MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

Player Health & Suspensions

The league office continued to hand down suspensions following Tuesday night's brawl at Fenway Park, with Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras each receiving seven-game bans. Contreras also found himself ejected for a second consecutive game after a heated exchange with Cavalli, who later apologized for shouting "sit down, boy" at his opponent. Meanwhile, Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko posted on social media Thursday that he faces a "lengthy" recovery after a Tuesday collision with a teammate, and Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez was taken to the hospital after fainting during his start Thursday night. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez was removed from Thursday's game after being hit in the back of the helmet by a thrown ball while sliding into second base.

Team Moves & Roster Changes

The Braves recalled infielder Jim Jarvis from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday and designated veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment. In other roster news, the Reds placed outfielder Dane Myers on the 10-day injured list with a bruised left shoulder after he crashed into an outfield wall, while Giants third baseman Matt Chapman was moved to the IL with a strained abdominal muscle. Two-time All-Star Brent Rooker will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn cartilage in his left knee.

Trade Speculation & Future Outlook

With the trade deadline more than a month away, speculation is mounting about potential player movement. Pitchers Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and Freddy Peralta are among those who could be on the move before the deadline. Looking further ahead, the Dodgers lead the pack with the best odds to win the 2026 World Series, followed by the Phillies and Brewers.

Player Milestones & Performances

Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, has etched his name in the record books by becoming the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six consecutive games. He has also committed to participating in the All-Star Home Run Derby. On Thursday, Cubs slugger Dansby Swanson had a historic day, hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs in a commanding 23-3 victory over the Pirates, marking the most RBIs by a Cubs player since Sammy Sosa in 2002.

Team Streaks & Struggles

The Yankees' struggles continued as they dropped their seventh consecutive game, their longest skid in three years, following a 6-2 loss to the Tigers on Wednesday. Their offense has been particularly anemic, managing only four hits in a 9-3 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Marlins concluded their best month in franchise history in June, securing their 20th win of the month with a decisive 14-3 victory over the Rockies.

All-Star Game & Futures Game

Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski's potential start on the Sunday before the All-Star break could make him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game itself. Nationals shortstop Eli Willits, the top overall pick in last year's draft, was among the 50 players selected for the All-Star Futures Game. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has declined an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby.

Managerial & Front Office News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts became the fastest manager in MLB history to reach 1,000 career wins after his team defeated the Athletics on Tuesday night. Mets owner Steve Cohen stated Wednesday that he is not considering dismissing president of baseball operations David Stearns, despite the team's ongoing struggles.

League Initiatives & Rule Changes

In a move to aid recovery from recent earthquakes, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players' Association announced a joint $1 million donation to Venezuela. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied MLB's request to trademark the phrase 'Play Ball,' citing its common usage. The Major League Baseball Players Association's latest labor proposal includes provisions for increased roster sizes and protections against demotions during the season.

Special Events & Promotions

Special July 4th uniforms featuring stars-and-stripes themes will be worn by all teams during games on July 4. The annual "Bobby Bonilla Day" saw the Mets continue their tradition of paying the former infielder $1.19 million on July 1, despite him not playing for the team since 1999. A dedication ceremony was held in Milwaukee for a large mural honoring longtime broadcaster Bob Uecker.

Fantasy & Statistical Analysis

Eric Karabell is advising fantasy baseball managers on potential future developments, including the possibility of pitchers like Tarik Skubal surging and the implications for players like Luis Arraez. He also highlights prospects fantasy managers should monitor as July begins. A deep dive into the statistic WAR explores its past, present, and future impact on the game.

Player Health Updates

Yankees captain Aaron Judge is awaiting further scans on a stress fracture in his right rib. Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was placed on the 10-day injured list before Wednesday's game due to lower back inflammation, having exited Tuesday's game before his first at-bat with similar discomfort. Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried took a step forward in his recovery from a bone bruise in his left elbow, throwing approximately 30 pitches in a simulated game. Guardians rookie left fielder Cooper Ingle inadvertently tossed a live ball into the stands in the seventh inning Tuesday night, resulting in an opponent scoring a run due to the miscue.

Miscellaneous Notes

The Tampa Bay Rays have moved into the top spot in the AL power rankings, while the Miami Marlins cracked the top 10. Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his pitching start Friday against the Padres, with Dalton Rushing set to catch him. Ohtani's scheduled start for Wednesday against the Athletics was moved to Friday to allow for additional rest. The Guardians secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over the White Sox on Brayan Rocchio's walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.