MLB Baseball 3 Days

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

Injury Woes & Player Slumps

The league continues to grapple with an unprecedented wave of injuries, particularly among star players, exemplified by the Braves placing catcher Sean Murphy on the IL with a fractured left middle finger, sidelining him for potentially eight weeks. This rash of physical setbacks is forcing general managers to reassess personnel, as the Mets' David Stearns acknowledged the need to reexamine free agent evaluations after numerous acquisitions landed on the injured list. Compounding these physical issues, several preseason top-20 talents are producing disappointing results, leading to questions about the overall star power in the early portion of the season. Adding to the Mets' woes, catcher Francisco Alvarez required an MRI for a right knee injury sustained during a 10-2 victory, while the Rangers listed outfielder Brandon Nimmo as day-to-day after he sprained his left ankle.

Meanwhile, high-profile offensive slumps persisted, though some stars managed to break through during the last 72 hours. The Dodgers saw Shohei Ohtani snap his homerless drought at 11 games—his longest as a Dodger—with a home run, a single, and a walk, even as the team lost, following days where the organization had hoped time off would help him reset his approach. The Mariners' Cal Raleigh finally ended a lengthy skid, recording his first hit since April 27th with a seventh-inning single that snapped the majors' longest active hitless streak this season. Conversely, the Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, continues to keep expectations high amid pressure to deliver a championship, maintaining elevated numbers at the plate despite team struggles.

The injury list saw several significant updates as teams adjusted rosters; the Athletics placed shortstop Jacob Wilson on the 10-day IL due to a dislocated left shoulder, and the Pirates shifted catcher Joey Bart to the IL with a foot infection, recalling Endy Rodriguez from Triple-A. In Toronto, the Blue Jays placed Addison Barger on the IL with right elbow inflammation and made the corresponding move of designating lefty Eric Lauer for assignment. However, some players returned, as Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich was activated after missing a month with an adductor strain, and Mookie Betts rejoined the Dodgers after a five-week absence hoping to spark the offense.

Roster Moves & Trade Activity

Teams continued to shuffle prospects and veterans across the league, highlighted by a pre-deadline swap between Cleveland and San Francisco. The Guardians acquired an elite defensive catcher in the surprising mid-May trade, prompting analysis on which organization benefited more from the early exchange. The Dodgers bolstered their outfield by acquiring Alek Thomas from the D-backs in exchange for an unnamed outfield prospect. Roster shuffling continued in New York, where the Mets called up their No. 2 prospect, outfielder A.J. Ewing, to inject life into their lagging offense, while the Yankees recalled former top prospect Anthony Volpe to the majors as shortstop José Caballero deals with a finger issue that might necessitate an IL stint instead of avoiding it.

Labor & League Affairs

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association officially commenced collective bargaining talks this week, meeting for the first time in months to address issues ahead of the December contract expiration. Top officials convened to begin negotiating the CBA topics that will dominate discussions, marking the official start of high-stakes labor negotiations. Industry speculation regarding the upcoming offseason also focused on the impact of the previous lockout and how it might influence future negotiations, alongside assessing the effect of pitcher injuries like Tarik Skubal's.

Pitching Highlights & Standings Quirks

Despite the Orioles defeating the Yankees for a fourth straight time, the early pitching efforts were notable, though often tinged with disappointment. First, Padres lefty Ryan Weathers saw his no-hit bid abruptly end in the seventh inning before the Yankees ultimately lost the game 3-2. Pirates ace Paul Skenes also had his no-hit attempt against the Rockies cease in the seventh via a clean single off the bat of Mickey Moniak, though Skenes secured the victory. On the team front, the Braves offense continues to dominate the NL East, powered by veteran Matt Olson and reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, who lead the league's best offense. Meanwhile, the American League standings remain in a peculiar state, leading analysts to break down the unusual configuration of the Junior Circuit.

League Mourning & Future Odds

The baseball world paused to remember former manager Bobby Cox, as players and coaches alike shared tributes following his passing at the age of. In other forward-looking assessments, early odds for the 2026 World Series place the Dodgers atop the market, while the struggling Mets currently sit near the bottom of projections, reflecting their current roster instability and injury concerns. Fantasy managers continue to monitor the volatile closer market, where the scarcity of reliable options means that certain arms like Eric Karabell's current top pickups are essential adds, reflecting the league-wide trend of unpredictable bullpen performances that impact elite teams.