MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Injury Report & Roster Moves Dominate Headlines

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing immediate roster turmoil, losing closer Edwin Diaz to elbow surgery which will sideline him for an undetermined period after he is scheduled to undergo a procedure Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Adding to the roster shuffling, first baseman Freddie Freeman landed on the paternity list Sunday, prompting the recall of prospect Ryan Ward. This flurry of activity comes as the Dodgers are already the subject of managerial critique; Cubs manager Craig Counsell deemed the MLB rule allowing 14 pitchers due to Shohei Ohtani "bizarre," suggesting roster flexibility remains a point of contention across the league.

Several other contenders are grappling with pitching injuries, specifically involving the elbow, as Twins right-hander Mick Abel went on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his right elbow. The injury bug also bit the Phillies, who placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day IL with a strained left oblique, while the Giants confirmed veteran reliever Jose Butto requires surgery that is expected to sideline him for five to six months after an arm procedure performed Friday. These pitching losses force teams to immediately scour waiver wires for available arms, with the Twins and Astros highlighted as teams potentially carrying desirable free agent pickups.

Position players across the league are also dealing with ailments, impacting the middle of the season. The Mariners placed third baseman Brendan Donovan on the 10-day IL retroactive to Saturday due to a left groin muscle strain, while the Astros added outfielder Joey Loperfido to the 10-day IL nursing a right quad strain. In Arizona, outfielder Corbin Carroll exited Sunday's game with low back tightness, though manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence that the issue is not serious, contrasting with the Mets placing struggling DH Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL due to a right wrist contusion.

Player Milestones & On-Field Drama

While injuries mount, some players are returning to action and others are making personal milestones. The Diamondbacks activated Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the IL less than eight months after he suffered a torn right ACL, marking a swift recovery for the outfielder. Simultaneously, the Marlins planned to activate All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers for his season debut Sunday after he was sidelined with a hamstring strain. Away from the diamond, Guardians catcher Austin Hedges celebrated a personal victory, getting engaged on the field after securing the first run of the game in Cleveland's victory.

On the field, drama surfaced in Kansas City where Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected in the first inning Saturday for arguing with umpires, an incident that preceded reports of tension with catcher Salvador Perez, though both later confirmed they had cleared the air regarding a "mental breather". Meanwhile, the Yankees secured a late-game victory over the Red Sox, thanks in part to Ryan McMahon, who was summoned as a defensive replacement and delivered a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to seal a 4-2 win.

Weather Delays & League Dynamics

Weather continued to influence scheduling on the East Coast, as the Red Sox were forced to push back Sunday's Patriots' Day game against the Tigers by three hours due to a forecast predicting rain, ultimately resulting in a 4:35 p.m. start time, following a 4-1 loss to Detroit on Saturday afternoon. The frigid conditions were not exclusive to Boston; the Dodgers and Rockies encountered three inches of snow upon arrival at Coors Field for the start of their series. Beyond immediate scheduling, speculation remains active regarding potential trade pieces, with analysts identifying the player most likely to be traded for every one of the 30 MLB franchises ahead of the August deadline.

Pitching Matchup Context

In a highly charged atmosphere ahead of his start at Fenway Park, Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler addressed external pressures, stating that while he and his family received threats, he remains personally "excited" for his Fenway debut against the Red Sox. Elsewhere, the Red Sox starter Sonny Gray was forced to exit Monday's contest against Detroit in the third inning due to right hamstring tightness. Additionally, the Marlins saw third baseman Graham Pauley leave Friday's game against the Brewers in the seventh inning with right oblique discomfort, contributing to the extensive list of players currently managing physical setbacks across the league.