MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

Player Injuries and Roster Moves Shake Up Leagues

The Major League Baseball landscape has been significantly impacted by a wave of player injuries and subsequent roster adjustments over the past three days. The New York Mets are grappling with multiple setbacks, having moved scuffling right-hander Kodai Senga to the bullpen and facing uncertainty regarding left fielder Juan Soto, who exited a game with back tightness after just four innings Soto exited after four innings. Adding to their woes, shortstop Francisco Lindor is slated for at least one more rehab game as the team evaluates his return from a two-month absence Lindor to play rehab game. The Oakland Athletics also saw a key player depart early, with infielder Zack Gelof leaving Tuesday's game with a gruesome hand injury after being stepped on by Matt Chapman during a tag play. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs had pitcher Edward Cabrera carted off the field with a leg injury while stretching for a throw, a development that, along with two consecutive rainouts in New York, left manager Craig Counsell perplexed Cabrera injures leg.

Further down the Eastern Seaboard, the Washington Nationals scratched shortstop CJ Abrams from Tuesday's lineup due to left side tightness, and the Philadelphia Phillies followed suit with major home run leader Kyle Schwarber, who was benched with lower back tightness. In the American League, the Kansas City Royals are likely to lose pitcher Cole Ragans to surgery for an elbow impingement that has sidelined him since early May. The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Jack Leiter on the 15-day injured list with an ankle issue he's battled for much of the season, with star shortstop Corey Seager still not ready to return. The Los Angeles Dodgers saw outfielder Kyle Tucker removed from a game with low back spasms. In a positive move for the Cincinnati Reds, they activated Elly De La Cruz from the injured list after he missed 19 games with a strained right hamstring, a move that followed three rehab starts at Triple-A Louisville De La Cruz activated. The Chicago White Sox are set to see catcher Kyle Teel make his season debut after recovering from a thigh strain and subsequent knee injury. The Milwaukee Brewers released struggling infielder Luis Rengifo, who had opened the season as their primary third baseman.

Team Performance and Front Office Decisions

Despite a rash of injuries, some teams are looking to solidify their rosters and maintain their competitive edge. Minnesota Twins General Manager Trent Ricker stated the team has "no plans" to trade veteran All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton no plans to deal Buxton. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns indicated that the Aug. 3 trade deadline will be the "cut off" point for the team to decide whether to pursue the playoffs or pivot to a longer-term rebuild targeting 2027 Stearns views deadline as decision point. In a notable rehab progress update, Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin began his assignment with Double-A Altoona Griffin begins rehab.

The Philadelphia Phillies recalled right-hander Alan Rangel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and reinstated left-hander Kyle Backhus from the 15-day injured list. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins designated infielder Christopher Morel for assignment and placed slugger Liam Hicks on the injured list due to a lower back strain. Despite the challenges, some players are finding success. Milwaukee's Robert Gasser earned his first win since May 15, 2024, in a 9-4 victory over the Braves on Sunday Gasser confident after win.

League Trends and Player Recognition

Analysis of the current season suggests that left-handed hitters are experiencing a significant power surge, with the automated ball-strike challenge system potentially playing a role in their success ABS system aids lefties. Amidst the player movement and performance shifts, various media outlets are recognizing standout players. Tristan H. Cockcroft has identified a quartet of "criminally underrated" players who should be added to more rosters underrated players identified. Jeff Passan has also distributed unexpected MLB awards, highlighting both impressive and embarrassing moments of the season Passan hands out awards. Fantasy baseball managers are receiving guidance on first-half relief pitcher MVPs, busts, and waiver wire targets relief pitcher analysis, as well as identifying top waiver wire pickups, particularly among AL Central rookies waiver wire pickups.

For teams currently leading their respective divisions, underlying strengths such as starting rotation depth and clutch hitting are driving their success team strengths analyzed. In a peculiar incident, Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his displeasure with second baseman Jazz Chisholm's decision to play while consuming a lollipop during a game Chisholm's lollipop bothers Boone. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed a controversy surrounding the San Francisco Giants, stating that guidance regarding players' ability to opt out of wearing rainbow-themed Pride caps was "not clear" Manfred on Pride cap guidance. Giants first baseman Rafael Devers issued an apology to manager Tony Vitello, characterizing an incident on the field as a "misunderstanding" that was being "blown out of proportion" Devers apologizes to Vitello. Finally, Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers recorded his 900th career strikeout and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list Woodruff reaches 900 Ks.