MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 2:55 AM ET

Injuries, Returns, and Rotation Updates

The injury front reshuffled several rosters this week. The Braves activated Ronald Acuña Jr. from the IL ahead of their series opener against Miami, though he did not start, while their catcher Drake Baldwin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique. Across the league, the Rangers lost both Corey Seager and Mac Kenzie Gore to back issues on the same day, with Seager entering the IL with lower back inflammation and Gore exiting Monday's game at Colorado after one inning with muscle tightness. The Dodgers' pitching situation grew murkier when Tyler Glasnow was shut down from his throwing program due to a flare-up, and Blake Snell is slated to undergo the same Nano Scope procedure used on Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who threw bullpen sessions just two weeks after elbow surgery. On the positive side, the Mariners reinstated Matt Brash from the IL, giving them a reliable right-handed arm back, and the Orioles reinstated top prospect Jackson Holliday from the IL, though he sat out Monday's blowout loss. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer, 41, tossed a 22-pitch bullpen at Yankee Stadium as he works back from right forearm tendinitis, and the Yankees are weighing whether to skip Gerrit Cole's final rehab start and slot him straight into a stadium debut.

Historic Performances and Unforgettable At-Bats

A pair of performances generated headlines that will replay for weeks. James Wood hit the majors' first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022 against the Mets on Tuesday, a swing that turned a routine fly ball into a five-run eruption. On Monday, Carson Benge drove in runs with an RBI single and a two-run double during a historic 10-run 12th inning as the Mets rolled to a 16-7 rout of Washington, becoming the first NL team to plate 10 runs in a single frame this season. The Dodgers' Andy Pages delivered what Freddie Freeman called "one of the greatest at-bats I've ever seen in person" when he worked a go-ahead hit off Padres closer Mason Miller. Chase Burns struck out nine over six frames for the Reds, surviving a 108.8 mph liner off Bryce Harper that struck him on the backside, lowering his ERA to 1.83. And in an 8-1 victory, Athletics starter J.T. Ginn took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before losing it on a leadoff single and a two-run walk-off homer.

Power Rankings, World Series Odds, and the Phillies' Resurgence

The Phillies continue to climb the standings after an improbable turn. Under interim manager Don Mattingly, Philadelphia improved to 15-4 and pushed past the .500 mark at 24-23, marking their first time above even since April 7. ESPN's Power Rankings installed a new No. 1 team in Week 7 thanks to a red-hot offense, while World Series odds still list the Dodgers as the top contender with the Phillies having righted the ship. Kyle Schwarber is thumping homers at a historic pace, with early season rates suggesting he could challenge the 60-homer mark by season's end. Analyst Tristan Cockcroft flagged Seattle as a trade target for league-winning acquisitions despite their underwhelming record, and the Marlins are being called pioneers for their willingness to experiment with calling pitches from the dugout and rethinking batting practice.

Prospects, the Draft, and Fantasy Implications

The July draft looms large as college tournament week kicks off. ESPN's updated prospect rankings show significant movement among the top 150, and a mock draft projects an intriguing first-round decision at the top. On the fantasy front, free-agent pickups Bolte and Emerson lead the list of most appealing waiver claims, while the "challenge system" early numbers reveal which teams and ABS leaders are most aggressive. Emerson has already arrived as a top prospect, and Eric Karabell looks at the next wave of fantasy noise-makers for 2026. Meanwhile, Jhostynxon Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to shore up Pittsburgh's outfield, Dylan Crews made his Nationals season debut less than two months after a surprise demotion, and the Twins sent former No. 1 pick Royce Lewis back to the minors after a brutal .132/.206/.246 line with 25 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances since his April return. Caleb Thielbar was activated from the Cubs' injured list to bolster a depleted bullpen, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. broke out of a slump by borrowing Giancarlo Stanton's oversized pants.

Other Notable Moves

Several additional storylines deserve attention. Pete Crow-Armstrong apologized for his "choice of words" toward a fan during Sunday's loss to the White Sox. Masyn Winn underwent an MRI on his left knee and sat out Tuesday's game. Gio Urshela, 34, retired after 10 big league seasons with eight teams. The Nationals banned a spectator over a white nationalist banner displayed during Sunday's game. And plate umpire Alfonso Márquez exited in the second inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball.