MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 5:47 PM ET

AL East & AL Central

Aaron Judge snapped a career-worst 11-game homer drought with a walk-off, two-run shot in the ninth inning, lifting the Yankees past the Rays and injecting life into a lineup that has sputtered through early May. The victory coincided with a major milestone for the rotation, as ace Gerrit Cole tossed six scoreless innings in his first start since elbow ligament surgery 569 days prior, a performance that immediately bolsters New York’s playoff hopes. The Rays, meanwhile, placed Jonny DeLuca on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, adding to their injury woes. In Cleveland, Gavin Williams matched Cristopher Sanchez zero for zero over eight shutout frames before Kyle Manzardo’s pinch-hit homer in the ninth gave the Guardians a 1-0 win, a result that sent Paul Skenes to his second straight loss and highlighted the Pirates’ early-season pitching dominance. The White Sox optioned lefty Robert Gasser to Triple-A amid concerns he was tipping pitches, a move that underscores Milwaukee’s frustration after a bullpen meltdown against the Dodgers.

NL East & NL Central

The Mets scratched Juan Soto from the lineup due to illness, thinning a middle of the order that has been a primary offensive engine. In Washington, Jake Irvin felt tightness in his final pitches while pitching five hitless innings against the Braves, a performance that earned him a 2-0 win but now places him on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain the Nationals called “positive” news as tests showed no significant damage. Atlanta, already without Ronald Acuña Jr. who exited with thumb pain, saw their offensive rhythm disrupted. The Cubs, giving Ian Happ a day off and moving Pete Crow-Armstrong into the leadoff spot, are searching for consistency after PCA called his recent errors “laughable”. St. Louis called up 28-year-old Bryan Torres, who made an immediate impact by homering in his emotional debut, a story of perseverance that resonated across the league.

Injuries & Roster Moves

Toronto’s Dylan Cease left his start with hamstring discomfort and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited after being hit by a pitch, two blows to a Blue Jays offense already struggling to score. The Tigers placed reliever Brant Hurter on the IL with lumbar inflammation, while the Angels optioned Josh Lowe and placed Yoán Moncada on the IL with knee inflammation, shuffling a lineup that has underperformed. The Athletics lost Denzel Clarke for at least two months with a significant hamstring strain, a major setback for a rebuilding outfield. On the activation front, the Yankees brought back José Caballero from the IL, and the Reds activated Eugenio Suárez to bolster a dormant offense. The Dodgers expected Kiké Hernández to debut Monday after elbow surgery, and Max Muncy left Friday’s game after a HBP but avoided structural damage tests revealed no knee issues.

Star Performances & System Notes

Shohei Ohtani delivered a “superstar” night by hitting a leadoff homer and tossing five scoreless innings against the Padres, a dual-threat display that further cemented his MVP case. Jackson Holliday sneaked a 337-foot homer under the foul pole to help the Orioles past the Tigers, a quirky but crucial blow. The ABS challenge system saw early usage, with numbers showing a modest increase in correct calls but also highlighting the time it adds to reviews. Off the field, the Athletics’ Las Vegas stadium broke ground on its lower bowl, remaining on schedule for a 2028 opening despite the team’s on-field struggles. The Mets designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment after a brief, ineffective stint, a move that signals a shift in their bullpen strategy.