MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: May 30, 2026, 11:57 AM ET

Injury Updates Across MLB

The injury bug continues to bite teams across both leagues as several key players face setbacks. Athletics right-hander Luis Severino exited after one inning with right arm soreness during his start against the Yankees, while White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami left Friday's game early due to right hamstring tightness. Marlins starter Eury Pérez is expected to miss two months after sustaining a leg injury while stretching in the dugout, and Dodgers super-utility man Enrique Hernandez was placed on the injured list with a significant oblique tear. On the mend, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh took his first swings off a tee in rehabilitation after aggravating his oblique strain, and Rays second baseman Ben Williamson rejoined the active roster after missing two weeks with a lower back strain.

Starting pitching depth took additional hits as Tigers placed Casey Mize on the injured list with right adductor inflammation, and Twins left-hander Kendry Rojas landed on the IL due to elbow inflammation. Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin was held out of the lineup with right forearm soreness, while Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to May 25 with left knee inflammation. Rangers second baseman Josh Smith returned to uniform for the first time since his mid-May hospitalization with viral meningitis but remains uncertain about his playing timeline. Dodgers prospect Kendall George suffered a patellar tendon injury while attempting to avoid a bat dog during Monday's Double-A game, adding to the organization's injury concerns.

Rotation Changes and Roster Moves

Multiple clubs shuffled their pitching staffs in response to injuries and performance. The Mets demoted David Peterson to the bullpen and inserted Sean Manaea into the rotation, marking a significant change for an All-Star pitcher from 2025. Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola was placed on the paternity list ahead of their series against the Dodgers, prompting the team to recall Kyle Gibson from Triple-A. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones will make his first MLB start since 2024 against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, representing a potential boost to a struggling rotation. Cincinnati Reds starter Rhett Lowder threw a simulated game at Citi Field, completing 45 pitches in his recovery from a right shoulder injury.

The Cardinals called up catcher Jimmy Crooks from Triple-A to serve as Ivan Herrera's backup, with manager Oliver Marmol indicating plans for significant playing time allocation. In a surprising roster move, former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by the Rangers after hitting just .192 in 37 games, ending his brief tenure with the club. The Giants reassigned third base coach Hector Borg to a new role within their player development staff, promoting third base coach Ron Wotus to interim duties.

Offensive Performances and Milestones

Shohei Ohtani remained critical of his performance despite hitting a leadoff home run and contributing to a combined no-hitter bid, continuing his perfectionist approach even after positive results. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole delivered another dominant start in his return from Tommy John surgery, though he cautioned that two strong outings don't define his comeback trajectory. Yordan Alvarez homered twice for the second consecutive game, with his go-ahead blast in the eighth inning giving the Astros a 4-3 victory over the Rangers.

Cristopher Sánchez extended his scoreless innings streak to 44⅔ innings, breaking a Phillies franchise record previously held by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander from 1911. Carson Benge delivered clutch hits after shaving his mustache, recording key singles that contributed to a Mets victory. Dustin May carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before the Brewers broke through with three hits and two runs to rally for a 2-1 victory. The Yankees achieved a historic offensive feat as every starter recorded at least two hits for the first time in franchise history during their 15-1 rout of the Royals, accumulating 24 total hits in the process.

Power Rankings and Standings Movement

Two months into the 2026 season, MLB's power rankings show increasing consistency at the top, though Week 9 brought a top-10 debut and one American League club achieving its highest ranking of the year. The Dodgers remain in championship contention despite dealing with multiple injuries to their bench and outfield, while the Phillies continue their strong play even with Nola temporarily unavailable. The Cubs extended their losing streak to 10 games after a 12-1 defeat to the Pirates, highlighting their struggles as they search for answers in both pitching and offensive production.

Early MVP and Cy Young discussions continue to intensify with Memorial Day weekend in the rearview mirror, as voters evaluate candidates across both leagues. The standings check reveals which teams have overperformed and underperformed relative to preseason expectations, with several clubs making significant moves in either direction during the first two months of play.

Draft and Ownership News

ESPN's Keith McDaniel released his updated 2026 MLB mock draft, evaluating how prospects are rising and falling on team draft boards with less than two weeks remaining before the selection process. College baseball regionals began with rankings revealing which programs boast the most MLB draft prospects, identifying the most talent-laden rosters across the NCAA landscape.

In ownership news, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce joined the Guardians' ownership group as a minority investor, purchasing a stake in the team he grew up watching in the Cleveland area. The move represents continued crossover between the NFL and MLB ownership circles, with Kelce becoming one of the more high-profile athlete-investors in baseball.

Historical Notes and Cultural Moments

Former Braves slugger Bob Horner died at age 68, remembered as the No. 1 overall pick in 1978 who homered in his major league debut after skipping the minor leagues entirely. The Rangers honored Bobby Valentine's memorable 1999 incident where he went incognito wearing sunglasses and a fake mustache after being ejected, with the former Mets manager donning the disguise again while throwing a ceremonial first pitch before his Mets Hall of Fame induction.

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