MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 21, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Injuries Continue to Mount Across the League

The injury bug continued its sweep across Major League Baseball over the weekend and into Monday, with several key players landing on the injured list. Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz will undergo surgery this week to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, a procedure that is expected to sideline him for months, compounding the team's issues after Freddie Freeman was placed on the paternity list temporarily. Elsewhere in the NL West, the Seattle Mariners placed third baseman Brendan Donovan on the 10-day IL retroactive to Saturday due to a left groin muscle strain, while the Arizona Diamondbacks saw outfielder Corbin Carroll exit early Sunday with low back tightness, though manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence the issue was minor.

Pitching staffs faced further attrition as the Minnesota Twins shuffled right-hander Mick Abel onto the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation, and the Philadelphia Phillies lost their closer, Jhoan Duran, to a strained left oblique. The San Francisco Giants received dimmer news as veteran reliever Jose Butto requires surgery that will keep him sidelined for five to six months following a procedure performed by Dr. Jason Lee. On a slightly brighter note for the D-backs, outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was activated, returning to the roster less than eight months after tearing his right ACL.

Offensive Concerns and Roster Moves

Several teams adjusted their offensive lineups due to ailments or strategic placements. The New York Mets placed struggling designated hitter Jorge Polanco onto the 10-day IL with a right wrist contusion, creating an immediate void in their middle order. In Houston, the Astros placed outfielder Joey Loperfido on the 10-day IL Sunday, citing a right quad strain that forced him out of action. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins welcomed back a key weapon as All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers was set to make his season debut after recovering from a hamstring strain that kept him sidelined.

The Atlanta Braves managed to avoid serious long-term damage after MVP candidate Ronald Acuna Jr. was hit twice by the Washington Nationals, though the team confirmed X-rays came back negative, classifying him as day-to-day. Boston starter Sonny Gray departed Monday's Patriots' Day game against the Tigers in the third inning due to right hamstring tightness, complicating the Red Sox rotation outlook just as they sought to bounce back from Saturday's 4-1 loss to Detroit, a game that had its Sunday follow-up pushed back three hours by rain forecasts.

Managerial Drama & Peculiar Roster Rules

Off-field dynamics provided notable storylines, including managerial dust-ups and commentary on new league rules. Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected in the first inning Saturday after vehemently arguing calls against the Yankees, though he and catcher Salvador Perez later confirmed they cleared the air following a social media post that had generated internal drama. Separately, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell publicly criticized a specific league structure, labeling the rule that permits the Los Angeles Dodgers to carry 14 pitchers—a provision tied to Shohei Ohtani's unique contract structure—as "bizarre."

Logistical Hurdles and Personal Milestones

Travel and personal moments punctuated the recent slate of games. The Toronto Blue Jays faced an unexpected logistical challenge when a mechanical issue with their charter plane forced the team to bus from Phoenix to Orange County, California, on Sunday night to reach their next destination. On a positive personal note, Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges celebrated an on-field engagement immediately following Sunday's victory, capping a game where he scored the opening run. Furthermore, Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler prepared for his Fenway Park debut against the Red Sox while revealing that he and his family have received threats ahead of the rivalry start, though he expressed excitement to pitch.

Fantasy Outlook & Trade Speculation

As mid-season strategy ramps up, fantasy managers are advised to examine available pitching depth, with the Twins and Astros being pointed toward as sources for waiver-wire pickups needing rotation help this week. Concurrently, speculation is already mounting regarding potential August trade candidates, with analysts assessing the player most likely to be dealt from each of the 30 MLB franchises, covering everyone from established stars to prospects and "if-all-goes-wrong" assets.