MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:54 AM ET

Starting Pitching & Rehab Updates

Chase Burns dominated the Phillies with nine strikeouts over six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.83 in the Reds' 4-1 victory while shaking off a scary incident when a 108.8 mph comebacker from Bryce Harper struck him in the backside. The Yankees are weighing whether to skip Gerrit Cole's final rehab start and have the ace make his season debut at Yankee Stadium, where he'll face the first-place Rays in a crucial divisional matchup. Meanwhile, Tigers starter Tarik Skubal threw bullpen sessions less than two weeks after surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, reporting no symptoms as he works toward a return. Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell will undergo Nano Scope surgery on Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, with Los Angeles hopeful for a 2026 return.

Injury Plague Hits Key Players

The injury bug continued sweeping through MLB as Braves catcher Drake Baldwin landed on the 10-day IL with a strained right oblique muscle, sidelining the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was placed on the injured list due to lower back inflammation, while Astros second baseman Jose Altuve exited early and will undergo an MRI on his left oblique strain. Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer joined the IL with left shoulder discomfort, and Pirates first baseman Ryan O'Hearn was placed on the 10-day list with a strained quad. Tyler Glasnow experienced a setback in his throwing program, being shut down after a flare-up, complicating his return timeline.

Prospect Promotions & Minor League Moves

Seattle's highly-touted prospect Colt Emerson made his major league debut in Sunday's loss to San Diego, with the No. 6-ranked overall prospect getting his first taste of big league action. The Pirates recalled outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A Indianapolis to bolster their outfield depth. On the flip side, the Twins optioned former No. 1 pick Royce Lewis to the minors after struggling with a .132 average and 25 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances since his April 21 return. Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar was activated from the 15-day IL after recovering from a hamstring injury, providing bullpen relief for Chicago.

Historic Offensive Performances

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hit the majors' first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022, a jaw-dropping play against the New York Mets that highlighted an explosive offensive weekend. Carson Benge drove in five runs during a historic 10-run 12th inning as the Mets exploded for 16 runs in a wild victory over the Nationals, becoming the first NL team to score 10 runs in extra innings since 1982. Shohei Ohtani reset his season with a two-run triple and five RBIs in a 15-2 win over the Angels, including a wild sequence where he scored on a throwing error. Edgar Quero delivered a walk-off home run in the 10th inning to complete the White Sox's series win over the Cubs, saying he "visualized it last night."

Team Turnarounds & Standings Movement

The resurgent Phillies improved to 15-4 under interim manager Don Mattingly, surging over the .500 mark at 24-23 while climbing in the NL East standings. New York Mets swiped the Subway Series with two wins over the weekend, potentially turning their season around despite remaining in last place in the NL East. An early postseason verdict on surprising teams reveals several unexpected contenders almost two months into the 2026 season, with the Phillies among those showing marked improvement. The Dodgers were replaced atop the power rankings in Week 7 by a red-hot offensive team, marking a significant shift in the league hierarchy.

Fan Incidents & Umpire Exits

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong issued an apology for his "choice of words" in a heated exchange with a fan during Sunday's loss to the White Sox, following a reported fine for the incident. Umpire Alfonso Márquez exited Monday's Braves-Marlins game after being struck in the mask by a foul ball in the second inning, marking the second umpire exit in as many days after Brian O'Nora left Saturday's Cubs-White Sox game following a foul ball strike in the fourth inning. The Nationals identified and banned at least one spectator who unfurled a white nationalist banner during Sunday's game, taking swift action against the offensive display.

Draft & Prospect Intelligence

College baseball tournament week shifted MLB draft rankings as several prospects soared up draft boards ahead of July's selection process. The top prospects include several college pitchers gaining momentum over traditional high school arms, according to scouting evaluations. Joshua Baez emerged as a potential top fantasy prospect who could make noise in 2026, while mock draft projections suggest an intriguing decision awaits at the top of the board. Mariners infielder Colt Emerson's rapid promotion exemplifies how quickly top prospects can impact major league rosters.

Fantasy & Labor Updates

Fantasy managers should monitor free agent options Bolte and Emerson as appealing waiver wire pickups this week. The challenge system numbers reveal early trends in baseball's replay review process, with some teams adapting better than others. Meanwhile, MLB and MLBPA negotiations continue focusing on key CBA topics that will shape the sport's future. World Series odds still favor the Dodgers, though the Phillies' recent surge has altered the betting landscape as teams jockey for playoff positioning.