club must "find a way to get through" the early adversity. The Mets look for a spark as All-Star Juan Soto works back from a strained right calf, though he is expected to begin running within two days; in his absence, the team called up veteran outfielder Tommy Pham on Monday to try and break the slump. The Dodgers and Mets are currently squaring off in a series noted for its high expenditure, representing one of the most expensive matchups in MLB history.

TRIBUTES AND LEGACY NOTES

In off-field news, the memory of barrier-breaking legend Jackie Robinson was honored, with the top-ranked UCLA baseball team planning to wear retro No. 42 tribute uniforms for Tuesday's game, recognizing the fact that Robinson played four sports for the Bruins. Furthermore, the league mourned the loss of Phil Garner, the three-time All-Star infielder and former Astros manager, who passed away at age 76. Fantasy managers are advised to monitor closer situations, with reports noting that Riley O'Brien is thriving in St. Louis, while teams needing depth at catcher should examine available free agents this week.