MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:33 PM ET

Mets Navigate Tumultuous Period with Managerial Change, Player Woes

The New York Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday, citing the club's "historically poor start" to the season. The decision came after the team's 34-47 record, and shortstop Francisco Lindor indicated that players, along with president of baseball operations David Stearns, accepted responsibility for the team's struggles. This managerial shift comes amidst a series of personnel moves and injuries, including the acquisition of pitcher David Peterson from the Mets by the Chicago Cubs as part of a trade aimed at bolstering the Cubs' pitching depth amid their own injury concerns.

Player Injuries Continue to Mount Across Leagues

Injuries continue to sideline prominent players across MLB. Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is unlikely to participate in the Home Run Derby due to a strained right hamstring. In Boston, infielder Marcelo Mayer was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left forearm injury. The Pittsburgh Pirates also saw first baseman Spencer Horwitz land on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain sustained during a game earlier in the week against Seattle. The Cubs are dealing with their own pitching issues, with Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera both placed on the 15-day injured list after Cabrera was carted off the field with a leg injury against the Mets.

Player Transactions and Roster Moves

The transaction wire remained active as teams adjusted rosters. The Chicago Cubs acquired veteran left-hander David Peterson from the New York Mets, a move driven by the Cubs' urgent need for healthy starting pitchers. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks activated outfielder Max Kepler from the restricted list following his 80-game PED suspension. In other roster news, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was activated from the concussion list, though teammate Cody Freeman was subsequently placed on the injured list with a herniated disk. The Yankees opted to place infielder Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injured list due to a throat infection, recalling Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A.

Front Office Shakeups and League Policy Discussions

The Los Angeles Angels fired general manager Perry Minasian on Friday and announced that longtime executive John Mozeliak will join the organization as a consultant to aid in a departmental overhaul. In St. Louis, Bill DeWitt III was elevated to chief executive officer of the Cardinals, having previously served as team president. Off the field, the MLB Players Association has proposed a ban on player prop betting as part of ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks with MLB. The union's proposal aims to mitigate harassment directed at players from disgruntled gamblers, according to a union source. Additionally, MLB is seeking a maximum contract length of 5 years for free agents who change teams in the next CBA negotiations, while also aiming to retain exclusivity for their own players for a longer period.

Midseason Milestones and Player Performances

As the official midway point of the 2026 season approaches, with teams playing their 81st games, the league is seeing notable player performances and potential future trends. Cubs infielder Dansby Swanson boosted his RBI total to 15 during a recent series against the Mets, breaking a franchise record previously held by Ron Santo. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani secured a win on the mound despite an early-season hiccup where he and catcher Dalton Rushing experienced a miscommunication on a pitch. Fantasy baseball analysts are also with Eric Karabell exploring hypothetical scenarios such as a 40-homer season for Caglianone. Furthermore, some analysts suggest that the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system may be contributing to a rise in success for left-handed hitters in 2026 according to analyst analysis.

All-Star Game Preparations and Player Recognition

With the 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend set to be held in Philadelphia on July 14, preparations are underway for the Midsummer Classic. The event is considered the league's biggest summer showcase. While specific rosters have not yet been finalized, the league is gearing up for the festivities. Meanwhile, some players are being recognized for their contributions, with Tristan H. Cockcroft identifying a quartet of "criminally underrated players" who he believes deserve more attention on their respective rosters based on performance analysis.