MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 24, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

Injury Bug Continues to Bite MLB Teams

The injury bug continued its sweep across Major League Baseball in the past three days, forcing several teams to shuffle their rosters and place key players on the injured list. The New York Yankees placed infielder Ryan McMahon on the 10-day IL with a throat infection, recalling utility player Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are dealing with a double blow to their pitching staff, with right-handers Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera both heading to the 15-day injured list Brown and Cabrera sidelined. Edward Cabrera was notably carted off the field after injuring his left leg while stretching for a throw at first base against the Mets Cabrera exits with leg injury.

The Mets are also facing roster concerns, with manager Carlos Mendoza indicating that right-hander Kodai Senga has been moved to the bullpen. The team is also monitoring outfielder Juan Soto, who exited a game with back tightness after just four innings against the Rockies Soto exits with back tightness, and it remains unclear if he will land on the injured list. Shortstop Francisco Lindor is nearing a return, set to play a third rehab game for Triple-A Syracuse before the Mets assess his activation Lindor nearing return. In Philadelphia, slugger Kyle Schwarber was scratched from a game with lower back tightness, while the Nationals saw shortstop CJ Abrams late scratch due to left side tightness Schwarber scratched with back tightness.

Other teams grappling with injuries include the Oakland Athletics, whose infielder Zack Gelof left a game after his hand was spiked by a cleat during an awkward tag play at second base Gelof’s hand injured by cleat. The Kansas City Royals are preparing for elbow surgery for pitcher Cole Ragans, who has been sidelined since early May with an impingement Ragans to undergo elbow surgery. The Cincinnati Reds, however, received some good news with the activation of Elly De La Cruz from the injured list after he missed 19 games with a strained right hamstring De La Cruz activated from IL. The Pittsburgh Pirates also saw rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Altoona Griffin begins rehab assignment.

Front Office Moves and Player Transactions

Beyond the injury reports, there were notable front-office developments and player transactions across the league. Bill DeWitt III was named chief executive officer of the St. Louis Cardinals, stepping into the role after previously serving as team president since 2008 DeWitt named CEO. In Milwaukee, the Brewers released former starting third baseman Luis Rengifo Rengifo released by Brewers, while pitcher Brandon Woodruff made a triumphant return from the injured list, recording his 900th career strikeout and carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning Woodruff records 900th K.

The Minnesota Twins have stated they have "no plans" to trade veteran All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, according to their general manager Twins not trading Buxton. On the waiver wire front, fantasy baseball managers are being advised to consider AL Central rookies as top waiver pickups AL Central rookies headline waivers, and analysis of first-half relief pitchers identifies potential waiver adds and drops Relief pitcher analysis for fantasy. The Chicago Cubs experienced a rare double rainout in New York, prompting a somewhat perplexed reaction from manager Craig Counsell Counsell perplexed by rainouts.

League-Wide Trends and Player Performances

The past few days also saw discussions around broader league trends and individual player performances. One area of interest is the performance of left-handed hitters, with some suggesting MLB's new automated ball-strike challenge system may be contributing to their success in 2026 ABS system aiding lefties. While not directly tied to recent games, articles also highlight players who are considered "criminally underrated" and should be added to rosters Underrated players identified.

In terms of specific player actions, Giants first baseman Rafael Devers offered an apology to manager Tony Vitello regarding an incident at first base, characterizing it as a "misunderstanding" Devers apologizes for misunderstanding. Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm's decision to play while eating a lollipop during a game drew a negative reaction from manager Aaron Boone Chisholm's lollipop bothers Boone. The Dodgers saw outfielder Kyle Tucker removed from a game due to low back spasms Tucker exits with back spasms.

The Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has indicated that the Aug. 3 trade deadline will serve as the cutoff for the team to decide whether to pursue a playoff push or pivot towards future seasons Mets set trade deadline decision point. The White Sox activated catcher Kyle Teel from the 60-day injured list, marking his season debut against Cleveland Teel makes season debut. Meanwhile, Robert Gasser of the Milwaukee Brewers earned his first win since May 15 in a victory over the Braves Gasser earns first win since May. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred commented on the Giants' Pride cap controversy, stating that guidance on player participation was "not clear" Manfred on Giants' Pride cap guidance.