MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 2:52 AM ET

Starting Pitching Excellence

Gerrit Cole returned from a 569-day layoff to deliver six scoreless innings in his first start since elbow ligament reconstruction, anchoring the Yankees' rotation with vintage dominance. Gavin Williams matched zeroes with Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez through eight innings before Kyle Manzardo provided the decisive blow with a pinch-hit homer in the ninth, lifting Cleveland to a 1-0 victory. Jake Irvin tossed five hitless frames for his first win in nearly two months as Washington shut out Atlanta 2-0, though he acknowledged feeling tightness on his final pitches in the fifth. Shohei Ohtani combined a leadoff homer with five scoreless innings in the Dodgers' victory over San Diego, marking his most complete performance since returning from injury.

Offensive Fireworks

Teoscar Hernández drove in six runs and homered in the Dodgers' 11-3 rout of Milwaukee, matching a career high while providing the offensive support that backed Ohtani's strong outing. Bryan Torres homered in his emotional MLB debut at age, four years after contemplating retirement, giving the Cardinals a memorable moment in an otherwise challenging season. Jackson Holliday snuck a 337-foot two-run shot just over the wall and under the foul pole in left field during Friday's 7-4 win over Detroit, showcasing the youngster's clutch hitting. Kyle Schwarber returned to the Phillies lineup batting second after missing three games with a gastrointestinal illness, immediately providing his customary power threat in the middle of Philadelphia's order. Eugenio Suárez was activated from the 10-day injured list, giving the Reds' struggling offense a much-needed boost as they attempt to climb out of the NL Central basement.

Injury Carousel Continues

Yordan Alvarez exited Saturday's game with back spasms and will miss the series finale, dealing another blow to Houston's already thin designated hitter depth. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. left the Diamondbacks game with left hamstring tightness after making a sliding catch, adding to Arizona's injury concerns in the outfield. Max Muncy departed after getting hit by a pitch around his right wrist in the eighth inning, leaving the Dodgers without one of their most consistent run producers. Ronald Acuna Jr. was pulled as a precaution from Thursday's game due to pain in his left thumb, raising questions about his availability for the Braves' crucial weekend series. Denzel Clarke suffered a significant left hamstring strain and will be out until at least after the All-Star break in July, devastating news for the Athletics' outfield depth.

Roster Moves & Transactions

The Mets designated 37-year-old reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment after just 14 appearances, ending the veteran closer's brief stint in Queens amid struggles with velocity and command. Josh Lowe was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake while Yoán Moncada landed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation, highlighting the Angels' ongoing roster churn. José Caballero was activated off the injured list for Friday's game against Tampa Bay, with Anthony Volpe shifting to second base to provide additional infield depth. Matt Shaw was placed on the injured list with back tightness, prompting the Cubs to call up Pedro Ramirez from Triple-A, where he was hitting .312 with nine home runs.

Prospects & Development

Robby Snelling will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, ending the Marlins prospect's promising rookie campaign after just one major league appearance. Jose Zerpa received an 80-game suspension following a positive test for Stanozolol under baseball's minor league drug program, dealing a significant setback to the Mariners' pitching pipeline. Kodai Senga began his rehab assignment with a minor league start as he works toward returning from lower back pain, potentially bolstering New York's rotation in the second half. Pete Crow-Armstrong batted leadoff for the Cubs while Ian Happ got the day off amid his struggles, and later called his recent errors "laughable" after allowing a ball to scoot under his glove in Wednesday's loss to Milwaukee.

Infrastructure & Innovation

The Athletics' $2 billion domed stadium project remains on schedule to open before the 2028 season, with construction of the lower bowl taking shape on the Las Vegas Strip as the organization prepares for its relocation from Oakland. Miami's experimental approach continues to draw attention as the Marlins push boundaries with pitch-calling from the dugout and radical batting practice innovations, willing to embrace failure in pursuit of competitive advantages. Trent Grisham avoided structural knee damage according to tests conducted Thursday, providing relief to the Yankees after he exited Wednesday's game in the fifth inning.