MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

League Leaders & Slumps

The Atlanta Braves solidified their top spot in the majors, becoming the first team to reach 30 wins after rallying for three runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Cubs 4-1 on Wednesday night. This offensive firepower is reportedly fueled by left-handed sluggers like veteran Matt Olson and reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, who headline the league's best offense. Meanwhile, perennial MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani snapped an 11-game homerless drought tied for his longest as a Dodger, though the team still lost that contest; his struggles at the plate have prompted the Dodgers to hope time off helps Ohtani reset, though he remained dominant on the mound, throwing seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in a separate victory Wednesday.

Star Infielders Face Tough Times

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is enduring a career-worst offensive stretch, currently sitting hitless in his last 27 at-bats across seven games, prompting him to seek solutions to his prolonged slump. In contrast to the struggles of some high-profile players, the Yankees' Anthony Volpe was recalled from the minor leagues Tuesday to rejoin the club, while teammate José Caballero is undergoing tests for a sore right middle finger that could potentially send him to the injured list. The American League standings remain particularly volatile, with analysts pointing out the current state of the Junior Circuit is quite strange as teams jockey for position amid these varying player fortunes.

Major Injury Updates Plague Contenders

The injury bug continued to bite several National League contenders this week, most severely impacting the Mets and Braves. New York catcher Francisco Alvarez is scheduled for surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee after leaving Tuesday's game, with manager Carlos Mendoza estimating a potential return in six to eight weeks; this adds to the Mets' woes, prompting team leadership to reassess their evaluation of injury-prone players. Atlanta also suffered a significant blow, placing catcher Sean Murphy on the IL with a fractured left middle finger, a minimum eight-week absence that follows other recent roster adjustments. Further west, Seattle placed AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain, marking the first time the catcher has landed on the list in his six-year career, despite having just snapped his major league-long 26-game hitless streak the day prior to the designation.

Pitching Concerns & Roster Moves

Pitching staffs saw considerable volatility, with high-leverage arms experiencing setbacks and teams making corresponding moves. Yankees ace Max Fried was pulled from his Wednesday start after just three innings due to elbow soreness and is scheduled for further testing, an issue that casts uncertainty over New York's rotation. Meanwhile, Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski delivered another dominant performance, pitching seven innings against the Padres before exiting with cramping in his right quadriceps, the second time in three starts he has been forced out due to physical issues. In response to struggles, the Minnesota Twins optioned outfielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A while calling up right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to make a start against Miami.

Front Office & CBA Activity

Away from the field action, league administration saw developments regarding the future labor agreement. Top officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association held their first official Collective Bargaining Agreement talks this week, with key subjects expected to dominate negotiations, including potential lockout scenarios and the structure of a salary cap. On the personnel front, the Cubs reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with veteran reliever Liam Hendriks, offering the former star closer a pathway back to the majors.

Defensive Oddities & Transactions

Unusual defensive feats and necessary roster shuffling characterized mid-week play. Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy achieved a rare unassisted double play against the Pirates on Wednesday, the first such feat recorded by an outfielder since 2015. In transactional news, the Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their outfield depth by acquiring Alek Thomas from the Diamondbacks in exchange for a prospect, while simultaneously welcoming back Mookie Betts, who returned from a five-week absence on the IL. Furthermore, Miami Marlins prospect Robby Snelling was placed on the 15-day IL after suffering a UCL sprain in his left elbow immediately following his major league debut.

Fantasy Outlook & Future Projections

Fantasy managers must navigate the current injury environment, especially concerning bullpen stability, as elite closers remain scarce, forcing constant waiver wire monitoring. analysts are already projecting future talent, with the initial mock draft for July 2026 featuring intriguing decisions near the top of the board for the first 40 picks. In team outlooks, the Dodgers maintain the highest odds to win the 2026 World Series, while the beleaguered Mets are positioned much lower in those long-term projections.