MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

League Standings & Top Performers

The Atlanta Braves secured MLB's best record at 30-13 after rallying past the Cubs 4-1 Wednesday, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to maintain their division lead, driven in part by their potent offense featuring veteran Matt Olson and reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. Meanwhile, the American League standings remain highly volatile, presenting a peculiar configuration across the Junior Circuit as teams jockey for position amid significant mid-season injury woes impacting several contenders.

Injury Crisis Deepens Across MLB

Major League Baseball is grappling with an unprecedented rash of injuries, particularly at the catcher position, as the Mets confirmed Francisco Alvarez requires meniscus surgery, sidelining the backstop for an estimated six to eight weeks following a right knee tear sustained Tuesday. Compounding the issue, the division-leading Braves placed veteran catcher Sean Murphy on the 10-day IL with a fractured left middle finger, with manager Walt Weiss suggesting he could miss up to eight weeks. The injury wave also struck Seattle, forcing the Mariners to place AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain, marking the first time in his six-year career he has landed on the injured list; Raleigh had only recently ended a streak of 20 games without a hit, his last base hit coming back on April 27.

Pitching Pains and Bullpen Volatility

Pitching staffs across the league are demonstrating extreme fragility, exemplified by the short outing for Yankees ace Max Fried, who experienced elbow soreness and was pulled after just three innings Wednesday, requiring further testing. The Milwaukee Brewers also faced a scare when starter Jacob Misiorowski dominated the Padres through seven innings before exiting with cramping in his right quadriceps, the second instance of cramping forcing an early exit in his last three starts. Further compounding bullpen woes league-wide, which are characterized by a scarcity of reliable closers, the Marlins placed highly touted prospect Robby Snelling on the 15-day IL after he suffered a UCL sprain in his left elbow immediately following his major league debut.

Slumps and Offensive Struggles

Star players are finding the plate challenging, with Texas Rangers third baseman Corey Seager enduring an historic struggle, currently mired in an 0-for-27 slump over his last seven games, a low point he admitted he needs to "figure out". In Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani managed to snap his own 11-game homerless drought—his longest stretch as a Dodger—with a home run in a game where the team ultimately lost, though the team had previously given him time off hoping a break would help him "reset" his swing. Adding to the Mets' misery, superstar Juan Soto exited a game Wednesday after fouling a ball off his right foot, though X-rays later came back negative, even as the team's front office faces pressure to re-evaluate its player evaluation process following numerous injuries to key free agent signings.

Personnel Moves and Front Office Activity

Following a difficult run at the plate, the Minnesota Twins optioned struggling right fielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A while simultaneously calling up right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to make a start against the Marlins. The New York Mets are also looking to the minors for a spark, calling up their No. 2 prospect, outfielder A.J. Ewing, to inject life into their sputtering offense. Conversely, the New York Yankees activated shortstop Anthony Volpe from the minor leagues on Tuesday, while the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor league contract with veteran reliever Liam Hendriks, giving the former closer an opportunity to work his way back to the majors.

Defensive Feats & Front Office Returns

In a remarkable display of outfield athleticism, Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy recorded the first unassisted double play by an outfielder in the majors since 2015 during Wednesday's contest against the Pirates. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back a familiar face, signing recently retired outfielder Jason Heyward to a role as a special assistant in their baseball operations department less than two months after he hung up his cleats. The Dodgers also finalized a trade Tuesday, acquiring outfielder Alek Thomas from the Diamondbacks in exchange for an outfield prospect, just days after Mookie Betts returned to the lineup following a five-week absence on the IL.

Labor Relations & Future Outlook

Top officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association officially commenced collective bargaining agreement talks this week, meeting for the first time since the sides agreed to a previous deal, with discussions expected to center on issues like the potential implementation of a salary cap. On the field performance front, analysts are already beginning to project future talent, with a 2026 mock draft released that provides an early look at how the first 40 picks might shake out in this July's amateur draft.

Pitching Health Concerns & Player Upsides

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who was scratched from his Monday start due to left side tightness, threw a encouraging bullpen session Wednesday and reported feeling good about his progress. Separately, Pirates ace Paul Skenes had his no-hit bid against the Rockies broken up in the seventh inning Tuesday night by a clean single off the bat of Mickey Moniak, though Skenes ultimately secured the win, while Padres starter Ryan Weathers also lost a no-hitter in the seventh before his team ultimately fell to the Yankees. Fantasy analysts continue to monitor player performances closely, with one expert suggesting that for managers, Dodgers' Michael Pages might become the best fantasy option, while another evaluates which relievers are currently rising or falling on the closer stock watch.