MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: June 28, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Power Hitters & Injury Woes

Hunter Goodman launched three home runs and drove in five runs Saturday, powering the Colorado Rockies to an 8-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Goodman's power display followed a clutch two-out, two-run homer he hit in the ninth inning on Friday. Meanwhile, the injury bug continued to bite other clubs. The Chicago Cubs placed left-handed reliever Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list with appendicitis, adding to their already depleted pitching staff. The Boston Red Sox also saw an infielder go down, placing Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day injured list with a left forearm injury.

Pitching Notes and Trades

In a significant move for the Orioles, pitcher Chris Bassitt underwent back surgery with the team expressing optimism for a return before the end of the season. The Cubs, facing their own pitching challenges, acquired veteran left-hander David Peterson from the Mets. Cubs President Jed Hoyer stated the urgency for the trade was driven by the team's need for healthy starting pitchers. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Milwaukee Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski unleashed a 105.5 mph fastball in a win, setting a new record for the fastest pitch recorded by a starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era.

Player News and Future Outlook

Mike Trout indicated that he is unlikely to participate in the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia due to a strained right hamstring. In other player news, the Diamondbacks activated outfielder Max Kepler following an 80-game suspension for a PED violation. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was activated from the concussion list, though the team placed infielder Cody Freeman on the injured list with a herniated disk. The Pirates also placed first baseman Spencer Horwitz on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain.

Front Office and League Matters

As interim general manager for the Angels, John Mozeliak has a substantial to-do list, but the hiring of a new manager is not an immediate priority. The MLB Players Association has proposed a ban on prop betting on individual players as part of ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks, aiming to mitigate harassment from gamblers, according to a union source. In potential future CBA negotiations, MLB is looking to cap free agent contracts at five years for players switching teams, while teams would have the ability to retain their own players for longer periods.

Notable Performances and Records

The Chicago White Sox delivered a historic offensive performance Friday, routing the Kansas City Royals 22-1. Tristan Peters led the charge with a grand slam and six RBIs, while Miguel Vargas contributed a three-run homer and an RBI double during a 10-run third inning. This marked the White Sox's most runs scored since 1977. Dansby Swanson of the Cubs continued his impressive RBI streak, pushing his total to 15 in a series against the Mets, breaking the franchise record of 10 previously held by Ron Santo.

Team Standings and Midseason Analysis

As the 2026 season hits its official midway point with teams playing their 81st games, the MLB Power Rankings have seen some adjustments, with No. 2 debut powerhouse shaking up the top. The strength of current playoff contenders is being driven by specific factors unique to each club. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays' Single-A affiliate in Dunedin faced an extraordinary number of weather-related disruptions in 2025, experiencing 24 weather delays, 10 postponements, and six cancellations.

Player Development and League Trends

Left-handed hitters are experiencing a surge in performance in 2026, with the league's new automated ball-strike challenge system potentially contributing to this trend, according to analyst Scott Olney. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani earned a win on the mound Wednesday after navigating a rough second inning where a communication breakdown with catcher Dalton Rushing led to a passed ball. The 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend is set to take place in Philadelphia on July 14, with comprehensive guides available for attendees.

Unusual Events and Awards

In a unique ceremony at a White Sox game, former player Ron Kittle was married in a ballpark suite on Friday night, with Chicago chairman Jerry Reinsdorf officiating the wedding. This event occurred as the White Sox were en route to their dominant 22-1 victory over the Royals. Elsewhere, analyst Jeff Passan has begun handing out unexpected MLB awards for both the most impressive and most embarrassing moments of the season.

Pitching Feats and Near No-Hitters

The Tampa Bay Rays were on the verge of a combined no-hitter against the Royals on Thursday, but the bid was broken up in the ninth inning when Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer off reliever Craig Kimbrel. The Rays' combined no-hitter bid was broken up in the ninth by that late home run.