MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: April 22, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

MLB Pitching Injuries & Returns

The injury carousel continued to spin across the league, with several rotations bracing for significant absences or welcoming back key arms. Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz is scheduled for surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, effectively sidelining him for months, while the Atlanta Braves placed Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day IL after the closer reported right shoulder discomfort following an awkward sleep Friday night, prompting Atlanta to designate Gabriel Suarez to assume closing duties. Conversely, the Phillies rotation gets a major infusion as ace Zack Wheeler prepares for his first start since August on Saturday in Atlanta, and the Cubs are poised to welcome back left-hander Matthew Boyd on Wednesday against the Phillies following a three-week absence due to a biceps strain. Furthermore, the Red Sox placed Sonny Gray on the 15-day IL with a right hamstring strain in his first season after being acquired from St. Louis, while the Twins dealt another blow by putting right-hander Mick Abel on the IL with elbow inflammation.

AL West Struggles & Roster Moves

The American League West is showing early signs of distress, particularly in Seattle, where the Mariners sit fourth in the AL West standings only 25 games into the 2026 campaign, leading catcher Cal Raleigh to publicly express his continued faith in the clubhouse. Seattle followed up on recent roster shuffling—which included designating right-hander Casey Legumina for assignment on Tuesday—by placing third baseman Brendan Donovan on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain, prompting the recall of reliever Alex Hoppe from Triple-A. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros placed outfielder Joey Loperfido on the 10-day IL Sunday due to a right quadriceps strain following a brief stint on the active roster. Amid these organizational shifts, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday after exiting Tuesday's 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh due to right forearm stiffness.

Slumps, Activation, and Offense

Offensively, the league saw mixed results as some players fought through slumps while others returned from the shelf. Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter finally broke out of a 7-for-47 slump Tuesday night, delivering a much-needed bases-clearing triple in an 8-5 victory that he hopes will catalyze his season. The Minnesota Twins received a needed boost as they activated third baseman Royce Lewis from the injured list after he missed nine games nursing a sprained left knee, a welcome addition for a team looking to climb the standings. In Queens, the New York Mets extended their demoralizing slide to 12 consecutive losses Tuesday after blowing an early 3-0 lead and allowing the Twins to score twice in the ninth inning to secure a 5-3 victory at Citi Field, though the team anticipates an offensive lift Wednesday with outfielder Juan Soto returning to the lineup off the IL.

Team Dynamics & Personal Milestones

Team cohesion and personal moments provided contrast to the on-field struggles across the league. The Baltimore Orioles reinstated star catcher Adley Rutschman from the injured list before their Tuesday night contest in Kansas City following an ankle issue. In Los Angeles, the Dodgers placed first baseman Freddie Freeman on the paternity list Sunday to attend to family matters, recalling longtime prospect Ryan Ward in his stead, though the couple later announced the birth of their fourth child, their first daughter. Further drama in Kansas City saw Royals catcher Salvador Perez and manager Matt Quatraro confirm they were back on the same page Sunday following a weekend social media post by Perez that suggested a need for a "mental breather." Meanwhile, ahead of his start against the rival Red Sox, Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler confirmed that he and his family received threats but remained excited for his Fenway Park debut.

League-Wide Context & Future Outlook

Beyond immediate results, league-wide trends and managerial comments are shaping the narrative early in the season. Cubs manager Craig Counsell publicly labeled the current MLB rule allowing the Dodgers to carry 14 pitchers due to Shohei Ohtani's presence as "bizarre". Separately, the explosion in velocity continues, with the number of pitchers hitting 100 mph on the radar gun expanding rapidly, now even including some high school arms. As teams assess early performance, speculation concerning future roster construction is already underway, with projections identifying the player most likely to be traded for all 30 teams near the mid-season deadline. On a lighter note, the Guardians celebrated utility player Austin Hedges, who scored the opening run Tuesday before receiving an on-field engagement proposal after the final out.