MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 8:55 PM ET

Big Nights & Historic Swings

Shohei Ohtani reminded the league why he is the most complete player in baseball by hitting a leadoff home run and pitching five scoreless innings in the Dodgers' win over the Padres, a performance that carried his team to victory. Hours later, James Wood delivered the kind of moment that sticks with fans for decades, hitting the majors' first inside-the-park grand slam since 2022 against the Mets on Tuesday night. Freddie Freeman was left in awe after Andy Pages drove in the winning run against Padres closer Mason Miller in the ninth, with Freeman calling it "one of the greatest at-bats I've ever seen in person." Chase Burns struck out nine over six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.83 in the Reds' 4-1 win, while dodging a scare when a 108.8 mph liner off Bryce Harper struck him on the backside. Over in Toronto, Trey Yesavage outpitched Cam Schlittler in a marquee showdown between young aces, and the Blue Jays took a 2-1 decision over the Yankees. Pittsburgh made a move to bolster its outfield by recalling Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A Indianapolis, while the Nationals brought Dylan Crews back to the majors less than two months after a surprise demotion near the end of spring training.

Injuries Pile Up, Returns Offer Hope

The injury carousel kept spinning across the league. Trevor Story underwent sports hernia surgery and could miss several weeks, dealing another blow to Boston's struggling offense. Washington's Masyn Winn underwent an MRI on his left knee and sat out the lineup against Pittsburgh. Ronald Acuna Jr. was pulled from Thursday's game with pain in his left thumb as a precaution. The Braves also placed reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin on the 10-day IL with a strained right oblique, while Trent Grisham received reassuring news that tests showed no structural damage to his left knee after exiting a game in the fifth inning the previous day. Kyle Schwarber returned to the Phillies lineup batting second after sitting out three games with a gastrointestinal illness, and his early pace has fueled speculation about a 60-homer season. The Reds activated Eugenio Suárez from the 10-day IL, giving their anemic offense a welcome lift. New York activated shortstop José Caballero from a broken finger, with Anthony Volpe expected to see time at second base to add depth. In the minors, José Zerpa received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol under baseball's drug program, while Robby Snelling will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after his rookie season ended with a UCL tear. The Blue Jays' veteran starter José Berríos underwent full Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, sidelining him well into the 2027 season.

Roster Moves & Bullpen Shuffling

Several clubs reshuffled their rosters to address thin depth. The Cubs placed Matt Shaw on the IL with back tightness and called up infielder Pedro Ramirez, who was hitting .312 with nine home runs at Triple-A. Chicago also activated reliever Caleb Thielbar from the 15-day IL after a hamstring issue, giving their depleted bullpen a needed boost. Edward Cabrera exited his start against the Brewers in the fourth inning with a blister on his right middle finger, compounding concerns about the rotation. Matt Shaw's absence and Cabrera's early exit have left the Cubs scrambling for innings. Seattle reinstated right-handed reliever Matt Brash from the IL while optioning Robinson Ortiz to Triple-A, and J.P. Crawford told reporters he is open to playing third base after rookie Colt Emerson was promoted from Tacoma. The Mets designated 37-year-old Craig Kimbrel for assignment after just 14 appearances with the club, cutting ties with a well-traveled reliever who failed to stick. Kodai Senga began a minor league rehab assignment as he works back from lower back tightness.

Prospect Watch & Early Season Trends

Prospect rankings are in flux as college tournament week begins, with several names soaring up draft boards. The top-50 list saw a major shake-up at the number one spot, signaling a generational transition in talent evaluation. Seattle's underperformance has put them on the trade radar, with Tristan H. Cockcroft pointing to moves the team can make to address its shortcomings. Week 8 power rankings showed dramatic shifts, with some playoff hopefuls reaching the highest rankings seen in years. Early postseason verdicts are emerging on the most surprising teams almost two months into the 2026 season, and Kyle Schwarber's historic homer pace is fueling 60-homer conversations. The Marlins are drawing attention for unconventional strategies, from calling pitches from the dugout to rethinking batting practice routines, though whether that translates to wins remains an open question.