MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 8:55 AM ET

Injury Report

The Braves placed NL Rookie of the Year catcher Drake Baldwin on the 10-day IL with a strained right oblique, while the Rangers lost shortstop Corey Seager to lower back inflammation and starter Mac Kenzie Gore after one inning with back tightness. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo an MRI after exiting with left oblique soreness, joining a growing list of injured infielders. The Dodgers shuffled their bullpen, placing left-hander Jack Dreyer on the IL with shoulder discomfort and acquiring Eric Lauer from Milwaukee, even as they await updates on Tyler Glasnow—shut down after a throwing program flare-up—and Blake Snell, who is scheduled for elbow surgery Tuesday. Baltimore reinstated top prospect Jackson Holliday from the IL but kept him out of the lineup, and the Twins sent former No. 1 pick Royce Lewis to the minors after a brutal 25-K stretch in 68 plate appearances.

Power Surge

Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber is on a historic pace, belting homers at a rate that projects him to reach 60 by season’s end, while Shohei Ohtani shook off a few days’ rest with a five-RBI night, including a two-run triple fueled by a throwing error. Freddie Freeman called Andy Pages’ game-winning at-bat against Padres closer Mason Miller “one of the greatest I’ve ever seen in person”, and Cincinnati’s Chase Burns struck out nine over six innings, lowering his ERA to a majors-best.. Washington’s James Wood delivered the majors’ first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022, and the Mets’ Carson Benge sparked a record 10-run 12th inning in a 16-7 win. Even in a no-hit bid, A’s starter J.T. Ginn took a no-hitter into the ninth before yielding a leadoff single.

Team Turnarounds

The Phillies continued their surge under interim manager Don Mattingly, improving to 15-4 since his appointment and climbing over .500 for the first time since April 7. The Dodgers, despite bullpen injuries, remain a powerhouse, though questions grow about whether Andy Pages is their best bat. The Mariners called up top prospect Colt Emerson (No. 6 for his debut, while the Nationals activated Dylan Crews less than two months after a surprise demotion. The Marlins, baseball’s former laughingstock, are embracing unconventional tactics—from dugout pitch-calling to rethinking batting practice—as they aim to become pioneers. Meanwhile, the Mets, still in last place, won two of three against the Yankees in the Subway Series, fueled by a historic offensive outburst.

Prospect Impact & Roster Moves

Seattle’s underperforming roster is drawing trade interest, with analysts pointing to the Mariners as a potential source for league-winning deals. The Pirates recalled outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A to boost their outfield, while the Cubs activated reliever Caleb Thielbar from the IL to shore up a depleted bullpen. The Cardinals sent shortstop Masyn Winn for an MRI on his left knee, and the Braves’ Acuña was activated from the IL but not inserted into the starting lineup. In the AL, the Yankees are considering rushing Gerrit Cole back ahead of schedule as urgency mounts, and the struggling White Sox, who took two of three from the Cubs on Edgar Quero’s walk-off homer, are leaning into a youth movement.

Draft & Waiver Wire

With college baseball tournament week underway, several prospects are soaring up draft boards in ESPN’s updated top. Mariners infielder Colt Emerson’s arrival has sparked debate about who might be the next wave of fantasy-relevant prospects. On the waiver wire, outfielders Bolte and Emerson are among the top adds this week. Internally, teams are hotly debating draft strategy—with a notable bias toward college pitchers over high school arms—as they prepare for July’s draft.

Oddities & Umpire Injuries

Jazz Chisholm Jr. snapped out of a slump by borrowing the pants of 7-inch-taller, 61-pound-heavier Giancarlo Stanton—a move that worked instantly. A new shirtless fan trend ignited after a college baseball team led dozens in stripping off their shirts during consecutive Cardinals walk-off wins. Umpires faced danger: Alfonso Márquez exited a Braves-Marlins game after a foul ball struck his mask, and Brian O’Nora left a White Sox-Cubs game after being hit by a ball in the fourth inning. Off the field, Washington banned at least one spectator for unfurling a white nationalist banner.