MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:44 PM ET

Injury Report

The injury bug continues to sweep through MLB clubhouses, with multiple key players exiting games over the past 48 hours. Houston's Yordan Alvarez left Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Cubs in the middle of an at-bat with back spasms and will miss the series finale, dealing a significant blow to the Astros' lineup. Arizona's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. departed against the Rockies with left hamstring tightness after making a sliding catch, while the Dodgers' Max Muncy was hit by a pitch around his right wrist in the eighth inning Friday against Milwaukee and did not finish the game. Atlanta pulled Ronald Acuna Jr. from Thursday's contest as a precaution due to left thumb pain, and the Athletics announced outfielder Denzel Clarke suffered a "significant left hamstring strain" that will keep him out until at least after the All-Star break.

Several teams received more encouraging news on the injury front. Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham avoided structural damage to his left knee after tests Thursday, a significant relief after he exited Tuesday's game in the fifth inning. New York also activated shortstop José Caballero from the injured list Friday, while the Cubs placed Matt Shaw (back tightness) on the IL and called up Pedro Ramirez, who was hitting .312 with nine home runs in Triple-A. The Reds got a boost when designated hitter Eugenio Suárez was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, and the Phillies welcomed back Kyle Schwarber, who returned to the lineup after sitting out three games with a gastrointestinal illness.

Pitching News

Gerrit Cole's long-awaited return delivered exactly what the Yankees needed. The ace pitched six shutout innings in his comeback from elbow ligament reconstruction, a 569-day absence that tested both his patience and the team's rotation depth. The performance marked a major milestone in New York's championship push.

In a marquee matchup of young arms, Trey Yesavage outpitched Cam Schlittler as the Blue Jays edged the Yankees 2-1 on Wednesday night. However, Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes suffered his second straight loss Saturday, with George Springer hitting his 65th career leadoff home run to hand the phenom consecutive defeats for the first time this season. Toronto's pitching staff took another hit when José Berríos underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, sidelining the veteran starter well into 2027.

The Cubs dealt with their own rotation issues as Edward Cabrera left Wednesday's start against the Brewers with a blister on his right middle finger in the fourth inning.

Notable Performances

Shohei Ohtani delivered a historic two-way performance, hitting a leadoff home run then pitching five scoreless innings in the Dodgers' win over the Padres — a reminder of the unique talent that makes him baseball's most compelling star. Jackson Holliday hit a 337-foot two-run shot that barely cleared the wall and crept under the foul pole in left field during Friday's 7-4 victory over Detroit, showcasing the kind of clutch hit that can define a young career.

In a dramatic pitchers' duel, Gavin Williams matched Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez with eight scoreless innings before Kyle Manzardo delivered a pinch-hit homer in the ninth to lift the Guardians to a 1-0 victory. Meanwhile, Bryan Torres homered in his emotional MLB debut at age 28 for St. Louis, four years after considering retirement — a testament to perseverance in pursuit of a lifelong dream.

Roster Moves

The Mets designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment Friday after just 14 appearances with the club, ending a brief stint in New York for the 37-year-old reliever. The Angels optioned struggling left fielder Josh Lowe to Triple-A Salt Lake and placed third baseman Yoán Moncada on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation. Chicago gave Ian Happ a day off Saturday while moving Pete Crow-Armstrong up to the leadoff spot against Houston, as the young center fielder continues to work through early-season struggles that included him calling his recent errors "genuinely laughable" after a rough defensive stretch.

Around the League

The Athletics' $2 billion domed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is taking shape with the lower bowl under construction, and officials confirmed the project remains on schedule to open before the 2028 season. In the minor leagues, Mariners pitcher Jose Zerpa was suspended 80 games Friday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol, while Marlins prospect Robby Snelling will undergo Tommy John surgery after being injured during his major league debut. The Mets' Kodai Senga will begin a rehab assignment Friday as he works back from lower back pain, providing a timeline for the starter's return.