MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

Mets Manager Fired Amid Historically Poor Season

The New York Mets dismissed manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, citing the club's historically poor start to the season. Mendoza's tenure ended with the team at 34-47. This move raises questions about the future of GM David Stearns and the team's strategy leading up to the trade deadline, with speculation mounting about whether the Mets will attempt to contend or pivot towards future seasons under Stearns's direction. President of baseball operations David Stearns stated that there is still time for the Mets to contend this season, viewing the Aug. 3 trade deadline as the "cut off" point for such decisions regarding their playoff aspirations.

Player Movement and Injuries Plague Teams

The Chicago Cubs acquired left-hander David Peterson from the New York Mets, seeking to bolster their pitching depth amidst a series of injuries. Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed perplexity over recent rainouts in New York, impacting the team's schedule and player availability. The Cubs have since placed two starters, Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera, on the 15-day injured list. Cabrera was carted off the field Tuesday night with a leg injury, while Brown's placement on the IL was also confirmed. Meanwhile, the Mets have moved struggling pitcher Kodai Senga to the bullpen and are considering placing outfielder Juan Soto on the injured list due to back tightness.

Several other teams also dealt with significant player absences. The Texas Rangers activated shortstop Corey Seager from the concussion list, though they placed infielder Cody Freeman on the 10-day IL with a herniated disk. The Pittsburgh Pirates placed first baseman Spencer Horwitz on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, with Horwitz having exited Wednesday night's game with discomfort. The Yankees placed infielder Ryan McMahon on the IL due to a throat infection, recalling Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A. The Athletics saw infielder Zack Gelof leave Tuesday's game with a hand injury after a cleat spike. The Nationals scratched shortstop CJ Abrams due to left side tightness, and the Phillies scratched home run leader Kyle Schwarber with lower back tightness.

Pitching Injuries and Setbacks Continue

The pitching landscape has been significantly impacted by injuries. The Minnesota Twins recommended right-hander Mick Abel for arthroscopic elbow surgery, with his return timeline to be determined post-operation. The Kansas City Royals expect Cole Ragans to undergo surgery for a left elbow impingement that has sidelined him since early May. In a positive note for the Cubs, they acquired Peterson from the Mets as they need healthy starting pitchers. Meanwhile, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani earned a win on the mound Wednesday after overcoming a rough second inning.

Midseason Milestones and League Discussions

As teams officially hit the midway point of the 2026 season, MLB Power Rankings have seen a shake-up. In recent fantasy baseball projections, Eric Karabell explored the potential for Eric Caglianone to reach 40 home runs. The league is also addressing player conduct and contractual matters. The MLB Players Association has proposed a ban on prop betting on individual players as part of ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks, aiming to curb harassment against athletes. MLB is also reportedly seeking a maximum contract length of 5 years for free agents switching teams in the next CBA negotiations.

Player Suspensions and Rehab Assignments

The Arizona Diamondbacks activated outfielder Max Kepler from the restricted list Thursday following his completion of an 80-game suspension for a PED violation. Brewers reliever Abner Uribe began serving his one-game suspension Wednesday night, nearly a month after it was initially handed down. On the rehab front, Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin started his assignment with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday night.

Other League Notes

The 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend is set to take place in Philadelphia on July 14 with a comprehensive guide available. The Tampa Bay Rays had their combined no-hitter broken up in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals when Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer off Craig Kimbrel. The St. Louis Cardinals announced the elevation of Bill DeWitt III to chief executive officer after serving as team president. Left-handed hitters are reportedly performing well in 2026, with the automated ball-strike system potentially contributing to this trend according to one analysis.

Individual Performances and Fantasy Outlook

Dansby Swanson of the Cubs set a franchise record for RBIs in a doubleheader sweep of the Mets, surpassing Hall of Famer Ron Santo's 1970 mark. In fantasy baseball discussions, several players are being highlighted as potentially underrated, including a quartet that should be added to rosters according to Tristan H. Cockcroft. The Minnesota Twins have stated they have "no plans" to trade veteran All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton according to their general manager.