MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 18, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

League Notes & Transactions

The San Diego Padres are finalizing a sale for a staggering $3.9 billion, which would represent a Major League Baseball record valuation, even as the team deals with personnel setbacks; specifically, right-hander Nick Pivetta received worrisome news, facing a minimum absence of "weeks and maybe months" due to a right elbow flexor strain Pivetta to miss weeks. On the transactional front, the Dodgers acquired righty Chayce McDermott from the Orioles in exchange for Axel Perez on Thursday, bolstering their pitching depth. Meanwhile, the MLBPA fired two top executives on Wednesday following an internal investigation, sources confirmed, signaling internal disruption within the players' union leadership structure.

Injury Updates & Roster Moves

Injuries continue to plague several clubs, forcing immediate roster adjustments across the league; the Cubs placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain, compounding their woes after starter Cade Horton underwent a second Tommy John surgery. In Miami, third baseman Graham Pauley departed Friday's contest against the Brewers in the seventh inning due to right oblique discomfort Pauley exits early, while the Mets confirmed that utility man Jared Young faces a six-to-eight-week layoff with a tear in his left knee meniscus Young out month-plus. The Seattle Mariners managed to reinstate infielder Rob Refsnyder from the paternity list Friday, shifting outfielder Patrick Wisdom onto the 10-day injured list in response.

Team Performance & Managerial Pressure

The New York Mets are enduring a significant downturn, evidenced by their current nine-game skid, though team president David Stearns publicly affirmed his support for manager Carlos Mendoza Mets president backs Mendoza. This early-season struggle stands in stark contrast to the red-hot Padres, who extended their win streak to seven games after Jackson Merrill robbed Julio Rodriguez of a home run and subsequently delivered a walk-off two-run double. In Los Angeles, the Dodgers' massive $515 million spending spree in the previous offseason is already being validated, leading to questions about their dominance versus the Mets' collapse following their record-setting head-to-head series Are the Dodgers this good?.

Weather & Field Issues

Mid-April weather wreaked havoc on the scheduled slate, as a significant storm blanketed Denver, greeting the Dodgers & Rockies with three inches of snow as their four-game series commenced frigidly on Friday. The unusual conditions were accompanied by other disruptions at Coors Field, where a rash of drone sightings during the Rockies' opening homestand forced local law enforcement to scramble to locate the operators. Meanwhile, the league utilized Jackie Robinson Day to honor the barrier-breaker's legacy, with every player, coach, and umpire wearing No. 42 across the slate.

Pitching Highlights & Rehab Updates

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole commenced his return from injury, surrendering three earned runs over 4⅓ innings in his first minor league rehab start for Double-A Somerset, throwing 44 pitches in the process. On the mound in a major league contest, Guardians rookie Parker Messick saw his bid for the first no-hitter of the 2026 season broken up in the ninth inning, though Cleveland managed to secure a 4-2 victory over the Orioles. Elsewhere, Shohei Ohtani, held out of the lineup for his scheduled rest day, delivered a gem on the mound Wednesday, tallying 10 strikeouts across six innings in an 8-2 triumph over the Mets.

Player Milestones & Future Outlook

The Tigers secured their young cornerstone, rookie Kevin McGonigle, by agreeing to an eight-year, $150 million contract that locks him in through 2034, marking another significant long-term commitment to young talent. The Pirates are seeing promise from their youngest player, Konnor Griffin, whose maturity is impressing teammates as the club focuses on future development. In unfortunate news, the baseball community mourned the loss of former Angels outfielder & All-Star MVP Garret Anderson, who passed away this week at age 53. Furthermore, the Twins & MLB are actively investigating outfielder Jarren Duran’s claim that a fan directed him to "kill himself" during a recent game Investigation underway.

Situational Heroics & League Integrity

In a dramatic turn for the Yankees on Friday, Ryan McMahon, who spent most of the game in the batting cage, was summoned defensively late in the contest only to crank a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to seal a 4-2 triumph. The integrity of on-field celebrations faced a scare Wednesday when a singer leading the Jackie Robinson Day ceremony for the White Sox collapsed and required immediate hospitalization. Meanwhile, the suspension for Jorge Soler, stemming from an earlier brawl, has been reduced from seven games to four, according to multiple reports Wednesday.