MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

League Structure & Off-Field Developments

Collective bargaining discussions officially commenced this week as top officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association met to address issues arising less than six months before the existing contract expires; sources indicate that topics ranging from the potential introduction of a salary cap to future lockout scenarios will be central to these initial talks. Meanwhile, front-office restructuring continues, with former player Jason Heyward rejoining the Dodgers as a special assistant in baseball operations just two months after his retirement announcement. early speculation for the 2026 draft suggests an intriguing choice at the very top of the board, as analysts prepare projections for the first 40 picks of the upcoming amateur selection process.

Injury Updates & Roster Moves

The injury woes plaguing the New York Mets continue, as catcher Francisco Alvarez requires surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee, with manager Carlos Mendoza estimating a return window of six to eight weeks following the procedure. This latest setback forces the Mets to reassess their evaluation process for free agent signings, especially as they simultaneously called up top prospect A.J. Ewing to try and spark a struggling offense. In other significant IL news, Atlanta catcher Sean Murphy faces an even longer absence, having been placed on the IL with a fractured left middle finger, potentially sidelining him for up to eight weeks. The injury tide also hit the Marlins, whose prospect Robby Snelling suffered a UCL sprain in his left elbow immediately following his major league debut, landing him on the 15-day IL.

Pitching Performances & Bullpen Volatility

Despite struggling at the plate, Los Angeles superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a dominant outing Wednesday, throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out eight in a 4-0 victory over the Giants, though the team is hoping time off can help him 'reset' his ongoing hitting slump. Pitching across the league remains volatile, exemplified by the ongoing struggles of closers, making reliable arms at the end of games a premium commodity for even the league's elite teams. In Milwaukee, starter Jacob Misiorowski again showed immense promise, dominating the Padres through seven frames before exiting due to cramping in his right quadriceps, marking the second time in his last three starts that a physical issue forced an early exit. Furthermore, in a surprising trade, the Guardians acquired an elite defensive catcher from San Francisco in a surprising swap that occurred well before the trade deadline.

Standout Offensive & Defensive Feats

The Atlanta Braves secured MLB's best record at 30-13 after staging a three-run rally in the eighth inning to defeat the Cubs 4-1, driven by a lineup featuring veteran Matt Olson and reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin as two key left-handed sluggers powering the league's best offense. Meanwhile, the American League standings remain particularly peculiar this week, presenting a confusing divisional picture across the Junior Circuit. In a truly unusual defensive highlight, Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy recorded the league's first unassisted double play by an outfielder since 2015 during Wednesday's contest against the Pirates. Adding to the drama, Pirates ace Paul Skenes saw his no-hit bid against the same Rockies team end in the seventh inning Tuesday night via a clean single off the bat of Mickey Moniak.

Star Player Updates & Roster Adjustments

The New York Yankees welcomed back shortstop Anthony Volpe from the minors on Tuesday, while their fellow shortstop, José Caballero, was sidelined pending tests on a sore right middle finger. In Los Angeles, Mookie Betts returned to the lineup Monday after a five-week absence, with the Dodgers hoping his presence will help ignite their offense, although Ohtani's own offensive struggles persisted until he finally broke an 11-game homerless drought Wednesday. Across town, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that superstar Juan Soto underwent negative X-rays after fouling a ball off his foot, though Soto was removed from Wednesday’s extra-inning win. Finally, one struggling veteran reliever, Liam Hendriks, has reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, offering the experienced arm another path back to the majors.

Pitching Health Concerns & Early Power Rankings Shifts

Yankees ace Max Fried was abruptly pulled from his Wednesday start against the Orioles after only three innings due to reported soreness in his pitching elbow, prompting immediate further testing. The Orioles themselves saw a shuffle in their own rotation, bringing back pitchers Trevor Rogers and Tyler Wells while shifting Wolfram to the IL. In Texas, Nathan Eovaldi, who was scratched Monday due to left side tightness, expressed encouragement after throwing a successful bullpen session Wednesday. These pitching events come as the league's Week 7 power rankings feature a new No. 1 team, displacing the previous leader thanks to a significant offensive surge in recent contests.