MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 18, 2026, 2:52 AM ET

NL East Race Heats Up

The Philadelphia Phillies continued their remarkable turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly, improving to 15-4 since his appointment after a 14-4 victory over Pittsburgh pushed them past the .500 mark at 24-23 for the first time since April 7. Kyle Schwarber smashed two more home runs to reach 20 on the season, telling reporters "It's a great question" when asked to explain his power surge. Meanwhile, the New York Mets swept the Subway Series against the Yankees with an "awesome" rally, marking what could be a turning point for a team still in last place in the National League East but showing signs of life after a fractured roster overhaul.

Injury Crisis Deepens Across League

The injury bug continues to ravage MLB clubs as several key players landed on the injured list. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve suffered a left oblique strain and was placed on the IL, with manager Joe Espada confirming he would undergo an MRI after leaving Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rangers in the ninth inning. The Mariners placed catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain — the first injury stint of his six-year career for the AL MVP runner-up. The Red Sox placed Trevor Story on the 10-day IL with a sports hernia, while the Blue Jays announced Jose Berrios will undergo elbow surgery Wednesday with no recovery timeline until after the procedure.

More Injury Updates

The Orioles received devastating news as Jordan Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, ruling him out for the entire 2026 season. In Los Angeles, Blake Snell is scheduled for surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, though the Dodgers remain hopeful he can return this season. The Pirates placed Ryan O'Hearn on the 10-day IL with a strained quad and activated Jake Mangum in a corresponding roster move.

Dodgers Roster Moves

The Dodgers reshaped their bullpen Sunday, placing left-hander Jack Dreyer on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort while acquiring left-hander Eric Lauer from the Brewers to fortify their pitching staff. The transaction comes as Los Angeles navigates a crowded disabled list while maintaining their standing among the league's elite teams.

Star Performances

Shohei Ohtani returned with a vengeance after a few days off, collecting two hits and driving in five runs during a 15-2 demolition of the Angels that included a wild two-run triple where he scored following a throwing error. The White Sox took two of three from their crosstown rivals as Edgar Quero delivered a walk-off home run in the 10th inning Sunday, telling reporters "I visualized it last night." Juan Soto also homered a day after an injury scare as the Mets rolled to victory.

Prospect News

The Mariners called up top prospect Colt Emerson, the No. 6-ranked overall prospect in baseball, for his major league debut in Sunday's loss to the Padres. Meanwhile, the MLB draft approaches with teams grappling over how to value prospects — specifically whether tools outweigh production and whether college pitchers should be prioritized over prep aces in the upcoming first-round selections.

Yankees Outlook

As the Mets claimed bragging rights in the Subway Series, the Yankees face mounting pressure to end their title drought. Captain Aaron Judge hasn't changed his approach despite the urgency surrounding the franchise, maintaining sky-high expectations while the team navigates a "run-it-back" philosophy that contrasts sharply with the Mets' roster overhaul. Gerrit Cole reached 99.6 mph with his fastball in a Triple-A rehabilitation start, throwing 86 pitches in what appeared to be his penultimate injury rehab assignment before returning to the Bronx rotation.

Around the Diamond

An unusual scene unfolded at Busch Stadium where dozens of shirtless Cardinals fans — led by a college baseball team from Alton, Illinois — sparked a trend that coincided with back-to-back wins. Umpire Brian O'Nora left Saturday's Cubs-White Sox game after being struck by a foul ball in the fourth inning. The Rays and local officials announced a tentative $2.3 billion agreement for a new Tampa ballpark funded by both public and private money. In labor news, the MLB and MLBPA met this week to discuss topics that will dominate upcoming collective bargaining conversations.