MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 8:48 PM ET

Dodgers Turn to Utility Depth After Hernández Activation The Dodgers are poised to start the season with a lean roster as utility man Kiké Hernández is expected to be activated for Monday’s opener after recovering from elbow surgery. Hernández, who has posted a .303 average with 12 HRs over 141 games this year, will provide the lineup with both power and defensive versatility, a combination the club has lacked since the trade of Max Muncy. The move comes as the team prepares to face the Brewers, whose rotation has seen several arm concerns, including left‑hander Robert Gasser, who was optioned to Triple‑A after blowing a lead against the Dodgers. The Dodgers’ decision underscores the franchise’s willingness to rely on role players in a league where injuries have become the new normal. Hernández likely to make '26 debut Mon.

Pitching Turmoil Continues Across the League The Rockies’ season has been marred by arm troubles as left‑hander José Quintana exited his start against Arizona in the second inning with left elbow discomfort. Quintana, who has a career ERA of 3.73, is the team’s workhorse, and his absence will force Colorado to shuffle the rotation. Meanwhile, the Nationals’ right‑hander Jake Irvin was placed on the 15‑day IL with a right shoulder strain after a brief stint with the team, a move that leaves Washington scrambling for bullpen depth. In a separate incident, the Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease left the mound in the fifth inning with left hamstring discomfort, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also forced to exit after being hit in the elbow by a pitch. These back‑to‑back arm withdrawals emphasize the fragility of pitching staffs in the modern game, where even a single arm issue can derail a rotation. Rockies' Quintana leaves start with elbow issue Jays' Cease exits early; Vladdy pulled after HBP

Yankees Break Judge’s RBI Streak, While Alvarez Lays Off Aaron Judge ended a career‑worst 11‑game stretch without an RBI by belting a two‑run homer in a 5‑2 win over the Rays, a performance that snapped a drought that had rattled the Yankees’ offense. The power surge came in a game where Gerrit Cole delivered six scoreless innings after a 569‑day absence, cementing the Yankees’ return to their former potency. Across the league, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez exited a 3‑0 victory over the Cubs in the sixth inning with a back spasm, a development that will sideline the designated hitter for the remainder of the series. Alvarez’s injury highlights the physical toll that back issues can exact on high‑slugging players, a concern that teams increasingly monitor through advanced imaging. Judge halts homer drought with walk‑off vs. Rays Yanks' Cole tosses 6 scoreless after 569‑day layof…

Injury Updates Across the Mid‑West and East The Tigers’ second baseman Gleyber Torres announced that his left oblique strain is not fully healed, prompting him to sit out from swinging the bat as he works toward a return. The decision comes after the team placed left‑handed reliever Brant Hurter on the 15‑day IL with lumbar spine inflammation, leaving Detroit’s bullpen in a precarious position. In the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Mariners’ Jose Zerpa received an 80‑game suspension for a positive test for Stanozolol, a rare but serious blow to the organization’s minor‑league pitching pipeline. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins’ pitcher Robert Gasser was optioned to Triple‑A after a poor outing, a move that parallels the Brewers’ decision to send Gasser down. These injury and suspension setbacks illustrate how depth can be a decisive factor in a team’s ability to navigate the grind of a 162‑game season. Tigers' Torres halts hitting amid oblique recovery… M's minor leaguer Zerpa suspended 80 games

Emerging Stories and Player Movements The Los Angeles Dodgers are also preparing for a potential bullpen reshuffle as Max Muncy left a game with a hit‑by‑pitch in the eighth inning, a reminder that injury risk is ever present even in short‑stint appearances. In the Angels’ camp, Josh Lowe was demoted to Triple‑A Salt Lake while third baseman Yoán Moncada was placed on the 10‑day IL for right knee inflammation, a move that will force the club to rely on bench players to fill the void. Across the majors, the Cleveland Guardians’ Gavin Williams recorded an eight‑inning, scoreless gem that was snapped by a pinch‑hit homer from Kyle Manzardo, a dramatic finish that underscored the importance of clutch batters in tight games. These roster adjustments and game‑changing moments illustrate how teams are constantly adapting to injuries and performance swings while looking for a competitive edge. Dodgers' Muncy exits after getting hit by a pitch Manzardo's pinch-hit HR saves Williams' 11-K gem