MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 18, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Injury Updates & Roster Moves Plague Contenders

The National League East is facing significant roster attrition, highlighted by several key placements on the injured list over the last three days. Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran landed on the 15-day IL with a strained left oblique, a major blow to their bullpen depth. Compounding NL East woes, the New York Mets placed struggling designated hitter Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL due to a right wrist contusion, while the club faces mounting pressure as President David Stearns publicly backed manager Carlos Mendoza amid the team's current nine-game skid. Across the league, the Chicago Cubs cemented their own bullpen issues by placing closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day IL for a left oblique strain, with starter Cade Horton simultaneously undergoing his second Tommy John surgery further straining Chicago's pitching corps.

Oakland's divisional rivals are also reeling from personnel setbacks. The San Francisco Giants announced that veteran reliever Jose Butto requires arm surgery, a procedure expected to sideline him for five to six months, while the San Diego Padres face a multi-week absence for starter Nick Pivetta, whose elbow MRI revealed a flexor strain that manager Craig Stammen suggested could last "weeks and maybe months" forcing the team to recalibrate its rotation. In contrast to the bad news, the Arizona Diamondbacks saw a major positive return, activating outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the injured list on Saturday, marking his return less than eight months after he suffered a torn right ACL a swift recovery for the outfielder.

Bullpen Instability and Bullpen Aces

The string of oblique injuries continued to impact MLB rosters, with the Miami Marlins losing third baseman Graham Pauley in the seventh inning Friday night due to right oblique discomfort forcing an early exit against the Brewers. However, the Marlins are anticipating the return of All-Star Kyle Stowers, who is slated to make his season debut Sunday after being sidelined with a hamstring strain clearing the way for the outfielder’s return. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners made corresponding moves, reinstating infielder/outfielder Rob Refsnyder from the paternity list while sending outfielder Patrick Wisdom to the 10-day IL reflecting the constant churn of roster spots.

Weather Delays and Early Season Oddities

Weather proved a significant factor over the weekend, particularly in the Northeast and at altitude. The Boston Red Sox, who lost Saturday afternoon's contest against the Tigers 4-1 at Fenway Park, proactively pushed back Sunday's series finale by three hours anticipating heavy rain forecasts. Meanwhile, the series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field was greeted by an unusual mid-April storm, dumping three inches of snow before the first pitch, an event that also followed reports of law enforcement scrambling to address drone sightings during the Rockies' initial homestand prompting new security warnings.

Standout Performances and Franchise Milestones

Despite the turbulence elsewhere, the San Diego Padres continued their impressive run, extending their win streak to seven games when Jackson Merrill capped a stellar night with a walk-off two-run double after robbing Julio Rodriguez of a potential home run capping off a dramatic victory. This success comes as a source confirmed the Padres are nearing a sale that would fetch a staggering MLB-record $3.9 billion. On the mound, Cleveland Guardians rookie Parker Messick nearly delivered the first no-hitter of the season, losing his bid in the ninth inning, though the Guardians managed to hold on for a 4-2 victory over the Orioles. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Dodgers' financial might was quantified, revealing the team spent a record combined $515 million on payroll and luxury tax during their 2025 title run, a stark contrast to the early struggles of the Mets, who recently engaged in a $1 billion showdown series that revealed significant gaps between the two clubs.

Managerial Ejections and Future Prospect Watch

In-game volatility led to an early exit for Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who was ejected in the first inning Saturday afternoon during the contest against the Yankees following a heated argument with the umpiring crew resulting in Quatraro's immediate removal. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates are taking note of the maturity shown by the youngest player in MLB, Konnor Griffin, whose poise is drawing high praise from teammates as the organization builds for the future. The Yankees also saw an unlikely hero emerge Friday when Ryan McMahon, summoned as a defensive replacement after spending most of the game in the batting cage, delivered a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to secure a 4-2 victory. Finally, the league mourned the loss of former Angels star and All-Star MVP Garret Anderson, who passed away at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy as a franchise icon.