MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 29, 2026, 8:53 PM ET

Injury Updates & Roster Moves The league’s injury carousel intensified as the Marlins placed starter Eury Pérez on the 15‑day IL after a right‑leg hamstring spasm forced him out of his fourth shutout‑less inning against Toronto, an absence projected to last roughly two months. Detroit compounded its woes by moving ace Casey Mize to the IL with right adductor inflammation and closing down closer Kenley Jansen for 15 days because of pelvic inflammation, further eroding a rotation already thin on depth. Boston added reliever Garrett Whitlock to its IL list for left‑knee inflammation retroactive to May 25, while Minnesota sidelined left‑hander Kendry Rojas with elbow inflammation, both moves tightening bullpen options for the Twins. In the Pacific, the Rays reactivated second baseman Ben Williamson after a two‑week stint on the IL for a lower‑back strain, and the Rangers saw second baseman Josh Smith return to uniform following a bout of viral meningitis, though he admitted his return timeline remained uncertain.

Catchers & Depth Calls St. Louis addressed catching depth by promoting Jimmy Crooks from Triple‑A, with manager Oliver Marmol indicating Crooks will see substantial playing time as the backup to Ivan Herrera, a move aimed at shoring up a position that has seen frequent injuries this season. Meanwhile, the Pirates kept rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin out of the lineup due to a sore right forearm during a 7‑2 loss to Chicago, a precaution that underscores the club’s careful handling of its young infield talent.

Pitching Returns & Spot Starts The Rangers bolstered their rotation by granting Jared Jones his first major‑league start since 2024, pitting him against the Twins on Friday night, while the Dodgers wrestled with a string of setbacks as Enrique Hernández suffered a significant oblique tear and Teoscar Hernández was slated for IL placement, leaving the club to lean heavily on its remaining arms. Kansas City’s bullpen received a veteran lift when the Rays signed Craig Kimbrel to a major‑league contract, a strategic addition intended to stabilize a bullpen that had struggled in recent close games.

Off‑the‑Field Milestones & Transactions Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by Texas, a move that follows a slump to a .192 average over 37 games and signals the Rangers’ shift toward younger, cost‑controlled talent. In a rare ownership crossover, NFL star Travis Kelce purchased a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians, joining a growing list of athletes diversifying into baseball ownership. The league’s offseason narrative intensified as discussions around a potential salary cap resurfaced, with the MLBPA voicing strong opposition amid collective bargaining talks that could reshape payroll structures for years to come.

Standout Performances & Records Shohei Ohtani expressed frustration after a leadoff homer and a near‑no‑hit effort fell short of a combined no‑hit bid, highlighting lingering concerns about his overall execution despite raw power displays. Gerrit Cole delivered his second dominant start since returning from Tommy John surgery, reinforcing his elite status though he cautioned that two outings remain a small sample size. Across the league, Cristopher Sánchez extended his scoreless‑innings streak to 44 2⁄3, eclipsing a 1911 franchise record for the Phillies and cementing his place among historic pitching performances. Yordan Alvarez powered the Astros with back‑to‑back two‑homer nights, the second blast breaking a 3‑3 tie and delivering a 4‑3 victory over Texas. The Yankees made history by recording at least two hits from every starter in a 15‑1 rout of Kansas City, amassing 24 total hits—a first in the franchise’s long history.

Power Rankings & Standings Outlook Mid‑season assessments placed the top of the MLB Power Rankings firmly in the hands of a few early leaders, while Week 9 introduced a surprise top‑10 debut and saw an AL club achieve its highest ranking of the season, reflecting a shift toward greater parity as injuries and mid‑season call‑ups reshape the competitive landscape. A concurrent standings check highlighted the best and worst performers to date, with the Dodgers and Astros maintaining strong positions despite bullpen turbulence, while the Cubs endured a 10‑game losing streak after a 12‑1 drubbing by Pittsburgh, underscoring the urgency of roster adjustments for Chicago.