MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

Player Health & Roster Moves

The injury bug continued to bite across MLB, with several teams forced to shuffle their rosters. The Chicago Cubs, in particular, are facing pitching depth issues, having acquired veteran left-hander David Peterson from the New York Mets to bolster their rotation. The team also placed right-handers Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list Thursday, with Cabrera being carted off the field Tuesday after injuring his left leg. The Pittsburgh Pirates added first baseman Spencer Horwitz to the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain after he exited Wednesday's game. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees placed infielder Ryan McMahon on the IL with a throat infection, recalling Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A.

The concussion list saw a notable return as Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was activated Thursday. However, the team also placed infielder Cody Freeman on the 10-day injured list with a herniated disk. The Oakland Athletics lost infielder Zack Gelof to a right hand injury sustained when he was spiked by a cleat during a play Tuesday. In a more positive development, the Cincinnati Reds activated Elly De La Cruz from the injured list after he missed just over three weeks.

Disciplinary Actions & Player Performance

Outfielder Max Kepler has been activated by the Arizona Diamondbacks following his completion of an 80-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug violation. Relief pitcher Abner Uribe of the Milwaukee Brewers began serving his one-game suspension Wednesday, nearly a month after it was initially handed down. The Los Angeles Dodgers saw Shohei Ohtani secure a win on the mound Wednesday, though he and catcher Dalton Rushing experienced a brief communication breakdown on a pitch that allowed a runner to advance.

In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays were on the verge of a combined no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals, but the bid was broken up in the ninth inning when Carter Jensen hit a two-rune home run off closer Craig Kimbrel. The Boston Red Sox scratched designated hitter Kyle Schwarber due to lower back tightness, and the Washington Nationals’ shortstop CJ Abrams was a late scratch with left side tightness. The Mets demoted pitcher Kodai Senga to the bullpen after a string of rough outings and are considering placing Juan Soto on the injured list due to back tightness.

Front Office & League Developments

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Bill DeWitt III has been elevated to chief executive officer, a role he will hold while continuing as team president. In what could signal future player movement, Major League Baseball is reportedly seeking a maximum contract length of 5 years for free agents switching teams in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the MLBPA. The players' union, meanwhile, has proposed a ban on prop betting on individual players, citing concerns over gambler harassment as part of ongoing CBA talks.

The Minnesota Twins are reportedly not planning to trade veteran All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, according to the team's general manager. The Milwaukee Brewers released Luis Rengifo, who had opened the season as their primary third baseman. Fantasy baseball managers are being advised on potential waiver wire targets and first-half relief pitcher standouts.

League Trends & Future Outlook

The 2026 season has reached its official midway point, with power rankings reflecting a shake-up at the top of the standings. Left-handed hitters are reportedly having a particularly strong season in 2026, with the automated ball-strike system potentially contributing to the trend according to one analyst. Meanwhile, a Single-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays experienced a heavily weather-affected season in 2025, facing numerous delays, postponements, and cancellations.

The Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, indicated that the Aug. 3 trade deadline will serve as a critical juncture for the team to decide whether to pursue a playoff spot or pivot towards future seasons. In a peculiar incident, Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed displeasure with second baseman Jazz Chisholm's decision to play while eating a lollipop during a game Monday night. The Chicago Cubs' manager, Craig Counsell, also voiced frustration over consecutive rainouts in New York.