MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

MLB Injury Woes & Roster Moves

The injury bug continued to plague several contenders this week, notably impacting the Braves' catching depth after placing Sean Murphy on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left middle finger, an absence manager Walt Weiss suggested could last up to eight weeks. The Mets also suffered a significant blow as catcher Francisco Alvarez underwent an MRI on his right knee following Tuesday's 10-2 victory, adding to the club's ongoing injury concerns that President David Stearns admitted require a front-office reevaluation of player evaluation methods following multiple IL stints. Furthermore, the Giants lost ace Logan Webb, who headed to the 15-day IL due to right knee bursitis after exhibiting discomfort in his previous outing while the Athletics also saw shortstop Jacob Wilson placed on the 10-day IL with a dislocated left shoulder.

Roster shuffling intensified across the league as teams managed these setbacks, with the Yankees recalling top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe from the minor leagues while simultaneously monitoring José Caballero's sore right middle finger to see if he would require an IL stint himself. In a surprising mid-May transaction, the Cleveland Guardians landed Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey from San Francisco in exchange for the 29th pick in this year’s draft and prospect Matt Wilkinson, a move that immediately altered the catching landscape between the two clubs. Elsewhere, the Pirates had to deal with their own personnel changes, placing catcher Joey Bart on the 10-day IL due to a left foot infection and subsequently recalling Endy Rodriguez from Triple-A, while the Blue Jays designated pitcher Eric Lauer for assignment after putting outfielder Addison Barger on the IL with right elbow inflammation stemming from an intense 101.2 mph throw.

Several stars made their return to action, providing roster boosts for their respective clubs, as Mookie Betts rejoined the Dodgers after missing five weeks on the injured list, hoping his presence would revitalize a sluggish offensive unit in Los Angeles. The Brewers also welcomed back Christian Yelich, who was activated after sitting out a month nursing an adductor strain allowing him to resume DH duties, though the team soon placed outfielder Brandon Lockridge on the IL after he crashed into the side wall while chasing a foul ball leading to a roster spot adjustment. Meanwhile, the Orioles brought back pitchers Trevor Rogers, who was sidelined due to illness, and Tyler Wells, who returned from Triple-A, as they prepared for battle against the Yankees.

Offensive Struggles & Performance Peaks

While many teams battled injuries, others saw key offensive players experience significant dips, prompting organizational adjustments. The Dodgers are hoping extended time off will allow superstar Shohei Ohtani to successfully shake off one of his worst hitting slumps, as the team currently navigates the standings with the slumping Mets far down the projected 2026 World Series odds according to recent betting markets. For the Mets, the front office responded to the struggling lineup by calling up their No. 2 prospect, outfielder A.J. Ewing, in an attempt to inject immediate life into their offense, even as veteran Bryce Harper was removed from his game early due to a migraine, though the Phillies managed a 9-3 victory over the Rockies despite the first-inning exit.

Not every offensive star struggled; the Atlanta Braves continue to run away with the NL East lead, powered by the potent combination of veteran All-Star Matt Olson and reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, who headline the league’s most formidable offense. In contrast, Rays catcher Cal Raleigh finally broke a significant slump, snapping the longest hitless streak in the majors this season when he recorded a crucial base hit in the seventh inning, his first since April 27. On the mound, Pirates ace Paul Skenes saw his no-hit bid against the Rockies end in the seventh inning Tuesday night after Mickey Moniak delivered a clean single, though Skenes secured the victory, while Ryan Weathers of the Padres also lost a no-hitter in the seventh before the Yankees ultimately secured a 3-2 win in their fourth consecutive loss dampening the mood for San Diego.

Front Office & League Business

The integrity of the bullpen remains a central issue across the game, with analysis suggesting that true closers—those with a capital C—are increasingly scarce commodities, even for top-tier clubs facing unpredictable late-inning volatility. This environment means that players like those highlighted in the weekly closer stock watch, such as those recommended for immediate pickup in fantasy baseball leagues by analysts like Eric Karabell, are becoming extremely valuable assets. On the administrative side, top officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association formally commenced collective bargaining talks on Tuesday, initiating negotiations just over six months before the current labor agreement is set to expire. Meanwhile, the league paused briefly to mourn the passing of former manager Bobby Cox, as players and coaches across the sport remembered the 84-year-old legend.

American League Notes

The American League standings present a particularly fractured picture, characterized by a wild and unpredictable configuration that defies traditional divisional separation as the season progresses. The Texas Rangers dealt with pitching instability when starter Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his scheduled appearance against the Diamondbacks due to left side tightness forcing a last-minute rotation change, while outfielder Brandon Nimmo left Tuesday’s contest with a sprained left ankle, though he is currently being managed on a day-to-day basis. In Minnesota, the Twins placed right-hander Taj Bradley on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right pectoral inflammation, a move retroactive to Wednesday disrupting their rotation plans.