MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 11:42 PM ET

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCES & RETURN OF ELITE ARMS

The weekend produced several signature pitching nights, starting with Gerrit Cole's six scoreless innings on Friday in his return from elbow ligament reconstruction following a 569-day absence. Cole, who tossed 98 pitches across the outing, set the tone for a Yankees team that has been searching for its ace all season. Hours later, Shohei Ohtani delivered a superstar night with a leadoff home run and five scoreless innings against San Diego, marking his return to the lineup on his scheduled start day. Ohtani's dual threat performance drew comparisons to the early 2024 form that made him the unanimous MVP. Across the league, Cleveland's Gavin Williams matched Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez with eight scoreless innings before Kyle Manzardo's pinch-hit homer in the ninth secured a 1-0 win, giving Williams 11 strikeouts in the outing. In the American League, Trey Yesavage outpitched Cam Schlittler as the Blue Jays edged the Yankees 2-1 on Wednesday, extending Toronto's win streak while New York dropped another close one. Cincinnati's Chase Burns struck out nine over six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.83 in a 4-1 victory, and he stayed in the game after a 108.8 mph liner off Bryce Harper's bat struck him on the backside. On the Dodgers' side, Andy Pages won a duel against Padres closer Mason Miller in the ninth inning, an at-bat Freddie Freeman called "one of the greatest I've ever seen in person."

INJURIES AND ROSTER TURBULENCE

The injury front consumed much of the league's weekend conversation. The Dodgers lost Max Muncy after a pitch hit him around his right wrist in the eighth inning on Friday night, raising immediate questions about his availability. Atlanta dealt with its own concerns as Ronald Acuna Jr. left Thursday's game with pain in his left thumb, while reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique. The Braves now face a short roster for the foreseeable future. New York's Trent Grisham received encouraging news that tests Thursday revealed no structural damage to his left knee, a relief after he exited a game in the fifth inning the day before. On the offensive side, the Phillies welcomed Kyle Schwarber back to the lineup after a three-game absence for a gastrointestinal illness, with the slugger batting second in Friday's game against Cleveland. Schwarber is also on pace for a historic home run total this season, with early projections suggesting he could reach 60 homers by the end of 2026 based on his torrid pace. Cincinnati activated Eugenio Suárez from the 10-day IL on Friday to bolster a struggling offense, while the Angels placed Yoán Moncada on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation and optioned Josh Lowe to Triple-A on Friday. The Cubs dealt with their own setbacks, placing Matt Shaw on the injured list with back tightness and calling up Pedro Ramirez, who was hitting .312 with nine home runs in Triple-A. Edward Cabrera also exited Wednesday's start in the fourth inning with a blister on his right middle finger.

BULLPEN CHURN AND MINOR LEAGUE CONCERNS

The Mets made two notable moves on Friday: they designated 37-year-old reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment after 14 appearances, and starting pitcher Kodai Senga began a minor league rehab assignment as he works back from lower back pain. Kimbrel's DFA, coming after a brief and unspectacular stint, caps a turbulent season for a reliever once considered one of the best closers in baseball. Meanwhile, the Mariners announced that pitcher Jose Zerpa was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Stanozolol under baseball's minor league drug program, a setback for a rotation already thin on depth. The Yankees activated shortstop José Caballero from the IL on Friday while giving Anthony Volpe some reps at second base to add infield flexibility. Seattle's front office appears open to more shuffling, as J.P. Crawford told reporters he recently discussed a potential position change with manager Dan Wilson after rookie Colt Emerson was promoted from Triple-A.

FRANCHISE UPDATES AND PROSPECT PIPELINES

Las Vegas officials confirmed that the Athletics' $2 billion domed stadium on the Strip remains on schedule to open before the 2028 season, with the lower bowl taking shape ahead of the deadline. The project represents the franchise's biggest bet since the move from Oakland, and construction timelines will be closely watched by fans and media alike. On the injury front, the A's lost outfielder Denzel Clarke to a significant left hamstring strain that will keep him out until at least after the All-Star break in July, while right-hander Gunnar Hoglund won't pitch this season after hip surgery. Across the league, Marlins prospect Robby Snelling will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after his major league debut, and Blue Jays starter José Berríos had full Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, sidelining him well into the 2027 season. The Marlins themselves are drawing attention for their willingness to experiment, from calling pitches from the dugout to rethinking batting practice routines. Pete Crow-Armstrong took heat for two errors in recent games, calling them "laughable" after another miscue in Wednesday's 5-0 loss to Milwaukee. Jazz Chisholm Jr. broke out of a slump by wearing Giancarlo Stanton's pants, which are seven inches and 61 pounds larger than his own. Updated prospect rankings show significant movement at the top, and college baseball tournament week is already reshaping draft boards.