MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 8:32 PM ET

Player News & Awards Watch

The MVP race continues to heat up as the All-Star break approaches, with Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. firmly in contention for the National League honor. Ohtani, who was held out of the lineup Saturday after his right biceps tightened during a season-high 110-pitch outing against the Padres on Friday, is unlikely to pitch in the All-Star Game due to his adjusted schedule. His start against the Padres saw Dalton Rushing behind the plate. Meanwhile, the Rays' Junior Caminero, at, has become the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games, a remarkable streak that has helped propel Tampa Bay to the top of the AL Power Rankings, knocking the Yankees down a spot in Week 14.

Injuries & Roster Moves

A rash of injuries continued to impact several clubs, with significant players landing on the injured list. The Mariners placed Julio Rodriguez on the seven-day IL with a concussion after he took a throw to the back of the helmet during Thursday's game. The Padres are without starting pitcher Randy Vásquez, who went on the 15-day IL with a bruised right ankle after fainting following his start. In the Bronx, the Yankees sidelined lefty Carlos Rodón on Friday due to elbow inflammation, landing him on the 15-day IL. Orioles closer Ryan Helsley also hit the 15-day injured list with an elbow issue, experiencing discomfort while warming up earlier in the week. Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is out for at least 10 days with an abdominal strain sustained Tuesday.

In other roster moves, the Braves signed former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league deal as they seek offensive help. They also recalled infielder Jim Jarvis from Triple-A and designated first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment. The Cubs recalled Drew Pomeranz from Triple-A Iowa and optioned Jordan Wicks, while the Cardinals reinstated Ryne Stanek from the paternity list and sent Gordon Graceffo to Triple-A. The Reds plan to activate pitcher Hunter Greene from the 60-day injured list for his season debut Saturday night. Pirates ace Paul Skenes endured a difficult outing against the Phillies, allowing a season-high seven earned runs in just four innings during a 10-6 loss. Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko faces a "lengthy" recovery after breaking his back in a mid-week collision during a minor league game.

League Trends & Special Events

As the trade deadline looms, speculation continues about potential moves for key players like Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and Freddy Peralta this summer. The league is also preparing for holiday festivities, with teams set to don specially designed stars-and-stripes uniforms for all games on July 4th across MLB. Ballpark menus are getting a festive makeover as well, with notable food offerings from the Dodgers to the Nationals celebrating the holiday.

The Major League Baseball Players Association has submitted a labor proposal that includes potential changes to roster sizes and protections against demotions during the season, indicating ongoing discussions. Mets owner Steve Cohen stated he has no plans to fire president of baseball operations David Stearns, despite the team's struggles this season.

Player Milestones & Performances

Aroldis Chapman has cemented his place in history, now holding the record for the most strikeouts among relief pitchers in MLB history. Dansby Swanson had a historic day at the plate, hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs, including a grand slam, in the Cubs' commanding 23-3 victory over the Cardinals. His eight RBIs were the most by a Cubs player since Sammy Sosa in 2002 during that game. The Guardians secured a dramatic walk-off win against the White Sox thanks to Brayan Rocchio's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of their series opener.

In a peculiar incident, Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli apologized for shouting "sit down, boy" at Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras, which instigated a benches-clearing incident during their matchup. Meanwhile, Yankees captain Aaron Judge is awaiting further scans on a stress fracture in his right rib, delaying an update on his return status from that injury. The All-Star Game selection process is also underway, with some players like Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski potentially missing out due to their pitching schedules around the break.