MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

National League Powerhouses and Injury Woes

The Philadelphia Phillies demonstrated their offensive might over the weekend, with Kyle Schwarber launching three home runs and Bryce Harper completing the franchise's 11th cycle in a dominant 15-3 victory over the Mets. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers secured a much-needed win as Robert Gasser earned his first victory since May 15 in a 9-4 defeat of the Braves. Despite strong outings, including Jacob Misiorowski hitting 104.2 mph, the Brewers' ace may not have been enough to secure a win Friday. The Arizona Diamondbacks, however, continued to be plagued by pitching injuries, placing starter Michael Soroka on the 15-day injured list with a strained right glute after he exited Friday's game with hip discomfort after just one inning and a strained right glute. Adding to their woes, Soroka is the latest in a string of D-backs starting pitchers to hit the injured list. The Marlins designated infielder Christopher Morel for assignment and placed slugger Liam Hicks on the injured list due to a lower back strain, with Hicks having been scratched from Saturday's game with similar back tightness and Morel being cut loose.

American League Shake-ups and Star Performances

In the American League, the Minnesota Twins experienced a massive offensive explosion, highlighted by Byron Buxton's grand slam in a 10-run fifth inning that propelled them to a resounding 16-8 win over the Diamondbacks. The New York Yankees activated Austin Wells from the 10-day injured list after he missed two weeks with cervical headaches, while the Boston Red Sox placed utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the injured list with left forearm inflammation. The Texas Rangers are dealing with multiple absences, placing pitcher Jack Leiter on the 15-day injured list with an ankle issue he's battled all season, and shortstop Corey Seager remains sidelined. Adding to their pitching concerns, Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his start due to knee soreness. The Tigers' Justin Verlander is also facing a layoff, with a left hamstring strain likely sidelining him for weeks.

Injuries Continue to Mount Across the League

The injury bug continued to bite across Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers delayed catcher Will Smith's return from a neck injury, with him not expected to be activated this weekend and potentially not traveling with the team on its upcoming road trip. Cubs closer Daniel Palencia was diagnosed with a mild flexor strain in his right arm, and the Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. is out of the lineup with a mild MCL sprain, though he avoided the injured list. The Blue Jays' Shane Bieber rejoined the team and is reportedly "feeling good," with a potential activation from the injured list in the coming days.

Player News and Notable Incidents

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani who was away from the team on paternity leave Friday night, announced Saturday that he is a father again, and later hit a home run in the Dodgers' 3-2 loss to the Orioles. In a peculiar incident, Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. stated he will not wear a protective cup after being hit in the groin by a foul ball Thursday. An unusual start to Friday night's Padres-Rangers game saw only two umpires on the field for the first inning. The Rangers also optioned second baseman Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock just days after his return from a significant absence due to injuries and viral meningitis.

Front Office and League Developments

Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed his plans for upcoming surgeries, scheduling back surgery for Thursday and a hip procedure during the All-Star break. The league has reportedly offered a plan that would introduce an international draft and alter the domestic version of the draft process. The long-standing practice of box breaking in the collectibles industry is currently under scrutiny regarding its classification as gambling. Meanwhile, the unique tradition of Alaska's Midnight Sun Game, played at 10 p.m. during the summer solstice, continues its century-long run.